Chapter 2064: Yuanqiao Seaport

"Thank you for your concern, fellow Daoist."Silu stood up and bowed respectfully.

"It's my pleasure! It's my pleasure! I haven't even repaid your life-saving kindness yet..."Jihong waved his hands repeatedly, then suddenly stared with wide, round eyes, finally noticing the change in Silu's aura. "You've already broken through to the second level of the Emptiness Realm?"

"I was lucky enough to pass this hurdle; I had been in seclusion for this breakthrough. I didn't realize you were looking for me," Silu said, deliberately vague about his recent experiences.

Jihong was overjoyed. He lifted his small face, full of anticipation, and asked, "Now that you've emerged from seclusion, are you planning to gather your old allies and launch a counterattack?"

Silu gave a wry smile. "Including Steward Xia, several elders sacrificed themselves to protect me, and many of my former allies have likely defected to the enemy. My forces are far weaker than before, so how can we speak of a counterattack?" He glanced at Qinsang beside him. "I will never give up, but the time is not right. Those people are certainly searching for me everywhere. Staying in the Siyou clan's territory would only tie our hands. Acting stealthily in the shadows is not the righteous path. It's better to get out first. I plan to leave this place for now, find a place to settle, and build up our strength."

"That's a good idea!"Jihong wholeheartedly agreed. "Leaving this place is like a bird soaring freely in the sky! The Siyou clan's reach doesn't extend everywhere else. Where do you plan to go? Maybe I've been there too, and I can guide you."

"For now, we're thinking of the Zhuyan clan..."Silu briefly explained their plan.

"The Zhuyan," Jihong grumbled, wrinkling his small nose. "Those smelly monkeys are quite barbaric!"

"You've been to the Zhuyan territory?" Silu pressed.

Jihong nodded reluctantly. From his expression, it was clear the experience hadn't been pleasant. He complained, "Those uncivilized wild monkeys have no manners at all! I couldn't stand it after just a few days, and I've never been back since! You really should think twice!"

Qinsang and Silu exchanged glances; it sounded like Jihong harbored deep resentment.

Silu said, "Whether the Zhuyan are barbaric or not isn't important. I won't be staying in the Zhuyan territory. I plan to choose one of their subordinate clans to reside in, and avoid interacting with them as much as possible. Do you know how many subordinate clans the Zhuyan govern?"

Jihong reached into one of his pockets and pulled out something shaped like a melon seed, resembling a type of seed. He suddenly cried out, "Wrong one!" His robe had dozens of pockets. He rummaged through them for a moment before pulling out a ball of purple light from one.

As the purple light shimmered, a book appeared. It was square and thick, about half a person's height. The book's surface gleamed, indicating extraordinary material, perhaps made from a beast hide. Its cover was inscribed with characters Qinsang had never seen before.

Jihong held the book by one corner with his small hand, lifting it up like a strongman. One couldn't help but wonder if the book would flatten him if it fell. He tapped it with a finger, and the book tilted slightly, floating in mid-air. He then leaped up, just about to open it, when he suddenly turned his head to stare at Qinsang.

"Brother Qin is not an outsider," Silu said.

Jihong withdrew his gaze and hesitated. "Fellow Daoist, you saved my life, and I can give you anything I've obtained myself. But this 'Myriad Clans Record' was brought from my clan. It contains records of various clans' divine abilities and secret histories, compiled by our ancestors who ventured throughout the myriad realms. Without the clan leader's permission, it cannot be shown to outsiders. Please, both of you, don't peek."

Silu quickly said, "Rest assured, fellow Daoist, we definitely won't peek."

Jihong seemed to trust him greatly. He didn't ask them to avert their eyes. Purple light flashed around him, and he slipped into the book's pages.

The book's surface glowed with purple light, not actually opening, yet the rustling sound of pages turning came from within. Qinsang and Silu sat nearby, communicating via telepathy, neither attempting to spy on the book with their powers.

A moment later, the rustling stopped abruptly. Jihong's slightly muffled voice came from inside, "Xingsheng, Xiao, Zuzi, Changyou..."

"Wait!"Silu exclaimed, "Under the Zhuyan, is there really a clan called Changyou?"

The purple light flickered, and a small head peeked out from between the pages, asking somewhat confused, "Yes, there is! But the records say Changyou is just a minor clan. They probably don't even qualify for the Yuanqiao Sea Market. Otherwise, why would I have never heard of their deeds before?"

Listening to Silu's telepathic explanation, Qinsang learned that the Yuanqiao Sea Market was a grand gathering for the Yi-Ren clans. Regardless of whether they belonged to the Sky or Water divisions, or even outside these two, any clan with sufficient strength could receive an invitation. The Yuanqiao Sea Market was not only a place for the Yi-Ren clans to discuss important matters but also an opportunity for various clans to exchange goods and verify their divine abilities, holding extraordinary significance in the eyes of the Yi-Ren.

Finally, having gained information about the Changyou clan, Qinsang felt a slight relief. As they had expected, Changyou was a minor clan, which meant the Storm Realm might be able to barely resist. He hoped the situation hadn't changed. Thinking of this, Qinsang telepathically conveyed a few more words to Silu.

Silu said aloud, "Smaller clans are easier to control. We'll go to the Changyou clan first. Does the book contain any other information about them?"

Jihong shook his head. "The book only states that the Changyou clan has four ears and is skilled at controlling water."

He slipped out from within the book. With a swipe of his small hand across its cover, the book transformed into purple light and disappeared into his pocket. He then leaped onto the table.

Finally having a clear destination, Qinsang grew eager. Without shying away from Jihong, he immediately discussed their upcoming itinerary with Silu.

Jihong sat on a teacup lid, swinging his small legs, occasionally interjecting. He knew more about the area around the Siyou clan than even Silu did. Towards the end, Qinsang and Silu were almost exclusively consulting him.

Silu, understanding Qinsang's intention, cupped his hands towards Jihong and asked, "May I invite you, fellow Daoist, to travel with us?"

Jihong looked at him with a strange expression. "Of course I'll go with you, fellow Daoist! Neither of you has ever traveled through the Mist Tide; only I have!" He patted his small chest, full of confidence.

By now, he had realized that Qinsang's identity was not simple, certainly not merely Silu's subordinate, but he didn't ask further. He was there to repay Silu's life-saving kindness; other matters were none of his concern. Knowing that Qinsang was Silu's ally was enough.

"Thank you, fellow Daoist," Silu said, overjoyed. Although Qinsang and Sunu hadn't troubled him, as a different clan member, he always felt somewhat out of place. Traveling alone was inconvenient, but with Jihong accompanying him, he wouldn't feel so isolated and powerless anymore.

After careful discussion, they settled on a clear path. Just then, Qinsang suddenly caught a whiff of a sweet fragrance.

He saw Jihong take something from his pocket, bring it to his mouth, and take a delightful bite. Jihong ate while watching Qinsang and Silu discuss. This item appeared to be a fruit, shaped like a grain of rice, with a surface as white as jade. It was much larger than ordinary rice, requiring Jihong to hold and gnaw on it with both hands.

Qinsang's nose twitched slightly. He instantly felt the sweet fragrance burst in his nasal cavity, yet he didn't find the scent overly strong or flamboyant; instead, he perceived an extremely pure aroma dissolving within his body, permeating his internal organs. The bitten-off part glowed faintly, like honey nectar.

Noticing Qinsang's gaze, Jihong's expression stiffened. A wary look appeared on his face, and he quickly turned sideways, shielding the item in his hand. "No giving!" He quickly swallowed, gulping down the item in a few quick bites. His voice muffled, he said, "I can get full with just one! You're so big, you'd need... a big bowl of this to be full!" As he spoke, he spread his arms to gesture, shaking his head like a rattle-drum. "Can't give! Can't give!"

Qinsang's face stiffened slightly. He was merely curious and wouldn't snatch food from someone's mouth. While Jihong's innocent nature was a good thing, it often led to unexpected actions. However, Jihong wasn't deliberately pretending; his actions sprang entirely from his true self, so Qinsang wouldn't hold it against him.

Silu chuckled, "Fellow Daoist Jihong, is this Jiashi that you cultivated yourself?" He then turned to Qinsang and explained, "The Jiaojiao clan excels at cultivating superior seeds, capable of turning decay into wonder. The spiritual seeds cultivated by fellow Daoists of the Jiaojiao clan, if consumed regularly, can have effects comparable to some spiritual medicines, greatly benefiting cultivation and even improving one's innate potential. They are very precious. This spiritual rice called Jiashi is one such example. Fellow Daoist Jihong, fearless of danger, travels everywhere, always venturing into unexplored places, precisely to collect the world's finest seeds..."

"Cultivating superior seeds?"Qinsang's eyes gleamed with surprise. He hadn't expected Jihong to possess such an ability. His thoughts stirred, but his expression remained unchanged. He slightly cupped his hands and said, "Fellow Daoist, you not only possess great divine abilities but also great perseverance and courage. I admire you."

Jihong looked pleased. His gaze towards Qinsang softened with a hint of closeness. He then reluctantly said, "I'm not familiar with you yet, fellow Daoist. But once we are, I'll give you a Jiashi. I've never lied. If you don't believe me, ask fellow Daoist Silu."

Silu smiled. "I had the fortune of tasting it once, and Jiashi truly lives up to its reputation."

Qinsang thanked him, not feeling rushed. Once he managed to bring this person back to the Storm Realm, there would be plenty of opportunities. People with such an innocent nature are often the easiest to deal with, yet they tend to have a keen understanding of worldly affairs and are highly perceptive. One must treat them with genuine sincerity for them to reciprocate.

Having decided on all matters, the three decided not to linger and immediately left the city.

Outside the city, they met up with Sunu and the others. Seeing Jihong perched on Silu's shoulder, and hearing Silu's introduction, everyone was greatly astonished.

Above a stretch of sea, the Dharma boat slowly descended, and Qinsang and the others appeared, gazing forward.

The sea surface was a vast expanse of white. A wall of mist stretched ahead, with no visible end to its left or right, and its top was out of sight. The mist constantly churned, becoming thinner towards the edges, forming an indistinct boundary.

Qinsang and the others had traveled a long distance, passing through the territories of several subordinate clans of the Siyou, finally arriving near the Mist Tide. They were extremely cautious during their journey, only using teleportation arrays when absolutely certain it was safe, otherwise preferring to fly on their own to reach this place securely.

"The mist here seems thinner," Sunu observed.

Qinsang gazed towards the end of the mist wall. "The place guarded by the Siyou clan experts is still further ahead." The mist in the mist sea was ever-changing; some areas were dense, others sparse, but sparseness did not imply safety.

The group rested briefly, concealed their auras, and quietly approached their target.

Before long, Qinsang telepathically ordered everyone to stop. He focused his senses, detecting fluctuations from a formation ahead. It was likely a grand formation set up by the Siyou clan. Vague vital energy emanated from within the formation, making it impossible to determine how many experts were present, but Qinsang was certain there were beings capable of threatening him.

With guardians keeping watch, they couldn't directly enter the Mist Tide from that spot. Qinsang looked around, signaled for the others to retreat, and found a deserted island to settle Guya and the rest. Then, the three cultivators at the Void Refinement stage split up to explore the outer perimeter of the Mist Tide, and soon had results.

They chose to enter the Mist Tide from another location, then gradually moved towards the main path.

Upon entering the Mist Tide, the familiar sensation immediately returned, even stronger than during the Mist Year. If one were to get lost here, they might never escape the Mist Tide. Furthermore, within the Mist Tide, the threat of mist waterfalls and mist beasts was several times greater, and many usual rules did not apply. The Mist Tide might be perfectly calm one moment, only for a mist waterfall to descend suddenly. If one reacted even slightly too slowly, they would be swept into the waterfall, disappearing without a trace. And this was not the extent of the dangers. Everyone maintained their composure, daring not to relax even for a moment.

Qinsang took Jihong and led the way, with Silu and Sunu covering the rear. The group silently moved through the white mist.

Qinsang awakened his Heavenly Eye Butterfly, proceeding with stops and starts, successfully guiding everyone back to the correct path.

Perhaps they were fortunate, as they encountered almost no dangers.

After traveling through the Mist Tide for more than ten days in this manner, Qinsang suddenly seemed to sense something. He gestured for everyone to stop, his eyes shining brightly as he gazed ahead.

"What have you found, fellow Daoist?"Jihong stood up on his shoulder, wide-eyed, but saw nothing.

"Ahead..."Qinsang hesitated, "There's a palace!"

"A palace?"Jihong was startled, then immediately realized and cried out happily, "It's a mirage! It must be a mirage!" A "mirage" was a type of celestial phenomenon in the Mist Sea, appearing without any regular pattern, though most frequently during the Mist Year.

"There's no one else there, right? I've never seen a mirage in a place like this before. Let's go quickly and take a look!" Jihong urged repeatedly.

Qinsang led the group, flying for a while. Gradually, they saw the outline of the palace he spoke of, like an immortal palace among clouds. Amidst towering immortal mountains, shrouded in mist, various palace structures were scattered, appearing incredibly mysterious. The scene deep within the thick mist was indistinct, and the immortal palace seemed to have no end. The palace gates were tightly shut, with no living beings or mist beasts, giving it a desolate appearance.

But the moment they saw the palace, everyone was awestruck by its grandeur, unable to distinguish reality from illusion. Qinsang was secretly astonished; a mirage should have been an illusion, yet his Heavenly Eye Butterfly couldn't see through it, as if the immortal palace genuinely existed.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, should we go in and explore?"Jihong watched, captivated, and looked at Qinsang with an expectant face. "Legend has it that some mirages are purely illusory, where you can experience various wondrous events inside, and then emerge as if from a dream. But others blur the line with reality, and any treasures obtained from them still exist even after the mirage disappears..."

Having experienced the Jushan Altar and the Fengju Jade Gate, Qinsang knew that in the eyes of powerful beings, reality and illusion might not have clear boundaries. He hadn't expected such wondrous phenomena to exist in the Mist Sea as well.

"That's not advisable!"Silu's expression was serious. "There are indeed rumors of people gaining opportunities from mirages, but more often, people who enter them can never come out, disappearing from the world along with the mirage. If a mirage appeared outside the Mist Tide, we might consider exploring it, but it's best not to go in now."

As they spoke, the palace's image gradually faded, vanishing before their eyes in the blink of an eye.