Chapter 229: Whims of the Whale, Echoes of the Zither

Lan An jolted, initially sensing only Hai Ling Long's presence. Having been intimate in her view before, he thought nothing of embracing Hai You Qing. But an unfamiliar female voice sent shivers down his spine. This was his Spirit Realm Pearl how could a stranger enter without his knowledge?

Instinctively, he sprang up, pulling Hai Ling Long behind him, warily eyeing the newcomer. His gaze locked on her, and he froze, entranced.

She exuded the modern beauty of an Eastern woman. Her ocean-blue hair flowed like the vast sea, distinct from Yan Ruo Xue's sky-blue locks, carrying a unique allure. Her large, pearl-like eyes sparkled, her delicate nose was refined, and her rosy lips were subtly pursed. Her face held an innocent naivety, starkly contrasting her enchantress-like figure.

A form-fitting blue leather outfit hugged her body. Her ample chest surpassed even Yan Yue Qi and Mu Zi Yin, nearly rivaling his master, Wu San Niang. Her willow-slim waist was toned and dynamic, captivating. Her long, slender legs begged to be measured inch by inch, and her pert, rounded hips, accentuated by the tight leather, hinted at a tantalizing curve.

Lan An's body reacted involuntarily, still bare from his earlier intimacy. "Brother Lan An, is Sister Ming Yue so beautiful?" Hai Ling Long asked, puzzled, blushing at his and Hai You Qing's state.

Hai You Qing, embarrassed, grabbed her seashell pieces to cover herself, pinching Lan An's waist. "Husband, that's Kun Ming Yue. Put on some clothes!"

Gulping, Lan An could hardly believe this seductive woman was the Seventh-Grade Whale. Her innocent expression softened his heart, and he hurriedly reached for his robes.

"What's this? Does it hurt Sister You Qing?" Kun Ming Yue suddenly appeared beside him, her silken hand grasping his arousal, curiously stroking it.

Lan An inhaled sharply, her touch nearly overwhelming him. "Pfft! Ming Yue, don't touch it—it might bite!" Hai You Qing warned, eyes wide, fearing Kun Ming Yue's strength might cause harm.

"But you seemed to enjoy it!" Kun Ming Yue's curiosity deepened, stroking more, her eyes crescent moons as she giggled. "It's fun hard and hot. What's it like inside?"

With a thought, her leather outfit vanished.

Blood sprayed from Lan An's nose. "Don't look!" Hai You Qing gasped, covering his eyes.

Too late Lan An had seen her flawless form, among the most perfect he'd witnessed. Her massive chest, with fiery red peaks, bounced in the water, tempting beyond reason. Her thighs, thick yet elegant, framed a sacred crevice, neatly trimmed with a small, ocean-blue patch above, a sight he'd never encountered.

His arousal throbbed in her grip. "Try it on me! Is it fun?" Kun Ming Yue pouted, pinning him down, attempting to guide him in.

"Why won't it go in?" She frowned, struggling futilely, their bodies misaligned.

"Lan An, if you dare with Ming Yue, I won't forgive you!" Hai You Qing snapped, regaining her composure.

Lan An smiled wryly, using the Spirit Realm Pearl's power to restrain Kun Ming Yue. He quickly dressed. "Terrifying. Without risking everything, I couldn't resist her," he thought. In battle, only his Three-Colored Thunder and Emperor Flame might hold her off briefly. Her casual actions carried the supreme might of a Late Seventh-Grade beast, rendering his physical cultivation like paper.

"More precisely, Late Seventh-Grade, akin to the Six-Tailed Demon Fox with the Heavenly Charm Bone," Jin'er teased mischievously.

Lan An started, intrigued by Kun Ming Yue's strength, rivaling a major faction's leader. "How hateful! Why can't I move?" Kun Ming Yue wailed, her alluring form frozen, tears welling.

"Brother Lan An, don't bully Sister!" Hai Ling Long glared.

Shrugging, he released Kun Ming Yue. She pouted, hiding behind Hai Ling Long, her aggrieved look endearing. "Don't worry, Sister. If you don't tease him, Lan An won't do anything," Hai Ling Long soothed.

Kun Ming Yue nodded, blinking curiously at him before losing interest. She flopped onto the pearl bed, rolling playfully, then fell asleep like a child.

"What's wrong with Ming Yue? Why is her mind so affected?" Lan An asked the mermaids.

They exchanged glances, shaking their heads. With their cultivation, they couldn't diagnose her, only knowing her mind was impaired.

"Our songs help her mind to some extent. Initially, she was like an infant, knowing nothing. After hearing our songs, she's like a young child and recalled her name a vast improvement," Hai You Qing explained, gazing at Kun Ming Yue with pity.

Hai Ling Long nodded empathetically.

"Let me see," Lan An said, approaching the sleeping Kun Ming Yue. Channeling soul force from his brow, he probed her mind, checking her condition.

Unresisting, she was vulnerable. Unlike Ji Shao Huang's failed attempt to control Ji Bing, Lan An could easily bind her soul with Soul Chains. But he wasn't so despicable.

After a moment, his brow furrowed. Kun Ming Yue's soul wasn't damaged, and her Late Seventh-Grade strength was intact. A fully functional Late Seventh-Grade cultivator with a mental affliction was unheard of.

His Dragon Immortal Sacred Canon was useless here. It could heal soul or physical injuries, but Kun Ming Yue was perfectly healthy, just mentally impaired.

Ding! Epic Quest [Heal the Mind] activated. Success rewards: One Technique Summon, one suitable Bloodline Summon. Failure: Permanent loss of Kun Ming Yue. Time limit: 5 years.

The System's voice echoed. Lan An checked the quest details: Find a method to successfully heal Kun Ming Yue's mind.

He nearly cursed at the vague description, lacking any clues. Jin'er remained silent, unable to interfere with quests.

Undeterred, Lan An summoned Xiao Qing Xuan's master's storage ring. "What are you doing?" her angry voice rang out.

Hai You Qing and Hai Ling Long gaped, stunned by the soul within the ring. "She's an alchemist. Can she diagnose Ming Yue's condition?" Lan An asked, holding the ring near Kun Ming Yue.

Silence followed as Xiao Qing Xuan's master examined her. Finally, a sigh echoed. "Her condition is neither severe nor light. Beyond her mental impairment, she's flawless perfectly healthy."

"As expected of an expert," Lan An praised. Her external diagnosis was spot-on.

"This likely stems from a severely flawed cultivation technique," the voice continued. "Either it's incomplete, or someone tampered with its mantra, affecting her mind."

Lan An nodded, recalling tales from his past life of martial artists driven mad by faulty techniques, yet retaining their strength. Kun Ming Yue seemed similar.

He focused on a cure, not the cause. "The mermaids' songs help temporarily, but for a permanent fix, you must address the root," the voice advised.

"How?" Lan An pressed, frowning.

"You must probe her soul, examine her memories to identify the flawed technique. Perfect it, then transmit it back to her memory, convincing her to cultivate it. Once successful, her mind will gradually recover," Xiao Qing Xuan's master said calmly, offering her best solution.

Lan An's face darkened. An Epic Quest indeed dauntingly complex. Identifying and perfecting the technique was challenging enough, and any mistake could worsen her state. Probing her memories required dual cultivation or soul searching, but resistance during the process could injure both their souls.

"With five years, I'll first build her trust," Lan An thought. Her earlier eagerness didn't guarantee easy dual cultivation. Full memory access required her complete cooperation, relaxing her body and soul—a near-impossible feat given her playful, erratic state.

"Thank you," he said to the ring, returning it to its place via the Spirit Realm Pearl.

"Alright, Ling Long, You Qing, come here. Your husband has something for you to decide," he beckoned, moving to another room.

The mermaids exchanged glances and swam after him. Lan An sat on a stone chair, retrieving two items from his storage ring.

Clang!

The Seven Seas Mysterious Zither appeared, resonating with the mermaids. It played itself, its melody echoing through the Spirit Realm Pearl. Their bodies trembled, their bloodlines surging as if the zither was made for them. Without blood-binding, it floated before them.

"Damn, what's with the favoritism?" Lan An grumbled inwardly. The zither resisted him but fawned over the mermaids.

They nodded to each other, placing their hands on the zither. Despite its length, it accommodated both. Their delicate fingers strummed the strings.

Twang!

The Joyful Sea quaked, waves bowing as if greeting their emperor. The melody permeated the Spirit Realm Pearl. Lan An's soul soared, his spiritual energy absorption accelerating. He sensed the entire realm, spiritual qi boosting his wives' cultivation in their palaces. The egg atop the Palace Tree quivered. Xiao Qing Xuan, refining pills, and Ji Ya, cultivating, focused with heightened clarity. Little Lion curled contentedly in the clouds. Kun Ming Yue smiled radiantly, lost in a sweet dream.

"What a miraculous melody," Lan An and Xiao Qing Xuan's master thought simultaneously.

His eyes gleamed with joy. These wives were treasures. "Husband, what is this?" Hai You Qing asked, awestruck, feeling her soul and spiritual energy rise while playing.

"It's the Seven Seas Mysterious Zither, a treasure my master gifts as your welcome," Lan An laughed, crediting his mysterious master.

"Thank you, Master!" Hai You Qing and Hai Ling Long bowed respectfully skyward, recalling their introduction to his enigmatic teacher.

Lan An smiled, dangling a jade pendant. "The Sea God Pure Sound Art, ideal for mermaids, another gift from my master. Who'll cultivate it?"

He left the choice to them, thinking either could practice it, with plans to find another technique later. To his surprise, they smiled, saying in unison, "Either can, as mermaids can share techniques with kin through song."