Chapter 14: Birds and Fish (Part 2) She could have entrusted Kana, but...
When Lian Qiang woke up, she only felt water waves flowing through her fingertips, as if she was in water, but she did not feel suffocated.
She opened her eyes and struggled to sit up. She was actually on a huge reef on the seabed. Lian Qiang moved her neck and looked in the direction of the light. She saw Chi Xingji beside her.
"Awake?" Chi Xingji heard the sound of her waking up, and his eyes fell on her from elsewhere, "Are you feeling unwell?"
Lian Qiang's broken memories were connected. At the last moment before she lost consciousness, it was Chi Xingji who used his spiritual power to protect her, thus saving her from the impact of the sudden tsunami.
"Thank you, Immortal Lord. I'm fine." Lian Qiang shook her head, realizing that she was able to breathe and move freely underwater because of Chi Xingji's spiritual power. "Now that I'm awake, I'll handle this little thing myself. Don't bother you, Immortal Lord."
She released demonic energy, replacing that pure and comfortable power to form a barrier around her.
Chi Xingji wasn't displeased by his kindness being rejected. He simply withdrew his spiritual power and spoke again, "I have an important matter to attend to. I must go and investigate. What about you? Do you need me to give you a ride away from here?"
Important matters? Lian Qiang suddenly realized that ordinary gods and immortals would not easily come down to the mortal world unless they had something important to do. No wonder she saw him. Chi Xingji had something to do, and so did she: "Unfortunately, I also have something important to do, and I won't leave the sea for the time being."
Lian Qiang wanted to part ways with him, so she also bowed and said, "Thank you for saving me today, Immortal Lord. However, we both have our own things to do, so why don't we say goodbye now?"
She didn't mention repaying him, indicating her determination not to have any further contact with him. Chi Xingji nodded obediently, but then asked another question: "Are you going to investigate the shipwreck?"
"That's right." Lian Qiang regretted her words the moment they left her mouth. Chi Xingji nodded and said, "Since that's the case, I think we're going the same way, so let's go together so we can look after each other."
His expression was frank, and he didn't seem to be flabbergasted when he said, "We need to look after each other." He was a dignified Immortal Lord, so why did he need a demon cultivator like her to look after him? Lian Qiang's expression froze. "I'm afraid I'll hold you back..."
"It's okay. I forgot to mention just now that after I came down to the mortal world, some of my cultivation was actually suppressed, and I'm not as strong as I was in heaven. If there's anything I can't do, I'll have to trouble you. By the way, I haven't asked for your name yet?" Chi Xingji lowered his eyes and looked at her, so sincere and pitiful.
Lian Qiang was silent for a moment, and finally answered: "Lian Qiang."
She could have used a pseudonym, but a little bit of hidden selfishness made her choose to tell the truth.
After all they had gone through together, they would no longer have any connection, Lian Qiang comforted herself, thinking that if that was the case, it wouldn't be a big deal if she told him.
There was another reason that drove her. She wanted to see if Chi Xingji would still remain indifferent after knowing this name.
But she had made a wrong bet. When Chi Xingji saw her again, he had no recollection of her, let alone her name. She tried to find any hint of disguise on Chi Xingji's face, but it was in vain. Chi Xingji simply nodded to indicate he'd made a note of it. Lian Qiang lowered her head and let out a silent laugh.
…Never mind, never mind. It was all just her wishful thinking.
The Canglang Sea was deep, and the two of them were walking on the bottom of the sea. The light source could only illuminate a limited area, so Lian Qiang couldn't help but feel a little tired. Chi Xingji looked back frequently, and finally couldn't help but ask, "Do you need my help?"
Lian Qiang waved her hand firmly, "No need."
It would be bad for her to owe him more and more.
Suddenly, Chi Xingji stopped at a place and whispered, "There seems to be someone in front."
After he finished speaking, Lian Qiang felt his aura suddenly subside, becoming... much more approachable. If someone else were to see him now, they would simply think he was an ordinary cultivator with an outstanding appearance, and would not associate him with a celestial immortal.
Just as he'd said, a few steps after he finished speaking, a light suddenly appeared ahead, as if illuminated by something. The two of them took a few quick steps and discovered that the darkness beneath the sea had changed. A large, night-shining pearl illuminated the path, and at the end of the path lay what appeared to be a magnificent palace.
Unlike the quietness just now, there were many demon cultivators gathered here, rushing towards the building in front.
Lian Qiang and Chi Xingji exchanged a glance, both seeing something was amiss. Demon cultivators gathering together under the sea wasn't unusual, but what was odd was today. Why would they be together? And why did they happen to be on a shipwreck that happened every few days?
"Mostly mermaids." Chi Xingji, with his excellent eyesight, made his conclusion at a glance. Lian Qiang understood. Rumors that a group of mermaids once migrated from the South China Sea to the Canglang Sea and multiplied there must be true.
Upon hearing this news, Lian Qiang secretly wondered if the treasure Jiang Lang was looking for was related to the mermaids. After all, shipwrecks don't happen out of thin air. Most are caused by the unhappiness of the water gods who rule over a certain area, a sign of destiny. A few are related to disordered power.
The look on her face as if she was thinking secretly was too obvious, but Chi Xingji was also preoccupied with something else and did not notice anything unusual about her.
The two of them, each preoccupied with their own thoughts, slowly moved forward. On the way, Lian Qiang stopped a demon cultivator and said, "Excuse me, I rarely come to Canglang Sea. I wonder what day it is today and why everyone is so busy?"
The demon cultivator with a fish head and a human body was a little unhappy when she stopped him midway, but after looking at Lian Qiang, his tone softened a lot, "So you are a demon cultivator, no wonder you don't know what day it is today. Today is the wedding day of the king of the Canglang mermaid clan!"
"The King of the Mermaids?" Lian Qiang chewed on the words. The demon cultivator nodded and blew out a few bubbles, "Yes, yes, Your Majesty is very generous to be able to have your beloved by your side. He said that anyone passing by can attend the ceremony and offer their congratulations!"
"I see..." Lian Qiang pondered. The demon cultivator became even more excited: "Are you a demon cultivator? I have a few demon cultivator friends too. I wonder if you have any..."
"Lian Qiang." Chi Xingji came out from behind at the right time and called her. Lian Qiang subconsciously looked at him. The demon cultivator was unhappy and looked at Chi Xingji, not daring to say anything more. Seeing that they knew each other, he left in a huff.
Chi Xingji's eyes were dark and unclear: "What did you ask?"
"He said that today is the mermaid king's wedding day, and anyone can go and congratulate him," Lian Qiang told him the information. "Have you ever heard of this king, Immortal Lord?"
"I've heard a little bit about it." Chi Xingji recalled for a moment, "I remember that there were no mermaids stationed in Canglang Sea. Only a branch of the South China Sea migrated here a thousand years ago."
Lian Qiang asked, "Are there any other clues?"
"Don't be impatient," Chi Xingji looked at her helplessly when she urged him. "I still remember that the reason for their migration was unknown. Some people suspected that they were expelled by their own tribe, while others suspected that they wanted to find another way to expand their tribe."
This look made Lian Qiang's heart tremble. This look was very similar to the way Chi Xingji looked at her in the past... But now, he was still telling her the story and didn't think there was anything wrong with this action.
...She was like a frightened bird. She calmed herself down and continued to listen to him.
"...They have settled down here, but unfortunately, perhaps due to unfamiliarity with the local climate, their power has been greatly weakened since they settled here, and is now far less formidable than it was at the beginning. Furthermore, each generation of the Canglang Mermaid King can only produce one offspring."
Lian Qiang rolled her eyes: "I've never heard of these..."
Seeing her immersed in thought, Chi Xingji asked calmly: "I haven't asked you in detail yet, what is your matter?"
"Of course..." Lian Qiang was not very wary of him and almost blurted out the answer. Fortunately, she realized it in time and avoided making a big mistake.
He was actually trying to trick her. Lian Qiang put on a half-smile, "The Immortal Lord hasn't explained it to me yet, yet he's asking me. Isn't that a bit offensive?"
"Are you bothered by this? Or are you blaming me?" Chi Xingji thought naturally. Lian Qiang wanted to refute, but couldn't think of a reason to refute, so she just replied coldly with three words: "I dare not."
Chi Xingji pursed his lips: "But I feel that you are not afraid."
He kept saying shocking things, and Lian Qiang's heart was filled with alarm. "You are an Immortal Lord, and I am just a small, unknown demon cultivator. Of course I am in awe of you."
"You don't seem as afraid of me as you say. But if there's anything, I can tell you first. What I'm going to do is most likely related to the mermaids." Chi Xingji told her frankly, "Now, can you tell me why you, as a demon cultivator, came all the way here to investigate the shipwreck?"
He just looked at Lian Qiang quietly, without using any negotiation skills, nor relying on his advanced cultivation to bully her. Lian Qiang was almost defeated just by looking into his eyes.
It has always been difficult for her to refuse Chi Xingji. If she could do it, she would not be Lian Qiang.
"I'm just looking for something." Lian Qiang pondered for a moment and explained to him vaguely. She didn't want to lie, but she couldn't tell it either, so she could only make excuses.
Unexpectedly, Chi Xingji listened and stopped asking very considerately: "Then I understand. If you are just looking for one thing, maybe I can help you."
"...Then thank you in advance, Immortal Lord." Lian Qiang replied with mixed feelings. In her memory, Chi Xingji didn't seem as nosy as he is now, repeatedly threatening to help her.
Did his personality change drastically after losing his memory, or did he have other intentions? Lian Qiang was more inclined to the latter, but she didn't dare to be too sure.
It's better to get things done as soon as possible and separate from him. This thought became more and more deeply rooted in her mind. Lian Qiang only hoped that she could return to Jiang Lang's palace as soon as possible and not come out for ten days or half a month.
It would be better for her to experience a few more thunder tribulations than to let her meet Chi Xingji.
As they talked, they arrived at the palace gate. The long procession didn't move forward as they'd expected. Someone, a sort of guard, explained to everyone, "Unfortunately, a thief just broke into the wedding banquet and caused chaos. His Majesty is dispatching forces to apprehend the thief and rectify the situation. Please be patient."
"So, I must have run into those thieves on the way here! They gave me a real scare!"
"You encountered it too? Me too! I thought there was a volcano erupting under the sea."
Lian Qiang listened to their conversation and felt that it was a coincidence. It just so happened that today they encountered a shipwreck that happens every few days or even every ten days. It just so happened that today was the big day for the Mermaid King. And it just so happened that... there were thieves causing trouble?
I'm afraid that what they are talking about is this earth-shattering tsunami.
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