Chapter 593 77: A Fond Farewell, a Gift

"You long for the outside world?"

Kongsang Xiruo cupped her little face in her hands, thought for a moment, and said, "I was born here and grew up here. Everything I know about the outside world comes from books.

Every time I ask my father, he just says the outside world is very dangerous, filled with conspiracies and schemes. That's why he won't let me go out there. He even set up a Restriction to keep me from leaving this place.

I know my father means well, but… I still want to know what the outside world is really like…"

Kongsang Xiruo lowered her head, her voice filled with curiosity and longing, but Song Changsheng could sense a profound loneliness from her.

It made sense. The Merfolk had long lifespans. Although Kongsang Xiruo looked like a young girl, she had actually been cultivating for several hundred years.

For hundreds of years, she had been trapped in this small underwater grotto, like a canary in a cage. Even if she never had to worry about food, drink, or her livelihood, she would inevitably yearn for the vast sky outside.

Looking at the girl's pure, flawless eyes, a pang of sorrow inexplicably welled up in Song Changsheng's heart.

After gathering his thoughts, Song Changsheng looked at the girl and said seriously, "Actually, your father is right. The outside world is indeed very dangerous.

Take me, for example. I was born into a small clan. When I was six, our enemies coveted our wealth and launched a massive attack.

My father and many of my clansmen were laid to rest that day.

Some time ago, while I was in seclusion to break through to the Purple Mansion realm, my clan was attacked again. I was on my way back to support them after I came out, but I was ambushed. If it weren't for you, I'd probably be fish food by now.

We had done nothing wrong, yet we were harmed again and again.

And things like this happen all the time. Even I find myself plotting against the subordinate powers below me.

Big fish eat small fish, and small fish eat shrimp. That is the Law of survival in the outside world. Our entire lives are filled with slaughter and conflict.

Barren lands stretch for thousands of miles, devoid of life; grim white bones cover the plains.

This place may not be as vast as the world outside, but for people like us, it's a pure land we could only dream of."

When Song Changsheng finished, Kongsang Xiruo was completely stunned. Clearly, this was not the world she had imagined.

"Is the outside world… really that terrifying?"

Seeing the girl's desolate expression, Song Changsheng let out a soft sigh.

His description was, of course, somewhat extreme. While the outside world was fraught with danger, it also had warmth and beauty. No matter how you looked at it, it was at least better than being in this cage.

But Song Changsheng's intention was to use this speech to extinguish the trace of yearning and longing for the outside world in Kongsang Xiruo's heart.

Kongsang Xiruo had lived here since childhood. She had never experienced the dazzling, complex world outside, nor had she interacted with others. Therefore, she didn't yet have a clear concept of freedom and could still endure the loneliness.

If he described the outside world as a wonderful place, it would inevitably deepen her desire to see it.

In Song Changsheng's view, this was not a good thing.

If Kongsang Xiruo were to leave this place, he was certain she wouldn't survive for more than a year.

Of course, Song Changsheng could also bring her to the Song Clan.

But with the Song Clan's current strength, if Kongsang Xiruo's existence were to be exposed and attract the covetous attention of ill-intentioned people, it would be detrimental to both her and the Song Clan.

Given the circumstances, it was better to shatter her illusions and let her stay here in peace. Losing her freedom was better than losing her life.

Besides, she didn't even have a concept of "freedom" right now.

Song Changsheng's words left Kongsang Xiruo a little disheartened, but the feeling came and went quickly. A smile soon reappeared on her pretty face.

"Fairy, do you know where my personal belongings are? I've been unconscious for so long, my family must be worried sick. I'd like to let them know I'm safe."

"Here, all your things are right here." With a flick of her jade-like hand, Kongsang Xiruo produced a Storage Bag, a Fish-shaped Jade Pendant, and an Identity Waist Token.

"Thank you."

Song Changsheng thanked her sincerely, took his Identity Waist Token, and began channeling Dharma to send a message to his clan. Kongsang Xiruo watched him with a curious expression.

But soon, his brows knitted together.

'Why can't I send a message?' Song Changsheng was puzzled. But he quickly realized that this underwater grotto was an isolated place, filled with Restrictions everywhere. It was only natural that he couldn't send a message out.

So he looked at Kongsang Xiruo and asked, "Fairy, may I ask where the exit to this grotto is?"

"Are you trying to send a message to the outside world? This grotto does lead outside, but to prevent me from accidentally stepping into the territory of the Human Race, my father placed Restrictions all over the area for a thousand li. I can't get out, and outsiders can't get in. So naturally, you can't send messages out either."

Kongsang Xiruo's words made Song Changsheng's heart skip a beat. He asked, confused, "If no one can get in or out, then how did you save me?"

"Xiruo finds it strange too. In all these years, you're the only person who has ever gotten in, and while you were unconscious, at that.

I guess there must be a loophole in one of the Restrictions somewhere, and you just happened to get swept in by an undercurrent," Kongsang Xiruo said, blinking her large, clear eyes.

"Doesn't that mean if I want to get out, I have to find that loophole first?" Song Changsheng's expression turned grim.

"That's right."

"Fairy, do you remember where you found me? Could you take me there to have a look?" Song Changsheng grew anxious. Even with Kongsang Xiruo's level of Cultivation, she was trapped here, unable to move. If he couldn't find the path he'd come by, wouldn't he be trapped here too?