"It used to be quite common."

Cang Ling recalled, "Back then, the ocean had the Clam and Shell races, and they both could produce pearls."

"But they were weak, at most at the Golden Immortal level. During the Immortal-Demon War, they were also hit with devastating force."

"Now, in the Demon Realm, the Shell Race is extinct, and only a few Clam Race members remain."

"As for the oceans in the Immortal and Demon Realms, those two races no longer exist either."

"Moreover, as time passes, many pearls deteriorate and thus have become increasingly rare and precious."

Although she only had a lingering thought left, she was aware of everything discussed in the Azure Dragon Valley over the years.

Brother Cheng felt a surge of inspiration and asked, "Are the pearls of the Qilin Race from the Clam Race?"

"That's right, the Clam Race is ruled by the Crab Race, and the Crab Race has always been subordinate to the Profound Turtle Emperor."

"Did the Profound Turtle Emperor align with the Qilin Race?"

Cang Ling replied, "He was among the first batch that the Qilin Race persuaded, perhaps partially due to the pearls."

After all, in the Qilin Race, pearls are even more precious than cultivation resources, considered a luxury.

The only source naturally needs to be within their control.

Brother Cheng stretched lazily, "Seems like there's a need for a trip, we truly lead a busy life."

The Azure Dragon Empress secretly grumbled, wondering how one could claim to be busy when seldom seen out of bed.

"Your plan isn't to control that area and use pearls to pressure the Qilin Race into submission, is it?"

"I'd say you're overthinking, little brother!" Her laugh carried a hint of mockery.

"Pearls are precious to them, but ultimately they're a luxury, not a necessity."

"They're not enough to sway a race's major trend."

In her view, if Jiang Cheng genuinely wanted to overthrow the Qilin Race, his first move should be seeking support from various large races and persuading them to back him.

Especially those major races not entirely aligned with the Qilin Race.

Like the Phoenix Race, Tiger Race, Ape Race...

However, Brother Cheng seemed to have no such intention.

The Demon Realm is vast, with abundant oceans.

The most famous are the Golden Sea and Sea of Silver, each overseen by the Profound Turtle Emperor and Kunpeng Emperor respectively.

Each has countless strong leaders of the Sea Race under their command, not to be underestimated.

Ten days later, Sect Leader Jiang appeared above the Golden Sea.

Looking down at the endless golden waves below, a sense of grandeur welled up in him, inspiring poetry!

"Ah, golden waves, so much water!"

"I, Cang Cheng, cannot consume it all!"

His poetic muse startled the Empress's lingering thought accompanying him.

"Are you singing some spell?"

Brother Cheng regrettably shook his head, "Just poetry, you interrupted my creative flow, alas, I've lost my inspiration."

"A masterpiece gone before its birth."

"Blame me then?"

For the first time, the Azure Dragon Empress felt like hitting him.

"Once back, I'll have everyone in Azure Dragon Valley recite your new poem daily, rest assured."

Brother Cheng's expression changed, "That won't be necessary..."

This is public humiliation!

"It's very necessary!"

The two casually bantered, and Brother Cheng transformed into Qimeng of the Qilin Race.

No choice, as the Azure Dragon Race has currently been expelled from the Demon Realm.

If the Azure Dragon True Body were to descend, there would definitely be no peace.

The Empress's lingering thought whispered in surprise, "How did you do it? Your aura even matches Qimeng precisely."

Illusion techniques at the Immortal level are already commonplace.

But the biggest challenge is the difference in aura and Immortal Soul characteristics, detectable with slight awareness.

Yet, Jiang Cheng's transformation left no revealing trace unless he made a move, too miraculous.

"I'm perpetually unique like this."

Brother Cheng self-aggrandized flamboyantly as he dove into the depths of the sea.

After diving for some time, passing through layers of dark sea, the front suddenly brightened.

A grand and splendid underwater world appeared before his eyes.

Vaguely visible, transparent underwater palaces loomed in the distance, and colorful beads and corals vied for attention.

Vast underwater streets crisscrossed, stretching out of sight.

Various Undersea Demon Races could be seen wandering around, truly a brand-new world.

A casual sense revealed that the fish, shrimp, and crab here were mostly above the Profound Immortal level, impossible to tally at a glance.

His appearance stirred commotion.

"It's the Qilin Race!"

"What are they here for?"

"Probably for the pearls, right?"

"Poor Clam Race..."

Even from afar, these comments didn't escape Brother Cheng's ears.

He was a bit puzzled; was the Clam Race really pitiful?

Soon after, a quasi-emperor of the Crab Race arrived with several Demon Kings.

"Ah, it's Elder Qimeng!"

"What brings you here, if I may ask?"

Brother Cheng directly waved his hand, "Take me to the Clam Race."

"Ah? Not stopping by for a visit?"

Brother Cheng noticed that the Shrimp Soldiers and Crab Generals were busy clearing the streets ahead.

The sea race members were all driven out, yet the scene remained relatively orderly.

Apparently, this was always the case when the Qilin Race visited, everyone was used to it.

"No sitting around, let's get to business early!"

"Yes, yes, yes..."

The quasi-emperor of the Crab Race wasn't upset, instead chuckled along.

The Qilin Race was their largest pearl client and the leading race in the current Demon Realm; hence, he had to ingratiate them a bit.

Riding a grand underwater vessel, Brother Cheng quickly reached the Clam Race's gathering area.

A closer look revealed layers upon layers of Crab and Shrimp Race experts patrolling back and forth.

Their prowess was commonly at the Demon Venerable level, with over a dozen Demon Kings.

One might mistake this place for something crucial.

With the quasi-emperor of the Crab Race leading, Brother Cheng naturally traversed without hindrance.

Progressing along, he soon arrived inside.

The light here was a hundred times brighter than outside—a sheer white, hindering ordinary cultivators from seeing within.

Along the way, Brother Cheng saw large transparent oval Immortal Artifacts emitting steaming mist.

Inside each container, a Clam Race member floated up and down, seemingly devoid of consciousness.

Cang Ling's transmitted voice reached his ear.

"Unexpected, that the Clam Race has fallen to such a state."

"It's likely these containers are specially designed to induce pearl production."

"They've entirely become mindless puppets..."

Brother Cheng nodded silently.

"Haha, this time we've produced lots of fine goods again."

The quasi-emperor of the Crab Race was exuberant along the way.

"If you hadn't come, we intended to trade them at the Grand Demon Assembly with Profound Qilin Mountain!"

"Oh really, what fine goods do you have?"

"Please have a look!"

The quasi-emperor of the Crab Race executed a spell, and a giant scallop-shaped Immortal Treasure slowly opened, with over a thousand glistening pearls nestled within.

All these pearls were white, ranging in size from a fist to that of a pigeon egg.

In the Mortal World, they'd indeed be rare treasures though of little help for cultivation.

Brother Cheng just glanced casually before losing interest.

"This is what you call fine goods?"

Feigning disdain, he said, "Seems this trip was in vain."