Eastern Vast, the Calm Sea.
The water was emerald and the sky blue. Beside lofty islands and secluded cliffs, stretches of gray-white reefs rose from the sea. Fish spirits with blue-black skin clustered below, all bowing in reverence.
Brilliant gold-and-crimson flames ignited, their radiance surging. A dark-gold carriage emerged from them, drawn by three red-scaled Sea Horses that snorted fire. A thread of flame slowly faded behind the carriage.
The driver was a monster with a sparrow's head and a human body, his feathers pure white. Holding his bird head high with an arrogant air, he barked:
"Have you gathered the required amount of [Netherwater Spirit Jade]? The True Person needs it. There can be no delays."
The black fish spirits hurriedly lifted a black stone urn. Inside lay perfectly round, deep-blue pearls, each exuding a dense aura of Vast Water. All were of Foundation Establishment grade.
"Demon General Bai Ling, it's all here. This place yielded little this year. You can't blame us."
"What!"
The white sparrow monster's pupils contracted. He shouted harshly and was about to lash out when a sigh came from inside the carriage, followed by a mellow male voice.
"It's a little short, but enough. The celestial signs have been unusual. Greater Yin changed three times in a single night, causing considerable fluctuations in Vast Water yields. They cannot be blamed."
At the sound of that voice, the black fish spirits below relaxed. Realizing that the lord himself had come along, they all felt as though they had survived a calamity.
Bai Ling merely looked sheepishly back at the dark-gold carriage. Lowering his voice, he displayed an almost human uncertainty on his sparrow face.
"Since my lord has spoken, I won't hold it against these Yakshas."
He turned his head toward the Yakshas and resumed