Chapter 1159: Chapter 1157: The Limits of Perception
"When the answer was found, Vivian was so happy she even gave me a gift."
In Fu Qian’s exclamations, Nini Anni’s recollections of the past continued.
"A mermaid, a real mermaid from the outside world."
"I have heard their voices more than once, but my sister didn’t allow me to respond."
"But that day, she personally guided a lost mermaid here, letting me use her to verify the discovery."
"I was delighted, and during the trial, I shared some things with her as thanks."
So this is the original origin of the Fishmen?
Nini Anni’s words naturally led Fu Qian to think of the Siren’s cage.
That different face, it indeed seemed to be the work of a different hand.
"Vivian didn’t approve of this. She thought it would cause trouble, but later when the verification was successful, she didn’t scold me too much. This included the times I secretly did similar things afterward."
Nini Anni’s reminiscing abruptly stopped.
"Fu Qian, you came from the outside too, right?"
"Yes."
Fu Qian didn’t mind her opportune question.
"Entering here without guidance? Then you are very impressive."
Nini Anni’s praise sounded very sincere, but the question set Fu Qian’s mind adrift.
Although it seemed accidental on the surface, on closer inspection, one might wonder if there really was no guidance behind it.
At least according to the recent speculation, "Vivian’s" survival tactics were an absolute trap for him.
Of course, she still didn’t have the ability to persuade him, and couldn’t really trap him.
But the core plan to search for anomalies now seemed to be making no progress, caught in a state of delay and restraint.
Considering the day of the meeting with Chief Yuan, there wasn’t much time left for him.
"You’re looking for Vivian, is it for the escape route? I can tell you now."
"For you folks, this place is indeed not a good place."
At this moment, Nini Anni took the initiative to speak.
"Alright."
Fu Qian naturally didn’t mind having another way out.
"Actually, if you want to leave right now, you can totally follow her. She’s about to wake up."
Following the sharing, as if in response to Nini Anni’s words, the little mermaid on the ground moved slightly.
"She doesn’t bear my sister’s mark; I just heard her singing so pathetically."
Nini Anni offered an explanation.
"If you’re willing to accompany her, she will be a lot safer. I’m not too sure about the situation outside, but those Fishmen... they’re not friendly."
"All this time, my guiding them here was only for that faint trace of my sister’s presence, but they don’t recognize me at all, and soothing them is so difficult..."
But you still did it more than once.
Fu Qian thought to himself, but did not mock this persistence.
In view, the little mermaid was slowly propping up her upper body, looking around confusedly.
And the moment her face turned, it was clear to see that the originally ferocious features were gone, replaced by features typical of Fishmen, but not uniform.
Obviously, compared to the brutal infusion by "Vivian," Nini Anni favored a more natural transformation.
Of course, this still delicate face, upon seeing Fu Qian, contorted, instinctively seeking to hide towards Nini Anni.
However, she was soon scared back again by that flesh mountain.
Looks like her brain isn’t damaged.
Fu Qian made a remark, glanced at the gradually dimming light on his body, and made another killing gesture towards the little mermaid, helping her to recall her true identity.
"Unfortunately, I still have things to do. But with a bit of luck, those Fishmen probably won’t trouble her."
Of course, what he said was still normal.
"Thank you for your help, Nini Anni. Now I have one last question—"
"It wasn’t your sister who sent you, right?"
However, the next moment, Fu Qian’s words were interrupted by a voice in his head.
Nini Anni, who had suddenly changed her demeanor, sounded not too angry, but filled with endless loss.
Oh?
Fu Qian did not speak, glancing at the little mermaid.
The latter had overcome her fear and was again inching toward Nini Anni.
Considering how Nini Anni communicated, it wasn’t hard to imagine that the little mermaid had silently transmitted her actions to her.
Although she didn’t know much, it was enough for Nini Anni to gauge the friendliness of Fu Qian.
As well as whether his previous behavior had been carefully calculated, luring her to break her sister’s admonition.
"I should have thought of it earlier... This might also be why I subconsciously didn’t ask where Vivian went..."
"Fu Qian, I don’t know what you’re after, but can you tell me about my sister’s situation now?"
"Her condition is not good."
Fu Qian responded to this request with an unusually cold tone.
"But look on the bright side, maybe she can return to your side soon, and then be with you in the truest sense forever."
"Please don’t say that... I can do anything for you, since you wanted to come here, you must want something!"
From Fu Qian’s words, clear fear and pain could be heard.
And in her poor state, Nini Anni could do nothing but beg.
"Is that so? Then take a guess at what I want."
Facing what might be the most special entity within the Shattered Crown, Fu Qian directly pressured her to the limit, awaiting the outcome.
"...I don’t know; you’re like an enigma, untouchable, hard to observe... my will seems to be getting weaker and weaker..."
Unfortunately, moments later, the voice of Nini Anni resurfaced, again fraught with powerless pain.
"But please give me a little more time, I can surely manage, don’t hurt my sister."
"Why? Just a brief respite and you’ll see her soon. Are you that afraid, or is it because she can’t come back to you like other creatures?"
Fu Qian didn’t show his disappointment too quickly and kept applying pressure.
"No... It’s not the same, everything that appears, no matter how much it resembles the original owner, is still just a mutation of ’me.’ "
Nini Anni explained frantically.
"If I could truly combine two distinct beings into one, I would’ve begged my sister to take me with her long ago, even if it means giving up most of my body, but that’s impossible here in the Sea of Ashes."
Then you are out of touch, as far as I know, there’s a being just like the one you described floating on a ship outside right now—
The next moment, an idea crystallized in Fu Qian’s mind, as if something was slipping away.
[SAN Points decreased by 10]
Without any hesitation, he directly initiated the transformation into a Pseudo-Divine Being.