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

Chapter 898 Yu Youyuan Department
It wasn't that Zhou Qingyun intended to deliberately conceal the truth; she simply didn't know much about the details herself. She had only glanced at Xiaoxiang Pavilion while secretly investigating the Zhou family and Zhou Leng.

According to her investigation, there was indeed a mermaid among the top dancers of Xiaoxiang Pavilion, and her name was also Hongyu. However, Zhou Qingyun was not sure whether the Hongyu in question was the same person as the one in question.

However, given the Zhou family's style of doing things, this is not entirely impossible.

They consider themselves superior and don't even respect their own kind, let alone mermaids, who are born from moisture and eggs and are already a vassal race.

Although they lack the foundation of the Dragon Clan's rule over the four seas for several eras, the powerful clans that have taken the Daoist sect's authority have already regarded the four seas as their own.

It must be said that powerful and influential families are adept at using others' power to their advantage, and thus they have engaged in such acts of usurping power.

"However, this matter might actually be the key to breaking the deadlock," Zhou Qingyun thought to herself.

Since the Zhou family used Yu Youyuan's mission as a starting point, it means they must have a deep understanding of this place. Given their already disadvantaged position, they naturally want to seize every opportunity.

If we can create a rift in the relationship between Yu Youyuan and the Zhou family, we might find an opportunity to win.

While they were pondering, the group had already arrived in the city. As soon as they entered, the three of them were attracted by the scenery, which was completely different from the ordinary market. Luo Zhi, in particular, kept looking around.

The waters flowing in different directions intertwined to form a crisscrossing street. There were shops and vendors on both sides of the road, as well as all kinds of goods. In addition to the merfolk, there were also many other sea creatures and humans. It looked very lively and prosperous. In particular, the branches of the Danfang and Duobaoge on Sanxian Island were crowded with people, which showed how prosperous the business was.

This is hardly a remote tribe; it resembles a large city.

“Grandfather said that Yu Youyuan wasn’t like this before. Back then, the tribe was very poor, and most of the people lived in coral caves. They were practically living by slash-and-burn agriculture. Unlike now, we not only live in such exquisite dwellings, but we can also easily buy all kinds of things needed for cultivation.” Perhaps noticing their surprise, Green Pearl looked at Zhou Qingyun with gratitude and bowed as she spoke. “It is all thanks to the help of the sect that we mermaids have achieved what we have today!”

Zhou Qingyun had heard of the so-called Four Seas Development Plan, in which the sea races offered rare and precious materials such as shell farms, pearl farms, and spiritual veins in exchange for the Daoist sect's entry and construction.

Once the agreement is reached, underwater markets will spring up one after another, followed by the goods from Duobao Pavilion, the elixirs from the Three Immortal Islands, and the talismans from the Three Mountains.

The Taoist sect has gained a wealth of resources. The various reforms of the Tian Shu Academy, especially the operation of the Ling Shu Dharma Realm, all depend on the continuous supply of spiritual objects from all over the world.

Meanwhile, the sea creatures enjoyed unprecedented conveniences in their cultivation, making it a "win-win" situation.

But Zhou Qingyun never expected that even a relatively remote mermaid tribe like Yu Youyuan had been developed into such a state, which shows the extent to which the Daoist sect has developed the world over the past thousand years.

Moreover, judging from Green Pearl's words and actions, the influence of the Taoist sect and the human race on the merfolk has gone beyond just other creatures.

As they talked, the group crossed the street and arrived in front of a magnificent palace. The plaque was made of a huge piece of black jade, with clear water flowing on it, and the three characters "Zhenhai Pavilion" were engraved on it.

Luo Zhi almost drooled as he looked at the plaque. Xuan Shui Mo Yu was the main material for refining water-attribute magic treasures and even spiritual treasures. One piece of Mo Yu was worth one True Talisman. There must be at least twenty pieces of this plaque.

Not to mention that such a complete and enormous piece of black jade is even more valuable.

After everyone stepped into the main hall, they discovered that the interior was even more luxurious. The pillars were made of gold and stone, the bricks were made of glazed tiles, there were coral reefs and jade floor tiles, and countless luminous pearls illuminated the hall as if it were daytime.

Seeing that everyone had arrived, the old merman sitting at the head of the table slowly walked down, smiling as he said, "The prodigy of the upper sect is indeed dignified and extraordinary. I'll have to trouble you all with this mission."

The old merman's Yin Spirit cultivation was unmistakable, yet his entire body emanated a deathly aura, likely due to his impending death. Perhaps this was why he sought the help of the Three Immortal Islands.

"Elder, there's no need for such formalities." Zhou Qingyun clasped her hands in a salute and said slowly, "Since Yu Youyuan has taken refuge under our sect, it is the duty of us disciples of the Three Immortal Islands to serve him."

"Please elaborate on the details of this mission, Elder, so that we can devise a strategy accordingly."

"No rush, no rush." ​​The old merman shook his head with a smile. "Honorable guest, you must be tired from your journey. Please rest first. I have already ordered my men to prepare a welcome banquet. As for the mission, we can discuss it at the banquet."

Seeing the hesitation on Zhou Qingyun and the others' faces, the old merman said again, "The mermen of the Demon Abyss are cruel and their sudden appearance here raises many questions. We should first come up with a foolproof plan before making any further arrangements. We cannot rush things."

After a moment's thought, Zhou Qingyun readily agreed, "In that case, we will respectfully comply and trouble you further."

"Sisters, please follow me. The clan has prepared the best guest rooms for you." Green Pearl swam ahead with a smile, leading the group through the palace and onto a quiet courtyard.

After a brief introduction, Green Pearl bowed and, along with the several mermaid maids, withdrew, very considerately leaving the small courtyard entirely to Zhou Qingyun and her two companions.

However, Shen Zhimei still threw out a small black cube, which, accompanied by a faint light, activated a small soundproofing array that covered the entire courtyard.

This is one of the changes that [Dust and Tribulations in the Floating World] has brought to the Earthly Immortal Realm in the past hundred years by integrating the Mo family's ingenious techniques into Taoist magic and supernatural powers: a one-click, foolproof array.

Using objects to convey the Dao and integrating the law into tools, unlike magical artifacts and treasures, many of the mechanical creations of the Mohists do not require a high level of cultivation. As long as one inputs magical power and uses it as a guide, they can be automatically driven, which is extremely convenient.

"Qingyun, what do you think?" Shen Zhimei frowned slightly. "Could it be that this banquet is no longer a pleasant affair, and they're about to get straight to the point?"

Zhou Qingyun first recounted what she knew about Hongyu, and then thoughtfully said, "I don't know to what extent the Zhou family has grasped Yu Youyuan, but I think they wouldn't dare to act openly. I think it will mostly come down to that mission."

"He's nothing more than a weakened Yin spirit." Luo Zhi curled her lips. "You two don't need to lift a finger. I can handle it. The three of us sisters working together are enough to flatten Yu Youyuan."

"Oh, Little Weaver has become quite capable." Zhou Qingyun smiled. "No wonder she is known as the infamous Sorrowful Blood Feather."

However, this statement is indeed true. Although none of the three have formed their cores, they could easily overwhelm the merfolk tribe, whose highest cultivation level is no higher than the Silver God.

After donning the armor, Zhou Qingyun was confident in facing most Yin God-level enemies, unless they also possessed a super-standard puppet creation like hers.

However, as true disciples of the Three Immortal Islands and seeds of the Ink Palace, the three of them had already reached the pinnacle of the Earthly Immortal Realm. It was only because of the many opportunities in the [Dust Tribulation Floating World] that they had achieved what they have today.

What merit or ability does a mere remote mermaid tribe possess to compare with it? Even the Zhou family, if those two ancestors had not secretly passed on their knowledge, would most likely not have Mo family mechanical arts of this caliber.

In terms of official rank in the [Dust and Tribulations of the Floating World], Zhou Qingyun even surpassed many Nascent Soul True Immortals, which allowed her to gain a great deal of insight into the Mohist school.

However, the weakened Yin spirit was only the exposed part, and no one knew how much effort the Zhou family had actually put into this scheme.

Therefore, Zhou Qingyun patted Luo Zhi's head and said, "Let's see how they make their moves first before you rush in."