The border of the Wuwang Sea, the Yaksha Nation.
The moonlight was full and bright, illuminating an infinite landscape. Above the sea near the Yaksha Nation, the sky was half clear and half turbid. Black mist lingered over the deep waters like a dark, stubborn, age-old blemish.
At this moment, the moonlight was perfect. The clear, bright beams pierced through the azure seawater, enticing countless giant clam demons to crawl onto the seabed. Opening their shells, they gradually extended their soft flesh to stretch as much as they pleased.
Cradled within the pink, soft flesh of the giant clams were round, plump pearls. Even in the pitch-black depths of the sea, they emitted a gentle, warm white glow.
Naked yakshas holding steel forks dove into the seawater to search for the massive clams. Regardless of gender, if they harvested a pearl of exceptional quality, they would let out strange cries, calling over their friends to celebrate.
Though it was late at night by the seashore, it was as bustling as a mortal farmer's autumn harvest.
“Hmm?”
One of the yakshas squinted, its two large, lantern-like eyes blinking hard—
At the border of the Wuwang Sea, a humanoid black shadow seemed to flash past, heading in the direction of the Rakshasa Sea Market.
But this thought was quickly dismissed.
Not even a goose feather could float on the Wuwang Sea. Not a single blade of grass grew within the black mist, and it was impossible to discern direction. No one had ever left that place alive.
Even the yakshas, when harvesting pearls, did not dare to accidentally wander into it.
It must have been soaking in the water for too long, causing its vision to blur.
The yaksha grumbled to itself and dove back underwater, as agile as a large fish, kicking up bursts of white spray.
...
On an empty stretch of coast, Nan Zhi, wearing the Paper Skin Garment, descended from the embrace of the wind. After regulating her breathing and circulating her qi, she retrieved the Spirit Beast Talisman. In the next instant, a heavily scarred Ao Mingzhu tumbled onto the ground.
Her injuries were simply too severe.
Although she had rested inside the Spirit Beast Talisman for several days, the battle that day had been truly brutal. Even after taking human form, her entire body was covered in hideous wounds, and droplets of fresh blood fell onto the sandy beach like blossoming red plums.
“This is... the vicinity of the Sea Dragon Kingdom? We actually made it out of the Wuwang Sea?!”
Ao Mingzhu's eyes could not see, but the comforting scent carried by the damp sea breeze was enough for her to identify her location.
She had actually made it out of the Wuwang Sea alive!
The black mist was chaotic and disordered, with no north, south, east, or west. Even a demon immortal with an Innate Divine Ability for pathfinding would not be able to find the correct direction inside!
Even if a Deity Transformation cultivator fell into the Wuwang Sea, it would be impossible for them to leave completely unscathed!
In the past, there were rogue immortals who refused to believe the danger and entered the Wuwang Sea to explore its secrets, only to end up with their bodies destroyed and their paths ended.
It seemed that the only ones who could travel through this black mist without hindrance were the members of the Witch race, who communed with all things and controlled the laws of heaven and earth!
“Master is indeed vastly powerful. Mingzhu is completely convinced.”
Astounded, Ao Mingzhu no longer had any doubts about the other party's identity as a Great Witch. She immediately dropped to one knee to show her submission:
“I wonder what Master would have me do?”
“First, the master of the Rakshasa Sea Market has gone missing, and the Sky Demons will surely make a move. I want you to return to retake control of the Sea Market, raise your cultivation, and ensure the peace of the twelve nations of the four directions.
Second, notify the three major sects—Qingjing, Wuwei, and Hehuan—to explain the dangers of the growing Sky Demons, investigate the origins of the Sky Demon race, and curb the expansion of their influence.
Third, gather information on Heavenly Fires and Earth Fires in the North Province region, and use this object to inform me as soon as possible.”
Nan Zhi lowered her voice, not wasting a single word:
“Our Witch race has not walked the cultivation world for a long time, precisely to avoid the great calamity of karma. What I told you earlier has already leaked the secrets of heaven and may draw heaven's ire. I expect heavenly punishment will descend upon me before long. You must never speak directly to others about the fracturing of the Four Provinces Continent, and especially anything related to me or the 'Witches.' No third party must ever know.”
In an instant, a series of speculations flashed through Ao Mingzhu's mind.
That was it!
Karma!
So this was the real reason Master had formed a contract with her!
The Four Provinces would fracture, bringing about a great catastrophe of heaven and earth. Although the Witch race could isolate themselves from the world, this Witch possessed a merciful heart. Unable to bear the sight of all living beings suffering, she had risked exposing the secrets of heaven to save her, attempting to avert the destruction of the twelve nations of the four directions.
The Heavenly Dao operated on constant laws. By rashly interfering with the affairs of the mortal realm and rewriting the Dragon Girl's fated death, the person before her would surely suffer divine retribution.
Only by forming a contract could the secrets of heaven be temporarily shielded using the power of karma. So that was how it was?!
“Yes.”
Ao Mingzhu understood everything now. With a solemn expression, she accepted Nan Zhi's words:
“I shall obey Master's command. I will return to the Haifang Market immediately and make sure those Sky Demons have no opportunity to exploit!”
Having said this, she hesitated for a moment. Opening her sightless eyes and biting her lip, she asked hesitantly, “It is just that I do not know how I should report back to Master in the future...”
However, she received no immediate reply. Ao Mingzhu did not dare to urge her, waiting with a calm expression.
Only after a long while did she hear the person before her sigh softly. As if harboring some reservations, the other party used the wind to deliver an artifact before Ao Mingzhu.
She reached out to catch it, only to be startled.
It was ice-cold to the touch. Feeling its shape, it seemed to be a bronze dressing mirror used by women. Waves of spiritual light emanated from it, proving that it was indeed a Deity Transformation-grade artifact!
Although she could not see, Ao Mingzhu could still feel the ancient, weathered aura unique to the passage of time on the bronze mirror, as if it had been sealed away for thousands or even tens of thousands of years.
—It must have lost some of its spirituality due to its extreme age and the passage of time, causing its grade to drop.
This treasure was definitely more than just Deity Transformation-grade!
If properly refined, it might even recover to its original grade!
Even in her father's dragon palace, such a treasure would never be given away so casually.
With her master offering such a treasure right off the bat, a flash of excitement crossed Ao Mingzhu's face.
“This treasure is called the ‘Yin Yang Mirror of Two Realms.’ One side is Yin, which can condense lunar power, while the other side is Yang, which can store Golden Crow fire energy. Even when the Yin and Yang mirrors are separated, they can transmit messages to each other no matter how far apart they are.”
Nan Zhi tried her best to make her voice sound less weak, saying nonchalantly, “This mirror is quite suited to your cultivation realm. It was originally just a little trinket gathering dust in a corner, so I will give it to you now. If there is a need, I will contact you.”
“Mingzhu thanks Master for the treasure.”
This time, Ao Mingzhu bowed with a bit more joy—the Demon race naturally admired the strong. By submitting to a Witch powerhouse who had saved her life, she would have a few more bargaining chips in the future struggles within the dragon palace.
Furthermore, opportunities to receive a Deity Transformation artifact so casually were rare.
Although she had been heavily injured during this trip to the Wuwang Sea, she had slain that Lord Jiao, cut down the great demon Tiancan, and obtained a Deity Transformation artifact. How could she not be delighted?
“Please rest assured, Master. Mingzhu will definitely not fail your trust.”
Ao Mingzhu gave Nan Zhi an exceptionally bright smile, took one last reluctant “look” at her, and then transformed into her true body to leap into the seawater. Within moments, after a few waves splashed against the shore, she disappeared.
Once a true dragon entered the water, even if she was injured, Nan Zhi had no need to worry.
She stood on the sandy beach, waiting a bit longer with her hands behind her back.
Only after confirming through her senses that the aqua-blue true dragon had indeed left did Nan Zhi let down her guard. She conjured two paper figures, took out a medicine shovel, and dug up the sand soaked in dragon blood to store it away.
When living a life, one must not be wasteful.
Dragon scales and dragon blood were, after all, excellent materials for refining arrays and drawing talismans.
She had given away a Deity Transformation artifact obtained from the Locust God's tomb and exchanged it for a spirit beast with a peak Nascent Soul cultivation and an entire Jiao-dragon corpse. An absolute steal.
“Now, I just hope I didn't bet on the wrong horse, and that Ao Mingzhu is indeed trustworthy,” Nan Zhi murmured to herself as she gazed up at the clear, azure sky and looked toward the faint border of the Wuwang Sea on the horizon.
A storm was brewing.
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