"During the healing process, we will use this altar to draw upon more of the sea's essence to aid the treatment; that will make it more effective," Ye Yunfei said.
"Alright, I understand," the Old Clan Leader replied.
Following that, Ye Yunfei took out the pills and began instructing the Old Clan Leader on how to consume and refine them.
Half a day later.
"Young man, the pills you concocted are truly miraculous! My injuries are more than halfway healed; the remaining injuries are nothing to fear and will recover completely sooner or later!" The Old Clan Leader said joyfully after consuming and refining all the pills.
"Old Clan Leader, is it true? That's wonderful!" The Eldest Princess had been standing nearby nervously awaiting the outcome, and upon hearing the Old Clan Leader's words, she couldn't help but be overjoyed.
"Actually, what truly took effect is the Sea God Water. These pills I refined have Sea God Water as their primary ingredient. Without Sea God Water, I wouldn't have had the ability to heal your injuries this quickly," Ye Yunfei said with a smile.
"Sea God Water is the primary ingredient? But over these years, I've consumed a massive amount of Sea God Water. If it were truly effective, it would have worked long ago. Yet, I've always felt that Sea God Water wasn't very helpful for my injuries," the Old Clan Leader said, caught off guard.
"It's not that Sea God Water is useless; it's that you couldn't absorb it. Your body's vitality was extremely weak and decaying. Consuming Sea God Water in that state was like sprinkling it on a piece of lifeless, rotten wood—it had little effect. Among the ingredients of the pills I refined, about half serve to guide the Sea God Water into your body and promote its fusion with your internal vitality," Ye Yunfei explained.
"So that's how it is. Young man, I truly didn't expect that at your tender age, you would possess such knowledge and insight. I'm impressed. Young man, you are my benefactor. Please accept my bow," the Old Clan Leader said, standing up to bow toward Ye Yunfei.
"Old Clan Leader, please, there's no need for such courtesy. Actually, it's because I have an affinity with your Mermaid Clan that I specially came here to treat your illness. Would you believe me if I said that?" Ye Yunfei looked at the Old Clan Leader as he spoke.
"I believe you. Young man, I don't know why, but I vaguely sense a certain familiarity toward you," the Old Clan Leader said slowly after staring at Ye Yunfei for a moment.
"Regardless, since you have healed my injuries, I will gift you a batch of Sea God Water. Moreover, from now on, you will be an honored guest of our clan," the Old Clan Leader said.
"Attendants! Prepare a banquet for our distinguished guest!" The Old Clan Leader proclaimed loudly.
Not long after, in another palace, a large gathering of the Mermaid Clan held a grand feast to celebrate the Old Clan Leader's recovery and to welcome and honor their guest.
During the feast, many mermaid maidens danced gracefully, with the Eldest Princess herself taking the lead, which made the banquet exceptionally lively. Ye Yunfei understood that the Mermaid Clan had long lived in seclusion within these seas, completely cut off from the outside world, so they often had to create their own entertainment.
"Report! Old Clan Leader, more and more strangers are entering the Cangmang Sea, all heading toward the central island," a clansman hurriedly reported to the Old Clan Leader during the banquet.
"I know," the Old Clan Leader nodded.
"Young man, you've also come for the Nine-Life Immortal Coffin, haven't you?" the Old Clan Leader asked Ye Yunfei after a moment of silence.
"Yes, I have indeed come for the Nine-Life Immortal Coffin. However, my reason for coming to your Mermaid Clan is because of my connection with your people; I specifically came to forge a good connection," Ye Yunfei answered.
"I understand," the Old Clan Leader nodded.
"I assume you also plan to visit the central island?" the Old Clan Leader asked again.
"Yes," Ye Yunfei nodded.
"I truly never imagined that the Nine-Life Immortal Coffin would emerge in the Cangmang Sea. No wonder so many powerful figures have gathered here. Very well, young man, I will accompany you to the central island to see for myself. The world whispers that the Nine-Life Immortal Coffin harbors Emperor Fate, even Immortal Fate. I wouldn't mind witnessing it myself," the Old Clan Leader said with a sigh.
"Excellent. With the Old Clan Leader accompanying me, traveling these seas will be much safer," Ye Yunfei said with a smile. While the Cangmang Sea was fraught with dangers, those perils were directed at outsiders. Members of the Mermaid Clan could move freely within these waters without suffering any attacks.
"Within the seawater, our Mermaid Clan is indeed very safe. But once we reach the central island, the situation changes. Our people will also face various attacks upon setting foot there, the same as the outsiders," the Old Clan Leader said.
"I am aware. Your Mermaid Clan's duty is to guard this sea; you are essentially the Tomb Keepers," Ye Yunfei nodded.
"Young man! How do you know this!" The Old Clan Leader was profoundly shocked upon hearing Ye Yunfei's words. The reason the Mermaid Clan had always lived in seclusion within these mysterious seas was indeed to guard a tomb—a sacred duty passed down through their race for generations. Somewhere deep beneath these seas lay a colossal tomb, known to the Mermaid Clan as the Celestial Tomb! The Mermaid Clan had passed down a belief through the generations: that they existed for the sake of that Celestial Tomb! This, however, was a core secret of the Mermaid Clan, and now here was a young human who understood it so clearly!
"I told you, I have an affinity with your Mermaid Clan. I know many things about your clan. Old Clan Leader, you don't need to doubt me; I bear absolutely no ill will toward the Mermaid Clan. You can rest assured on that point," Ye Yunfei said with a smile.
"I know you mean us no harm; otherwise, you wouldn't have treated my injuries. It seems you truly do have a connection with our Mermaid Clan," the Old Clan Leader sighed with emotion. He was beginning to believe Ye Yunfei's words more and more.
"This is your reward for curing me. Please accept it," the Old Clan Leader took out a spatial ring and handed it to Ye Yunfei. Inside were over a hundred blue jade bottles, each filled with Sea God Water.
"This is too much. Old Clan Leader, you really don't need to be this courteous. Even if you hadn't given me Sea God Water, I would have helped cure you all the same," Ye Yunfei said, somewhat astonished. This amount of Sea God Water was astoundingly valuable. If it were taken outside, even the leaders and Patriarchs of the major powers in the Eastern Barrens would likely come to seize it!
"It's not too much. This Sea God Water is the accumulation of many years, originally intended to sustain my decaying life force. Now that my injuries are healed, I no longer have any use for it. Please accept it," the Old Clan Leader said.
"Well, in that case, I'd be remiss to refuse," Ye Yunfei said after a moment of consideration, accepting it all.
"Young man, let's set off, to the central island. If we are too late, we might miss the opportunity involving the Nine-Life Immortal Coffin," the Old Clan Leader said.
"Good," Ye Yunfei nodded immediately, having been eager to depart.
Thus, the Old Clan Leader selected a group of elite experts from the Mermaid Clan, and they set off towards the island in the heart of the sea.