Deep-Sea Dragoness, Trade Route Bodyguard

The pearl in Xiao Yuying's hand was naturally the Canghai Pearl that she had lent to Zheng Fa to save his life.

Zheng Fa hadn't used it before, but upon returning to the Nine Mountains Realm, it naturally returned to its rightful owner.

She channeled her spiritual energy into the Canghai Pearl in her palm, her lips moving as if in prayer.

In an instant, the Canghai Pearl emitted a shimmering blue light, reflecting on the faces of everyone in the courtyard.

Zheng Dharma Body, as the master of the Nine Mountains Realm, suddenly sensed something and couldn't help but use his Void-Piercing Spirit Eye to look at the Canghai Pearl.

He seemed to see a deep sea.

The pitch-black seawater was imbued with a rich Spiritual Qi.

Only a faint light flickered, as if something was sleeping in the darkness.

"What is it?"

Suddenly, a voice came from the Canghai Pearl.

The voice was soft and melodious, seemingly belonging to a woman, yet Zheng Fa could also detect the coldness of its owner.

Xiao Yuying lowered her head and spoke respectfully:

"Please, Master, lend a helping hand."

The Pearl of the Canghai Pearl flashed again, as if an eye had scanned its surroundings, and then the woman asked again, "Save you?"

"Not to save me."

The woman was silent for a moment, seemingly a little angry, before slowly saying, "You only have one chance."

"Disciple understands."

"Who?"

After hearing Xiao Yuying's answer, the woman's voice grew even colder, but she did not back down.

Xiao Yuying quickly described Senior Sister Zhang's identity, appearance, and location. The woman didn't say anything more, but the scenery in the Canghai Pearl began to change.

It was as if an eye had leaped out of the sea and swept across the islands.

Zheng Fa was unwilling to wait in place, so he simply grabbed Xiao Yuying and the anxious Uncle-Master Pang and headed towards Red Sand Island together.

As he flew, he kept his eyes on the scene within the Canghai Pearl. Just as he left the Nine Mountains Realm, Senior Sister Zhang and Aunt-Master Huang appeared in the scene:

Senior Sister Zhang, holding the Pure Tranquility Bamboo, protected Aunt-Master Huang and the others as they retreated in flight.

Her face was as pale as snow.

Before her sat an old monk with long eyebrows on Golden Lotus, relentlessly pursuing her.

The old monk held a wooden fish in his hand, striking it occasionally, producing a melodious chant.

The Buddha's light rippled like waves, enveloping Senior Sister Zhang.

Senior Sister Zhang didn't try to resist directly; instead, the Primordial Eight Trigrams were spinning rapidly in front of her, as if she were rapidly deducing something.

Then, with a swift movement, he leaned against the Pure Tranquility Bamboo, narrowly avoiding the Buddha's light.

Zheng Fa was well-versed in the Primordial Eight Trigrams and could naturally see that Senior Sister Zhang's fighting style was extremely conservative, only seeking to avoid the old monk's sharp edge and wait for rescue.

However, the difference in their cultivation levels is too great. Even with the Primordial Eight Trigrams and the Pure Tranquility Bamboo, Senior Sister Zhang is now powerless to overcome the challenge.

His anxiety grew, and he urged the rainbow light on.

But as Uncle-Master Pang said, the Sea Region is vast, and in an instant, he was somewhat powerless to reach it.

Unfortunately, the gap in actual strength has made Senior Sister Zhang's tricks increasingly less effective.

The old monk struck the wooden fish again.

The Primordial Eight Trigrams spun rapidly, but Senior Sister Zhang's body trembled slightly, as if her Law Power was failing. She could calculate a way out, but she couldn't dodge this attack and could only take it head-on.

Zheng Fa was anxious.

Within the Canghai Pearl, the scene changes once again.

Dragon's Roar!

A dragon's roar rose from the seabed, colliding with the Buddhist light emanating from the wooden fish.

They shielded Senior Sister Zhang and the others behind them.

The old monk's expression changed slightly. He stood up from the lotus platform and stared intently at the sea, his gaze filled with surprise and doubt.

Without realizing it.

Thousands upon thousands of white clouds gathered in the sky.

A strong wind arose at sea.

A huge, terrifying black shadow slowly emerged from beneath the sea.

The old monk's expression grew increasingly solemn, his entire body radiating golden light, and he shouted:

"Dragon Lord Shuyu!"

Zheng Fa couldn't help but look at Xiao Yuying, his heart filled with surprise.

Xiao Yuying's master has an even more impressive background than she imagined!

Just now, when Xiao Yuying took out the Canghai Pearl, Zheng Fa had some suspicions in his mind:

Xiao Fairy's master must be a Dao Fruit cultivator, and may even be in the Sea Region.

It's not even an ordinary Dao Fruit.

But what is that old monk shouting?

dragon?

He had seen quite a few dragons.

Uncle-Master Pang also has the Five-Dragon Heavenly Palace.

But the true Dragon Clan, or rather the Ancient Dragon Clan, has long since lost its Xuanwei, remaining only as legend.

The Dragon Clan remaining in Xuanwei today are not pure-blooded, and many are far from meeting the requirements for the Dragon Clan.

Simply put, it's a private label product.

But this old monk was Dao Fruit cultivator, and he addressed the Dragon Lord, clearly indicating that he was not the same kind of dragon Zheng Fa had seen before.

The enormous black shadow on the sea suddenly flashed, and in that instant before anyone could see it clearly, a woman stood in the void.

Her robes were antique, and her face was like that of a young girl, yet she was extremely aloof.

What's most distinctive are the two small dragon horns on her head.

"As expected, he is the Dragon Lord."

The Dragon Lord Shuyu glanced at Senior Sister Zhang and said directly, "I want her to live."

"Dragon Lord, this is my Thunderclap Temple..."

"You want to fight?"

The old monk's expression changed, as if he were somewhat wary.

Zheng Fa was slightly startled.

After the battle between Senior Sister Zhang and that old monk, Zheng Fa could roughly guess that she was probably a True Immortal from Thunderclap Temple.

With such a firm attitude from her Dragon Lord master, Xiao Yuying, could she also be a True Immortal?

"Dragon Lord, you dare to offend my Thunderclap Temple for this person?"

"You, Thunderclap Temple, dare to offend me just for this person?"

That's awesome!

Zheng Fa couldn't help but turn and glance at Xiao Yuying again.

A slight realization dawned on me.

No wonder Sect Master Yan would rather beat Yan Wushuang to death than offend Xiao Yuying.

This girl's background is as solid as a diamond.

I remembered that Xiao Yuying had felt guilty because she had drunk a few extra bottles of Hundred-Flower Spirit Dew.

But it's no exaggeration to say that upon seeing the Dragon Lord, Zheng Fa would be willing to give Xiao Yuying a bath with the Hundred-Flower Spirit Dew.

The old monk's face was also stiff. He frowned as he looked at the Dragon Lord, seemingly somewhat unwilling.

The two faced off in silence in the air.

After a moment, the old monk clasped his hands together, and with a wisp of Buddhist light, he vanished without a trace.

As the rainbow light shone down, Zheng Fa landed beside Senior Sister Zhang and looked around, only to find that the group from Thunderclap Temple had vanished without a trace.

Whether the old monk was afraid of the Dragon Lord or anticipated Zheng Fa's imminent arrival, he fled at breakneck speed.

"Senior sister, are you alright?"

Senior Sister Zhang shook her head, looked at Dragon Lord Shuyu, and cupped her hands in thanks, saying, "Thank you for saving me, Dragon Lord."

Dragon Lord Shuyu seemed unwilling to say more, and only looked at Xiao Yuying.

Xiao Yuying pursed her lips and held the Canghai Pearl above her head.

Dragon Lord Shuyu waved slightly, taking the Canghai Pearl into his palm. He then turned his gaze away from Xiao Yuying and glanced at Zheng Fa.

He ignored everyone, said nothing, and his figure scattered into ripples, vanishing without a trace in an instant.

Zheng Fa and the others were left speechless, exchanging bewildered glances and then looking at Xiao Yuying, who had her head bowed.

Several people landed on Red Sand Island and inspected the damage on the island.

Fortunately, there was no loss.

Thanks to Senior Sister Zhang's Primordial Eight Trigrams, the Nine Mountains Sect had a glimmer of hope, and no disciples were harmed.

Uncle-Master Pang, holding the Comprehensive Mirror, informed the disciples on the various islands that the crisis had temporarily passed.

Zheng Fa and Senior Sister Zhang did not look too good.

This crisis was overcome thanks to Dragon Lord Shuyu.

But what about next time?

Zheng Fa's gaze fell on Xiao Yuying, his heart filled with both gratitude and guilt.

Clearly, Dragon Lord Shuyu was unwilling to remain a caretaker for his own disciples indefinitely.

This was the only time Xiao Yuying was given protection.

As a result, Xiao Yuying used it on the Nine Mountains Sect.

Seemingly sensing Zheng Fa's mood, Xiao Yuying laughed nonchalantly, "I won't be in any danger in the Nine Mountains Realm in the future, and the Canghai Pearl won't be of much use to me."

That's obviously not true.

This Dragon Lord Shuyu seems cold-hearted; after this attack, he appears unwilling to protect Xiao Yuying any longer.

That's practically a life at stake.

For Xiao Yuying, the loss was truly significant.

Seeing that his expression still held a sense of guilt, Xiao Yuying shook her head and said, "My master has never been very kind to me, and taking me as his disciple was not out of affection."

Zheng Fa frowned.

He had never heard Xiao Yuying give a detailed introduction to her master before, nor did he know the inside story.

"My master is the last Ancient Dragon Clan in the Xuanwei Realm," Xiao Yuying explained. "I'm not Dragon Clan, so I can't cultivate Dragon Clan Cultivation Method, and I haven't actually spent much time with my master."

"The last of the Ancient Dragon Clan?"

"Yes." Xiao Yuying nodded and said, "My master once said that the Ancient Dragon Clan was extremely glorious. They were divine beasts favored by heaven and earth, and could be called the overlords of the Sea Region. They were almost invincible in the sea."

"But... she's the only one left."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Fa's heart stirred slightly, and he looked at Senior Sister Zhang.

Unexpectedly, Senior Sister Zhang was also looking at him. The two exchanged glances and immediately understood each other's thoughts:

Hug someone's leg!

The retreat of Zhitong from Thunderclap Temple does not guarantee the safety of the East-West Continent Trade Route.

On the contrary, this silent retreat indicates that the other side will never give up.

They intend to target the disciples of the Nine Mountains Sect along the trade route, and Zheng Fa will certainly be unable to defend against it.

Regardless of whether he has time to be stationed at Sea Region every day.

Even if he had that much time, he couldn't guarantee that nothing would go wrong.

In the end, he will most likely be exhausted from running around, and his cultivation will be hampered by the trade routes.

We can abandon the trade route...

As things stand now, if the Nine Mountains Sect abandons the trade routes, not only will its future strategic development be hindered, but even now, its initial investment will be wasted, and it may even suffer a severe blow.

"Senior sister, I think that Dragon Lord seems to be able to quickly detect everything in the Sea Region, and even arrive there in an instant."

Zheng Fa said after careful consideration.

The scene in the Canghai Pearl just now seemed somewhat familiar to Zheng Fa.

This Dragon Lord Shuyu seems to have an innate control over the ocean.

It's somewhat similar to his control over the Nine Mountains Realm, but not as strong. The problem is... given the vastness of the Sea Region, this ability is truly abnormal.

Furthermore, as the Dragon Lord stated, the Ancient Dragon Clan was virtually invincible in the Sea Region.

It's more like Zheng Dharma Body the Nine Mountains Realm.

Senior Sister Zhang nodded gently. "Zhitong is True Immortal, and the Dragon Lord seems to be about the same, but..."

Xiao Yuying understood. "You want to cooperate with my master? To have her protect the trade routes?"

"Xiao Fairy, do you think it's possible?"

Xiao Yuying immediately shook her head, as if she hadn't thought about it at all.

Seeing Zheng Fa's questioning look, Xiao Yuying smiled wryly and said, "Let alone now, my master is probably a little angry with me for using the Canghai Pearl without permission. In the past, I wouldn't have been able to persuade him either."

That's a bit awkward.

The way the dragon lord looked at him was really like how he would look at blondie...

No one can move my master.

"Um?"

"Rumor has it that Jade Pool invited her, but she declined."

That makes things difficult.

Not to mention that the Dragon Lord Shuyu seems to have some issues with him.

Even now, the conditions that the Nine Mountains Sect can offer are no match for those of the Jade Pool.

But considering the threats facing trade routes, Zheng Fa couldn't think of a better solution at the moment.

"You mean the Dragon Lord Shuyu?" Within the light screen, the Nishang Yuanjun was taken aback, exclaiming in surprise, "You actually managed to persuade her?"

"Yuanjun, you know the Dragon Lord very well?"

"I don't know much about her, only that she's also True Immortal. But there are rumors in the sect that she can suppress almost any True Immortal in the Sea Region..."

Since it wasn't a secret, Nishang Yuanjun spoke quite frankly.

"The Water Mother once said that what she cultivates is a semi- Divine Way Method, yet it doesn't have many of the flaws of Divine Way Method... Because of this, my Jade Pool sincerely invited her to join us."

"She didn't agree?"

"She doesn't care," sighed Nishang Yuanjun. "She has absolutely no interest in the conflicts among Human Race. She might have a slight desire to protect the Demon Race, but she doesn't really care about them."

Zheng Fa was taken aback.

He used to think that the Four Sects had failed to discover the value of the Sea Region.

Now it seems that this was probably also due to the presence of the Dragon Lord Shuyu, which is why there were many powerful demons in the Sea Region in the past.

But when the Dragon Lord attained Great Freedom Demon Emperor, he seemed to have no reaction at all, just as Nishang Yuanjun said, "Whatever, I don't care."

Nishang Yuanjun spoke, a wry smile appeared on her face, "Back then, we offered every possible condition to persuade her, but this Dragon Lord controls the Sea Region and has obtained the inheritance of the Ancient Dragon Clan, making her probably one of the wealthiest people in Xuanwei."

"She has no desires or wants, and we have nothing to offer her that might move her..."

"And that matter was naturally dropped."

This Dragon Lord sounds like someone who is invincible because he has no desires.

The two chatted for a few more minutes before hanging up the Spirit Message.

As Zheng Fa's face disappeared into the light screen, Nishang Yuanjun's brows slowly furrowed.

"Yuanjun?"

Seeing her worried expression, the female disciple in green couldn't help but ask.

"This East-West Continent Trade Route... if Thunderclap Temple is deliberately targeting it, it will probably just be a false hope."

"Ah?"

After much deliberation, Nishang Yuanjun's face was filled with helplessness. "Given Xuanding's personality, as long as Zheng Fa doesn't get into trouble, he definitely won't be willing to expend much effort."

"And what about us?"

The female disciple in green seemed to be a confidante of the Nishang Yuanjun, understanding the significance of this trade route to the Goddess, and immediately became anxious.

"With the celestial maiden of Jade Pool, we are already preoccupied with our own troubles," said Nishang Yuanjun. "The only one who can truly resolve this matter is the Dragon Lord Shuyu. With her protection, Thunderclap Temple has no way to deal with the Sea Region, and the trade routes will be completely safe."

"But... we still can't win her over."

Nishang Yuanjun remained silent, and finally let out a worried sigh.

"That Dragon Lord Shuyu is completely impervious to reason."

Zheng Fa put away the Creation Jade Disc, pondered for a moment, and then turned and walked towards Xiao Yuying's residence.

Xiao Yuying was sitting in a chair, lost in thought, her face unusually blank.

"Xiao Fairy?"

Xiao Yuying slowly regained her senses, looked at Zheng Fa in front of her, and gave a self-deprecating smile, "Losing a means of self-preservation is actually not a big deal."

Zheng Fa silent.

Having spent a long time with Xiao Yuying, he naturally realized that this Xiao Fairy was simple-minded yet extremely loyal and devoted to her friends.

She used the Canghai Pearl, a True Immortal- level trump card, without hesitation.

Zheng Fa could guess at some of the reasons for his current disappointment.

"Xiao Fairy, do you feel you have angered the Dragon Lord?"

Xiao Yuying lowered her head slightly, remaining silent, her former confidence gone.

After a long silence, she spoke softly, "My master is very good to me, teaching me Cultivation Method and bestowing upon me Law Treasure, but... I know she doesn't really care about me."

Zheng Fa listened in silence.

"Taking me as your disciple was merely a means to find the remnants of the Dragon Clan."

So the Dragon Lord also likes humanoid probes?

"Looking for the Dragon Clan?"

"Hmm." Xiao Yuying smiled and explained, "The Law Treasure that fell beside me back then was actually a relic of an Ancient Dragon Clan. My master has been searching for such a thing."

Zheng Fa frowned. "The Dragon Lord was able to enter the Xuanwei back then?"

It should be noted that even those who had reached the Spirit Transformation stage and entered the Xuanwei were suppressed back then.

"Suppressing cultivation is possible," Xiao Yuying explained. "My master said that the Ancient Dragon Clan is protected by heaven and earth, giving them more freedom than others."

No wonder the Dragon Lord is so arrogant.

Not only are they rich and powerful, but they also have backdoors to exploit.

And yet, he has no ties to anyone; who would want to mess with someone like that?

Xiao Yuying said in a low voice, "Over the years, I haven't found any information about the Ancient Dragon Clan. I'm afraid my master doesn't expect anything from me anymore."

Looking at Xiao Yuying's somewhat gloomy face, Zheng Fa understood that Xiao Yuying must have a lot of affection for the Dragon Lord in her heart.

Even though the Dragon Lord didn't care much about Xiao Yuying.

But it also brought her many benefits:

None of the Five Sects wanted to offend anyone, and this was something every cultivator would dream of.

Not to mention the kindness of passing on skills and knowledge.

In some ways, the Dragon Lord did not mistreat this disciple.

I am deeply indebted to my teacher, yet I have no way to repay him.

Zheng Fa thought for a moment, then asked, "Fairy, why does the Dragon Lord want to search for the remnants of the Ancient Dragon Clan?"

"Master..." Xiao Yuying pursed her lips, her voice soft, "I'm so lonely."

"In the entire world, she is the only one with the bloodline of the Ancient Dragon Clan."

"From birth, she had no one of her kind. The Dragon Clan of the Xuanwei Realm may possess Dragon Clan blood, but Master has never taken them seriously..."

"Master only wants to find members of his own clan."

Zheng Fa was taken aback. "Really?"

Xiao Yuying shook her head and said with a wry smile, "Perhaps even Master has given up. The biggest gain was finding a few dead dragon eggs."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Fa became even more calculating.

He didn't say much, but simply bid farewell to Xiao Yuying and flew to an island in the Azure Dragon Lodge.

On the island, Jiao Wuji and Blood River Ancestor were leading a group of disciples to observe a four-colored ox.

This is a spirit ox newly bred by the Agriculture Academy. Besides its meat, which can enhance cultivation, its greatest use is that its hide can be used to make Law Artifact Law Treasure.

"Sect Leader?" Upon seeing his sudden arrival, the two hurriedly came forward to greet him. "What are your orders?"

The two of them have gotten used to life in the Nine Mountains Realm. Although they don't have much freedom, their daily lives are peaceful and stable, and they are even more comfortable than before.

They always kept a low profile simply because the Soul Seal was still in Zheng Fa's hands.

"Hmm... I want you two to help my Nine Mountains Sect seduce an ally."

"Seduce?" Jiao Wuji was taken aback, then a confident smile appeared on his face. "This is a specialty of our Great Freedom Demon Cult Sect. Who?"

"Dragon Lord Shuyu."

A slightly ominous expression flashed across Jiao Wuji's face. "May I ask about this Dragon Lord...?"

"Ancient Dragon Clan, hmm, True Immortal."

Jiao Wuji slowly lowered his head, looking at his half-human, half-dragon body, which seemed to have been randomly pieced together, then looked up again. "Sect Leader, are you saying that this is what I look like?"

(End of this chapter)