Chapter 195: Two Phoenixes Play with the Blue

Image Disciples are those who serve as the public face of the Seven Blood Eyes to the outside world. Consequently, all foreign tribes visiting the Seven Blood Eyes would see Xu Qing and the Captain, and each time they did, they would be reminded of the Sea Corpse Race's humiliation.

Thus, in the period that followed, with the arrival of numerous foreign tribes, Xu Qing and the Captain found themselves busy.

At this moment, Xu Qing stood on Port 176, silently awaiting the approaching foreign tribes at dusk. In the twilight glow, his extraordinarily handsome face, captivating to all, was evident. As the sea breeze blew, the wispy strands of hair on his forehead swayed, resembling an uneven black curtain that concealed a hint of coldness and impatience.

This was already the seventh group of foreign races Xu Qing had welcomed in the half-month since receiving the Old Ancestor's appointment. Yet, Xu Qing still couldn't adapt; he felt an innate rejection towards this task. He disliked being too conspicuous in front of others, as it made him feel uneasy. However, Xu Qing also understood that this nominal title of Image Disciple was a form of protection. This superficial title would deter many budding malicious intentions, as he represented the Seven Blood Eyes' reputation. However, precisely because he was the 'face,' any crisis that did arise would be exceptionally perilous.

Regarding the term 'Sequence,' Xu Qing had heard before that the Seven Blood Eyes shared similarities and differences with the Sea Corpse Race. After all, previously, only the direct disciples of the seven Peak Lords could be included in the Sequence. Once one became a Sequence member, it meant possessing a special status, and future Peak Lord candidates would all contend from within the Sequence. Furthermore, their treatment differed from that of ordinary disciples. Xu Qing, notably, was the only one to enter the Sequence without first becoming a Peak Lord's disciple.

"'Chen Erniu's Sequence has risen... the Captain must be the Senior Disciple Brother now.'" Xu Qing had already confirmed this in his heart, but he faintly felt that a greater secret was hidden behind the Captain. Bearing these thoughts, Xu Qing, though helpless, found it difficult to directly refuse the Old Ancestor's appointment.

"'Why aren't they here yet?'" The long hair, swept by the sea breeze, brushed against Xu Qing's eyelashes, interrupting his thoughts. He looked up at the sea, growing increasingly impatient.

"'Senior Disciple Brother Xu, I heard that everyone in the Sea Star Race has a strange starfish growing on their back, and they dislike sunlight, so they might only appear closer to nightfall.'"

Xu Qing wasn't alone there; behind him were over twenty disciples. This impressive display was arranged by the Captain, who was far more enthusiastic about the Old Ancestor's appointment than Xu Qing himself. Many disciples of the sect were called by the Captain to join. Moreover, Xu Qing seemed to have become the Captain's trump card; if the arriving guests were primarily female cultivators, the Captain would often call Xu Qing over immediately. Indeed, each of Xu Qing's appearances astonished the foreign female cultivators who came to view the Ancestor Corpse's nose, making them all very curious about him. Xu Qing had initially refused, but realizing this would significantly reduce the number of times he had to come out, he tacitly accepted the arrangement.

However, the Captain seemed concerned that Xu Qing might be lonely, so he thoughtfully arranged for two familiar fellow disciples to act as his assistants. One was Gu Muqing, who was speaking at that moment. Gu Muqing spoke softly. Her delicate and elegant face was like a lotus in a cup, her stunning beauty radiating spiritual energy. At this moment, a faint smile played on her lips, and the slight childishness between her brows held immense liveliness. Her orange Daoist robe accentuated her tall figure, making her shine like a streak of crimson cloud.

"'Senior Disciple Brother Xu, the Sea Star Race is a bit excessive, being late like this. But it's alright. I just gained recognition from the Seven Sects Alliance! After the war ends, I can go there to study the Way of Herbs and Plants, and once I'm there, I'll be qualified to make this Sea Star Race personally apologize to you! Also, Senior Disciple Brother, this is my study record from this period. Could you please help me review it?'"

Seeing Gu Muqing act this way, Ding Xue took a step forward and also spoke to Xu Qing, taking out a bundle of spirit notes and a jade slip. She smiled charmingly, her fair wrists whiter than snow, her dark hair like clouds, and her rosy lips, slightly parted beneath her high nose, were like an enchanting rose. Yet, her voice was clear and melodious, revealing an innocent charm, while her eyes, shimmering with allure and like silken threads, were a pair of captivating eyes that seemed capable of ensnaring anyone with just a single glance, making them unable to extricate themselves. Ding Xue was the second assistant the Captain had arranged for Xu Qing.

These two women stood to Xu Qing's left and right, each with her own unique charm, like plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums, making it hard to say who was superior. Behind the three of them, among the thirty-plus Seven Blood Eyes disciples, was also Zhao Zhongheng. He had taken countless deep breaths over the past half-month just to maintain his smile at this moment. As for the other disciples around, they all looked at Xu Qing as if he were a divine being. Indeed, over the past half-month, the seemingly harmonious, but subtly competitive, interactions between Gu Muqing and Ding Xue had become increasingly apparent.

For instance, at this moment, Gu Muqing glanced at Ding Xue. Ding Xue, unwilling to be outdone, swept her gaze back and raised her elegant brows, then put on an aggrieved expression.

"'Senior Sister Gu, even if the Sea Star Race has a reason, that's their business. It's fine for us to wait, but to make Brother Xu Qing wait, I just feel uncomfortable. Don't you think so? Especially since Brother Xu Qing cultivates so diligently, and still has to come and wait for them. They are so excessive.'"

Gu Muqing's chest rose and fell. Normally calm and elegant, she had found it difficult to suppress her emotions several times over the past half-month. She wasn't good with such words, and each time she heard them, she felt Ding Xue was being manipulative and found it quite distasteful.

"'Ding Xue, you always call me 'Senior Sister'. I am seventeen this year. May I ask your age?'"

Ding Xue's eyes reddened slightly as she lowered her head and whispered, "'Senior Sister Gu, Xue'er was wrong. I... I'm not very good with words. If anything I said offended Senior Sister Gu, it was unintentional. I was just worried about Brother Xu Qing.'"

Veins bulged on Gu Muqing's forehead, and her breathing became slightly hurried. Upon hearing this, the Seven Blood Eyes disciples behind them all looked meaningfully at Ding Xue's back, exchanging glances that revealed their shared admiration for Ding Xue. As always, it was a complete victory.

Xu Qing looked curiously at Ding Xue, then at Gu Muqing, but paid them no mind. Lately, he found these two fellow disciples strange, as if they didn't get along at all.

Just as he was about to speak, a roar suddenly came from the distant sea. Xu Qing immediately looked up and saw that under the twilight glow, the sea surface, once calm, had become turbulent. As rumbling waves echoed, a massive black five-pointed star battleship suddenly rose from beneath the sea a thousand feet away, followed by a row of seven more black five-pointed battleships.

An astonishing pressure emanated from within, spreading in all directions. Simultaneously, the seven giant eyes of the Seven Blood Eyes mountain gate also emitted red light, as if scrutinizing. Xu Qing's expression remained calm, because at this moment, the Seven Blood Eyes not only had formations in place to suppress everything, but also, half a month prior, the Peak Lord of the Sixth Peak had been arranged to return to the sect for recuperation. With the Sixth Peak Lord presiding, Xu Qing felt much more secure.

As the seven black five-pointed battleships approached, Xu Qing also saw numerous cultivator figures appearing on the five-pointed battleships, each vessel carrying approximately thirty or more individuals. The Sea Star Race was a humanoid race, whose members resembled humans in appearance, except their hair was blue, and so were their eyes. Most of them were female. Among the more than two hundred members of the Sea Star Race present, female cultivators accounted for seventy percent. The three leading individuals each radiated terrifying fluctuations, which, in Xu Qing's perception, were comparable to the three-headed, six-armed Golden Core from the Sea Corpse Race that day.

These three were all middle-aged women. In front of them was a blue-haired girl, beautiful in appearance, looking about sixteen or seventeen years old, dressed in a long gown, with clear eyes and exceptionally fair skin. Her gaze swept across the shore, moved past Gu Muqing and Ding Xue, and landed on Xu Qing.

"'Welcome, Sea Star Race allies, to the Seven Blood Eyes.'" Xu Qing clasped his fist and spoke in a low voice.

"'You are Xu Qing?'" The girl asked with a curious smile.

"'Yes.'" Xu Qing's expression remained calm as he nodded and replied serenely.

"'It is late today. Tomorrow, someone will guide you all to visit the Ancestor Corpse's divine object.'" After saying this, Xu Qing instructed the disciples behind him, "'Escort the Sea Star Race allies to their accommodation.'"

"'Wait a moment, Senior Disciple Brother Xu. My Sea Star Race deeply detests the Sea Corpse Race, and I greatly admire your actions. I would like to offer you a gift; please accept it.'" The girl spoke with a smile, glancing back at her attendant. Soon, the attendant took out a conch and presented it to Xu Qing.

Xu Qing looked up at the girl.

"'Senior Disciple Brother Xu, this is a unique magic tool of my race. When blown, it grants my race's blessing and summons all nearby Forbidden Sea mollusk creatures to appear.'" After saying this, the girl bowed slightly and, as her clansmen came ashore, she looked at Xu Qing multiple times. This scene made Ding Xue frown slightly in displeasure, and Gu Muqing also felt a sense of discomfort.

Especially when the Sea Star Race members came ashore, the girl seemed to remember something and walked towards Xu Qing. This made Ding Xue raise an eyebrow, just about to speak. But at that moment, a whooshing sound suddenly came from afar, and several figures rapidly approached from within the harbor. This sudden development immediately put the Sea Star Race on alert, and the eyes of the three middle-aged women flashed with sharp light.

Xu Qing also looked back and immediately saw the Captain among the arrivals, and the Second Highness behind the Captain. The Captain was incredibly fast, reaching Xu Qing's side in an instant. Without time to greet the Sea Star Race, he spoke in a low voice.

"'The Old Ancestor has given an order: Eastern Nether Isle is visiting!'"

"'Eastern Nether Isle?'" Xu Qing was startled. But as the Captain uttered those three words, Ding Xue's expression changed, and the three Golden Core cultivators of the Sea Star Race also instantly changed their expressions dramatically.

"'The Island Lord of Eastern Nether Isle is an old woman named Venerable Eastern Nether. Her cultivation is at the same realm as the Old Ancestor after his breakthrough... the one who came is naturally not her, but her granddaughter. This person has a bad temper... you need to be careful.'" The Captain's expression was serious. No sooner had he spoken than the distant sea suddenly churned with earth-shattering waves! A powerful pressure instantly descended in all directions.