Chapter 126: The Introducer

"Clang!" The Moyan Sword unleashed a surge of sword qi, striking directly at the artificial rockery in Boss Wang's courtyard. The earth shook, followed by a deafening roar as the bluestone-paved ground split open into a fissure ten zhang long and half a foot wide—an astonishing display of power!

The women of Huangshui Stronghold turned pale, collectively retreating four or five paces. Their various precious swords pointed toward Lin Feng and his two companions as if they were facing a formidable enemy.

"Let me handle this," Chen Yuxi whispered to Lin Feng, stepping forward with a gentle, friendly smile.

"Dear sisters, we have no quarrel with Boss Wang; we only came here to conduct a business transaction. I am certain there has been a misunderstanding. Wouldn't it be better if we clarified things and avoided unnecessary conflict?" Chen Yuxi said with a smile.

"Avoided conflict? And what about my Yulan Sword, which he destroyed? Wang Dechang! Speak! Where have you hidden the dragon's saliva?" Mu Sihan gritted her teeth, venting all her fury on the poor, rotund man.

"Dragon's saliva? Are you also looking for dragon's saliva?" Lin Feng asked, crossing his arms in surprise.

"Don't play dumb! A piece of high-grade dragon's saliva we purchased a few days ago was swapped in transit. We received a tip that you, Wang Dechang, bought the stolen goods! Do you dare deny it?" Mu Sihan’s eyes seemed to spew fire, her flushed cheeks puffed out in rage.

"So that's how it is. It seems this business deal is falling through," Lin Feng frowned, exchanging a look with Chen Yuxi.

The fat man, Wang, collapsed on the ground, stuttering and unable to speak, doing nothing but kowtowing repeatedly.

"Xiangling, Xianghe, take him and retrieve the dragon's saliva!" Mu Sihan commanded sharply. Two women in pink robes immediately stepped forward, seized Wang Dechang, and dragged him away.

"Is your dragon's saliva for sale? I am willing to buy it at a high price." Since the item now had an owner, the subject of negotiation could only shift to this clam-maiden, Mu Sihan.

"A high price? Even if you brought mountains of gold and silver, I have two words for you: Not—for—sale!" Mu Sihan’s eyes radiated a sharp, piercing light as she spat out each word through gritted teeth.

"Is that so? Can you trade your dragon's saliva for this?" Lin Feng’s brows flickered slightly. His expression remained calm as he opened his palm, revealing two pristine top-grade spirit stones that glowed with a faint, shimmering golden light.

"Top-grade spirit stones!" "Wow! They’re real!" "These two are so exquisite!" The clam-maidens began to chatter among themselves in hushed tones.

"So what if they are spirit stones? How ignorant! I told you, it's not for sale! Since you broke my precious sword, these will serve as compensation!" Mu Sihan reached out, trying to snatch the two stones from Lin Feng's hand.

Lin Feng, however, was not about to let her succeed. With a slight exertion of his internal energy and a flash of red light, he held the stones firmly in his palm.

"You!" Mu Sihan, her attempt foiled, retracted her hand in frustration and stomped her foot angrily.

"Heh, if you want me to compensate for your sword, sell me the dragon's saliva. Otherwise, there is nothing to discuss." Just as Lin Feng was about to pull his hand back, the two stones rolled over, revealing the character "Li" engraved on the back.

"Lihai! You are spies sent by the Shark King! Seize them!" All the women saw the clear "Li" character. Following Mu Sihan’s command, they immediately surrounded Lin Feng and his companion, their sword qi converging with a momentum that threatened to strike them down on the spot.

"Haha, the demon cultivators of Danhai are nothing more than this—utterly foolish and unable to distinguish friend from foe! It seems I must teach you a lesson!" As he spoke, Lin Feng’s momentum rose steadily. The karmic fire of the Red Lotus boiled around him, his aura as oppressive as a deep, dark sea. The Moyan Sword rose into the air, expanding and lengthening; every texture on its blade was clearly visible, glowing with a baleful, dark light. The swords floating in the sky began to vibrate in unison, emitting a sound like the harmonious resonance of zithers.

The aura of one man shook the strength of seventeen!

The demon cultivators of Huangshui Stronghold felt as if they were carrying a mountain on their backs. Their swords trembled and wailed in sympathy with their own fearful hearts; if this continued, their minds would surely collapse even before a move was made.

"Stop!" Just as the Jingluan Sword on Chen Yuxi’s back was about to be unsheathed, a voice descended from the clouds above. Both sides looked up.

"Fairy Lingyun!" Lin Feng exclaimed in surprise.

Hua Lingyun, dressed in green, descended like a bolt of lightning from the clouds, landing gracefully in the courtyard without even stirring a breeze. This feat alone made Chen Yuxi marvel, and she immediately grew vigilant.

Ordinary cultivators, when controlling swords or treasures, usually created a whistling sound as they pierced the air. Even masters at the Nascent Soul stage, when flying, would inevitably stir up air currents and clouds around them. Yet, this woman arrived empty-handed, manifesting out of thin air with a unique, unadorned, and natural temperament.

"Supreme Protector!" The demon cultivators, including Mu Sihan, bowed in unison to greet Hua Lingyun.

"Enough," Hua Lingyun frowned. "Why are you surrounding him with so many people? Do you have a death wish?"

Mu Sihan stared at the Supreme Protector, her delicate body trembling as if she did not recognize her.

Lin Feng nodded respectfully to Fairy Lingyun, reined in his aura, and waited calmly for Mu Sihan’s response.

"Supreme Protector! He destroyed my enchanted flying sword and carries official spirit stones from Lihai. He must be a spy sent by the Shark King; we cannot let him go!" Mu Sihan pleaded urgently, clearly unconvinced.

"Insolent!" Hua Lingyun’s gaze flashed coldly. "Do you know who he is? He dared to storm the Whale-Slaying Palace alone; killing a few girls like you would be a mere blink of an eye. If your sword is broken, just forge another one. Step back at once!"

"Yes!" The clam-maidens felt a chill run through them and hurriedly bowed to the side. Mu Sihan cast one last glance at Lin Feng before turning sharply and walking toward the inner courtyard.

"Thank you, Fairy, for intervening," Lin Feng said to Hua Lingyun, bowing politely. "I had a misunderstanding with them earlier and accidentally shattered her sword. I am grateful you arrived in time to prevent a needless disaster."

"Why be so formal with me, Fellow Daoist? And who is this?" Hua Lingyun’s eyes flickered as she looked at Chen Yuxi, a hint of genuine admiration in her expression. Chen Yuxi responded with a friendly smile.

"This is my Senior Sister, Chen Yuxi," Lin Feng hurriedly introduced.

"Oh? Miss Yuxi must be the beauty that Xibing has set his sights on, then? Truly a face of peerless beauty," Hua Lingyun chuckled. She looked at Lin Feng, seemingly comparing the two in her mind, and teased, "Standing side by side, you two make quite a pair. Wait, Lin Feng, you aren't actually a couple, are you?"

"Uh, Fairy, you jest, you truly jest," Lin Feng waved his hands repeatedly, changing the subject. "After the battle at the Whale-Slaying Palace, do you know the whereabouts of my other friend?"

"You mean the fellow daoist who wielded the Reincarnation Awl? That day, he fought the three protectors of the Whale-Slaying Palace and thousands of demon soldiers single-handedly. Though brave and invincible, he was struck out of Lihai by a single move from the Shark King, Xibing. Whether he lives or dies is unknown," Hua Lingyun sighed softly, a look of regret on her face.

Beside them, the slightly reserved Chen Yuxi quietly unclenched her hands, using her spiritual power to evaporate the cold sweat on her palms.

"Brother Lezheng is a man of good fortune; he should be fine. If he has met with misfortune, I will certainly avenge his death and, sooner or later, kill the Shark King Xibing!" Lin Feng’s expression darkened, and he let out a long, heavy sigh.

At that moment, sounds of rushing wind echoed from the backyard as the women of Huangshui Bay took to the air on their swords.

"Since you are passing through Danhai, are you heading back to the Divine Land?" Hua Lingyun asked, looking at Lin Feng and Chen Yuxi.

"Indeed. We were hoping to purchase some dragon's saliva along the way, which led to the misunderstanding with them," Chen Yuxi explained.

"Dragon's saliva?" Hua Lingyun repeated.

"Yes. Fairy, you have lived in Danhai for a long time; do you know where one might acquire it?" Lin Feng asked with a smile.

"Ordinary dragon's saliva is collected by the various stronghold leaders and regional lords. Even the top-grade variety can be found in a piece or two with King Yu. However, what is your intended use for it? If it is for incense, I can take charge and help you acquire some. But if it is for medicinal purposes, that is difficult."

Lin Feng and his senior sister exchanged glances, confused. He asked, "Is there such a distinction? I do indeed need it as a medicinal catalyst. Does the Fairy know where one might obtain such a grade?"

"That is exactly what makes it difficult. Dragon's saliva suitable for medicine requires a personal edict from King Yu. He must summon the Twelve Elites of Danhai and choose an auspicious date to enter the holy realm of Whale Bay to slaughter the Dragon-Bearded Whale King. Only then can the Blood Dragon's Saliva be extracted on the spot and sealed with Ice Lilies to ensure its potency. In the last few hundred years, I have only witnessed that scene once. A million whales and dolphins in Danhai wailed, King Yu wept, and the rain fell for an entire month. The Hall of Covering Seas was filled with sorrow; the entire Danhai was in mourning." The surroundings fell silent. Mu Sihan and the others had already departed on their swords. Fairy Lingyun sighed softly, her deep eyes reflecting the weight of the ages.

The two listeners were left speechless, stunned that such a precious item held such a tragic history. Their journey, it seemed, would be fraught with difficulty.

After a long pause, Lin Feng said solemnly, "If the Fairy can help us with this, I will never forget your kindness and will surely repay you in the future!"

Hua Lingyun looked at him with a strange expression for a long moment before saying, "I cannot help you with this directly. However, I can introduce you to King Yu. Whether or not you succeed depends on whether you can convince His Majesty."

"Thank you, Fairy. May I ask who it was that killed the Dragon-Bearded Whale King last time? And do you know the reason behind it?" Lin Feng asked, his expression showing a flicker of hope.

"I do not know the details of that. The day is growing late; follow me to the Hall of Covering Seas." Hua Lingyun smiled.