Deep within the Source Pool lay a calm, windless stretch of sea.
Mo Lin, Yao Yao, Zi Yan, Zuoqiu Qingyu, and Little Lingxi formed a circle, floating above the sea.
With a teasing smile on his face, Mo Lin announced, "Alright, for fairness—and to make things more interesting—let's play a game. Other than Yao Yao acting as referee and keeping her strength unchanged, Zi Yan, Xi'er, and I will all suppress our cultivation to Qingyu's level—the second layer of the Primordial Realm!"
"What? Suppress our cultivation?" Zi Yan pouted, somewhat unwilling. "That's no fun!"
Little Lingxi blinked her large eyes as well. "Daddy, why do we have to become weaker?"
Mo Lin chuckled and rubbed his daughter's head. "That's the only way to experience the fun of 'fair competition'! Let's see who's better at hunting water beasts with equal cultivation! The winner gets a reward!"
At the mention of a reward, Zi Yan immediately perked up. "What reward?"
Mo Lin smiled mysteriously. "That's a secret for now! I guarantee it'll be something good!"
He then looked at Zuoqiu Qingyu and winked. "Qingyu, this is your chance to show what you can do! Don't let us outdo you!"
A trace of fighting spirit flashed through Zuoqiu Qingyu's peach-blossom eyes as she said sweetly, "Hmph! At the same cultivation level, I'm not afraid of any of you!"
Yao Yao stood coolly to one side and said indifferently, "The rules are simple. Hunt water beasts within the time it takes for one incense stick to burn. Scores will be based on the quality and quantity of Dragon Origin Marrow obtained. No one may use power beyond the second layer of the Primordial Realm. I'll supervise and keep score."
"Alright!" everyone answered in unison.
The game began!
Mo Lin, Zi Yan, and Little Lingxi