Today, high-ranking figures of the Marine Race, such as Ming Yu, were fairly satisfied with Shen Mo’s handling of matters.

However, over the past few years, the disciples of the Marine Race had suffered great injustices and humiliations, and some appeasement was definitely needed.

After all, the Marine Race was a significant force within the Red Flame Sect that could not be overlooked. They boasted hundreds of millions of intelligent clansfolk, including six Class IV big demons. Furthermore, Five Dragon Mountain had numerous mountain streams and water veins, meaning their expertise would be needed in many areas, both now and in the future.

Considering the current situation of the Marine Race within the Red Flame Sect, Shen Mo didn’t believe for a moment that they harbored no resentment. It was simply that, having been brought by him to experience ‘Immortal Descending’ and enjoying various benefits, they were grateful for his kindness and awed by his strength, thus choosing to swallow their anger and avoid conflict with other human disciples. However, in the long run, this would surely lead to their alienation from the sect. They might even entertain the idea of ‘breaking away from the Red Flame Sect to establish a Marine Race Demon Kingdom on Five Dragon Mountain’! Though Shen Mo wasn’t afraid of this, it would indeed be quite a headache to deal with if it came to that.

Therefore, he needed to appease the Marine Race as much as possible before the new version of the Shape Transforming Pill was fully developed and all Marine Race disciples had transformed into human form. Once they had all successfully transformed, this hidden danger would lessen, and over time, they would gradually evolve into a “demon cultivator” lineage.

「…」

Shen Mo appeared just outside Ming Yu’s Cultivation Water Palace.

Outside the gate, Marine Race disciples who looked like shrimp soldiers and shrimp generals stood guard. Seeing him suddenly appear, they hurriedly knelt to greet him.

“Greetings, Law Master Immortal Master!”

“Lake Lord Ming Yu returned to her palace not long ago and is about to summon the Elders and disciples for a meeting. Shall we announce your arrival?”

Shen Mo smiled faintly and said, “No need. She already knows I am here.”

Before his words had faded, the main gate swung open. Ming Yu emerged, accompanied by a swirling vortex of water, and welcomed Shen Mo into her Cultivation Water Palace.

They were now inside its Spirit Garden.

This place, resembling a spiritual plant garden within a cultivation mansion, possessed a magnificent and dreamlike scenery that refreshed the spirit.

Under the dim light, colorful coral fronds, each with distinct branches and leaves, adorned the garden in various colors and shapes. Peculiar seaweeds swayed with the current. Strange creatures darted freely among the coral and seaweed. Fish, turtles, shrimp, and crabs of diverse hues, like colorful butterflies flitting among flowers, added endless color and vitality to this underwater realm.

Most of these corals, seaweeds, and other items were marine spiritual plants, though they were primarily ornamental. Those with potent medicinal properties and Mana were cultivated in special marine medicinal gardens, providing raw materials for the Red Flame Sect’s Alchemy.

These marine creatures, however, were not considered part of the Marine Race; like mortals in the secular world, they were ordinary beings.

Only those possessing demonic power and gnosis were truly accepted by the Marine Race and became one of them—a distinction as vast as the gulf between immortals and mortals. Of course, just as mortals could cultivate to become cultivators, these ordinary marine creatures also had the chance to become true members of the Marine Race.

GURGLE, GURGLE.

The water flowed gently, bubbles emerging.

Shen Mo and Ming Yu strolled through the Spirit Garden, admiring the scenery so vastly different from that on land, chatting and laughing pleasantly.

Over the years, Ming Yu and her daughter, Gui Wannian, Shen Jun, Jing Fuhai, and Zhang Jiujiu—the six original Demon Kings of the Marine Race—had successively cultivated human forms.

This was partly because they already possessed Class IV cultivation, making the arduous transformation into human form not overly difficult. It was also partly due to the Shape Transforming Pill; after the Red Flame Sect obtained the original elixir recipe from Azure Heaven Cave, the first batch of Elixirs they refined was given to these Demon Kings, speeding up their progress in attaining human bodies.

The same was true for Ming Yu.

Now, bones had grown within her body; she was no longer the boneless creature she once was. The two translucent clam shells originally on her back had completely refined into her body, transforming into two small bones near her scapulae and vertebrae.

In her human form, she possessed a Dantian and Chakras, just like human cultivators, and could even practice most Human Race magic and martial arts. Apart from her inherent demonic power, which could not be changed, she was no different from an ordinary cultivator.

This was the “demon cultivator” state Shen Mo hoped for.

Once all the Marine Race disciples had cultivated into human form—able to practice Human Race cultivation methods, perform Alchemy, create talismans, Forge armaments, set up formations, and wear sect attire—the rift between them and the human disciples would gradually diminish.

“Brother, you’re so biased…” Ming Yu complained coquettishly, holding onto Shen Mo’s arm. “Clearly, those disciples from Green Cloud Peak were in the wrong. I was only standing up for my disciples, yet you punished me so severely.”

The Clam Girl race possessed an incredibly long Lifespan. Both their demonic bodies and their temperaments matured much more slowly than humans; it took them one hundred and fifty years just to reach adulthood.

When Shen Mo first met Ming Yu, she was equivalent to a human of about fifteen years old.

Though many years had passed, for her, it was as if only two or three years had gone by. She still retained a girlish disposition. It was only due to her sudden elevation to the high position of Lake Lord that she appeared more mature and composed in front of others.

Now, with only her and Shen Mo in the Coral Garden, she instantly reverted to her true nature, acting like a young girl.

Shen Mo said seriously, “Your conflict with Senior Sister Chen, although sparked by your disciples, is a separate matter. Those seven disciples from Green Cloud Peak received severe punishment. As for the disciples from Ascending Lake, they were only fined a few Spirit Stones and Merit Points.”

“As for the two of you, you violated the sect rule prohibiting private fights. As far as I know, you struck first; Senior Sister Chen merely retaliated. If you still think I’m being partial, I’ll add another two years’ deduction to your monthly stipend!”

Hearing this, Ming Yu immediately shook her head like a rattle drum and laughingly steered the conversation away from the topic.

“The Herb Hall of the Hundred Arts Hall has nearly finalized the new elixir recipe for the Shape Transforming Pill. In a few more months, they will be able to produce it in large quantities.”

“Once all your disciples from the Marine Race have transformed into human form, they can fully integrate into the Red Flame Sect and establish the demon cultivator lineage. If, even then, any human disciples dare to humiliate you, come find me at GuanYun Mansion. I will back you up!”

“During this time, Ming Yu, I’ll need you to work hard. Do your best to soothe the grievances among the Marine Race and convey my intentions to your people.”

Shen Mo spoke earnestly, offering many gentle words. He discussed the future prospects for the demon cultivator lineage, offered Ming Yu encouragement and reassurance, and also recounted the many shared experiences and bonds of friendship forged as the two races had weathered storms together.

“I am willing to help ease your burdens, Brother!” Ming Yu was visibly moved. Suppressing her playful demeanor, she responded with solemnity.

Shen Mo smiled and ruffled her hair, then pressed a prepared Universe Bag into her hands. It contained Spirit Stones, Elixirs, Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, and other spiritual items—enough to ensure she wouldn’t lack cultivation resources for the next three years.

The deduction of her stipend was to uphold the sect’s rules and regulations; gifting her privately, however, was an expression of Shen Mo’s personal affection for her.

“Wow, so many treasures! Thank you, Brother…” Ming Yu opened the Universe Bag, and her face immediately lit up with a cheerful smile.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep