They could clearly sense that the technology they had strived to develop over the past few millennia was gradually fading, a terrifying prospect.
Undoubtedly, technology had brought countless conveniences to human life. Yet now, humanity seemed to be regressing, abandoning what they once pursued to chase after mysterious and unpredictable powers.
This was normal. It was just that in the eyes of some, they were abandoning the root for the branches. If they had been fighting, they would have been too preoccupied to consider these issues. But now that a fight was out of the question, they began to contemplate how to restore peace to their lives.
Ming Yue found it troublesome and simply stated that she would have her subordinates cooperate once they had devised a suitable plan.
Furthermore, during this period, she would dispatch some ghosts skilled in the art of reading hearts to their territories. If a grave offense was committed, immediate execution would follow. For lesser offenses, the handling of the matter would be left to them.
Concurrently, the inner demons perceived by these individuals would be truthfully relayed to Ming Yue. She hoped they would adhere to their agreement, lest she resort to certain violent measures.
This had been decided long ago, and they naturally had no objections. With these matters settled, Ming Yue felt she had done her best and turned to leave without further words.
What was Xing Yuan doing? She was throwing a pre-party, which meant helping her single mermaid sisters find partners.
There were so many people in the world! To keep things within the family, Xing Yuan was naturally looking for suitable ghosts from within their own ranks first!
However, the gathered mermaids, gazing at row upon row of lifeless faces, felt no interest whatsoever.
One even yawned lazily, clinging to a sliver of hope, and asked, "Yuan, is the quality of the beauties here so low?"
Xing Yuan pondered for a second before nodding seriously. "Indeed, there aren't many of high quality. After all, there are few as good-looking as my partner in the entire world. However, a few here are passable; their faces are acceptable."
The mermaids: (。•́︿•̀。)
Xi gritted her teeth and lightly tapped Xing Yuan's head, indignantly saying, "Yuan, be serious. This is about the happiness of all our sisters."
"Oh! I know," Xing Yuan said, rubbing her head with a displeased expression.
Honestly, wasn't she just trying to lower their standards a bit after they'd seen so many unattractive individuals? The ones who fit their mermaid aesthetic were few, and with so many sisters, she wasn't sure if there would be enough to go around!
Xing Yuan stood up and clapped her hands. "Alright, time for the main course!"
Soon, five handsome and beautiful men and women who met the mermaids' aesthetic standards walked in.
Some had rather unpleasant personalities, but their looks were enough to compensate for their flaws.
Mermaids loved beauty, and Mu, being among the best, immediately wrapped her tail around someone she liked and took them away.
It was a joke; there were only so many of them, and if she didn't act fast, they'd be gone.
Mu's action seemed to be a signal for attack, and soon, several mermaids were wrapping up their chosen partners to cultivate their affections.
As for those who were slower, they gazed wistfully at Xing Yuan.
Mermaids didn't have large brains, so they didn't hold grudges. They only remembered things they deemed worthy of remembrance.
A few mermaids pitifully pouted and pleaded, "Yuan, are these all? Can you think of some more!"
Caught off guard by being seen as their hope, Xing Yuan couldn't hide her joy.
She nodded with feigned modesty and then suggested, "I heard we'll be sending people to investigate other alliances for any wrongdoings soon. Why don't we sisters go along for the fun?"
"No way, are you trying to trick us into doing free labor for you again?" Lin asked suspiciously.
"How could I?" Xing Yuan shook her head and said with a tone of disappointment, "Do you know why you should go with us?"
The mermaids pondered for a moment and then shook their heads.
"Think about it! While there aren't any good-looking ones here anymore, there are elsewhere! If you go and see someone you like, as long as you can defeat them, just bring them back. I'll help you clean up the mess."
"Yuan, you're such a good mermaid. I misunderstood you." Lin said, tears welling up and pearls falling with a plop.
Xing Yuan stared at the pearls below, lost in thought. Hmm, how could she have forgotten? Adult mermaids cried pearls when they wept, and they were so valuable.
However, she didn't seem to have any use for money.
Xing Yuan shook her head. What did it matter? Even if she didn't need money, it would look nice to put the pearls together.
So she said sincerely, "If you truly want to thank me, why not help me cry a bag of pearls?"
"Why doesn't Yuan cry herself?" Ming asked, not understanding.
Xing Yuan coughed lightly and said righteously, "Of course, it's because I already have a partner. I need to maintain a dignified and imposing image in front of my partner."
"Oh～ I see!"
"Don't worry, we'll definitely cry a bag of pearls for you."
Xing Yuan happily sent the mermaids away, then saw Ming Yue, who had returned at some unknown time.
She quietly sized Ming Yue up, curious as to why she had returned so early and whether she had seen or heard what she had just been doing.
Xing Yuan hesitated for a moment before running over and hugging Ming Yue's waist, her eyes sparkling as she looked at her, "Sister~ you're back!"
"Mm. What were you doing just now?" Ming Yue struggled to suppress a smile, wanting to see what excuse this mermaid had come up with.
"Sister~ Yuan was doing a good deed, helping others!" Xing Yuan said with an innocent expression.
As if to say, "See? Did you think too much? Did you misunderstand me? How could I, such a pure mermaid, do anything bad?"
In this regard, Xing Yuan was both experienced and very skilled.
Ming Yue was helpless but didn't want to expose the mermaid's thoughts, so she simply nodded. "When did you get up? Have you eaten?"
"A little while ago, I've eaten!" Xing Yuan replied obediently.
Ming Yue inexplicably felt like a kindergarten parent. This mermaid often acted very childishly.
Ming Yue suppressed her wandering thoughts, gently rubbed Xing Yuan's head, and said softly, "Things are mostly resolved now. When shall we go back to the sea to take a look?"
"Do you miss Bei?"
"Sort of!" Ming Yue didn't know if she was truly missing the child, but she felt that the deep sea was more like her home.
"Hmph ╯^╰ Sister has changed. Having me isn't enough, you want another mermaid!" Xing Yuan put on a spoiled act, a simple and unreasonable tantrum.
"How could that be? My heart only has Yuan. Bei is just a little fish, and I just want to go home with Yuan, to our home," Ming Yue said gently, her method of dealing with Xing Yuan being quite practiced.
"Mm… alright then! I'll reluctantly agree to you coming home with me," Xing Yuan said haughtily.
"Good~ Thank you, our little fish!" Ming Yue happily pinched the little fish's nose, her eyes full of smiles.
A side note: As mentioned before, mermaids, as a species, can sometimes be stubborn and a bit innocently foolish. They just don't hold grudges.
Xing Yuan, this particular mermaid, is a mutated species. She holds grudges the most.