In the grand hall, Lu Ye met the curious gaze of the Merfolk Queen and bowed with cupped fists, "Human, Li Taibai, greets the Queen!"

He didn't know what kind of etiquette was appropriate for an audience with the queen of a race, but as long as he conveyed his respects, it would suffice.

The Queen spoke, her youthful voice ringing out, though Lu Ye couldn't understand it. The merfolk language was full of ups and downs, sounding like singing to his ears. Even if he couldn't comprehend it, it was pleasant to hear.

Yan Miao, by his side, explained, "The Queen said that the success in this war was entirely thanks to you. She is very happy that you can visit the Royal Conch Palace. During your stay, aside from a few restricted areas, you may freely come and go. If you need anything, just ask, and our race will try to satisfy you."

Lu Ye nodded, "Thank you for the Queen's kindness!"

The Queen spoke again, and after a moment Yan Miao explained, "The Queen wants to purchase more of those array discs from you and also would like you to tattoo more of our people with those special marks, for which the tribe is willing to pay."

She was referring to the Void Rune Tattoo. Among the merfolk, aside from the Queen who managed to hold a storage treasure, no one else had such. Previously, Lu Ye gave Bai Lu the Void Rune Tattoo, clearly demonstrating its convenience to them.

Lu Ye agreed enthusiastically, "No problem!"

Upon his arrival, he had seen such a vast spirit jade vein that he was itching to dig, but since it was their habitat, it wouldn't be right to extract it without permission. However, if it was through trade, there wouldn't be a problem.

Having previous experience, Lu Ye knew the merfolk were generous, indicative of a race clearly not lacking in wealth.

This trip was truly worthwhile!

The Queen spoke a few more words, and Yan Miao explained as usual, "The esteemed guest should rest first. After our tribe makes some arrangements, we will further discuss the trade matters with you."

Lu Ye bowed once more to the Queen before departing.

Yan Miao stayed behind, but this time it was Bai Lu who led him.

Leaving the grand hall, Lu Ye was somewhat curious, "Bai Lu, what is your relationship with the Queen?"

Bai Lu replied with a cheerful smile, "She's my sister."

Indeed... Lu Ye noted the youthful face of the Queen bore traces of Bai Lu, confirming their sisterly relationship. However, he observed that the Queen's strength was not as great as Bai Lu's and wondered why she was the Queen while Bai Lu was merely a princess.

Lu Ye had no interest in probing too deeply into others' family matters.

Walking with Bai Lu, they arrived in front of a suite, clearly arranged as his accommodation.

Bai Lu said, "You rest first, I'll be outside the door. If you need anything, call me anytime."

Lu Ye thought for a moment and said, "Let's take a walk around." He didn't really need any rest, and since he rarely came to such a place, exploring a bit more and broadening his horizons wouldn't hurt.

Bai Lu immediately nodded with a playful smile, "Listening to you, during your stay at the Royal Conch Palace, I'm your attendant." With that, she led Lu Ye around exploring.

As Lu Ye followed Bai Lu for sightseeing, several elders of the Merfolk Race convened in the grand hall.

However, the Queen had left.

For the merfolk at present, the Queen was merely a symbol. Despite her supreme status, due to reasons of age and cultivation, critical affairs within the race were handled through consultations among elders.

The few Lu Ye had encountered in the grand hall before were all merfolk elders, including Great Elder Yan Miao, comprising a total of five elders.

"The guest has been invited, let's discuss what to do next," Yan Miao initiated. As the Great Elder, besides the Queen and Bai Lu, she held the highest status in the tribe.

The Second Elder, also a female merfolk, spoke, "Records in our ancient texts state that to overcome the Curse Poison, the key lies in the Divine Temple. Yet, for so many years there's been no anomaly, but now, with a human emerging suddenly, it signifies something unusual. Therefore, I believe this person may be related to our tribe's effort to break the Curse Poison!"

The Third Elder nodded, "If he is someone favored by the Divine Temple, he must possess extraordinary qualities. I agree with the Second Elder, perhaps solving the Curse Poison truly depends on this human, so no matter what, we must maintain good relations with him."

Lu Ye thought the merfolk were just generous; he had given Bai Lu fifty array discs, and they returned with so many spirit crystals. But it wasn't just generosity; the array discs had helped avert a disaster for the merfolk, and on the other hand, because he was the first human to appear in the Divine Temple in countless millennia, the merfolk had high expectations.

"But how can we build a good relationship with him?" The Fourth Elder, the only male merfolk, asked, "Humans are greedy and cunning. Our tribe's current plight is due to humans. We don't know this human's nature; can we trust him?"

He turned his head to look at Yan Miao: "Great Elder, you have interacted with him. What do you think of his character? Is there anything we can exploit?"

Yan Miao carefully recalled the bits and pieces of interactions with Lu Ye, and slowly spoke: "To be favored by the Divine Temple, he is naturally not an ordinary person. This young man is not old, but his cultivation is not weak. I estimate that he would be considered a promising talent even among the human race. Moreover, it's evident that he is very interested in our Spirit Jade Vein. When he came over, he was always examining that Spirit Jade Vein."

The Fifth Elder, being the youngest, smiled upon hearing this: "Humans are greedy, as history tells us. Even if a Sun Blaze came to our place, they would probably take several glances at the Spirit Jade Vein."

The Third Elder said: "Since he is greedy, can we use this as a starting point? Aren't we going to make a transaction with him? Just give him more spirit jade."

Yan Miao shook her head: "Relationships based on interests are both the strongest and the weakest. We can certainly give him more spirit jade, but if he only wants to earn spirit jade from our tribe, our relationship can never deepen beyond that!"

The Fifth Elder smiled slightly: "I understand Great Elder's point. Since we can't bind him with interests, we'll have to take another route!"

The others looked at her curiously.

The Fifth Elder said: "Humans are not only greedy but lustful! Our tribe has nothing but beautiful women, and to humans, our beauties have an exotic allure. He is young, in the prime of his life. With just a little teasing, how could he resist?"

Several elders fell silent.

Honestly, the Fifth Elder's proposal made them somewhat resistant. Ancient records depicted the Merfolk Race as noble and pure. Since when did they need such underhanded methods? However, if they truly want to establish a somewhat solid relationship with an unfamiliar human in a short time, this method is undoubtedly convenient and quick.

If that human were truly cunning and seasoned, the Merfolk Race would surely have no such thoughts. But a young, inexperienced man is especially susceptible to such things.

The Fifth Elder continued: "Moreover, matters of chastity are highly valued among humans. So, we only need to find a pure female from our tribe to bond with him emotionally. Then he will have a tie to our tribe, and as we slowly engage with him, we can naturally win him over. And let's not forget, he is alone over there at the Divine Temple. Surely, he yearns for a more lively life? If we open our arms to welcome him, he shouldn't resist, considering in this vast All Phenomena Ocean, besides our Merfolk Race, he can only come into contact with our intelligent tribe."

After a pause, the Fifth Elder continued: "Not to mention, even if this person isn't the key to solving the Curse Poison, judging from the various abilities he's shown before, if we can have him stay in our tribe, it would be greatly beneficial to us!"

Whether it's the array disc or rune tattoo, they have brought tremendous changes to the Merfolk Race, and this is only what they can understand. Who knows what other extraordinary aspects that human named Li Taibai possesses that are beyond their understanding.

Such a human, even if trapped in the All Phenomena Ocean like the Merfolk Race, any race in the stellar space would be eager to recruit.

Yan Miao had been hesitating, but after hearing this, she finally made up her mind and nodded: "The Fifth Elder is right, but if we are truly going to do this, who should we choose?"

The Fifth Elder covered her mouth with a laugh: "We've been saying we need a pure female from the tribe, so I'm definitely not qualified! As for Great Elder... that's also out of the question."

Yan Miao couldn't help but glare at her.

The Second Elder said: "He is favored by the Divine Temple, and we also rely on him to solve the Curse Poison, so the selected person's status must not be too low. Otherwise, he might feel we're not taking him seriously. If he harbors any resentment towards our tribe, it will be counterproductive."

The Third Elder said leisurely: "So, there's only one choice!"

The Queen is too young, and even when she comes of age, she wouldn't be suitable for such a thing. Princess Bai Lu is just right!

Yan Miao showed a troubled expression.

The Fifth Elder looked at her: "If the Great Elder is not comfortable talking to the Princess, I will speak with her. I believe with the Princess's character, she will not refuse."

Yan Miao certainly knew Bai Lu wouldn't refuse. For the sake of the tribe, even if it went against her own principles, she would still agree.

But Bai Lu was someone she watched grow up. Asking her to do something like this without truly understanding the person made Yan Miao uneasy. What if she were leading her into a trap?

In ancient records within the tribe, there were few words of praise for humans. They were always depicted as greedy, cunning, money-loving, lustful, unfaithful, and disloyal...

Among all the races in the stellar space, each race can essentially unite against external threats, but humans are constantly entangled in internal conflicts and disputes.

"I will personally talk to her!" In the end, Yan Miao made up her mind that she couldn't entrust this matter to others.

Lu Ye returned with Bai Lu after touring for half a day. Although the scenery around the Spirit Jade Vein was vibrant, it became monotonous after a while.

The key issue was that such a large spirit jade vein was visible but untouchable, which was frustrating, so not seeing it at all was better!