As the training session drew to a close, everyone stood side by side, their bodies glistening with sweat and their hearts filled with a sense of accomplishment. They had pushed their limits and grown stronger, both individually and as a team. The courtyard was filled with the soft rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of birds, creating a serene backdrop to their sense of achievement.

Ling Li's eyes met everyone's gaze, her piercing yet gentle eyes reflecting the wisdom and strength she possessed. A soft smile played on her lips, accentuating the fine lines of experience etched on her face. "You all did well today," she said, her voice filled with pride and affection, carrying a melody of encouragement. "Remember, every step we take, every challenge we overcome brings us closer to our goals."

Everyone returned Ling Li's smile, their hearts swelling with gratitude and love. They knew they couldn't have done it without Ling Li, their Master's guidance and support. The bond they shared felt almost tangible, like a thread woven with trust and mutual respect.

Chatty, whose curiosity knew no bounds, stepped forward. His eyes sparkled with an eager light, a contrast to his perpetually disheveled appearance. "Madam, may I ask you a question?" he asked, his voice tinged with a blend of hesitation and eagerness.

"Sure, Murphey, ask away." Ling Li replied with a warm nod.

"Madam, all this time, I've been wondering, with your strength and capacity, why did you allow yourself to get hurt by the sharks and during the ambush? You could have gotten away with it in a split second," Chatty's question piqued the curiosity of Four Eyes, Fatty, and Shun, who leaned in, their expressions a mix of intrigue and respect.

Ling Li's face softened as she looked at Chatty, admiration for his inquisitive nature shining in her eyes. "Good question and a very smart one," she declared, which made Chatty smug as he puffed out his chest with pride.

"Regarding the shark incident, everyone needs to understand that oceans have their own ruler; currently, it's the eight-hundred-year-old ancient merman and his wife, and along with them is another group council composed of ancient mermen and mermaids. Ancient mermen and mermaids are very powerful, and we couldn't afford to offend them." Ling Li paused, letting her words resonate with the gravity of the situation.

The group listened intently, their eyes widening with awe and fear at the thought of such formidable beings.

Ling Li continued, "Ancient mermen and mermaids possess extraordinary powers. They can control and manipulate water, creating powerful currents, tidal waves, and even tsunamis. Their healing touch can mend wounds and illnesses, making them revered as healers. They communicate telepathically with each other and sea creatures, allowing for silent coordination. Some can control other elements like wind and lightning, and they live for centuries, accumulating immense knowledge and experience. Offending them can lead to environmental catastrophes, retaliatory strikes, curses, and isolation."

Ling Li added, "Once, there was an island of fishermen who spotted a mermaid. These groups of fishermen saw the mermaid as money that could lead to wealth. They started to hunt, and with their frustration, they pooled their little money and hired professional divers to help them. The divers were able to capture the young mermaid and accidentally killed her during the battle. The ruler washed out the whole island by flooding it and drowning everyone. No one was spared. The divers who were tainted by the mermaid's blood started to grow scales on their skin, and the people taunted them as monsters and killed them, burning them alive."

As Ling Li spoke, a chill ran down the spines of her listeners, the weight of the story settling over them like a dark cloud.

"As a martial artist, if I used my internal energy to fight that shark, it would create ripples of energy across the ocean that would not only kill the shark but anything around the radius depending on the energy that I release. It could also cause flooding or even a tsunami, and this would greatly offend the ocean's ruler," Ling Li explained.

Shi Min, who had been listening intently, spoke up. "What we can do during these incidents is seal our internal vitality so that even if we get injured, our cultivation won't be damaged or destroyed, and we could still recover faster than a mortal," he explained his calm and collected demeanor providing a sense of reassurance to the group.

Ling Li continued, "That is correct, and regarding the ambush, the road is a public place where many people and civilians are present. We couldn't publicly show our strength as martial artists because it would cause panic without them understanding martial arts. Also, suppose we expose ourselves and our capabilities openly. In that case, we will be hunted and will face a lot of challenges not only in the mortal world but also among other martial artists to test our strength. If they are stronger than you, you will always get bullied. If you are stronger than them, you will be a threat to them, and you will be targeted.

Evil cultivators, in particular, would see us as prime targets for attacks, duels, and relentless pursuit to extract our knowledge and power. So, we need to be very careful in utilizing our power and understand each situation very well. Lastly, involving and killing civilians could lead to a backlash against martial artists, depending on the situation.

If our battles were to involve and result in the death of civilians, it would bring about severe repercussions. Firstly, the public would likely view us with fear and distrust, seeing us as a danger rather than protectors. This could lead to societal backlash, where martial artists are shunned or even persecuted by the very people we aim to protect. Legal consequences could also follow, as authorities might seek to regulate or restrict martial arts practice to prevent further incidents.

Our actions could tarnish the reputation of martial artists globally, creating a stigma that affects not only us but also future generations of martial artists. This makes it imperative to exercise extreme caution and responsibility in our actions, ensuring the safety of civilians at all costs."

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