Li Xian was caught off guard and staggered a couple of steps before being steadied by Shen Qing.
He turned around. When he saw Xu Yanxi, the frost in his eyes gradually gathered. "Do you still have the nerve to show up in front of Father and me?"
"I remember. I remember everything from back then!"
But Xu Yanxi seemed not to hear Li Xian's words. Like a madwoman, she tried to attack Li Yuan.
She thrashed about with her hands and feet, her face contorted in rage.
However, her actions didn't cause any harm to Li Yuan in his spiritual state. It was just a futile outburst of anger.
The tenderness in Li Yuan's eyes faded. When he saw Xu Yanxi, a complex look flashed across his face.
He both loved and hated this woman.
"Yanxi, even after all this, do you still hate me?"
Li Yuan's voice was deep, his emotions unfathomable. But it made Xu Yanxi stop in her tracks.
"Li Yuan, shouldn't I hate you?" Xu Yanxi's face was streaked with tears. She slumped to the ground and let out a bitter laugh.
Li Yuan sighed. "Back then, I told you that our Merman clan was under divine punishment. We were never supposed to leave the South Sea. If it weren't for your stubbornness..."
"So it's all my fault!" Xu Yanxi roared, as if trying to vent all her pent - up resentment.
Li Yuan fell silent. After a moment, he floated away from his original position and headed towards Li Xian.
With his back to Xu Yanxi, he said, "This is the last bit of my spiritual power remaining in this world. I don't want to waste any more time discussing this with you. If you want to hate me, then go ahead."
Then, he looked at Li Xian. Tears gradually welled up in his amber eyes. This wasn't just nostalgia for the mortal world but also reluctance to part with his child.
"Xian'er, I know you've had a tough time these years. Father is so sorry for bringing you into this world but failing to fulfill my responsibilities as a father."
"But fortunately, Master Yuxu has treated you well, and you've made good friends. Father is finally at ease."
"In the days to come, Father believes you can carry on bravely."
"As for your mother, for the sake of her giving birth to you, spare her life. The rest, let fate decide..."
Li Yuan seemed to be giving his last words, rambling on about many things.
Li Xian also knew that the spiritual power could only remain in this world for a limited time, so he just quietly listened to his father's words.
"By the way, there's one more important thing."
"Our Merman clan also has a legacy. The reason I've left my spiritual power is to wait for the right moment to pass on the legacy of the Merman clan to you, Xian'er. I hope that when you learn the truth about some things, you can still stay true to your heart."
As Li Yuan spoke, his figure became fainter and fainter, and even his voice started to sound distant.
"Father..." Li Xian's voice choked up.
This brief encounter had already made Li Xian develop feelings for his father.
"Alright, we don't have time to be sad. Come closer."
Li Yuan gathered his remaining spiritual power into a bright dot. Then, he snapped his fingers, and the dot flew into Li Xian's forehead.
As the dot disappeared into his forehead, a unique mark of the Merman clan immediately appeared in Li Xian's spiritual sea.
A flood of memories instantly filled his spiritual sea, causing sharp pains.
The intense pain made Li Xian cry out involuntarily. He hugged his head and slumped to the ground weakly.
"Li Xian..." Shen Qing called out worriedly, and her eyes involuntarily turned to Li Yuan.
Li Yuan gave Shen Qing a reassuring look and explained, "Time is running out. I don't have time to let him accept the legacy slowly. This method may cause Xian'er some pain, but it's the best way."
"Don't worry. He'll be fine."
Looking at Li Xian's pained expression, Li Yuan's heart ached.
If he could, he didn't want his son to suffer.
But Li Xian was the only remaining descendant of the Merman clan. There were some things he had to tell Li Xian, and Li Xian had to be forced to accept the fate of the Merman clan.
If the divine punishment continued, what would Li Xian's future be like...
Li Yuan sighed incessantly. He wouldn't be able to see how his child's fate would unfold in the future. The only thing he could do was pass on the legacy of the Merman clan to Li Xian to give him more confidence.
While Li Xian was accepting the legacy, Li Yuan looked at Shen Qing. After a careful look, he nodded in satisfaction.
"Rare ice spiritual root, spiritual bones, and the aura of the Dragon clan. Child, your identity is not simple."
Shen Qing was surprised. She didn't expect Li Yuan to see through the secrets on her with just one glance.
"I..."
"Don't explain," Li Yuan saw the girl's nervousness, smiled slightly, and interrupted Shen Qing.
"Li Xian can let his guard down around others thanks to you. After he regains his memories, he'll surely need some time to adjust. Please comfort him more."
Shen Qing nodded. Even if Li Yuan didn't say it, she would do it.
As he spoke, Li Yuan seemed to remember something and said with a smile, "Future daughter - in - law, I'll give you a meeting gift."
Before Shen Qing could reply, Li Yuan waved his hand.
Shen Qing felt her breath catch. It seemed that there was some change in her body.
She looked up in astonishment, just about to ask, when she heard Li Xian grunt.
"Li Xian, are you okay?" Shen Qing asked with concern.
Li Xian opened his eyes with difficulty and slowly nodded. The scene in front of him was blurry. He could hardly see Shen Qing, who was right in front of him.
"It seems that he's accepted the legacy. There will be some after - effects. He'll be fine after a rest."
"Father... the Merman clan..."
"Shh... don't say it."
Just as Li Xian was about to say something, Li Yuan quickly interrupted him.
Then, Li Yuan turned around and found that Xu Yanxi was staring at him motionlessly. But surprisingly, she didn't cause any trouble.
"Yanxi, my time is running out. Do you have anything to say to me?"
Xu Yanxi's lips moved a few times. A sneer appeared on the corner of her mouth. "What else is there to say between you and me?"
Seeing that Xu Yanxi still refused to say something soft, a flash of disappointment crossed Li Yuan's eyes.
"Your temper is still so stubborn..."
As soon as the words were out, Li Yuan's spiritual soul began to turn into bright dots from his feet.
The dots gradually began to dissipate, and Li Yuan couldn't hold on for much longer.
Li Xian was reluctant to part. "Father, won't I be able to see you again in the future? I still have so many things to ask you, and I still want to..."
I still want to spend more time with you!
Li Yuan looked at Li Xian lovingly, trying to engrave his son's appearance deeply in his mind.
"Like the Dragon clan, our Merman clan was born with the heaven and earth. The Merman Pearl I left behind won't disappear. Let it stay with you in my place..."
Li Yuan smiled. The dissipating dots had spread to his chest.
Seeing his father about to disappear, Li Xian felt a dull pain in his chest, and his eyes were stinging.
Reluctance, sadness, longing, and other complex emotions intertwined.
And Xu Yanxi finally realized that this was the last time she would see Li Yuan.
She ran towards Li Yuan like a madwoman, but only managed to see his face turn into bright dots and disappear from this world...