A gentle breeze blows, warm winds arrive, and the waves shimmer; on this day, the sea is experiencing a rare moment of tranquility.
By the shore, the fine sand is warm on the surface and cool underneath, alternating between heat and coolness, providing a comfortable sensation.
Not far from the shore, in a sun-drenched spot, three umbrellas have already been set up. Beneath them are beach chairs.
The beach chairs are spacious, large enough to accommodate two people.
The sun is nearing its zenith.
The sunlight is brilliant and scorching.
The brilliant sun has a slightly intoxicating effect.
Zhao Lun, wearing sunglasses, lies on the chair, stretching his body as much as possible, letting the sunlight bathe his skin. Not a drop of sweat forms, and he lies languidly, unwilling to move.
Beside him, Maria, the young girl, has played herself out and is now fast asleep.
Under the umbrella next to them, the other ladies are also lying still, seemingly asleep as well.
Several dogs, unable to bear the heat, have dug into the sand to bury themselves in its coolness, leaving only their panting heads exposed.
Aside from the gentle sound of the warm breeze, all that can be heard is the rhythmic crashing of the waves. Beyond that, the area is serene and peaceful.
Everything appears so quiet and harmonious.
Zhao Lun slowly wakes from his light intoxication and, through his sunglasses, quietly observes the subtly changing surroundings.
Under the scorching sunlight, a faint mist begins to rise nearby. The mist is delicate and thin, so subtle that it's hard to notice unless you look closely.
This thin veil of mist resembles a mirage, and within it, Zhao Lun perceives lush vegetation, shadowy forests, and towering, ferocious beasts long thought extinct.
Upon further scrutiny, the mist seems like a fractured space-time rift, merging with the world.
A gentle breeze carries the scent of grass and trees from the mist, devoid of any trace of the sea's salty air.
Zhao Lun is certain that this is no mirage!
He stares in fascination, trying to peer through the mist into another realm.
The surrounding environment has been affected, becoming even more pleasant—both the air and the sea are crystal-clear, free of any pollution.
If he concentrates, he can feel a faint spiritual presence.
"Hmm? Something's not right, what is this?"
Within this spiritual aura, there's a faint trace of something almost invisible. It seems toxic, filled with a frenzied intent.
Upon seeing it, Zhao Lun feels a sense of impending destruction, chaos, and the wild attack of a madman—an opposite extreme to the previous spiritual presence.
These two opposing forces are spreading throughout the area.
The people and dogs around, drawn to the spiritual energy, are surrounded by a soft glow during their rest, appearing almost sanctified.
Sanctified? It seems unremarkable on humans, but when applied to the dogs lying in the sand, Zhao Lun finds it strange.
What is the cause of this?
Zhao Lun quickly searches his mind for related knowledge to reason and confirm his suspicions.
The time has reached noon.
The weather is getting hotter, and beneath the umbrellas, everyone has started to sweat, no longer able to sleep.
Waking up parched, the maids have already brought freshly made watermelon juice without being asked. Taking a sip, the cool taste extinguishes the heat.
"It's gotten a lot hotter."
The sun is growing brighter, its rays becoming blinding.
"Brother, should we go home for lunch?"
Maria is lively, and the heat doesn't make her stop for a moment. Previously, she'd been picking seashells or playing with the dogs, and after resting, her stomach began to protest.
"Wherever you want to go, we'll go."
Zhao Lun pulls himself out of his thoughts.
"Where to?"
Maria points to a villa in the distance, suggesting the location.
"Alright, we'll go there."
Zhao Lun agrees, and the ladies nod in approval.
They had been basking in the sun all morning and hadn't gone for a swim yet. From the looks of it, they seemed unsatisfied and were eager to continue playing in the afternoon. Zhao Lun had come to accompany them, and wherever the ladies wanted to go, that's where they would go.
Could they encounter such a situation again in the afternoon?
"The sun's great today. We can continue basking in it."
"Boss, could you help me out?"
"Mm, just apply some sunscreen."
Zhao Lun ponders whether to accept or decline the situation.
"Monica's skin is nice, so smooth..."
"Nico's legs are long, with great elasticity..."
"Zhi Jie's..."
As these thoughts cross his mind, Zhao Lun finds himself looking forward to it.
"Brother, let's go!"
"Mm."
At the villa, a small mountain surrounds it, creating a natural bay.
The bay is windless, facing the sun, with calm, clear waters like a mirror.
Through the sunlight, you can see brightly colored fish swimming not far off, the fine sand on the sea floor, and coral clusters.
The villa is constructed with special materials, located in the best spot in the area. From top to bottom, from far to near, the entire villa resembles a jewel embedded in the landscape.
The environment is beautiful, and the design complements it perfectly, blending seamlessly with nature.
When they arrive, lunch has already been prepared, and it is served directly on the water platform.
The water platform is an extension of the villa into the sea, made of a new type of crystal steel. On the platform, one can see the underwater scenery through the transparent material.
The platform is carefully arranged, with a comfortable temperature, making dining here a pleasurable experience.
Lunch, delivered from the manor, is once again a creation by Mulan. As they enjoy the stunning view, they savor some of the world's rarest delicacies, and everyone has become intoxicated.
After the meal, the dishes are cleared away, and fruit and tea are brought out.
The group, not wanting to go anywhere, stays to relax in this tranquil spot.
When digestion is almost complete, with a splash, a mermaid enters the water, swimming gracefully toward the platform.
The young girl's eyes light up, and she immediately waves across the platform to greet the mermaid.
"Hi, Nico!"
"Over here, Nico!"
The crystal steel is thick, blocking sound, and despite calling for a while, the mermaid doesn't hear.
Finally, noticing her wave, the mermaid swims over. Smiling, the mermaid extends her crystal-clear hand, communicating with sign language.
The young girl understands, nodding and smiling, then extending her own small hand to communicate in return.
At this moment, two more mermaids swim over.
The three mermaids, moving in perfect harmony in the water, spiraling and intertwining, perform a series of graceful movements that are breathtakingly beautiful.
Zhao Lun, Maria, and Ada are all moved by the sight.
While they are enjoying the scene, an unusual undercurrent stirs in the distance.
The undercurrent is fierce, a powerful force spreading outward.