Just then, a jolt ran through Jiang Chen. He could feel a tremendous upheaval erupting within his personal dimension.

He was about to enter and investigate but froze, suddenly remembering the mermaid in his arms, utterly exhausted and unconscious.

If she were to awaken and glimpse one of his most profound secrets… the consequences were unthinkable.

After a moment of consideration, Jiang Chen summoned the Wavebreaker Boat and, carrying Ming Zhu, shot toward the surface.

Besides, his Five Elements had just reached Perfection. There was no need to rush.

Soon, the two broke through the water, returning to the private lounge in the Mermaid Palace.

Though a soft, spacious bed was available, Jiang Chen didn’t place Ming Zhu upon it. Instead, he gently left her to soak in the pool. As a mermaid, being out of the water would only cause her more distress. Conversely, despite her exhaustion, the water would accelerate her recovery.

With that settled, Jiang Chen left the room. He stepped outside and his eyes immediately fell upon the mermaid princess, Xuan Zhu, lingering in the main pool.

The moment she saw him, a flicker of terror crossed her face.

Jiang Chen’s gaze swept the area. Jin Fugui and the others were gone. “Where is everyone?”

“Your sect brothers couldn’t wait any longer,” Xuan Zhu replied hastily. “They’ve already returned.”

Jiang Chen was taken aback. “How long was I in dual cultivation?”

Xuan Zhu slowly raised two slender, jade-like fingers.

A flash of surprise crossed Jiang Chen’s face. Two days.

No wonder Ming Zhu hadn’t just been drained but had fainted completely. Any other attendant would have likely suffered the same fate.

Xuan Zhu hesitated before speaking. “Immortal Elder, perhaps you should choose a different attendant next time.”

Jiang Chen, pulled from his thoughts, raised an eyebrow. “And why is that?”

She offered a strained smile. “Ming Zhu is… delicate. I fear she cannot endure another session like that.”

Jiang Chen mulled this over for a second, then took a sudden step forward.

Xuan Zhu’s body trembled. She instinctively recoiled, nearly losing her balance and tumbling backward.

Seeing this, Jiang Chen shot out a hand to steady her, smoothly pulling her into his embrace. He looked down at the exotic mermaid princess and chuckled. “I won first place in the Thousand Sails Event, securing a hundred years of harvesting rights to the Spirit Gathering Abyss. I heard from Zhao Qianyun that your clan’s home is located there?”

Feeling the potent masculine aura radiating from him, Xuan Zhu’s face flushed crimson. Her heart began to race as she managed a soft, “Mm-hmm.”

With a slight flourish of his other hand, a Water Spirit Fruit materialized. He smiled. “So, can this truly serve as a betrothal gift?”

Xuan Zhu’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Immortal Elder… are you serious?”

Jiang Chen nodded. “The first time I saw you, I felt a thread of fate connecting us.”

Hearing this, Xuan Zhu let out a soft laugh, a cunning glint dancing in her eyes. “Immortal Elder, there’s no need for pretenses. I understand your true intentions. You’re looking for an agent in Mystic Heart City, aren’t you?”

Jiang Chen wasn’t surprised she saw through him. After so many years in the Sea Demon Pavilion, she had encountered every type of person imaginable; she was far more than just a beautiful face.

Xuan Zhu nestled against his chest, admiring the Water Spirit Fruit as she continued her speculation. “If I’m not mistaken, you’ve already chosen to cooperate with the City Lord’s Mansion for the harvesting rights to the Spirit Gathering Abyss, correct?”

Her expression turned into one of knowing certainty. “It’s a classic, ruthlessly effective tactic of theirs. On the surface, they generously award the rights to an outsider, but in reality, control always finds its way back into their hands. They’ve won over many allies with that very move.”

“I’ve never believed in free lunches,” Jiang Chen stated calmly.

Xuan Zhu looked up, her eyes shimmering like spring pools. “Therefore, it wasn’t me you took a fancy to, but the mermaid clan I represent. Am I right?”

Jiang Chen shook his head. “No, I truly have taken a fancy to you.”

He paused, then a sly grin spread across his face. “Of course, if I could also gain the support of the mermaid clan, that would be even better.”

Simply put, only children are forced to choose. An adult, naturally, takes everything.

Though he had only been in Mystic Heart City for a few days, the place had already captured his interest. He planned to entrust the loose cultivator market in Green City to Lin An. Since he couldn’t be in Mystic Heart City permanently, he needed a reliable agent—one who could navigate the complex relationships between the City Lord’s Mansion, the Five Great Families, and the various sea demon clans.

There was no better candidate than Xuan Zhu.

To use a Water Spirit Fruit he had no need for to forge a bond with the mermaid clan and secure their assistance? It was a bargain.

Xuan Zhu blinked, her mind processing the implications. She then began to inquire about his background. A Wood Spirit Root and a Spirit Farm marked him as a spirit farmer, yet he also held the title of Spirit Cultivator Envoy. This implied his status within the Cloud Sea Sect, particularly concerning its agricultural operations, was significant.

While a proposal could be made with a Water Spirit Pearl, Liquid Water Essence, or a Water Spirit Fruit, acceptance was ultimately up to Xuan Zhu and the mermaid royal family. A match between equals was paramount; they would never agree to an alliance if the disparity in status was too great.

Xuan Zhu flashed a sweet smile. “This matter requires the approval of my father, the Emperor. You will have to wait for his decision.”

Jiang Chen produced a Communication Talisman and handed it to her. “Contact me the moment you have an answer.”

With that, he turned and departed.

Watching his retreating figure, Xuan Zhu was lost in thought.

Outside, Jiang Chen started walking toward the Subdue Flood Dragon Tower. But partway there, a strange sensation prickled his senses. Hmm?

It felt as if someone… was watching him.

Feigning interest in a nearby trading house, he casually stepped inside, his spiritual sense sweeping across the crowded room. There were too many people. He couldn’t pinpoint the source of the gaze.

Just then, a female attendant approached him. “Immortal Elder, how may I assist you?”

“I’m looking for cultivation techniques,” Jiang Chen replied. “Metal and Water attributes.”

“Low-tier or high-tier?” she asked.

“Do you have anything above high-tier?”

The attendant shook her head apologetically. “Techniques of that level only appear occasionally at the auction houses.”

Jiang Chen gave a slight nod. “High-tier will suffice, then.”

“Please, follow me,” the attendant said, leading the way.

They soon arrived before a massive pool. Instead of Shadow Mirrors or other recording devices, there was a turtle. It was enormous, its shell shaped like an inverted bowl. Its body was covered in dark cyan, hexagonal plates, each edged with intricate, silvery-white spiritual patterns. It was alive, occasionally blowing a stream of bubbles.

“This is a Memory Turtle,” the attendant explained. “Its mind functions much like a jade slip, capable of storing vast amounts of information. It remembers every high-tier cultivation technique and spell we have on offer. Simply infuse it with your spiritual power, and the relevant information will be transmitted to you.”

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