Jiang Yuebai and Shen Jinghao boarded the Fishbone Boat together, escorted by two male and two female Merfolk, heading toward the bright moon on the horizon.

On either side, Fishbone Boats from various isolated islands followed their lead, gradually merging into the procession. Beneath the sea, ghostly blue jellyfish floated up and gently pulsed alongside.

The moonlight cascaded over Shen Jinghao, making her appear both sacred and gentle.

A male Merfolk swam over, holding onto the boat, and spoke in the language of the Human Clan: "With the merit you’ve accumulated in the mortal world, your next life will surely be one of prominence and great accomplishments. It’s our honor as Merfolk to escort you to reincarnation."

Shen Jinghao remained calm and thanked him with a smile.

Jiang Yuebai squatted down, looked at the male Merfolk, and asked, "What about me? Did you bring me onto the boat to send me to reincarnate with Mr. Shen?"

The male Merfolk scrutinized Jiang Yuebai, puzzled, and mumbled a few words in Merfolk language before speaking in the Human Clan language: "You have karmic ties with her, and part of her mortal world merit is also yours. Since you met an untimely end in this life, in the next you’ll be born into a prosperous family, living a carefree life."

"Did you capture a male cultivator with an incomplete soul recently?" Jiang Yuebai asked.

The male Merfolk responded casually, "That person hadn’t reached the end of his lifespan and intruded here. He’s been detained by us and will be dealt with after the Netherworld gives instructions!"

"I don’t want to reincarnate, just lock me up as well," Jiang Yuebai said directly.

The male Merfolk frowned, "The opportunity for you to reincarnate is something many people would eagerly seek."

"So what? I simply don’t want to reincarnate. The male cultivator you captured owes me a huge debt. I’m here to collect it, and I won’t reincarnate until I see him."

Jiang Yuebai’s attitude was firm, and the male Merfolk, unwilling to argue, replied coldly, "Don’t be ungrateful!"

Jiang Yuebai glared, then turned to Shen Jinghao, "Mr. Shen, please step back."

As soon as she finished speaking, Jiang Yuebai stood up and said, "If that’s the case, then forgive me. Count all the bad karma on Xie Jingshan," and immediately placed a foot directly on the male Merfolk’s face.

Bam!

The male Merfolk’s head was forced up with a bewildered expression, and the surrounding Merfolk and those on the Fishbone Boat looking to reincarnate looked over in fear.

"How dare you strike..."

Bang!

Another kick landed squarely on his face, making his nose tingle with pain as tears, resembling small pearls, fell into the sea.

Jiang Yuebai stood with arms akimbo, looking down at him.

Suddenly, the male Merfolk’s entire face transformed into a ferocious fish face, with sharp teeth glaring at Jiang Yuebai and hissing. All around, the Merfolk raised their spears at her.

Jiang Yuebai took a half-step back, grabbed Shen Jinghao, and whispered, "Mr. Shen, don’t be afraid."

"Anyone who dares to come over, I’ll drag her into the sea with me. Don’t think I don’t know you want to leverage the Merit Power on her. If you don’t take me to see that person today, you won’t get anything!"

With that, Jiang Yuebai pulled Shen Jinghao to the edge of the boat, ready to jump into the sea at any moment.

The group of Merfolk looked at each other with their spears raised. The male Merfolk with the red nose raised his hand, and the Merfolk retreated.

"Release her first, and I’ll have someone take you to that male cultivator right now."

Jiang Yuebai laughed, "I’m not a fool. Turn the boat around; once I see that male cultivator, I’ll return her to you."

At an impasse, the male Merfolk had no choice but to cover his nose and compromise. Many Merfolk immediately turned and dived into the sea, and the Fishbone Boat shook violently as it quickly sank.

Large bubbles shielded Jiang Yuebai and Shen Jinghao from the seawater.

Submerged in darkness for roughly half an hour, an unknown light pierced through, making Jiang Yuebai squint and look down to see an endless stretch of coral blossoms, colorful and vibrant.

Various jellyfish floated around, schools of fish swam by, and the scene was full of life.

Short, melodious sounds reached her ears; Jiang Yuebai followed the sounds to see a majestic city sprawling on the seafloor, filled with large seashells of various colors, and Merfolk of all sizes playing and hunting among the schools of fish.

Jiang Yuebai couldn’t quite understand the spatial structure here. Her soul had left her body to reach those isolated islands, and then dove deeper to meet the Merfolk Country.

Once she found Xie Jingshan, how was she supposed to leave?

The Merfolk guided the Fishbone Boat into the massive city, heading toward the depths of the city to a pitch-black circular tower, surrounded by bubbles that prevented seawater from entering.

This place had always been used to imprison unknown or problematic souls. After reporting to the Netherworld, these souls mostly became food for the Merfolk.

The Fishbone Boat stopped outside the Black Tower, and the male Merfolk with the red nose said coldly, "The person you’re looking for is inside. Release her."

Jiang Yuebai glanced at the Black Tower behind her and realized there was no choice but to believe him. She released Shen Jinghao, "Sorry, Mr. Shen, for delaying your reincarnation."

Shen Jinghao smiled and shook her head, "It’s alright. I’m just glad to help."

Suddenly, Shen Jinghao staggered, and Jiang Yuebai quickly supported her, feeling something swiftly slipped into her palm.

"This is a gift from His Majesty. I don’t know why it’s with me here, but I hope it can help you."

Shen Jinghao stood upright, straightened her attire, while Jiang Yuebai, herded by spears, retreated into the Black Tower.

*

At that moment, deep inside the Black Tower.

"...This young master will never fall for your tricks! All that talk about following heavenly destiny is nonsense!"

Xie Jingshan, his hair disheveled, was angrily rebuking an old blind man dressed like a mortal fortune-teller.

"I wondered why I suddenly felt like I was the reincarnation of a Sword Immortal or why I had those bizarre dreams. Turns out it was all your doing! I’m telling you, I am myself, not anybody else. Nobody can force me to do what I don’t want to do, especially if it means harming those I care about!"

The old blind man, with his hands clasped and ears slightly tilted, sensed someone approaching from behind and chuckled, "You are all just mere pawns in this Heavenly Dao’s chessboard. Sooner or later, you must accept your destiny. Before you, many Heavenly Dao’s pawns have done so. Against it, you’re better off submitting to destiny. It’s for your own good. I’ve said my piece, take care."

As his voice faded, the old blind man vanished into thin air.

Xie Jingshan chased after him, shouting, "Come back, who are you really?!"

"Xie Jingshan—"

Jiang Yuebai’s call interrupted him. Xie Jingshan turned sharply to see Jiang Yuebai emerging swiftly from the darkness.

Their eyes met, and Xie Jingshan retreated a half-step in disbelief.

"Finally, I’ve found you!"

Jiang Yuebai exhaled a sigh of relief, hurriedly approaching Xie Jingshan, about to inquire about his situation when Xie Jingshan suddenly grabbed her face and pulled hard.

"You old fraud, don’t think you can deceive me!" Xie Jingshan snarled.

"Ouch!"

Jiang Yuebai slapped Xie Jingshan’s hand away, her joy instantly turning to anger as she berated Xie Jingshan.

"Is your incomplete soul making you lose your mind too? I came all this way to rescue you, and you call me an old fraud?"

Xie Jingshan froze, "You... you really are Jiang Yuebai? How did you end up like this?!"

"It’s you who ended up like this. I’m very much alive, and I’m here specifically to bring you back." Jiang Yuebai said, rubbing her face.

"Bring me back? I can actually go back?" Xie Jingshan remained bewildered.

Jiang Yuebai shouted angrily, "Your grandfather, your mother, your master, do you know how many people outside are working hard to save you?"

Upon hearing this, a trace of guilt flashed in Xie Jingshan’s eyes, "My grandfather, he..."

"Enough talking, you don’t have much time left. If you don’t go back now, you’ll truly be lost!"