CHAPTER 290: CHAPTER 290 WAITING FOR YOU_1

In the blink of an eye, four months passed.

During these four months, Qin Feiyang had followed Princess Mermaid to many places. Their footprints had been left almost everywhere on and under the Sea of Despair. They encountered danger, experienced fights, and even endured massive storms. At one point, a giant tornado appeared, and both of them, along with the Sea Beasts, were nearly swept away.

But more often, there was laughter. Qin Feiyang’s mood was unprecedentedly relaxed. It could be said that these four months of experience greatly aided his future growth.

The affection in Princess Mermaid’s heart also deepened. At first, she would conceal it, but later, she would occasionally reveal her profound love.

Truth be told, it was impossible not to be moved by such a beautiful and kind woman.

If it weren’t for the numerous tasks he still had to undertake, he would genuinely fall for this woman, perhaps even stay for her. But he had no choice in certain matters. He also had to bury some feelings deep in his heart.

「On this day.」

The four-month-long excursion finally ended because Fatty and Lu Hong were at critical junctures, about to break through to the War King realm.

「Returning to the underwater city.」

Qin Feiyang and Princess Mermaid went straight to the Ocean King’s chambers.

The Ocean King glanced at them and chuckled. "You’re back! It seems you two had a grand time out there these past four months!"

Princess Mermaid said, "Father, it’s truly wonderful outside. You should go out more often when you have the time."

"I’m old; I can’t move like I used to, unlike you young folk, so full of energy." The Ocean King looked at them with a smile. "So, when are you planning to wed?"

Princess Mermaid’s delicate frame trembled slightly, and she lowered her head in silence. On the way back, Qin Feiyang had already told her he would be leaving that day.

The Ocean King’s brow furrowed. He looked at Qin Feiyang and said gravely, "Did you bully my daughter while I wasn’t around?"

Princess Mermaid hurriedly said, "Father, don’t misunderstand! He didn’t bully me."

"Then why do you look so unhappy?" the Ocean King asked, perplexed.

"Well..." Princess Mermaid hesitated, then sighed softly. "It’s better if Qin Feiyang tells you himself."

The Ocean King suppressed his temper. "Qin Feiyang, speak up! What exactly is going on?"

Qin Feiyang said, "Uncle, to be honest, I will be leaving the Sea of Despair shortly."

"What?" The Ocean King shot to his feet, roaring, "Then what about my daughter?"

"Uncle, please calm down," Qin Feiyang said. "Frankly, any man who meets the Princess would fall for her, myself included. But everyone has their own unspoken difficulties, and I am no exception. So, I ask for your understanding. Princess, I can only say I’m sorry." He bowed deeply.

"What difficulties?" the Ocean King pressed. "Tell me! I can help you!"

Qin Feiyang remained silent.

"Speak!" the Ocean King thundered.

Princess Mermaid said anxiously, "Father, don’t pressure him. Just let him go. If we are fated to be together, we will surely meet again."

The Ocean King said, "You silly child! Aren’t you afraid that this farewell might be forever?"

"If so, it only means we were destined to meet but not fated to be together," Princess Mermaid said with a smile, though it seemed forced.

"SIGH..." The Ocean King scanned the two of them. After a long pause, he sighed deeply. "Never mind, never mind. You two can figure this out on your own."

"Thank you, Uncle," Qin Feiyang said, cupping his hands.

「Next.」

With the help of the Ocean King, Fatty and Lu Hong successfully opened the Third Layer of the Door of Potential.

「Then.」

The two of them went to the holy land on their own.

Qin Feiyang took out the last Potential Elixir and handed it to Princess Mermaid with a smile. "I only have one Potential Elixir left; I hope you don’t mind."

If he had a Pill Furnace, he could make more. But unfortunately, the Pill Furnace had exploded, so he could only give her one.

Princess Mermaid shook her head. "I have no enemies here, so I don’t need the Potential Elixir. You should keep it; after all, you’ll need it while you’re out adventuring."

"What a considerate girl!" The White-Eyed Wolf strolled in leisurely, grinning at Qin Feiyang. "Xiao Qinzi, you might as well just marry her. Otherwise, if another man whisks her away later, it’ll be too late for regrets."

"Shut up!" Qin Feiyang glared at it, then forced the Potential Elixir into Princess Mermaid’s hand. He instructed that she must only consume it when she was about to break through to the Nine-Star War King realm.

The Ocean King frowned. "Qin Feiyang, I don’t care what difficulties you have. In the future, you must come back and marry my daughter."

"Father, are you afraid I won’t be able to get married? He’s not the only man in the world," Princess Mermaid pouted, speaking in a somewhat resentful tone.

"True. With my daughter’s beauty, countless men would be lining up to marry her," the Ocean King said proudly, glancing dismissively at Qin Feiyang.

Qin Feiyang gave a wry smile.

"Boss, we’re back!" Fatty and Lu Hong ran into the main hall, their faces alight with excitement.

"You gained something?" Qin Feiyang asked, surprised and skeptical.

Fatty cackled. With a WHOOSH, two black wings unfurled from his back.

「At the same time.」

Two white wings emerged from Lu Hong’s back.

"How is that possible?" Both Qin Feiyang and the White-Eyed Wolf were dumbfounded.

The Ocean King and Princess Mermaid were also filled with disbelief. Not Merfolk, yet they could actually inherit the lineage of the first Black Wing King and the first White Wing King?

Lu Hong laughed. "We also feel like we’re dreaming." They originally hadn’t harbored much hope, but the outcome was indeed a pleasant surprise.

The Ocean King asked, "Is the Battle Soul the same?"

Lu Hong shook her head. "The Battle Soul is different. We just gained an extra pair of wings; the Battle Soul wasn’t inherited."

Qin Feiyang asked, "Then what is your Battle Soul?"

"Our Battle Soul is also related to the statues of the first emperors. We’ll keep you in suspense for now; it’s a secret," Fatty chuckled.

Lu Hong’s eyes crinkled with amusement, showing no intention of speaking.

"I can understand Fatty being like this, but Lu Hong, how did you become like this too? It seems you’ve been corrupted by the White-Eyed Wolf and Fatty," Qin Feiyang said with a displeased expression.

"Heh," Lu Hong chuckled softly, saying nothing more.

"Fine, keep being mysterious!" Qin Feiyang rolled his eyes at them. Honestly, he was very curious. If it was associated with the first emperors, it had to be an extraordinary Battle Soul!

The White-Eyed Wolf glanced at Princess Mermaid and urged, "Alright, alright, let’s go now. Otherwise, a certain young lady is going to start crying."

"You’re the one who’s going to cry!" Princess Mermaid glared at it irritably, but her eyes were indeed starting to moisten.

Qin Feiyang looked at her deeply, then cupped his hands. "Uncle, Princess, until we meet again."

The Ocean King waved impatiently. "Go on, scram! Just looking at you is irritating."

"Let me see you off!" Princess Mermaid smiled.

"Sure," Qin Feiyang nodded.

The group left the main hall, swimming towards the sea surface.

"SIGH... Those who have to leave, must leave eventually." "It’s just a pity for my dear, well-behaved daughter!" the Ocean King sighed deeply, his face full of sorrow.

「On the sea surface.」

Princess Mermaid stood on the head of an Ocean King Crocodile. Qin Feiyang, Fatty, and Lu Hong each sat on the back of a seahorse. As for the White-Eyed Wolf, it had temporarily gone to the ancient castle.

No one spoke; a heavy silence fell upon them.

「In the end.」

It was Qin Feiyang who broke the silence, saying with a smile, "Princess, please go back now."

"Can I... hug you?" Princess Mermaid asked hesitantly.

Qin Feiyang remained silent for a moment before jumping off the seahorse and landing on the Ocean King Crocodile’s head. He reached out and pulled Princess Mermaid into his embrace.

「At this moment.」

The tears Princess Mermaid had been holding back finally streamed down her cheeks.

"Don’t cry. I’m not worth your tears." Qin Feiyang felt a pang of sadness in his heart.

Princess Mermaid cried even harder, her tear-streaked face a picture of heartbreaking beauty.

Fatty and Lu Hong exchanged glances, both their faces filled with regret. They weren’t blind; they could see that Qin Feiyang also liked Princess Mermaid a lot. It was just a shame he kept it buried deep in his heart.

Time ticked by.

Qin Feiyang gently pushed the woman in his arms away, whispering, "I really should go now."

Princess Mermaid asked, "You’ll come back, right?"

"I..." Qin Feiyang hesitated, then shook his head. "I’m sorry." He didn’t know if he would ultimately survive, so he dared not make any promises. All he could offer was an apology.

「With that said.」

He resolutely turned, jumped onto the seahorse, and shouted, "Let’s go!"

The three seahorses immediately galloped away, parting the waves.

Princess Mermaid’s body trembled, her face deathly pale.

Seeing Qin Feiyang about to disappear, she suddenly looked up and shouted, "Qin Feiyang, I don’t want your apology! I want you to live well! I’ll wait for you, even if it’s for ten thousand years!"

Her voice echoed over the sea, filled with deep love and reluctance to part.

Qin Feiyang heard her. Her words, ’I’ll wait for you, even if it’s for ten thousand years!’ almost made the defenses around his heart crumble. His tall frame trembled slightly. But he didn’t look back, quickly disappearing from Princess Mermaid’s sight.

Princess Mermaid stared blankly in that direction. She remained there until the sun went down, until night fell, and even until the stars sparkled late into the night; she did not leave.

"Child, let’s go back." The Ocean King surfaced, looking at his haggard daughter with deep heartache. He had never expected his daughter’s feelings to run so deep.

Princess Mermaid murmured, "Father, when you and Mother fell in love, what did it feel like?"

The Ocean King stood beside Princess Mermaid, looking up at the brilliant starry sky, and smiled. "When two people fall in love, they experience many things: joy and sorrow, hardship, partings, and reunions, even life and death...

"Your path has only just begun. And your path will likely be more difficult than anyone else’s because Qin Feiyang carries too many burdens. He’s also destined for an extraordinary life.

"If you truly love him, you must be strong and keep walking your path."

Princess Mermaid clenched her fists, her eyes shining with determination. "I understand.

"I will work hard on my cultivation. I don’t expect to become incredibly strong, but I want to at least be able to help him when he’s in danger."

What a silly child, the Ocean King sighed to himself, then said with a smile, "Come, go back with Father. Father will teach you those few battle arts."

"Okay." Princess Mermaid nodded, finally looking away from the empty sea.

SPLASH!

The Ocean King Crocodile, carrying the father and daughter, dove into the depths.

The place quickly regained its tranquility. But a deep yearning lingered between heaven and earth, refusing to dissipate.