1 The Great Ming Dynasty (1)

[Welcome, player, to the game]
[System is generating the era background for you]
[Year 1400 AD, Atlantic Ocean]
[Character Card: Mermaid]
[Talent: Celestial Melody (other skills to be unlocked)]
[Wishing you an enjoyable game]

The sound of waves echoed as Yun Yao awakened beneath the Atlantic Ocean.

Surrounding her were dense seaweeds and coral clusters, with schools of colorful fish weaving through, a sight of unparalleled beauty.

She glanced down at herself: her skin was as white as snow, her long silver hair shimmered like bright moonlight, and beneath her was a long, fish-like tail, hued in dreamy shades of blue and purple.

Unfortunately, there was no mirror underwater to see her own reflection.

Yun Yao gently swayed her tail, the currents lifting her lightly upward without resistance.

She moved gracefully, like a blooming flower or a drifting cloud.

Her long tail flickered like the ribbons of a celestial fairy.

Light danced upon her scales, which shimmered faintly, radiating a divine beauty.

She swam into the seaweed, curiously plucking and tasting a bit.

[Stamina +1]

There were many varieties of underwater seaweed; she sampled each—some tasted pleasant, others bitter and astringent.

The ocean was teeming with diverse creatures: starfish, jellyfish, and various fish, shrimp, and crabs.

As Yun Yao played with the fish schools, a shadow suddenly passed overhead.

It was a human ship.

She did not rush to the surface but quietly watched as the ship sailed away.

Gradually, night fell, and the sea was bathed in rippling moonlight.

Yun Yao swam through the dim waters toward the surface.

The higher she went, the brighter the light became.

Finally, she broke through the surface, rising from the water.

In that instant, it was as if she had entered a new world, vast and boundless.

The sea breeze gently brushed her face, carrying the scent of salt and moisture.

The moon above was bright and clear, no longer fragmented and hazy as it appeared beneath the waves.

Stars sparkled all around, with the Milky Way stretching quietly across the sky, flowing serenely.

Moved by the scene, Yun Yao felt an urge to sing.

When she opened her mouth, the sound that emerged was exquisitely soft, like moonlight shimmering on the waves.

Her voice was ethereal and beautiful—a hymn dedicated to the sea.

The song floated over the tranquil surface, rising and falling with the tide, dreamlike and enchanting.

Time slipped by unnoticed until the song ended, and she slipped beneath the water once more.

A few days later, as Yun Yao played with small fish, a white whale approached her.

The whale’s mouth held a painful fishhook.

[Quest issued: Help the white whale remove the fishhook]

Yun Yao carefully reached into its mouth and extracted the hook.

The whale rejoiced, swimming circles around her and emitting sharp, clear sounds like a delighted child.

[Celestial Melody enhanced by 1%, unlocked sub-skill: Confuse]

Yun Yao began to sing again; the surrounding fish slowed their movements noticeably, appearing dazed.

Wonderful! Now she no longer needed to worry about humans.

She gently rubbed the whale’s soft forehead and kissed it.

The whale blew a perfect ring of water bubbles for her.

So adorable!

A few days later, a sea turtle came to her, asking her to clean the barnacles from its shell.

[Celestial Melody enhanced by 1%]

And so the news spread, from one to ten, from ten to a hundred—the entire ocean soon knew.

Yun Yao quickly enhanced Celestial Melody to 30% and unlocked the sub-skill: Sonic Howl.

She unleashed a howl toward a reef rock; the rock remained unharmed, but all the nearby fish were stunned, flipping onto their backs.

Ah, apologies.

The fish often brought various gifts to Yun Yao as thanks—sometimes shells, sometimes little fish or shrimp.

One day, a white whale brought her a jeweled necklace.

The necklace was magnificent, adorned with over a hundred gems, sparkling like a radiant galaxy—dazzling and breathtaking.

Yun Yao was astonished and gestured to ask where it had been found.

The white whale swam forward and then looked back at her.

Yun Yao followed, arriving at a sea area riddled with dark reefs.

A massive sunken ship lay quietly, its masts rotted green, its hull covered in barnacles and seaweed.

She swam inside, discovering piles of jewels and gold—wealth beyond imagining.

Now all these treasures were unclaimed, so naturally, they belonged to her.

Excited, Yun Yao explored and admired the riches before finding a mirror.

She picked it up and finally saw her own face.

It was an exquisitely beautiful visage, as if meticulously sculpted by the heavens, more dazzling than any jewel here.

A pair of blue eyes, like the bright sea, sparkled with flecks of light, shimmering like waves.

Her face was gentle and lovely, imbued with a divine radiance.

From then on, Yun Yao made this her dressing chamber, changing her jewelry every day without repeating a single set.

Years passed, countless ships sailed above, but Yun Yao never revealed herself.

One day, an extraordinarily grand ship appeared on the horizon, followed by a vast fleet.

The ship was dozens of zhang long—a colossal giant—casting a shadow that darkened the sea.

Its hull was a striking red, equipped with gunports, looking formidable.

A flag fluttered at the bow, bearing a large character meaning “Ming.”

It was Yun Yao’s first time seeing a Ming fleet, and she was deeply moved, following closely behind.

She saw many people standing at the bow; the leader wore a dragon robe, a jade belt around his waist, and a cloak draped over his shoulders—majestic and imposing.

He looked quite young, with a dignified face and calm brows, as if accustomed to storms and hardships.

Recently, the weather had turned cold, and thick fog often blanketed the sea, causing the Ming fleet to become lost.

The mist enveloped all around, veiling the ocean in a mysterious shroud.

The fleet seemed disoriented, circling endlessly in these waters with no escape.

Suddenly, Yun Yao noticed the fleet heading toward a treacherous reef-filled area.

This was bad...

[Quest issued: Guide the Ming fleet]

On the deck, the man in the dragon robe held a compass, frowning deeply.

The needle wavered wildly, like a drunkard, unable to point north.

An official anxiously said, “Lord Zheng, all the compasses have failed. There is something strange about these waters!”

Zheng asked, “Even the experienced sailors cannot find their way?”

The official shook his head. “No sun, no stars—they cannot determine direction.”

Zheng said, “No need to worry. When the sun rises, the fog will naturally lift.”

His expression was calm, exuding the bearing of a great commander.

His composure steadied the crew.

Zheng ordered the ship to slow down and went to the railing to survey the surroundings.

At that moment, a faint, ethereal song drifted through the thick fog, like a celestial melody that pierced the very soul.

Zheng had heard countless musicians perform within the palace, yet never a sound so exquisite.

The crew was stunned, looking around to find the source, but the dense fog obscured all.

The song echoed over the silent sea, gentle and mysterious, as if deliberately guiding them.

Zheng quickly decided, “All ships, proceed toward the sound.”

An official hurriedly cautioned, “How can there be a woman’s song on the open sea? This is suspicious, my lord—please reconsider!”

Zheng firmly replied, “My mind is made up. No need for further words.”

The battlefield changes in an instant; many decisions are made without certainty—guided by instinct and resolve.

Having followed the emperor in many campaigns, he had learned to make swift judgments under pressure.