Having spent so many Spirit Stones, Chen Jiuge naturally wanted to earn some back from the Merfolk.
Back at the Inn, Chen Jiuge had originally intended to teach Da Bai a lesson. However, seeing Da Bai’s happy expression, he thought better of it. After all, Da Bai didn’t have many Spirit Stones left on him, and for their upcoming travels, they would need to earn more through Artifact Refining. He was already in a pitiable enough state; it was best to let the child enjoy his happiness for a while.
Within the Personal Cave Heaven, Chen Jiuge’s first sight was of the Merfolk lying on the ground, wailing in misery. Li Kui had one foot on the Merfolk prince, disdainfully snorting. How dare such a weak and ugly creature challenge me!
The Merfolk Princess was weeping to the side, her tears falling to the ground and transforming into Sea Pearls, which scattered everywhere.
"Li Kui, stop for a moment," Chen Jiuge halted Li Kui, who was about to continue.
"Can you speak the human tongue?" Chen Jiuge asked the tearful Merfolk Princess.
The sobbing Merfolk Princess replied intermittently, "Yes... I can speak."
"Then, please begin your introduction," Chen Jiuge said, waving his hand to bind the other Merfolk to one side.
The Merfolk Princess was named Jiao Yue, and the prince, her brother, was named Jiao Dao. They were indeed from the Royal Family of a Merfolk Tribe, albeit a very small one; the most powerful member among them was merely at the Returning Void Realm.
The other details were consistent with Tian Yiyi’s description, and the Sea God’s Blessing was also real. Jiao Yue possessed the innate ability to turn her blood and tears into Sea Pearls, an ability that had ultimately led to her tribe’s destruction.
Chen Jiuge picked up the recently scattered Sea Pearls, examining them thoroughly. He found they were merely Luminous Pearls containing a trace of Spiritual Energy, completely useless to him.
His expression darkened slightly. Chen Jiuge placed his hand on Jiao Yue’s head to examine her Bloodline. Sure enough, the Sea God Bloodline was present, though it was exceedingly weak.
Looking at Jiao Yue with some surprise, Chen Jiuge then examined the Bloodlines of the other Merfolk. They also possessed the Sea God Bloodline, but it was less than a tenth as strong as Jiao Yue’s.
After a moment’s hesitation, Chen Jiuge decided to attempt to merge this Sea God Bloodline. Given Jiao Yue’s Golden Core Cultivation, he was confident he could control any unexpected occurrences. She can’t possibly achieve immortality on the spot, can she?
The remaining Merfolk, including the so-called prince, numbered exactly ten. Chen Jiuge extracted the Sea God Bloodline from these ten individuals and infused it into Jiao Yue. He then discovered that the Sea God Bloodline within Jiao Yue’s body seemed to awaken, actively devouring other bloodlines.
"What is happening?" Chen Jiuge was stunned.
Bloodline Devouring—a phenomenon Chen Jiuge had always believed occurred only due to his Golden Finger. But what was this about the Sea God Bloodline being able to actively devour others?
Wait, wait, let me sort this out. The infusion of other Sea God Bloodlines increased the concentration of the Sea God Bloodline in her, which then started devouring other bloodlines. Does this mean bloodlines inherently possess the ability to devour, and my Golden Finger merely accelerates or triggers this phenomenon?
No, that’s not right. Then why can my Golden Finger forcibly extract Bloodlines from Spiritual Beasts? Chen Jiuge’s head began to spin.
Gazing with a complicated expression at Jiao Yue, who had fainted from the Bloodline Devouring, Chen Jiuge turned to the other Merfolk, who had now regained consciousness. "You’re her brother, correct? You will take care of your sister. For now, this lake shall be your habitat."
"There are some Spiritual Beasts you must not hunt, while others you may consume. Ao Li will inform you of the details later."
Regarding Jiao Yue’s Sea God Bloodline, Chen Jiuge was deep in thought. There’s likely something amiss with my Golden Finger. I need more Merfolk to verify my conjectures.
"Da Bai, take a trip to Lingbo Pavilion. Tell them I’m inviting their Pavilion Master to dine. Let’s set the location at Sea Pearl Tower," Chen Jiuge said, looking towards the tallest structure in the city.
"Me again?" Da Bai grumbled, clearly unenthusiastic about running another errand.
"Ten Top Grade Spirit Stones," Chen Jiuge gestured with his fingers.
"Alright then! Who else but me for this job?" Da Bai’s short legs moved with surprising speed.
Yue Meng commented with a look of disdain, "Money-grubber."
This was the tallest building in Sea Pearl Immortal City and its most iconic landmark. Rumor had it that the true owner behind Sea Pearl Tower was a Golden Immortal Elder from the Sea Tides Sect. However, the veracity of this claim was yet to be confirmed, as Golden Immortals typically held Spirit Stones and other mundane spiritual objects in low regard.
The Sea Pearl Tower had a total of nine floors. The higher one went, the greater the expense. Indeed, entry to any floor above the seventh required a certain status. Therefore, Chen Jiuge had only reserved a spot on the sixth floor.
"I didn’t expect you to contact me so soon, Fellow Daoist Chen," Tian Yiyi said with a beaming smile as she pushed open the door to the private room.
Since he was the one asking for a favor, Chen Jiuge’s attitude was noticeably more polite. "Thank you for gracing me with your presence, Pavilion Master Tian. Please."
Today, Tian Yiyi was dressed rather conservatively. Yet, when she leaned forward even slightly, a deep cleavage was revealed. Averting his gaze, Chen Jiuge said, "Pavilion Master Tian, I have a favor to ask of you."
"Fellow Daoist Chen, shouldn’t you introduce yourself before asking for a favor?" Tian Yiyi remarked with a smile.
Chen Jiuge pondered for a moment. "I can. However, I am currently traveling and prefer that my identity not be widely known."
"That’s natural. To show my sincerity, I shall introduce myself first."
"I am the eldest legitimate daughter of the current generation of the Tian Family in Sea Pearl Immortal City, and also a Direct Disciple of a Heavenly Immortal Elder from the Sea Tides Sect."
Without hesitation, Chen Jiuge responded, "A Direct Disciple of a Heavenly Immortal Elder from the Myriad Beasts Sect."
"So, Fellow Daoist Chen is indeed a disciple of the Myriad Beasts Sect," Tian Yiyi said, seemingly having anticipated this.
"Alright, Fellow Daoist Chen, what can I help you with?" Tian Yiyi’s attitude didn’t change just because Chen Jiuge was also merely a disciple of a Heavenly Immortal Elder.
"I need a large number of Merfolk," Chen Jiuge stated directly.
"I knew it. Disciples of the Myriad Beasts Sect would definitely be interested in Merfolk. I can help you with that. Each month, I’ll provide you, Fellow Daoist, with ten Merfolk. The price will be one thousand Top Grade Spirit Stones each. After all, after our ’packaging’, the price of Merfolk isn’t low," Tian Yiyi said, swirling the wine in her glass.
"Acceptable. However, I hope for an equal number of male and female Merfolk."
"Naturally. Lingbo Pavilion always conducts business quite fairly," Tian Yiyi readily agreed.
After concluding their business, it was naturally time for food and drinks. Tian Yiyi herself seldom visited the sixth floor of Sea Pearl Tower, as it was indeed a place that rapidly consumed Spirit Stones.
After three rounds of drinks, Tian Yiyi received a communication talisman and hurriedly excused herself. However, she noted down the inn where Chen Jiuge was currently staying and indicated she would visit him later.
Yue Meng, who had remained silent in the private room throughout, now voiced her confusion, They’re just Merfolk. Couldn’t we catch them ourselves? Why spend so much money buying them from Lingbo Pavilion?
Patting Yue Meng’s small head, Chen Jiuge shook his. "This is Lingbo Pavilion’s monopoly. The Merfolk aren’t very strong. Look, why do you think other shops don’t sell them?"
"Any Merfolk captured by Loose Cultivators have likely already been acquired by Lingbo Pavilion. Besides, we just offended the Jiang Family, so it’s not advisable for us to venture out right now." The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the novel fire.net
It’s so complicated. Yue Meng thought, shaking her head.