A man and a fish returned to the Void Sword Sect.
The pitiable little mermaid princess also accepted the rustic name given by Ji Hanhan: Ponyo!
Although rustic, it made her feel very close.
Ji Mo's return was met with a line-up welcome from the entire Void Sword Sect.
News of what happened at the Little Thunderclap Temple had spread. Ji Mo, by himself, had almost overturned the entire Bliss Plateau, subdued the Little Thunderclap Temple, and even stopped the arrival of darkness.
Of course, only the Void Sword Sect and a few others knew that Ji Mo was the one who did it. Outsiders all believed that Master Bodhi had made a powerful return and delayed the advent of the apocalypse.
Sima Hongfeng's eyes were filled with tears. The Ancestral Master's divine power was truly boundless. At this rate, it would not take many years for the Void Sword Sect to recover its former peak.
When Ponyo learned that Ji Mo was actually from the Void Sword Sect, her heart sank.
In her understanding, the Void Sword Sect was not a good entity. The Great Immortal Xukong from back then had captured countless sea creatures and sold them as dried fish.
Ponyo felt that she might have trusted the wrong person. It was possible that this scoundrel named Ji had inherited the habits of Great Immortal Xukong and was also a human trafficker.
"You bad guy, you liar, you still have ill intentions towards me."
Ponyo, floating in the air, blew bubbles at Ji Mo, feeling that she had been betrayed.
This guy had tricked her into believing he was a good person and wanted to avenge her, but it was all lies.
The entire Void Sword Sect had only a few cats, two dogs, and a dozen people, while the Merman tribe had millions. What ability did he have to deal with them?
Sima Hongfeng was initially puzzled why Ji Mo brought back a clownfish. Now, upon hearing Ponyo's special voice, as clear as a spring stream, and the hint of resentment in her words, his gossipy heart was ignited.
"Alas, the Ancestral Master is good in everything, but he can't change the inherent flaw in men's bones of liking the new and disliking the old. Not long ago, he just wronged the head of the Tu Shan family, and now he's hooked up with a fish spirit whose voice can make people pregnant. No wonder the Ancestral Grandmother did something to wrong him; there's a cause and effect."
Sima Hongfeng muttered to himself, but as a junior, he dared not criticize the old ancestor's indiscretion. He estimated that he should be more respectful to this clownfish in the future.
"This... Little Ancestral Grandmother, you must have misunderstood. The Ancestral Master is kind, gentle, thrifty, and helps the weak and supports the distressed. He is definitely not a bad person."
Er Lengzi sniffled, appearing foolish but wise. With one sentence, he flattered both Ji Mo and Ponyo.
Sima Hongfeng, standing beside them, was dumbfounded. He finally understood why Ji Mo doted on Er Lengzi so much. This perspective, this realization, he would never be able to match in his lifetime.
Ji Mo was stunned by the praise. Was he really that outstanding?
Ponyo blushed. What nonsense was this person spouting? When did she become the Little Ancestral Grandmother?
However, she couldn't help but recall the scene of her kissing Ji Mo that day. It seemed that the mermaid tribe did have a tradition of sealing a relationship with a kiss. Could it be that?
"Bad guy, that kiss that day doesn't count."
Ponyo panicked and quickly clarified, not wanting her lifelong commitment to be decided so hastily.
Moreover, burdened by the deep hatred of her kin, she had never even considered matters of romance for herself.
"Wow, a kiss..."
More than a dozen Void Sword Sect disciples nearby couldn't help but exclaim.
The Ancestral Master was playing too wild, actually kissing a fish.
Ji Hanhan held his forehead, experiencing a moment of social death and feeling too ashamed to face anyone.
Ponyo realized she had spoken out of turn. Unable to bear the strange glances, she blushed, flicked her tail, and burrowed directly into Ji Mo's embrace, refusing to come out no matter what.
This now confirmed everything. Ji Mo couldn't explain even if he wanted to.
And gossip like "The Ancestral Master and the Clownfish's Secret" began to circulate.
"Be serious, everyone. True love can transcend race, age, and gender. Don't be so conservative; be more open-minded."
Sima Hongfeng sternly reprimanded the disciples, trying to alleviate Ji Mo's embarrassment.
Er Lengzi nodded in agreement: "A woman older than a man by three thousand years can lead him to immortality."
Ji Mo's forehead was covered in black lines. He quickly changed the subject, asking where Chi Qingying was.
He still wanted to inquire with Chi Qingying if she knew of any sea clan powerhouses who used tridents.
He would not let go of any of the culprits who had killed Great Immortal Xukong.
Sima Hongfeng hesitated to speak, then finally gritted his teeth and confessed, "Ancestral Master, you... you might be cuckolded!"
"What?"
Ji Mo was dumbfounded.
What did this have to do with him?
Seeing that Ji Mo did not get angry, Sima Hongfeng dared to continue, "The Ancestral Grandmother's mother suddenly fell seriously ill, and she was forced to return home for a matchmaking session. She might get married soon. Xia Wan'er also went with her. If there's any new information, she'll send it back immediately."
"Ah, even fairies are pressured into marriage?"
Ji Mo was surprised, then explained again, "What Ancestral Grandmother? Qingying and I are just friends, not what you think."
Although his words were spoken calmly, Ji Hanhan's heart stirred.
He had a very good impression of this petite and cute little person who seemed to never grow up and was still a maiden.
Er Lengzi offered a suggestion: "Ancestral Master, why don't we go to the West Coast Chi family and snatch the bride? I know Elder Chi is unwilling to marry anyone else."
Ji Mo sighed softly and shook his head, returning to his residence with Ponyo.
Regarding Chi Qingying's marriage, he really had no reason to interfere. Let her choose for herself.
"Alas, the Ancestral Grandmother is so devoted, she has remained chaste for over ten thousand years for the Ancestral Master. She forgets her old love for a new one. The Ancestral Master is too..."
Sima Hongfeng wanted to criticize Ji Mo, but he stopped himself, sighing, "It's easy to find a priceless treasure, but hard to find a devoted lover. It seems that in the entire Void Sword Sect, I am the only good man who is loyal to love, waiting for his destined true love while guarding his virginity for thousands of years."
Er Lengzi cast a contemptuous glance at Sima Hongfeng, wanting to say: Sect Master, what kind of devotion is this? You're clearly an old bachelor, unwanted by anyone.
He had a different opinion and said, "The Ancestral Master is not an unfeeling person. He must have his own plans. There will definitely be big moves next."
However, in the following days, Ji Mo did not make any big moves as Er Lengzi had predicted.
Instead, he spent his days with that clownfish in his room, and no one knew what they were doing.
Until one night, Sima Hongfeng accidentally discovered that the clownfish had transformed into a stunningly beautiful girl wearing a sheer veil, sitting on the rooftop, gazing at the moon in thought. He concluded that Ji Mo was truly a scoundrel, forgetting his old love for a new one.
Ji Mo made no big moves, but others did.
One day, the sky to the west churned with wind and clouds, and dark clouds covered the sky.
Terrifying hurricanes and torrential rains swept across the land, advancing at an extremely fast pace and entering the territory of the Void Sword Sect.
"A mere Void Sword Sect dares to oppose the Merman tribe. Today, we will exterminate your entire clan."