When I become a demon king, I want to change my department to the Taoist sect.

Chapter 897 Green Pearl
The journey from the Chaos Sea to the East Sea was merely a matter of a breath. However, due to the remote location of Yu Youyuan, it took the three of them three more days to reach their destination.

However, the journey was uneventful. Not only did Zhou Leng not catch up with them, but they also did not detect anything unusual.

"Qingyun, what exactly is the Zhou family up to? Why did they make such a big show of Zhou Leng accepting the same mission as us?" Luo Zhi asked, leaning against the cloud bed, puzzled.

Zhou Qingyun pondered and said, "These are nothing more than ways to cover up our misdeeds. If something really happens to us, their ostentation might serve as evidence to prove their innocence."

She paused for a moment before continuing, "If the Zhou family has indeed guessed the matter of the dragon's aura and has come for it, they may have to pay an even greater price to cover it up."

Shen Zhimei frowned after hearing this and said, "Are you saying that the Zhou family plans to sacrifice Zhou Leng?"

Zhou Qingyun nodded. "With a promising young master of the Zhou family buried with them, even if there are some hidden reasons, it's enough for them to cover it up."

"However, with the two of you accompanying me this time, the Zhou family's plans may have to be revised. No matter how bold they are, they would not dare to let the three of us be buried here together, as that would inevitably attract the attention of the Yuan Shen."

Luo Zhi excitedly continued, "If we really disturb the Primordial Spirit Throne, the Zhou family will definitely not get away with it. They might even have their past dirty deeds exposed. If Ancestor Zhou Ju finds out about the evil things they did behind his back, he will definitely take action to clean up their family!"

Like Zhou Qingyun, Luo Zhi is also a staunch supporter of these Nascent Soul cultivators on the Three Immortal Islands.

Aside from the sect leader Tang Yuan, the person she admired most was True Monarch Zhou Ju.

Therefore, Luo Zhi always believed that all the evil deeds of the Zhou family were because the ancestor Zhou Ju was always residing in the Tian Shu Academy and was completely unaware of them.

On the surface, it does seem reasonable.

After all, the Zhou family still had to maintain appearances within the sect, so illegal activities such as lending out livestock were carried out outside the mountain.

“But…” Zhou Qingyun’s eyes revealed a hint of worry as she pondered to herself, “A True Immortal of the Primordial Spirit has profound insight and can foresee the future. Would they really be unaware of the Zhou family’s actions?”

Over five hundred years of experience in the world of "Dust and Tribulations" has long since robbed Zhou Qingyun of her former naivety, and she has come to realize that the world is not simply black and white, nor is there a clear distinction between good and evil.

Ancestor Zhou Ju did indeed make great contributions to the Three Immortal Islands and even the entire Earthly Immortal Realm, but that does not mean he lacked paternal love... When his own relatives committed crimes, he would still put righteousness before family.

Of course, she was certain that Patriarch Zhou Ju would not get involved in such sordid matters; at most, he would simply turn a blind eye.

Thinking this through, Zhou Qingyun's eyes gradually hardened. "No matter what others do, it's just a matter of dealing with whatever comes our way."

This matter concerns the opportunity to attain enlightenment. No matter who the enemy is, she will not give up easily and will fight them to the death.

Half a day later, the three of them finally arrived at Yu Youyuan's territory, which was a deep abyss nearly 100,000 feet below the sea surface.

The three looked around and saw a magnificent city standing tall on the cliffs of the sea.

Giant living corals and ancient giant clams intertwine to form the main body of the city, while countless glowing pearls are adorned among the dark seaweed, enveloping the entire city in a serene blue halo.

Twelve jade pillars with dragon patterns stand at the four corners of the city. The barrier at the top of the pillars filters the seawater into warm, flowing turquoise. Schools of silver-scaled fish swim among the city's pillars, like dazzling ribbons of light.

Even Luo Zhi, who came from a distinguished background, stared wide-eyed at the sight and murmured, "Are the merfolk of Yu Youyuan really this rich?!"

Shen Zhimei also exclaimed, "The extravagance of the four seas is truly well-deserved. It is just a remote tribe, yet it has been able to build such a giant city made of rare and precious materials."

"If the master craftsmen of my Mo Palace were to see this scene, I'm afraid their eyes would turn red and their mentality would be unbalanced!"

Although the Ink Palace inherited the legacy of the Immortal Qin Dynasty, it was exiled to the depths of the void, surrounded by nothing but empty space with no external resources to replenish it. As a result, the entire Tai'a Great World was developed to its fullest extent, with every resource being utilized to its maximum potential.

The Mo Palace disciples, accustomed to frugality, naturally found it hard to resist the allure of such a simple, unpretentious nouveau riche who piled up impressive numbers.

"The wealth of the Four Seas is unparalleled in the world. After all, the land of the Nine Provinces has undergone development over several eras, but compared to that, the Four Seas has not suffered much damage." Zhou Qingyun explained with a smile, "In terms of natural treasures alone, its reserves even exceed those of the Nine Provinces."

"And the Merfolk are the second largest sea race after the Dragon Clan, so it is not surprising that they have accumulated immeasurable wealth."

"If the merfolk are already like this, then what must the Dragon Palace of the Four Seas look like?" Shen Zhimei sighed softly.

The three of them enjoyed the view from a distance for a while before heading towards the city gate.

Before they could get any closer, they saw a group of mermaid women swimming over.

As the fish tails swayed gently, the blue waves rippled and spread, creating a beautiful and graceful scene.

Especially the mermaid at the head of the group, whose silver hair flowed like moonlight and whose skin was as clear as a pearl, was incomparably beautiful.

They truly live up to the reputation of being exceptionally beautiful among mermaids!
"Is the one I'm meeting the Master from the Three Immortals Island?" Her voice was even more striking than her appearance, like jade shattering in Kunlun Mountain or lotus blossoms weeping in the dew, clear and melodious with a touch of coquettishness.

“We are disciples of the Three Immortal Islands, and we have come here for the sake of the merfolk of the Demon Abyss!” Zhou Qingyun replied.

"We've been waiting here for almost half a month!" the leading mermaid exclaimed with delight. "We've been eagerly anticipating your arrival, and finally, all of you immortal masters have come!"

Zhou Qingyun frowned and asked in confusion, "Wasn't this task just posted at the charity hall? Why are you all waiting in advance?"

"No," the mermaid said, looking even more confused. "Grandfather said that the mission was reported to the sect a month ago."

Zhou Qingyun and the other two exchanged a glance before saying, "Then the charity might have made a mistake, which is why it has been delayed for so long. In that case, we'll trouble you to lead the way."

Through conversation, the three learned that the mermaid's grandfather was a tribal elder, and that she herself was studying at the Dao Alliance's lower academy. Since it was the academy's holiday, she had been assigned the task of welcoming guests.

"Sister, you are so amazing! My biggest dream in this life is to join a sect and cultivate, even if I am just an outer disciple." The mermaid Green Pearl looked at Zhou Qingyun with admiration.

"The Three Immortal Islands have always been open to all, regardless of race, and do not limit themselves to humans. As long as you study hard at the academy, you will have the opportunity."

“I can’t do it. The instructors all say I have poor comprehension and am a blockhead. If I want to enter the Taoist sect, I can only do so by donating money to become a disciple,” Green Pearl said in a muffled voice. “But my father just donated three shell farms a few years ago to send my aunt to the sect. I don’t know when he will be able to save up another donation.”

"By the way, sister, have you met my aunt on Three Immortals Island? Her name is Hongyu." Green Pearl looked up expectantly. "It's a pity she said she's in seclusion recently, otherwise I could have taken advantage of this mission to go home and visit her."

Zhou Qingyun paused for a moment, then slowly shook her head.

"Then, sister, you don't mind if I introduce you two, right? Let's add each other as friends in the [Spirit Realm] first, and then I'll introduce my aunt to you!" The girl's eyes crinkled, and her tone was cheerful. Her innocent and carefree appearance was truly pleasing to the eye and brought joy to people's hearts.

"Now I finally know where the Zhou family got those three shell farms from! They're selling sect disciple slots! They're incredibly audacious!" Luo Zhi said indignantly via telepathy. "But how come I didn't know the sect had a merman disciple named Hongyu?"

"Judging from your hesitant expression just now, what, do you know them?"

“I do know her,” Zhou Qingyun said calmly, without any sadness or joy. “However, she is not a disciple of our sect, but a dancer from Xiaoxiang Pavilion.”

(End of this chapter)