Tianyuan City

"What a vicious aura." Yunxiao furrowed her brow slightly as the Primal Chaos Golden Dipper turned faintly inside her sleeve. "Though these sea beasts lack intelligence, their bloodline inheritance has given them an instinctive understanding of combat. Ordinary cultivators will likely struggle to deal with them."

Before she had finished speaking, orderly horns sounded from the other side of the bay. A formation of Human Race cultivators advanced slowly, led by Liu Suifeng, the lord of Tianyuan City. He was now the city lord, though the position usually changed hands every hundred years. But Liu Suifeng was so capable that he had managed to bring a Dragon Clan princess home as his bride.

As an important city on the border with the Dragon Clan, Tianyuan City naturally couldn't choose its lord casually. So Liu Suifeng—a prodigy of the Human Race and son-in-law of the Dragon Clan—had been selected as a matter of course. Fortunately, his predecessor, Su Bai, had laid a solid foundation for him before he took over!

He wore golden armor and held a Flowing Cloud Sword. Behind him followed several thousand young cultivators, all Heavenly Immortals. Their auras were steady, their eyes sharp as eagles'. "All disciples, heed my command! Form the 'Star Array of the Heavens' and use the power of the laws to trap and kill the fierce beasts. Know your limits. The goal is to hone your skills, so don't overreach!" Liu Suifeng's voice rang across the bay, holding the waves momentarily still.

The young cultivators answered in unison and instantly formed a massive array. Starlight glittered within it, each cultivator corresponding to a star. The power of the laws wove into a net and spread over the oncoming Sea Beast Tide.

A young man in green struck first. He summoned the Law of Wood with his fingertips, and countless green vines burst from the ground, wrapping around a Stone Armor Beast at the front of the charge. Beside him, a girl in red called upon the Law of Fire, sending flames soaring to scorch a Giant Tooth Shark's scales. Other young cultivators wielded the Law of Water, controlling the waves to counterattack and sweep several octopus monsters into the sea.

A few young cultivators were badly injured by the sea beasts, but Human Race healers rushed to their aid at once, and the formation remained as stable as ever. Watching the scene, Liu Bai's eyes filled with relief. "These young people are the hope of the Human Race. After this battle, their conviction and divine abilities will both advance by a great deal. In another thousand years, the Human Race will have more and more powerful cultivators."

Zhao Gongming stroked his beard and nodded, a note of approval in his eyes. "The Human Race has found an excellent way to do this: using heaven and earth as the furnace and fierce beasts as the raw material to temper its disciples. With such boldness and wisdom, it's no wonder the Human Race has become one of the great clans of the Primordial World." Watching the young cultivators work together in the array, Qiongxiao said softly, "This 'Star Array of the Heavens' may not be as profound as the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation, but it's easier to understand and suited to teaching on a large scale. It's truly remarkable that the Human Race has made array formations so widespread."

Bixiao watched, her heart pounding with excitement. She couldn't help tightening her grip on the Golden Flood Dragon Scissors. "These young cultivators are amazing! If I joined in, I could help them kill even more fierce beasts!" Yunxiao gently pressed down on her hand and shook her head. "You mustn't, Junior Sister. This is a trial for the Human Race. If we interfere, it will defeat the purpose of honing their skills." Though disappointed, Bixiao nodded in agreement, her eyes still fixed on the battle in the bay.

The Sea Beast Tide would last a full ten days. Today's onslaught continued until the young cultivators joined forces to kill the last Giant Tooth Shark, and only then did the bay gradually return to calm.

The Human Race cultivators were utterly exhausted, but their faces shone with excitement and pride. Liu Suifeng stepped forward and loudly announced the results of the trial, commending the young disciples who had performed exceptionally well. On the Tide Watching Platform, the Three Xiao Fairies and Zhao Gongming watched the cheering Human Race, their hearts filled with emotion.

Liu Bai turned with a smile. "Junior Brothers and Sisters, now that you've seen Tianyuan City's prosperity and watched the Sea Beast Tide trial, why not come with me to the City Lord's Mansion for a visit? You can sample the Human Race's fine wine and spirit dishes. Don't worry—the lord of Tianyuan City is my younger cousin!"

Zhao Gongming readily agreed. Bixiao was already tugging impatiently at Qiongxiao's sleeve, urging everyone to head to the City Lord's Mansion.

The vermilion gates of the City Lord's Mansion stood wide open. Two white jade pillars carved in the shape of dragons stood before them, breathing out a gentle spiritual glow that illuminated the long, blue-stone-paved street. Liu Suifeng was still wearing his golden armor, and the dragon patterns on his pauldrons shimmered in the lamplight. When he saw Liu Bai and the others approaching, he strode forward with a hearty laugh. "Cousin, you're finally here! I've already had a banquet prepared. Please, Three Fairies and Senior Brother Zhao Gongming, join me in the inner courtyard."

A woman in palace robes woven from Shark Silk followed behind him. Her long black hair flowed like a waterfall, and a vermilion mark adorned the space between her brows. Her eyes shone with the Dragon Clan's distinctive, clear spiritual grace. She was none other than Princess Ao Ling, the apple of the Dragon King of the East Sea's eye. Ao Ling stepped forward and gave a graceful bow. Her voice rang like pearls falling onto a jade plate. "I've long heard of the renowned Three Xiao Fairies of the Interception Sect and Senior Brother Zhao Gongming. Meeting you today is truly an honor."

Bixiao's eyes lit up. Fixing her gaze on the Water-Repelling Pearl hanging at Ao Ling's waist, she couldn't help stepping forward. "Sister Ao Ling, your pearl is so beautiful! Does it let you breathe freely in the deep sea and see a thousand miles away?"

Ao Ling was amused by her lively manner. She removed the Water-Repelling Pearl and held it out to Bixiao. "If you like it, little sister, you can keep it for a few days. It's not exactly a supreme treasure, but it can repel water and hold back tides. It should come in handy if you visit the East Sea."

Bixiao happily accepted the pearl. When her fingertips touched its surface, she felt the gentle flow of the Law of Water within it. She immediately thanked Ao Ling. "Thank you, Sister Ao Ling! Next time, I'll bring you some spirit flowers and herbs from Three Immortals Island to trade for your Dragon Palace treasures!"

Laughing and chatting, the group entered the inner courtyard. They found that the City Lord's Mansion combined the pavilions and terraces of the Human Race with the watery elegance of the Dragon Clan. Warm jade from the East Sea paved the courtyard, radiating gentle warmth beneath their feet.

In the man-made pond, koi swam with shimmering tails. Several potted corals stood by the water, all thousand-year-old red coral unique to the Dragon Palace. Palace lanterns hung along both sides of the covered walkway. Their shades were woven from Shark Silk, and when lit, they gave off a gentle pearlescent glow, illuminating the paintings and calligraphy displayed beneath the eaves. Some were works by Great Confucians of the Human Race; others depicted famous scenes of the East Sea, painted by Dragon Clan artists.

The banquet was laid in the Tide Watching Pavilion by the water. Outside the pavilion was an open terrace, and from its railing they could just make out the glimmering waves in the bay. The dishes on the table were equally distinctive: there was Thousand-Year Lingzhi Braised Spirit Deer and Amber Honey-Glazed Spirit Fruit, carefully prepared by the Human Race; Deep Sea Scallop and Ten-Thousand-Year Dragon Spittle Rice, sent by the Dragon Clan; and Seven-Colored Sea Grape, presented by the Sea Clan. Each grape was plump and sweet, filled with pure water spiritual energy.

Liu Suifeng personally poured each of them a cup of amber-colored wine and smiled. "This is 'Drunken Flowing Sunset,' brewed with thousand-year osmanthus flower nectar from the Dragon Palace and the Spirit Spring of Tianyuan City. It can calm the mind, clear the eyes, and nourish the Dao foundation. Please, Three Fairies and Senior Brother, give it a try."

Zhao Gongming raised his cup and drained it in one go. A clean, mellow taste slid down his throat, and the spiritual power in his dantian seemed to flow more smoothly. He immediately praised it. "Excellent wine! It has the refreshing purity of a Spirit Spring and the rich sweetness of Dragon Clan nectar. No wonder Tianyuan City's wine is so famous among the clans of the East Sea."

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, the laughter in the Tide Watching Pavilion gradually settled into an easy camaraderie. Liu Suifeng set down his cup and rose to offer a solemn salute toward Jin'ao Island. "Taking this cup of 'Drunken Flowing Sunset' as an opportunity, let me first congratulate Saint Tongtian on moving the Interception Sect's base to Jin'ao Island!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Princess Ao Ling rose as well, standing beside Liu Suifeng. She added, "Jin'ao Island lies close to Tianyuan City. With a Sage protecting the East Sea, not only is this part of the sea kept safe, but the Human Race and Dragon Clan are also spared much harassment from Outer Realm Demons and fierce beasts. Though the Sea Beast Tide has shown some unusual activity, knowing that the Sage's base is nearby gives us greater confidence."

Liu Suifeng nodded and glanced at Liu Bai, the Three Xiao Fairies, and Zhao Gongming. His tone was earnest. "The Interception Sect's principle of 'seizing a sliver of hope for all living beings' aligns perfectly with the Human Race's belief in 'unceasing self-improvement and benefiting all beings.' Tianyuan City occupies a vital position in the East Sea. It connects to the Human Race's heartland on one side and the Dragon Clan's territory on the other, while Sea Clans from every corner come and go to trade. Though Senior Su Bai laid a solid foundation here, Tianyuan City is still far from the Human Race's heartland. We have troops stationed here, but lack the protection of top-tier experts. Now that the Interception Sect has established its base here, it's a blessing for Tianyuan City in every respect."

He turned to Liu Bai, his face softening with the familiarity of a younger cousin speaking to an older one. "Cousin, you're both the Interception Sect's Chief Senior Disciple and one of the Human Race's finest. In the presence of the Three Fairies and Senior Brother Zhao Gongming, I dare to propose an alliance between Tianyuan City and the Interception Sect. From now on, we can support one another and safeguard the peace of the East Sea together."

At his words, the Tide Watching Pavilion fell noticeably quieter. Zhao Gongming stroked his beard in thought, his gaze settling on Liu Bai. He was clearly waiting to hear what the Chief Senior Disciple had to say. Yunxiao remained composed, the Primal Chaos Golden Dipper turning softly in her sleeve as if she were weighing the alliance's pros and cons. Bixiao toyed with the Water-Repelling Pearl in her hand. She said nothing, but looked at Liu Bai with bright anticipation. Qiongxiao gave a slight nod, evidently in favor of the proposal.

Liu Bai rose and returned the salute, his expression solemn yet warm. He carried both the composure of the Interception Sect's Senior Brother and the fervor of a Human Race cultivator. "Cousin Suifeng, I wholeheartedly agree." He looked around at everyone and continued slowly, "My master moved to Jin'ao Island with the intention of protecting the living beings of the East Sea. Many Interception Sect disciples are beings of other kinds who attained the Dao, so they understand better than most how hard it is for all living things to survive. The Human Race, after enduring ten thousand years of hardship, has never ceased striving and has now become one of the great clans of the Primordial World. Tianyuan City, meanwhile, is a hub where all the clans trade and coexist. For the greater good, the Interception Sect needs this blessed place of Tianyuan City to uphold its doctrine of 'seizing a sliver of hope.' Personally, I'm a member of the Liu family and a part of Tianyuan City, so I'll admit that I have some selfish reasons for wanting the Interception Sect and Tianyuan City to be on good terms. When I return, I'll report this to my master and ask him to issue a decree."