At the deepest part of the mountain where the Beast-Taming Manor was built, a blue-green glow shimmered faintly.
Manor Lord Yu hurried inside and saw the clan’s ancestor sitting cross-legged in meditation.
“Ancestor, we’ve found a way to open the Weak Water barrier. We’ll be able to attack soon. Please, come forth and lead us in capturing the merfolk once and for all.”
In the cultivation world, the higher one’s cultivation, the longer their lifespan—and their appearance generally remained unchanged.
Yet this ancestor, though at the Tribulation stage, had white hair and a face deeply lined with age.
When he opened his eyes, there was a murky dullness in them, like that of a frail old man.
“At last… Very well done,” the ancestor said approvingly. “How are things outside?”
“No one from the Zixiao Sect has come,” Manor Lord Yu replied. “Perhaps a single disciple isn’t enough to make them abandon their reputation just to interfere with the merfolk. But quite a few small sects have arrived—each wanting a share of the spoils.
“But Ancestor, rest assured. Over the years, we’ve collected plenty of merfolk corpses. It’ll be enough to pass off as the real thing. Those sects expect us to lead the charge—when the time comes, we’ll let them serve as witnesses, and no one will ever suspect a thing.” His tone was cold.
“Do not let them see the Sacred Land. That must never be revealed,” the ancestor warned, eyes glinting with greed as he looked around at the cave, its walls studded with blue-green luminous pearls.
Manor Lord Yu narrowed his eyes slightly and nodded. “Be at ease, Ancestor. This battle is our chance—once we win, Beast-Taming Manor will stand among the Four Great Immortal Sects. The merfolk are destined to pave our way there.”
After confirming all arrangements with the ancestor, Manor Lord Yu turned to leave.
Just as he reached a staircase, he stopped abruptly—his beast companion had sent a signal.
He quickly caught sight of someone lurking nearby—Yu Yingwan.
“Wan’er, you should be getting ready. What are you doing here?”
Yu Yingwan’s expression was solemn. “Where is that merfolk?”
Manor Lord Yu’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Wan’er, you’re concerned about that merfolk?”
“No. I just don’t like others taking my prey. And since he once disguised himself beside me, it should be my right to decide how he dies,” Yu Yingwan said coldly.
Manor Lord Yu’s tone hardened. “It had better be as you say. Don’t forget—your mother, your two brothers, and so many from the Beast-Taming Manor all died at the hands of those beasts. He’s just a filthy fish—to us, no more than a tonic, a beast.”
Yu Yingwan’s expression didn’t change at all. “I said—he’s mine.”
Manor Lord Yu paused for a moment. “He’s down below. The assault will begin soon; all merfolk will be captured. When it’s over, I’ll make sure a few are left alive for you.”
Only then did the furrow in Yu Yingwan’s brow ease slightly.
“What’s down there? Why won’t you let me near it? Yu Chun is allowed to go,” she pressed.
“That’s the greatest secret of our Manor. Only a select few are permitted to enter. Yu Chun was given access because he was the intended heir—but now…” Manor Lord Yu’s smile widened as he put an arm around her shoulders. “My precious daughter, you’re lucky. You found a male merfolk, brought great credit to our sect, and earned the right to inherit the Manor. After this battle, the position of Young Manor Lord will be yours.”
Yu Yingwan looked at him in shock. All her life, her father had told her that no matter how capable she was, she would never be qualified—that she was destined to lose to Yu Chun. Could this sudden change really be because of that Little Yezi?
“Why?” she demanded.
“When this battle is over, I’ll tell you everything,” Manor Lord Yu said with a satisfied smile. “You’ll also get to see that male merfolk again—whatever you wish to do with him will be up to you.”
Yu Yingwan’s eyes flickered, but before she could ask further, her father had already turned to leave.
She knew she wouldn’t be able to get below—guards were stationed there. She had only stayed to look for a way down. Since her father said Little Yezi wouldn’t be killed for now…
After some thought, Yu Yingwan turned and left as well. She would wait until she could see him in person and ask what really happened that day on the island—how he had saved her.
Once the father and daughter were gone, Yu Chun emerged from below, face dark, letting out a cold snort. “Dream on if you think you’ll take the Young Manor Lord’s seat.”
His clothes were splattered with blood—as if he had just vented his rage in slaughter.
On the seaside cliffs near the Ten Thousand Beasts Forest, a small tent stood. Inside the tent sat a crystal tank; Fu Qingfan stared vacantly at the distant sea, fish tail swaying gently in the water.
Suddenly, her favorite food was brought to her lips. She looked toward the man beside her and smiled. “Ah Zhong, home…”
The man followed his gaze toward the sea and smiled. “Mm. We’ll be home soon. When the time comes, we’ll bring your people—and your sister—back to the Demon Realm to live with us, all right?”
Fu Qingfan frowned slightly.
The man gently massaged his temples. “I’m sorry. I won’t use soul-searching on you again—it hurts, doesn’t it? But I had no choice. To give you peace… to help you and me both take revenge… we had to endure a little pain.”
Fu Qinfan rubbed against the man’s palm. The man chuckled, but when he heard Fu Qinfan once again call out “Ah Zhong,” his expression stiffened slightly before quickly softening into a gentle smile.
He reached out to pat Fu Qinfan’s head, then turned his gaze toward the sea. Not far off along the shore, people were taking off—some stepping onto flying swords, some riding spirit boats, others mounted on beasts. At a single command, all of them moved together toward the coral reef. Below the surface, escorting wooden ships awaited—everything was in order. Yet, the number of people seemed far greater than expected.
The man’s face grew cold and sharp, his eyes filled with mockery.
After today, the coral reef would cease to exist.
The merfolk, pushed to their limits, would have only one choice left—to surrender to the demon clan.
And Beast-Taming Manor would disappear from the world.
Inside the coral reef.
Having received the news, Junhua and the priests were in urgent discussion. Outside, the merfolk guards had already begun their defenses. Those without combat ability were gathered within a protective formation for safety.
Gu Baiqing told Mo Xuanli to keep an eye on the Weak Water barrier and immediately went to find Junhua.
“Junhua, let’s go. Take your people and leave first,” Gu Baiqing finally said. Before now, he hadn’t been able to say anything that might alter the course of events. But today, he was certain Beast-Taming Manor had already made its move. Even if they could only buy a little time, it would matter.
The priests all turned disapproving gazes toward him.
“We have the protection of the Weak Water,” Junhua countered.
“Have you considered,” Gu Baiqing pressed, “that if they dare to come, it means they’ve already found a way to neutralize the Weak Water? Your Weak Water isn’t without flaws. If they weren’t certain of victory, why would they risk losing their power above Weak Water and deliver themselves to their enemies?”
His reasoning was sound. But asking the merfolk to abandon their home, to give up the sacred ground that had protected them for generations, and flee into the open ocean where they would have no defenses—that was too much to ask.
Yet Gu Baiqing knew the ending. He could firmly tell Junhua what needed to be done, but Junhua would never easily agree.
Junhua frowned. “Big Brother Mo, I know you’re worried for us, but you have no proof. And even if you’re right—if they really come for us, and the Weak Water becomes no different from ordinary sea water—then tell me, is there anywhere in the sea that’s truly safe for us? It would only delay the inevitable.”
Her gaze grew resolute as she gripped her whip in both hands. “We merfolk will not easily lose to land-dwellers, even in battle. We may be simple, and few among us are trained to fight, but when we do fight, we are no weaker than any cultivator—especially in the water. Don’t underestimate us, Big Brother Mo. If they dare to come, I’ll make sure they swim down alive and float back up as corpses.”
Gu Baiqing was momentarily stunned. Junhua gave a small smile. “Go find your brother.”
There was nothing more he could say. Disheartened, Gu Baiqing turned to leave. From afar, he could see Mo Xuanli sitting on a large red coral formation, looking up at the surface.
When Gu Baiqing approached, Mo Xuanli turned to glance at his face and reassured him, “Master, Junhua isn’t unprepared. Look—”
He raised a hand and pointed into the distant waters. Faint glimmers of eyes flashed in the deep sea.
“What are those…?”
Mo Xuanli smiled faintly and moved aside for Gu Baiqing to stand. “Sea beasts. I saw several high-level ones swimming by, though they can’t get too close to the Weak Water.”
“The merfolk summoned them?” Gu Baiqing exclaimed.
Mo Xuanli’s smile deepened. “If Master can still use some spiritual power, listen carefully.”
Gu Baiqing immediately understood. He summoned a small trace of power, and instantly, a beautiful sound filled the surroundings—a long, haunting song echoing from beneath the waves.
It was the merfolk guards within the Weak Water, singing toward the open sea—a summoning song for sea beasts.
“So Junhua had already prepared for this,” Gu Baiqing thought in surprise.
Mo Xuanli smiled. “Even those merfolk who can’t fight are born able to communicate with sea beasts. There are many such creatures in the ocean—they’re close to the merfolk and naturally come to their aid. And the Beast-Tamers’ spells can’t compare to that innate gift. In close combat, the merfolk’s songs themselves can injure enemies. You’ve seen Junhua use it before, haven’t you? If the barrier really does fail, then this will become true ocean territory—where the merfolk’s speed is unmatched. With my formations added, our chances of winning are high. Master, there’s no need to worry too much.”
Mo Xuanli’s reasoning was solid, yet Gu Baiqing still frowned.
Strange. If they were this well-prepared, the merfolk shouldn’t have met such a tragic end—even if the Weak Water failed.
The true outcome he knew was ruin—broken reefs, corpses everywhere, and only Junhua left to lead the surviving merfolk in surrender to the black dragon. The black dragon, being Mo Xuanli’s contracted beast, would form an alliance between them.
“Still,” Gu Baiqing said, “they might have help from other sects. Don’t forget, there’s also an ancestor in the Tribulation Stage among them. I might be able to hold them off for a while, but I can’t guarantee—”
Mo Xuanli suddenly looked up at him and said firmly, “Master, just focus on keeping yourself safe. Leave the rest to me. To them, you’re only my brother—so just be my brother, not Elder Luofeng.”
Mo Xuanli wasn’t pretending to be noble. He was willing to fight for the merfolk’s sake, but he didn’t want Gu Baiqing to suffer even the slightest harm because of others.
Seeing the determination in Mo Xuanli’s eyes, Gu Baiqing paused. There was a strange warmth in that feeling—of being protected without reason—that made him laugh softly.
He thought for a moment, then patted Mo Xuanli’s shoulder. “You too—keep yourself safe. I don’t need you to be a hero. Just do what you can and stay true to your heart.”
Mo Xuanli nodded. That was just like his master.
“Especially if you encounter that so-called ancestor,” Gu Baiqing said suddenly, his tone grave. “Run. A Tribulation Stage cultivator is nothing like any opponent you’ve faced before. Don’t give him the chance to harm you. One move—just one—could cost you your life.”
Mo Xuanli froze for a moment, then nodded. “This disciple understands.”
As the two discussed, they gradually felt an overwhelming murderous aura closing in—sure enough, the enemy had arrived.
At that moment, Junhua also came out with her people.
The Three-Thousand Weak Water covered a vast area. Even within the inner circle, only those with exceptionally sharp eyesight could see the barrier that encased the Weak Water in the distance.
Everyone looked up, and for a moment, the coral reef’s plaza fell eerily silent. But as they watched… the barrier suddenly cracked. Fissures spread rapidly across its surface, and the color of the Weak Water began to subtly change.
The faces of the merfolk also began to shift in alarm.
Seeing the change, Junhua’s voice trembled with fury and disbelief—but she forced it down and shouted, “Prepare for battle!”
There were only two ways to dissolve the Weak Water barrier.
The first was to soak it in enough merfolk blood to weaken its power, allowing cultivators to use their spells within it—the Weak Water would then turn red.
But now, the Weak Water hadn’t turned red; the barrier had shattered completely. That meant only one thing—the second method. The eyes of a royal-blooded merfolk could be crushed to instantly dissolve the Weak Water barrier, turning it into ordinary seawater through which anyone could freely pass.
This was a secret known only to the royal family. And only the royal siblings had the ability to do it.
Junhua closed her eyes briefly, then gripped her weapon.
All the merfolk guards followed her lead, raising their weapons as well. The Three-Thousand Weak Water surged into thousand-layered waves, and soon, seawater began flooding in.
With the seawater came a wave of killing intent—spells and attacks poured in one after another.
The merfolk’s songs rose in unison, resonating through the ocean. Around them, the roar of responding sea beasts echoed back. Outside, many of the beasts under merfolk control had already begun clashing with the cultivators. The war had finally begun.
Those cultivators entangled with the beasts were held back, but the others advanced swiftly toward the coral reef.
On the reef, Mo Xuanli drew a Water-Repelling Formation for himself and Gu Baiqing.
Junhua, pale-faced, flew over to them and said firmly, “You two should go. This has nothing to do with you. Whether you leave or pretend to be taken hostage—it doesn’t matter. Just don’t get dragged into this.”
It was the private plea of a friend.
Even though Junhua clearly needed every ounce of fighting power, she still chose to send Mo Xuanli away. After speaking, she turned without hesitation and led her people into battle.
Even now, she hadn’t given the order to retreat—which meant she still believed in their strength.
Mo Xuanli didn’t ask what Gu Baiqing thought; he already knew his master’s stance was to protect the merfolk at all costs.
In the distance, the first wave of cultivators reached the battlefield. When they saw the merfolk swimming toward them, their eyes gleamed with cruelty—clearly, they were no strangers to tormenting merfolk. To them, the merfolk were nothing more than fish.
One cultivator led the assault, casting a spell.
A blazing fireball shot through the water, its power immense. But just as it was about to strike, it rebounded off a faint blue light.
A defensive formation!
The attackers were stunned. Before they could react, the massive coral reef suddenly flashed green, and countless underwater vines burst forth, lashing toward them. In an instant, they wrapped around several cultivators like giant hands, slammed them down, and smashed them hard into the barrier below.
That was an attack formation!
The dazed cultivators hacked through the vines, but then realized their spiritual power was being suppressed.
What… what kind of formation was this?!
Before they could adjust, waves of merfolk’s sound attacks hit them head-on.
The cultivators who had yet to enter the area were dumbfounded by the scene.
Meanwhile, because of the mana disturbances, Mo Xuanli’s earlier formation automatically activated, momentarily blocking the enemy’s advance.
Clearly, the cultivators hadn’t expected the merfolk to know how to use formation techniques at all.
From afar, Gu Baiqing couldn’t help giving Mo Xuanli a mental thumbs-up—his mastery of formations had become quite skillful.
Several specially trained merfolk swam toward their location, as they were positioned right at the center of the array—and these merfolk were the very ones Mo Xuanli had personally taught.
They saluted the two briefly, then immediately began stabilizing the formation.
With both offensive and defensive arrays active, they could handle ordinary cultivators, but against powerful ones—or sheer numbers—they wouldn’t be able to respond fast enough.
However, with people maintaining the formation, it would be extremely difficult for anyone to break through.
The more Gu Baiqing watched, the more he felt something was wrong—this shouldn’t have ended in failure.
What had changed the outcome? Was it that Tribulation-Stage patriarch?
Suddenly, roars of panic and pain came from the sea beasts in the distance—the sound was entirely different from before.
Not only that, the merfolk who had been holding their line at the front were suddenly and completely defeated.
Junhua’s face changed drastically. She was just about to rush over when she saw a white-haired man in black robes leading a group of cultivators, flashing overhead and diving straight toward the coral reef’s base.
A massive explosion shook the merfolk’s domain.
The situation had turned.
