The fairy forced me to marry into her family, so I retorted by throwing myself into the Pool of Fate

The blue waves parted, and the ferry sailed out of Qingshiji.

On the deck, Li Ping stood by the railing, secretly making plans in his mind.

This trip was very fruitful.

They not only figured out the specific purpose of the cave's layout, but also purchased three kinds of elixirs.

The only downside was that he was penniless after the trip.

With only thirty-odd spirit stones left, it would be enough for a ferry ride.

However, the Hong family's plans on the island are a matter of life and death for the Mu family.

If this scheme can be thwarted, the Mu family will surely be generous with their contribution points.

As Li Ping was pondering this, he couldn't help but look around. Seeing that everyone on the deck was doing their own thing and no one was paying attention to him, he felt a little disappointed.

That can't be right. I bought pills at the market and went to the Worry Relief Shop. I was so conspicuous, yet I wasn't noticed?

These sea raiders are being far too cautious.

But if you don't step in, where will I, Li Ping, have the chance to make a fortune?

It seems that next time, I'll need to show off my wealth more.

The journey was uneventful, and the ferry arrived smoothly at Qing Teng Island.

After disembarking, Li Ping waited at the dock for a while. Seeing that no one was following him, he gave up his get-rich-quick scheme.

Back in the courtyard, Hong Xing was nowhere to be seen.

Could it be that you're still following me in Qing Shi Ji and haven't returned yet?

Li Ping shook his head, turned and went into the house, took out the Spirit Nourishing Pill and swallowed it.

After the pill entered my stomach, I felt a slight swelling in my meridians, as if a gentle stream was flowing through them.

Li Ping quickly activated his magical power to guide the medicinal effects along his meridians.

The nine basic meridians are connected one by one, forming a microcosmic orbit, and the water-nourishing meridian is considered to have achieved minor success.

During this period, he has opened up his fifth meridian by relying on the condensed dew of the mysterious water.

Such speed is astonishing to the outside world.

But for Li Ping, it was still not enough.

Next, we need to thwart the Hong family's scheme, which will inevitably involve another bloody battle. We must improve our ability to protect ourselves.

Half an hour later, as the effects of the medicine wore off, Li Ping took out another Spirit Nourishing Pill and swallowed it.

Just as he was concentrating on his cultivation, another ferry entered the Qing Teng Island dock.

The ferry remained docked for a long time, but no one disembarked.

Only after the ferry had sailed away did a figure suddenly appear on the dock—it was Hong Xing.

She looked around, feeling somewhat relieved, and then went straight to Hong Peng's house.

"What did he go to Qing Shi Ji for?"

Hong Xing said, "I spent half a day browsing the market, bought some pills, and then spent half a day drinking at the Worry Relief Shop."

Hong Peng nodded and reminded him, "Keep a close eye on him these days, don't let him find an opportunity."

"So fast?" Hong Xing's eyes widened, her face showing surprise.

"The timeframe remains the same, there are still three months left, but we've reached a critical moment, and there's no room for error."

Hong Peng turned to look out the window and, seeing that it was already dark, said, "Don't overthink it, hurry back and keep an eye on the people."

Hong Xing nodded and silently left the room.

Once everyone left, Hong Peng practiced breathing exercises alone. As night fell, he suddenly opened his eyes, patted his storage bag, and took out several magical artifacts and talismans.

After carefully inspecting the area, Hong Peng left the house and headed straight for the top of the island.

The night was deep, and a cold wind blew across the mountain.

Hong Peng looked out at the horizon and saw only darkness. Feeling uneasy, he subconsciously touched the storage bag at his waist again.

"What, you want to attack me?"

Before he knew it, a dark figure had quietly appeared behind him.

Hong Peng turned around abruptly, his expression changing slightly: "When did you arrive?"

The shadowy figure glanced at him but said nothing.

Hong Peng snorted coldly and said, "My Hong family has already done as instructed. When will you fulfill your promises?"

"The time isn't right yet." The shadowy figure clicked his tongue and chuckled, "Don't worry, what's meant to be yours will be yours."

"That's not what was said back then."

"What, you want to get off the ship now?" the dark figure sneered, his face full of disdain.

Hong Peng's forehead veins bulged, but he swallowed his frustration and let out a soft sigh.

After a moment's hesitation, he asked again, "Are you sure that thing really works?"

"That formation is derived from Gongshu Yan." Seeing the bewildered look on his face, the dark figure suddenly sneered, "Why should I tell you all this? You wouldn't understand anyway."

He paused, then said sternly, "Just do your own thing and stop asking so many questions."

As soon as he finished speaking, the dark figure flashed and disappeared without a trace.

Hong Peng looked around but couldn't find him anywhere, and then he breathed a sigh of relief.

Just as he was about to hurl a few curses, a voice suddenly entered his ears.

"By the way, don't let that son-in-law get away."

Hong Peng shuddered, his heart filled with unease.

He looked up at the sky and silently asked himself:

"Has the Hong family truly made the right move this time?"

The night sky was pitch black, deathly silent, with no echo.

……

……

The underground cave is calm and still.

Suddenly, a string of bubbles emerged from a narrow crevice in the rock wall, and then a figure emerged from it.

Li Ping looked around but didn't see the Ironback Whale, and his heart sank.

He searched everywhere, but still couldn't find any trace of him.

They won't have run away, will they?

Just as I was wondering what was going on, I suddenly felt a surge of water around my waist.

Li Ping looked down and saw a miniature whale circling his storage bag, calling out, "Immortal, this little demon is here."

He extended a finger and gently hooked the small whale close to his eyes, saying with displeasure, "From now on, when I come, you must actively grow larger and reveal your true form, understand?"

"The little demon understands."

Having said that, it flicked its tail, and its body suddenly began to grow larger.

Caught off guard, Li Ping was suddenly pushed and slammed into the cave wall.

In the blink of an eye, the entire cave was filled with this iron-spined whale.

"I made you bigger, not this big." Li Ping said with displeasure.

"How big should it be?"

Li Ping gestured to indicate his size: "Someone my size would be fine."

"Okay."

The iron-backed whale shrank its body as instructed and swam toward Li Ping, its figure looming over him like a dark cloud.

Li Ping felt a bit stifled, so he said, "Make it smaller."

The Ironback Whale transforms again until the oppressive feeling disappears.

"That's right." Li Ping nodded, seeing how easily it changed size, and couldn't help but ask, "When did you learn this shape-changing technique?"

The iron-backed whale's green eyes darted around, and it spat a bubble at his storage bag: "Immortal, could you open this bag and let this little demon take a look?"

Seeing Li Ping's ambiguous smile, it quickly emphasized, "Just take a look, absolutely no food inside."

Li Ping didn't expose its intentions and nodded in agreement.

The iron-backed whale rolled its green eyes and recalled, "I don't remember very clearly either. I just woke up one day and had a memory in my head, and then I knew how to do it."

Bloodline inheritance?

A thought flashed through Li Ping's mind, but he didn't delve into it. He patted his storage bag, and three porcelain bottles flew out and hovered in front of him.

The iron-backed whale's green eyes flashed as it swam swiftly toward the porcelain bottle.

Its size shrank again, and by the time it reached the bottle, it was only about a finger's length long.

It swam back and forth between the three porcelain bottles, finally stopping in front of the bottle containing the Mysterious Water Pill. It circled the bottle, examining it closely.

"What, you don't like the first two bottles?" Li Ping asked.

"Bland and tasteless, with no aroma."

Only water-based elixirs would be effective against it?

While they were pondering, the Ironback Whale suddenly asked, "What are those little blue balls inside? Can we take them out and take a look?"

Li Ping snorted, ignoring its reluctant gaze, and took back all three bottles of pills.

"I'll give it to you in a bit, answer my question first."

The iron-backed whale nodded and swam into his palm.

"Has anything unusual happened recently?"

"No." The Ironback Whale shook its head, and seeing Li Ping remain silent, it asked urgently, "Little Demon already said, where's the promised essence blood?"

"Don't rush."

Li Ping took out the precious talisman, his expression suddenly turned solemn, and he said in a deep voice:

"The Heavenly Way is collapsing, and the four seas are in turmoil. This is the time for us to rise up."

"I now use this precious talisman as a pledge. Are you willing to acknowledge me as your master, to become my divine beast, to follow me in conquering the four directions, and to attain immortality?"