The escorts spoke again, introducing Elyon as the official rcenary and the leader of the group, before naming each of the others.
Lin Mu, Daoist Chu, ng Bai, and Cattaleya stepped forward in turn, cupping their fists in the traditional greeting of respect they had noticed in the clan. Their deanor was calm and dignified.
Seeing this, the elders relaxed slightly. They had been expecting arrogance or carelessness from such powerful outsiders, but the visitors' respectful behavior eased so of their tension.
The Patriarch rose slowly from his coral throne, his old joints creaking softly but his posture still proud. "Welco, honored guests," he said, his voice deep and resonant, carrying the authority of age and experience. "I am Shanhu Haiyang, Patriarch of the Shanhu Coral Clan. These beside are the four elders who oversee our affairs."
Elyon stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "It is an honor, Patriarch Shanhu. I am Elyon of the Silver Fang rcenary Alliance of the Western Immortal Court's Southern Territories. My companions and I have co as per the mission posted-to escort your clan to your ancestral land for worship." Patriarch Haiyang inclined his head slowly. "We are grateful," he said sincerely. "It has been many centuries since we last succeeded in our ancestral pilgrimage. Nearly eight hundred years have passed since our clan could properly honor those who ca before us. We have failed them for far too long"
There was genuine sorrow in the old man's voice. The elders beside him bowed their heads slightly, sharing the sa weight of regret.
Lin Mu studied them carefully, then took a step forward. "Patriarch," he said respectfully, "please pardon if I speak out of turn."
The old man gestured for him to continue.
"From what I have seen and sensed," Lin Mu began, "the Shanhu Clan does not appear weak. In fact, your strength is considerable, and your resources and infrastructure are beyond what most sects or clans could maintain. Forgive , but it seems unusual that you would require outside help for sothing like an escort mission."
At his words, the hall fell silent.
The escorts at the side fidgeted nervously, glancing toward the Patriarch. The elders exchanged glances, their expressions softening into sothing tinged with sorrow and helplessness.
Finally, the Patriarch sighed deeply. "You are observant, young man," he said slowly. "And your question is fair. The truth is... our need for help is not due to lack of strength, but due to limitation."
"Limitation?" Lin Mu echoed, frowning slightly.
The Patriarch nodded. "Our ancestral worship is not a re formality. It must be conducted upon the sacred island of our origin, deep within the Ninth Sea. But reaching that place is not as simple as crossing the ocean. There is a curse... an ancient restriction that lingers there."
He gestured slightly, and a faint ripple of blue light appeared in the air, forming an image of a massive island rising from a dark sea surrounded by storms.
"This curse affects anyone of our clan who does not carry the pure blood of the Shanhu Clan," he continued. "Even for those of our bloodline, only those who have fully awakened it can endure its presence and survive."
Lin Mu's brow furrowed further. "You an... only those with completely awakened bloodlines can safely set foot there?"
"Exactly," the Patriarch said gravely. "And that is the crux of our trouble.
Though I bear the bloodline, I have not awakened it fully. The sa goes for my elders. We have been unable to produce a fully awakened descendant for over three thousand years."
The hall grew quieter still. The faint sound of flowing water echoed around them.
"Three thousand years," Daoist Chu repeated softly, his expression thoughtful. "That is a long ti for any bloodline to remain dormant."
The Patriarch nodded. "Yes. And though we were blessed six centuries ago with a few who finally manifested signs of awakening, they are still young and too weak to make the journey. To enter the Ninth Sea without complete awakening is death. The curse of the sea will drain one's life essence and blood until nothing remains but salt."
Cattaleya crossed her arms, her sharp eyes narrowing. "So the escort mission isn't just about protection from beasts or enemies. You need guardians who can endure the curse long enough to get your young ones there and back safely."
The Patriarch looked at her with a faint, weary smile. "Precisely. We may be strong, but we are not immune to the sea's curse. That is why we sought outsiders... ones not bound by our bloodline, but strong enough to resist the effects temporarily."
"And from what we can see, your group seems more than adequate for this task." One of the female elders spoke.
Lin Mu nodded slowly, the pieces falling into place. "That explains the discrepancy between your strength and your request. You are bound by conditions of bloodline and curse, not by lack of ability."
The Patriarch inclined his head. "Indeed. We were reluctant to seek help, but the ti is short. The ancestral island surfaces only once every century. If we miss this opportunity, it will be another hundred years before we can try again." Elyon clasped his hands together. "Then we'll make sure you don't miss it," he said confidently. "Tell us what we must prepare, Patriarch."
Patriarch Haiyang's expression softened with relief. "Thank you, honored guests. May the ancestors bless your strength. Tomorrow, we will introduce you to those of our clan who carry the awakened blood and have been preparing eagerly for years for this very day. They are the ones who must reach the island safely."
Lin Mu's eyes glimred slightly. The mystery of the Shanhu Clan was deeper than he had expected. A curse that devoured bloodlines, an island lost to sea, and a clan on the edge of losing its legacy.
As they left the hall, the reflection of coral light danced across Lin Mu's calm face. Sowhere in the depths of that Ninth Sea, he knew, waited secrets that had slumbered far too long.
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