One hundred miles west of Ping County, Seagrass Town.
It gets its name because of its proximity to the East Sea, where large quantities of edible seagrass grow in the shallow sea areas around the town.
Led by the reception personnel, the carriage arrived at a spacious courtyard in Seagrass Town.
Although it was just a town, it had a large population and was quite lively.
People came and went, with a constant flow of traffic, not much inferior to Lin'an County in its prime.
Clearly, relying on the East Sea and having sea routes made it more prosperous than inland areas.
"Sirs, the stronghold is in the seafood shop opposite. This courtyard has been specially prepared for you. Lord Leech is at the Red Crystal Mine. I have already sent a message, and he should return soon. Please wait here for a while, sirs."
The two Hidden Star Envoys who were receiving them respectfully said after arranging accommodation for Lin Sheng and the others.
"Alright, you may go."
Lin Sheng glanced at the courtyard and nodded faintly.
Although the courtyard was not luxurious, it was quite tidy and, more importantly, spacious, which he was quite satisfied with.
The two Hidden Star Envoys bowed and then turned to leave.
Bai Can, who was standing by, introduced him to Lin Sheng.
"Leech is one of the Blazing Star Envoys responsible for affairs in Donghai Prefecture. He is in charge of this Red Crystal Mine excavation mission."
At this point, Bai Can paused before continuing.
"This Leech is very strong. Among the organization's Blazing Star Envoys, he can rank among the top ten, possessing the strength of the Late Stage Divine Form Realm. It's just that his temperament is not easy to deal with."
"Oh? Divine Form Seventh Transformation?"
Lin Sheng was a little surprised to hear what he said.
"No, he was at the Seventh Transformation cultivation 20 years ago, and three years ago, he already made a Breakthrough to the Divine Form Eighth Transformation."
Bai Can shook his head and said.
"The one responsible for the gold mine excavation mission is another Blazing Star Envoy at the Middle Stage Divine Form Realm, but after negotiations with Lord Luo Yin, it was changed to Leech."
"So that's how it is." Lin Sheng nodded slightly.
Luo Yin did this, naturally, for safety's sake, to prevent him from encountering any dangers that might be difficult to handle during this mission.
"Divine Form Eighth Transformation..." Lin Sheng murmured softly, then quickly asked again.
A master of the Divine Form Eighth Transformation, ranked among the top ten among the Dark Star Blazing Star Envoys. It seems that the number of Blazing Star Envoys in Dark Star is probably much more than he imagined.
"To be able to rank among the top ten Blazing Star Envoys, do you know how many Blazing Star Envoys there are in the organization?"
"Well, there are 50 Blazing Star Envoys in the organization. No, counting you, Young Master, it's 51. Among them, there are forty-three Blazing Star Envoys in the Divine Form Realm."
Bai Can thought for a moment before replying.
"There are so many!?"
Although he had some guesses, Lin Sheng was still shocked after hearing it.
Divine Form Martial Artists are definitely considered high-level combat power in large countries like Northern Yan and Southern Qi.
He didn't expect there to be more than forty people in Dark Star. This number is more than double what he imagined. After all, Great Yan only has three Dao and fifteen Prefectures. Even if there are two Blazing Star Envoys in one Prefecture, it would only be thirty people. Moreover, as far as he knew, in many Fu Cities, there was only one Blazing Star Envoy stationed.
More than forty Divine Form Martial Artists, plus five Dark Star Envoys, and two Pavilion Masters.
With such strength, it could be said that Dark Star is definitely the strongest force within Great Yan besides the official government. No wonder it has survived for many years despite the Great Yan Imperial Court's massive encirclement and suppression.
As if seeing Lin Sheng's shock, Jin Yang, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up to explain.
"Young Master, are you surprised? In fact, in addition to each Prefecture, there are no less than five Blazing Star Envoys stationed in the main city of each Dao, plus the Blazing Star Envoys stationed in the Grand Capital, which accounts for this number."
"But does Young Master know how many Divine Form Realm masters there are in the Northern Yan Imperial Court?"
Lin Sheng shook his head slightly.
He knew that the Northern Yan Imperial Court was very strong, capable of suppressing all the Sects and noble families with long Legacies within its borders by itself, but he didn't know exactly how strong it was.
Hearing this, Jin Yang smiled, but then sighed and slowly said.
"According to investigations, there were nearly a hundred Divine Form Martial Artists in the Great Yan Imperial Court according to statistics thirty years ago. This is just an approximate number. There are definitely many Divine Form Martial Artists hidden in the Imperial Court who have never shown their faces. And now, after 30 years, who knows how many more people in the Great Yan Imperial Court have made a Breakthrough to the Divine Form Realm? After all, siphoning the resources of the entire Great Yan is not comparable to ordinary forces..."
"Nearly a hundred people..."
After hearing what he said, Lin Sheng's expression was shocked.
This was only the number on the surface. If you count the Divine Form Martial Artists hidden in the dark, there would probably be dozens more.
Just now, he was still surprised by Dark Star's power, but now compared to the Great Yan Imperial Court, it was really not enough to look at. No wonder it could suppress everything.
At this moment, Bai Can, who was standing by, also sighed and continued with some emotion.
"In addition to the Divine Form Martial Artists, there are 15 Essence Transformation masters in the Great Yan Imperial Court on the surface, and that doesn't even include King Yan Zhao Hongzhang, the Supreme Grandmaster."
"Supreme Grandmaster?"
Lin Sheng raised an eyebrow.
He naturally knew this number one Martial Artist in Great Yan.
However, this was the first time he had heard the title of Supreme Grandmaster.
"That's right, Supreme Grandmaster. Young Master, you should also know that once you reach the Essence Transformation Realm, you can be called a Grandmaster. That's why there's the term 'Transforming Void Grandmaster', and among Grandmasters, there are also strong and weak ones."
Bai Can was explaining to Lin Sheng, and at this moment, an indifferent voice sounded from outside the courtyard.
"The three stages of Grandmaster are each stronger than the last. Taking another half step after the Perfection of the third stage, although one has not yet crossed the Essence Transformation threshold, their cultivation has already reached the pinnacle of creation and undergone a transformation, far surpassing ordinary Grandmasters. This Realm is known as the Supreme Grandmaster..."
The sudden voice attracted the attention of the few people in the courtyard.
The closed gate of the courtyard opened, and a tall, thin middle-aged man with slightly protruding cheekbones, dressed in a straw cape, walked in.
He carried a fishy smell of the ocean, clearly someone who lived by the sea.
Seeing the newcomer, Lin Sheng's eyes narrowed slightly. Although the person looked ordinary and unremarkable, like a fisherman who made a living from the sea.
But from him, Lin Sheng felt a faint threat, similar to Gongsun Yuanzhou back then, even if not as strong, it was not far off. He must be a master of the Late Stage Divine Form Realm.
"Brother Shui."
At this moment, Bai Can already had a smile on his face and cupped his hands, speaking.
Jin Yang, on the side, also cupped his hands.
"Mmm."
Facing the two cupping their hands in greeting, the tall, thin man in the straw cape merely nodded slightly in response, then his gaze fell directly on Lin Sheng. After sizing him up, his brows couldn't help but furrow slightly.
He quickly came before Lin Sheng, his furrowed brows not yet relaxing, but he still bowed.
"East Sea Blazing Star Envoy Leech greets Your Excellency Ghost Face."
"Greetings, Senior Leech." Lin Sheng also bowed slightly and said with a smile.
"Your Excellency Ghost Face, if this old man is not mistaken, your cultivation seems to be only at the Middle Stage Blood Transportation Realm."
Leech stood up, his gaze fixed on Lin Sheng's eyes, and asked with a frown.
"That's right, I just made a Breakthrough to the Middle Stage Blood Transportation Realm on the way here." Lin Sheng replied with a smile.
"Brother Shui, Young Master just scattered his cultivation not long ago and just started cultivating the Supreme Heavenly Demon Scripture, which is why his cultivation is only at the Blood Transportation Realm." Seeing Leech's expression, Bai Can seemed to realize something and quickly said.
"Hmph, regardless of whether he scattered his cultivation or not, his current cultivation is only at the Blood Transportation Realm. A Blood Transportation Realm is not enough for this mission." Leech glanced at Bai Can, snorted coldly, and his gaze returned to Lin Sheng.
"Your Excellency Ghost Face, among the organization, the person I, Shui, respect the most is Lord Li Shenjun. Since you are Lord Li Shenjun's disciple and acting on Lord Luo Yin's words, I, Shui, will naturally ensure your safety in this operation."
"However, this mission is not far from the front line, and it also involves entering Southern Qi territory. The danger is not ordinary. For safety's sake, I suggest you stay here. Once the Red Crystal Mine excavation is complete, I, Shui, will transport it over. Whatever is needed from Southern Qi, I, Shui, will bring it back and hand it to you."
Leech's voice was calm, seemingly discussing, but his tone indicated that the matter had already been decided and would not tolerate objection.
Hearing the other party's words, Lin Sheng was stunned, but quickly shook his head slightly and smiled.
"Blazing Star Envoy Leech, according to the discussion of the Dark Star Envoys, I, Lin, am the leader of this mission. If I don't personally lead the team, how can it be justified? How will the people in Southern Qi view our Dark Star? So, I appreciate your good intentions."
"Hmm!?"
Leech's eyes narrowed, staring intently at Lin Sheng, his brows furrowing tighter and tighter.
He naturally understood that Lin Sheng's words were reasonable, but in his opinion, a little bit of face was not important; what was important was that the person was safe.
Their gazes collided, neither showing any intention of backing down. The atmosphere in the courtyard gradually became stagnant and rigid.
Bai Can and Jin Yang on the side were anxious, wanting to say something to ease the atmosphere, but they didn't know what to say.
After a long while, the atmosphere showed signs of escalating.
Finally, Leech's tightly furrowed brows slowly relaxed, and he nodded expressionlessly. The tense atmosphere immediately dissipated.
"Since Your Excellency Ghost Face has made up his mind, then so be it. However, there is still some time until the Red Crystal Mine excavation is complete. I, Shui, hope Your Excellency can reconsider."
"Naturally." Lin Sheng's lips curved into a smile, and he nodded.
"You all must be tired from the journey. I, Shui, will not bother you further. If you have any needs, just find my subordinates. The Red Crystal Mine excavation is at a critical juncture, so I, Shui, cannot leave for too long. I will take my leave now."
After speaking, Leech seemed to have lost interest in continuing the conversation, turned around, and quickly left the courtyard, leaving only Lin Sheng and the others.
Watching his figure disappear into the distance, Bai Can quickly explained to Lin Sheng.
"Young Master, don't mind him. Leech has always had this temper. He has a sharp tongue but a soft heart. Although his words aren't pleasant, there's absolutely no ill intent, and he's quite responsible."
"I can tell. Alright, we've been traveling for so many days. Let's rest first."
Lin Sheng nodded.
He could roughly discern Leech's temperament; he was a straightforward person, or to put it crudely, not very smooth or skilled in social interactions.
He didn't feel anything about what happened just now.
As for the other party's suggestion, he was actually a little tempted.
If he hadn't known that this mission was somewhat special, he might have actually agreed.
He could have cultivated in seclusion here and waited for the mission to be completed.
Compared to missions, he naturally preferred cultivation.
He reached out and played with a dark ink-colored token. One side was embossed with a star-shaped pattern, and the other side had several intertwined, unidentifiable beast-shaped patterns.
This was the token representing a Dark Star Seed Genius, which Bai Can had given him on the way.
And Bai Can was acting on the orders of Lord Li Shenjun.
At the same time, he also informed him of the special nature of this mission.
The reason why this mission was led by various Seeds to Southern Qi.
Besides showing sincerity for the first cooperation with Southern Qi, the most important reason was that they would gain some benefits from Southern Qi.
These benefits had quite good effects for them, these Seed Geniuses.
If it weren't for these, he wouldn't mind fully entrusting the mission to Leech.
He found a spacious room to use as a temporary residence. He didn't bring any luggage, and the room was already fully equipped, ready for direct occupancy.
Back in the room, his gaze fell on Nong Yu, who had been following behind him.
Feeling his gaze, Nong Yu's body stiffened and she lowered her head, her face flushed, her two fair, jade-like hands clutching the hem of her clothes.
When Lin Sheng told her to enter the room, she had already realized what was about to happen and had entrusted her younger brother to Bai Can's care.
Although she had mentally prepared herself countless times, being alone with him in the room still made her feel a little flustered.
Although she was twenty years old, in this world where girls married at fifteen or sixteen, she was already considered not young.
But she had always been engrossed in martial arts and studying various sea beasts. When it came to matters between men and women, she was still a blank slate.
Soon, she suppressed the nervousness in her heart, a determined look appeared on her face, she raised her head, closed her eyes, and grabbed her clothes, preparing to...
"Those sea beasts I specifically mentioned to you before, do you know where they can be found now?"
The sudden question made Nong Yu pause, a bewildered expression on her face, as if she hadn't reacted.
"Sea beasts..."
"Mmm, the ones I told you to remember in the carriage earlier." Lin Sheng sat calmly on the reclining chair, his legs crossed.
"Young... Young Master, you mean the Aurora Jellyfish... the Rainbow Starfish and those... I remember, I remember..."
Nong Yu quickly reacted, speaking somewhat incoherently.
Her face was already flushed, and at this moment, she realized that she had seemingly misunderstood earlier.
"These sea beasts are not weak, and their prices are high. Once discovered, there are usually specialized beast hunters to catch them. They are rarely seen in nearshore areas, but half a month ago, our merchant ship did see a group of Noctiluca Jellyfish once. Now is the mating season for Aurora Jellyfish, so if there are Aurora Jellyfish nearby, they must not be far from the Noctiluca Jellyfish group."
"Oh? Where?" Lin Sheng asked.
"They were found near the border of Donghai Prefecture's coastal waters." Nong Yu replied softly, lowering her head.
"Do you know the exact location?"
"Noctiluca Jellyfish groups generally don't stay in one fixed location. If they are migrating during mating season, their speed isn't fast. I have a seventy percent chance of finding them."
"Seventy percent, huh? That's enough..."