Longevity: Start Farming with Entries

Chapter 704 - 548: Merfolk Race

’A Nascent Soul Great Perfection Cultivator...’Qin Ming’s heart tightened instantly; he hadn’t expected the Pavilion Master of the Outer Sea Human Race’s most powerful faction to be a female cultivator, both young and mysterious.

"Greetings, Pavilion Master Xiao." Qin Ming returned the courtesy and said.

Xiao Xun nodded slightly with a smile, saying, "Fellow Daoist Qin, are you from the Five Great Cultivation Realms? I have heard of it."

"Indeed, I’m from the Southern Wilderness Cultivation Realm, merely a wandering cultivator..." Qin Ming replied.

Xiao Xun of the Celestial Edge Sea Pavilion gazed at Qin Ming with an indescribable feeling.

Though his appearance was average, he was like a tall, evergreen tree with a serene and detached aura.

Yet, even she couldn’t discern his depths.

This was the first time in centuries she had encountered such an inscrutable fellow Nascent Soul cultivator.

In her heart, she speculated that Qin Ming’s strength far surpassed Lii Qianjie.

If Lii Qianjie hadn’t yielded, he would probably have become a corpse long ago, and there wouldn’t be this gathering of three to plot for the spirit fruit.

Immediately, she reevaluated Qin Ming.

Qin Ming also secretly observed her, utilizing the Yin Yang Profound Mirror divine technique to scan inside her body.

He saw the abundant vitality within her Dantian, exuding robust life force.

’Oh? This woman has at least fifteen hundred years of lifespan left.’

’She probably has some fortuitous opportunity.’

Because when a cultivator reaches the Nascent Soul stage, they typically have a lifespan of over a thousand years, and even a Great Perfection cultivator wouldn’t surpass two thousand years.

This woman is either exceedingly young or carries some form of providence.

Xiao Xun smiled faintly, "Fellow Daoist Qin’s reputation is quite substantial; to reach our level as a mere loose cultivator, one’s luck and comprehension must be extraordinary."

"I believe this expedition will surely yield the Heart Inquiry Fruit with the Divinity Transformation opportunity."

"Haha! Pavilion Master Xiao overpraises; let’s hope so." Qin Ming smiled.

After Lii Qianjie introduced the two, he said promptly, "Since that’s the case, time waits for no one; let’s set off immediately."

"The journey to the Dark Sea is rather long, and I have already arranged within the Dragonbone Reef. My spies have reported some disturbance within the cluster of reefs recently."

"Better to be early than late."

Qin Ming and Xiao Xun nodded.

Soon, ripples spread around each of the three, transforming into nothingness, and they instantly vanished from their spot.

During the flight, Qin Ming was filled with mixed emotions.

The might of three cultivators, all above the late-stage Nascent Soul level, such a strong lineup could easily dominate a region in the Five Great Cultivation Realms.

Yet in the treacherous Outer Sea, they must tread carefully and act discreetly.

For, after all, this is demon race territory, where caution is imperative.

After nearly half a month of full-speed flight by the three great cultivators.

Finally, a dim and lightless sea area gradually appeared in their sight.

Upon entering, the storms on the sea surface intensified, with incessant flashes and thunder in the sky, violently lashing the sea as if an apocalypse had struck.

Beneath the surging sea surface lay countless ferocious demon beasts, including massive deep-sea overlords.

Not a few possessed Tier Four cultivation.

In such a perilous sea, even Outer Sea demon hunting cultivators have labeled it a life-forbidden zone.

Even with strong cultivation, those who rashly plunge in can only end up as food for demon beasts.

Lii Qianjie halted, addressing the other two, "Fellow Daoists, the Dragonbone Reef is near; we should disguise ourselves and infiltrate."

With that, he took out a Merfolk Pearl, swallowed it, and cast a disguise secret technique. His form shifted, transforming instantly into a half-human half-beast merfolk.

His body was covered in blue scales; a human body with a merfolk tail. He masked his aura down to an early-stage Tier Three level through spellcasting.

Qin Ming observed him, indeed finding the disguise remarkably vivid, even replicating the unique demon qi of the Merfolk Race.

The other two followed suit, swallowing Merfolk Pearls, turning into late-stage Tier Two merfolk, and followed behind Lii Qianjie.

All three exchanged knowing smiles at each other’s appearance, then flew toward the depths of the Dark Sea.

Several days later.

A vast expanse of black coral reefs appeared in their view.

Their scale was large enough to rival several cultivation cities.

Even Qin Ming couldn’t help but exclaim, "Was this formed after the fall of an Ancient Dragon Remains? What kind of cultivation might that have been?"

"Hehe! This place is said to be a battlefield from when the Ancient Demon Realm invaded the Outer Sea; many Ancient Great Demons fell here. After tens of thousands of years, with storms and seawater washing over, great dragon bones merged with reefs, forming an expanse of black rugged terrain over a thousand miles, otherwise it couldn’t possibly host so many Tier Four Demon Saints with just a single remains." Lii Qianjie chuckled and explained.

Qin Ming gazed from a distance.

He saw the Dragonbone Reef divided into northern and southern territories, its core area containing Tier Five Spirit Veins, even richer than the islands where the End of the World Pavilion was situated.

The three immediately slowed down, flying toward the northern coral reef cluster, where dragon bone remnants rose like black peaks, majestically grand.

The reef within teemed with tens of thousands of demon beasts, densely packed and innumerable.

These demon races not only devoured human races but also attacked and consumed other demon races, thus proliferating rapidly.

As they approached the northern island reefs occupied by the Merfolk Race, the three could vaguely see many merfolk patrolling, all exuding demon power aura of Tier Three and above.

From Lii Qianjie’s mouth, Qin Ming learned that these were the Merfolk Race’s elite—Tidal Demon Guards, able to control the demon clan’s grand array in this place.

The next moment.

Lii Qianjie’s lips moved, as if he were communicating with someone.

Before long.

A Merfolk with Late-stage Tier Three cultivation stealthily approached the trio.

He glanced at the three a few times, then bowed towards Lii Qianjie and said:

"This humble one, Yu Jiao, pays respects to my lord."

"You have finally arrived!"

"Hmm, what’s the situation on the island now?" Lii Qianjie asked indifferently, "And what about the information you were to investigate while lying low?"

Qin Ming narrowed his eyes, noticing that the demon cultivator named Yu Jiao was indeed a member of the Merfolk Race, not a human in disguise.

It seemed that old fox Lii Qianjie truly had some tricks up his sleeve, having already laid down his plans in advance.

Moreover, judging by the token hanging from his waist, he held a considerable position among the Tidal Demon Guards of the Merfolk.

A Late-stage Tier Three Great Demon was equivalent to a Golden Core Perfection Cultivator among the Human Race.

For such a cultivator to be turned and recruited by Lii Qianjie, it was no wonder he had knowledge of so many hidden facts about the Dragonbone Reef.

And even knew that the Divinity Transformation Heart Inquiry Fruit was located here.

The Merfolk replied, "Reporting to my lord, that Tier Five Heart-Questioning Fruit Tree is the greatest secret of our race, with possible locations in three places: the Starfall Coral Reef to the north, the Tide Sound Cave Heaven to the east, and under the central main peak in the Dragon Burial Abyss."

"These three places have environments with a Tier Five Spirit Vein, suitable for the Heart Inquiry Fruit Tree’s growth."

"However, the situation on the island has recently changed slightly, and it might not be the best time to take the fruit."

Hearing Yu Jiao’s report, Qin Ming and the others couldn’t help but frown.

Lii Qianjie asked coldly, "Has something happened within the Merfolk Race?"

Yu Jiao trembled slightly at their imposing presence and quickly explained:

"Reporting to my lord, yes."

"Recently, a human cultivator stealthily infiltrated the Dragon Burial Abyss, one of the three forbidden areas of our race..."

"What?! The Dragon Burial Abyss is the burial site of Ancient Great Demons fallen in battle, where tens of thousands of Great Demons are buried. The dragon’s skeletal remains there give rise to the terrifying ’Dragon Resentment Gale,’ more fearsome than the Profound Nether Mist, even a Nascent Soul Cultivator would meet their demise there. How could a human cultivator infiltrate it?" Lii Qianjie said, somewhat puzzled.

"Among the Outer Sea’s human cultivators, I haven’t heard of anyone with such abilities. You’re not trying to deceive me, are you?"

The Merfolk Commander shivered with fright, "My life is in your hands, how could I dare deceive you?"

"This matter has already spread within the Dragonbone Reef. You can inquire about it at any time."

"It’s said that the human cultivator found half of a ’Reversed Scale Stele’ recording the secrets of ascension deep within the Dragon Burial Abyss, and even managed to escape. The news has caused quite a stir..."

"Even the Blood Flood Dragon Race to the south is itching for action. In the past half-month, the two races have clashed more than ten times..."

"The Reversed Scale Stele? Secrets of Ascension?" Even Qin Ming’s companions exclaimed in astonishment.

Xiao Xun asked casually, "With such a major incident, did the Demon Saint of the Merfolk Race have no response?"

Yu Jiao cautiously replied, "The Sea-Splitting Ancestor has been in seclusion for decades and has yet to emerge. Currently, Dragon Princess is in command."

Hearing this, Lii Qianjie’s face flickered with uncertainty, not expecting that despite his long-planned arrangements, a last-minute development caused by an inexplicable human cultivator would disrupt his plans.

As a result, it surely alerted both races at Dragonbone Reef, greatly increasing their security measures on the island.

Seeing Lii Qianjie’s deep deliberation, Qin Ming stepped forward and said, "Fellow Daoist Lii, what are you hesitating about?"

"Since we’re already here, if our original plan cannot proceed, we might as well level Dragonbone Reef and take the Heart Inquiry Fruit Tree by its roots. We’ll deal with the aftermath as it comes."

"Uh..." Lii Qianjie and Xiao Xun were momentarily stunned.

Thinking that Qin Ming, who appeared so harmless, could be so decisive and even considered robbing directly...

This remarkable idea indeed left the two rather astonished.

Qin Ming’s words were not without reason. In the face of absolute power, schemes and tricks are mere illusions.

Just now, he had released his Divine Thought, nearly reaching the Divinity Transformation Stage, sweeping across Dragonbone Reef. Except for a few forbidden areas that were unclear, he already had a comprehensive understanding of the strength of the demon cultivators on the island.

On this Dragonbone Reef, aside from a late-stage Tier Four demon cultivator in seclusion, there were also two mid-stage Tier Four and three early-stage Tier Four Merfolk.

Moreover, Qin Ming’s powerful Plant Perception Power sensed an incredibly dense aura of plant life within the Tide Sound Cave Heaven on the Dragonbone Reef.

However, the late-stage Tier Four Great Merfolk Demon was in seclusion there, seemingly on the verge of breaking through to Tier Four Perfection.

"I didn’t expect Fellow Daoist Qin to be so resolute in killing..." Lii Qianjie’s scarred left cheek twitched, involuntarily recalling the day in the East Sea when he had considered forcibly taking the Divine Infant Mushroom from Qin Ming...

Looking back now, he felt a lingering fear...

"Fellow Daoist Qin, you may not know, if we make a big move here and provoke the Master of the Deep Sea who commands the Outer Sea, it won’t be a joke."

"It can only be done discreetly; otherwise, if we provoke that Tier Five Demon Venerable, not only us three, but the Outer Sea human race might face a bloody retaliation."

"This is an unspoken understanding between the human and demon races over the years."

Qin Ming scoffed inwardly, thinking that once he obtained the Heart Inquiry Fruit, he would beat a hasty retreat, and not even a Tier Five Demon Venerable could do anything to him.

Surely they wouldn’t chase him to the Five Great Cultivation Realms?

But considering the feelings of the other two, he said indifferently, "Let’s proceed according to Fellow Daoist Lii’s plan."

Next.

Lii Qianjie conversed with the Merfolk Commander for a while, then decided to infiltrate the interior, assess the situation, and act accordingly.

Thus, the trio followed the Merfolk, passing through the treacherous Profound Nether Mist surrounding Dragonbone Reef, entering the island’s interior.

...