Instantly, the aura of the immortal artifact assailed them! The Mermaid Queen, however, widened her eyes, staring blankly at her face, a face now perfectly clear in the light, familiar and deeply missed!
It was her! It had to be her! That face… identical to her mother’s! Excitement surged within her. She knew, this time, the Merfolk would surely win! Because… their most powerful ancestor… had returned!
At this moment, no one noticed the Mermaid Queen’s unusual expression. Only a few older merfolk cast surprised glances at Jin Bao’er, but quickly regained their composure! She merely looked alike! Their gazes soon fell upon the long sword in her hand. That aura…
“Is this… Dragon clan?”
The next second, the woman gripped the sword hilt with one hand, her aura erupting instantly. Astonishing spiritual energy surged around her, the pressure of the God Transformation stage directly assaulting her surroundings…
All the merfolk were stunned!
Following that, the woman forcefully swung her long sword, striking the transparent barrier with immense force…
"Clang!!"
The sound of the barrier colliding with the immortal artifact echoed in their ears, emitting a deafening clang! Powerful force rapidly impacted the surroundings, sending the merfolk tumbling to the ground…
In a short while, a crisp "snap" came from the barrier where the Soul Slasher had struck, and fine cracks began to widen!
Seeing this, the young merman whimpered and retreated to a corner, instinctively shielding his face with his sturdy tail…
"Boom!"
Instantly, the cracks on the barrier spread rapidly, the sound of shattering reaching their ears, followed by its complete collapse! Countless fragments drifted in the water, like scattered starlight, a breathtaking sight!
Seeing its effectiveness, Jin Bao’er did not hesitate, swiftly striking at the other cage barriers. The merfolk recoiled in fear, a mixture of excitement and anticipation bubbling within them!
The prison echoed with sounds of shattering and bombardment, soon attracting the attention of many mermen, including the tall man deep within the palace…
"Go inform the other four, we have guests!"
In less than a minute, all the female merfolk in the dungeon were released. The Mermaid Queen, as soon as she was free, swam rapidly towards Jin Bao’er, her eyes filled with longing and self-recrimination…
"Your Majesty!"
An older merfolk quickly stopped her, shaking her head with emotion.
The Queen paused, then grabbed the merfolk and was about to speak, her joyful face brimming with excitement.
But the merfolk held her back, and whispered,
"Your Majesty! She is human!"
Even she had reincarnated long ago! She had no ties to the merfolk any longer!
The Mermaid Queen froze, then looked at Jin Bao’er with a complex expression, a mix of remembrance and joy.
Despite the Mermaid Queen’s sudden change, Jin Bao’er, though puzzled, said nothing. She calmly met her gaze, then handed her a bottle of Spirit Gathering Pills!
"Your Majesty, these are pills that can rapidly replenish spiritual energy and stamina…"
Before she could finish, the Mermaid Queen directly took the bottle and swallowed a pill without hesitation, a smile of utmost trust on her face, her tone a stark contrast to her earlier distant demeanor!
Jin Bao’er had expected to have to persuade her for a long time before she would lower her guard, yet here she was, being so accommodating!
Was it because of the display of strength she had just shown? Merfolk, truly, were peculiar creatures.
Following that, the pills were distributed to the many merfolk to restore their strength. The young merman approached her, his eyes filled with admiration! A flush of nervousness appeared on his face…
"Um… thank you!"
She turned her head, her tone quite calm.
"No need! We had an agreement, didn't we?"
Before long, after they had prepared themselves and stepped out, they were indeed met by a vast expanse of mermen…
Fortunately, most were at the Foundation Establishment stage. Four at the God Transformation stage…
Seeing this, she raised an eyebrow! Her gaze swept across the surroundings. Could the last one be hidden, preparing for an ambush? Her eyes grew solemn!
"Your Majesty, there is one more lurking in the shadows!"
The Mermaid Queen blinked, then smiled at her.
"Mm… I know!"
Her tone held an unexplainable nuance! It left Jin Bao’er utterly bewildered.
"Her Majesty said there were guests. I didn't believe it at first. But now… Oh ho! It’s a mere human lass! Hahaha!"
One merman with a green tail spoke with extreme arrogance, looking disdainfully at Jin Bao’er’s legs, as if holding human cultivators in utter contempt.
The other three merfolk shared the same expression, not taking her seriously at all. Instead, most of their gazes were fixed on the Mermaid Queen.
At this moment, the other three mermen suddenly spoke…
"I said it long ago! We should have killed all the merfolk to prevent future trouble! If Her Majesty hadn't disagreed, they would never have had the chance to escape the dungeon!"
"Alas, I'm curious, how did they break through the barrier! Could it be… the merfolk’s greatest treasure has always been with Her Majesty?"
As soon as these words were spoken, all eyes greedily turned to the Mermaid Queen, as if they were extremely interested in the legendary merfolk treasure.
Meanwhile, Jin Bao’er, standing at the forefront, was ignored by everyone. That feeling of being looked down upon… was rather uncomfortable!
She pursed her lips slightly, her gaze icy, her long sword exuding an imposing aura! Killing intent radiated outwards! A chilling aura descended like a torrential downpour! A silent pressure that was suffocating!
"What? Looking down on me? You stinking fish and shrimp…"
As if sensing the sudden surge of her oppressive aura, though her cultivation level was not particularly high, she possessed such a soul-stirring presence. For a moment, the four mermen’s gazes suddenly turned serious. Upon hearing her words, their faces turned ashen!
"Stinking fish and shrimp?! You lowly human, you're courting death!"
As he spoke, the first God Transformation stage merman to speak charged forward, his God Transformation stage pressure assailing them, swiftly enveloping all the merfolk. All the Golden Core stage merfolk turned pale…
The Mermaid Queen, however, waved her hand, instantly dispelling the pressure. She frowned, her demeanor cold and powerful, her sharp gaze fixed on her opponent, exuding the imposing presence of a queen!
"Despicable mermen, I will never forgive you!"
As she spoke, the Queen suddenly charged forward, engaging the God Transformation stage merman in a fierce battle!
The fight erupted. Jin Bao’er also launched her attack, directly confronting the three God Transformation stage mermen. Fortunately, she, a peak God Transformation stage cultivator, was facing two early God Transformation stage mermen and one mid God Transformation stage merman…
Coupled with her strength, which could rival Nascent Soul stage cultivators, in the ensuing battle, she fought them to a standstill!
For a moment, the three mermen were astonished! Despite their frequent clashes, their attacks were evaded. Even with their coordinated efforts, they could only fight her to a draw, and both sides soon sustained injuries!
On the Mermaid Queen's side, she held the advantage, facing a mid God Transformation stage merman with an early God Transformation stage opponent. The outcome was evident.
Below, all the merfolk and mermen were engaged in a chaotic melee, the scene instantly descending into disarray!