Chapter 593 - 544: Top-Tier Purification!

Shen Tang heard the system’s words and suddenly froze in place.

She instinctively looked up at Jia Lan beside her. He seemed unwilling to reveal anything unusual and, like everyone else, lowered his head and took a few bites of food, his manners so natural they were indistinguishable from a normal person.

Shen Tang’s eyes suddenly reddened, her heart swelling with an aching sadness.

Jia Lan, who had always been such a proud Mermaid Prince, now could only live like this, even pretending everything was fine so they wouldn’t worry.

If it weren’t for the system’s reminder, Shen Tang thought: Jia Lan would likely continue hiding like this, never letting anyone see through the truth in a lifetime.

After dinner, back at the palace to rest, Shen Tang went alone to meet Jia Lan.

He had just draped his outer garments on the rack, wearing only a white satin shirt, his figure slender and erect, merely standing quietly like a sculpture carved by the Heavenly God, cold and ethereal.

He seemed about to rest, and seeing Shen Tang appear, his expression slightly flustered, "Tangtang, you... why are you here? Aren’t you going to keep Xiao Jin company?"

This was something the former Jia Lan would never say.

He was just afraid she’d get too close and notice the changes in his body.

Shen Tang didn’t speak, just walked forward and gently wrapped her arms around his waist.

The young man’s waist was taut and strong, yet completely different from before—no longer flexible and warm, but cold and rigid, like an object devoid of life.

He no longer tensed his body from nerves or raised his temperature from joy—in the past, she was so familiar with his heart’s fiery beat, almost escaping his chest, clearly audible... but now, it felt like holding wood, holding stone, without any response.

Shen Tang buried her face in his chest, her voice muffled, "...Why don’t you hold me like before?"

The young man’s hand slowly rose to encircle her waist.

Despite being deeply loved companions, his action was cautious, as if measuring carefully, striving to match exactly as before.

Shen Tang closed her eyes, her voice carrying a hint of bitterness, "Smell me, can you tell what perfume I’m wearing tonight."

The young man watched her, his Adam’s apple moving slightly, unable to utter a word.

"You can’t smell it anymore, can you?"

"..."

"You can’t taste the food anymore."

"..."

"You can’t... smell my scent either."

"..."

Shen Tang hugged him tighter, and after a long silence, softly asked, "Can you still feel me?"

The young man remained silent, but the arm around her waist tightened. He didn’t want her to worry, yet he couldn’t deny the truth.

He couldn’t feel anything.

It turned out he couldn’t feel anything at all.

Shen Tang buried her face deeper, discreetly raised a hand to wipe away the dampness on her face, tear stains wetting his collar, but he couldn’t notice.

Yet she didn’t collapse as imagined, instead she raised her face and blossomed a bright smile at him, though her eyes were still tinged with red, "If there’s ever a chance, I’ll surely help you reclaim your real body!"

She wanted him to come back.

To come back whole and complete.

Not like now, half human half ghost, wandering the world.

"Tangtang..." Jia Lan spoke hoarsely, breaking the silence.

He slightly relaxed his hold on her, lowered his gaze to her damp eye corners, slowly raised a hand to gently wipe away her tear stains with his fingertip, while the other hand smoothed over her soft long hair.

Even though this body felt nothing, his soul retained instinctive memories, as if he truly touched her strands of hair. His slender, jade-like fingers tenderly combed her long hair, as naturally intimate as before, like a silent comfort.

He softly said, "Don’t be sad, it’s nothing really, being able to stay by your side in this form, I’m already very content."

Jia Lan originally thought he’d disappear forever, didn’t expect to see the vibrant Shen Tang again, could still talk to her, touch her, stay by her side—even if only through a puppet-like shell, it was already enough for him.

Shen Tang stubbornly shook her head, "You shouldn’t have such an ending!"

She solemnly vowed, "As soon as Liu Ye appears again, I’ll catch him and take back your body—"

"I won’t allow it." Jia Lan pressed a finger lightly against her lips. Always acquiescent to her, now he was rarely stern, shook his head and said, "Tangtang, you have done enough for me, I am truly satisfied. Don’t risk yourself for me anymore."

He knew how powerful Liu Ye was.

It was his own carelessness that led to being deceived and losing his body, this consequence shouldn’t be hers to bear.

Though Liu Ye lost one round this time, he would be even more vigilant in the future. As the polluted land spread, his power would only grow stronger and stronger.