BOOK 2: CHAPTER 406: DEEP SEA DRAGON LADY, TRADE ROUTE BODYGUARD

Vol 2 Chapter 406: Deep Sea Dragon Lady, Trade Route Bodyguard

The precious pearl in Xiao Yuying’s hand was naturally the Ocean Pearl she had previously lent to Zheng Fa to save his life.

However, Zheng Fa hadn’t used it before, and upon returning to the Jiushan Realm, the item naturally returned to its original owner.

Spiritual energy surged from her palm into the Ocean Pearl as she murmured a prayer.

At that moment, the Ocean Pearl emitted a shimmering blue light, reflecting on the faces of everyone in the courtyard.

As the Lord of Jiushan Realm, Zheng Fa suddenly sensed something and instinctively activated his Void-Piercing Spirit Eye to look at the Ocean Pearl.

It was as if he saw a vast deep sea.

The dark sea water was filled with dense spiritual energy.

Only faint glimmers flickered intermittently, as if something was sleeping in the darkness.

“What is it?”

Suddenly, a voice came from the Ocean Pearl.

The voice was soft, charming, and melodious—clearly female. Yet Zheng Fa could detect a coldness beneath the tone.

Xiao Yuying lowered her head respectfully and said, “I humbly request Master to lend assistance.”

The Ocean Pearl glowed again, and it seemed an eye was observing the surroundings before the woman inside asked, “Rescue you?”

“Not to rescue me.”

The woman fell silent for a moment, seemingly irritated, then slowly said, “You have only one chance.”

“I understand, disciple.”

“Who?”

After hearing Xiao Yuying’s reply, the woman’s voice grew colder but did not delay.

Xiao Yuying quickly described Senior Sister Zhang’s identity, appearance, and location. The woman said nothing further, but the scenery inside the Ocean Pearl began to shift.

It was as if an eye leapt from the sea, sweeping past one island after another.

Zheng Fa did not want to wait idly, so he grabbed Xiao Yuying and the anxious Uncle Pang, heading toward Hongsha Island together.

While flying, he kept watching the scenes inside the Ocean Pearl. Just after leaving Jiushan Realm, the screen showed Senior Sister Zhang and Uncle Huang among others:

Senior Sister Zhang held the Tranquility Bamboo, shielding Uncle Huang and the others as they retreated by flying backward.

Her face was pale as snow.

In front of her sat an old monk with long eyebrows, seated cross-legged on a golden lotus, relentlessly pursuing.

The old monk held a wooden fish, striking it occasionally, producing serene Buddhist chants.

Buddha light rippled like waves, closing in on Senior Sister Zhang.

Senior Sister Zhang did not resist directly but rapidly rotated the Innate Eight Trigrams, seemingly calculating intensely.

Then she flashed her figure, relying on the Tranquility Bamboo to narrowly evade the Buddha light.

Zheng Fa was familiar with the Innate Eight Trigrams and could see that Senior Sister Zhang’s fighting style was very conservative—just trying to avoid the old monk’s attacks and buy time for rescue. 𝖗ἁΝǒᛒĚs

But the cultivation gap was too great. Even with the Innate Eight Trigrams and Tranquility Bamboo, Senior Sister Zhang was clearly struggling.

He grew more anxious and urged the Rainbow Light to speed up.

But as Uncle Pang said, the sea was vast;

within moments, even he felt stretched too thin.

Moreover, the strength gap made Senior Sister Zhang’s crafty tactics increasingly ineffective.

The old monk struck the wooden fish again.

The Innate Eight Trigrams spun rapidly;

Senior Sister Zhang trembled slightly, seemingly drained of spiritual power. She could calculate an escape route but could not avoid this strike and had to endure it head-on.

Zheng Fa’s heart pounded with anxiety.

The scene in the Ocean Pearl shifted once more.

A dragon’s roar!

A roar erupted from beneath the sea, colliding with the Buddha light shooting from the wooden fish, shielding Senior Sister Zhang and the others behind it.

The old monk’s expression changed;

he stood from the lotus platform, staring fixedly into the sea with a look of suspicion and doubt.

Unknowingly, countless clouds gathered in the sky.

A fierce wind blew over the sea.

A huge and terrifying black shadow slowly appeared beneath the water.

The old monk’s face grew even sterner as golden light blazed all over him and he shouted,

“Lord Shuyu Dragon!”

Zheng Fa looked at Xiao Yuying in surprise.

Xiao Yuying’s master was far more formidable than he had imagined!

Earlier, when Xiao Yuying produced the Ocean Pearl, Zheng Fa had guessed:

Her master must be a Dao Fruit cultivator, possibly even nearby in the sea.

Not just any Dao Fruit cultivator.

But what was this old monk shouting about?

A dragon?

He had seen many dragons before.

Uncle Pang even had a Five Dragons Heavenly Palace.

But true dragons, or rather ancient dragons, no longer appeared in the Xuanyi Realm—only legends remained.

The dragons left in Xuanyi were all impure bloodlines, far from meeting true dragon standards:

In short, knock-offs.

Yet this old monk was a Dao Fruit cultivator and called the dragon “Lord,” clearly a different kind of dragon than those Zheng Fa had seen before.

The huge black shadow in the sea suddenly flickered. In an instant no one could see clearly, a woman appeared in the void.

Her robes were ancient-looking;

her face was youthful but extremely cold.

Most notably, two small dragon horns protruded from her head.

“So it really is the Dragon Lord.”

Lord Shuyu Dragon glanced at Senior Sister Zhang and said directly, “I want her alive.”

“Dragon Lord, this is our Leiyin Temple...”

“Do you want to fight?”

The old monk’s face changed, showing some disdain for Zen.

Zheng Fa was slightly shocked.

From Senior Sister Zhang’s earlier duel with the old monk, Zheng Fa could guess this was probably a True Immortal from Leiyin Temple.

Xiao Yuying’s Dragon Lord master’s firm attitude suggested she was also a True Immortal?

“Dragon Lord, would you dare offend our Leiyin Temple for this person?”

“Leiyin Temple, would you dare offend me for this person?”

So tough!

Zheng Fa turned to look at Xiao Yuying again.

He felt a sudden realization.

No wonder Sect Leader Yan would rather fight Yan Wushuang to the death than offend Xiao Yuying.

This girl’s background was as hard as a diamond.

He recalled Xiao Yuying’s previous guilt for drinking too much Hundred Flowers Spirit Dew, but honestly, seeing the Dragon Lord just now, Zheng Fa was willing to soak Xiao Yuying in Hundred Flowers Spirit Dew as a bath.

The old monk’s face stiffened;

he frowned at the Dragon Lord, looking unwilling to yield.

The two silently faced off in the air.

After a moment, the old monk clasped his palms, and the Buddha light rolled back, disappearing without a trace.

...

Rainbow light scattered as Zheng Fa landed beside Senior Sister Zhang, looking around, but the Leiyin Temple group had disappeared.

It was unclear if the old monk feared the Dragon Lord or anticipated Zheng Fa’s arrival and fled quickly.

“Senior Sister, are you alright?”

Senior Sister Zhang shook her head and looked toward Lord Shuyu Dragon, cupping her hands in thanks, “Thank you, Dragon Lord, for your rescue.”

Lord Shuyu Dragon seemed uninterested in speaking further, only glancing at Xiao Yuying.

Xiao Yuying pursed her lips and held the Ocean Pearl above her head.

Lord Shuyu Dragon slightly waved her hand, absorbing the Ocean Pearl into her palm, then turned her gaze away from Xiao Yuying and looked at Zheng Fa once.

She ignored everyone and spoke no words, then her figure scattered into fragments of waves, vanishing in an instant.

Only Zheng Fa and the others remained, silently exchanging glances, then looking at Xiao Yuying who hung her head, all speechless.

...

The group landed on Hongsha Island and surveyed the damage.

Fortunately, there was little loss.

Thanks to Senior Sister Zhang’s Innate Eight Trigrams, Jiushan Sect held onto a thread of hope;

no disciples were killed.

Uncle Pang used the Tongjian to notify disciples on the islands that the crisis had passed.

Zheng Fa and Senior Sister Zhang wore grim expressions.

This crisis was resolved thanks to Lord Shuyu Dragon’s intervention.

But what about next time?

Zheng Fa’s gaze landed on Xiao Yuying, feeling both grateful and guilty.

Obviously, Lord Shuyu Dragon did not want to be the permanent bodyguard for her disciple.

Her protection of Xiao Yuying was a one-time favor.

And Xiao Yuying used it on Jiushan Sect.

Seemingly sensing Zheng Fa’s emotions, Xiao Yuying smiled freely, “I won’t face much danger in Jiushan Realm anymore;

the Ocean Pearl won’t be much use to me.”

This was obviously untrue.

Lord Shuyu Dragon seemed cold-hearted and, after this intervention, apparently unwilling to protect Xiao Yuying further.

It was practically a life-or-death matter.

For Xiao Yuying, the loss was significant.

Seeing Zheng Fa’s still guilty expression, Xiao Yuying shook her head, “My master never had much affection for me. Taking me as a disciple was not out of fondness.”

Zheng Fa frowned.

He had never heard Xiao Yuying describe her master in detail and was unaware of the background.

“My master is the last ancient dragon in the Xuanyi Realm,” Xiao Yuying explained. “I’m not a dragon and cannot cultivate dragon techniques, so I don’t spend much time with my master.”

“The last ancient dragon?”

“Mm.” Xiao Yuying nodded. “My master once said the ancient dragons were magnificent, divine beasts favored by heaven and earth, the overlords of the sea, almost invincible in the ocean.”

“But... only she remains.”

Hearing this, Zheng Fa was slightly moved and looked at Senior Sister Zhang.

Unexpectedly, Senior Sister Zhang looked at him, and as their eyes met, they both understood each other’s thoughts:

Grab a powerful backer!

Leiyin Temple’s quick retreat did not mean the Eastern and Western Continent trade routes were safe.

Instead, such a silent withdrawal showed the opponent would never give up.

They intended to strike at Jiushan Sect disciples on the trade routes, and Zheng Fa could hardly guard against it all.

Not to mention whether he had the time to be constantly stationed in the sea.

Even if he did, he couldn’t guarantee no accidents would happen.

In the end, he would likely be exhausted, his cultivation dragged down by the trade route troubles.

But abandoning the trade route...

If Jiushan Sect gave up the trade route now, it wouldn’t just hinder future strategic development;

even current investments would be wasted, possibly causing severe vitality loss.

“Senior Sister, I think the Dragon Lord seems able to rapidly detect everything in the sea, even instantly arriving.”

Zheng Fa carefully said.

The scenes inside the Ocean Pearl felt somewhat familiar.

Lord Shuyu Dragon seemed to have a natural control over the ocean.

It was somewhat like his control over Jiushan Realm, though not as strong. But with the sea’s vastness, this ability was extremely powerful.

Combined with what the Dragon Lord said about the ancient dragons being almost invincible in the sea,

it was much like Zheng Fa’s situation inside Jiushan Realm.

Senior Sister Zhang nodded lightly, “That monk is a True Immortal;

the Dragon Lord seems about the same. Only...”

Xiao Yuying also understood, “You want to cooperate with my master? Have her protect the trade routes?”

“Fairy Xiao, do you think that’s possible?”

Xiao Yuying immediately shook her head, as if she hadn’t even considered it.

Seeing Zheng Fa’s puzzled gaze, Xiao Yuying gave a wry smile, “Not to mention now, if I used the Ocean Pearl without permission, my master would probably be angry. In the past, I had no way to persuade her.”

That was awkward.

The way the Dragon Lord looked at her did resemble how she looked at Huang Mao...

“No one can sway my master.”

“Hm?”

“Rumor says Yaochi Sect invited her, but she refused.”

That made it difficult.

Not to mention the Dragon Lord seemed to hold some grudge against her.

And whatever conditions Jiushan Sect could offer now, none could match Yaochi Sect’s.

But considering the threats to the trade route, Zheng Fa couldn’t think of a better solution for the moment.

...

“You mean Lord Shuyu Dragon?” In the light screen, Lady Nishang exclaimed in surprise, “You actually managed to call her?”

“Lady Nishang, do you know the Dragon Lord well?”

“Not really. I only know she is also a True Immortal, but there are rumors that in the sea, she can suppress all other True Immortals...”

Since it was not a secret, Lady Nishang spoke openly.

“Shuimu once said she cultivates a half Divine Path method but without many Divine Path’s shortcomings... Because of this, Yaochi sincerely invited her to join.”

“She refused?”

“She doesn’t care.” Lady Nishang sighed, “She has no interest in human conflicts, maybe a slight protective feeling for the demon race, but it doesn’t matter much to her.”

Zheng Fa was stunned.

He had always thought the Four Sects overlooked the sea’s value.

Now it seemed this was because of Lord Shuyu Dragon. That’s why many powerful demons remained in the sea.

But when the Great Freedom Demon Emperor ascended, the Dragon Lord seemed indifferent, just like Lady Nishang said—unconcerned.

Lady Nishang smiled bitterly, “Back then, we offered all conditions to persuade her. But the Dragon Lord controls the sea and inherited ancient dragon legacy—she’s probably the wealthiest in Xuanyi.”

“She has no desires, and we couldn’t offer anything to tempt her...”

“So it naturally ended there.”

The Dragon Lord sounded like someone utterly indifferent and unconquerable.

They chatted a bit more before ending the Spirit Message.

Watching Zheng Fa’s face vanish from the screen, Lady Nishang’s brows gradually furrowed.

“Lady Nishang?”

A green-robed female disciple, seeing her worry, asked.

“This Eastern and Western Continent trade route... if Leiyin Temple targets it deliberately, it might only be a hollow victory.”

“Huh?”

Lady Nishang thought it over, her face full of helplessness. “Knowing Xuan Ding’s character, as long as Zheng Fa is safe, he won’t waste much effort.”

“What about us?”

The green-robed disciple seemed Lady Nishang’s confidant and understood the trade route’s importance, becoming anxious.

“Yaochi has the Lady Celestial;

we can barely handle ourselves,” Lady Nishang said. “The only one who can solve this is Lord Shuyu Dragon. With her protection, Leiyin Temple can do nothing in the sea;

the trade route will be perfectly safe.”

“But... we can’t persuade her either.”

Lady Nishang fell silent, finally letting out a worried sigh.

“Lord Shuyu Dragon is simply impervious.”

Zheng Fa put away the Fate Jade, pondered briefly, and then headed toward Xiao Yuying’s residence.

Xiao Yuying sat in a chair, dazed, her face unusually vacant.

“Fairy Xiao?”

Xiao Yuying slowly snapped back to reality and looked at Zheng Fa with a self-mocking smile, “Losing my last life-saving method isn’t a big deal.”

Zheng Fa was silent.

Having spent time with Xiao Yuying, he naturally saw that although she was simple-minded, she was deeply loyal and caring.

She used the Ocean Pearl, a True Immortal-level last resort, just like that.

He could guess part of why she felt so lost now.

“Fairy Xiao, do you think the Dragon Lord is angry with you?”

Xiao Yuying lowered her head quietly, no longer confident as before.

After a long moment, she spoke softly, “My master was kind to me, teaching me techniques and granting treasures, but... I know she never really cared for me.”

Zheng Fa listened silently.

“Taking me as a disciple was only to seek the remnants of the dragon clan.”

So the Dragon Lord liked humanoid scouts too?

“Seeking dragons?”

“Mm.” Xiao Yuying smiled and explained, “The treasure that fell to me was actually an ancient dragon relic. My master has been searching for these.”

Zheng Fa frowned, “The Dragon Lord could enter Xuanyi Realm back then?”

Cultivators even at Nascent Soul stage entering Xuanyi were suppressed.

“Suppression of cultivation is possible,” Xiao Yuying explained. “My master said the ancient dragons had heaven’s protection, granting them more freedom than others.”

No wonder the Dragon Lord was so arrogant.

Rich, powerful, and with special backing.

And without attachments—who would want to provoke such a person?

Xiao Yuying whispered, “I haven’t found any information on ancient dragons these years. My master probably doesn’t expect much from me.”

Zheng Fa looked at Xiao Yuying’s slightly dim face and understood she likely admired the Dragon Lord deeply.

Even if the Dragon Lord didn’t care much for Xiao Yuying,

she still brought many benefits:

All five sects hesitated to offend her, which was a dream for any cultivator.

Not to mention the kindness of imparting techniques and granting treasures.

In some ways, the Dragon Lord did not mistreat this disciple.

“I deeply appreciate my master’s kindness, but I have no way to repay her.”

Zheng Fa thought for a moment and then asked, “Fairy Xiao, why does the Dragon Lord want to find the ancient dragon relics?”

“My master...” Xiao Yuying pressed her lips, speaking quietly, “Is very lonely.”

“Among heaven and earth, she is the only ancient dragon bloodline left.”

“Since birth, she has had no kin. The dragons in the Xuanyi Realm now may have dragon bloodlines, but my master never cared for them...”

“My master only wants to find kin.”

Zheng Fa was stunned, “Are there any?”

Xiao Yuying shook her head and smiled bitterly, “Maybe my master has given up. The biggest gain was finding a few dead dragon eggs.”

Hearing this, Zheng Fa’s mind became more calculating.

He said no more and took his leave from Xiao Yuying, flying to an island in the Azure Dragon Dormitory.

On the island, Jiao Wuji and Ancestor of the Blood River were leading a group of disciples, observing a four-colored ox.

This was a spiritual ox newly bred by the Agriculture Academy. Besides its meat being useful for cultivation enhancement, its hide could be used to make magical tools and magical jades.

“Sect Leader?” Seeing him arrive suddenly, the two quickly greeted, “Any orders?”

They were quite used to Jiushan Realm by now. Though they lacked freedom, life was peaceful and stable, even more so than before.

Only because the soul mark remained in Zheng Fa’s hands, their attitudes were always humble.

“Hmm... I want you two to help me lure a powerful ally for Jiushan Sect.”

“Lure?” Jiao Wuji was stunned, then his face broke into a confident smile, “This is a specialty of our Great Freedom Demonic Sect. Who?”

“Lord Shuyu Dragon.”

A subtle displeasure flickered on Wuji’s face, “May I ask about this Dragon Lord...”

“Ancient dragon, mm, True Immortal.”

Jiao Wuji slowly lowered his head, looking at his half-human, half-dragon body that seemed cobbled together, then looked up, “Sect Leader, are you talking about someone who looks like me?”