Chapter 208: Haven of the Joyful Sea

Swayed by Lan An's heartfelt words, Hai You Qing and Hai Ling Long exchanged glances, their eyes shimmering with longing. The Joyful Sea, an artificial marvel within the Spirit Realm Pearl, was perfect for them. Its picturesque beauty was unmatched, free from lurking dangers, and its spiritual energy far surpassed the outside world, ideal for cultivation.

Mermaids, blessed with soul-stirring voices that aided their cultivation, matured slowly compared to humans. Despite Hai Ling Long's youthful demeanor, she was over a hundred years old, yet only at Early Nascent Soul in both spiritual and soul cultivation a prodigious talent among her kind. Their innate gifts made them water-element and soul cultivators, their songs infused with soul energy, profoundly affecting listeners' spirits.

Hai You Qing, at Mid Nascent Soul in both spiritual and soul cultivation, was only slightly stronger, limited by the scarce resources within the whale's belly. Their growth relied on gradual accumulation over time. The whale's digestive forces destroyed most swallowed storage rings, leaving little for them to use.

In terms of talent, Hai Ling Long's royal mermaid bloodline surpassed Hai You Qing's. Unable to resist the Joyful Sea's allure, Hai Ling Long leapt from Lan An's arms, soaring through the air and plunging into the sea with a splash. She swam gleefully, a true sea princess, playing among coral reefs, her laughter like chiming bells echoing with joy.

Hai You Qing's eyes glistened with tears. Having known the open sea before entering the whale with her sister, she'd faced countless dangers but had no regrets. Hai Ling Long, born within the whale, had only known the confines of the Crystal Palace, her only companion her aunt. How lonely such a life must have been for a mermaid princess.

"Take me outside," Hai You Qing said, lips pursed, turning to Lan An.

He nodded, giving Ji Ya, Shui Niang Qing, and Xiao Qing Xuan a reassuring smile. Clasping Hai You Qing's slender waist, he vanished. The three women shrugged, confident in their husband's safety. After chatting briefly with Hai Ling Long to ease her into their circle, they returned to their palace to cultivate.

In the Crystal Palace, Lan An and Hai You Qing reappeared. Little Lion pounced into his arms, her eyes brimming with mock resentment, as if he'd forgotten her.

"Haha, we're still heading out. How could I forget you?" Lan An chuckled, petting her fondly.

"I'll retrieve the Crystal Palace and bring it inside. Then, we must convince her to join us," Hai You Qing said, her voice tinged with emotion, both excited and nostalgic about their new home.

"Her? Who?" Lan An asked, puzzled.

"The whale," Hai You Qing clarified.

"The whale?" Lan An blinked, still clueless.

"The one that swallowed you," she snapped, exasperated.

Pfft

Lan An choked, nearly jumping in shock. He touched her forehead, checking for fever. Bring a Seventh-grade beast into the Spirit Realm Pearl? Was she joking?

Hai You Qing glared, explaining, "Her mind is impaired, like a playful child. For years, Ling Long and I have used our songs to soothe and heal her emotions. She's much better now."

Seeing his confusion, she continued patiently, "She's protected us for centuries. How could we abandon her?"

Lan An nodded, understanding dawning. No wonder the whale felt odd. A Seventh-grade beast shouldn't need to eat so voraciously, yet it gulped entire schools of fish, including him, Ji Ya, and the others. Its impaired mind explained it.

"Can you really convince this whale? And the Joyful Sea can't contain her size," Lan An said skeptically.

"Ling Long can communicate with all sea creatures. She'll handle it. A Seventh-grade beast can shrink at will it's not impossible," Hai You Qing smiled.

Lan An mused, "I'm the one gaining here." A Seventh-grade beast under his control in the Spirit Realm Pearl? A massive advantage. "She's pitiful," Little Lion's voice echoed in his mind, her beastly empathy clear.

"Alright, let's move the Crystal Palace first, then convince the little whale with Ling Long," Lan An decided. If she could shrink, the Spirit Realm Pearl could welcome her.

Following Hai You Qing, they stepped out of the Crystal Palace and its giant water bubble. "Retrieve!" Hai You Qing raised her hand, emitting a faint purple glow.

Rumble

The Crystal Palace shook, shrinking rapidly until it fit in her palm.

"Let's go," Lan An said, grasping Hai You Qing and Little Lion, re-entering the Spirit Realm Pearl.

At the Joyful Sea's depths, Hai Ling Long swam vibrantly. "Aunt Qing, this is our paradise, isn't it?" she exclaimed.

"As long as you're happy, Princess," Hai You Qing replied softly, flipping her hand. The Crystal Palace soared out, expanding grandly, far larger than in the whale's intestine. Nestled in the Joyful Sea's center, surrounded by stunning vistas, it truly shone as a Crystal Palace.

Lan An noted its enhanced magnificence, clearly a Spirit-grade treasure at its full size. "It's the last legacy of our Mermaid Clan," Hai You Qing said proudly.

Lan An nodded, pleased. "This is your new home. I planned palaces on the Palace Tree, but this suits you better."

Hai Ling Long and Hai You Qing glanced at the Palace Tree, shaking their heads. They preferred water, finding no need for tree-top palaces.

"Lan An, what was your condition?" Hai Ling Long asked, biting her lip, recalling his earlier terms.

Hai You Qing glared. "What condition? Did you threaten her with my safety?"

Lan An grinned, explaining, "Simple. Join my harem and be my women."

"Dream on!" Hai You Qing huffed, swimming into the palace, ignoring him.

"I agree," Hai Ling Long said, knowing her aunt's pride. Grasping his hand, she smiled brightly. This day felt like a dream meeting him, her beautiful sisters, and finding a wondrous home filled her with joy.

Ding "Successfully completed [Mermaid Aid] mission. Obtained Sea God Pure Sound Art and Seven Seas Mysterious Zither," the system chimed.

Lan An started, recalling the mission's rewards: a technique and treasure for mermaids. Checking their details:

Sea God Pure Sound Art: Information ???

Seven Seas Mysterious Zither: Information ???

He blinked, baffled. Their details were hidden, indicating they surpassed True-grade, perhaps far beyond. Taking a deep breath to stay calm, he knew he'd secured treasures but held off giving them to the mermaids until they settled. Escaping the whale and convincing it were priorities.

"Ling Long, can you persuade the whale to join us here?" he asked, gazing at her ethereal beauty.

"You mean Sister Kun Ming Yue?" she blinked.

"Kun Ming Yue?" Lan An gaped, stunned by the feminine name for the colossal whale.

"Yes! We talk through songs. Though much older, she's more childish than me," Hai Ling Long said earnestly.

Lan An's lips twitched. Holding her soft hand, he coaxed, "Ask Sister Kun Ming Yue to release us, then convince her to shrink and join you here for company."

"Hooray! That'd be perfect! I don't want to leave her alone," Hai Ling Long's eyes sparkled, viewing Lan An as the kindest human for saving her, her aunt, and Kun Ming Yue.

"Let's go," she urged eagerly.

Lan An nodded, and they vanished.

Reappearing, Lan An summoned the Water-Repelling Pearl, shielding them from the intestine's fluids. Hai Ling Long hovered, her Early Nascent Soul cultivation allowing her to float with her tail. Drawing her zither, she strummed.

Plink… plang…

Lan An sat, entranced by the soul-soothing melody. Her red lips parted, singing, "La la la…" Her voice pierced the heart, blending with listeners' souls. Growing louder, her golden hair flowed, eyes glowing faintly as she communed with Kun Ming Yue.

Lan An listened, captivated by her divine tune. After a while, as Hai Ling Long tired, a sudden surge of pure water enveloped them.

"It worked! Don't resist," she said, stowing her zither with a radiant smile.

Lan An felt weightless, their bodies hurtling through complex passages at dizzying speed. Holding Hai Ling Long close, he let the current carry them.

Whoosh

The exhilarating rush thrilled him. "Haha, what a ride!" he laughed, savoring her soft form and the high-speed glide. Hai Ling Long blushed, their closeness reminding her of his intimacy with her aunt.

After an unknown time, sunlight hit Lan An's face. They reached the sea's surface, propelled upward by a massive water spout.

Ding "Completed [Eliminate Trouble] mission. Obtained one Summoning Talisman and one Spirit Herb Summon," the system announced, but Lan An was too distracted.

The spout, erupting from the whale's blowhole, held them aloft, startling nearby seagulls. Lan An realized the whale's immense size beyond terrifying, its deep blue skin shimmering, its large, innocent eyes blinking without a trace of a Seventh-grade beast's menace.

"So, the blowhole's better than the excretory path," he muttered, comforting himself. Holding Hai Ling Long, he soared upward.

"Ah!" She covered her face, unaccustomed to sunlight, but soon adjusted, swimming gracefully in the air, her golden tail dazzling.

Lan An was mesmerized by her angelic beauty. Scanning for threats, he found only the vast, empty ocean.

"Sister Ming Yue, shrink down! I'll take you to play," Hai Ling Long called, perching on the whale's head, whispering softly.

The whale's eyes sparkled with delight. Before Lan An's gaze, it shrank rapidly ten zhang, a few zhang, one zhang until it was puppy-sized, leaping into Hai Ling Long's arms, licking her cheek.

The absurdity was staggering a Seventh-grade beast, now a pet-like creature, rivaling Little Lion, cradled by Hai Ling Long.

"Time to go home," she said gently, stroking the whale.

"Want to see the human world?" Lan An suggested.

"Later. I want to help Sister Ming Yue settle first," she replied, beaming with happiness.

"No problem," Lan An nodded. The trio vanished from the sea.

Thus, the Joyful Sea welcomed three new members: two breathtaking mermaids and a "tiny" Seventh-grade whale, Kun Ming Yue.