"Crystal fish?"

Liyue's cheeks flushed. She poked her head out from beneath the animal skin quilt, listening to the exclamations from the hall.

Her curiosity stirred. Should I go take a look at the crystal fish?

She had only ever read the descriptions in the Moon Lake Tribe's bounty notice—never once had she seen a crystal fish with her own eyes.

"…Let's go." Liyue couldn't resist. She quickly tidied herself and slipped quietly to the door.

Peeking out, she saw Luciel and Mino standing by the large bathtub in the hall.

Luciel, noticing her presence, beckoned her over with a smile. "Liyue, come and meet the newest member of our family."

"Oh… alright." She bit her lip, her cheeks warming as she stepped inside. Refusal never even crossed her mind.

Mino noticed her approach and quickly shifted aside to make space beside Luciel.

"Thank you," Liyue whispered.

"N-no, it's nothing," Mino stammered, flustered.

Liyue gave a faint smile before turning her gaze downward. The half-meter-long crystal fish swam lazily in the tub. For once, her normally cold expression softened into genuine surprise.

So this is a crystal fish? But… why is it so big?

The bounty described it as palm-sized!

Luciel caught the astonishment in her eyes and teased, "Does it look different from what you've heard?"

"It's completely different—it's far too big." She shook her head, missing the mischievous curve of his lips. If she had seen it, she might have guessed he was enjoying her reaction.

"I've been wondering," Luciel continued. "What exactly does the Moon Lake Tribe offer as a bounty for the crystal fish?"

After all, a creature that could condense water was essentially a walking treasure chest. In a world where even water was currency, its value was immeasurable.

"The reward is… a seat among the tribe's Elders, one-twentieth of all future water resources produced, a grand house, twenty slaves, and ten thousand catties of dried meat…"

Liyue frowned slightly as she recited, her tone cool.

"Enough." Luciel rubbed his temples. Even hearing it secondhand made his heart stir—it was no wonder others would be desperate to get their hands on one.

Mino, meanwhile, stood frozen. Her blue eyes were wide and vacant, her mind stuck on just four words: ten thousand catties of meat.

"That's why," Liyue said softly, the corner of her lips lifting, "you should understand that the crystal fish will attract countless greedy eyes."

She quickly hid her smile and warned seriously, "Especially the Elder's seat. That represents a position above thousands, enough to draw ambitious and capable people alike."

"Seems I'll need to revise my plans," Luciel said thoughtfully.

"What? You're not actually going to the Moon Lake Tribe, are you?" Liyue stared at him, stunned. This wasn't what she'd meant at all.

"It would be dangerous to bring the crystal fish there. There's no need to go. You could choose another tribe," she urged.

"Another tribe? Is there one larger than the Moon Lake Tribe?" Luciel asked, curious.

"Yes. If you head east for about twenty days, you'll reach the Golden Lion Tribe." Liyue pointed in that direction.

"Twenty days? That's too far." Luciel shook his head. He needed beast cores and evolution points now—he couldn't afford such a detour.

As long as he had enough points, the Moon Lake Tribe was no threat.

"It's just a little farther," Liyue tried again. "It could help you avoid the chaos after Bloodbeard's crystal fish went missing. For now, many still believe the thief fled far away. The Moon Lake Tribe will be calmer later."

"Sometimes, danger is also opportunity," Luciel said simply, patting her shoulder before walking away.

"…Haa." Liyue sighed softly. Once again, her words had been wasted. This stubborn man…

"Um… don't worry."

Mino looked at her timidly. "We should trust Luciel. He's really strong."

"That's only because he doesn't know what he'll be facing…" Liyue trailed off, but seeing the rabbit-eared girl's hopeful blue eyes, she couldn't bear to dampen her spirit.

She forced a small smile. "You're right. Luciel is strong. Nothing will happen to him."

"Hehe. I'll get started on breakfast!" Mino cheered and skipped away.

"…Really. Since when did I become so soft?"

Liyue lowered her gaze to the water, her blurred reflection shimmering in the ripples around the crystal fish.

In just two days, she barely recognized herself.

She had survived this long by always assuming the worst. That cautious mindset was her shield. Yet here she was… hesitating, softening.

Luciel, watching her from behind, muttered inwardly, She worries too much.

He knew his own strength better than anyone. He didn't flaunt it, but he also kept his true cards hidden.

"Liyue, come here. I need your help with something," he called.

"What is it?" She blinked and walked over curiously.

Luciel held out a piece of animal hide. "Do you recognize these characters?"

Liyue leaned in for a closer look, then raised her chin confidently. "Of course. They're beast-formed characters."

"They're called hieroglyphs," Luciel corrected, surprised.

So the ancient oracle script of his world had the same name here.

"They've always been called pictograms. Anyone with a bit of common sense knows that," Liyue retorted, rolling her eyes. Why is he being so dense today?

Luciel swallowed his explanation and simply asked, "Then what does this passage say?"

"Hmm… let me see…" She studied it carefully, her brows furrowing as she tried to piece it together. Finally, she muttered, "This says… 'Mrs… oh, sunflower.'"

Luciel stared at her blankly. So she's just guessing.

Narrowing his eyes, he asked quietly, "Liyue… are you illiterate?"

Her hand stiffened, crumpling the hide.

With a cold face, she shot back, "Who said that? Of course I can read."

"Oh? Really?" Luciel raised a brow. Pointing to three characters, he asked, "Then what about these?"

"Of… of course I know them." Liyue's lips twitched, her voice unsteady. "The first one is… white. And the last two, I… I recognize them, just give me a moment—don't rush me."

"…I didn't even say anything."

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