The eunuchs from the Directorate of Ceremonial had long since cleared the area near the docks. A thin, middle-aged man wearing a moon-white crane robe walked up to Xu Zhiyuan, looked toward Yang Ling with him, and said with a frown:
"A Curse Daoist's supernatural ability."
Xu Zhiyuan nodded slowly. "That should be it. Sealholding Eunuch Zhang, do you have a way to lift the curse on him?"
Sealholding Eunuch Zhang shook his head gently.
"The Nine Immortal Dao Palace's methods are mysterious and uncanny, especially curses like this. Only the person afflicted can lift them.
"Outside interference will only make the curse worse."
He paused. "I have heard, however, that every curse has a weakness. Finding that weakness can temporarily ease the curse's encroachment."
Though the two were not speaking loudly, everyone present heard them clearly.
"A curse from the Nine Immortal Dao Palace..."
A hint of apprehension appeared in the eyes of Zhao Yingying and the others.
Ordinary martial artists might not know of such methods, but she was the daughter of the King of Pinglan, Qin Kunlun was a prodigy of the Divine Sect, and Xu Qingnian's grandfather was a Third-Rank Grandmaster. They had all heard discussions of the Four First-rate Sects' various methods to some degree.
These curses in particular had left a very deep impression on them!
Yang Ling looked at his arms, which were also covered in densely packed black markings.
Faintly, layer upon layer of creases began appearing on his skin, resembling fish scales.
"Did you encounter a Fourth-Rank Grandmaster from the Nine Immortal Dao Palace at sea?"
Sealholding Eunuch Zhang suddenly asked.
Xu Zhiyuan said, "Qi Baiyan."
"Him... Then that makes sense."
Sealholding Eunuch Zhang nodded lightly and smiled at Yang Ling.
"Young Master Yang, this is the Deep Sea Curse. As