Chapter 227: Consuming the Yin-Yang Fish, the Life Soul Breaks Through

"What? Liu Tianning?!" Xiao Baoyu instantly jolted.

Someone like him, who constantly flaunts his background, naturally values others' backgrounds too.

And among the people his father, Wu Chenghou, had warned him to "absolutely not offend," was Liu Tianning.

"Young master, is your name Zhao Xing?" Xiao Baoyu's attitude did a complete one-eighty.

"This humble one is indeed Zhao Xing; I am unworthy of your honorific 'young master'."

"Oh, you are worthy, you are worthy!"

"Young master, I, Xiao Baoyu, was blind and foolish; I never expected to meet you right here."

Xiao Baoyu was quite a character; with no guard at all, he flew over, trembling.

"Hmph." Long Xiao snorted; he wasn't against the rich. He respected young masters like Xia Jing and Ji Ji Ziyun very much because they were willing to put in the hard work of cultivation, striving very hard.

Young Master Xia Jing, with all his dignity, could even master the Gluttony Method! How much torment must he have endured, how much suffering must he have suffered? Even without the Heaven Gate miracle, he already had four layers of power!

But this Xiao Baoyu, with no skill at all, clearly at the seventh rank, couldn't even fly steadily.

Having no skill himself, relying purely on his father's background, acting so flamboyant before and now so sycophantic; he simply dirtied Long Xiao's eyes.

"Young master, my father and the Liu family of Taihe Commandery have some acquaintance; I offended you greatly just now. Please allow this brother to enter and apologize in person." Xiao Baoyu bowed with his face pressed forward.

"Young Master Xiao, there is no need for an audience." Zhao Xing wouldn't hold it against him, but he didn't intend to have any dealings with him either. "We must hurry on our way; please, Young Master Xiao, make way."

"Good, good." Xiao Baoyu bowed and scraped. "It is only right, it is only right."

He waved at the silver shuttle flying boat behind him: "Quickly, get out of the way!"

The silver shuttle flying boat indeed made way, and Zhao Xing piloted the flying boat away at top speed.

As Zhao Xing departed, Xiao Baoyu couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat: "Mother! I actually ran into this perverted disciple... Good thing, good thing."

His father, Wu Chenghou, was fourth rank.

Yet, even so, mentioning Liu Tianning, he still said, "Absolutely do not offend."

At that time, Xiao Baoyu asked, "Father, if I accidentally offended him to death, what then?"

Xiao Baoyu remembered his father answering like this: "Baoyu, if you really offended him to death, father would just have to give birth to another one."

Heaven have mercy!

Xiao Baoyu had always been doted on by his father; held in his mouth for fear of melting, held in his palm for fear of breaking.

That time, receiving such an answer, nearly made Xiao Baoyu's jaw drop!

Xiao Baoyu asked stupidly at the time: "Father, why?"

Wu Chenghou was silent for a long time, then said with a touch of grievance: "Because father cannot beat him. Even if you had another father, together you still couldn't beat an enraged Liu Tianning."

A fourth-rank father saying he couldn't beat a fifth-rank Liu Tianning; Xiao Baoyu didn't understand this logic at all.

But, Xiao Baoyu deeply remembered the name Liu Tianning.

Of course, his father had also said: "Liu Tianning is upright and not a bad person. Ordinary people find it hard to offend him to death because he doesn't care about money or profit. There are only two matters... never mind, knowing these won't do you any good."

"You just need to remember: if you meet someone close to Liu Tianning, treat them with courtesy; if that's truly impossible, just avoid them. Absolutely do not offend!"

"If you do offend, apologize immediately! As long as you haven't offended him to death, there is a chance to salvage it, because among the great families and nobles, he is still reasonable."

So this time, as soon as Xiao Baoyu entered the Ten Yang Cave Heaven, he first investigated everyone close to Liu Tianning.

The name Zhao Xing was thus noted down by Xiao Baoyu.

Because Liu Tianning was one of the members of the Military Realm Inspection Department; he didn't manage ordinary affairs much and didn't need to establish military merit.

He only held the idle position of a teacher at the Granary Court within the Ten Yang Cave Heaven.

But for the sake of his student Zhao Xing, he personally made a trip to the Sacrificial Soul Pass.

So when Xiao Baoyu just now heard the five words "My master is Liu Tianning," he was instantly terrified.

He was so afraid his father would give birth to another one that he quickly admitted defeat and apologized.

"Young master, young master? We should continue our patrol." An old man said.

"No patrol, no patrol!" Xiao Baoyu patted his chest, "That Xing fellow gave me nothing but a fingernail's worth of benefit, yet made this young lord take such a huge risk! Do you know that just now my father almost gave birth to another son?"

"Ah?" The old man was trying to understand his young lord's logic, but then heard him say further.

"Let's find any Bingshan nearby, stop for a bit, play two hours of Gu cards, then return to report."

"Young master, you just said you wanted to accomplish something great..."

"Don't say that! It's settled like that!" Xiao Baoyu, fuming, boarded the boat.

The old man gave a bitter smile and had to act according to his wishes.

"No passage! This area has been sealed by the Joint Exploration Team!"

Not even a quarter-hour of flight later, Zhao Xing encountered another Blood Shadow flying boat blocking the way.

"I am also a Senior Explorer. The agreement of the Seven Alliances states that the Southwest Line was originally occupied by Pei Pei Yuanchang, the legitimate grandson of King Ling Shuang. Why go back on your word?!"

"It was only because we saw you were riding a Hai Lan flying boat that we didn't attack you!" The bearded general who came out to talk shouted: "As for the agreement, how would I know? Go ask Pei Pei Yuanchang yourself!"

Helpless, Zhao Xing had to bring out another identity: "You don't recognize Pei Pei Yuanchang, do you recognize Liu Tianning?"

"Liu Tianning's Exploration Team?" The bearded general stared suspiciously at Zhao Xing. "May I ask your relationship with Lord Liu is...?"

"My master is Liu Tianning; I am the Deputy Commander Zhao Xing! Can this road be passed or not?"

The bearded general's face changed; he immediately pulled out a Earth Mirror.

After carefully verifying, he found that the Earth Mirror recorded a member under Liu Tianning named Zhao Xing, and the appearance matched the one speaking just now.

"So you are Lord Liu's distinguished disciple. You may pass, you may pass! We will make way immediately!"

The bearded general immediately ordered the Blood Shadow flying boat to move.

Zhao Xing still wanted to ask how you and Old Liu were connected, but he didn't expect the other party not only to make way.

They simply fled in a flash!

Zhao Xing: "..."

He never expected such an effect.

Is Old Liu's name so effective at this moment?

The Biography of the Marquis didn't say how formidable Old Liu was in his youth.

The Records of Noble Families only mentioned the Liu clan of Taihe Commandery, whose Straw Man Art is unmatched under heaven.

When Zhao Xing knew Old Liu well, Liu Tianning was already a ruthless, first-rank big shot.

How did he become so famous now?

Zhao Xing realized he didn't understand this "great villain" from his past life thoroughly enough.

First, Old Liu is not only not ruthless, but actually quite sentimental! Princess Youruo aside, Murong Qing is even a married woman...

Second, although Old Liu acts decisively now, he is not cold-blooded.

At least Zhao Xing has never heard how many people he killed or how severely he handled any major cases.

"It seems I still don't know Old Liu well enough," Zhao Xing thought silently.

After the bearded general ordered the Blood Shadow Flying Boat to sail twenty or thirty li, his friend and Assistant Regional Commander asked in confusion: "No, big brother, why are we running?"

"He really is Liu Tianning's disciple," the bearded general said.

The young Assistant Regional Commander asked: "Even if it is Liu Tianning, do we need to be this afraid?"

"You are still young and have seen little; it is normal that you don't know him," the bearded general said, shaking his head.

"Big brother, just how formidable is he? You are also fifth-rank!"

The bearded general sneered: "My fifth-rank status was forcibly promoted by the imperial court; how can it compare to Liu Wanfa?"

The young Assistant Regional Commander grew even more curious: "Big brother, tell me, just how amazing is this Liu Tianning?"

The bearded general said: "During the Dingxin Era... hmm, I can't recall the exact year, I once served in the Guiyuan Cave Heaven under the Military Realm."

"At that time, I was probably in my fifties, yet still only at the eighth-rank Spirit Bridge realm."

"But Liu Tianning, he was not even twenty years old at the time, yet he had already reached the seventh-rank Earth Fiend realm, fully accomplished!"

"You know, noble family heirs all have titles or honorary ranks; their cultivation realms have fewer restrictions."

"Liu Tianning held no official post at that time; his strength was entirely self-cultivated!"

"He came to the Guiyuan Cave Heaven to travel and happened to pass through its 'Liang City'; at that time, the administration, especially the internal administration of the Cave Heaven, was not as clear as it is now."

"Liang City had a famous, notorious corrupt official who colluded with the garrison commander to engage in corruption and even raised a gang of bandits!"

"That gang somehow set their sights on Liu Tianning and his friends."

"As a result, a Shanzhai of nearly two thousand people was trampled by Liu Tianning alone, including seven Heaven Fiend realm bandit leaders and over fifty seventh-rank Earth Fiend realm members; all were killed clean!"

The young Assistant Regional Commander argued: "How strong can bandits be? Even seven sixth-rank and over fifty seventh-rank members, plus a thousand bandits, are just a mob; it's easy to kill them and break their morale."

"Do you think those were ordinary bandits? Many were retired military generals inside, and he slaughtered them all, not just routed them!"

The bearded general snorted: "If you look down on bandits, do you respect the regular army of the Guiyuan Cave Heaven?"

The young Assistant Regional Commander said solemnly: "Naturally, the Guiyuan Army is one of the top three hundred strong armies."

The bearded general said: "At that time, that great corrupt official, upon hearing the news and fearing exposure, colluded with the garrison commander to send regular troops to capture Liu Tianning."

"The camp I was in was also mobilized to participate in the siege."

"As a result, Liu Tianning, right in front of our three camps of over three thousand people, literally took the head of that sixth-rank, fully accomplished general!"

"What?" The young Assistant Regional Commander was also moved. "Did such a thing really happen?"

"Three regular camps of strong armies!" the bearded general sighed. "To be honest with you, old brother, I was almost scared to pee my pants back then... Fortunately, Liu Tianning only killed the garrison commander and didn't touch us little soldiers."

"After that, I never saw him again until many years later, when I heard his name again, during his battle at the head of the Xunyang River..."

The young Assistant Regional Commander was waiting for his big brother to continue, but saw his big brother's Earth Mirror tremble; it was a message from 'Xing Ming', issuing a new order.

"Let's go; to the Dark Stone Coral Reefs of Ice-Fire Island; something good is emerging there!"

The Flying Boat sailed for another quarter-hour; Ice-Fire Island was now right before their eyes.

Eight Flying Boats blocked Zhao Xing again.

This time, without waiting for the other party to ask, Zhao Xing himself proactively raised Old Liu's banner.

"This is the exploration team banner of Lord Liu Tianning! Who dares block the way?!"

Whoosh Whoosh Whoosh~

The eight Flying Boats vanished without a trace in an instant.

"..."

Long Xiao was stunned: "Your master's reputation is too effective!"

Chen Shijie also felt surprised; for a Ministry of Agriculture official to reach this point was unheard of.

Logically speaking, in terms of fighting, a Ministry of Agriculture official shouldn't be an invincible existence at the same rank.

If Xia Jing and he were both sixth-rank, he couldn't beat Xia Jing, nor could he beat Long Xiao.

Liu Tianning having such an effect couldn't be due to identity or background, because here everyone is from top-tier exploration teams; if everyone checks their connections, their identities and backgrounds aren't that different.

If it's not identity or background, then it must be hard power!

Only with fists big enough can one make people obediently listen in this environment of free competition.

"Don't ask me; I just became his disciple not long ago," Zhao Xing said, completely confused; he really didn't know what glorious deeds Liu Tianning had done before.

As for Liu Tianning's strength, he did have a rough guess.

Old Liu is the Military Minister of Agriculture of the Benwo Sect, and the Straw Man Art is unmatched under heaven; his situation is an extreme case; a fifth-rank cultivator might have fourth-rank combat power.

Exactly which level of fourth-rank he can fight, he is unclear; after all, Old Liu only acted once at the Soul Sacrifice Pass, and they hadn't truly fought yet.

However, judging by the number of Straw Men in the Wanfa Palace, Zhao Xing estimated that Liu Tianning could stand undefeated even among fourth-rank cultivators.

Fourth-rank Yuan Soul realm cultivators have no soul-killing methods; as long as one cannot severely injure Liu Tianning's Life Soul, he is invincible!

How much combat power he can actually exert depends on how many Wanfa Avatars Old Liu has and what percentage of his original body's strength they possess.

Xia Jing said, "I've heard my father mention it."

"Oh?" Zhao Xing became interested. "Tell me, what did Xia Hou say?"

Xia Jing recalled, "He said Liu Tianning reached the fifth rank before thirty, and for the next ninety years, he remained stuck at that realm, supposedly because he took on the responsibility of family legacy and devoted himself entirely to studying the Willow Grass Man Art."

Zhao Xing nodded. Liu Tianning was now one hundred twenty-seven years old; he was a child prodigy who entered the fifth rank before thirty, and only by delving into the most difficult technique of the Benwo Sect—the Ten Thousand Methods Grass Man Art—could he have spent so long.

In any other sect, there would be nothing left to study—they'd have exhausted all possibilities and sought ways to advance their rank.

But there seems to be more to this—why did Liu Tianning remain at the fifth rank? If he wanted to ascend to the fourth, it should have been relatively easy.

Zhao Xing felt some doubt in his heart.

Xia Jing continued, "At sixty, he had one particularly famous incident—the battle at Xunyang River."

"Xunyang River?" Zhao Xing thought back. "The fourth largest inland river, Xunyang River?"

"Yes," Xia Jing said. "It happened in Daoyuanzhou."

"Back then, Liu Tianning was passing through Xunyang River on his way to assume office when he encountered a natural disaster."

"The Xunyang River erupted in violent chaos; the surface surged with towering waves, said to reach a hundred zhang in height."

"A hundred zhang?" Chen Shijie couldn't help exclaiming, "That's a state-level catastrophe!"

One zhang is three point three meters—a hundred-zhang wave is over three hundred meters high!

What does that even mean?

A level-seven earth vein frenzy triggering an undersea earthquake produces tsunamis no higher than seventy or eighty meters.

"Legends are often exaggerated. A maximum wave of over three hundred meters doesn't mean the entire disaster was that intense," Zhao Xing said. "Brother Xia, continue."

Xia Jing nodded. "Yes, this disaster wasn't accidental—it was orchestrated by the Fangwaizong Sect."

"When Liu Tianning passed by, he intervened to quell the raging flood."

"At that moment, one fourth-rank and eight fifth-rank cultivators launched a surprise attack on Liu Tianning while he was controlling the waters."

"Behind him lay Xunyang City; before him, the monstrous waves. If he dodged, the people behind him would be wiped out. If he didn't dodge, he'd face a combined assault."

"Then what?" Long Xiao asked urgently.

"Then, Liu Tianning held up the giant wave with one hand and pointed at the nine Fangwaizong heretics with the other—and they turned into nine baby fish."

"The wave was also subdued."

"That's the Hou Bian Fa!" Chen Shijie exclaimed in awe. "His Hou Bian Fa is this powerful?!"

"Is that even true?" Ji Ji Ziyun said. "Liu Tianning? How come I've never heard of this?"

"I don't know if it's true or false—it's what my father told me," Xia Jing said.

Zhao Xing wasn't surprised. If Liu Tianning did it, the truth was likely high—he was a genius agricultural minister rare in any dynasty.

"My father said he had just returned from visiting the Commandery Prince of Xunyang when he received a letter from him describing the event. The letter was full of lingering fear—it couldn't be false," Xia Jing said.

"Who is the Commandery Prince of Xunyang?" Zhao Xing felt a vague familiarity but couldn't place him.

"He is Princess Youruo's maternal uncle," Ji Ji Ziyun said. "Also a descendant of the Bishui Sect."

"Hmm?" Zhao Xing thought it over: "Liu Tianning is one hundred twenty-seven; Princess Youruo is seventy-nine. When he was sixty, she was twelve. Could they have known each other back then?"

Zhao Xing immediately imagined a scene: a haughty little girl falling for a cold, stoic elder.

Xia Jing said, "My father also mentioned another secret: Liu Tianning once challenged and defeated thirty-two Dao academies."

"But this matter is obscure—there are no records from the Shenlou Pearl or other visual archives, so it can't be verified."

"The Zhou Dynasty had seventy-two Dao academies—he took on nearly half?" Long Xiao's eyes widened with envy. "If true, he must've been a divine figure!"

"This should be true," Zhao Xing knew this, because the Marquis Biographies mentioned Liu Tianning had sparred with every major Dao academy, and in his later years, he was invited to teach at the Zao Hua Dao Academy.

It's now a secret because it was dishonorable, but once Liu Tianning became Grand Minister of Agriculture, it became a celebrated tale.

No one ever mentioned why he fought—only one line: "Liu excelled in arts, fought thirty-two Dao academies, never lost once."

"A teacher like Liu Tianning is truly unfindable," Ji Ji Ziyun sighed. "We're all basking in Zhao Xing's reflected glory."

Indeed, they were.

Because after this, Zhao Xing traveled around the southwest of Binghuo Island under Liu Tianning's name.

Every patrol flying vessel they encountered immediately retreated.

Zhao Xing's five had prepared for battle.

But Zhao Xing simply shouted all the way: "My master is Liu Tianning!"

And the area cleared instantly!

"One day, if I can reach such a level—where just my name strikes fear into hearts—I'll die content," Long Xiao said, envious, his waist growing even fatter.

"You will have that day," Zhao Xing laughed, patting Long Xiao's shoulder. "But if you keep this physique, your son might end up calling you 'My Father, Long Fatty.'"

"Get lost!" Long Xiao broke down.

He'd just been picturing himself looking cool—then Zhao Xing ruined it.

Suddenly, a little fat boy popped into his mind shouting: "My father is Long Fat!"

It was utterly nauseating!

"Hahahaha!"

…………

The five reached the location Pei Pei Yuanchang described—Anshi Coral Reef—without any effort.

It was a shallow sea area near Binghuo Island.

Due to volcanic activity, the ice along the coast had melted significantly.

Pei Pei Yuanchang had a thirty-man team, based on a large riverboat, who had established a small camp here.

Their leader was Wu Jiang, a Pure Yuan realm beginner. He wasn't even under Lord Lingshuang—he merely had family ties to him, and had formed his own elite exploration group.

After entering Yangcheng, he contacted Pei Pei Yuanchang and decided to join Pei's top-tier reconnaissance team for joint operations.

Seeing Zhao Xing approach, Wu Jiang was extremely enthusiastic.

Because he already knew Zhao Xing's identity and had noticed that the several teams that had been staring at him had withdrawn.

Xing Ming at the head, a joint exploration team composed of various feudal lords and scions of noble families. Previously, they had sent several teams to harass his exploration.

"Marquis Yuanrang, two Heirs, I will not waste time on pleasantries." Wu Jiang pointed at the water surface and said, "The Yin-Yang Fish the Young Master mentioned were discovered in this area."

"It is just that their bodies are too small and their speed in the water is very fast, making them hard to catch."

"We spent a whole day and only found twenty-four of them."

"As the Young Master instructed, these six are for you."

Wu Jiang held a crystal box containing six swimming Yin-Yang Fish; each one was much larger than the one given before.

"Thank you."

Receiving one-fourth was already very good. After all, they had just made a trip, done nothing, and only moved their lips.

Of course, Old Liu's name was definitely worth that price. So Zhao Xing did not stand on ceremony and accepted it directly.

"Since everyone has arrived, naturally this area is open for your exploration. I wonder if Marquis Yuanrang wishes to explore with us or act separately?" Wu Jiang asked tentatively.

"Let us act separately; we just need to look out for each other." Zhao Xing also knew Wu Jiang feared they would come to reap the benefits without sowing.

That is how it is when you pull a powerful ally into a partnership: both happy and afraid.

Zhao Xing simply decided not to walk with Wu Jiang.

"Very well, I will follow Marquis Yuanrang's words." Wu Jiang breathed a sigh of relief.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries and introducing some situations, he departed swiftly.

"Divide the six Yin-Yang Fish." Zhao Xing pointed at the crystal box.

"Zhao Xing, let us not divide this one," Xia Jing said. "It is all due to your teacher's name; we did nothing."

"Indeed," Ji Ji Ziyun said. "I was able to join this team and followed you to gain so many benefits, which is already a great kindness. Before, I could say I contributed some slight effort. Now, I have done nothing."

"Little brother, do not make it so that I cannot repay this debt of gratitude."

Chen Shijie said nothing; whatever Zhao Xing did, he would support, so there was no need to speak deliberately.

Long Xiao was somewhat tempted; he was purely craving the taste and wanted to try it.

"Very well, then I will not stand on ceremony." Zhao Xing smiled. "However, I must give one to Long Pang. His current form is not conducive to movement. The Yin-Yang Fish might help him alleviate it."

The improvement of Life Soul power can nourish the seven corporeal souls.

Long Xiao's body is now a size larger; it is a side effect of the seven corporeal souls. Although the problem is not great, the swelling will subside on its own after some time.

But since he still needs him to work and requires his combat power, Zhao Xing decided to give him a small one to try.

"Hahaha, can I cast a vote of opposition? I want to watch his form a little longer." Xia Jing seized the opportunity to mock.

If he did not laugh now, there would be no chance later!

Who told Long Xiao to be sarcastic when he vomited before and even tried to cover his mouth! He remembered it!

"Xia Jing, just you wait!" Long Xiao, furious and desperate, shouted, "When I recover, I will fight you again. I will definitely feed you thirty thousand jin of fish!"

"I am waiting for you!" The Heir was fearless.

"Enough, stop fighting." Zhao Xing smiled. "Brother Ji, Brother Xia, Old Chen, please trouble you to guard me and Long Xiao."

The black-and-white Yin-Yang Fish felt weightless in the hand.

The touch was extremely slight, as if holding air.

But when Zhao Xing sensed with his Life Soul, he could feel a massive creature held in his hand.

"No, it is two souls in one body." Zhao Xing used the Heaven Eye Technique to inspect and discovered there were two fish in his hand.

Such a strange creature is truly rare.

"This should be classified as Life Soul Spirit Elegance; it is truly eating one fish twice."

Zhao Xing opened his mouth and directly swallowed the first fish raw.

After swallowing it, his body had no reaction.

But the Life Soul in his Sea of Consciousness trembled slightly.

A pair of Heaven Eyes became even brighter.

He continuously swallowed six Yin-Yang Fish.

Zhao Xing clearly felt a sense of "expansion."

However, he had consumed the "Life Soul Pill" and possessed the top-tier Great Dream Spring and Autumn Art, which could simply refine the Life Soul.

Although he could not actively cultivate the Life Soul, digesting soul power was no problem.

Back then, when he plundered the soul power of the "Blood Spirit Venerable," it was precisely by relying on the Great Dream Spring and Autumn Art and the Soul Armor.

【Life Soul: Late Sixth Grade】

"Six Yin-Yang Fish, no larger than a palm, yet such a miraculous effect?"

"Heaven Eye, Open!"

Zhao Xing activated the Heaven Eye Technique and gazed into the distance ahead.

He could clearly see Wu Jiang on the sea surface ten thousand meters away, commanding the crew to enter the water.

He continued to exert power, and his vision became even clearer.

He could see Wu Jiang's facial expressions with perfect clarity.

"Hmm?" Wu Jiang sensed something and immediately looked back, but he did not see anything clearly.

At five thousand meters, he could probably still see a blurry human silhouette.

At ten thousand meters, even on a sea surface that was completely unobstructed, he could not see anything.

Wu Jiang raised his head in confusion, then continued his work.

Although he had consumed the Yin-Yang Fish, his Life Soul still remained at Late Sixth Grade.

Moreover, he has not consumed the Life-Soul Pill and has not opened the Heavenly Eye.

The Heavenly Eye is an effect brought by the Life-Soul Pill; it does not mean the Heavenly Eye will open just because the Life-Soul reaches the Sixth Rank.

"The Life-Soul has strengthened, the Heavenly Eye Technique has also reached the High-Stage Sixth Turn, and it seems there are other effects as well."

"Yes, it is a feeling... I can even vaguely sense Wu Jiang's emotions."

"The effect of the Yin-Yang Fish is indeed great," Zhao Xing thought silently.

He digested it very quickly.

All six had been digested, while Long Xiao had just finished digesting one small one.

"Hahaha, I, Long Xiao, am back!"

A sword qi shot straight up into the sky.

Within the sword light, Long Xiao reappeared, bathed in Jin Guang.

He had returned to his normal size, and it seemed he had even improved; the sword light had become more condensed.

"Alright, let's get to work," Zhao Xing also rose. "We can enter the water here; everyone go down and search for fish."

"Once a trace is found, try the baiting method again."

Whether the Water Immortal and the Fish-Devouring Grass Seeds have any effect on the Yin-Yang Fish, Zhao Xing was also unclear; he could only say to try it first once found.

"Get to work!" The five, having seen the effect of the Yin-Yang Fish, became full of energy.

On the other side of the Ice-Fire Island.

A Black Dragon Warship had stopped at sea.

Ji Ye, wearing a pair of Cloud-Embroidered Boots and dressed in magnificent robes, walked into the highest deck of the warship.

The guard formations on both sides of the stairs were high-grade puppets known as 'Battle Vajra'.

There were exactly fifty of these high-grade mechanical beasts still on the ship.

After Ji Ye ascended to the highest deck of the warship, four people were waiting above.

"Young Master." Upon seeing Ji Ye, the four immediately bowed.

"Hmm." After Ji Ye sat in the main seat, he glanced at the four. "What progress has been made in searching for the Life-Soul Fish?"

"We have already found seventy-eight." One of the martial artists, named Qin Chongwu, was in the Fifth Rank Pure Origin Realm; as he spoke, two Battle Vajras carried up a crystal box.

"Only seventy-eight?" Ji Ye frowned. "Why so few?"

How many manpower and resources had he deployed?

Even the Battle Vajras alone numbered fifty on this ship, not to mention the dozens of flying boats surrounding it, which also had high-grade puppets.

Puppets do not occupy the quota for Exploration Envoys; the Wang Fu has a deep treasury, so Ji Ye naturally acquired as many as possible.

Ji Ye had remained at the Fifth Rank for many years.

It was not that he could not advance, but rather that his father, Liang Wang, had stipulated this.

For a prince to break through, he must cultivate top-tier body-refining methods, making the difficulty increase.

Above the Pure Origin Realm lies the Yuan Soul Realm; every step must be taken extremely solidly. Relying solely on the imperial court's bestowal and promotion, one can be given it, but it can also be taken away.

If one advances on their own, even if demoted, the impact will not be too great.

There are not a few people in the world who hold this thought.

The Life-Soul can nourish the Seven Souls; to break through to the Yuan Soul Realm, strengthening the Life-Soul is also a path, and it incidentally brings immense benefits for later assaults on the Third Rank Yuan Soul Realm.

Therefore, this Life-Soul Spirit, Ji Ye was determined to obtain.

"Young Master," another older mage named Huangfu Song spoke up, "mainly because Pei Yuanchang's exploration group and Xing Ming's exploration group are both expanding, we have had quite a few conflicts during the fishing process."

"Additionally, we just received news that Liu Tianning, the Military Realm Inspector, seems to be coming to interfere as well."

"His Ten Thousand Methods Tower Ship has already arrived at the Polar Night Sea; he has also sent students to the Ice-Fire Island and seems to have reached an agreement with Pei Yuanchang."

"Liu Tianning?" Ji Ye frowned. "Is he present in person?"

"This... unclear." Who could possibly figure it out?

"Hmph!" A trace of ferocity flashed in Ji Ye's eyes. "On Pei Yuanchang's southwest line, if there is obstruction, kill; kill the chicken to scare the monkey, and see if Xing Ming's joint exploration group still dares to come!"

"As for Liu Tianning... unless Liu Tianning personally speaks to me, there is no need to show face; he is just a student, expel them first! As long as they are not killed."

Ji Ye still left a little room; regarding Liu Tianning's people, he only ordered their expulsion.

As for others? What harm in killing them?!

"Yes, this subordinate will do so immediately."

Qin Chongwu, Huangfu Song, and the other two immediately accepted the order.