The journey on Tempest's back was a smooth and swift affair. The great leviathan moved through the sky with the silent grace of a river flowing through a still forest, the world scrolling by far below.
After a bit of travel, the air began to change, growing heavy with the scent of salt and the distant whisper of the sea. On the horizon, Sunken Treasure City came into view, a vast crescent of civilization nestled against a brilliant turquoise ocean.
As they drew near, Li Yu patted Tempest's powerful neck. "Alright, Tempest. Time to rest."
He focused his will, and a shimmering, invisible portal opened in the air beside the great leviathan. Tempest gave a low, contented hum and flew directly into the portal, vanishing from the mortal world and reappearing in the vast, energy-rich expanse of the Koi's Sanctuary.
With his mount safely housed within his own spirit, Li Yu descended towards the city, his aura openly displaying the power of a 7th-level Foundation Establishment cultivator. This was the strength Elder Quan and the Pavilion already knew him to possess; there was no reason to hide it here.
He landed just outside the main gate and walked into the city. The effect was immediate.
"Guest Elder Li! Welcome back!" a portly merchant called from his stall, giving a cheerful wave.
"Master Li! The method you suggested for raising my Iron-Shell Clams worked perfectly! The quality of their pearls has tripled! My family is forever in your debt!" a female cultivator said, giving him a deep, respectful bow.
Li Yu nodded and smiled at the greetings, a familiar warmth spreading through him. He had visited Sunken Treasure City several times, and his habit of offering free, insightful advice on the care and identification of aquatic spiritual beasts had earned him a stellar reputation among the local cultivators and merchants. He was a known and respected figure here.
He soon found himself standing before the elegant, nine-story pagoda of the Jade Sea Pavilion. The guards at the entrance, recognizing him instantly, snapped to attention and bowed low.
"Esteemed Guest Elder Li! It is an honor to see you again!"
"That it is!" a warm, familiar voice called out. Elder Quan strode out from the main hall, a wide, genuine smile on his face. "Li Yu, my young friend! I had a feeling you might grace us with your presence soon. Come, let us speak in my office."
He led Li Yu to his top-floor office with its breathtaking view of the sea. After exchanging pleasantries over a cup of rare spirit tea, Li Yu broached the reason for his visit.
"Elder, I have come today not just as your Guest Elder, but in a different capacity," Li Yu began. "I am here as a business partner representing a new enterprise, the Golden Shell Guild."
Elder Quan's eyebrows rose in interest. "Ah, yes. The Golden Shell Guild. News travels fast. A new power in Riverstone City, backed by a mysterious entity. I had not realized you were connected to them."
"I have a… significant stake in their success," Li Yu said. "As you know, my own Deepwater Menagerie is their exclusive supplier. Their success has been remarkable, and we are now looking to expand. I have come to you first, as a friend, to propose opening a sub-branch here."
He laid out the proposal with calm logic, framing it as a mutually beneficial arrangement that would complement, not compete with, the Pavilion's core business.
Elder Quan listened intently. "A brilliant proposal, young friend," he said sincerely. "It strengthens our overall offerings. There is no problem. The Jade Sea Pavilion would be honored to welcome a branch of the Golden Shell Guild to this city."
"I am glad to hear it," Li Yu said.
The elder's smile, however, faded, replaced by a weary sigh. "Your timing is a welcome distraction, my friend, but it comes when the Pavilion is facing… a significant crisis."
"Is there anything I can help with?" Li Yu asked.
Elder Quan looked out at the sea, his expression troubled. "It concerns one of our major branches, Coralspire Harbor. It is our primary deep-sea harvesting facility, managed by a dear old friend of mine, Branch master Jing. A man at the 4th level of the Core Formation Realm."
He leaned forward, his voice low. "The problem is his family's guardian beast, a magnificent creature they have cared for over generations. It is a Tidal Wrath Behemoth, an aquatic demonic beast at the very peak of the Core Formation Realm."
Li Yu's interest was fully engaged.
"For centuries, the beast has been a friend and protector," Elder Quan continued. "But for the past few months, it has been seized by fits of uncontrollable rage, smashing against the ancient seals that contain its deep-water grotto. The seals are weakening. Branch master Jing is heartbroken. He inherited the beast from his father; he views it as family. But if it breaks free in its current state, it will destroy the harbor and everything for a hundred miles around."
"A beast of that level must have high intelligence," Li Yu frowned. "Has Branch master Jing tried to communicate with it?"
This was the heart of the matter. Elder Quan let out another, deeper sigh. "That is the cruelest part of this dilemma. The Tidal Wrath Behemoth, for all its power and age, has never developed the ability to communicate. Its mind is a vortex of primal rage, a storm without a voice.
We cannot reason with it, and Branch master Jing refuses to consider putting his old friend down. We have sent requests to every renowned beast tamer we know, but no one has succeeded. No one can get close enough without being torn apart."
Li Yu fell silent. A peak Core Formation beast. A creature that could not speak. The sheer randomness of beast sentience was once again on full display.
He looked at the worried face of his friend, and a calculated decision formed in his mind. This was a problem, but it was also a golden opportunity.
"Elder," Li Yu said, his voice calm and steady. "You have always shown me great kindness. In my own studies, I have had some… unique experiences in soothing agitated beasts. Perhaps my methods are different."
Elder Quan's eyes widened with a flicker of hope. "You would be willing to try? Li Yu, the beast is incredibly dangerous! I could not ask you to take such a risk."
"Think of it as the first joint venture between our enterprises," Li Yu replied with a faint smile. "Allow me to accompany you to Coralspire Harbor. Let me observe this Tidal Wrath Behemoth. If I can help a friend of yours, I will. If not, then you have lost nothing. And for myself," he added honestly, "the chance to see such a magnificent creature of the deep is an opportunity I cannot pass up."
The weariness on Elder Quan's face was replaced by a wave of profound gratitude. He stood and gave Li Yu a deep, formal bow. "My friend, if you can help Branch master Jing and his old friend, the Jade Sea Pavilion will owe you a debt that can never be fully repaid. Very well. We will make preparations at once. We shall depart for Coralspire Harbor at dawn tomorrow."