I am evergreen in the world of cultivating immortals

Chapter 489 The Two Beauties of the Zhao Family, the Overbearing True Lord

Above the islands thousands of miles away.

Two streaks of light flashed across the clear blue sky.

A light mist, like a veil, enveloped the beautiful figures of the two female cultivators.

"Sister, can you hurry up? We need to get back to the family island soon."

Zhao Yueshu flew ahead, her figure graceful and her face radiant, her eyebrows slightly raised, her eyes sparkling.

The woman appeared to be around twenty years old. She wore a magnificent purple dress with wide sleeves, adorned with silk ribbons and precious hairpins and jewels, exuding the noble air of a direct descendant of a prominent family.

The elder sister's slender figure behind her resembled a bamboo grove under the moon. The golden light emanating from her was somewhat restrained and mixed, unlike the crystal clear light of her younger sister.

"younger sister."

Zhao Shiyao called softly, her brows furrowing slightly, her breathing quickening, as if she couldn't keep up.

This woman has bright, intelligent eyes, a straight and elegant nose, and a cool and refined demeanor.
She wore a classic sky-blue long dress, covered with a snow-white gauze overlay, her fairy-like dress fluttering in the wind.

The sea breeze ruffled her long, flowing hair; her profile was like a painting, beautiful and serene.

The skirt fluttered in the wind, outlining her graceful figure.

The two women's beautiful figures were like a stunning landscape on the sea.

It attracted the admiring glances of passing merchants and cultivators, with high-level cultivators even stopping to admire it.

They either asked around or whispered among themselves.

“Those are the Zhao sisters, who advanced to the Core Formation stage one after another several years ago and are quite well-known in the archipelago,” someone replied.

"Biological sisters? I observe that one of the women is at the pseudo-core cultivation level."

"Yes, the two half-sisters are from the same father but different mothers, and the older sister is more beautiful and has a better temperament."

"It's a pity that they only formed a false core. If both women were true core cultivators, they would surely have created a beautiful love story and attracted the interest of Nascent Soul cultivators."

Someone lamented, "Could it be that my sister isn't talented enough?"

"Sister has good aptitude; she has a superior spiritual root."

"Then why..."

"The Zhao family was robbed by pirates a few years ago, losing important resources and suffering a great loss. It will take decades to recover. The two Zhao sisters are close in age and will reach the same age to form their cores. The Zhao family does not have enough resources to support both of them to form their cores at the same time."

"It is said that the elder sister gave the best Core Formation resources to her younger sister."

"I see. Such deep sisterly affection is truly precious. Sister Zhao is indeed kind and virtuous..."

Several members of the merchant alliance expressed either regret or admiration.

"The situation is probably not that simple."

An old cultivator dressed as a Confucian scholar, who had reached the Core Formation stage, shook his head and said:

"I do know some inside information: Zhao Yueshu's mother is from a powerful Core Formation family within the alliance; her sister Zhao Shiyao's mother was just a rogue cultivator who died young, leaving her without any support within the clan."

Upon hearing this, the cultivators suddenly understood.

Half-sisters, competing for the path to immortality, how could there be any sisterly affection between them?
My sister is probably forced to do this by circumstances.

"Looking at this woman's brows and eyes, there seems to be a lingering trace of melancholy."

The elderly scholar gazed at Zhao Shiyao's retreating figure, feeling a pang of pity and a sense of bewilderment.

It seems to evoke memories of a figure from my youth that haunted my dreams.

Until that day, the clear blue shadow merged into the sea and sky under the moonlight.

He came to his senses and murmured:
"The sky-blue skirt reflects the color of the sea, and the moonlight veils her fairy-like figure."

……

The headquarters of the Merchant Alliance is located in the Sunset Islands.

A thick sea fog spread out before Lu Chang'an and Qiu Mengzhu.

"Elder Lu, Hidden Mist Island is just ahead."

The island, which stretches for about thirty or forty miles, is shrouded in mist and clouds. Its interior is a deep blue-green color, blending seamlessly with the surrounding sea.

Due to the natural sea fog and the island's environment, this fourth-tier spiritual vein island seems to be invisible in the sea.

Cultivators unfamiliar with the environment of the Sunset Islands might not even know that a spiritual vein island exists there.

"The environment is acceptable."

Lu Chang'an surveyed the spirit island below and was generally satisfied.

Hidden Mist Island, spanning dozens of miles, has a terrain that slopes from east to west, and is covered with vast expanses of lush, verdant spiritual trees.

The island's highest peak is several hundred feet high, and at its summit stands an ancient-style cave.

It is named "Yunhai Prefecture".

Behind the cave dwelling are high cliffs overlooking the sea; amidst the swirling clouds and mist, the sound of the tide can also be heard.

Watching the clouds and listening to the tides.

It has a detached perspective that overlooks the overseas cultivation world.

At the center of Hidden Mist Island lies a bottomless, deep, emerald-green pool, its water icy cold and surrounded by a layer of frost.

"That is the 'Frosty Pool' on the island. The stone walls at the bottom of the pool contain Cold Moon Stone and are connected to the spiritual veins of the seabed, so it is not suitable for excavation."

“Lu Zhenjun is not a fire-type cultivator, and the fourth-order spirit turtle is more water-type and cold-natured, so this place is suitable for him.”

Qiu Luoyan smiled faintly and introduced the situation of Hidden Mist Island to Lu Chang'an.

"That's it."

Lu Chang'an immediately made the decision to obtain the array flags and cave tokens of Hidden Mist Island from Alliance Leader Qiu.

Hidden Mist Island is the fourth-order spiritual vein training ground furthest from the main island, and its environment is also suitable for Xuan Shuijun's cultivation.

The downside is that the fourth-order spiritual vein branch it belongs to is relatively small in scale.

It's just enough to accommodate Lu Chang'an and Xuan Shuijun's cultivation.

If Earth Rock Lord were also present, the spiritual energy supply on Hidden Mist Island might be insufficient.

"Elder Lu, please stay in the archipelago for a while. If there are not enough people on the island, you can borrow people from the Chamber of Commerce headquarters."

Before parting, Qiu Luoyan gave Lu Chang'an a jade slip containing basic information about the Azure Sea Merchant Alliance and the Archipelago Headquarters.

This includes information on the welfare benefits, corresponding obligations and responsibilities of guest elders within the alliance.

The cultivators of the Merchant Alliance differ somewhat from those of traditional sects; most of them do not have a Daoist title.

For example, Zuo Tianxiong and Qiu Luoyan use their surnames to address their titles or fellow practitioners.

The cultivators of the Merchant Alliance do not engage in empty talk but pursue practical benefits. They expand their family businesses and acquire more resources to improve their cultivation.

……

A few days later.

Lu Chang'an completed the partial renovation of Hidden Mist Island.

The island formation and cave restrictions were re-established.

A small underground palace was built between Qingshuangtan and Yunhaifu, with tunnels connecting the two ends.

Without Lord Diyan present, the excavation efficiency is somewhat lower.

Lu Chang'an directed Xuan Shuijun and a fourth-order puppet to begin construction, which proceeded relatively quickly.

However, the giant tortoise is inevitably somewhat clumsy when it comes to engineering.

In the underground palace.

The myriad gourd vines take root beside the cold spring stream, their leaves reflecting faint spots of sunlight.

The underground palace is located in a place where there is no direct sunlight.

Lu Chang'an used the strange formation set up in the "Frosty Pool" to distort and guide the light of the sun, moon and stars.

Therefore, at this moment, the Xuan Tian Gourd Vine's roots are connected to the earth's veins, and its leaves can absorb the power of the sun, moon, and stars.

The Tianxing Sea is ablaze with stars.

At night, the Xuan Tian Hu Teng grows faster than Da Yuan.

"nailed it."

After the Xuan Teng took root, Lu Chang'an officially settled down in the Tianxing Sea.

That year, Lu Chang'an was 641 years old.

It has been six years since I left Tianheng Continent and Yuanzhou.

The next morning.

Lu Chang'an appeared at Yunhai Mansion, the highest cliff on Hidden Mist Island.

The cliff behind the cave.

The clouds and mist swirl around, seemingly within reach. The sound of waves crashing against the cliffs rises and falls below.

Lu Chang'an's earlobes vibrated at a high frequency, expanding several degrees, entering a mysterious sensory realm.

In this environment, one naturally practices the "Hearing the Sea God's Ear," and one's supernatural abilities subtly improve.

Without needing divine sense or physical eyes, he could grasp the minute details of the area within hundreds of miles of Hidden Mist Island.

In the nearby sea, several third- or fourth-tier islands shrouded in a thin mist of spiritual light are mostly guest sect training grounds.

Occasionally, merchant alliance cultivators patrolling the sea, or maritime merchant cultivators riding spirit beasts or flying creatures, would pass by.

The Luoxia Islands, located in the heart of the Tianxing Sea, are the headquarters of the Merchant Alliance.

This isn't a branch headquarters, so you rarely see Qi Refining stage cultivators here.

Most of them are Foundation Establishment stage cultivators, followed by Core Formation stage cultivators.

The proportion of fake alchemists is higher in the mainland than in the north.

In the Great Green Land, Foundation Establishment cultivators who have no hope of forming a Core might be able to try for a Pseudo-Core in the resource-rich sea area.

……

Before noon, Lu Chang'an returned to Yunhai Prefecture.

After the routine practice.

Lu Chang'an took out the jade slip left behind by Alliance Leader Qiu.

As a guest elder of the business alliance, one enjoys benefits but must perform duties once every twenty years.

The most common role is to be dispatched to guard and protect the industries of the business alliance.

For example, the island city, the merchant guild's giant spirit ship, and important mining and fishing grounds.

They typically serve for ten years, then take a ten-year break.

During this period, there will be subsidies for spirit stones and pills.

The places they guard are mostly bustling islands with fourth-order spiritual veins, so it doesn't affect their cultivation.

In some harsh environments, there are no fourth-order spiritual veins. In such cases, there will be additional merchant alliance contribution subsidies.

These are just routine tasks.

There are also some unexpected situations, such as wiping out pirates who robbed cultivators on the trade routes and driving away powerful demon kings and sea beasts that were causing havoc.

These types of tasks may involve certain risks, but the rewards are higher, and the rest period after completion is longer.

"Merchant Alliance contributions... can be exchanged for a much more comprehensive range of scarce Tier 4 resources than the Great Yu Royal Family."

Lu Chang'an examined the information on the jade slip and was intrigued.

Over the past one or two centuries, he has exploited the royal family extensively. Meanwhile, overseas resources are scarce in Da Yuan, creating a complementary relationship.

The exchangeable treasures and spiritual items are what he needs to advance to the fourth-tier mid-grade puppeteer level.

It also contains the essence blood of demon kings and sacred medicines needed for body refinement.

At its highest level, there are even near-fifth-tier materials and spiritual herbs.

"As expected of a top overseas force, one of the four major business alliances."

While reflecting on his experience, Lu Chang'an checked the contribution required from the Merchant Alliance for the top-tier resources.

As a result, the required contributions from the business alliance were all astronomical.

Garrison missions are relatively safe, but the contribution points earned are not much, only enough to exchange for ordinary Tier 3 or 4 resources.

Those strategic materials and rare spiritual treasures are priced several times or even ten times higher than ordinary resources of the same level.

Relying solely on garrisoning would take an unknown amount of time.

However, there are high-risk bounty notices within the Merchant Alliance, which can be exchanged for high contribution points.

The target is a formidable enemy or hostile force of the Azure Sea Business Alliance.

For example, the infamous Insect Demon; the Demon King Dragon Descendant who has clashed with the Merchant Alliance; and the two Great Sea Calamity Kings who are enemies of the Merchant Alliance...

There is also a list of assassinations of opposing forces, but it has not yet been made available to Lu Chang'an.

Among them, "Insect Demon" has the highest wanted number.

The Insect Demon's wanted status is not limited to the Azure Sea Merchant Alliance; most forces in the Sky Star Sea have put a bounty on him, as he has committed heinous crimes in the surrounding sea areas.

Over the past few centuries, several Nascent Soul level experts have died at the hands of the Insect Demon.

The Insect Demon is a mysterious insect cultivator in the mid-Nascent Soul stage, proficient in poison arts and Gu techniques, capable of killing without leaving a trace.

Its swarm of golden flame insects, after devouring the flesh and blood of a large number of high-level cultivators and demonic beasts, reached a terrifying level.

If someone in the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm gets caught in a swarm of insects, they'll be severely injured, if not killed.

Below the late Nascent Soul stage, the Insect Demon is virtually invincible, causing immense harm to the Tianxing Sea and the surrounding waters.

Moreover, the Insect Demon has remarkable survival skills. In addition to being adept at disguise and concealment, it is said to possess a strange insect that senses danger.

Often, before a Nascent Soul cultivator arrives at the scene, this demon will have already fled and disappeared into the vast sea.

"This demon's strength is at least comparable to the leader of the Great Green Demonic Sect, but he is far more dangerous and cunning..."

Lu Chang'an shook his head slightly, not believing he was confident he could kill this fiend.

Defeating someone with serious injuries is pointless; you won't get the bounty.

A top-tier existence in the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm, far surpassing even the True Monarch of the Underworld.

Even though decades have passed and Lu Chang'an's supernatural abilities have increased considerably, he is no longer a newly promoted mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.

Eat your food slowly, one bite at a time.

Lu Chang'an planned to accumulate more materials and upgrade all the ordinary fourth-tier puppets in the puppet array to the same level of high-quality ones.

As for the true fourth-tier puppet, it has already reached its peak. It only awaits the future to accumulate strength and unleash its power to challenge for the fourth-tier mid-grade puppet master.

……

Nighttime.

After reading the contents of the jade slip, Lu Chang'an found a wealth of information about the business alliance's industries and related families, which would be helpful for him in carrying out his missions in the future.

"Xingsha Island...the Zhao family, maritime merchants."

Based on the information and with the aid of divination, Lu Chang'an identified a medium-sized maritime merchant family under the Bihai Business Alliance.

He chuckled softly and muttered to himself:
"I never expected that Fairy Zhao would also have the surname Zhao in this life."

The Zhao family of Xingsha Island also resides in this Luoxia Archipelago.

It is 20,000 to 30,000 miles away from Hidden Mist Island where Lu Chang'an is located.

Those who cultivate immortality in their next life may not necessarily have spiritual roots or a connection to immortality.

According to his calculations, Fairy Zhao must have experienced several mortal lives before rekindling her immortal destiny in the Heavenly Star Sea.

Lu Chang'an did not rashly approach Zhao Xianzi.

Firstly, the Fairy Zhao in this life doesn't know him at all.

When the two met, they acted as if they were strangers.

Secondly, cultivators focus on this life, even if they awaken some memories of their past lives later.

The Fairy Zhao in this life is not entirely the same person as Zhao Siyao in the previous life.

Unless it is the reincarnation of a great being, whose achievements in the previous life laid the groundwork for a future immortal destiny.

In this situation, one can only become dominant after awakening in the past life.

Lu Chang'an and Zhao Xianzi knew each other for two or three hundred years in their previous lives, and their karmic ties were deep. He was willing to take care of her destiny in her next life.

He still vividly remembered the tragic figure of Fairy Zhao appearing when he was undergoing his tribulation against inner demons.

Zhao Siyao failed to form her true core in her previous life and perished on the battlefield of the demonic path, which ultimately made Lu Chang'an feel resentful and even a little guilty deep in his heart.

Otherwise, Fairy Zhao would not have appeared during the tribulation of inner demons, and would not have been used by the extraterrestrial demons to shake his Dao heart and will.

Lu Chang'an pondered for a long time how to approach Zhao Xianzi's life without it feeling abrupt.

His actions will affect Zhao Xianzi's fate and destiny in this lifetime, so he must act with caution.

Inside the cave, Lu Chang'an performed divination and prophecy for a while longer.

"Hmm? Is Fairy Zhao about to fall into the lowest point of her life? Now is the perfect time to help her out, and her resistance will be reduced."

Lu Chang'an smiled, having found a suitable entry point.

……

half year later.

Lu Chang'an adapted to his cultivation time in the Merchant Alliance Islands and Hidden Mist Island.

Two months ago, he passed the review of the Chamber of Commerce Elders and completed the final procedures to become a guest elder.

During this period, Wei Dongjun visited twice, and Qiu Mengzhu also came once.

Lu Chang'an exchanged brief greetings with several guest elders and advisors from the vicinity.

At the top level of the business alliance, there are still two people Lu Chang'an hasn't met.

One of them is another deputy leader, Wan, who is away handling affairs and has not returned.

Secondly, there is the Grand Elder of the Merchant Alliance, a transcendent being who wields power over a late-stage fourth-tier demon king.

As a descendant of the Grand Elder, Wei Dongjun has a close relationship with Lu Chang'an, perhaps with the intention of winning him over.

Clearly, the elder had not ignored him.

One night, the guardian deity of the merchant alliance, the "Azure-Eyed Beast," quietly swam past from the depths of the sea off Hidden Mist Island.

After secretly observing Lu Chang'an and Xuan Shuijun for a moment, the Azure-Eyed Beast silently left.

Only Lu Chang'an, possessing the divine senses of the late-stage Nascent Soul realm and having cultivated the "Hearing the Sea God's Ear," could confirm the traces of that great demon king's presence.

Lu Chang'an realized that the Grand Elder of the Merchant Alliance didn't fully trust him, and even harbored suspicions. Lu Chang'an could understand this.

The elder's lifespan is not long, and he is getting old; it's normal for old people to become suspicious.

……

This morning.

Lu Chang'an calculated the time, rode his escape light, and left Hidden Mist Island.

This was the first time since he joined the business alliance that he had left the temple and flown thousands of miles away.

Apart from the top echelons of the business alliance, most of the major maritime families under its umbrella were unaware of his joining as a Nascent Soul guest elder.

at the same time.

The Zhao family residence on Xingsha Island was bustling with activity and filled with joy today.

"The Zhao family is truly blessed; their female cultivator is able to marry a Core Formation cultivator from the Chen family of Giant Shark Island."

"It is said that the Chen family's upper echelons do not approve of this marriage. However, that 'Chen Muge' has taken a fancy to the two Zhao sisters."

Merchant families on nearby islands glanced at them with envy.

For ordinary maritime merchant families, female cultivators who have reached the Core Formation stage are precious and will not easily marry out.

However, the marriage partner is a Nascent Soul family within the Merchant Alliance, which is a rare opportunity for them to climb the social ladder and form an alliance.

Inside the main hall of the Zhao family on Xingsha Island.

The clan leader, a late-stage Core Formation cultivator, was discussing details with a beautiful woman from the Chen family who represented the Core Formation stage.

"Didn't we agree that you would only marry Yue Shu? Why are there additional conditions attached to the engagement today?"

The Zhao family patriarch's face was etched with wrinkles, and he looked troubled.

"Double happiness, why not?"

The beautiful woman from the Chen family, who had reached the Core Formation stage, didn't seem to mind and said with a smile:

"Mu Ge has already withstood pressure from higher-ups to marry one of your Zhao family's daughters as his principal wife. Besides, he does indeed like Zhao Shiyao, so let her be his concubine."

The additional conditions imposed by the Chen family, the giant shark, silenced several high-ranking members of the Zhao family.

Chen Muge of the Chen family fell in love with Zhao Shiyao at first sight many years ago and insisted on marrying her.

Unfortunately, Zhao Shiyao only formed a false core.

The Chen family of Giant Shark Island would never allow Chen Muge to marry a fake Dan cultivator as his wife.

Chen Muge was too fixated on his goal and refused to give up.

Zhao Shiyao is the white moonlight in his heart.

At this time, Zhao Yueshu, who had formed a mid-level True Core, stood out.

The elders of the Chen family, as a compromise, allowed Chen Muge to marry Zhao Yueshu first. As for Zhao Shiyao, they could always take her as a concubine later.

When Chen Muge met Zhao Yueshu, he found that she was also of superior appearance and temperament; after forming her true core, her potential far surpassed that of her older sister.

Chen Muge also took a liking to his younger sister and agreed to the family's arrangement.

……

On the beach of Xingsha Island.

"Pastoral Song, this is the place I loved to come to most when I was a child."

Zhao Yueshu, with her crescent-shaped eyebrows and a gentle smile, strolled around the island with Chen Muge.

Chen Muge had a fair complexion, sharp eyebrows and bright eyes. He wore a golden cloud crown and a dark blue robe with sea patterns. He stood tall and had an extraordinary demeanor, befitting a Core Formation cultivator from a prestigious family.

Zhao Yueshu had longed for such a man; she had fallen for him at first sight many years ago.

Unfortunately, at that time, Chen Muge only had his sister Zhao Shiyao in his heart and didn't see her in the corner at all.

"Oh? Your sister likes coming to the beach too?"

"No, my sister prefers quiet and doesn't like to move around. She often sits in that bamboo grove in a daze for half a day."

"bamboo forest?"

Chen Muge's eyes lit up, and he became interested, so he went to the bamboo forest several miles away.

"Shiyao!?"

Her elegant figure in the sky-blue dress was as beautiful as a poem or a painting, like a fairy descended from heaven, and came into Chen Muge's view.

He was startled, and his long-suppressed affection was finally revealed.

Zhao Shiyao hung her head, feeling lost and sad, a bitter feeling rising within her.

She has lost too much over the years.

Her mother was a wandering cultivator who passed away a dozen years after giving birth to her.

The playboy's father, after much difficulty, turned over a new leaf and started doing some serious work within the alliance.

As a result, he perished in the jaws of a giant sea monster during his trade journey, leaving no trace of his remains.

If it weren't for her excellent spiritual root aptitude, the Zhao family might not have recognized her as an illegitimate daughter and allowed her to be cultivated by a family of immortal cultivators and merchants.

She possessed exceptional talent and high comprehension, along with an extraordinary appearance and temperament, which caught the eye of a promising young man from a Nascent Soul family.

It seemed that her life was about to soar to new heights.

However, he encountered a major setback at the stage of Core Formation.

My sister's mother is the legal wife, and her family's influence is stronger than that of the Zhao family on Xingsha Island.

She had no parents and no one to rely on.

If I had competed with my sister for opportunities, I might not be alive today.

The family's limited resources for Core Formation were all poured into the younger sister, Zhao Yueshu.

The younger sister obtained a complete and superior opportunity to form her core, and successfully formed her true core.

To compensate her, the family reluctantly lent her a low-quality Crystallization Pill.

Even for inferior Crystal Condensation Pills, other late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators within the clan would fiercely compete for them, practically fighting tooth and nail.

If you give up, you will not have this opportunity again in the next few decades and will miss the golden age of forming the core.

When she attempted to condense her core, her mind was unstable, and she performed poorly, only managing to create a false core.

The difference between a genuine elixir and a fake one is so small that it almost eliminates any hope of advancing to the next realm.

Let's not even talk about the hopelessness of the path ahead.

The beautiful marriage that was rightfully hers was also taken away by her younger sister.

Although she had no feelings for Chen Muge.

But looking around, there was no better match for her. Besides, Chen Muge was deeply in love with her and had pursued her relentlessly for many years.

now.

Everything is lost.

The funny thing is.

The clan elders actually tried to persuade her to become Chen Muge's concubine as part of her dowry.

She absolutely refused, preferring to die a glorious death rather than become a concubine.

Today is the engagement day of the two clans.

Looking back on her life, Zhao Shiyao feels it has been incredibly bitter!
……

"Shiyao! I'm so sorry you had to suffer like this."

I saw Zhao Xianzi, looking lonely and sorrowful, in the bamboo forest.

Chen Muge's eyes reddened; he felt a pang of pity and a secret sense of shame.

He flew over, ready to comfort the beauty.

"Chen Muge, don't come any closer!"

Zhao Shiyao drew a magic sword, her eyes cold and her expression resolute:
"If you wish to persuade me to become your concubine, please refrain from speaking. If the Chen family tries to use their power to oppress me, I would rather die than surrender!"

She held the magic sword to her neck, stopping Chen Muge in his tracks.

"Shiyao, don't be impulsive, let me explain..."

Chen Muge dared not approach.

Zhao Shiyao took to the air, sheathed her magic sword, and flew towards the outside of Xingsha Island.

Chen Muge felt uneasy and followed.

"Muge, after we get married, the family will gradually persuade my sister..."

Zhao Yueshu stomped her foot angrily, feeling jealous and resentful.

She couldn't understand why, as his fiancée, she still couldn't replace her sister's position in Chen Muge's heart.

……

Zhao Shiyao flew to the vicinity of the clouds.

A cold wind blows, and her flowing black hair hides a single tear.

In this life, her journey was interrupted, she lost everything, and suffered countless injustices.

Today, she didn't want to see Chen Muge anymore, and she didn't want to see her smug younger sister either.

She even had the idea of ​​leaving the family.

Let go of the past and start anew.

However, the Azure Sea Merchant Alliance is too powerful, influencing a vast surrounding sea area, making it difficult for her to escape the prison of this cultivation world.

Just then.

A streak of azure light swept through the clouds above, accompanied by a gentle male voice:

"Why is this fairy so sorrowful?"

Zhao Shiyao's heart skipped a beat as she realized that the person above her was a senior.

She composed herself, lowered her head, and curtsied.

"Keep your head up."

Amidst the clouds and mist, a handsome man in white robes slowly descended, his black hair, tied up, interspersed with silver-white strands.

The man stood with his hands behind his back, his sleeves fluttering. He appeared to be in his thirties or forties, with a weathered and lofty air about him.

His aura was profound and restrained; only when he got close did the magical power and spiritual pressure of a Nascent Soul True Monarch become faintly visible.

"Greetings, True Lord."

Zhao Shiyao had never faced a high and mighty Nascent Soul True Monarch directly before, and she was so frightened that her face turned pale.

She dared not disobey and raised her slightly pale, pretty face.

With tears still wet on her face, Zhao Xianzi looked pitiful and helpless.

"You arrived overseas too late, which led to this calamity for you."

Lu Chang'an looked at Zhao Shiyao, who bore a striking resemblance to her from his previous life, and sighed inwardly.

In her previous life, Zhao Xianzi's life ended with a fake elixir, leaving her with a lifelong regret.

Unexpectedly, in this life, I have formed a false elixir again.

There is a rumor in the cultivation world that even if a cultivator obtains another immortal destiny in their next life, it is difficult to surpass their previous life.

Of course, this is just an inaccurate rumor, intended to encourage cultivators to cherish their destiny in this life and not to pin their hopes on the next.

Upon seeing Zhao Siyao's reincarnation, Lu Chang'an believed that the rumors had some basis.

For cultivators to reincarnate, it's not that they can't surpass their previous lives, but rather that it's quite difficult.

If there is external force and opportunity, this curse can be broken.

"What is your name, Fairy?"

"I am Zhao Shiyao, a cultivator from the Zhao family of Xingsha Island. I dare not call myself a fairy."

Zhao Shiyao calmed her emotions, and her clear, bright eyes glanced at the Nascent Soul True Monarch.

For some reason, she had a strange feeling of déjà vu.

She was certain that she had never met this senior in her life.

……

"Shiyao!"

Chen Muge chased after him from behind, showing concern.

He was taken aback when he saw a strange man in a white robe talking quietly to Zhao Shiyao.

Who are you, sir?

Chen Muge was dissatisfied and was about to reprimand him.

But upon getting closer, he sensed the faint spiritual pressure of a True Monarch, and his face turned pale with fright.

"Chen family of Giant Shark Island, Chen Muge, pays respects to the True Lord."

Chen Muge bowed respectfully.

He had a bad feeling in his heart.

The unfamiliar Nascent Soul cultivator looked at Fairy Zhao with a very gentle gaze.

"May I ask, True Lord, which guest elder of the Archipelago Headquarters are you?"

Relying on his family background, Chen Muge asked a question.

Chen Muge knew that most of the formal Nascent Soul elders in the Merchant Alliance were backed by maritime merchant families and could recognize them.

Only the guest elders, who are directly under the command of the main headquarters and have little contact with the merchant families under its command, are unfamiliar with it.

Lu Chang'an ignored Chen Muge, leaving him awkwardly standing aside.

"Muge, sister..."

Zhao Yueshu caught up with them.

Following behind were high-ranking cultivators from the Zhao and Chen families who had rushed to the scene upon hearing the news.

"This senior..."

The Zhao family patriarch and the beautiful woman from the Chen family, both at the Core Formation stage, looked at them with surprise and doubt, offering their inquiries.

That Nascent Soul True Monarch, leaving Zhao Shiyao before him, said without a doubt:

"This woman is destined for me; I shall take her as my concubine today!"

These words shocked the cultivators from both races present, and their expressions varied.

More often than not, there was confusion and bewilderment.

"We've only met once, and this True Lord wants to take me as his concubine. This is... far too domineering."

Zhao Shiyao looked ashamed and indignant, her heart filled with even more sorrow.

Before he could decide to sever ties with his family, he was targeted by a Nascent Soul cultivator.

Gazing at the profile of this true lord, a feeling of closeness and familiarity inexplicably arises.

Suddenly, she felt neither the dissatisfaction she had imagined, nor the determination to rather perish than surrender.

“Shiyao…”

Chen Muge was unwilling to give up and kept giving Zhao Shiyao meaningful glances, his expression revealing pain and pleading.

The beautiful woman from the Chen family, who had reached the Core Formation stage, fell silent and did not utter a sound.

"May I ask your honorable name, senior?"

The Zhao family patriarch and others were secretly overjoyed and sent encouraging and supportive signals to Zhao Shiyao.

If Zhao Shiyao could become Zhenjun's concubine, it would be a greater boost to the clan than if Zhao Yueshu married Chen Muge as his principal wife.

After all, Chen Muge was just a talented young man in the Chen family and could not influence major family decisions.

"My surname is Lu, and I reside on Hidden Mist Island."

Lu Chang'an, with a gentle smile, tossed a storage bag to the Zhao family patriarch, essentially buying out Zhao Shiyao's betrothal gifts.

Upon receiving the heavy storage bag, the Zhao family patriarch was overjoyed, for its resources were sufficient to support at least three Foundation Establishment cultivators in their attempt to break through to the Core Formation stage.

"Muge, we are already engaged..."

Zhao Yueshu took Chen Muge's arm and, in a soft, mournful voice, advised him not to act impulsively.

My sister suddenly caught the eye of a Nascent Soul True Lord.

Zhao Yueshu was in a bad mood, and her jealousy grew stronger.

Why is my sister so lucky?
She was naturally beautiful and had an extraordinary temperament. In her early years, she was noticed by Chen Muge, a genius of the Chen family.

I thought that once my sister formed a fake core, I would only be able to look up at her from afar.

Unexpectedly, even after Chen Muge got engaged to her, he still couldn't forget his sister.

Now, even a Nascent Soul True Monarch who happens to be passing by has taken a liking to the older sister at first glance.

……

"Go back first."

Chen Mu clenched his fists and took a deep breath.

Faced with the tyranny of the Nascent Soul Old Monster, he ultimately dared not raise any objections to his face.

The guest elder surnamed Lu interfered in the Chen family's marriage alliance, and he plans to return to report to the patriarch.

Guest elders are not part of the merchant alliance's inner circle, and their authority differs greatly from that of formal elders.

Chen Jia Yuanying is his great-grandfather. If he is willing to take charge, there may be room for maneuver to save Shiyao from the fire.

Seeing that her fiancé had given up, Zhao Yueshu breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Before leaving, she couldn't help but glance at her sister and that True Lord.

In terms of demeanor and charm, her own fiancé was no match for that Lu Zhenjun.

A pang of sadness welled up in her heart, but then she thought again:
"There's no such thing as a free lunch. The Nascent Soul stage monster is unpredictable. It might not be a good thing for you to become his concubine."

"Perhaps, it will one day be destined to become a furnace or a plaything..."

Thinking of this, Zhao Yueshu felt a little better.

After all, such examples are not uncommon in the Tianxing Sea.

(End of this chapter)