The female merfolk struggled in terror, her sleek fishtail thrashing like a fish suspended in mid-air.

Only then did Xu Qi An get a clear look at the merfolk’s lower body. It wasn’t much different from an ordinary fish, though the split tail fins were thick and broad—one sweep of that tail could probably kill a person.

The powerful, gracefully curved tail reminded him of… well, in human terms, it would be like a pair of shapely long legs. Xu Qi An noticed she wore vine armor and a necklace made of pearls and scallop shells. He transmitted a thought:

“Are you the Merfolk Queen’s guard?”

The merfolk certainly wouldn’t speak human language, but fortunately, those with sufficiently powerful Yuan Shen could communicate directly through thought transmission instead of speech.

The most basic application was conveying emotions, but to substitute for actual language, one’s Yuan Shen level needed to be at least Chaofan rank (specifically for martial artists).

“Who are you people?!” the female merfolk demanded.

She spoke in the language of gods and demons, an ancient tongue passed down from antiquity, so Xu Qi An couldn’t understand her.

The silver-haired demon beauty spoke coldly: “You’re in no position to question us. Answer my question.”

She released a thread of her aura, making the female merfolk’s tail tremble in fear. The guard nodded vigorously.

The Nine-tailed Celestial Fox’s expression turned serious, looking extraordinarily cold and beautiful. Now she truly carried herself with a queen’s aloofness as she asked: “Is your Merfolk Island facing some trouble?”

As she spoke, she glanced at the half-corpse of the merperson on the deck.

The female merfolk, still “held” in mid-air by Xu Qi An, stared at the corpse on the deck with sorrow in her eyes. “Not long ago, a powerful descendant of gods and demons came to our island and devoured many of our people. The Queen led her guard out to sea to fight, but we couldn’t drive it away. Many of my sisters were eaten.”

The merfolk’s view of love was loyal to the point of being extreme. Even when faced with willful couples, they would insist on having only one child. Forget about three children—they wouldn’t even consider having two.

Thus, even after countless ages of reproduction, the merfolk population never grew significantly. Sometimes it even declined.

Every member of their race was incredibly precious.

Xu Qi An asked: “Why does this flood dragon want to eat your people?”

The female merfolk shook her head helplessly: “I don’t know.”

“Our people are now hiding in the caves within the island, afraid to venture out to sea. The Queen was injured and is recuperating in her palace. I came out to scout the situation, and when I heard its roar coming from this direction, I came to investigate.”

Speaking of this, she remembered the terror of being at the monster’s mercy. Her golden eyes darted about anxiously as she looked around, trembling as she said:

“You encountered its attack too, didn’t you?”

“I only came to scout. I mean no harm. Please let me go—if it discovers me, it will go berserk.”

Seeing Xu Qi An and the Nine-tailed Celestial Fox’s calm expressions, as if they didn’t grasp the gravity of the situation, she grew increasingly anxious:

“You probably don’t know, but it goes berserk at the mere sight of merfolk. When it does, even the Queen is no match for it.”

Don’t assume it’s not that threatening just because it left.

Unable to understand the divine demon language, Xu Qi An turned to the Nine-tailed Celestial Fox, who translated the female merfolk’s words.

Xu Qi An’s expression changed as he pointed at the sea beneath the female merfolk, crying out in panic: “Is that it?!”

The female merfolk looked down to see a hideous dragon head emerging from the undulating blue waves, its crimson eyes gazing at her coldly as it slowly opened its blood-red maw.

“Ah—!”

She let out a shriek, her face contorted with fear, her tail convulsing and trembling. A clear liquid spurted from an opening in her tail.

She’d been frightened so badly she’d wet herself. Hmm? Wait, those fangs… Xu Qi An noticed that when the female merfolk screamed, her small mouth revealed two sharp little fangs.

The merfolk weren’t blessed when it came to eating… He thought somewhat regretfully. He stopped frightening her and made the flood dragon dive back underwater. After the female merfolk’s emotions settled, he said:

“It has already been submitted to me. Now, take us to see the Merfolk Queen.”

The female merfolk kept glancing at the water’s surface, not entirely convinced, her expression still fearful.

Xu Qi An made the flood dragon surface and swam around the boat in a docile manner.

After witnessing this, the female merfolk gradually accepted reality and chose to believe him, though she couldn’t hide her astonishment when looking at Xu Qi An.

She knew this flood dragon was even more powerful than their Queen, yet such a mighty creature had willingly submitted to him.

That was even more difficult than killing it.

She knew the evil flood dragon was mentally deranged and irrational.

Thinking of this, the female merfolk grew even more reverent.

But she still stubbornly shook her head: “I… I must report to the Queen first.”

She couldn’t possibly bring such terrifying powerful beings to see the Queen without authorization. This was the consciousness expected of a Queen’s guard—a duty that superseded even life itself.

Xu Qi An nodded slightly: “Go quickly, then return.”

He casually tossed her out, and the female merfolk traced an arc through the air before landing in the sea with a “splash.”

[…]

Back in the capital city.

In a secluded courtyard at Lingbao Temple, Chu Yuan Zhen sat cross-legged in the meditation room, gazing at the cold and beautiful Luo Yu Heng, who looked like an immortal maiden from the ninth heaven, sitting on the meditation cushion opposite him.

“What does the National Preceptor think—how should I forge my path and advance to Chaofan rank?”

Chu Yuan Zhen humbly sought guidance.

As a registered disciple of the Human Sect practicing the sword path, Chu Yuan Zhen could only seek advice from Luo Yu Heng.

Xu Qi An’s parting words, along with the successive advancement of Earthly Society members to Chaofan rank, had put immense pressure on him. He was eager to improve himself, transcend mortality, and step into the Chaofan realm.

Luo Yu Heng maintained her usual cold and proud demeanor in front of others, untouchable and dignified.

After brief contemplation, she spoke slowly: “The Human Sect’s three sword arts—Control, Mind, and Qi—the first two require powerful Yuan Shen as support to reach their full potential. Without practicing Daoist mental techniques, fourth grade is your limit. As for Qi, your Nurturing Intent has already pioneered a new path.”

“However, this technique emphasizes accumulating power for an explosive release. While it can serve as a trump card, it’s difficult to use in normal combat.”

Chu Yuan Zhen smiled bitterly: “The National Preceptor is truly perceptive.”

Luo Yu Heng said: “Nurturing Intent nurtures both qi and emotions. The Human Sect’s karma fire comes from the seven emotions and six desires—why not try exploring in that direction?”

Chu Yuan Zhen’s eyes lit up, then his expression grew complex.

On one hand, he felt the National Preceptor had opened the door to a new world for him, but on the other hand, he suspected that beyond that door might lie an endless abyss.

What if I’m corrupted by the karma fire? Would I have to seek dual cultivation with Xu Qi An too… The scholar’s expression grew even more complicated.

[…]

At Merfolk Island, in the solution caves.

The island’s interior was riddled with natural solution caves, their entrances connecting to the seafloor. Seawater filled these caves, creating natural shelters perfect for merfolk habitation.

A Zi propelled herself with her strong, powerful tail, stirring up undercurrents as she swam swiftly underwater. The flesh under her arms separated to reveal gills for underwater breathing.

Before long, she returned to Merfolk Island.

She accurately located an underwater cave leading to the solution caverns and nimbly swam inside.

Soon after passing through the long, narrow underwater passage, she began to swim upward, breaking the surface seconds later.

A Zi transformed her breathing system and sniffed the air strongly through her straight, delicate nose, taking in several deep breaths of fresh air.

This was an enormous cavern with stalactites hanging from the ceiling like interlocking fangs. In the middle ran a wide “river,” with uneven but walkable paths on both sides.

A Zi continued swimming along the river, and after many twists and turns, finally saw the palace built within the massive cave.

The palace pressed against the rock wall, half submerged in water, half exposed above it.

Its architectural style was simple and ancient, built of massive stones with pointed roofs, lacking elaborate decoration.

Throughout the cave and outside the palace were countless merfolk, some in the water, others sitting on the shore with their tails dipped in the water, speaking in low voices with worried expressions.

Since that evil flood dragon’s arrival, the merfolk hadn’t dared to venture out to sea.

With over two thousand merfolk to feed, food had become a massive problem.

At first, some had risked sneaking out through the underwater caves to hunt for food nearby, but gradually, all the fish around Merfolk Island had been depleted.

Combined with merfolk being killed every time they ventured out, none dared to leave anymore.

Their current food sources were wild fruits from the island and animals dwelling within it.

But to feed the entire merfolk race, these provisions were merely a drop in the bucket.

“We can’t go on like this. I haven’t eaten for two days—I’ll go mad if we don’t get food soon.”

“But there’s no food left nearby.”

“Even seaweed would be fine. Going out means death, but staying here means death too.”

“Why is that evil flood dragon targeting our merfolk race? Even the Queen isn’t its match—what should we do…”

Whispers rose among the merfolk gathering.

Their faces were grave and furrowed with worry, devoid of smiles. A heavy, oppressive atmosphere permeated the tribe.

Some merfolk were already weak from hunger.

“Lady A Zi has returned!”

Some tribe members spotted A Zi’s return, both rejoicing that she hadn’t perished in the flood dragon’s maw and asking hopefully: “Did you bring back any food?”

A Zi shook her head: “There are no fish or shrimp left nearby.”

The questioner’s face fell in disappointment, and the surrounding merfolk who had been watching expectantly also dimmed.

After a few seconds, another tribe member asked: “What about the evil flood dragon? A Zi, did you encounter it?”

The tribe members looked her way again.

A Zi nodded: “It has been killed.”

The cave suddenly fell silent. Distant merfolk turned to look, their eyes filled with shock, doubt, and a glimmer of hope.

“A Zi, what did you say?” an elderly merfolk asked in a trembling voice.

“Is it true, A Zi? Is what you’re saying true?”

“Don’t lie to us. How could that monster be killed? The Queen is still recovering in the palace.”

“A Zi, if… if you’re lying, I’ll report you to the Queen.”

The surrounding merfolk suddenly grew excited, all asking questions, raising a clamorous wave of voices.

At this moment, the palace doors opened in the distance, and a middle-aged female merfolk swam out holding a steel trident. Looking at the merfolk gathered in the palace’s river, she scolded: “The Queen is recovering. Keep quiet.”

She was beautiful, with time leaving clear marks on her face and faint crow’s feet at the corners of her eyes.

But in terms of charm, she had more allure and grace than the younger female merfolk.

This middle-aged female merfolk’s stern face softened slightly as she looked at A Zi: “Good that you’re back.”

A Zi twisted her waist, swaying her tail as she swam over, saying: “Guard Captain, I must see the Queen. I have matters to report.”

The middle-aged female merfolk nodded slightly: “Follow me.”

The two merfolk immediately swam into the palace. The interior structure was simple—a huge pool with countless luminous pearls embedded in the walls like scattered stars.

In the center of the pool stood a base carved from translucent red coral. Atop it was a large bed made of red agate, with gossamer-thin curtains hanging down. A beautifully figured woman with jade-like skin reclined on the bed.

Her beauty was enough to topple kingdoms, her features flawless.

Her dark green hair flowed like seaweed, smoothly draped about her. Her prominent chest was wrapped in tough fish skin, her stomach flat, her navel cute and delicate.

Only her complexion was somewhat pale, her exquisite beauty furrowed in a fragile, pitiful expression rather than a queen’s coldness.

“You’re back!” The Merfolk Queen’s voice was soft, her golden eyes dreamlike.

A Zi glanced at the Queen’s abdomen, where yesterday’s shocking wound was no longer visible, and felt slightly relieved.

The Merfolk Queen noticed her gaze and said gently: “Without food, the tribe won’t last much longer. My wounds will heal by tomorrow. I will try to lure that creature away so you can go out to hunt.”

The Guard Captain’s expression changed slightly. She opened her mouth to dissuade her but chose to remain silent.

That evil flood dragon was powerful and shared their water-based talents. The Queen might not escape its pursuit.

Once engaged, another bitter battle would ensue, with the risk of perishing.

But this was their only option.

A Zi took a deep breath, seemingly having made up her mind, and said: “My Queen, your subject encountered that evil flood dragon outside, along with two mysterious powerful beings.”

“That… that flood dragon has been subdued by one of them, a male human.”

Yes, he should be human.