Chapter 698: The Secret of the Sea Palace

Observing Yun Che's reaction, Zi Ji continued slowly, "It's perfectly normal that you haven't heard of this name. Even among the three Sacred Grounds outside the Supreme Ocean Palace, very few people are aware of its existence."

"Where is it located? And what did Senior Zi mean when you said it wasn't on the Profound Sky Continent?" Yun Che asked, a slight frown on his face.

Zi Ji extended a finger, pointing directly south. "It's situated south of the Profound Sky Continent, above the boundless South Sea."

"The South Sea?" Yun Che asked, his face filled with surprise.

"Have you ever visited the Supreme Ocean Palace?" Zi Ji inquired.

"No," Yun Che replied, "but I know that the Supreme Ocean Palace is located more than three thousand li south of the Profound Sky Continent's southern edge, on the South Sea itself. That's how it earned the name 'Ocean Palace.' Could it be that the Slaughtering Moon Demon Cave, which Senior Zi mentioned, is connected to the Supreme Ocean Palace?"

"Indeed," Zi Ji nodded slightly. "It is widely known that all four Sacred Grounds have a protective mission, guarding the safety of the Profound Sky Continent for ten millennia, which is why they are called 'Sacred Grounds.' However, to this day, among the Four Sacred Grounds, only the Supreme Ocean Palace truly adheres to its protective mission."

"So, that place called the Slaughtering Moon Demon Cave is what the Supreme Ocean Palace has been guarding for generations?" Yun Che asked aloud.

Zi Ji nodded once more. "The Supreme Ocean Palace is three thousand li from the continent's edge. Not only must it constantly guard against unexpected maritime disasters, but daily life there is also quite inconvenient. Yet, the Supreme Ocean Palace has existed for ten thousand years without ever moving to the continent. The Slaughtering Moon Demon Cave is the sole reason for this."

"What exactly is the Slaughtering Moon Demon Cave? Why would the Supreme Ocean Palace remain in the South Sea, dedicating itself to guarding it? And its name…" Zi Ji's explanation caused more and more questions to surface in Yun Che's mind.

Zi Ji closed his eyes briefly, gathering his thoughts, then continued, "Regarding the Slaughtering Moon Demon Cave, I can only give you the most basic description. Approximately ten thousand years ago, seven ancestors of the Supreme Ocean Palace were exploring the South Sea when they suddenly discovered a vast expanse of ocean dyed pitch black. This dark sea region was enormous, filled with countless similarly blackened sea beast corpses. Later, they located the center of this dark sea: an island completely stained black."

"That island emitted extremely dense Yin energy, which was also the culprit behind the vast sea region becoming a dead zone. Subsequently, the Ocean Palace ancestors arrived at the black island and discovered a massive cave within it. That terrifying Yin energy emanated from this dark cave. They entered the cave, and the deeper they went, the heavier the Yin energy became, severely suppressing their profound energy. In the deepest part of the cave, they encountered an incredibly terrifying dark profound beast."

"A dark profound beast?" Yun Che felt the story growing stranger with each detail.

"That dark profound beast called itself the 'Slaughtering Moon Demon Lord.' It detested light, especially moonlight. Beyond that, nothing else was known about it. The dark profound beast's aura wasn't exceedingly powerful, roughly at the early Tyrant Profound Realm. However, the profound energy of the seven Supreme Ocean Palace ancestors was at its peak, all in the late Emperor Profound Realm, standing at the pinnacle of their era. Yet, deep within that cave, their profound energy was suppressed to the King Profound Realm. They were utterly powerless before the Slaughtering Moon Demon Lord. Of the seven ancestors, only one managed to escape; the other six perished within the Slaughtering Moon Demon Cave."

The sole surviving Ocean Palace ancestor, after escaping the cave, was not pursued by the Slaughtering Moon Demon Lord. Fearing light during the day and moonlight at night, the Demon Lord likely would never leave that demon cave. However, the dark Yin energy released from within the cave was ceaseless. Moreover, as the Ocean Palace ancestor fled the cave, he personally heard the Slaughtering Moon Demon Lord's roar: 'When darkness engulfs the entire world, that will be the day of my return to this realm.'

"Such a monster as the Slaughtering Moon Demon Lord actually exists?" Yun Che's alarm grew. If Zi Ji hadn't told him this personally, he would have dismissed it as a fanciful legend concocted by idlers. "After that, did that Ocean Palace ancestor somehow seal the demon cave to prevent the dark Yin energy from leaking out?"

"Haha, indeed," Zi Ji said, looking at Yun Che with a hint of appreciation. "The origin of that dark Yin energy, whether from the Slaughtering Moon Demon Lord's body or some unknown terrifying entity deep within the cave, was uncertain. However, if it continued to flow ceaselessly, it would eventually spread to the Profound Sky Continent, leading to unimaginable consequences. The Slaughtering Moon Demon Lord's roar also left the Ocean Palace ancestor uneasy. Thus, he united the strength of all the Ocean Palace's experts, sacrificing over a dozen of their most powerful profound artifacts and an immense quantity of Purple Vein Divine Crystals, to construct a massive isolating barrier. This sealed off the Slaughtering Moon Demon Cave and completely contained the continuously leaking dark Yin energy."

"Because that barrier required immense energy to maintain, at least a dozen Emperor-level profound practitioners had to re-infuse it with profound energy every three years. Therefore, the Ocean Palace ancestor moved the entire sect to the South Sea and renamed it the Supreme Ocean Palace."

"I see."

Due to his enmity towards Heavenly Sword Villa and the despicable actions of the Sun Moon Divine Hall, Yun Che had long lost all favorable impressions of the Four Sacred Grounds, even feeling they were places of corruption. However, Zi Ji's description of the Supreme Ocean Palace filled him with solemn respect.

Compared to Heavenly Sword Villa and the Sun Moon Divine Hall, such a Supreme Ocean Palace truly lived up to the name "Sacred Ground."

He recalled Ji Qianrou from the Supreme Ocean Palace; although eccentric and somewhat fey, his actions were generally upright. During the Seven Nations Ranking Tournament, he spoke up for Yun Che, a person he had no prior connection with, and harshly ridiculed the Divine Phoenix Crown Prince Feng Ximing. Later, for a small favor, he attacked Ye Xinghan on the Primordial Profound Ark, effectively saving both Yun Che's and Feng Xue'er's lives.

"Senior Zi just mentioned that place can only be entered once every five hundred years. The Underworld Udumbara Flower, discovered thirteen hundred years ago, was also found there. Does that mean the barrier intentionally left a point of entry?" Yun Che asked.

"That's exactly what I was about to discuss," Zi Ji said with a faint smile, now that he had revealed so much, he had few reservations left. "The Ocean Palace ancestors back then theorized that the dark Yin energy originated from the Slaughtering Moon Demon Lord itself, and even the most powerful profound beasts have a finite lifespan. So, by sealing the Slaughtering Moon Demon Cave, they believed that once the Demon Lord died, the dark Yin energy would naturally dissipate, their guardianship mission would be fulfilled, and the Supreme Ocean Palace could then leave the South Sea."

"To conveniently confirm whether the Slaughtering Moon Demon Lord had died, the Ocean Palace ancestor left an opening in the barrier, but restricted its activation to once every five hundred years. And to prevent a large overflow of Yin energy upon opening, the duration of activation was also limited: only one hundred breaths! From then on, every five hundred years, the Supreme Ocean Palace would send the disciple with the poorest aptitude from their sect to enter and confirm the Slaughtering Moon Demon Lord's status. Starting sixty-five hundred years ago, all the disciples who entered emerged alive. This meant that by that time, the Slaughtering Moon Demon Lord had already died."

"If the Slaughtering Moon Demon Lord is dead, yet the Supreme Ocean Palace still guards the place… does that mean that even though the Demon Lord died, the dark Yin energy is still spreading? That the dark Yin energy isn't actually coming from the Slaughtering Moon Demon Lord?" Yun Che asked, his brow furrowed.

"Exactly," Zi Ji nodded heavily. "If the Slaughtering Moon Demon Lord were to leave the Slaughtering Moon Demon Cave, it would simply be a profound beast of the Tyrant Profound Realm, not fearsome at all. What is truly terrifying is the ceaseless Yin energy, whose origin remains unknown. The Supreme Ocean Palace had no choice but to continue guarding that place, maintaining the barrier every three years. To this day, it has been precisely ten thousand years."

"For several millennia after the Slaughtering Moon Demon Lord's death was confirmed, the Supreme Ocean Palace would still send a disciple with the poorest aptitude to enter every five hundred years, just in case of any unforeseen circumstances. Ultimately, these disciples all emerged alive, which fully confirmed that the Slaughtering Moon Demon Lord had indeed perished. After that, entries became increasingly infrequent, and it was no longer just the disciples with the poorest aptitude who entered. Some elders, and even the Sea Emperor himself, would accompany each other to explore the true nature of the place. However, the Yin energy inside was far too dense; even peerless experts could only stay for a few dozen breaths before immediately exiting and sealing the barrier."

"As for the Underworld Udumbara Flower you're interested in, that was discovered thirteen hundred years ago. When the barrier was due to open again after another five hundred years, a few newly appointed elders who had never entered before went in together out of curiosity. As they quickly reached the end, they suddenly heard an eerie sound of ghostly wails."

"Ghost wails… that's right!" Yun Che's spirits lifted. Although he had never seen an Underworld Udumbara Flower himself, his master had told him that it would emit sounds like weeping and laughing devils.

"Following the sound of the wails, they saw an enigmatic flower about a zhang tall," Zi Ji continued with a chuckle. "Its stem and leaves were purplish-black, but its blooming flowers were an intensely captivating bright purple. Faint purple mist, as if from the netherworld, swirled around its petals, and it danced without wind, emitting terrifying sounds that resembled devils weeping and laughing."

"According to the Ocean Palace elders, the moment they saw that purple demonic flower, they instantly felt their souls being drawn from their bodies. Alerted, they immediately retreated and resealed the barrier. However, despite their Emperor-level profound strength, they all fell gravely ill afterward, taking several months to fully recover. Later, through research, they discovered it was the legendary wicked flower, the Underworld Udumbara Flower."

"Since then, for thirteen hundred years, no one has entered the Slaughtering Moon Demon Cave again."

Yun Che's expression grew slightly agitated, for Zi Ji's description of the Underworld Udumbara Flower was identical to what his master had told him back on the Azure Cloud Continent!

"Yes, that must undoubtedly be the Underworld Udumbara Flower!" Yun Che nodded. "The Underworld Udumbara Flower grows in places with extremely dense Yin energy, and the Yin energy there is exceptionally heavy, making it perfectly suited for the flower's growth. Moreover, because it's isolated by the barrier, the Yin energy won't dissipate; it will only become denser. So, the Underworld Udumbara Flower from thirteen hundred years ago should still be there, and perhaps there might even be more than one."

Zi Ji shook his head with a bitter smile. "Though that may be true, I just mentioned that the Underworld Udumbara Flower blooms once every twenty-four years and withers in three days. The Slaughtering Moon Demon Cave, however, can only be entered once every five hundred years, and one can stay for a maximum of one hundred breaths. The probability of you encountering it in bloom during those hundred breaths is like searching for a needle in a vast ocean."

"Even so, I must at least try," Yun Che said without hesitation. "After all, this is the only information I've received about the Underworld Udumbara Flower to date. And my luck has always been quite good! What if it just happens to be blooming?"

Zi Ji shook his head again. "Several Emperor-level elders from the Supreme Ocean Palace merely glimpsed the Underworld Udumbara Flower and nearly had their souls snatched away. The consequences of approaching or touching it are unimaginable. Even if it happens to be blooming when you enter, how would you gather it?"

"About that, this junior has his own methods," Yun Che said with great certainty. His confidence, naturally, stemmed from the Sky Poison Pearl.

Yun Che took ten Tyrant Emperor Pellets from the Sky Poison Pearl and placed them before Zi Ji, stating sincerely, "Thank you, Senior Zi, for informing me in such detail. This matter is extremely important to this junior. As per our agreement, these ten pills will be sold to your guild for twenty jin of Purple Vein Divine Crystals. Furthermore, the number of pills entrusted to your guild for auction will also be reduced to twenty; not a single one more."

Zi Ji collected the ten Tyrant Emperor Pellets and gazed deeply at Yun Che. He knew that with the young man's wisdom and shrewdness, he must have discerned something from his recent explanation. Not needing to elaborate, Zi Ji flipped his palm, a profound formation instantly appeared, and a deep purple spatial ring was pushed towards Yun Che. "Inside here are twenty jin of Purple Vein Divine Crystals."

Yun Che picked up the purple crystal ring, quickly scanned its contents, and then stored it within the Sky Poison Pearl. He then exchanged a smile with Zi Ji.

Twenty jin of Purple Vein Divine Crystals! Divine Crystals! It seemed ridiculously easy to acquire them!

"Yun Che, after you resolve the matter with the Divine Phoenix Sect, do you intend to visit the Supreme Ocean Palace?" Zi Ji asked, his eyes holding deep meaning.

"Indeed," Yun Che nodded. "This junior also has a general idea of the Supreme Ocean Palace's location."

"Actually, there's no need for you to rush," Zi Ji said with a faint smile. "Five months from now, the Supreme Ocean Palace will host a Demonic Sword Assembly, and you, coincidentally, are among the invited. The relevant invitation will be delivered to you within the next two months."

"Oh? A Demonic Sword Assembly? What is that?" Yun Che asked in surprise. "And why would they invite me?"

"Heh heh, regarding this matter, I am not at liberty to disclose details without permission. However, when the time comes, you may ask the person who delivers the invitation to you; they might be able to clear your doubts."

"Oh…" Yun Che nodded slightly, still full of questions but choosing not to press further. "In that case, this junior won't make a proactive visit. I shall quietly await news from the Supreme Ocean Palace."

By now, although he still hadn't received any news about Chu Yuechan, all his other objectives for coming had been achieved. He had also gained the unexpected surprise regarding the Underworld Udumbara Flower and the mystery surrounding the 'Demonic Sword Assembly.' Yun Che stood up and cupped his hands towards Zi Ji, saying, "This junior has troubled Senior Zi for quite some time; it is now time for me to bid farewell. May I ask if my father-in-law, Xia Hongyi, is currently within the guild?"

"Heh heh," Zi Ji seemed to have anticipated his question about Xia Hongyi. He smiled faintly, flicked a finger, and a yellow teleportation profound formation silently appeared two zhang away. "He is on the first floor of the guild, and has been waiting for you for some time. You will see him once you step inside."

"Thank you, Senior Zi," Yun Che said with a grateful nod. He then offered a smile to the three young women beside him, turned, and stepped into the profound formation.

With a flash of yellow light, the profound formation vanished, taking Yun Che's figure with it.

Zi Ji remained momentarily stunned before slowly seating himself, a deeply complex expression on his face. After a moment, he extended an arm, carefully picked up one of the Tyrant Emperor Pellets, his gaze once again filled with profound astonishment. After meticulously examining it for a long while, he murmured to himself, "Such a world-shaking treasure pill, obtained so casually… it's truly astounding. And it seems to have no name yet."

"This pill's medicinal energy is divided into six distinct currents, each with a different aura, varying in its potency. It can enable one to achieve the Tyrant Emperor Realm, aid Monarchs, and carries no adverse effects. It can truly be called the Emperor's Pill of this age. Why not name it…"

"The Six-Taste Emperor Pill."