Lin Qi wasn't quite sure what was going on, but she didn't ask any further questions.

Just as I was about to speak, a warm current seemed to surge within me, flowing through my limbs and bones.

Threads of pale golden aura emanated from the cultivators of the mermaid clan, gently falling onto Lin Qi.

Lin Qi was pondering when Dai Jun spoke in a slightly envious tone, "It's the power of the enshrined... It seems my luck was pretty good back then, I picked up quite the extraordinary person."

What does it mean?

"The power of offering is indispensable for cultivators transitioning from human to immortal. Just as mortals in the secular world rely on offerings to gods and Buddhas, cultivators accumulate good deeds and karma through offerings. By receiving offerings from people, they build up their merit and amass a full body of offering power. Only then can they transform their mortal bodies into immortal bodies and become celestial venerables."

"Nowadays, the strong cultivators of the Five Realms all bestow favors upon the four directions and receive the power of offerings from the four directions to become powerful." Dai Jun paused here: "You think why Xuan Tian Realm attaches so much importance to cause and effect?"

It is the power of dedication that has caused all this.

So when the first emperor heard of what Gong Liu had done, he only thought it was foolish.

Because Gong Liu is cutting off her own future.

Others toil and sweat to accumulate good karma and receive offerings, yet she, instead, causes all sorts of trouble... No amount of good karma can make up for the evil she has wrought.

If karmic ties are too deep, there will be a day when we will inevitably encounter divine retribution.

These, Dai Jun did not tell Lin Qi in detail. Lin Qi, however, had already guessed it.

It seems that the merfolk clan has also brought her some benefits.

Thanks to the offerings of the mermaid clan, Lin Qiuxiu's cultivation hadn't improved further. However, he felt his body had been tempered, both his flesh and soul imbued with a lightness.

My senses are sharper, and my soul is more steadfast.

After the mermaid clan submitted to Lin Qi, they treated him as a distinguished guest.

No matter what he thought in his heart, on the surface he put up an air of submission.

The Grand Elder had three things brought before him: "These are, respectively, the Wood of Soul-Nurturing Heaven and Earth, the Marrow of Cold Smoke, and the Phoenix God Pearl."

"Initially, the mermaid clan was abandoned by the Phoenix clan, their souls having nowhere to go. They could only temporarily find refuge in the Soul Nurturing Tree."

"This cold smoke marrow was also brought back from the North. It can help the fish folk's environment to be as similar as possible to the North...Although there isn't much left, I hope you won't mind it too much."

Lin Qi saw the surrender document and raised an eyebrow, asking, "You gave me everything you rely on to survive and cultivate. What are you going to do?"

The Arch Elder: "Now that the mermaid clan has signed a contract with humans, their souls can return to the Bing Huang clan. Naturally, the soul-nourishing tree is no longer needed."

"What about this cold smoke marrow?"

“Wherever the adults go, that is where the merfolk's territory lies. The merfolk now follow the adults to relocate. If they can reach a place filled with cold air, they naturally wouldn’t need this Cold Smoke Marrow.”

Lin Qi was taken aback: "Are you moving, or are you coming with me?"

Lin Qi thought to herself, if she was temporarily living in Feixian Pavilion, did the mermaid clan plan to move there?

The Grand Elder nodded. "Right. The adults come first, and we are their servants. How could we not follow in the adults' footsteps?"

"Ding Xi, who had always been silent, suddenly spoke: 'After signing a contract with you, we can be protected by you. The closer we are to you, the more benefits we receive. In general, the servants are supposed to follow their master everywhere.'"

The Grand Elder probably didn't expect Tingxi to expose him.

It wasn't about dismantling anything, it was just about making all the hidden reasons clear.

Lin Qi understood, turned her head to look at Dai Jun: "Could Feixian Pavilion be hiding people?"

"I rolled my eyes at you. What do you think? The bedchamber is a place for one's own rest, not for outsiders to snore in. This territory of Fei Xian Ge will not allow any foreigners to set foot here!"

Lin Qi asked the Great Elder curiously, "I currently reside at Feixian Pavilion. Can you stay within the grounds of Feixian Pavilion?"

The elder's face showed a hint of embarrassment.

"Alright, I understand."

The Grand Elder hastily said, "Although we cannot remain in Feixian Pavilion, we will do our best to reside near you. In the future, if you have any commands, the entire merfolk race will arrive at your side immediately!"

Lin Qi: " ... Forget it. The surrounding aura of Feixian Pavilion is very strong, and the land competition is quite fierce. It's not necessary for the Mermaid Clan to take this risk."

It was precisely because Lin Qi had stayed at Feixian Pavilion that she knew just how vast it truly was.

Even if the merfolk were truly stationed near Feixian Pavilion, they might not be able to compete with other forces.

It's better to stay put, at least there won't be other dangers.

The Grand Elder understood Lin Qi's implication. His face flushed red, but he still added: "Actually, You Tan Sea has thin fairy qi and is not suitable for cultivation. After the battle with the Xuan Shui Snake, relocating is inevitable."

Lin Qi said: "Then you should go and find a place to stay first, and send me a message when you have found it. My residence is not fixed, and I may not stay in Feixian Pavilion for long. Following me wouldn't be very stable."

The Elder hesitated for a moment, then pondered before saying: "This... isn't a bad idea."

Lin Qi took the nameplate handed over by the Great Elder, holding the Phoenix God Pearl and looking it over. "What is the use of this?"

The merfolk cultivators all showed a hint of astonishment on their faces.

It was probably unexpected that Lin Qi would ask this.

Lin Qi glanced at Dai Jun, thinking of the fabricated backstory she had created earlier. She could only continue.

"I'm originally a cultivator from the lower realm. By chance, I obtained the inheritance of the Binghuang clan, which allowed me to cultivate and ascend to the upper realm. I don't actually know much about the Binghuang clan..."

"What?!"

All the cultivators of the entire merfolk race had expressions on their faces that were hard to describe.

My mind kept churning with doubts, much like those that had plagued Daijun and Palace Six back then.

However, the elder eventually suppressed his curiosity and explained to Lin Qi: "This item comes from the Phoenix Temple and is beneficial for cultivating the Ice Phoenix Divine Art. If you infuse it with the Ice Phoenix Immortal Stone, your cultivation will progress by leaps and bounds. Moreover, this item represents the strongest connection between our clan and you. No matter if our clan or you are in trouble, we can know about it immediately."

Lin Qi nodded, knowing it was a good thing, so she took it.

"The mermaid clan has just gone through a great calamity and is also discussing the matter of migration. I'm afraid that they won't be able to handle everything in half a day. Arrange your own affairs, and I won't bother you any further. I'll go back to Feixian Pavilion first."

Ting Xi hesitated for a moment, then took a step forward. “Master…”

Lin Qi glanced at Ting Xi, also taking a moment.

She just remembered the master-servant contract she had signed with Tingxi, which was also a hassle.

This master-servant contract is different from the one Lin Qi signed with the merfolk clan.

Tingxi is now considered her spirit pet. Lin Qi wants to leave, so she definitely has to take her with her.

"Let's go together."

Lin Qi looked at Ting Xi, her expression unreadable.

This person is incredibly smart, so smart that it makes Lin Qi feel very uncomfortable.

Now that I think about it, Tingxi was probably plotting against her the moment she saw the Dihuang Sword.

Ting Xi also quietly let out a breath, knowing that Lin Qi had some reservations about what he had done, and didn't explain much.

Tingxi: “A great person knows the strength of a horse after it has traveled far, and one’s character is revealed over time.”