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Shortly after Yuying finished her ascension, Ling and Lingqi followed suit, while heavenly energy continued to descend for Ai.
Normally at most a person’s ascension would last around three days at most, however, Ai’s ascension lasted a total of six days before the magnificent rays that pierced through the sky began to fade away.
While Zhang tried to learn more about the sea and the Blood Coral Cove, Yuying, Ling and Lingqi each resided in their own chambers to solidify their newfound powers since they were not blessed with the powers of the Underworld Heart like their husband.
“Considering that someone mentioned that the forces of the Blood Coral Cove was ranked amongst the top twenty strongest forces of the sea, who is ranked first?” Zhang asked curiously as he tried to gauge the power of his newly claimed territory and subordinates.
“To be exact, the forces of the Blood Coral Cove was ranked twentieth in power when compared to the other major forces. However now that Shen Yu, Niao Wang and a few of the other lesser saints have been replaced by our new lord and the madams, I would say our current powers are comparable to the forces of the Aqua Serpent Grotto.” Hai Xing said.
“Which force is ranked first Zhang questioned with a curious look on his face.
“Like the Dragon God Palace, the forces of the Celestial Mermaid Bay that is ranked fifth in power is also openly friendly.” Hai Xing added.
“Of course, my lord, like in all places there are the good and the bad. In regards to relationships with our Blood Coral Cove, the forces of Starry Sea Sect and the forces of the Golden Pearl Sect are the ones we have to look out for. Although our precious lord, Shen Yu, tried to avoid conflict with the other forces as much as possible, due to how close their territory is to ours a lot of conflicts often arises.” Hai Xing reported to Zhang.
“I'm sure that they'll show up eventually since news tends to travel extremely fast beneath the waves.” Hai Xing said with a spiteful tone, showing that she did not very much like the Golden Pearl sect and Starry Sea Sect.
“It is as you say my lord.” Chu Shou and Hai Xing said respectfully as they began discussing the power structure of the forces of the sea to Zhang. As the conversation drew on, Hai Xing withdrew a large map from her interspatial ring which depicted the domains of the various forces under the sea. Showing Zhang that the domain of the Blood Coral Cove contained dozens of populated islands.
“What about these islands right here and which force rules over this fraction of the sea here?” Zhang asked.
“I was thinking of setting up teleportation platforms and allow for easy travel from the continent to here. But that would mean we would have to set up platforms within the territory of the Starry Sea Sect and on a few of these inhabited islands.” Zhang said as he traced his finger in a straight line across Hai Xing’s map.
“Brother! Let’s go! Let’s go! Big sis told me that you’re all waiting. I can’t wait to go either.” Ai’s cheerful voice could be heard as the sound of swinging doors echoed across the room that Zhang was in.
“You sure took your time.” Zhang said as he walked up toward his adorable wife and ruffled up her hair.
“Please allow me to lead the way for you my lord and your madams.” Chu Shou said as he performed a half bow.
“This is for your use my lord.” Chu Shou said as he handed Zhang the sphere which suddenly began glowing and emitting a bubble-like sphere. In next to no time at all the sphere had grown gigantic and enveloped Zhang and the beauties within it.
“I wonder what sort of techniques and magic I will be able to learn there.” Ling said in a low tone as her eyes twinkled. Considering the Blood Coral Cove was a force that ruled over a vast area of ocean, it was obvious they would have a large number of water related techniques and skills for her to learn.
In a heartbeat, Zhang and the beauties departed from one world and entered into another one, a cold world of water and beasts.
With sparkling eyes mesmerized by beautiful landscape and creatures of the deep sea, the beauties could all be seen with broad smiles on their faces.
Despite not showing it, Zhang was equally as dazzled as his wives and couldn't take his eyes off the beauty that the sea had to offer.
However, before the shark could even get remotely close, a pulse of essence traveled through the water and smashed into it, sending it hurtling away.
“Brother, watch out or else we are going to crash into the mountain. If the bubble pops, I'm my a very good swimmer.” Ai said as she tugged onto Zhang’s sleeve.
“Or we can each take a deep breath and share oxygen through our mouths.” Zhang suggested with a laugh.
In a flash Chu Shou, Hai Xing and the transparent bubble carrying Zhang and the beauties flew through the face of sea mountain and into a dazzling cave filled with glowing coral and fish.
The moment they arrived, hundreds of thousands of mantis shrimp and flying fish shot out from the city, creating to neat rows and a path for Zhang and the beauties to follow.
“It seems they called in ahead.” Zhang thought as he spotted a team of lesser saints flew out of the city.
“More than likely they know about the fact that I had given those two a share of heavenly energy. Hopefully, this will make them more willing to submit to my will in the hopes of gaining rewards.” Zhang thought as the group of lesser saints gathered and bowed in front of him before turning around to lead him into the city of coral.
“These people look so normal.” Ai said as she saw how humanlike the citizens of the city appeared, contrary to his expectations of a city brimming with oddly look individuals that possessed mixed matched parts of aquatic creatures.
Zhang was told that this was mainly because of the thinning of bloodlines that occurred as the descendants of the original sea dwellers intermingled with humans. Originally all of the sea dwellers were the children of Divine Beasts and possessed many beast like qualities in both their appearance and physical abilities.
Out of the general population, one out of every twenty or so citizens of the Blood Coral Cove would possess a heretical trait passed down from their ancestors. These individuals, of course, would be recruited into the Blood Coral Cove’s Blood Scale Army due to their superior combat capabilities.
“Perhaps it's because I am not like the previous rulers who resembled Divine Beasts that the common people are so welcoming.” Zhang thought as he noticed that besides the soldiers of the Blood Scale Army who had seen his abilities, most if not all of the citizens of the city who possessed hereditary traits from their divine beast ancestors were giving him and the beauties looks of scorn.
“Since the empire doesn't really need me at its reins and since I have plenty of time to kill I'll stick around for a while and have some fun.” Zhang said in his kind as he thought about personally governing the Blood Coral Cove.