Chapter 177
Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW
Chapter 177: Title
"Not all have appeared?" Ye Linlang pondered, her finger resting on the control panel. After a moment’s contemplation, she inquired, "Who was the first to obtain this power?"
The concept of fortune remained enigmatic – imperceptible yet undeniably present. Among hundreds of thousands, the first to gain such power must possess extraordinary qualities.
Unlike the demonized flora of Blue Star, Atlantis’s vegetation bore no intelligence. Each civilization carried its distinct essence, not requiring replication of others.
【Affirmative.】
————
The Eastern Continent of Planet Atlantis basked in warm, humid climes ideal for Atlantean prosperity. Here stood the largest tribal settlement within a hundred-kilometer radius.
This tribe bore the name "Eng," derived from their legendary founding chieftain. Through generations, the designation endured as living memorial to their progenitor.
Within systemic archives, however, this community held different designation – Number Forty-Two.
"Such coincidence," Ye Linlang arched an eyebrow, recognizing this as the tribe housing her Smart Brain "Enoch."
Could her divine favor exert greater influence than anticipated? If not, this first power recipient’s fortune bordered on miraculous.
She resolved to observe further.
Atlantean physical prowess proved essential for survival on this perilous world teeming with beasts and calamities. While warriors enjoyed relative abundance, women and children often subsisted on starvation’s edge.
The inaugural power-bearer bore the name Greenlan. Tribal nomenclature mirrored Zhongxia customs – surname preceding given name, though pronunciation revealed true structure as Ge·Linlan.
Like all Atlantean clans, the Eng tribe revered sea god Haetis. Greenlan’s devotion mirrored his kin’s, maintained even during their fateful hunt preceding the deity’s descent.
Notably, indigenous life had thrived here before Atlantean migration – including their current prey: tigers sporting elongated, curved fangs.
When Ye Linlang summoned all beings into her dreamscape, none escaped – neither hunters nor these long-toothed tigers.
——
Beasts perceive divine manifestations faster than praying mortals. Most creatures trembled beneath Ye Linlang’s simulated celestial authority, countless paralyzed by terror.
Greenlan experienced momentary disorientation. Upon regaining awareness, he found himself kneeling with companions in ritual obeisance.
"The goddess has descended?" he murmured, bewilderment coloring his voice.
Before contemplation deepened, celestial rainfall captured his attention – sacred waters from the Lake of Life, promising empowerment.
Where droplets touched flesh, they merged seamlessly with corporeal forms. Earthbound rains instantly nourished buried seeds, triggering explosive growth – grasses sprouted, flowers erupted, out-of-season trees fruited precipitously.
The world thrummed with vital energy.
Greenlan struggled to articulate the transformation. His senses sharpened – distant sounds clarified, visual details intensified, muscular power amplified.
Yet discomfort marred this awakening. A peculiar tingling suffused his legs, demanding attention.
Unbeknownst to him, physical changes manifested. Mesmerized, he watched his limbs fuse into shimmering azure fish tail.
The abrupt metamorphosis disrupted his balance, sending him sprawling. Nor was he alone – every hunting companion’s legs similarly transformed under the enchanted rain’s influence.
With their legs transformed into fish tails, Greenlan found himself unable to walk or even stand properly, the entire group staggering clumsily as they attempted to brace themselves with their hands.
"By the waves, what’s happening? Greenlan, are you hurt?" His friend Geweir rushed over when he saw him collapse into the muddy pit.
"Unharmed."
"Unharmed? After that fall? Don’t feed me lies."
Greenlan abandoned efforts to rise, instead running his fingers along his scaled limb. "Truly, there’s no pain. My skin feels… different. Tougher somehow."
"Don’t you feel it?" murmured one of their hunting companions, voice trembling. "We’re changing."
"Changing how?" Geweir frowned, examining his palms. "My hands… they’ve paled. The texture’s softer too."
As the group murmured in confusion, Greenlan’s keen eyes swept across his companions’ transformed features. A chill crept down his spine.
"You’re all fairer than the maidens back home! By Haetis’ trident, you resemble those mer-creatures we saw!" The words escaped Greenlan’s lips before he could stop them.
"Bullshit!" Geweir’s sun-browned face flushed darker.
"Hold!" Greenlan raised a webbed hand. The memory surfaced clearly now – shimmering scales beneath turquoise waves. "The merfolk! Don’t you recall? Those sea-dwellers with tails instead of legs?"
A half-day’s journey eastward would bring them to the coast, where ocean met sky. Tales of half-human marine beings had filled their childhood nights – human torsos merging with aquatic forms.
"So we’ve become… merfolk?" Geweir’s voice cracked. "How in Atlantis’ name do we return to camp like this? The long-toothed tigers will feast upon floundering fools!"
"Reduced to beached minnows," their companion Ge Ke added grimly.
Greenlan remained calm, fingers tracing the iridescent patterns along his tail. "Remember the priest’s ancient tales? Of goddess Haetis’ creations during the world’s dawning?"
The others’ eyes widened with dawning comprehension.
Legends spoke of Haetis’ third-day creation – beings thriving in both brine and breath. Atlantis, the shining kingdom. The great cataclysm that shattered their unity, dividing them into ocean-bound merfolk and landwalking Atlanteans.
"You can’t mean…" Geweir breathed.
"Children’s fables!" Ge Ke interjected, though his trembling tail betrayed doubt. "Merfolk stay merfolk! Atalans remain Atalans! Landfolk drown with tails!"
"Unless…" Greenlan’s tail flicked thoughtfully, sending mud droplets flying. "Centuries ashore made them forget their dual nature. What if…"
His eyes lit with sudden inspiration. "What if land-dwellers hide legs beneath illusion, while sea-born ones embrace tails? Those in underwater cities needing both…"
"Geweir! Ge Ke!" Greenlan gripped their shoulders, eyes blazing. "Focus! Will the tails away!"
The trio concentrated, muscles straining with effort. Moments stretched until Ge Ke collapsed, panting.
"Useless!" He glared at his stubborn tail. "It won’t budge!"
Greenlan gazed intently at his fish tail, mentally willing it to vanish with absolute concentration. As he immersed himself in this singular focus, the transformation occurred seamlessly—his shimmering tail dissolved into human legs without spectacle or sound, just as effortlessly as his original metamorphosis had occurred.
"I’ve reverted… but there’s this peculiar sensation lingering," Greenlan murmured, extending his palm where a faint azure-tinged light sphere materialized, hovering serenely above his skin.
Geweir and Ge Ke exchanged stunned glances, their expressions mirroring disbelief. After dismissing the luminous orb with a thought, Greenlan rose and secured the tattered beast-hide trousers around his newly restored legs with vine cords. He observed his companions’ restless fishtails thrashing against the ground.
The young warrior’s transformed physique revealed lithe musculature and elongated limbs, his usual sun-bronzed complexion replaced by an otherworldly pallor that glowed like moonlit sea foam—an eerie resemblance to the oceanic merfolk.
"Greenlan! How?" Geweir blurted, crimson locks swaying as he gestured urgently. "That light—explain!" Their shared anxiety hung palpable; neither wished to remain aquatic creatures indefinitely.
"It feels… innate. Like part of my essence," Greenlan replied slowly, conjuring another pulsating sphere. "Reach out, Geweir. Let intuition guide you."
As the red-haired warrior tentatively extended his hand, Ge Ke watched with bated breath, his own silvery tail quivering. Five tense minutes elapsed before Geweir’s scales melted into human form.
"Solid ground beneath feet!" Geweir laughed hoarsely, staggering upright. He grimaced while gathering waist-length crimson strands. "When did this happen? It’s like carrying seaweed ropes!"
Greenlan studied his palms, mystified by the unconscious magic. His contemplation shattered when Ge Ke nearly lunged forward, fishtail beating impatiently.
"My turn! Don’t forget me!"
Despite identical efforts, Ge Ke’s shimmering tail persisted. Panic edged his voice. "Am I cursed like this?!"
"Patience," Geweir counseled, though pity softened his tone. "The tribal priest interprets prophecies. He’ll have answers." At Greenlan’s nod, they prepared to carry their stranded companion homeward, the mystery of selective transformations lingering like morning mist over tidepools.
