Above the Bitter Sea, Sea Demons lurked.
No one knew just how vast the sea territory ruled by the Sea Demons was.
Under the night sky, a giant ship moved forward slowly, cutting through the thick, ink-like sea water and progressing through the mist.
Behind the ship, there were no longer any Sea Demon Clan pursuers, only a few sentinels following from a distance, monitoring their every move.
Bai Xi walked up to Mu Qingge, facing the sea breeze with her.
After a while, she looked at Mu Qingge and curiously asked, "Do you think the Sea Demons will really agree to our demands?"
"No," Mu Qingge replied straightforwardly.
This answer made Bai Xi’s beautiful eyes slightly narrow. Surprised, she asked, "Then why did you..." If she anticipated that the other side wouldn’t compromise, why proceed with this plan?
Bai Xi found Mu Qingge hard to understand.
She had thought that with her long existence and experience with humans, she understood human thoughts quite well. However, after interacting with Mu Qingge, she found she couldn’t understand her at all.
"Although they won’t let us leave obediently, they will be cautious," Mu Qingge said.
Bai Xi was silent for a moment, thoughtfully considering Mu Qingge’s words, and began to grasp her intention.
Perhaps, sending Fu Kang and Jie Sang back to report was just a delaying tactic.
As she pondered, she said, "The Sea Demons have inhabited this sea for generations, now no one knows how much they’ve spread. We are new here and have no knowledge of the Sea Demons’ situation. Did you do this deliberately to draw them out?"
The more she spoke, the more shocked Bai Xi became.
She was astounded by Mu Qingge’s meticulous approach, setting up several steps ahead amidst the chaos, gradually leading the Sea Demon Clan into her trap.
"But what if they are truly enraged and attack us with full force? What will we do then?" Bai Xi asked, confused again.
Mu Qingge, however, laughed carelessly, "In warfare, when the enemy is hidden, and we are exposed, it’s a disadvantage. Forcing them out of hiding has already shifted that disadvantage. The next move depends on how the Sea Demons react."
Bai Xi was taken aback by her words.
Mu Qingge turned and looked over, raising an eyebrow, "What’s wrong?"
Swept by her clear gaze, Bai Xi mumbled, "I thought you had everything calculated."
Mu Qingge was momentarily stunned, then laughed.
After laughing, she said to Bai Xi, "You overestimate me. If I could foresee everything, wouldn’t I be an immortal?"
"You’re almost there," Bai Xi remarked with a sigh.
Mu Qingge merely smiled silently at Bai Xi’s assessment.
Her gaze fell on the sea’s surface, and she thought, ’No, I’m not that strong yet! Ahead of me, there are countless challenges waiting for me to overcome, each step bringing me closer to that man. Not to weigh him down, but to become a shoulder he can rely on.’
...
The islands of the Bitter Sea are hidden in fog, making them hard to see from the sea’s surface.
Only upon approaching can one see the unique islands rising from the sea floor.
These islands resemble broken stone pillars or umbrellas emerging from the sea. One end slender, anchored deep in the sea, the wide end floating between the sky and the sea.
The islands feature mountains and rivers, forests and plains, abundant with birds and beasts. It was a paradise isolated from the world.
The islands are connected by resilient vines, with floating bridges erected on them, forming the main thoroughfares leading to each island.
On exposed rocks in the distance, Sea Demon sentinels observed the sea’s movements.
"Who goes there!" came a voice over the rippling sea at night.
Sea Demons are acutely sensitive to disturbances in the water, causing the sentinels on the rocks to be immediately on alert.
"It is I." From the darkness, a rough voice responded.
The Sea Demon sentinel stood up from the rock, straining his eyes toward the water’s surface.
Dispersing the mist, a group of Sea Demons riding spirit beast fish appeared in his view.
He immediately recognized the Sea Demon Commander at the forefront, an ingratiating smile appearing on his grotesque face, "So it’s Lord Jie Sang! Why are you here so late? Do you have business with us?"
Suddenly, his gaze caught the man beside Jie Sang, and his eyes narrowed sharply, his expression changing as he exclaimed, "Fu Kang, why are you here? Our lady said you are not allowed to set foot in our territory!"
The sentinel’s words sparked anger in Fu Kang’s eyes.
He seemed ready to kill the insolent sentinel.
However, before his temper could flare, Jie Sang stretched out a hand to stop him, "The matter at hand is urgent." One sentence deflated Fu Kang’s hostility.
After calming Fu Kang, Jie Sang spoke to the sentinel, "We need to see your Great Clan Chief; we have urgent matters to report."
Hearing there was an urgent matter, the sentinel dared not delay and immediately emitted a strange sound wave behind him.
Soon, another sound wave echoed in response from the shadows.
The sentinel then said to Jie Sang, "Lord Jie Sang, please come in."
He stepped aside to let Jie Sang and his people in.
Passing through the shallows surrounded by rocks, Jie Sang and Fu Kang arrived at a group of islands and the largest one standing in the center.
An elevator platform descended on the island, and Jie Sang and Fu Kang leapt onto it.
Then, someone above slowly hoisted the platform, bringing them onto the island.
Upon disembarking, they were met by dozens of Sea Demon soldiers.
The hideous faces of the Sea Demons made it impossible to discern their expressions. Only glimpses could be caught from their eyes.
"Follow me," said the leading Sea Demon to Jie Sang and Fu Kang, turning to lead the way. Unlike the sentinel, he did not display a fawning expression toward Jie Sang. It seemed he held a significant status here.
His attitude did not make Jie Sang or Fu Kang feel any dissatisfaction.
In fact, when facing this person, both displayed a subtle watchfulness in their eyes.
Someone who could cause caution in individuals at the Purple Realm Peak was certainly not ordinary!
On the road, there were houses and palaces.
However, compared to human structures, those of the Sea Demon Clan appeared more wild, rugged, and primitive. Many things were made with locally sourced materials, roughly processed for use in daily life, lacking human refinement and polish.
The houses of the Sea Demon Clan were built with sturdy tree trunks as beams, stone blocks for walls, and adorned with some special, brilliantly colored flowers and plants.
For those with high status, their walls were inlaid with luminescent shells and pearls.
Jie Sang and Fu Kang were brought to the exterior of the largest group of buildings.
With the Sea Demon as their guide, they entered without needing an announcement.
Inside, they saw several Sea Demon women lighting lamps crafted from fish oil to dispel the darkness.
After entering a spacious room, they paused.
Soon, footsteps approached, and a burly, robust Sea Demon clad in a robe sewn from fish skins emerged from within, walking directly to a chair made from large fish bones and sitting down.
"What brings both of you to see me at this hour?" asked the Great Clan Chief, looking at Jie Sang and Fu Kang.
His tone carried the weight of an elder.
Both Jie Sang and the fiery-tempered Fu Kang restrained themselves, maintaining the respectful demeanor befitting juniors in front of him.
"Great Clan Chief, Talisa is in trouble," Jie Sang said, gritting his teeth.
This sentence caused the Great Clan Chief’s previously lazy posture to lean forward, his eyes widening sharply.
The Sea Demon who led them also whipped his head around, his fierce eyes darting towards Jie Sang and Fu Kang.
"What exactly happened?" the Great Clan Chief demanded.
"It wasn’t us; humans intruded and have taken Talisa hostage," Fu Kang hurriedly explained.
"Humans!" A cold glint flashed in the Great Clan Chief’s eyes, his gaze growing sharper.
He slowly squinted his eyes, questioning Fu Kang and Jie Sang, "Are you saying that humans have appeared in the Sea Demon-controlled area?"
"Right!" This time, Nie Sang spoke before Fu Kang.
"How many of them are there? What is their purpose for taking Talisa?" The Great Clan Chief had regained his composure, and asked solemnly.
Nie Sang thought for a moment and replied, "There seem to be hundreds of people, they’re on the ship, we can’t ascertain clearly."
"The ugly man leading them said that if we let them pass through the area we control safely, they will release Talisa. Otherwise..." Fu Kang continued after Nie Sang.
He sneaked a glance at the Great Clan Chief and saw his expression had already turned icy. Only then did he quietly stammer, "Otherwise, we’re to prepare for Talisa’s corpse."
"Hmph!"
Fu Kang’s words had barely fallen when the Great Clan Chief roared explosively. The armrest of his fish bone seat shattered under his aura, disintegrating into grayish-white powder and falling to the ground.
Both Nie Sang and Fu Kang’s expressions changed, not daring to breathe heavily.
"Damn humans! Daring to kidnap my daughter to threaten me! Do they think such actions will make us Sea Demons submit?" The Great Clan Chief exclaimed with hatred.
Suddenly, he looked at the Sea Demon standing beside Nie Sang and Fu Kang, his expression softened a bit as he spoke to him, "Kun, go meet those humans and bring back your sister."
"Yes, foster father." The Sea Demon responded, then glanced at Nie Sang and Fu Kang coldly, "Lead the way."
"Just you alone?" Nie Sang exclaimed in surprise.
Kun coldly swept his gaze over, "I alone am enough."
Nie Sang wanted to say more but was secretly stopped by Fu Kang.
Nie Sang looked puzzled at Fu Kang, who shook his head at him.
Without saying more, Nie Sang and Fu Kang led Kun away, retracing their steps back to the surface of the sea.
Kun summoned his fish spirit beast, standing on its protruding back above the sea, following behind Nie Sang and Fu Kang.
"Why didn’t you let me speak earlier? Those humans, especially the one in the red clothes, are not to be trifled with! Our attacks can’t penetrate the defense on that ship." Nie Sang whispered to Fu Kang.
Fu Kang sneered, using his peripheral vision to glance secretly at Kun behind them.
Faced with Nie Sang’s questioning, he answered disdainfully, "Saying too much will only make the Great Clan Chief think we’re useless. Rather than wasting words, let Kun experience it firsthand. Isn’t he hailed by the elders as the first of our generation? I want to see if he can bring Talisa back this time."
Fu Kang’s words, tinged with jealousy, left Nie Sang silent.
Indeed, if Kun wasn’t the Great Clan Chief’s foster son, Talisa’s nominal brother, he would likely be the best candidate for Talisa’s husband.
However, within the Sea Demons, there’s also a rumor that Kun is the Great Clan Chief’s illegitimate child from outside, raised as a foster son. Thus, the Great Clan Chief never considered changing his status to marry his daughter to him.
Overall, there are many speculations about Kun, and his personal strength is formidable.
Gradually, he became an unsurpassable presence among the younger generation of Sea Demons, like a mountain weighing on their hearts.
Nie Sang and Fu Kang originally came with the intention of rescuing Talisa, but now, in front of Kun, their emotions were complicated.
They hoped Talisa could be saved, yet also wished Kun would stumble and fall from his pedestal.
...
On the Bitter Sea, the blackened sky gradually lightened, sunbeams pierced the clouds, casting rays upon the dark green sea surface as if gilding it with gold.
The massive ship heading to the Middle Ancient Realm moved slowly.
Amidst the dense fog, it felt as if an elusive world was hidden.
Suddenly, the massive ship stopped, floating on the sea surface.
Mu Qingge, who was cultivating in the cabin, ended her cultivation and slowly opened her clear eyes, filled with ambiguous emotions.
In the next instant, she disappeared from the cabin, appearing on the deck.
As soon as she reached the deck, Yin Chen and Bai Xi approached.
Bai Xi stood by her side, arms folded, sneering coldly, "Experts have arrived." Despite the words, her expression showed no signs of concern.
Yin Chen looked at Mu Qingge with serious eyes, "I’ll go meet him."
"No need." Mu Qingge gazed into the fog ahead and slowly shook her head. "I’ll go personally." She wanted to know the strength of the Sea Demons. Besides, to quickly enhance her abilities, she needed constant combat.
At that moment, footsteps were heard from behind, it was Mo Yang running over.
"Little Lord." Mo Yang called from behind Mu Qingge.
Mu Qingge barely nodded and instructed him, "Keep an eye on that Sea Demon Clan’s top beauty, and have everyone stay alert to any movements around. If any Sea Demons try to infiltrate, show no mercy, kill them."
Since coexistence isn’t possible, she wouldn’t hold back.
If she didn’t kill a few, these Sea Demons might truly think she’s made of clay!
Mo Yang nodded and silently retreated.
Even if Mu Qingge was filled with slaughter and stained with blood, he still felt the Little Lord was the truest, most beautiful, and kindest existence.
Boom--!
A sudden loud noise erupted, like thunder striking on a dry day.
Mu Qingge raised her eyes and saw the glimmering defense shield around the ship flicker.
That was definitely not thunder, someone was attacking.
Bai Xi sneered disdainfully, "Truly impatient!"
"Brute." Yin Chen also gave a subtle comment.
Mu Qingge only slightly lifted the corner of her lips, revealing an enigmatic smile.
Upon the sea, in the distant waters from the massive ship, Nie Sang and Fu Kang stood side by side.
Kun was no longer behind them; he had gone towards the massive ship.
They watched Kun attack the ship’s outer defense while suspended in the air with a look of amusement in their eyes.
"Do you think he can break this defense?" Nie Sang asked.
Fu Kang, rarely engaging in a calm conversation with Nie Sang, couldn’t help but show a trace of mockery upon hearing his words, "Just wait, maybe our Kun will have a hard fall here."
"What about Talisa?" Nie Sang frowned.
Fu Kang seemed less concerned about this. "Don’t worry, those humans want to cross the sea; before achieving their goal, Talisa is safe."
Nie Sang looked at Fu Kang, frowned, and said displeasedly, "Your dark thoughts are becoming more like humans."
Fu Kang nonchalantly replied, "Don’t forget, our ancestors included humans."
"Are you gloating about this?" Nie Sang asked.
Fu Kang shook his head with a cold smile, "I’m merely stating a fact."
Nie Sang frowned, reminding him, "Regardless, we’re against humans."
"Rest assured, I won’t forget this. Since humans abandoned us before, they’re our enemies!" Fu Kang replied, his eyes already showing a murderous intent.
Boom boom--!
Two more consecutive strikes targeted the defense shield but still couldn’t shake the massive ship’s protection.
On the deck, Bai Xi exclaimed, "What kind of power does it take to break this shield? I can feel that the previous attacks on the shield have already reached the Spiritual Movement Stage."
Mu Qingge pressed her lips in silence, inwardly calculating.
What Si Mo gave her naturally wouldn’t be inferior. But where’s the limit? What’s the highest cultivation on the Bitter Sea?
Alternatively, how many attacks can this defense shield withstand?
If all the Sea Demons targeted the massive ship, how long could this seemingly invincible shield endure?
Mu Qingge slowly lowered her gaze, her eyes flickering slightly.
Outside the massive ship, Kun held a trident and looked at the ship on the sea, furrowing his brow.
After a moment of silence, he lifted the trident again, swinging it in the air, a force even more formidable and sweeping than before shot from the trident straight at the ship.
Yet before it reached the ship, the defense shield blocked it again, rebounding to the nearby sea, causing a loud explosion.
If he saw it, he might poke his head and say through gritted teeth, ’Do you really want to lead your little lord into the ditch like this?’
...
The intense battle attracted everyone’s attention.
Fu Kang suddenly turned his eyes, secretly taking advantage of Jie Sang’s distraction, summoned a few of his trusted subordinates, and whispered to them.
After that, these subordinates quietly left the team, bypassing everyone’s sight, heading towards the stern of the giant ship.
It seems they were planning to sneak onto the ship when everyone was distracted and rescue Talisa quietly.
The fight between Mu Qingge and Kun continued; as Mu Qingge became more familiar with the fighting style of the Sea Demon Clan, she suddenly turned and stabbed Kun in the heart.
The intense pain quickly spread throughout Kun’s body, as if all his bones cracked with a ’crack’.
Kun spewed a mouthful of blood, falling from the sky, rushing towards the sea.
His eyes remained fixed on Mu Qingge suspended in the air, her superior stance made him unwilling.
"Go back and tell your leader that I don’t have much patience to play with him. I’ll be passing through this sea area tomorrow; if he’s not afraid of Talisa dying, feel free to send people over." After saying this, Mu Qingge turned and flew towards the deck.
Kun fell into the icy sea water, sank, then floated back up.
His whole body was soaked by the sea water, watching Mu Qingge’s ship from a distance, he pursed his lips without saying a word.
Jie Sang reacted, hurriedly rushing over.
However, before he reached, Kun’s spirit beast had already swum over and lifted him up.
"Ah ah ah—!" Suddenly, several tragic screams rang out on the sea surface.
Jie Sang felt Fu Kang’s aura change beside him, suddenly thought of something, and looked at Fu Kang, "What did you do?"
At this moment, Kun was brought back by the spirit beast to Jie Sang and his companions. Hearing Jie Sang’s questioning, he stood up dripping wet, looking at Fu Kang, "You dare to act without permission?"
Fu Kang defended, looking ugly, "I just wanted to rescue Talisa."
"Sea Demon Clan, listen to me." Mu Qingge’s words came from the ship.
She infused her voice with spiritual power, making her voice echo all over the sea surface.
Kun, Jie Sang, and Fu Kang looked towards the giant ship...
Mu Qingge, dressed in red, stood conspicuously at the bow of the ship, and behind her were several guards dressed in black, each holding a silent sea demon.
With her hands behind her back, she said with a cold face, "Don’t play tricks anymore. If you dare climb onto my ship again, I’ll chop off one of Talisa’s hands, and if you come again, I’ll chop more. No hands, then I’ll chop feet. Let me see how many times you can come!"
Having said that, the Dragon Tooth Guards behind her threw the sea demon’s corpse directly into the Bitter Sea.
Her words stirred anger among the sea demons, but they dared not act recklessly, fearing truly angering Mu Qingge, she might kill Talisa without hesitation.
"Let’s talk after returning." Kun glared fiercely at Mu Qingge, endured the severe pain within, and ordered all the sea demons to return.
Fu Kang was the most frustrated with the death of his subordinates. Yet, he couldn’t show it.
Because it was his own miscalculation and couldn’t blame anyone!
On the ship, in the cabin, Talisa stared obsessively at Mu Qingge’s tall figure standing at the bow, saying with some fascination, "Even though she looks ugly, I didn’t expect her words to be so powerful, and she’s so strong, even able to defeat Kun!"
The Dragon Tooth Guard standing behind her felt chills on his scalp and looked at her like seeing a ghost. Inwardly grumbling: ’Sis! Are you okay? Our little lord is about to cut you into a stick, yet you still think she’s imposing?’
While the Dragon Tooth Guard silently grumbled about this Sea Demon woman’s problematic mind, Mu Qingge stepped into this cabin.
"You came to see me!" Talisa suddenly exclaimed with joy upon seeing Mu Qingge.
Her flirtatious demeanor startled Mu Qingge, creating an impulse to flee.
Fortunately, the pressing matters on her mind restrained her impulse.
Mu Qingge sat opposite Talisa, keeping a distance.
"How is your Sea Demon Clan distributed?" Mu Qingge asked directly.
Talisa was taken aback, "Why are you asking this?"
Mu Qingge lowered her eyes emotionlessly, "Just curious while there’s nothing going on, chatting a bit."
Upon hearing that Mu Qingge wanted to learn about the sea demons, Talisa inexplicably felt happy. Without Mu Qingge needing to persuade much, she started describing animatedly, "Our Sea Demon Clan is mainly divided into five parts, my father is the Great Clan Chief, our family is in... The Sea Demon Clan has over a hundred thousand, your people alone can’t match them. You might as well release me, and I’ll take you to meet my father, then let him convince the other clan chiefs to let your people and ship leave. But..."
Talisa suddenly stopped.
Mu Qingge listened intently and asked, "But what?"
Talisa glanced at her, with a hint of reluctance flashing in her eyes, "You must stay and become my husband."
The Dragon Tooth Guard’s mouth twitched.
Mu Qingge, however, revealed an ambiguous smile. She stood up and said to Talisa, "Miss Talisa, please rest well here first." Saying that, she walked towards the door.
Just as Talisa was about to ask about her decision, Mu Qingge suddenly stopped and asked, "Oh, by the way. May I ask, how many females are there in your Sea Demon Clan?"
"Uh! Why are you asking this? I tell you, I’m the most beautiful among ten thousand Sea Demon females! Consider my conditions seriously." Although Talisa was puzzled, she cooperatively told Mu Qingge.
Mu Qingge smiled slightly and pushed open the cabin door to leave.
Talisa was left bewildered by Mu Qingge, asking the Dragon Tooth Guard, "What does she mean?"
This Dragon Tooth Guard didn’t understand either, how could he explain to her? Moreover, even if he knew, he wouldn’t say, so he just gave her a proud cold look.
...
After leaving the cabin, Mu Qingge summoned Mo Yang, Yin Chen, and Bai Xi.
She sat on a fur-lined chair, elbows on the armrest, fingers interlocked before her chin. "Mo Yang, deploy three hundred Dragon Tooth Guards for an operation tonight."
Mo Yang nodded silently.
Mu Qingge then looked at Yin Chen and Bai Xi, "You two will also act tonight."
"What are we going to do?" Bai Xi asked in surprise.
Mu Qingge’s lips curled into a mischievous smile, she said to them leisurely, "Snatch women!"
"Snatch women?"
"Snatch women!"
Bai Xi and Yin Chen surprisedly looked at Mu Qingge, even the usually composed Mo Yang also cast her a surprised gaze.
Mu Qingge, however, acted nonchalantly, standing up, hands behind her, speaking loudly, "I suddenly felt the bargaining chips weren’t enough, and the only way is to increase the chips."
Then, she explained the intelligence she gathered from Talisa to the three one by one.
"...So, tonight you need to split into five teams and capture as many female sea demons as possible." Mu Qingge finalized the plan.
Yin Chen was silent for a moment, looking at Mu Qingge, "It’s not difficult for Bai Xi and me to evade the sea demons on the island, but the Dragon Tooth Guards have many people, they don’t understand the Blinding Technique, fear..."
Mu Qingge confidently smiled, "No need to worry."
No need to worry?
Until dusk, the three did not understand what Mu Qingge meant by this.
Not until dusk when they saw the Sea Demon Army faintly appearing in the distant sea did they understand what Mu Qingge meant.
"You already anticipated they’d mobilize the army?" Bai Xi looked at Mu Qingge in surprise.
Mu Qingge smiled slightly, "Sea demons have dominated this sea area for many years, they’re used to being strong. Now, with me, a person more domineering and strong than them appearing, how could they accept it? Naturally, they wanted to show me a thing or two."
"So the words you said to that sea demon during the day were meant to provoke them, incite them to come out in full force, facilitating our nighttime action?" Bai Xi was completely shocked.
She never expected that Mu Qingge’s every word and action contained so many twists and turns.
"Not entirely, if they really dared to send people again, I’d cut off Talisa’s foot and send it back." Mu Qingge smiled with a curl of her lips.
"When we leave, you’re facing so many sea demons alone?" Yin Chen, long accustomed to Mu Qingge’s intelligence akin to a demon, was only worried about her safety.
Mu Qingge said calmly, "Go ahead without worry, there won’t be any problem here. They won’t take any action at least before dawn. They’re currently just playing psychological warfare with me, trying to scare me with such a lineup."
After speaking, she sneered again, murmuring, "These are the tricks humans have long abandoned thousands of years ago. Without keeping up with the times, there’s only being played with left!"

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