When Zhu Ziyang's group reappeared in the offshore waters of the Douluo Continent, exactly one year had passed since they had set out.
Of that year, nearly ten months had been spent drifting at sea. They had stayed about a month on the Wuhun Continent and another month on islands along the way. Altogether, the time totaled one year exactly.
Zhu Ziyang, Qian Lingyi, and Jiang Nannan had each celebrated their nineteenth birthday at sea, while Zhang Lexuan had turned twenty-nine—stepping into what many would call her most charming years.
After sailing into the waters near the Moon South Archipelago, the Moon God Shuttle didn't head there immediately. Instead, it paused over the sea.
"Sister Lexuan, Nannan, let's go carry out your Seventh Trials now," Zhu Ziyang suggested. "That way, once we finish, we can return to the archipelago without needing to make another trip."
"Sounds good to me!" Jiang Nannan responded cheerfully.
"I'll take the helm," Zhang Lexuan smiled, stepping into the cockpit and guiding the Moon God Shuttle toward the junction of the Moon South Archipelago and the Douluo Continent's western outer sea.
The Silvermoon Spirit Fish Clan resided in the border between the inner and outer sea regions. Using the guidance they received from their divine trials, the group quickly arrived at the Spirit Fish territory and were soon surrounded by a school of Silvermoon Spirit Fish.
Jiang Nannan and Zhang Lexuan immediately exited the Moon God Shuttle and released the light of the Moonlight Goddess's trial. The surrounding Spirit Fish quickly ceased their encirclement and dispersed—leaving behind only one Spirit Fish with a cultivation over 90,000 years.
This Spirit Fish leapt from the water, spun midair, then splashed back down. The move puzzled Zhu Ziyang and Qian Lingyi, but Jiang Nannan and Zhang Lexuan understood at once.
They returned to the shuttle and explained, "Brother, this Spirit Fish wants us to follow it. It's taking us to meet the Spirit Fish King."
"I see," Zhu Ziyang nodded. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go!"
The four followed the 90,000-year Silvermoon Spirit Fish deep into the tribe's territory, where they saw a Spirit Fish far larger and more beautiful than the others. Its cultivation was over 150,000 years, and the crescent-shaped silver scales on its body shimmered with dazzling brilliance.
There was no doubt—this was the Silvermoon Spirit Fish King.
"You are emissaries of the Moonlight?" the Spirit Fish King asked in a voice filled with weariness and hope. "Are you here to help us resist the Demon Whale Clan?"
"Nannan and I are indeed emissaries of the Moonlight. These two are our companions," Jiang Nannan replied. "Spirit Fish King, I believe you already know the content of my trial."
"Ah! So you are the Moonlight's successor!" the Spirit Fish King exclaimed in surprise and excitement. "I am Shuiyue of the Silvermoon Spirit Fish. I greet the divine envoy! I know your trial, but at this moment, I cannot cooperate. Our tribe is currently being harassed by the Demon Whale Clan. If you help us overcome this crisis, I will surrender to you without any further test!"
"We're here exactly for that reason," Jiang Nannan responded with determination.
"Wonderful! Let me explain the trouble we're facing." The Spirit Fish King's voice was brimming with anticipation. In her view, with divine help, the despicable Demon Whales would surely be annihilated.
She explained that this problem had begun centuries ago. A pod of Demon Whales from an unknown region had begun targeting their tribe. Though they numbered less than twenty, every single one of them possessed over ten thousand years of cultivation. And being whale-type sea soul beasts—akin to the dragon lineage—the Silvermoon Spirit Fish were no match.
The tribe had retreated again and again, losing all their territory in the outer seas. Now, even the inner sea domain was on the brink of collapse.
"Those damned Demon Whales treat my clansfolk as food!" Shuiyue spat. "They barge into our waters and devour us at will. So many of our young never even got to experience life before being swallowed whole!"
"You have so many tribe members. Can't you defeat a handful of whales?" Zhu Ziyang asked, frowning.
"Our numbers are large, but our combat power is weak," the Spirit Fish King sighed. "Even a ten-thousand-year Silvermoon Spirit Fish can only match a thousand-year Demon Whale. So…"
She didn't finish, but everyone understood. Expecting an ordinary bloodline Spirit Fish to compete with Demon Whales was simply unrealistic.
"What species are these Demon Whales?" Zhang Lexuan asked. "Are they Evil Demon Tiger Whales?"
In Douluo's oceans, only two types of Demon Whales were commonly known—Deep Sea Demon Whales, who were solitary and rare, and the group-dwelling Evil Demon Tiger Whales.
"There are some Evil Demon Tiger Whales, but also some Demon Horn Toothed Whales, Deep Blue Grey Demon Whales, and…" Shuiyue began listing.
"Hold up!" Zhu Ziyang interrupted, face darkening. "Are you saying this pod is composed of different species of Demon Whales? And they're working together?"
"I'm sure of it," Shuiyue confirmed. "Though it surprised me too, there's no doubt—they're united."
"That can only mean there's a powerful leader," Zhu Ziyang said gravely. "Otherwise, such different Demon Whales wouldn't band together."
"Agreed," Zhang Lexuan nodded.
"In that case, Shuiyue, let us discuss a strategy. Once we're ready, we'll inform you," Jiang Nannan said.
"Of course," the Spirit Fish King replied respectfully.
Back in the Moon God Shuttle, the group began their war council.
"Any ideas?" Zhu Ziyang asked.
"I have one," Jiang Nannan raised her hand. "Are we sure we can beat them? They sound dangerous!"
"Heh! Unless they've got a million-year Deep Sea Demon Whale King, your brother can take care of them all!" Zhu Ziyang grinned, reaching out to pinch her cheek as a playful punishment.
"I wonder…" Zhang Lexuan mused. "If we drive away the Demon Whales, will that fulfill my trial?"
"Hmm, good question," Zhu Ziyang said. "We'll find out. If not, we may need to linger at sea a bit longer."
"So are we waiting for them to come, or are we going to them?" Qian Lingyi asked.
"Of course we go to them!" Zhu Ziyang's eyes sparkled with confidence. "I'm not the passive type!"
The decision was made—they would take the initiative. Let the Demon Whales learn the cost of freeloading from the Silvermoon Spirit Fish!
When they shared their plan with Shuiyue, the Spirit Fish King was delighted and personally led them toward the waters where the Demon Whales had appeared. From there, they would trace their lair.
(End of Chapter)
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