In hindsight, Lu Ye being trapped here is likely due to the machinations of the Constellation Palace's will, which has long realized he can move within the All Phenomena Ocean, hence bringing him here without any clear revelation. If Lu Ye weren't so keen-minded, he probably wouldn't have guessed his task is actually to remove weeds.

On the other hand, considering there are intelligent creatures like the Merfolk Race in the All Phenomena Ocean, if the Constellation Palace's will simply wanted help with removing weeds, they could easily have enlisted the merfolk. Why bring him here instead?

Lu Ye vaguely speculates that there might be a deeper meaning unknown to him.

But given the current situation, besides focusing on the weed removal, there's nothing else for him to do, and it turns out to be quite a time-consuming task.

In the following days, Lu Ye continued his monotonous and tedious weed-removal work, with his storage ring nearly filled. The seaweed that couldn't fit had to be brought back and piled up within the Constellation Palace.

Occasionally, star beasts from the All Phenomena Ocean attacked, and Lu Ye would unleash Sword Qi to kill them.

Every so often, he would sense the aura of Moon Jade star beasts. Naturally, Lu Ye dared not confront them and would quickly avoid them, running back to the Constellation Palace to hide.

Lu Ye discovered something very strange: although the Constellation Palace's gate was wide open, star beasts rarely ventured inside, for reasons unknown.

The first seahorse that entered was clearly being pursued with nowhere else to go.

After almost ten days, while Lu Ye was diligently removing weeds outside the palace, something suddenly caught his peripheral vision. Upon closer inspection, he noticed the Merfolk Race approaching, led unmistakably by Bai Lu herself.

The merfolk were still riding their seahorse star beasts, and Bai Lu clearly spotted Lu Ye too, riding over curiously to watch him from not afar.

Lu Ye gestured for her to wait inside the Constellation Palace, and Bai Lu nodded, leading her people inside.

Lu Ye promptly followed them back.

The harvest time had come! Bai Lu might not know how many spirit crystals she'd bring, but Lu Ye certainly looked forward to it.

Once inside the hall, Lu Ye glanced around.

This time, not many merfolk had come, only four, with Bai Lu at the forefront. However, Lu Ye's gaze was immediately drawn to a woman beside Bai Lu.

It's not that she was exceptionally beautiful; rather, Lu Ye could sense that she was a Moon Jade Realm merfolk!

He had previously guessed that the Merfolk Race included Moon Jade members, as they are a race and couldn't possibly have only Constellations. Now, it seems he was right; whether they have Sun Blaze remains unknown.

Bai Lu appeared evidently happy, exclaiming to Lu Ye excitedly: "Li Taibai, we won!"

Although the price paid was significant, they ultimately secured victory in the tribal warfare. This means the Merfolk Race won't face a threat of extermination in the short term.

This victory owes mainly to the array discs Bai Lu brought back, from which the merfolk formed fifty arrays. Each array played a crucial role, swiftly clearing their enemies from their homeland.

This allowed the Merfolk Race to thoroughly comprehend the tremendous power of the array discs and the frightening boost they bring to their race.

"Congratulations!" Lu Ye nodded slightly.

This outcome wasn't unexpected; the previous fierce battle between the Merfolk Race and the unknown enemy suggested their strength was roughly equal. Thus, when one side gains an overall advantage, victory becomes much more attainable.

"By the way, here are the spirit crystals for our exchange," Bai Lu suddenly remembered, hastily taking out the spirit crystals she had brought.

Instantly, the spirit crystals piled up to a person's height in front of Lu Ye.

Gazing at those spirit crystals, Lu Ye remained outwardly calm, though inwardly pleased; such an easy harvest of so many spirit crystals is a rare opportunity.

This pile of spirit crystals, in terms of value alone, amounts to at least ten million spirit jade. Of course, this is just a conversion of value, but in stellar space, ten million spirit jade certainly wouldn't exchange for so many spirit crystals.

However, Lu Ye has witnessed large-scale events; a hundred million spirit jade is still at his waist, so although the spirit crystal quantity is sizable, it doesn't significantly sway his emotions.

Bai Lu expressed sincere gratitude: "Li Taibai, as a princess of the Merfolk Race, on behalf of my people, I extend the sincerest thanks and gratitude for your support and contributions. From now on, you are the most important friend of the Merfolk Race!"

Lu Ye responded politely: "I didn't do much."

Indeed, previously when he provided those array discs, it was largely because he saw the merfolk had ample resources and intended to get more spirit crystals. Judging by the current outcome, it turned out quite well; as for friendship... words alone aren't enough; actions are key.

He was somewhat surprised; Bai Lu turned out to be the princess of the Merfolk Race. He hadn't expected this; he only knew Bai Lu's status wasn't low—it was evident from the previous reactions and attitudes of those merfolk.

Bai Lu shook his head, "Without your support, more of my clansmen would surely die. This war might be truly lost, and we would inevitably be left homeless."

If the Merfolk Race loses their place of refuge, they will undoubtedly face peril at every turn in the treacherous waters of the All Phenomena Ocean. Though Lu Ye hadn't done much, to the Merfolk Race, it was a grace as vast as the ocean.

The Moon Jade merfolk beside him lightly coughed.

Bai Lu came back to himself, "Li Taibai, this is Great Elder Yan Miao from my clan. She has come on behalf of my people to discuss certain matters with you."

Lu Ye turned his gaze to the female merfolk named Yan Miao.

Yan Miao smiled slightly. She was strikingly beautiful, her eyes full of allure; with that smile, there was a captivating charm to her. She said something in her language, which Lu Ye did not understand.

Bai Lu explained, "The Great Elder wishes to use the Edification Technique to achieve mental resonance with you, making communication more convenient."

Lu Ye understood; his previous experiences had taught him that whoever used the Edification Technique on him would establish a telepathic link. If Yan Miao wished to talk, she would need to use a secret technique first.

He nodded to indicate agreement.

Yan Miao gently opened her mouth, singing as she lifted a slender jade finger, pointing toward Lu Ye's forehead.

Compared to Bai Lu's singing, Yan Miao's voice was undoubtedly more enchanting, clearly not due to higher cultivation.

Much like before, Lu Ye felt a slight vibration in his Divine Sea, and then something seemed to open.

Yan Miao's voice sounded beside his ear, "Young friend Taibai, I am Yan Miao."

Lu Ye clasped his fist, "Li Taibai greets Fellow Daoist!"

Among cultivators of the upper three realms, when interacting without special ties, it's appropriate to address each other as Fellow Daoist. Of course, Lu Ye could have referred to Yan Miao as Senior; though she appeared young, her cultivation clearly showed her age.

Yan Miao was unfazed by Lu Ye calling her Fellow Daoist and continued smiling gracefully, "Let me inform you, young friend, I am here under orders from my clan's queen to propose a transaction with you."

"Array disc?" Lu Ye inquired.

Having savored the benefits of the As-Close-As-Siblings Array Disc, the Merfolk Race naturally wanted more, which Lu Ye anticipated. After all, array discs aren't particularly durable. He had casually created them, and they easily broke. Bai Lu took back fifty last time, but after one battle, only a little over twenty remained, with more than half destroyed.

The Merfolk Race naturally wanted to stockpile them for emergencies.

Which is good news for Lu Ye.

"Indeed, we wish to purchase some array discs from you," Yan Miao nodded.

"No problem," Lu Ye nodded, "Pay upon delivery, and you can have as many as you want!"

Yan Miao's eyes shone with joy; the smooth progression of things exceeded her expectations. Her tone shifted as she said, "Moreover, our queen would like to invite you to the Royal Conch Palace to personally express her thanks. Would you be available?"

Bai Lu beside her showed a look of anticipation.

Lu Ye decisively shook his head, "Not convenient!"

Not considering his need to clear weeds here, venturing alone into another race's territory was not a wise choice.

Staying in the Constellation Palace ensured even Sun Blaze could do nothing to him, and all he wanted was to obtain some spirit crystals from the Merfolk. As for being a guest, he'd pass.

"Is there any concern, young friend?" Yan Miao clearly understood Lu Ye's thinking, "If so, you need not worry."

She turned to look at the Constellation Palace and began speaking to herself, "Since ancient times, no human has ever appeared in the Divine Temple. You are the first. I don't know how you arrived, but being here means you are favored by the Divine Temple. Toward those favored, the Merfolk Race dares not harbor any ill intent. Otherwise, we will face abandonment by the Divine Temple. If that happens, this vast All Phenomena Ocean would no longer hold a place for my clan!"

"Divine Temple?" Lu Ye realized she referred to the Constellation Palace, but with Merfolk calling it the Divine Temple, it clearly held extraordinary significance.

Yan Miao smiled, "The various clans of stellar space know nothing of All Phenomena Ocean's origin, even those star beasts who've lived here for countless years are unaware. But we Merfolk possess ancient records, stating the All Phenomena Ocean came to be because of the Divine Temple's presence, gathering immense stellar space energy, forming this gigantic ocean. So the entire ocean is under the protection and influence of the Divine Temple."

Her words reinforced Lu Ye's belief that the secret of his free movement in All Phenomena Ocean had long been probed by the Constellation Palace's consciousness.

"Our clan is cursed, able to survive only in the All Phenomena Ocean. Without it, in this vast stellar space, annihilation would be our fate," Yan Miao looked at Lu Ye once more, the allure in her eyes now gone, "Thus, we would never harm you, young friend. Please rest assured on this."