Chapter 1332

In the still water below, green algae swayed, the dead little fish floated belly-up, and due to prolonged blood loss and soaking, the flesh around the wound turned cotton-white, trembling like loose threads.

The crab clamped one claw on the fish's tail to hold it steady, tore flesh with the other, and stuffed it into its mouth; each tug made the fluff on the wound quiver—suddenly, the crab shrank into its burrow, and the little fish drifted up, not yet breaking the surface.

Boom boom boom!

White currents surged, the fish corpse drifted a few times, ultimately unable to evade the great army, letting the sea wolves smash it into flying meat foam, vanishing without trace.

A hundred thousand sea wolves, shuttling in cycles, gathered into a silver storm, like locusts passing through, the earth trembled, seawater convected, up and down churned, the raised dust rolled for a hundred miles, lingering long.

Spirits, demon beasts, great demons—none failed to flee far away.

Langyu paused swimming briefly, turned his head, and gazed afar.

One sea wolf after another flicked its tail hard, brushing past, silver light rippling like flowing water, surging like a tide—it seemed to linger in the tide like a reef.

"General?"

Langyu snapped back, flicked his fish fin.

"Nothing, go!"

Shi Potian startled.

Setting out from the East Sea, the Haiya King was like a meteor tearing the sky, plummeting straight toward Jianghuai, startling all under heaven—people and beasts craned their necks to watch.

Imperial Capital.

"Mr. Lan, the East Sea has a demon king on the move—it's the Haiya King of the sea wolf clan, and it seems to be heading for our Great Shun, already entered Jianghuai!"

"Don't panic when things happen, stay calm." Lan Jicai bent over his desk, using a carving knife to etch patterns on the blueprint, "This is demon-kind's affair; half a month ago, the Haiya King sent a visiting card to Nanzhili, paying respects to the Sea Warden, His Majesty agreed, so no need to worry."

"There is a visiting card. Mr. Lan, you already knew?"

"Mm." Lan Jicai blew away the shavings, switched carving knives, "So don't fuss over that—do what you must, just keep an eye on other powers."

West Water.

The Turtle King crawled out of its burrow, two sword shrimp shook their tails, darted swiftly, carving two white currents.

North Water.

The Sea Warden had the octopus clan load goods, first retreat underground for shelter, then return to the palace, coil their limbs, and wait silently.

South Water.

"Pop."

The mucus bubble burst.

The Frog King lifted its head, immediately set down the great ship on its belly, looked left and right, found no trace of the elder.

Immediately it felt the fast-approaching "River Stone," matched it against its mental map, realized the departing one was the East Sea Haiya King, recalled what A Fei said during the New Year festival, and at once sent the Fat One to North Water, while it seized the great anchor from its cave and gazed northward.

East Sea.

The Shark King and the Merfolk King set aside their affairs, witnessed the "meteor" streak across the East Sea sky, leapt countless distances, and came straight to the Haijiang estuary.

Without hesitation, without pause, after long journey, the silver storm's momentum like a rainbow, advanced underwater, stirred heaven-shaking waves, none—human or demon—could block, under countless eyes, the Haiya King plunged straight into Haijiang!

"My heavens, it went in, it went in—will there be a fight, will there be a fight?"

The Ironhead Fish trembled with anticipation, overjoyed, the Flood Dragon King said nothing, it was a bit confused about the current situation, why the Haiya King suddenly headed for Jianghuai, only hoping the two sides would clash, blast out brains!

Boom!

Heaven-shaking waves, at the junction of river and sea, countless merchant ships panicked, seeing the great wave about to crash, yet at the last moment, shattered into fine spray.

At this very moment.

Inside Nanzhili, a River Stone shot straight out, raced to the Haijiang estuary.

Numerous experts watching this dynamic stared wide-eyed, yet saw only two River Stones briefly cross, the Haiya King didn't pause, continued westward.

Hmm?

"Damn it, what's going on? What is Great Shun eating? Just let it pass like this? On what grounds?" The Ironhead Fish cursed loudly.

Above Haijiang.

Su Wang checked the visiting card, returned it.

"Thanks, hero!" The Haiya King clasped hands in human fashion, "I meant no disturbance; if any loss occurs along the way, come seek me—I will surely compensate. Langyu, pass the order: slow down!"

"Yes."

Langyu turned and shouted loudly.

"Slow down!"

"Slow down!"

Splash.

The silver storm dispersed, broke into countless sea wolves.

Su Wang nodded slightly, stepped aside, and saw off the Haiya King.

"Go!"

The River Stone advanced again.

In this scene, countless restless hearts calmed.

Being able to pass the Great Shun checkpoint proves it surely gained the Great Shun imperial court's consent, so it won't be going to fight—many demon kings, the Martial Sage felt toyed with, happily excited for nothing.

Yet the following situation made their calmed hearts leap anew.

The Haiya King followed Haijiang upstream, against the current, in a moment reached the mouth of Jianghuai Marsh, entered North Water, and headed straight toward the Sea Warden's position.

Seeking the Sea Warden?

Or perhaps to contact the Sea Warden, reestablish trade with the East Sea?

Precisely at this critical juncture.

Two River Stones far up on Huangsha River suddenly drew near, overlapped, as if conferring, discussing; then one suddenly moved, reversed direction, leapt forward, quite hurried.

Ape King!

What's going on?

The white ape's movement startled everyone and every beast.

Not moving early, not moving late, moving now?

Yellow Shahe.

Golden eyes gazing deep, Liang Qu supported his knee and rose.

The incense in the sunlight shifted unpredictably, emitting a unique fragrance; the light pillar was clearly visible, the weather outside the window was fine—not noon, but a daytime harmonious with the sun's vital energy.

The Buddha's relic is not a precious medicine; its function is similar to a catalyst, unable to be refined or achieve the purpose of ascending divine powers in a short time, but rather a long-acting substance targeting the growth of the Golden Body.

He took a deep breath.

"Ah Fei, don't move, round head, fists!"

In the Yellow Shahe, water creatures all raised their heads—long whiskers, fish fins, dragon claws, giant pincers—folded at ninety degrees, then turned their bodies and entered the marshland together.

Stepping out of the room, Liang Qu trod on the railing, riding the river wind, he drew in his limbs, leapt half a step into the air, and his whole body swung down around the mast in free fall.

"Plop."

Water splashed outward.

Silver bubbles surged upward, black long hair spread like waterweed; before the bubbles fully dissipated, countless white streams drew out from the turbid muddy water, strand by strand, bundle by bundle, like silk, gathering into spheres.

The turbid water rushed eastward.

In an instant.

Golden eyes blazed, shooting straight to the horizon!

Whoosh!

A vacuum suddenly appeared, water flow reversed.

Under the gaze of ten thousand eyes, the "River Stone" followed the Yellow Shahe, leaping and floating!

"No, not right!"

The Iron-Head Fish, with a solemn expression, realized something was wrong inside.

In the Bureau of Astronomy, officials who closely monitored the celestial instrument and constantly recorded the River Stones in major rivers also furrowed their brows.

"What's the situation?"

Deputy Supervisor Zheng Muxin was puzzled.

The Great Shun agreed, which proved that the Haiya King's coming to the Jianghuai Great Marsh was not for causing trouble, nor for visiting, nor for negotiation.

Previously, the Ape King had said on the Yellow Shahe that the Haiya King was not visiting the Ape King—who visits when the host is absent and lets the guest come first? If visiting the Ape King, the Ape King would surely be at home beforehand, but this is not visiting the white ape; now the Ape King is running off—what for?

Is it threatening its position?

That shouldn't be—the Ape King taking over the Long Gong aligns with Great Shun's needs; if the Haiya King wants to triumph over the Long Gong, Great Shun would not agree—this is self-contradictory.

What exactly is the Haiya King here to do?

Northern Waters.

"Quick, quick, quick! The Ape King has moved—pass the order: Heart-Shaped Charge, Heart-Shaped Charge!"

Upon seeing the white ape's movement, the Haiya King was not startled but rather pleased.

As he imagined, the white ape would not leave itself exposed to the Harbor Master; there's likely something between these two beasts.

As long as I hold back the white ape, occasionally seeking favor from the Harbor Master, clinging stubbornly, enduring blows, dispersing its energy, preventing it from going north to assist the Huai King in managing the Yellow Shahe, completing the southern frontier mission, and earning the Great Creation Elixir—this would be easy.

At this moment, he had already seen the Harbor Master's palace far away, his heart burning hot.

Beautiful fish are rare.

The demon king Beautiful Fish is even rarer.

Today's departure fundamentally aims to fulfill the southern frontier demand and earn the Great Creation Elixir; but if we can turn pretense into reality and win the Harbor Master's heart, that would also be a fine thing.

The octopus clan has no bones throughout their bodies; upon cultivating to the demon king realm, their flesh becomes so strong that they can transform into anything—the old Octopus King once honed this talent to perfection, detaching from limbs to become great fish of other clans, which is nothing; parasitizing other demons to control them is truly formidable.

Though the Harbor Master is not as strong as the old Octopus King, as a fellow octopus, he certainly won't be weak; if we could join forces fin-to-fin, I dare not imagine how wonderful my future life would be.

In his early years, before becoming a demon king, the Haiya King was a wastrel in his clan during youth, with countless offspring—what kind of female fish could he not win? Even if the Ape King and the Harbor Master have something going on, it may not be impossible to sway the corner.

Beautiful fish belong only to the wastrel!

"Beat the drum, Heart-Shaped Charge!" Lang Yu delivered the command, directing the myriad wolves.

Boom!

The order was passed down.

The silver storm dissipated and reorganized; the sea wolves' forms became slender and streamlined, like countless silver swords, weaving and dancing, drawing out white streams, extremely sharp.

As they moved, the wolf-fish's fins rose and fell in alternation, striking the large drum hung before their chests.

The wolf-fish formation beat drums while returning to position—right before all demons' eyes, they rapidly transformed, ultimately becoming a sky-covering, pulsating heart shape!

The sea wolves are entirely silver; the heart they form likewise glimmers with silver light.

Arranged at specific angles, they reflect sunlight, making them almost impossible to stare at directly.

A ring of golden heart-shaped light spots on the water surface, a ring of black heart-shaped shadows on the ground—three layers overlapping, appearing as if there were three hearts simultaneously above, below, and in the water.

Accompanied by the tremendous drumbeat, the heart expanded and contracted with that rhythmic frequency, thumping and jumping!

Shadow, golden light, and silver light converged simultaneously, flashing brilliantly.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The Third Prince was greatly startled, hurriedly contacting the eldest—this Haiya King actually has such skill!

Not far away, the Big Fat One carried a great anchor, and Sword One and Sword Two poked their heads out, scratching their heads in confusion.

What are they doing? Performing acrobatics?

"Sister, the Haiya King has come!" Lady Hai Yun said nervously.

"I know, the Wu Sheng of Nanzhili is watching, nothing will happen, proceed according to plan, understand?"

"Understood."

Hai Ya Wang swam out from the heart-shaped storm, a formidable aura spreading out; every scale had been meticulously polished by his subordinates, reflecting light like a mirror, incomparably handsome.

If ordinary Sea Wolves are sharp swords, then the Hai Ya Wang appearing at this moment is a divine weapon; the instant it leaves its sheath, even Da Pang cannot look directly at it.

Jian Yi and Jian Er were high-spirited, the swords on their foreheads itching uncontrollably; a Great Sword Shrimp should be just like this!

The "Silver Heart" drew near.

Shadows slowly shrouded the North Water Wang Gong.

Faced with such a massive formation, the Hai Fangzhu in the North Water Wang Gong surprisingly did not react, refusing to come out; Hai Ya Wang secretly sighed at Hai Fangzhu's composure.

Ordinary female fish facing this move would have long gone soft in fin and tail, moved beyond control, throwing themselves into his arms — how could they resist? Worthy of being the Eight-Clawed King's widow, and having followed Bai Yuan as a concubine; she has eaten and seen much, how could she compare to little female fish without composure?

It was not discouraged in the least, glanced at Bai Yuan's position, swam out, cleared its throat, and sang loudly before all the demon beasts.

"Hai Fangzhu, I know you are in the palace right now; I wrote so many letters before, yet they sank like stones into the sea, not a single reply; helpless, I had to come in person to express my feelings. Look, this is a poem I wrote for you with my own fins!"

"The road to Penglai is not far; the Eight Claws diligently came to visit————"

"There is a beautiful fish, once seen, unforgettable. A day without seeing her, I think of her like madness. The phoenix flies and soars, seeking its mate across the four seas; alas, the beautiful fish is not by the eastern wall."

"The floating world has three thousand, my love has three: sun, moon, and you. Sun for morning, moon for evening, you for every morning and every evening————"

"Pfft." Lady Hai Yun laughed out loud.

Hai Ya Wang had sharp ears and eyes, keenly hearing the laughter; he thought the poem was effective, so Hai Fangzhu likes the refined type; striking while the iron was hot, he recited the fourth one.

Hai Fangzhu's voice passed through the palace, reverberating through the waters.

"Hai Ya Wang, you are a good fish, but my heart belongs to another; between us two fish it is impossible, why waste time? You came a thousand li, truly not easy; I will prepare a banquet for you, eat and then return to the East Sea."

Lady Hai Yun mustered her courage, holding a huge wine cup, following the words swimming out of the main hall: "This is the welcome wine my sister prepared for the Great King; Hai Ya Wang, my sister won't agree, you eat the banquet and leave today————"

"Heart belongs to another? No! I don't believe it!" Hai Ya Wang crushed the wine cup, shouting loudly, "Why have I never heard of this? Could it be the Eight-Clawed King? It's already dead, you should look forward! Why cling to the past? Your voice is so moving, you must be a sentimental fish; listen to a word of advice from this big brother————"

"It's not the Eight-Clawed King."

"Then who? The Ape King? Indeed, it has indeed almost arrived." Hai Ya Wang sensed Bai Yuan's position, already in the Huaijiang, flashing through it; at most half a breath to arrive; words pouring out like cannon fire, "I admit, the Ape King is a hero of the world, strength stronger than me, but I don't believe you are a female fish greedy for wealth and status, nor do I believe Bai Yuan truly loves you; if it loved, why not give you a proper status?"

"It's not Bai Yuan, Hai Ya Wang, don't guess wildly."

"How is it not? It's almost here, and I'm not afraid of it hearing; did the Ape King coerce you?" Hai Ya Wang looked again, over a thousand li remaining, the other party probably needed two more jumps to arrive; "Rest assured, before coming I already went to the Cloud Heaven Palace; the Cloud Whale King told me love is free, no fish should interfere; yes, I can't beat the Ape King, but I still have friends, the East Sea Horse King will also help me————"

"So many friends, then let them all come out, chop off their fish heads, to serve as appetizers for my wine!"

Boom!

Cloth wrappings tore, water currents parted.

White mist not yet dissipated, golden light shot out first.

Fingertips tore through the water flow, a large white-haired hand fiercely reached out from the chaotic mist clusters, caught the wine cup in Lady Hai Yun's hand, snatched it forcefully, and slammed it onto Hai Ya Wang's face.

Crack!

The wine cup shattered, wine splashed everywhere, countless fragments embedded into Hai Ya Wang's face; the amber-colored 【Essence Water】-brewed wine liquid completely invaded his mouth and gills.

The remaining thousand-plus li, Bai Yuan didn't jump twice, but actually arrived in one go!

Unexpected, but Hai Ya Wang was long prepared; just about to curse angrily, he discovered the wine plastered on his face was like a nimble octopus, rushing en masse into his mouth; although the wine lost control upon entry, the inertia carried was enough to slide a portion in; even more terrifying was the implication of this act.

Poison?

Hai Ya Wang was greatly alarmed, hurriedly spat out most of the wine, but still swallowed a small portion; and it wasn't all liquid, felt like another hard object was hidden inside.

"Gulp!"

Hai Ya Wang clutched his throat, blocking the hard object; his accusing words changed in an instant: "Cloud Fish Formation!"

A sharp loud shout; behind Hai Ya Wang, myriads of Sea Wolves trembled as one, aura soaring; through resonance, they drove Hai Ya Wang's strength to skyrocket, from Sixth Stage straight up to roughly Eighth or Ninth Stage, surpassing even Bu Qi of the Nine Nether Mountains of the Underworld; he broke free from Bai Yuan's large hand.

"Ape King, what did you make me eat————"

Splash!

Striding half a step, from within the chaotic silver bubbles, Bai Yuan suddenly thrust out his upper body.

Canine teeth dragged out white streams, drifting and dissipating; in the depths of golden eyes, magma flowed. The instant their gazes met, Hai Ya Wang only felt a heavy hammer smash into his heart; the whole fish staggered, the aura that had just surged up collapsed like a punctured pig bladder.

No, what's going on?

Hai Ya Wang went soft in fin and tail, greatly alarmed; then he discovered the surrounding water currents clinging to his scales flowing rapidly, circling and converging in Bai Yuan's hand, condensing into a sky-piercing dragon pillar.

"No no no! Let's talk this out————"

Couldn't see the swinging trajectory; it was as if on water and underwater, two dragon pillars existed simultaneously.

Boom!

Hai Ya Wang sprayed a mouthful of fresh blood, fish head downward, smashing through the riverbed, plowing a circle through the earth before bouncing back up.

Bai Yuan's figure swayed, water travel a thousand li; another flash, and he appeared atop Hai Ya Wang's head; large hand pressed down, pinning Hai Ya Wang's fish head; extending three blood-dripping fingers, within Hai Ya Wang's dilated pupils of terror, he carved a "Chuan" character!