23
The Blackwood family suffered a devastating blow from this riot. I seized the opportunity to take over most of Valerie’s businesses and the beast-men she had left behind. I processed all the handover procedures at lightning speed, arranging treatment for every injured beast-man.
With the remaining time, I devoured ancient texts and fragmented scrolls. Finally, in one of them, I found the corresponding records.
The Merman Pearl shimmered under the light, its beauty breathtaking.
Elara Thorne, sitting opposite me, froze.
I felt a little uneasy.
“Ms. Thorne, is there something wrong with this Merman Pearl?”
Elara snapped out of her trance and shook her head.
“It’s nothing major, but Ms. Sterling, you’ve likely been deceived.
“This isn’t a thousand-year Merman Pearl. In fact, it’s only five years old.”
“Merman Pearls can be aged?”
I frowned.
To me, every Merman Pearl looked exactly the same.
“Does its age affect its effectiveness?”
“Not at all. Rest assured, Ms. Sterling, I’m confident I can heal him.”
Elara Thorne took the Merman Pearl, lowering her gaze as she continued softly.
“Generally speaking, the age of a Merman Pearl isn’t discernible.
“The only reason I can tell is because this particular Merman Pearl happens to be mine.
“It was surgically removed from my body five years ago.”
I froze.
The Merman clan lived in deep seclusion. I had used every connection I had to find Elara
Thorne, this rare anomaly.
Rumor had it she was pampered and kept hidden by the young master of the Lu family, never easily shown, but I never imagined she had such a past.
Seeing my silence, Elara Thorne smiled gently.
“That’s all in the past, Ms. Sterling. No need to worry about it.
“Next, I will guide his soul into the Merman Pearl for nurturing.
“His awakening is just a matter of time.”
