Chapter 2060: Source Sea

"Are you two planning to confront the experts of the Changyou clan? Unfortunately, I don't understand their divine abilities, so I can't offer any useful advice," Si Lu said, shaking his head.

Qin Sang gave him a profound look and asked, "What if we wanted you, fellow Daoist, to take us to the ancestral land of the Changyou clan?"

Si Lu was startled, then exclaimed in shock, "You're going to the Mist Sea?"

"Do you think that's feasible, fellow Daoist?"

Qin Sang picked up his jade cup, took a sip, and quietly watched Si Lu.

Si Lu's initial reaction was that it was preposterous. The Celestial Division was unlike the Water Division; human cultivators rarely managed to reach it. Before he was expelled, he had never even seen a human cultivator within his clan.

The Celestial Division tribes were hardly benevolent towards unfamiliar foreign races. Furthermore, the Mist Sea was not only home to mist beasts and mist waterfalls but also rife with various unknown dangers, making it almost impossible for anyone unfamiliar with the area to navigate.

However...

Si Lu suddenly realized this might be an opportunity for him.

He was naturally unwilling to wander forever. Once he accumulated enough strength, he was determined to return and avenge his past humiliation. However, it now appeared he was still under someone else's control, uncertain when he would regain his freedom, making revenge a distant prospect.

If they entered the Mist Sea, the other party would undoubtedly rely on him more heavily. At the very least, he wouldn't have to fear them suddenly turning hostile.

Perhaps the other party could even become his ally. Qin Sang, in particular, had fought multiple powerful individuals and emerged unscathed; his strength might not be inferior to Steward Xia's. Moreover, Qin Sang was only in the early stages of his cultivation, indicating limitless potential.

Furthermore, Si Lu knew that revenge could not be achieved by strength alone. Unless he could break through to the Saint Realm, he would need the support of other clan members. But if he waited hundreds or thousands of years to return, who would still remember him?

Forced by circumstances, he was unable to return to his ancestral land, willing but powerless. Now, however, the opportunity to return to the Mist Sea was exactly what he desired.

Si Lu raised his eyes and cautiously asked, "May I presumptuously ask, fellow Daoist, what is your purpose in seeking the Changyou clan?"

Qin Sang merely smiled without speaking.

Si Lu understood implicitly. It seemed this wasn't good news for the Changyou clan, but as long as it didn't involve opposing the Vermilion Ape clan, he didn't need to worry too much.

"If you only intend to stay briefly in the Mist Sea, going and returning quickly, there won't be too much involvement," Si Lu said, choosing his words carefully. "I have a way to help you conceal your identity. The main concern is the journey to the Celestial Division; the path is long, and accidents are prone to happen."

"What if we were to stay in the Mist Sea for a long time?" Qin Sang asked again.

"A long time..."

Si Lu's eyes flickered with surprise, but seeing Qin Sang's sincere expression, he hesitated for a moment before solemnly asking, "Fellow Daoist, could you grant me some time to consider?"

Qin Sang nodded. "Please, take your time, fellow Daoist."

After all, the other party was a Void Refining Realm expert. Qin Sang preferred not to resort to coercive methods unless absolutely necessary, hoping they could reach an agreement without force.

Si Lu thanked him, then rose and took his leave.

Back in the side hall, Si Lu sat down on the meditation cushion, his expression solemn as he fell into deep thought.

In truth, he had a secret he hadn't yet disclosed: he and Steward Xia hadn't traveled across vast oceans by swimming; instead, they had come through an ancient teleportation array.

It was unclear if this array had been revealed to Steward Xia by his father, or if Steward Xia had discovered it by chance. When the crisis struck, Steward Xia rescued him and activated the teleportation array, allowing them to shake off their pursuers.

Unfortunately, fate was cruel. They had just escaped one peril, their injuries still unhealed, only to run into the Quanfeng tribesmen, which ultimately led to Steward Xia's demise.

It was certain that the teleportation array had been sealed for a long time, likely a remnant from antiquity. Steward Xia himself had claimed that no one else in the clan knew about it. They intended to make a comeback and had made all necessary preparations before leaving, so it should not have been discovered by their clan.

After their recent conversation, Si Lu understood Qin Sang's true intention: he wanted Si Lu to lead the way to the Celestial Division. However, Si Lu had no idea how far it was from Lansha Continent to the Celestial Division, nor did he know about the dangers along the way.

Unless he revealed the existence of this ancient teleportation array!

He had to be cautious; once news of the array leaked, he would lose his only retreat path.

However, how to deal with Qin Sang was an urgent problem, and the other party wouldn't allow him too much time to deliberate.

Various thoughts flashed through Si Lu's mind. What he was certain of was that the other party had no connection to his clan and could potentially be won over.

The fact that they dared to abduct him right under the noses of so many experts showed they were not afraid of trouble.

However, to win them over, he would have to demonstrate sufficient value.

After much deliberation, Si Lu finally made his decision. He returned to the main hall and called out to Qin Sang.

Seeing Si Lu's solemn expression, Qin Sang asked, "Have you made up your mind, fellow Daoist?"

Si Lu nodded and said in a deep voice, "I possess a secret that could significantly reduce the troubles for our upcoming journey to the Mist Sea. However, before I disclose it to you, I need to ask one question."

"Please speak," Qin Sang said, his expression serious.

"The 'long time' you mentioned earlier, fellow Daoist, how long exactly is that?" Si Lu asked, staring into Qin Sang's eyes.

The duration was crucial to him; only a sufficiently long stay would make it worthwhile for him to fully commit to winning them over.

Qin Sang vaguely guessed Si Lu's intentions. After a moment's thought, he replied truthfully, "If this journey doesn't go smoothly, we will return immediately. However, if we successfully find what we seek, we intend to stay and establish a cultivation ground there."

"Establish a cultivation ground!"

Si Lu was greatly surprised, but even more so, delighted.

Establishing a cultivation ground in foreign territory went against common sense, but Si Lu didn't ask why. He knew that the deeper their involvement with the alien race became, the more they would have to rely on him.

"In that case, I no longer need to conceal it..."

Si Lu's voice was low as he slowly recounted the matter of the teleportation array.

He didn't rush to reveal his intention of winning them over, understanding that it couldn't be achieved overnight. His primary goal was to gain their trust, and simultaneously, he needed to observe them.

A flicker of light appeared in Qin Sang's eyes. He hadn't expected saving Si Lu to bring such a delightful surprise. He had initially thought Si Lu could only guide them along a safe sea route, but instead, there was an ancient teleportation array. This meant they could quickly reach the Celestial Division. Although it was near the Siyou clan's ancestral land, finding the Changyou clan would be much easier once they arrived.

Some time later, Su Nü returned. When Qin Sang shared the good news with her, she was also greatly pleased. She immediately summoned Si Lu and conjured a sea map using spiritual power.

One side of the sea map depicted Lansha Continent, while the other showed the boundless ocean, which cultivators from Lansha Continent referred to as the Outer Sea. There were several markings on the map, the most prominent being red lines indicating the routes of the treasure ships.

However, the routes only featured simple markings indicating approximate directions of travel. Without a ship's captain to lead the way, forcing entry would inevitably lead to death. Qin Sang and his group, of course, were an exception; there were few places in the world that could truly threaten the lives of Void Refining Realm cultivators. Nevertheless, traveling by treasure ship could save them a lot of trouble.

Si Lu walked to the sea map. He and Steward Xia had been pursued before they could even establish themselves, fleeing all the way to Lansha Continent without ever returning. He asked Su Nü a few questions before he could confirm his location.

"It should be in this area," Si Lu said confidently. "As long as we are within a thousand li radius, I'll definitely recognize it."

Qin Sang looked in the direction Si Lu pointed, noting that it was located to the northeast, neither too far nor too close to Lansha Continent, with a sea area called the Source Sea in between.

On the map, the Source Sea lay directly east of Lansha Continent, vast in extent. Strangely, all the sea routes invariably bypassed the Source Sea, as if it were a man-eating beast. Not a single treasure ship dared to traverse it, preferring to spend more time taking a detour.

Su Nü looked at Qin Sang and said, "The Mist Sea is in that direction. They happened to land on the sea route used by the alien races for travel; no wonder they encountered them."

"Is it possible those people discovered the teleportation array?" Qin Sang asked.

Si Lu shook his head. "Absolutely impossible!"

Qin Sang's gaze swept across the sea routes. Going from the north side of the Source Sea would be closer, but they might also encounter alien races.

To avoid unnecessary complications, Qin Sang pointed out a few sea routes. "Have these particular routes been thoroughly investigated?"

Su Nü calculated silently. "Among them, there's a treasure ship scheduled to set sail in a year."

Qin Sang nodded. "A year, the time is a bit tight, but we don't need to prepare anything further. If you two have no objections, let's choose this one!"

Su Nü had no objections.

Si Lu said, "With the pills you two fellow Daoists have provided, I should be able to stabilize my internal injuries within a year and won't hold you back."

Following this, everyone began their preparations in earnest.

Qin Sang asked Si Lu to guide the two brothers in his spare time and instructed the brothers to depart ahead with Su Nü.

Meanwhile, Qin Sang visited several important immortal cities in Lansha Continent, ultimately acquiring a batch of treasures, including some cultivation techniques and secret arts.

While Void Refining legacies were rare and Liu Nian Xiaoxuan possessed some treasured collections, in Qin Sang's estimation, they were somewhat biased and superficial, riddled with various flaws, and could hardly be considered top-tier.

Of course, they were more than sufficient for the cultivators of the Storm Realm.

*Whoosh!*

A majestic treasure ship glided across the sea, leaving a long white trail in its wake.

The treasure ship's surface had a dull luster and looked somewhat old, yet its interior held a vast and intricate world. Array restrictions separated individual courtyards, ensuring privacy.

Additionally, there were merchants selling various treasures who also purchased beast bones and spiritual artifacts on the spot. With various entertainment options available, the ship resembled a miniature immortal city. These merchants were permanently stationed on board.

Cultivators who regularly trained overseas obtained their supplies through these very treasure ships.

Inside one of the courtyards, complete with a small lake and rockeries, Qin Sang and his companions sat around a stone table. Outside, the vast, clear blue ocean stretched endlessly, visible without obstruction.

The treasure ship cut through the waves with incredible speed. They had already been away from Lansha Continent for some time, and the places they encountered ahead were mostly deserted islands.

At that moment, clear ringing sounds drifted into the courtyard.

Everyone looked up. They saw a giant sail slowly unfurling, almost covering the sky and obscuring the sun. The ship trembled slightly, slowly lifting off the sea surface. Immediately, fierce winds arose in the sky, and the ship's speed sharply increased.

The giant sail swelled, shimmering with dark light. Faint dark light spilled down, as if a layer of gray mist had veiled everyone's vision.

At this moment, the treasure ship's presence was completely obscured from outside view; only cultivators and demonic beasts with sufficiently high cultivation could detect its spiritual energy fluctuations.

The treasure ship was using array restrictions to conceal itself, thereby avoiding unnecessary trouble.

Concurrently, the bow of the ship subtly veered southward, gradually deviating from its original course.

Qin Sang looked out of the courtyard and saw a group of people gathered at the bow. He then rose, left the courtyard, and walked to the ship's fore.

Among this group, one person was particularly striking: a burly, muscular man with a pipe clenched in his mouth, a centipede-like saber scar on his forehead, and an open chest. He exuded the air of a bandit.

This man was the owner of the treasure ship, surnamed Wu. He appeared fierce but actually had an excellent reputation.

Noticing Qin Sang's gaze, the ship owner looked back, grinned, and patted his chest. "We just disturbed you, Fellow Daoist Qin. The path ahead is not peaceful, and this measure helps avoid trouble. Please rest assured and return to your quiet cultivation; on my ship, you need not worry about a thing!"

The others, who seemed quite familiar with the ship owner, all chimed in with words of praise.

Qin Sang smiled, walked to the ship's rail, looked eastward, and asked, "I have a question: why do you all avoid the Source Sea? What is its origin?"

"Oh? Have you not sailed the seas before, fellow Daoist?"

The ship owner gave Qin Sang another glance, a mysterious smile appearing on his face. "If you have nothing pressing, Fellow Daoist, you'll find out soon enough."

Qin Sang was curious, so he remained at the bow as instructed.

The treasure ship continued to sail for a while. Suddenly, the ship owner's expression shifted, and he announced, "They're here!"

He then turned to Qin Sang and added, "These beasts are early this time!"

With that, the ship owner stared intently at a spot on the sea surface, took out a fist-sized jade bead, and gently rubbed it.

Suddenly, whooshing sounds came from below as several dark lights shot out from the ship's underside. Within these dark lights were iron anchors.

*Boom!*

The ship owner no longer concealed anything; the iron anchors fiercely slammed into the sea, stirring up huge waves.

These were clearly not ordinary iron anchors; they were among the weapons the treasure ship used to repel enemies in times of danger. Integrated with the ship's array power, their might was considerable.

As the waves churned, a splash of blood suddenly appeared. Then, the iron anchors bound a strange fish, dragged it out of the sea, and with a forceful swing, flung it onto the bow.

*Thud!*

The moment the strange fish landed, it was met with a punch to the head and immediately fell unconscious.

The ship owner rubbed his fist, jumped onto the strange fish, and sliced open its abdomen. Ignoring the blood, he reached inside and fumbled around, pulling out a bloody sac. He then grinned and retrieved several jade bottles.

"This item must be extracted while the creature is alive; it becomes useless if it dies."

As he spoke, he squeezed transparent liquid drops from the sac and carefully transferred them into the jade bottles.

Suddenly remembering Qin Sang, he looked up and asked, "Did you notice anything, fellow Daoist?"

"Poison?"

Qin Sang, having once cultivated poisonous arts, had extremely acute senses; the liquid drops in the sac were indeed highly toxic.

"Precisely!"

The ship owner nodded and began to recount a legend.

"The Source Sea also goes by the name of the Poison Sea," the ship owner began. "Legend has it that this place was once home to an incredibly powerful force. They cultivated strange and potent poisonous arts, so formidable that their mere name struck terror. Another legend claims the Source Sea is actually a cultivation ground established by a Mahayana stage expert, a grand being known as the Poison God! It's said that during the Source Sea's heyday, Lansha Continent was merely a peripheral vassal, only gradually prospering due to its location between the Source Sea and Kanzhou. For unknown reasons, the Source Sea later declined, and now it's utterly silent, its legacy likely broken. Yet, even in its dormancy, it remains extremely dangerous, like an unparalleled fierce beast lurking in the sea with its maw agape. Countless poisonous beasts roam even its periphery. It's uncertain how much truth lies in these legends, but the danger is very real: no one has ever been seen emerging from it, and no one who entered has returned alive..."