Ao Mingzhu’s action was intended as a display of power.
At the same time, it proved to the Three Great Sects that the twelve nations of the four directions under the aquatic clan had not slipped from her control.
As old monsters who had lived for over a millennium, even if they harbored doubts, they would never let too much emotion show on their faces.
“The Sea Market Master remains as valiant as ever, truly a role model for us women. Five hundred years ago, when I met you at the Dragon Palace banquet, you were still somewhat green. Who could have foreseen the remarkable fortune and cultivation you would achieve today?”
Gu Yini immediately invited Lady Dragon Girl to take a seat, calling over several Hehuan Sect disciples to attend to her, and smiled:
“These are all top-tier talents of my Hehuan Sect, each brimming with vitality and unblemished primal yang. They all revere and admire you. If any catch your fancy, take pity on them and share a night of romance. Bestowing a bit of dragon yin would aid their cultivation, and save me from fretting over these disciples all the time.”
The Hehuan Sect was by no means an unorthodox demonic path or an unlawful evil sect.
Hehuan originated in ancient times when the Yellow Emperor questioned Su Nu regarding scriptures; through later development, it gradually evolved into a method of dual cultivation between men and women.
They cultivated the path of cosmic union, where Yin and Yang shared the Dao.
When cultivated to the peak, Yin and Yang harmonized within the body until distinctions between male and female ceased to exist, transcending the forms of Yin and Yang into Great Completion.
As for the rumors circulating in the mortal world regarding “cauldrons,” they were entirely baseless fabrications and slander concocted by wicked cultivators.
Plucking yin to supplement yang, or plucking yang to supplement yin—neither method was tolerated in the cultivation world.
Setting aside the reactions of other righteous sects, if any degenerate committed such acts, the Hehuan Sect would be the first to step forward and execute them to uphold the orthodox Dao.
“Since the Sea Market Master has arrived, let us begin.”
Gongshu He spoke indifferently, merely frowning at Gu Yini summoning disciples to attend to the dragon.
Her voice was not loud, yet it resonated across the entire venue.
As the might of Deity Transformation swept through, the arena fell uncannily silent.
“Since True Lord Gongshu has spoken, of course we may.”
Hearing how Gongshu He addressed her, Ao Mingzhu arched her brows, feeling even more reassured.
Just last night, her Master had used the Yin Yang Mirror of Two Realms to deliver pills capable of eradicating the Black Mist Poison, resolving her pressing crisis.
Furthermore, there were low-grade pills enough for a hundred thousand people.
A full hundred thousand portions.
A hundred thousand!
Ao Mingzhu’s expression grew increasingly lively, the scales on her forehead gleaming with moisture as satisfaction welled up within her.
Even the people of the Three Sects before her could never produce so many low-grade pills in one go.
In major cultivation sects, alchemists were treasured and closely sheltered once matured; almost none ever drifted out into the open.
In previous Four Directions Assemblies, the aquatic clan had always suffered due to a shortage of auxiliary support such as pills, formations, and talismans.
Healing pills were especially difficult to acquire.
Particularly during the Four Directions Assembly, the Three Sects would peddle healing medicine at exorbitant prices, bullying the Sea Market as if it had no capable people of its own.
Now, with these two overwhelmingly solid trump cards, it remained to be seen who would emerge victorious at this Four Directions Assembly.
Truly worthy of her Master.
Ao Mingzhu breathed a sigh of relief.
In just three short days, her Master had solved the great peril that had plagued her for days.
Three days for a hundred thousand healing pills, plus Detoxification Pills that could cure the Black Mist Poison.
Even a living Daluo Golden Immortal might not accomplish such a feat.
It was nothing short of miraculous.
Truly worthy of a Great Witch of heaven and earth, a reclusive powerhouse.
A single person rivaling ten thousand troops.
A single person equaling the might of the Three Great Sects.
At this thought, Ao Mingzhu’s expression relaxed completely. She pulled a nearby Hehuan Sect male cultivator into her arms, boldly planting her red lips onto his cheek with a charming smile:
“Since Sect Master Gu is so hospitable and entrusts me with such handsome men, how could this Lord bear to disappoint you? Let them begin, then, so everyone may witness the glory of our aquatic clan—”
Lady Dragon Girl was bold and passionate, radiating natural demonic allure. The Hehuan Sect disciples stared starry-eyed, attending to her with even greater attentiveness and care.
Gu Yini looked pensive, while beside her, Mo Zhaoming took her hand in a display of tender affection.
The others were already accustomed to Lady Dragon Girl’s uninhibited ways; they simply averted their eyes and focused their attention on the arena below.
Yet none of them noticed that the treasure mirror resting against Lady Dragon Girl’s chest seemed slightly unusual.
...
“It seems that while the major sects have friction among themselves, they remain united against the Sky Demons. Otherwise, they would have seized this chance to make trouble for the Sea Market.”
Amidst the vast sea of people, Nan Zhi rubbed her chin. After listening for a short while, she stowed away the dharma treasure hidden beneath her sleeve to avoid detection.
—Of course, it was also because things on Lady Dragon Girl’s side were starting to become unfit for minors.
The first trial of the Four Directions Assembly, “Picking Flowers and Fighting for Fruit,” tested abilities in treasure hunting, herb gathering, divination, and exploration.
Restricted to the perimeter of the Wuwang Sea over a period of fifteen days, participants had to find spirit herbs or spirit fruits of the fourth rank or higher to pass.
As for anyone attempting to pad their numbers or cheat by passing off old herbs, that was entirely out of the question.
Alchemists from the Three Great Sects would personally verify the items, marking them in vermilion ink with the herb’s rank, harvest time, and harvest location, leaving no room whatsoever for fraud.
...
“The Four Directions Assembly was moved up, so spirit fruits and spirit herbs that ripened in previous years aren’t eligible for collection. This is bad. In his earlier years, my dad ran cargo on the Wuwang Sea—he should know a few locations where high-level spirit herbs grow. I’ll go ask him!”
Back at their lodging, Hai Ying was anxious. Just as she was about to leap out the window to go interrogate her father, Tu Jiuxiao pulled her back with his sword hilt.
“What’s the rush? This is only the first stage. The difficulty isn’t high; it’s likely just meant to filter out those with inadequate cultivation.”
Nan Zhi glanced at the sky. “The rules don’t say stealing isn’t allowed. Even if you get the exact locations, now is definitely not the time to act.”
“Ma Jiu” had shone brilliantly on the Splendid Platform, Hai Ying was Sea Dragon nobility with a renowned reputation, and with the addition of the Wuwei Sect disciple Tu Jiuxiao, the Drunkard Team had naturally drawn attention early on.
On their way back, Nan Zhi’s divine sense had already picked up on it.
Quite a few people had been tailing them along the way.
“Are you saying someone is following us?”
Hai Ying understood and flew into a rage, the tip of her tail slapping against the floor with sharp claps. “In past years, I only heard my older sisters mention such scum existed. By the Demon Ancestor, they really do! What is there to fear? Let them try! We’ll see if anyone who robs a sea dragon makes it back alive!”
Tu Jiuxiao said nothing, but clutched the sword in his arms, his stance clear.
“I’m just saying that during the day, too many eyes and ears make it inconvenient to act,” Nan Zhi said, spreading her hands. “Since we have half a month, there’s plenty of time. Why not wait half a day to see what they want to do?”
Hai Ying’s long tail slowly curled into the shape of a question mark.
Tu Jiuxiao quietly patted her shoulder. “If you don’t understand, just follow along. All you need to know is that Ma Jiu won’t harm the two of us.”
Hai Ying nodded at first, then suddenly narrowed her eyes. “Are you calling me stupid?”
The very next second, chaos erupted once again.
Nan Zhi calmly covered Hongluo’s ears.
...
After waiting half a day, when most of the yellow neutral dots around their lodgings had dispersed, Nan Zhi finally set down the 《Alchemy Notes》 in her hands and signaled the other two to move:
“It’s about time.”
Hongluo, drowsy from sleep, jolted awake, shifted into her original form, and leapt onto Nan Zhi’s shoulder, clinging tightly to her clothes with all four paws.
The two who had been idling immediately perked up, fading into the darkness behind Nan Zhi.
Piloting a flying boat and following the directions given by the treasure-seeking mouse, Corn, the trio traveled north for six days before finally landing on a desolate, ruined islet.
It was an isolated island in the middle of the sea, surrounded by scattered coral reefs, a full day’s journey on foot from the nearest landmass.
The sea surged with rolling whitecaps. In the midst of the towering coral reefs lay a barren area overrun with crabs, fish, and shrimp, completely devoid of seaweed. There, hanging from a slender branch with its blossom facing downward, was a massive red flower subtly exuding a gardenia-like fragrance.
It was none other than the fifth-tier spirit fruit: the Off-Sea Rosy-Face Fruit.
Rate on N.U.
