At the next breath, the Merfolk, humming cheerful ballads, plunged one by one into the sea with a splash.
The leading mermaid also looked back thrice with each step, eventually entering the sea with lingering reluctance.
Coincidentally, as the mermaid dived into the ocean, the dawn broke over Penglai Sea.
A ray of morning light beamed down, combined with the Merfolk Pearls scattered throughout the caverns below the cliff, cast a splendid glow over the Coastal Cliff Pavilion, rivaling that of the Immortal Realm.
Tao Qian glanced over and couldn't help but smile.
With a wave of his hand, he instructed Shan Jiu to lead Little Age and Lian Jing'er to frolic and gather the Treasure Beads.
Zhong Doudou, this Crystal Demon girl, he called over for a separate inquiry.
Managing such a vast Immortal Island was a troublesome affair indeed.
Fortunately, his Master granted him the authority over the "Crystal Demon Clan," whose combat prowess far surpassed the Merfolk Clan.
Judging by what Zhong Doudou had boasted about on their way here,
the Crystal Demons were immune to fire and water, invincible to swords and spears, and completely fearless of Extraordinary Powers like the Thunder Skill and Poison Smoke.
Moreover, tireless and possessing many lethal abilities, they were extremely handy.
If he could summon more, Tao Qian felt that taming this island would not be too difficult.
However, Tao Qian soon received a worrying response.
Inside the main hall, Zhong Doudou, with a twisted expression, said:
"Young Master, it's certainly possible for you to summon my sisters to conquer the savage Devils on this island, but our Crystal Demon Clan cannot cultivate through Qi Eating. We manage well within the Star Membrane Secret Realm, but if active outside, we rely on consuming Spiritual Pearls, Spirit Stones, Jade Marrow Glaze, and other extraordinary alien items to maintain our combat strength."
"If you wish to conquer this island swiftly, I fear you'll have to summon most of my sisters, and Young Master... you might not be able to bear the cost of our sustenance."
Zhong Doudou's words couldn't have been clearer.
To put it simply: Young Master, you can't afford to provide for my sisters.
Tao Qian recalled what Duobao Daoist had told him earlier and thought it had been an exaggeration; now confirmed by the girl, it turned out to be true.
But soon, Tao Qian noticed a loophole and asked subconsciously, "Dou Dou, why haven't you needed anything while following me these days?"
As soon as Tao Qian asked this question, it immediately stirred up the girl's sorrows.
The girl turned her head, her eyes welling up with tears, and said pitifully:
"Young Master, Dou Dou has been deceived."
"True Monarch promised me a handsome reward for good service, and that reward was to stay by Young Master's side."
"Of course, that's wonderful; Dou Dou loves Young Master the most, especially the fragrance and delicacies in Young Master's embrace."
"But who would've expected Young Master to achieve Foundation Establishment so quickly? With the No-leak Body sealed, Dou Dou can no longer taste a wisp of Immortal Spiritual Qi. I've been starving for a whole day now."
"Young Master, could you please give Dou Dou some food? If I starve for a few more days, Dou Dou will become ugly."
"If it really doesn't work, those Merfolk Pearls will do, although they are a bit salty, they can still be eaten."
Upon hearing Zhong Doudou's words, Tao Qian finally realized
why the girl, who had always clung to him, had stopped doing so after he had founded his Dao Foundation.
Well, turns out this was the reason.
Tao Qian was momentarily speechless; he could only nod silently, agreeing to let the girl gather and eat the Merfolk Pearls, while also putting off the summoning of the Crystal Demons to conquer the Immortal Island for the time being.
Before leaving, Zhong Doudou seemed to remember something and hurriedly added:
"Dou Dou overheard Young Master talking with that mermaid. With your status, obtaining that Magic Skill would be effortless."
"However, the Spirit Treasure Scripture Hall holds an extensive collection, vast as the sea of smoke, and even the Scripture Hall Steward may not know where all the Books of Skills are located. If you want to search slowly, it would undoubtedly take several days."
"However, there are exceptions. On your way to the Scripture Hall, you could visit Aunt Spider's Immortal Island."
"Aunt Spider has served as the Scripture Hall Steward for hundreds of years and knows the whereabouts of all sorts of books like the back of her hand. She is also on good terms with Aunt Yunhua. With Young Master's prestige, you can certainly receive guidance and quickly find any Book of Skills you desire."
"The Basic Methods required by Little Age and Lian Jing'er might also only be easily found by Aunt Spider. Any ordinary Scripture Hall Steward you ask would likely give you an 'I don't know' in response."
"By the way, Aunt Spider's Daoist Field is at the Red Sleeve Immortal Island's Silk Cave Mansion, merely three hundred miles from here. It would take Young Master just a few breaths to get there."