"True Monarch, what became of that Human Demon?" Yang Jing asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice as he noted Canyuan True Monarch’s excellent mood.

Canyuan True Monarch took out a jar carved from white jade. The surface of the jar was covered in countless talismanic patterns and restrictions, its lid sealed shut by a Yellow Talisman.

Using his Grotto Dark Dharma Eye, Yang Jing could see a Demon Shadow so dense it was almost solid, bound tightly within the jar.

"I have imprisoned this demon in this jar. A Celestial Demon of the Nascent Soul Realm is known as a Demon King in the Outer Realm. It is exceedingly difficult to kill one completely. I plan to take it back to the Profound Pure Sect and place it in the sect’s Heaven and Earth Demon-Suppressing Tower. The tower contains the Heaven and Earth Purity and Turbidity Grinding Disc Array. In just ten days, it can be ground down into Profound Pure Treasure Qi."

Profound Pure Treasure Qi could be used for refining Nascent Soul Pills or to directly increase the cultivation of a Nascent Soul Cultivator. Even in the Profound Pure Sect, it was a treasure of the highest order.

Canyuan True Monarch himself had not expected that coming out to help Yang Jing would result in such a windfall.

The Demon Gold was worth a fortune, something even Nascent Soul Realm Demon Cultivators would be willing to pay a high price for, yet Canyuan True Monarch had gifted it to Yang Jing so readily precisely because he had obtained this greater prize.

Yellow Foot had already licked the jar of Spirit Liquid clean. It tilted its head curiously, sizing up the two men.

After a moment’s hesitation, it trotted over to Yang Jing’s side, nudged its master’s chest with its head, and let out a soft whimper, begging for food.

Yang Jing could only take out a Blood Circulation Pill from his robes and feed it to Yellow Foot. The creature eagerly swallowed the pill, but upon realizing it wasn’t a Nine Revolutions Red Blood Pill, its head immediately drooped in disappointment.

Canyuan True Monarch offered Yang Jing further guidance on some difficult aspects of cultivation. Only when a soldier sent a token to report their arrival at Celestial Sea Marketplace did the True Monarch lead Yang Jing out of the cabin.

Celestial Sea Marketplace was an underwater market, nestled at the base of a sprawling coral reef.

The sea here was not particularly deep—only about twenty-odd zhang—and sunlight pierced through the water, illuminating the entire region until it was as transparent as crystal.

Multi-colored coral grew in lush groves, and all manner of brightly colored fish darted among them, creating a picturesque scene.

Celestial Sea Marketplace was situated within the circle of the coral reef, occupying a vast area that surpassed even Celestial Square Marketplace outside the Five Elements True Spirit Sect.

Most of the buildings in the market were constructed from coral stone, giving them a style distinct from those on land. With flying eaves, upturned corners, and glazed tile roofs, they were decorated everywhere with coral trees, giant clamshells, and agate that reflected the light from above in a dazzling display.

Buildings of all colors stood in neat, dense rows, and the foot traffic between them was shoulder-to-shoulder.

Moving about and hawking wares in the market were not only Human Race Cultivators but also various transformed demons. Lacking Transformation Pills, most still retained features of their original forms—some bore turtle shells, others had fish gills—a bizarre and motley collection of beings.

Of course, there were also many Merfolk living in the sea. They had even set up shops in the market to sell Jue Sha.

Although this gauze, unlike the Jue Sha woven by the Merfolk of the Central Continent, did not grant the ability to fly and repel water when worn, it was exceptionally durable, fearing neither fire nor water. If sold on the mainland, its price would immediately quintuple.

When the demons in the marketplace saw the ferocious-looking Profound Whale, they all panicked.

The vicious Profound Whale was their natural enemy. If they encountered one in the open sea, escaping the fate of being swallowed into its belly was nearly impossible.

It was only because they saw that the Profound Whale appeared to be tamed that they did not immediately abandon their stalls and flee.

The Dong Family clansmen already knew there were honored guests aboard the Flying Boat. A squad of Dong Family soldiers riding seahorses came to guide the vessel to its berth, but their mounts were so terrified of the Profound Whale that they balked and refused to advance.

The leading Foundation Establishment Cultivator had no choice but to lash his seahorse viciously and use Water Escape to approach alone, guiding the Flying Boat into its mooring.

"It has been a long time. This Celestial Sea Marketplace is being managed more and more prosperously!" Canyuan True Monarch exclaimed in awe upon seeing the vibrant and thriving scene.

This marketplace facilitated trade with the demons of the sea. The deep ocean held many spiritual materials and treasures not found on the continents, and the sea demons were in desperate need of many spiritual objects from the land.

Despite this mutual need, along the entire lengthy coastline of the Western Continent, Celestial Sea Marketplace was the only one managing trade between land and sea.

A demon’s nature is wild and difficult to tame; compared to honest trade, they much preferred to simply plunder.

Even with the Dong Family’s power in the sea, Celestial Sea Marketplace had still been attacked no less than ten times in the past hundred years.

The soldiers nervously led the West Sea Great Saint to a separate berth for flying boats, where they brought large quantities of bloody food to feed it, lest the giant beast go mad with hunger.

The West Sea Great Saint acted the part of an ordinary Profound Whale, opening its massive mouth to swiftly suck in the food before closing its eyes and falling into a deep slumber.

"Nephew Yang is truly extraordinary. To think you’ve trained this Profound Whale to be so gentle," Dong Yiming praised.

Dong Family soldiers arrived, driving two carriages pulled by Dragon Beasts. The carriages were coated in vermilion lacquer and adorned with Jue Sha, their golden bells tinkling, creating an image of exceptional luxury.

The Dragon Beasts used as draft animals were also quite remarkable. Aside from an alligator-like head, they had slender bodies covered in black scales, four claws, and a mane running down their backs, making them look almost identical to the True Dragons of legend.

"These Piggy Dragons are descendants of a Demon King. Many of that Demon King’s offspring have degraded bloodlines and are of little use. Using them to pull carriages is making the best use of them," the soldier driving the carriage explained to Yang Jing, noticing his curiosity.

Yang Jing’s group and Canyuan True Monarch were treated as honored guests and welcomed onto the carriages. The soldiers of the Demon Suppression Army remained on the Flying Boat, responsible for guarding and maintaining it.

Yang Jing, his five disciples, and Zuoqiu Feng sat in one carriage, while Canyuan True Monarch and Elder Dong Yiming shared the other.

The carriage already appeared immense from the outside, but stepping into it was like entering a mobile palace. The various furnishings arranged within were a dazzling sight to behold.

Even Zuoqiu Feng, born of a Noble Family, could not help but sigh inwardly. Compared to the Dragon Taming Dong Family, the Zuoqiu Family truly seemed shabby.

Inside the carriage, a dozen or so Clam Girls with shells on their backs were in attendance. They possessed beautiful, serene features and were dressed in a demure fashion.

"Is there a fragrance you prefer, esteemed guest?" the lead Clam Girl asked with a respectful bow. She was perceptive, having seen at a glance that although Zuoqiu Feng’s cultivation was higher, Yang Jing was the one in charge.

"Anything is fine," Yang Jing instructed, then guided his disciples to sit. He knew very little about the indulgences of these great noble families.

The Clam Girl did not press further. From her storage bag, she produced an incense box and skillfully blended various precious spices, placing them inside a bronze, crane-shaped incense burner.

A moment later, a heart-refreshing fragrance began to curl gently into the air.

Yang Jing’s nerves had been taut for days. Inhaling the scent, he felt an immediate wave of relief and relaxed considerably.

Next, all sorts of exquisite pastries were served. Yang Jing and Zuoqiu Feng each took one, sampling them lightly before leaving the rest for the disciples.

Yellow Foot’s astonishing appetite caused the Clam Girls to lose their composure for the first time. They continuously brought out a variety of pastries, which vanished into Yellow Foot’s belly without a moment’s pause.

The underwater marketplace was vast, and the carriage moved at a very smooth, unhurried pace. It took a full two quarters of an hour to reach their destination.

By then, ninety percent of the pastries in the carriage had found their way into Yellow Foot’s stomach.

The Clam Girls welcomed Yang Jing’s party of six into a magnificent palace with carved beams and painted rafters.

"Immortal Master Yang, the Sea Dragon Banquet does not begin until tomorrow. Please rest here for the day. We will be waiting just outside. If you have any needs, simply ring this bell."

The lead Clam Girl handed a small bell to Yang Jing.

Yang Jing nodded and put the bell away. He had not been seated for long when the lead Clam Girl, her former calm replaced by a flustered expression, hurried back to find him.

"Immortal Master Yang, Young Master Dong Xixian has come to visit."