Quest Maker: 417

Title: Means of Growth

‘I never knew I’d been trying to fill the hole Oliver and Olivia left me with sex, wealth, children, and familial bliss,’ Ja Sun sighs softly.

“Caihong,” Ah-Yin interrupts Ja Sun’s heartfelt, narcissistic rumbling that he made sure to share with others around him telepathically while watching the kids play with Linda.

“Ah, did I say that out loud?” Ja Sun snickers as Xie Xan rolls his eyes. “Oh, how hard is your life! Boohoo!” He mocks with sarcasm dripping as Ja Sun coughs, “Yeah, yeah! My life IS hard. Will you help me with the expenses of moving the damn array to the island?”

Xie Xan wisely keeps his mouth shut.

“Didn’t think so. I’m sending you guys out to focus.”

With the completion of the array, Ja Sun didn’t need to keep his other self in a clone as he recalled the Death Avatar back into his mental world, bolstering his senses to their previous level before getting to work alone since Ja Yin, Violet, and Lan Ruo needed to rest. Their combined Spirit Energy shifted the flow of Destiny itself—they deserved to rest.

---

Ou Ya closes his eyes. Amongst the Seven Children of the Sea, unexpectedly, he, the Seahorse Douluo, shares more interactions with the Sage God rather than Sea Woman Douluo, as one might expect from someone like Ja Sun with more than obvious interests in biological curves. The Douluo sits across a sleek-looking man with dark greyish hair and narrow eyes. The youth’s effort to keep his Spirit Energy in check matters little to Ou Ya’s senses as the Titled Douluo pinpoints the youth’s cultivation—Rank 87.

‘For someone who’s only stepped in his thirties, that is beyond impressive. Better than me, even,’ the Douluo admits. The Sage God visits the Sea Horse City more often than other cities due to the man in front of him and his family. Not that it will ever incur Ou Ya any ire of his team since other Children of the Sea would rather avoid Ja Sun and Bo Saixi occasionally—not out of fear—but shame.

While Bo Saixi assured her former followers—they cared little for it. They let an ‘Evil’ God lay his perverted clutches on their holy priestess.

“He’s not as bad as you think you know,” the man tilts his head. “Sure, the phrase—walking with your cock whipped out—suits him, but his suffering and grit are nothing to scoff at.”

Ou Ya glances at Xie Xan, “I don’t imagine thinking out loud, and you don’t have the necessary strength to invade my thoughts.”

“It’s written all over your face,” Xie Xan shrugs.

“Hmph,” a low snort escaped the mind of the Seven Children of the Sea. “Why are you here? I distinctly recall you and your wife spending time with other families in the city instead of involving yourself with the Local Spirit Masters, leaving your son’s education for others to handle.”

“Till he reaches Spirit Grandmaster,” Xan admits. “And since he awakened Full Innate Spirit, it won’t take him that long. Which leaves even less time for me.”

“Time for what?” Ou Ya continues.

“Training for myself. I’m at the point where meditation alone is no longer effective for my immediate needs. I need daily combat to push myself against my limits.”

“How gracious of you,” Ou Ya mocks. “Should I also lower my head and praise the Sage God’s Divine Interpreters?”

Xie Xan admits Lana went a little aboveboard by basically bulldozing into becoming Ja Sun’s ‘word.’ Not even Bi Ji holds influence on the island compared to Lana and him. Not that Bi Ji or Ja Sun cares, with the latter being more than happy to see his favorite prankster sister spreading the good word and the former enjoying her usual peace—never underestimate a peaceful beast’s lust leisurely hours after steeping in such lethargy for years!

“You don’t have to praise us,” Xie Xan chuckles sheepishly.

“Then you may leave. I won’t train you. Of course, it’s another matter if the ‘kind’ Sage God overwrites my will and makes me his puppet.”

Xie Xan frowns at this before controlling his emotions. Years working under Bibi Dong saw Xan learning some valuable tricks to refine his negotiations—using the suited leverage. He and Oscar were basically star paper pushers in an inner circle of an Oscar-Sniffing Jun’er, an almost Pyromaniac Erlong, an utterly disinterested Ah-Yin, and a lazy Hu Lana. But he needs to keep his emotions in check for that. He doesn’t have the strength to let loose and breeze past the consequences, and the recent revelations suggest—neither does Ja Sun.

“I won’t be training alone. My wife will tag along,” Xie Xan returns to the topic as Ou Ya scoffs. “Did you not hear me the first time—”

“Or else we will revoke your right of enlightenment,” Xie Xan narrows his eyes, stopping Ou Ya from speaking any further. “You and your six teammates enjoy Ja Sun’s domain, don’t you? Not only his domain but Ja Yin’s domain, too.” While Xie Xan might call it a Domain, it’s the influence of their existence itself. Ja Sun and Ja Yin can increase everyone’s cultivation pace by 50% each in a 50-kilometer radius, which covers the Island and then some more. Not to mention, Ja Sun’s influence increases the pace of one’s understanding by 20%! The Seven Children of the Sea enjoy such boons ‘reluctantly.’

Of course, even Xie Xan does not know that Ja Sun spreads his influence not out of the goodness of his heart but in fact—he gets a feedback of 0.1% rise in understanding for every living being enjoying his boons. His understanding of the law has always been riding on the back of his lovely citizens to the point Ja Sun shares both the Third Eye of the Evil Sage artifact with Ah-Yin and Bibi Dong for their comprehension of respective laws.

“We don’t enjoy it,” Ou Ya asserts. “What can we do about it? Sage God’s ways are enigmatic.”

“So,” Xie Xan nods, “You don’t mind if I ask Ja Sun to remove it entirely from everyone in the seven cities? Since the Spirit Beasts on the Island and the new monsters he summoned are more accepting of him, only they should receive such boons and grow quicker than disgruntled humans, right?”

Ou Ya’s expression stiffens. Ja Sun removing such blessings may earn the Seven Children some discontent from the masses should the knowledge of the action achieved at his behest be released— Ou Ya is fine with that. But he cannot overlook the hidden threat of beasts outgrowing humans. The recent scouts suggest a greater activity of Spirit Beasts near the shores and beaches of the Island due to such an enigmatic boon. Everyone wants to grow! And Spirit Beasts will unconsciously near sources of strength beneficial for them!

And only the School of Demonic Sharks are the Island’s Allies.

“You are threatening the growth of very families your wife claims to befriend!” Ou Ya snaps as Xie Xan shrugs. “Hu Lana was always the charmer of us two. But she has no delusions about what I’m capable of should I set my eyes on an objective.”

“But why us?” Ou Ya frowns, not doubting Xie Xan’s words. “You can train with those Spirit Beasts or your peers.”

“We have,” Xie Xan admits. “But we are sparring with each other for so long that we’re used to each other’s patterns and tells, except for Ja Sun—of course.”

“Then ask him.”

“He is busy with a lot of things, and we don’t want to add more burdens to him. We’re his friends, not some deadweight.”

Gears click within Ou Ya’s mind as he mutters, “We?”

“Our team,” Xie Xan smiles. “Na’er and I decided to train with you, and others made similar decisions for themselves. Like me, they are chatting with their intended sparring partners as we speak.”

The corner of the Titled Douluo’s eyes twitch. Ou Ya knows there are other forms of power, but to feel stifled by a Spirit Douluo utilizing the strength of their influence is as appalling as it is embarrassing to the Titled Douluo. His nostrils flare at the realization that Sage God’s companions intend to make a few of the Seven Children of the Sea commit to their bidding! Stifling pressure bursts from Ou Ya as Xie Xan merely inclines his head, used to pressure significantly more dangerous than the one hovering over him, and possessing a Spirit Soul of a 100,000-year-old Beast with two Red Spirit Rings, making him a beast in his own class capable of jumping ranks in a contest of strength.

Xie Xan’s nonchalance would serve to drive any other Titled Douluo, like the Sea Dragon Douluo, over the edge, but Ou Ya restrains his hand and exhales loudly to calm his nerves.

“So,” Xie Xan concludes. “You have a choice on the surface. But we don’t have to delude ourselves into thinking we are allies. The seven of you are Ja Sun’s subjects, which makes you Bibi Dong’s subject since he isn’t into ruling anyone aside on papers. Not to mention the fact that Bibi Dong herself has enough strength to achieve similar feats without needing to depend on Ja Sun.” While Xie Xan knows his threats are basically empty due to Ja Sun’s nature, he smiles confidently, “The consequences of denying our requests is something you should consider before deciding.”

While Xie Xan and Ou Ya deal with the situation in their own manner, things are surprisingly different in other cities.

---

Sea Mermaid City.

“Ah~!” Sea Woman Douluo leans on her chair, not too lavish like the rest of her companions, as she squints her eyes in pleasure to ‘taste’ the afternotes of the resounding tune. “That was beautiful! If a soul capable of playing such gentle and sincere notes is his mate, then I have no reason to fear for my lady’s safety.” She opens her eyes. She glances at Yuehua, who sets her zither aside before dipping her head smilingly. “I’m honored by your kind words, Sea W—”

“Just call me Ming Wei, Sister. You will soon reach the same stage as us, the Seven Children of the Sea, and you aren’t Junior in any manner due to your backing and position.” The woman supplants with a cheery smile. “And I love how talented you are with your Zither! It’s a shame your Martial Soul isn’t an instrument like my Black Flute. We would have had a lot of fun!”

“Yeah, giving other men in your city wet dreams,” A derisive snort shreds the harmonious environment in the wooden shed as Ming Wei glances at Yuehua’s escort, sneering. “What are you still doing here? Shoo! You fulfilled your duty, didn't you? Off with you, Xiao Bai!”

The shark scoffs, baring her sharp teeth, “Did I say anything wrong? Hah! I can’t believe Saixi never did anything about your bad habits!”

“Why would the Priestess mind my idle joy?” The Titled Douluo barks. “I was tasked with the sacred duty of protecting the Island!”

“Some job you did! If you had your head straight instead of blowing—”

“What would your shark brain know anything? You couldn’t even take care of the Dolphin Tribe harassing your members. Didn’t you wag your tail to ask Sage God for help?”

“He did it for himself!” Xiao Bai snorts. “I didn’t ask him to kill those 100000-year-old beasts!”

“Gods! I can smell the bullshit from here!”

“Good Lord!” Xiao Bai counters. “I must ask Bo Saixi to teach you not to step on shit when you walk the streets of the city at night to cause wet dreams for married men! Hah! And guess what? Bo’er won’t care because she is too busy to act like your mommy!”

“You dare?!” Ming Wei thunders!

“Why not?!” Xiao Bai crosses her arms.

‘Great.’ Tang Yuehua quietly works her jaw, only feeling relaxed when planning her wedding since Erlong isn’t much of a planner, and she wants to have a more traditional wedding according to her clan since Erlong and Ja Sun don’t mind the notion.

---

“I refuse!” Sea Dragon barks as Erlong tilts her head with a cocky smile. “Alright. I told Ja Sun you’d be much too fearful to battle a Dragon King. But it would be a lie to say I wasn’t looking forward to matching MY ULTIMATE FIRE against your pathetic squirts.”

The corner of Sea Dragon’s eyes twitch before he snarls softly, “Ou Ya said to get everything written. I want a written note from Sage God that it is fine if you survive the ordeal with broken bones or amputees.”

Erlong chuckles, “I’ll do you one better. I’ll get the note from your adorable Priestess that it’s fine if we beat each other to an inch of our lives.” And to make sure she gets the best of the sparring, Erlong adds a white lie. “Of course, when she isn’t worshipping her new God’s ‘sword’ firsthand.”

Why is it a white lie? Erlong and others have no doubts about Ja Sun’s tastes, and it’s not beautiful women! It’s a beautiful, unmarried woman he spends time with.

Sea Dragon Douluo grits his teeth and turns around while growling, “Tomorrow morning.”

“Really?” Erlong adds more fire without needing to use actual flames since it seems her attribute spews from her words, too! “I won’t be able to say Saixi goodbye. She likes to take her morning ‘prayers’ up close.”

Erlong could practically feel Sea Dragon trying his very best to hold himself—until he gets something in writing!

---

Sea Ghost stands out amongst his fellow companions for many reasons. He sports dark-brown hair instead of blue/silver notes shared amongst other Guardians, and he doesn’t possess any residence overseeing the City named after him.

The Sea Ghost City is the only settlement amongst the rest of the seven cities to house the hidden militia of the island. While most Spirit Masters eventually hit their peak despite clearing their trials (since it was the law until Ja Sun took the inheritance for his own purpose,) others in need of training and resources carry out a variety of missions created by Ou Ya and overlooked by Sea Ghost Douluo.

These missions range from assisting their allied Sharks in their explorations and hunts to targeting dangerous pirates with the stones of harming the merchant ships leaving the island for import and export.

So, Sea Ghost is as burdened with responsibilities as he is elusive.

“How did you find me?” Questions the man clad in sleek dark-grey armor with arcs of luminescent blue crystals inlaid around different parts of the equipment. His voice comes across as muffled due to the mask around his face as Xiao Jun and Oscar glance at each other before the handsome silver-haired devil grins sheepishly. “Is that a trick question? It was easy to track your trail. Just Jun’er’s senses were enough.”

“I leave no scent,” He stares at the dark-haired woman hugging her husband’s arms.

She shrugs, “You didn’t. But it’s not just my sense of smell. Oscar and I used to do these kinds of things for a living before joining Sister Bibi’s team.”

“And you wish for me to train you? In what?” Sea Ghost cuts to the chase after understanding what’s on the line.

“I have yet to search for a Spirit Ring,” Oscar admits. “It’s because I think I can explore more of my potential with one of the artifacts gifted to me by Ja Sun. I’m taking this approach since others have their Spirit Skills to train, while my Spirit Skills are niche and don’t need much training. So, my objective is to explore as much as I can before deciding on my next spirit ring. If Ja Sun had a better alternative, he wouldn’t have let me wait for so long. So, the two of us would like to join the merc missions until Ja Sun and I decide on something.”

“What about you?” Sea Ghost glances at Jun’er, who smiles sweetly. “A Support-Type Spirit Master cannot be left alone. And since my Granddaddy is the best, he needs all the protection he deserves~!”

That’s all the unsocial Sea Ghost needed to see before cringing and accepting things as is to send the romantic couple as far away as possible!

Didn’t the flames of romance end with childbirth? Why do couples around him keep getting rowdier?

Or.

Did the book he received from Ming Wei about social romance inherently wrong about things? If so, can a woman really get pregnant with hours of kissing alone?

---

Unlike the rest, Violet and Ja Yin decided to take their talents elsewhere by finally starting the project they wanted to for a while!

To create Golden Wardrobe Rings!

Those items can create any weapon or defensive tool under certain limitations! Why wouldn’t they want more despite the expense?!

“Hmph! Ja Sun can be so stingy sometimes! Can’t he fork out some more million-year-old level scales or cores?” Ja Yin pouts as a loyal voice sounds from beside them.

“He has his reasons, are you’re too pitiful to understand his means.”

“And why the fuck are you following us?” She snarls at Lan Ruo.

“Can you do anything to extract me from the situation?” Lan Ruo questions tauntingly.

“Grrrgh!”

“L-Let’s not fight,” Violet places her hands above her bosom, which jiggles at the slightest touch as both the women glance at the ‘Superior’ breed before rolling their eyes, feeling a sense of defeat bloom inside them.

They can be all-powerful, and their brightest Sage would still prefer the Gorgon’s absolutely massive and fat tits over anything else!

***

Alternate Title: Ja Sun Still Misses Those Owls!; Why? Those Owls Can Smell a Treasure From Miles Away!; Oliver!—Moans Ja Sun In Need With a ‘Caihong’ Mommy in Vicinity!; The Tempting Threats; Different Manners of Interactions; Erlong Spewing Ultimate Fire With Words!; Erlong Is That One Wrong Female Friend In Every NTR Doujin; The Dragon VS The Dragon King; Never Underestimate a Beast’s Lust For Laziness!; The Maker of Wet Dream; Chaotic Sea Witch; The Nose of a Bitch; Different Paths of Growth; Oscar Embodies Grind!; Sea Ghost Feels Sick; Poor Sea Ghost Never Understood Horny!; The Superior Gorgon; If Only Violet Realizes Her True Talents~!