The three commanders, along with three hundred thousand sea beasts, had completely surrounded the barrier.
They'd all seen the water mirror's recording and knew this barrier wasn't something they could easily break. So, after testing it a few times and confirming that brute force was useless, they dropped that plan altogether.
Instead, they remembered what the Ink Sea Dragon Palace had learned about Yun Jin through the mirror.
That woman was undeniably strong, but she was arrogant, reckless, and couldn't handle being provoked. Which meant, they didn't need to break the barrier at all. They just had to taunt her, and she'd come out on her own.
Among the three commanders, the Swallowing Sea Ice Python stepped forward with a long spear in hand. His voice boomed through the ocean.
"Traitor inside the barrier! On behalf of the Ink Sea Dragon Palace, I command you to release the hundred thousand sea beasts and surrender! If you do, we'll give you a quick death. Otherwise, you'll beg to die but never get the chance!"
Just as his words fell, part of the barrier suddenly opened.
The hundred thousand beasts trapped in the water array appeared outside in an instant.
The Swallowing Sea Ice Python blinked, dumbfounded.
Sure, he thought his speech was pretty good… but was it that good?
Did this woman actually get so scared that she released the Blackwater Ape and the others?
The ten thousand sea beasts led by the Blackwater Ape looked just as confused. They'd been trapped for three days, and had only just recovered their strength. They hadn't found any way to escape, yet Yun Jin suddenly let them out?
What kind of twisted game was she playing now? None of them could figure it out.
The Swallowing Sea Ice Python froze for a moment, then burst into laughter. He couldn't help feeling smug. Surely, his valiant display had been witnessed by the elders watching through the water mirror. Once he killed that woman, promotion and wealth would follow naturally.
As for the poor Blackwater Ape, he'd probably be discarded after this.
"Swallowing Sea," the Blackwater Ape said quietly, "that woman's not right in the head. We should be careful, in case she does something strange."
"Strange? There are three hundred thousand of us here! What can she possibly do?" The Swallowing Sea Ice Python scoffed, his arrogance swelling. "You've been locked up for three days and already turned into a coward? Forget it, you stay behind. We'll handle the fight."
"That's right, Blackwater Ape, just take it easy," said the Cloud Snow Bird with a mocking smile.
"With the three of us here, that woman won't last a breath, even if she's as strong as the heavens," the Venom Fang Underworld Ox rumbled.
"No, you don't understand. That woman's really—" The Blackwater Ape tried to warn them, but none of the other three were listening.
They were too eager to earn merit, already imagining how they'd divide the Blackwater Ape's troops after their victory. He was too weak anyway, no longer worthy of being one of the Four Commanders. It was about time there were only three.
Ignoring his warning, the three commanders stepped forward, preparing to shout their challenge.
After all, the woman couldn't handle provocation. All they needed was to yell a little, and she'd come charging out like an idiot. But before they could even open their mouths, Yun Jin suddenly appeared right in the middle of them.
She smiled sweetly. "You three came at just the right time. I was waiting for you."
The three commanders frowned.
What kind of welcome was that?
Did she think they needed her invitation?
The Swallowing Sea Ice Python snorted coldly. "Your stupidity's astonishing, but your arrogance ends here!"
He raised his spear, ready to strike—
Then Yun Jin vanished.
For a split second, he froze, and then a chill crept up his spine. He spun around, only to find her standing behind him, her hand already resting lightly on his shoulder.
That gentle touch was all it took.
An icy cold spread through his body. He tried to resist, but the spiritual energy inside him was completely frozen, leaving him unable to move an inch.
The Cloud Snow Bird and the Venom Fang Underworld Ox lunged to attack, but Yun Jin was faster.
She caught the bird's wing with one hand and gripped the ox's fangs with the other.
Then she pressed lightly.
Crack.
Both the Cloud Snow Bird's wings and the Venom Fang Underworld Ox's fangs shattered at the same time, and both sea beasts let out cries of agony.
Yun Jin chuckled, then tossed all three commanders into a heap. Her gaze turned toward the Blackwater Ape.
He'd already recovered his strength, but he didn't dare move a muscle. His face was pale as he stammered, "I didn't fight! I swear, I didn't fight!"
Yun Jin smiled kindly. "That's right. You didn't. You're a good boy. Don't worry, I don't hurt good boys."
The Blackwater Ape immediately exhaled in relief. But as soon as he did, sorrow filled his chest.
Damn it all.
A commander of the mighty Ink Sea Dragon Palace had fallen so low. It was enough to make anyone cry.
"I called you all here for one reason," Yun Jin said with a bright smile. "That formation the Blackwater Ape used earlier, I want an upgraded version of it."
The three injured commanders went pale. They didn't even dare to move.
Her power was beyond comprehension. In her hands, they couldn't even think about fighting back.
That kind of helplessness—they'd only ever felt that before the Lóngzūn himself.
Could it be… that this woman was as strong as the Lóngzūn?
No. Impossible!
When had such a terrifying powerhouse appeared in the Eastern Seas?
They'd never heard of any new supreme race rising either!
"W-We…" The Swallowing Sea Ice Python stammered. "That formation can only handle a hundred thousand beasts. The four of us can each lead a group to form four of them, but if you want it stronger… we don't know how."
Yun Jin frowned.
Didn't know how? Then what the hell was she keeping them around for?
She sighed. "Fine. Wait here."
She asked her system to calculate a new formation, one capable of holding four hundred thousand sea beasts.
Once it was complete, she patiently taught it to them herself.
The Blackwater Ape, already used to her madness, started organizing his troops without hesitation. The other three commanders hesitated for a moment but ended up following along, confused and dazed.
What in the world was going on?
Their enemy was helping them upgrade their formation? Teaching them how to deploy it, step by step?
"This woman's too arrogant," the Swallowing Sea Ice Python whispered. "This formation's extremely intricate. Once it's complete, we'll crush her in one strike."
The Cloud Snow Bird and the Venom Fang Underworld Ox both nodded quickly.
Only the Blackwater Ape's expression looked conflicted.
Crush her? He didn't even dare to think about that.
Soon, the upgraded formation was complete.
Yun Jin's eyes gleamed with excitement.
The last one had been a little disappointing, but she'd gained valuable insights from it.
Now, she was one step closer to complete mastery.
Whether she could fully grasp it this time… would depend on these sea beasts.