Chapter 1988: Tianjiao Market

Given her cultivation level and experience, she naturally couldn't discern the true identities of Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan.

During their casual conversation, Jiao Qinger revealed a lot about the Sea Race. According to her, they were currently in Sea Race territory, over a billion miles from Golden Toad Island. To return to human territory, they would need to cross a vast distance, and encountering other races along the way was highly probable.

"By the way, Qinger, have you heard of Mystic Turtle Island?" Wang Ruyan asked casually. True Monarch Mystic Turtle's meditative retreat cave was located near Mystic Turtle Island.

Wars were frequent on the Profound Spirit Continent, and major battles often broke out, making it common for islands to change hands. The Sea Race was divided into numerous branches, similar to how humans had various sects and cultivation families, and there was competition among them.

"Mystic Turtle Island? Are you two seniors also heading there?" Jiao Qinger asked in surprise.

"What? Are others going to Mystic Turtle Island as well?" Wang Ruyan pressed, wondering if True Monarch Mystic Turtle's meditative retreat cave had been discovered by someone else.

"Grandma was originally planning to go to Mystic Turtle Island, but she got injured and couldn't make the trip," Jiao Qinger explained, then changed her tone and asked, "Are you two seniors going to Mystic Turtle Island to find someone?"

"A friend of ours lives near Mystic Turtle Island, but we haven't visited before; we only know he resides in that area," Wang Ruyan explained, her reason being just barely plausible.

Jiao Qinger suddenly understood and smiled, saying, "I see. Mystic Turtle Island is very far from here and requires passing through the territory of the Golden Scale Race. The Golden Scale Race harbors considerable animosity towards our Merman Race, so encountering a Soul Transformation stage Golden Scale member would be troublesome."

According to Jiao Qinger, the Sea Race existed in a tribal structure, comprising hundreds of large and small tribes. The Golden Scale Race was a relatively powerful tribe, with a Mahayana cultivator presiding over it.

"Uncle Turtle once saved someone from the Golden Scale Race, and he's also heading to Mystic Turtle Island. If he's willing to guide you, you two seniors should be able to reach Mystic Turtle Island safely," Jiao Qinger remembered something and added.

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan nodded without a word.

Seven days later, they stopped. A multicolored light portal appeared before them, its surface covered with profound runes, emitting a strong ripple of restrictive energy. The portal suddenly rippled, revealing an opening about a *zhang* wide, and a creature with a human head and horse body emerged from behind it. Several streaks of light flew in from a distance, revealing three exceptionally beautiful female merfolk, though only at the Nascent Soul stage.

"Seniors, let's go! This is Sky Merman City, which was relocated from another place," Jiao Qinger called out, her body glowing with a dazzling green light as she moved towards the portal.

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan followed closely. Although they maintained calm expressions as if nothing was amiss, they were actually quite nervous inside. This was their first time entering an alien race's market, and it would be dishonest to say they weren't anxious.

Jiao Qinger passed through the portal with ease. Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan's bodies glowed with dazzling blue light as they also stepped through. The environment instantly changed. They suddenly found themselves on a wide, clean street paved with countless multicolored seashells. The shops on either side of the street were built from coral stones, shimmering with spiritual light. There was no seawater here; a formation had pushed the water back to create an open space. Not far away stood a signboard tower over a hundred *zhang* tall, crafted from coral stone. The words "Sky Merman City" were inscribed on it in Sea Race script. Many merfolk walked the streets, mostly at the Core Formation stage. These merfolk moved as easily on land as if it were flat ground, completely unaffected. Besides merfolk, Wang Changsheng saw members of the Bone Race, Bat Race, Beastmen Race, and other various races. He did not yet see any human cultivators.

"Seniors, please follow me! I'll introduce you to Uncle Turtle!" Jiao Qinger moved forward quickly.

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan quickly followed. As they walked, many people greeted Jiao Qinger, indicating her good popularity. Most of the shops in the market were run by merfolk, offering a wide range of goods, including many strange and curious items.

About a quarter of an hour later, Jiao Qinger arrived at the entrance of a three-story golden pavilion. A plaque above displayed the three large silver characters "Cloud Merman Pavilion," shimmering with spiritual light and exceptionally eye-catching.

"Qinger, you're finally back! Grandma has been looking for you for ages. If you hadn't returned soon, she would have gone to find you herself," a graceful female merfolk emerged from the pavilion. Her lower body was covered in red scales, and her upper body bore numerous red spiritual patterns, revealing her to be at the early Nascent Soul stage.

"But I'm back now, aren't I? Sister Hong'er, is Grandma feeling better?" Jiao Qinger asked nervously.

"Qinger, where have you been, you girl? *cough* *cough* Come in... come in quickly," a somewhat weak female voice came from within the pavilion.

Jiao Qinger quickly responded, then turned to Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan and said, "Seniors, please come in with me! Otherwise, I'll get scolded."

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan nodded and followed Jiao Qinger inside. The interior of the pavilion was elegantly decorated, featuring coral stone potted plants and circular water screens where colorful spiritual fish swam continuously. An old woman in a green robe, with a slightly pale face, sat on a wooden chair. Her face was covered in wrinkles, and her aura was weak, clearly indicating she was injured.

"Grandma, I got two Blue Marrow Fruits! You'll be well very soon," Jiao Qinger took out two Blue Marrow Fruits and said excitedly.

"Hmph, how many times have I told you? I told you not to leave the market without permission, but here you are! You left the market on your own while I was recovering from my injuries. Have you forgotten what I said?" The old woman in the green robe frowned as she spoke, her gaze falling upon Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan.

"Grandma, I won't dare next time. I encountered a Golden Scale member on the way, and thankfully, these two seniors came to my rescue, allowing me to return safely. This senior defeated the Golden Scale member with a single punch," Jiao Qinger introduced them, her face filled with admiration.

"This old one is Jiao Yao. May I ask for your names, fellow Daoists?" The old woman in the green robe spoke politely, a flicker of surprise in her eyes.

"My name is Jiao Yunhai, and this is my wife, Jiao Yun," Wang Changsheng cupped his fists and replied politely.

"Grandma, they also want to go to Mystic Turtle Island. Why don't we ask Uncle Turtle to help them?" Jiao Qinger suggested.

A hint of confusion appeared in Jiao Yao's eyes as she said, "If I may be so bold as to ask, what brings you two fellow Daoists to Mystic Turtle Island? That's not our Merman Race's territory. Mystic Turtle Island is located at the intersection of several tribes, a mixed and relatively dangerous place."

"We're visiting a friend, but Qinger mentioned that it's quite troublesome because we'd have to pass through the Golden Scale Race's territory. We heard that a fellow Daoist Turtle has a good relationship with the Golden Scale Race. Would you be able to introduce us? We would be extremely grateful." Wang Changsheng's tone was sincere.