Chapter 675: Mugshot

Jiang Fan recognized the person. "Mu Ziyu, the deputy envoy of the North Sea Demon Clan delegation?" he wondered. "She's being chased, isn't she? Wait! Why is she running towards me? We're not even close!"

Jiang Fan was speechless. He decisively summoned purple lightning. "Let's go!" he declared, having no intention of getting into trouble for someone he barely knew.

Seeing Jiang Fan about to leave, Mu Ziyu urgently called out, "Jiang Fan! Wait!"

At that moment, waves churned in the water as five powerful figures with sea demon characteristics surged upwards. Two of them exuded the terrifying aura of cultivators at the perfected ninth stage of Core Formation, while the other three were either at the ninth or eighth stage. It was a formidable lineup.

Jiang Fan's mouth twitched. This woman truly had the audacity to lead such powerful enemies right to him. "Who are you?" he said, feigning ignorance. "My name isn't Jiang Fan; you've got the wrong person." He then made to leave.

Panicked, Mu Ziyu gritted her teeth. "When you snatched my undergarment, why didn't you say you had the wrong person then?" she retorted. Jiang Fan's face immediately flushed. Was the undergarment incident never going to be put to rest? She kept bringing it up!

Beside him, the Cloud Mist Consort instinctively crossed her arms over her chest, then quickly distanced herself from Jiang Fan. His mouth twitched. "What are you thinking?" he asked. "Things aren't what you imagine..."

The Cloud Mist Consort waved him off, clutching her chest even tighter. "You don't need to explain to me," she said. "I understand you perfectly!"

As a victim whose chest had been searched by Jiang Fan—twice, no less—she felt she had every right to comment. Jiang Fan needn't bother with excuses.

Ling Shu and Hai Mei stared at the Cloud Mist Consort in astonishment, their gazes flitting between her and Jiang Fan. A distinct impression formed that there was a story between the two of them. Two pairs of eyes began to burn with the fire of gossip.

Jiang Fan stared speechlessly at the approaching Mu Ziyu. "Isn't it just a tattered undergarment?" he exasperatedly asked. "I'll give you a hundred, alright?"

Mu Ziyu was breathless, her fair cheeks flushed, whether from exhaustion or embarrassment. "Let's not talk about that for now," she said. "Just help me hold them off."

Jiang Fan laughed in exasperation. "Sorry, I'm not that familiar with you," he said. "Don't expect me to step in for you!"

Mu Ziyu's expression turned pleading. "I won't ask for your help for free," she said. "I can give you compensation."

"Ha!" Jiang Fan pursed his lips. He had already thoroughly searched her, finding nothing of value. "Who do you take me for?" he scoffed. "You think you can bribe me with a trifle? Sorry, you've got the wrong person!"

Seeing Jiang Fan's stubbornness, Mu Ziyu gritted her teeth, then opened her mouth, and a transparent dan bead flew out. "I'll give you this," she said. "Surely that's enough?" Luckily, she had kept one last valuable item hidden. The Water-Repelling Pearl had been nurtured within her body, preventing Jiang Fan from finding it. Now, it was the only precious item she had left.

Ling Shu's eyes scanned the item, and she gasped softly, "Is this the Water-Repelling Pearl mentioned in ancient texts? If held in the mouth, it allows one to move through the sea unimpeded, like a fish? Brother, this is incredibly valuable! It's only found in the sea and is a strictly forbidden item that all major sea demon clans prohibit selling to outsiders. Even our successive Demon Emperors have tried in vain to acquire one from the North Sea Demon Clan."

This was understandable. If the continental demon clans possessed a Water-Repelling Pearl, they would gain the ability to infiltrate the sea demon territories. For this reason, such an item would never be easily given to land-dwelling beings. Yet, to save her life, Mu Ziyu was forced to offer it as a trade.

The Water-Repelling Pearl was *that* valuable? Jiang Fan's expression instantly softened into a kind smile. He took the pearl, chuckling, "Sister Mu, you're truly too generous! You and I are good friends who became acquainted through a bit of a tussle. When you're in trouble, of course I'll help. What's with all these gifts? Don't do this next time." He then smoothly tucked the Water-Repelling Pearl into his sleeve.

Mu Ziyu blinked. *Sister*? she thought, both annoyed and amused. This scoundrel! No benefit, and he claims he doesn't know you. A valuable item appears, and suddenly it's "Sister Mu"!

Still, if he could save her life, the Water-Repelling Pearl would be a worthwhile exchange. After all, a fierce battle seemed imminent. "Then I'll leave it to you!" Mu Ziyu said, positioning herself beside Jiang Fan. Looking at the Cloud Mist Consort and the Sea Enchantress Demon King, she suddenly felt immensely safe.

Jiang Fan nodded. Turning to face the sea demons, he cupped his hands and said, "Friends of the Sea Demon Clan, may I know your esteemed names?"

The five powerful sea clan members flew closer. The numbers on both sides were equal, and the formidable auras of the Cloud Mist Consort and the Sea Enchantress Demon King made them wary. Consequently, their aggressive stance noticeably subsided.

Leading them was an old man with luminous skin. "This old man is Candle Shadow Illusion, the First Martial Minister under the West Sea Demon Emperor," he announced. "And who might you be, esteemed sir?" Until he could ascertain their identities, the old man dared not make a move. It would be troublesome if they held significant power or status.

Jiang Fan felt a chill. So, in addition to the North Sea, there was also a West Sea faction among the sea demons? And the title of First Martial Minister meant he was the most powerful individual directly under the West Sea Demon Emperor. His strength was likely comparable to someone like the Cloud Mist Consort, who had successfully undergone tribulation. Combined with the other formidable figures, Jiang Fan knew that even if they avoided a direct loss in a fight, their vitality would be severely depleted.

After a brief thought, he smiled calmly. "Allow me to introduce them," he began. "To my left is the Sea Enchantress Demon King, one of the Four Great Demon Kings under the Azure Sky Demon Emperor." Hai Mei cooperatively released the aura of a perfected ninth-stage Core Formation cultivator. "And to my right is the Azure Sky Demon Emperor's consort, the Cloud Mist Consort." The Cloud Mist Consort also obligingly released a trace of her Nascent Soul stage aura.

The introductions made Candle Shadow Illusion solemn. The Cloud Mist Consort, in particular, being the Azure Sky Demon Emperor's consort, held a significant status. However, if these were the only two powerful individuals present, he absolutely could not afford to grant them face and let Mu Ziyu go. The woman had committed an unforgivable act, and she must not be allowed to escape!

Finally, he turned to Jiang Fan. "And who might you be, esteemed sir?" he asked. Among the group, this man's aura was the weakest, and he was human. He probably wasn't a particularly remarkable figure.

Jiang Fan smiled slightly. "I am Jiang Fan, a human," he said. "The Azure Sky Demon Emperor is my father-in-law!"

Candle Shadow Illusion frowned. The Azure Sky Demon Emperor's son-in-law? This status was certainly no less significant than that of the consort. If a fight ensued, he noted, they should be careful not to harm him.

"Furthermore," Jiang Fan continued, before Candle Shadow Illusion could speak. "Venerable Qing He of the Myriad Tribulations Sacred Hall is my esteemed teacher. Xifei Jue, the guest elder of Jiangshan First-Class Pavilion, is a close family friend. And Wang Yunxiao, a disciple of the Great Yin Sect, is my sworn brother."

Ling Shu was stunned. How little time had passed, and her brother's resume had already been updated, becoming even more impressive! She felt dizzy listening to it all.

The Sea Enchantress Demon King's mouth twitched. *Good heavens*, she thought. *These three were either killed or beaten half to death by Jiang Fan, yet in his telling, they've become his powerful connections in the outer realms! What an extraordinary way to network.*

"Young friend!" Candle Shadow Illusion exclaimed, genuinely taken aback by these claims. "You can't just make up such things!" The man was casually dropping names of powerful outer realm sects, claiming esteemed teachers, sworn brothers, and family acquaintances. Who could possibly stand against such a network? Especially Venerable Qing He—he was a Nascent Soul stage expert from a major sect. Could his disciple really be trifled with?

Jiang Fan said with a serious expression, "How could I be speaking nonsense? Old Elder Zhu, let's speak privately for a moment."