Talks and Cooperation

On the sea.

The Azure Dragon had been restrained by an invisible force and had already stopped sailing.

Waves crashed against the Azure Dragon's bow, sending up a rushing roar.

Before the Azure Dragon's bow.

A powerfully built middle-aged man, his body knotted with bronze muscles and his face stern and resolute, stood atop the waves and looked down at Chen Daoxuan on the deck at the bow.

A Mermaid!

However, this Mermaid appeared to be severely wounded. A massive gash split his chest, Sword Qi crisscrossing within it and preventing the wound from healing.

This Mermaid was precisely the one who had fought Guang'an Prefecture Zhou Family's prodigy, Zhou Mubai, ten days ago.

At this sight, a faint trace of despair appeared in Chen Daoxuan's eyes.

Not to mention the tens of thousands of Merfolk Tribe members beneath the sea.

The two sides simply stared at one another in silence.

After a long while.

Bearing immense psychological pressure, Chen Daoxuan lowered his Flying Snow Sword, cupped his fists, and said, "This junior is Chen Daoxuan, Young Clan Leader of the Chen Family of Changping County on Twin Lakes Island, a family invested by the Qianyuan Sword Sect. Greetings, Senior."

It was not that he wanted to invoke the Qianyuan Sword Sect's name. The Mermaid before him was simply too powerful, utterly beyond anything Chen Daoxuan could contend with.

He estimated that this Mermaid possessed cultivation at least equivalent to a human mid-stage Purple Mansion cultivator.

Otherwise, he could never have fought Zhou Mubai of the Purple Mansion Prodigy Ranking to such a standstill.

As for invoking the Guang'an Prefecture Zhou Family's name—

Was he tired of living?

Sure enough.

Upon hearing the name Qianyuan Sword Sect, a flash of fear passed through the Mermaid's eyes.

Though the change in his gaze was fleeting, Chen Daoxuan caught it from the corner of his eye.

"Humph! Human cultivator, there is no need to use the Qianyuan Sword Sect to frighten me!"

My life is safe!

Hearing the middle-aged Mermaid speak, Chen Daoxuan secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

What he feared most was that the other party would refuse even to talk and simply strike him down without mercy.

"Senior misunderstands. This junior has absolutely no such intention."

Chen Daoxuan said anxiously, "It is only because that hateful Zhou Family exploits disciples of small clans like ours far too harshly that I truly have no wish to associate with them."

As Chen Daoxuan distanced himself from the Zhou Family, he also explained that he had no intention of threatening the other party.

Just as expected.

When he heard the name Zhou Family, the middle-aged Mermaid's face darkened with gloom. Clearly, he hated that family to the marrow.

Seeing the other party on the verge of losing control of his emotions, Chen Daoxuan's heart pounded wildly.

Please do not fly into a rage and accidentally kill me. I would have nowhere to seek justice then.

Chen Daoxuan thought.

The middle-aged Mermaid before him was, after all, the leader of a Merfolk tribe. Though fury filled his heart, he quickly composed himself.

He slowly descended until he stood level with Chen Daoxuan and asked, "Did you come from Guang'an Prefecture?"

"Reporting to Senior, this junior sailed here from Guang'an Prefecture seven days ago."

Chen Daoxuan bowed.

The middle-aged Mermaid nodded noncommittally. Then, as if he had noticed something, he made a light beckoning gesture.

A red Spirit Mine stone flew out from the Azure Dragon's cargo hold and landed in his palm. It was the Spirit Mine Chen Daoxuan had purchased in great quantities at Guang'an Prefecture immortal city—Red Copper Mine.

Though he did not know what the other party intended, Chen Daoxuan did not dare resist in the slightest. He could only lower his head and await judgment.

"Human cultivator, what is this?"

The middle-aged Mermaid held the Red Copper Mine and asked.

"Reporting to Senior, this is called Red Copper Mine. It is one type of Spirit Mine stone."

Chen Daoxuan answered every question obediently.

"Was the weapon in your hand forged from Red Copper Mine?"

The middle-aged Mermaid pointed at the Flying Snow Sword in Chen Daoxuan's hand and continued.

"Reporting to Senior, the Flying Sword in this junior's hand was indeed forged from Spirit Mine stones, but not Red Copper Mine. It was made from several other types of Spirit Mine."

Hearing this, the middle-aged Mermaid exchanged a glance with the petite female Mermaid beside him, then nodded. "You are quite honest, kid. Unlike other human cultivators, who are crafty and deceitful."

Chen Daoxuan hurriedly bowed even lower. "Thank you for the praise, Senior."

"Enough. Stand straight when you speak."

The middle-aged Mermaid waved his hand.

At those words, Chen Daoxuan finally let out a complete sigh of relief.

He knew that his life was safe for today.

"Let me ask you this: do ordinary disciples of your small human clans not usually go to Guang'an Prefecture to sell Spirit Mine stones? Why are you purchasing so many Spirit Mine stones instead?"

Hearing this, Chen Daoxuan struggled inwardly before ultimately choosing to reveal part of the truth.

"Reporting to Senior, my clan has an Artifact Forger, so we need to purchase Spirit Mine stones and bring them back to forge Magic Artifacts."

"The weapon in your hand—is that the Magic Artifact you speak of?"

He pointed to the Flying Snow Sword in Chen Daoxuan's hand.

Chen Daoxuan decisively offered the Flying Snow Sword over. "Precisely. Please have a look, Senior."

The middle-aged Mermaid beckoned, and the Flying Snow Sword flew toward him.

He caught the Flying Snow Sword and handed it to the female Mermaid beside him. "Luo'er, try it."

"Yes, Father."

The female Mermaid called Luo'er took the Flying Snow Sword and sent a stream of demonic power into it.

At once.

The Flying Snow Sword's spiritual glow surged. At its tip, a nine-foot Sword Light flickered and extended, slightly warping even the air.

"What a sharp weapon."

The female Mermaid sighed. "If our tribe had weapons this sharp, the Zhou family members would never be able to capture our sisters so easily and wantonly."

At the mention of the female Mermaids captured by the Zhou Family's Merfolk Capture Squad, Luo'er's lovely face turned icy cold.

Chen Daoxuan said nothing, doing his utmost to make himself invisible so that he would not suffer an undeserved calamity.

"Father, do you think we can—"

"You mean—"

As the two communicated through voice transmission before him, Chen Daoxuan could only wait silently.

After the time it took to drink a cup of tea.

The middle-aged Mermaid spoke again. "Human cultivator, we have a business proposition we wish to discuss with your clan. Are you interested?"

Having roughly guessed what it was, Chen Daoxuan forced himself to say, "May I ask what kind of business Senior means?"

As the leader of a clan, the middle-aged Mermaid saw the reluctance in Chen Daoxuan's eyes at a glance.

He frowned. "Human cultivator, we Merfolk Tribe are not like you humans. We would never do something like forcing purchases and sales. Rest assured of that!"

"Please forgive this junior, Senior. That was not what I meant."

Chen Daoxuan hurriedly explained.

But the other party merely waved his hand. "First, look at the price we are offering."

As he spoke, he gave Luo'er beside him a meaningful look.

Luo'er immediately understood and nodded, plunging headfirst into the sea.

Half an incense stick later.

Luo'er reappeared before them, stepping on the waves. This time, when Chen Daoxuan saw the items cradled in her hands, his eyes immediately shone, and he nearly drooled.

Spirit Shells, Spirit Mine stones, and Spirit Stones—the very thing the Chen Family currently lacked most!

"So long as you agree to this business, our Merfolk Tribe has as much of these things as you could ever want."

The middle-aged Mermaid looked at Chen Daoxuan.

At the sight of these treasures, Chen Daoxuan immediately dropped all pretense of caution and said excitedly, "What business does Senior wish to discuss? Please speak plainly!"

He could not be blamed for changing his face faster than turning a page. The price they offered was simply too generous.