The Timeless Library (Part 1)

Li Xue was determined to gather as much knowledge as she could about her new world and her role in it. One day, while exploring the palace, she stumbled upon a hidden door tucked away in a remote corner. Her curiosity piqued, she carefully opened the door and stepped inside, finding herself in a vast, dimly-lit library.

The library was unlike anything she had ever seen. Towering bookshelves stretched to the ceiling, filled with dusty tomes and scrolls written in languages both familiar and strange. The air was thick with the scent of aged parchment and the weight of countless secrets. Li Xue felt a shiver of excitement as she realized she had discovered a treasure trove of knowledge.

As Li Xue wandered through the library, she noticed a peculiar detail: the books seemed to be arranged not by subject or author, but by the age of their contents. The further she ventured into the library, the older the texts became, offering glimpses of history long forgotten.

She spent countless hours poring over the ancient tomes, learning about the mermaid world's rich history, its culture, and the magic that permeated every aspect of their existence. Li Xue became particularly fascinated by the kingdom's past rulers and their various accomplishments, as well as the challenges they had faced during their reigns.

One day, Li Xue came across a book that seemed to call out to her. It was bound in dark leather, embossed with intricate, silver patterns. The title read, "The Chronicles of the Mermaid Kingdom: A Comprehensive Guide to the Royal Lineage." Intrigued, she opened the book and began to read.

The pages revealed the history of the mermaid royal family, detailing the lives and achievements of each ruler. As she flipped through the pages, Li Xue couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in her newfound heritage. She also felt the weight of responsibility, knowing that she was now part of this illustrious lineage.

As Li Xue delved deeper into the book, she discovered a section dedicated to the kingdom's most powerful and revered seers, who had the ability to predict future events with uncanny accuracy. Among them was a seer who had foretold the prophecy about the kingdom's downfall, which had sent Li Xue on her current quest.