"Second Grandpa, Yuhao."
Hearing this familiar voice, Huo Yuhao and Zhi Yong immediately reacted. Turning their heads and seeing Chen Junting's group of three had arrived, the trace of worry on their faces instantly dissipated completely.
"Sister Tian, Brother Junting, Brother Gu!"
Huo Yuhao came before the three of them upon seeing this, with Elder Zhi Yong following closely behind. After them were two absolutely beautiful women, who bore seven parts resemblance to the Sea Princess.
But for now, Chen Junting's group of three didn't pay attention to so much.
After a round of catching up, confirming Huo Yuhao and Elder Zhi Yong's safety, Chen Junting's group of three were also asked:
"Brother Junting, how did you all come here?"
"It's because the sect learned of the incident in the Ice Sea and worried something might happen to you, so they sent us three to rush over in support."
Chen Junting had Gu Tianchen take out the two identity tokens and handed them back to Huo Yuhao and Zhi Yong. "But based on the information, we discovered the identity tokens had already been abandoned by you."
"You were being hunted at the time, right?"
Speaking, he looked at Huo Yuhao and Elder Zhi Yong.
"That's right."
Huo Yuhao nodded, just about to say something when he was suddenly interrupted by a gentle voice. "Let me explain instead. After all, Yuhao and their situation was entirely caused by me."
A woman with blue hair, a golden long skirt, and a relatively petite figure was walking toward them. She wasn't human, but a mermaid—and moreover, the Sea Princess's youngest daughter, Mermaid Princess Li Ya. As for the one a step behind her, that was the Sea Princess's eldest daughter, Mermaid Princess Li Jing.
Walking before Chen Junting's group of three, Li Ya slightly bowed. After introducing herself, she explained the reason—that Huo Yuhao and Elder Zhi Yong being hunted was entirely because they had saved her.
Just some time ago, sea soul beasts in the great sea had suffered large-scale slaughter by land soul masters. Upon learning this news, as believers of the Sea God, the Sea Princess's lineage naturally wouldn't stand idly by. They even passed this message to the reclusive Sea God Followers.
Upon learning this news, the Sea God Followers naturally wouldn't neglect it either. But due to the divine oracle previously issued by the Sea God Lord, instructing them to search for the Deep Sea Demon Whale King's remnants, combined with two of their clansmen at the Titled Douluo cultivation level having died, causing them to increase their search efforts—they simply couldn't dispatch manpower for a time.
If they truly waited for the Sea God Followers to act together, I'm afraid it would be too late. For this reason, the Sea Princess personally began her investigation.
After all, regardless of anything, they had to find the people first.
Thus, large numbers of clansmen were dispatched.
Relying on their innate advantage in spiritual attributes, combined with their special status, the investigation efforts undoubtedly yielded twice the result with half the effort. Even her two daughters were sent out by the Sea Princess.
However, as time passed, many clansmen disappeared without a trace, tragically falling to the enemy's hands. And Li Ya herself had found some clues a few days ago, going alone to investigate.
As a result, she was discovered by those evil soul masters.
Actually, relying on Li Ya's hundred-thousand-year cultivation, combined with the home advantage of the great sea, she could have escaped even if she couldn't win. Unexpectedly, she directly encountered the main force of the Holy Spirit Church's expedition.
Let alone escaping, she nearly died at the evil soul masters' hands.
Fortunately at that moment, Huo Yuhao and Elder Zhi Yong appeared in time, attacking the evil soul masters while also rescuing Mermaid Princess Li Ya. It's just that upon realizing the disparity in strength at the time, they were outnumbered and could only helplessly flee in the end.
And before fleeing, they were marked with a technique.
As long as it was their aura, it would be difficult to escape tracking.
Thus, at that time they used their most important scales and identity tokens, then had Elder Zhi Yong use the Sky Azure Vine to create plant bodies filled with life force, combined with Huo Yuhao's Spirit Eyes soul skills, and Li Ya summoning sea soul beasts at that time to have them carry the fakes swimming in another direction, thereby confusing the evil soul masters' judgment. Only then did they luckily escape.
However, such methods could only delay for a time, but it was precisely this bit of time that allowed them to safely arrive at the sea region where the mermaid clan was located. With the protection of the mermaid clan plus the Limit Douluo level combat power of the Sea Princess, they had been safe and worry-free during this period.
Even because of their life-saving grace toward Li Ya, Huo Yuhao and Elder Zhi Yong were well entertained by the Sea Princess—not allowing them to lift a finger for even the slightest matter, one could say the service was comprehensive.
And to prevent evil soul master attacks, the Sea Princess recalled all her clansmen and had all sea soul beasts in the sea region strengthen their vigilance. As long as humans appeared, they would blow the conch to notify.
Thus, this was why the incident of Sea Demon Elephants attacking occurred the moment Chen Junting's group arrived at this sea region.
Just as expected.
After hearing Li Ya's words, Chen Junting secretly nodded.
However, he was more interested in who among the evil soul masters had made the move. After all, at the Super Douluo stage, one could say each level was like a different heaven. Unless they had powerful Class 9 soul tools or other means to compensate, few of those evil soul masters would be Elder Zhi Yong's match.
"Second Grandpa, who was leading the Holy Spirit Church?"
Zhi Yong's expression was grave, "Zhongli Wu."
The moment the name was spoken, Chen Junting immediately understood the Holy Spirit Church's intentions, and also understood the reason for Elder Zhi Yong's grave expression.
"They're planning to create another Limit Douluo!"
Perhaps a Limit Douluo achieved through such means wouldn't compare to one who achieved it through their own efforts, but regardless, this was still a Limit Douluo level combat power—far from what a level 98 Super Douluo could compare to.
Chen Junting's expression was cold and severe, Zhi Yong remained silent, and the surrounding atmosphere seemed to become heavy along with them. This caused Li Ya to look left and right, suddenly somewhat at a loss.
Her naive personality was instantly exposed.
What was going on? How did it suddenly...
"Ahem— Brother Junting, Second Grandpa."
Seeing this, Ning Tian coughed dryly as a reminder: This is someone else's home, we are invited guests, please pay attention.
Instantly, this pulled the two's thoughts back.
Also at this moment, the Sea Princess spoke to break the atmosphere that was gradually becoming awkward, "Since you are guests, then I as the host should properly entertain you. Not only as thanks for saving my daughter, but also as an apology for the previous misunderstanding."
Her gentle words seemed to soothe people's hearts, and her charming smiling appearance also caused this slightly awkward atmosphere to dissipate completely.
Clap clap—
Before Chen Junting and the others could say anything, the Sea Princess lightly clapped her hands. In the next second, numerous beautiful women filed in.
Instantly, they cleared away all the items from the previous banquet, then at the fastest speed set up new tables and chairs.
"Everyone, please be seated."
Under the invitation, Chen Junting's group naturally wouldn't refuse.
It just so happened that since leaving the sect, they hadn't properly rested, so they could take this opportunity to adjust.
As they took their seats, after a short while, numerous young women brought forth delicacies and fine food. Lobsters over two feet long, king crabs with a diameter of one foot, various shell-type marine creatures, fish... these were only the small items.
Some items that could be called deep sea treasures, ingredients worth thousands of gold on land, were also prepared by the mermaid clan and brought up.
One look was enough to make one's mouth water.
Following this, female mermaids held instruments and played within the hall. Amidst the harmony of strings and winds, conch shells were also blown, bringing waves of pleasant melody that seemed capable of making one forget the troubles of the mortal world.
Such melody only ceased when the banquet came to an end.
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