Ning Tao had wanted to leave immediately with the Iron Plantains, but Yang Sheng insisted they must stay for dinner. Ning Tao wondered what spiritual materials from the sea he might need in the future, so he thought it better to make friends with Yang Sheng. The latter might be able to help. So Ning Tao decided to stay.

“Doctor Ning, you have mended my Soul Trident. A toast to you!” Yang Sheng raised a wine bowl and downed the wine.

Ning Tao felt somewhat speechless. He could only lift his wine bowl and drink like him. This wine was white wine with a high alcohol content, brewed by the villagers. It caused a nipping sensation to his tongue. Although he had special spiritual power to break down the alcohol, its inferior taste gave him a headache. Yang Sheng finished his bowl of wine and so did Ning Tao.

After putting down the wine bowl, a fish demoness came to pour him wine. She was a wife of Yang Sheng, an abalone spirit named Bao Zhimei. She was the one who had wanted to introduce Ning Tao some mussel girl when he first arrived.

“Doctor Ning, so sorry about our former misunderstanding. Don't take it to heart. My husband is a forthright man, like that… um… Lu Zhishen!” Bao Zhimei poured him wine and smiled. “I've read The Romance of the Three Kingdoms before. so I know this character. My husband is just like Lu Zhishen.”

Is Lu Zhishen from The Romance of the Three Kingdoms?

He did not know if there was a nine-year compulsory education in the sea. If there was, their teaching materials must surely be different from those used on land.

Ning Tao did not correct her. He merely smiled indifferently. “Don't be so polite, sister-in-law. Only by brawling can we make true friends. We will be friends henceforth. Let's keep in touch and meet up regularly.”

“Bravo! Drink up! A toast to you!” Yang Sheng drunk another bowl.

Ning Tao braced himself and raised his wine bowl. He poured wine into his stomach, gurgling it down.

Bao Zhimei looked at Zhang Chengdong. “Imperial Physician Zhang, you drink up too.”

Zhang Chengdong simply lay down. “I'm… drunk… Great wine… I can still drink more… Snore…”

The acting skills of this Imperial Physician from the Qing Dynasty were not too bad.

Bao Zhimei frowned. “What a useless b.u.m.”

At this moment, a young fish demoness approached the bonfire company, her black beady eyes staring straight at Ning Tao. She was at least 1.8 meters tall, with slim waist and long legs. Her complexion was finely textured and fair, seemingly translucent. Her figure could not be faulted, with a perfect nine-head tall body. Her slim waist was no wider than an A4 sized paper width. Her long legs took up two-thirds of her body proportions. The curvatures and elevations of her body were quite also prominent. She was only clad in a scanty linen clothing, almost as if she could undress at a command.

Bells were worn on her ankles, waist, wrists and neck. These bells were of the same color as her skin. They also gave one a feeling of transparency, as if her skin would tear when blown. They seemed to be part of her body.

Ning Tao could not help but glance at her. He thought her the prettiest fish demoness in that whole village.

This young fish demoness gave Ning Tao a smile. Suddenly, her body swayed like a seaward, undulating like the waves, almost as if she was so plain to have no bones in her body. The bells on her ankles, waist, wrists and neck started to shake and collide with one another, making distinct tinkling sounds.

These tinkles were not simple. They had demon power and could make whoever hear them extremely elated. They seemed to be able to fulfill their every wish. The world would be at peace and there would be no more wars, crime and diseases. Everyone would live forever and could receive whatever they wanted.

Ting-ling… ting-ling…

Under the illumination of the bonfire, each tiny bell exuded a dreamlike l.u.s.ter, enveloping her body and giving one the impression she was a fallen fairy from the heavens. One half of her was holy, the other half diabolic.

This dancing fish demoness beckoned at Ning Tao.

In a moment, the temptation from her was like a rope fastened around Ning Tao's body, drawing him in.

I rest within the womb, listening to the sound of the Way.

Dong!

The divine bell tolled. All the sounds of demons and ghosts were completely dissipated.

A tinge of astonishment flashed across this dancing fish demoness's eyes.

Bao Zhimei and Yang Sheng could not help but exchange glances. Both of them were very surprised.

Ning Tao smiled faintly. “Is this lady a… Bell Spirit?”

Bao Zhimei started chuckling. “What Bell Spirit? Are there bell spirits in the sea? She is a girl from the mussel family. Her name is Ruan Tianyin.”

She was like her name, soft and pliant, with bells tinkling like sounds from Heaven.

Bao Zhimei added, “Doctor Ning, do you remember what I said when you first came? I wanted to introduce this mussel girl to you. So what do you think of her?”

Ning Tao felt embarra.s.sed. Bao Zhimei had indeed spoken to him about it and he had been not quite bothered. He thought that Yang Sheng's wives were merely teasing him. He did not realize she really intended to introduce this mussel girl to him.

But before Ning Tao could say anything, Bao Zhimei beckoned her. “Come here, Tianyin, and toast Doctor Ning.”

Ruan Tianyin sauntered slowly over, her waist swaying and long legs striding. Every move of hers was so enticing.

Ning Tao felt even more awkward. He hurriedly said, “Um, I already have fiancées. Two.”

Yang Sheng smiled. “So what if you have two fiancées? Look at me, I have five wives. A real man must have a harem of wives and concubines. Otherwise, it will be a wasted trip on earth!”

Ning Tao smiled wryly and could not answer.

Ruan Tianyin came over, glancing at Ning Tao, her pretty head bowing slightly. She curtsied Ning Tao bashfully and spoke in a crisp voice, “My respects to Doctor Ning.”

Out of courtesy, Ning Tao stood up and offered her his hand. “Miss Ruan, very glad to meet you.”

Ruan Tianyin did not think Ning Tao would want to shake her hand. She started a little and then recovered. She gave him her hand and shook hands with Ning Tao.

As they shook hands, Ning Tao felt a tremor in his heart. Her hand was soft and seemingly boneless, so wondrously smooth. But he merely had a momentary lapse in concentration. He soon recovered. He was never a man who would let his thoughts run wild about beautiful women, but he would still respond naturally when faced with temptation and stimulation from the opposite s.e.x. If a man would not react at all to a woman's temptation and allure, he must be abnormal.

Ruan Tianyin released Ning Tao's hand, her cheeks blus.h.i.+ng somewhat. She seemed quite bashful and did not dare look him in the eyes. She watched him from the corners of her eyes, her black irises and watery eyes inexpressibly attractive.

But Ning Tao's heart and mind would no longer waver. His cultivation heart was pure as water. No matter how alluring and beautiful she was, the two snake demons in his house were every bit as attractive as her. Since he could restrain himself against them and could counter their temptations, it was easy for him to refrain from this mussel spirit.

“Tianyin, why are you standing there? Pour Doctor Ning some wine.” Bao Zhimei touched Ruan Tianyin's waist with her elbow.

Ruan Tianyin pursed her lips and t.i.ttered. She picked up the wine flagon to pour Ning Tao wine.

Ning Tao said, “Thank you, Miss Ruan. Why don't you sit down and drink with us?”

Ruan Tianyin gave Yang Sheng an instinctive glance.

Yang Sheng chuckled. “Why are you in a daze? Come sit down and drink with us.”

Bao Zhimei signaled Ruan Tianyin with her eyes. Taking her hint, Ruan Tianyin sat down beside Ning Tao.

Ning Tao changed the subject. “By the way, Senior Yang, I have a question that puzzles me. I wonder if I should ask you it.”

“We're friends. Just be direct and ask,” Yang Sheng said.

Ning Tao asked, “Here is my question. Since Senior Yang is a shark spirit, why is your surname Yang?”

Yang Sheng chuckled. “It's an easy question to answer. My respected Master bears the surname Yang, so I followed his surname. He has died and so I won't mention his name.”

Ning Tao said, “I see.”

“Doctor Ning has miraculous medical skills and can even repair magic tools. These are wonderful abilities. Could I ask who your teacher is?” Yang Sheng asked.

Ning Tao answered, “My Master is the Taoist Heavenly Hound, Chen Pingdao. Have you heard of his name?”

Chen Pingdao was never his Master, but the man who led him into the ways of Heaven. So he was quite justified to call him his Master. But Ning Tao had his reasons for claiming this. If this Yang Sheng knew Chen Pingdao, he might be able to provide Ning Tao with clues to locate the man.

But Yang Sheng muttered Chen Pingdao's name twice and shook his head. “I haven't heard of him, but he must be quite some character. Um, your Master must be about to 'encounter the trial', is he?”

Ning Tao said, “He has gone missing.”

“Oh?” Yang Sheng's face was full of astonishment and bafflement.

Ning Tao continued, “If Senior Yang sees him or hears about his whereabouts, please inform me.”

“No problem. Let's drink.” Yang Sheng raised his wine bowl.

Ning Tao drank the wine and Ruan Tianyin beside him raised the wine flagon to pour him more wine.

“Thank you,” Ning Tao said.

Ruan Tianyin also poured herself a bowl of wine. She lifted it up with both hands. “Doctor Ning, you are a wonderful cultivating doctor. Let me toast you.”

Ning Tao smiled. “Very well, take this bowl of wine as my toast to you too, Miss Ruan. Thank you for your dance. It was the most wonderful dance I have ever seen.”

Ruan Tianyin pursed her lips and t.i.ttered. She clinked her bowl against Ning Tao's, and drank the wine.

Ning Tao put down the wine bowl, rose and walked to that Iron Plantain tree. “Senior Yang, you promised to give me all the Iron Plantains on this tree if I mend your magic tool. So could I pick the plantains now?”

Yang Sheng said, “Of course you may. But this Iron Plantain is harder than refined steel. If you can't pick them, don't blame me.”

Bao Zhimei smiled and said, “Doctor Ning, you'd better come and have more wine. Let Tianyin keep your company. Tomorrow, we will pick these Iron Plantains for you.”

Ning Tao did not reply. He went under the plantain tree and soared into the air. His feet stepped in the air and he glided up a plantain leaf. That leaf did not move. It was indeed as resilient as steel. He reached out his hand and knocked the bunch of plantains near him. The Iron Plantains clanged, as if he were knocking at some metallic instruments.

Yang Sheng and Bao Zhimei exchanged glances, a barely discernible smile hovering on their lips.

“You want to bewitch me with that mussel spirit and make me forget? You have schemed too much.” Ning Tao pretended not to have seen their reactions. He moved his hand to his waist and unsheathed the Blade of the Solar Eclipse. He began to hack the plantain stem.

Thump!

That bunch of Iron Plantains fell, landing on the ground with a dull thud.

Ning Tao flourished his arms. In the twinkling of an eye, a few more bunches of Iron Plantains had dropped to the ground.

Those barely discernible smiles on Yang Sheng and Bao Zhimei's lips immediately froze.