Deep within the Ruins of Return was a vast and shadowy lake. At its center stood a jagged and rugged island, scattered with faint traces of ancient buildings.0

This was Merfolk Island.0

Few sea demons were worthy of entering the Ruins of Return, and even fewer could survive the dry conditions at its center. Only the merfolk had the power to create a livable space in such harsh conditions.0

As envoys of the Hallowed Mother, the merfolk held a revered place among sea demons.0

Finding this secluded place wasn’t difficult. Wang Xuanling and his two disciples intercepted a straggling sea demon, "politely" asked, and got their answer.0

The golden loach had returned to Xu Ziyang earlier. He released it again, and the creature slipped into the water, circled once, and swiftly shot off in one direction.0

Chu Liang had asked about it earlier. The creature was called "Xunlong," a mystical spirit beast that could track items through spiritual sensing. Anything it had seen up close could be found again. Despite its ordinary appearance as a large golden loach, fewer than three existed in the world.2

Xu Ziyang had found the loach frozen in a hidden realm, rescued it, and earned its loyalty. Since then, the creature recognized Xu Ziyang as its master. 0

As for the age of this creature, it was at least three thousand years old.0

Not a single one of its whiskers had grown in vain.0

As they crossed the waters to...0