The Imperial Martial Pill Venerable

"Lan Qijin, a member of the Human Race, yet you willingly became a lackey for the Demon Race. From this day forward, I strip you of your position as an Island Master of the Vast Sea Divine Palace. I... sentence you to death!"

Zong Ji spoke coldly, then lightly pointed a finger. The attack struck like the force of a boundless ocean. Lan Qijin’s eyes flew wide open, and before he could even scream, he exploded into a mist of blood. "A lackey for the Demon Race! Your death is well-deserved!"

"Master Qin, the matter is resolved. I will take my leave now."

"Wait a moment." Qin Ya suddenly stopped Zong Ji.

Zong Ji froze, then, as if realizing something, said with a slight twitch of his lips, "Master Qin, you can’t possibly be serious about making me compensate you with two hundred pounds of Primordial Stones, can you?"

’Come on, you have three hundred thousand pounds of Primordial Stones on you, and you’re still this stingy?’

’Besides, you’re a Top Level Alchemist. Isn’t it easy for you to get Primordial Stones?’

Qin Ya shook his head and said, "That was merely a joke. But there is one thing I hope you can help me with after you return, Supreme Elder."

"Oh? What is it?"

Qin Ya’s gaze hardened, a glint of coldness in his eyes. He said indifferently, "Supreme Elder, you must have heard the name Chu Lingfeng of Guhong Island just now, correct?"

"I understand your meaning, Master Qin."

Zong Ji’s eyes narrowed slightly. ’He really is vengeful.’

"Heh, then I’ll ask you to administer a bit of punishment on my behalf, Supreme Elder."

Qin Ya smiled faintly. To him now, Chu Lingfeng was an insignificant nobody, not even worth a second thought. Yet this very same petty man had framed him time and time again.

’If I don’t punish him, wouldn’t I be letting him off too easily?’

"A small matter."

.........

In the Vast Sea Divine Palace, a bell tolled, its chime long and resonant.

Supreme Elder Zong Ji convened a meeting of the Island Masters, explaining the matter concerning Lan Qijin from start to finish. Upon hearing the details, the Island Masters were, without exception, filled with indignation.

"Son of a bitch, so that bastard Lan Qijin was a lackey for the Demon Race."

"I’ve never liked that bastard. His son was arrogant and tyrannical, bullying his fellow disciples, and Lan Qijin himself couldn’t be bothered with the disciples on his island."

"Thank goodness for the Supreme Elder’s sharp perception. If Lan Qijin had remained in the Vast Sea Divine Palace, who knows how much more disaster he would have caused. This is truly fortunate."

"To think Lan Qijin was so involved behind the scenes in the chaos caused by the Female Demon. It’s truly disheartening. And I treated him as a colleague all this time."

.........

"By the way, Lord Mui," Zong Ji suddenly said. "On Guhong Island, which you are in charge of, is there a disciple named Chu Lingfeng?"

"Chu Lingfeng?" Mui Qiuhong’s fine brows knitted upon hearing the name. "There is indeed a disciple named Chu Lingfeng on Guhong Island. His talent is quite good. Although he’s no match for the Liujie, he’s already a Celestial Essence Realm Perfection Martial Artist at such a young age."

"Cripple his cultivation, demote him to a menial servant, and forbid anyone from taking him as a disciple for the rest of his life."

At these words, the other Island Masters were all rather surprised. What on earth had this disciple, Chu Lingfeng, done to warrant such a severe punishment from the Supreme Elder?

"But..." Mui Qiuhong looked troubled.

"What? Is there a problem?"

"No, none at all."

Mui Qiuhong shook her head. ’Although Chu Lingfeng’s talent is good, it’s merely good. On Guhong Island, there are still a few others more outstanding than him.’

’Like Lii Yunge, for instance...’

’Since the Supreme Elder himself has given the order, I have no choice but to obey.’

.........

On the surface of the sea, a Profound Vessel sailed onward, propelled by the wind.

The sea breeze blew gently. A young man sat at the bow, his eyes fixed on the water’s surface, which reflected the azure sea. Qin Ya murmured to himself, "It’s been three days since I left the Vast Sea Divine Palace. According to the map, I should be approaching the Celestial Dragon Sea Region."

’The Celestial Dragon Sea Region... vast, labyrinthine, teeming with pirates, and ravaged by Sea Beasts. More importantly, it’s not Human Race territory!’ Qin Ya’s eyes narrowed slightly, a faint sense of anticipation stirring within him.

The Celestial Dragon Sea Region was the domain of the Merfolk.

’I saw the Merfolk Race a few times in my past life, but only ever from a distance. Now that I’m entering the Celestial Dragon Sea Region, I must get a proper look.’

BOOM...

Just then, the sea began to surge violently. Qin Ya’s expression flickered as he formed a spell with his hands, activating the Profound Vessel’s array to stabilize the craft. He then gazed out into the distance.

A massive black shadow emerged from the distant water. HUMMM... An ancient, peculiar sound echoed across the sea. A moment later, a gigantic Sea Beast leaped from the waves, its enormous body blotting out the sun, its skin covered in strange patterns.

The Sea Beast resembled a whale but had a pair of fleshy wings growing from its back.

The Sea Beast leaped from the ocean and, like a master dancer, seemed to swim slowly through the air as if it were soaring. "That’s... a Kun!" 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Qin Ya was somewhat surprised. ’The Kun. A giant beast that lives in the sea. It can command water while in the ocean and command wind while in the air. It’s the exclusive mount of the Merfolk Nobles.’

"There are people on its back. They’re Merfolk."

On the Kun’s back stood several figures. They were tall and slender, dressed in magnificent blue robes with gold trim. Ink-blue hair cascaded to their waists, they held golden spears, and faint scales covered their faces. They were Merfolk.

"Oh? Is that a Human Race Profound Vessel?"

The leading Merfolk gazed at the Profound Vessel on the water, the corner of his mouth curling up. A flicker of amusement showed in his golden pupils. "Let’s go down and take a look."

’They’re coming this way.’

Qin Ya’s brow furrowed as he covertly prepared to activate the Defensive Array.

HUMMM...

The Kun let out its peculiar cry, turned, and dove. A few breaths later, it hovered above Qin Ya, blocking out the sun.

"Human, what brings you to the Celestial Dragon Sea Region?"

the leading Merfolk asked, looking down condescendingly at Qin Ya.

"Touring," Qin Ya replied with a faint smile.

"Touring?" The Merfolk paused, then said with amusement, "The Celestial Dragon Sea Region is fraught with danger. Why on earth would you choose to come *here* to tour?"

"Looking for a thrill," Qin Ya said, again with a faint smile.

"Haha, interesting! Very interesting." The Merfolk laughed loudly, his gaze on Qin Ya now filled with genuine interest. The humans he’d encountered in the past were always either sycophantically respectful or trembling in fear. He hadn’t expected to meet such an exception today.

"Your Highness, it grows late. If we delay any longer, we’ll be late for the Ancient King’s banquet," a guard behind him interjected.

The Merfolk, addressed as "Your Highness," frowned and said impatiently, "All right, all right. It’s just the Ancient King’s banquet. What’s the big deal?"

"Well, human, you can go on looking for your thrill." The Merfolk grinned at Qin Ya, then steered the Kun to float away into the distance.

Watching the Merfolk depart, Qin Ya murmured, "Merfolk... It seems I’m not far from the Celestial Dragon Sea Region. No, I might even be within its borders already."

’’Your Highness,’ golden pupils, a Kun... It seems that Merfolk’s status is quite high. The Golden Pupil Royal Family. My luck really isn’t half bad.’

Gazing out at the endless sea, Qin Ya felt no joy at having arrived in the Celestial Dragon Sea Region. Instead, he grew even more vigilant. ’Looking for a thrill? Heh, the Celestial Dragon Sea Region certainly has no shortage of thrills, but a single careless mistake could cost me my life.’

"From here on out, things won’t be easy."