Chapter 73: Sea Soul Sect

Dongshan Sea in Dongling Kingdom was extremely far from Qizhou, where Xu Yang resided. It took Xu Yang a full day and night of flying his spirit boat to reach Dongshan Sea.

Xu Yang circled above Dongshan Sea repeatedly but found no trace of the Deep Sea Blue Heart.

After inquiring, Xu Yang learned that the Deep Sea Blue Heart would only appear on the full moon night of the following month, which was still more than ten days away.

Xu Yang eventually settled on a small island in Dongshan Sea to rest and await the upcoming full moon.

Although small in name, the island was vast, stretching as far as the eye could see, covered in lush, verdant trees. At its center stood a lone peak, soaring high into the clouds like a sword drawn from its scabbard.

"That spot looks good," Xu Yang muttered to himself. He then piloted his spirit boat towards it. However, upon arrival, Xu Yang discovered a sect established there. Judging by its size, it was quite a substantial sect.

"I thought this place was uninhabited," Xu Yang exclaimed, "I didn't expect to find a sect here." Since there was a sect, he naturally decided to investigate. As a local establishment, they might have information about the Deep Sea Blue Heart.

Xu Yang slowly landed his spirit boat in an open space and walked towards the sect. Just as he reached the sect's entrance, he noticed a towering tree covered in pale blue, glowing flowers.

"This... this is a Netherfrost Ancient Tree," Xu Yang stammered. The essence from the roots of a Netherfrost Ancient Tree could be refined into a Nether Infant Elixir. This elixir guaranteed a 100% success rate for Golden Core cultivators in forming a Nascent Soul.

"I never expected to find such a tree here. What an unexpected gain!" Xu Yang's eyes gleamed as he approached the tree, contemplating how to proceed. To extract the vital essence from its roots, the tree would need to be uprooted and its roots severed. This process would destroy the tree, and such a tree took thousands, even tens of thousands of years to grow. He wondered if this Netherfrost Ancient Tree had an owner. Xu Yang's gaze flickered.

"Hey, who are you? What are you looking at?" a voice suddenly demanded. Xu Yang turned to see a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Judging by his attire, he was likely a disciple of this sect.

"I'm not doing anything," Xu Yang replied casually. He gave the disciple a brief glance before turning back to examine the Netherfrost Ancient Tree, ignoring him.

"Hey, I'm talking to you! Why are you staring at our sect's guardian divine tree?" the disciple repeated, sounding very displeased and eyeing Xu Yang suspiciously. "Are you also here looking for the Deep Sea Blue Heart?"

Xu Yang turned his head and asked, "What about it? You know about the Deep Sea Blue Heart?"

"Many people have come recently, all looking for some 'Deep Sea Blue Heart' or another," the Foundation Establishment disciple said, shaking his head. "Also, stop staring at our guardian divine tree. It has already gained sentience. Be careful not to anger it, or you'll be dead. Our guardian divine tree has the cultivation of a Nascent Soul realm expert."

Xu Yang was surprised. The Netherfrost Ancient Tree had gained sentience? Although this ancient tree was thousands, if not tens of thousands of years old, gaining sentience still required specific fortuitous circumstances.

Suddenly, Xu Yang asked the Foundation Establishment disciple, "Why are you so calm seeing me? Does your sect get many outsiders visiting?" Xu Yang had assumed that a sect on such a remote, desolate island wouldn't receive many visitors.

"Hmph, while our Sea Soul Sect is on an isolated island, and barely anyone comes here in a year," the disciple retorted, "lately, because of this 'Deep Sea Blue Heart' thing, many people like you have shown up. We're already used to it."

"Alright," Xu Yang nodded, realizing he had overlooked that point.

"Please inform your Sect Master that I want this guardian divine tree of yours," Xu Yang stated.

"What did you just say?" The Foundation Establishment disciple was stunned, staring blankly at Xu Yang, unsure of his meaning.

Without another word, Xu Yang abruptly kicked the Netherfrost Ancient Tree.

*Boom!*

The Netherfrost Ancient Tree swayed violently, its leaves scattering like snowflakes. However, instead of falling to the ground, the leaves suddenly transformed into countless projectiles, shooting towards Xu Yang.

*Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!*

Thousands of leaves, like thousands of flying daggers, whizzed through the air, their edges imbued with wisps of dark yin energy, descending upon Xu Yang like a storm. This was no mere display; an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator would likely be riddled with holes in moments.

Xu Yang raised an eyebrow in surprise, then remembered that the Netherfrost Ancient Tree had gained sentience. Its attack, upon perceiving his malicious intent, was not unexpected. But would Xu Yang truly fear the Netherfrost Ancient Tree's attack?

Xu Yang effortlessly dodged the volley of leaves with a slight shift of his body. Yet, as if endowed with eyes, the leaves curved, attacking Xu Yang again, this time with even greater ferocity.

"It can do that?"

The leaves that struck the ground exploded, sending dust and debris flying, and even shattering the Sea Soul Sect's towering mountain gate.

"Wh-wh-what are you doing?" the Foundation Establishment disciple stammered, looking at Xu Yang with terror.

"I've taken a liking to this Netherfrost Ancient Tree. It's mine now," Xu Yang said, licking his lips with a hint of excitement. The stronger the Netherfrost Ancient Tree, the more vital essence it contained.

"How dare you! Someone actually dares to covet the Sea Soul Sect's guardian divine tree!" A sharp shout came from behind Xu Yang, accompanied by the piercing sound of something tearing through the air.

A blue spirit sword shot rapidly towards Xu Yang, followed by a tidal wave of blue sword qi, crashing down like a raging ocean. Within the torrent, a colossal blue wing was faintly discernible, its presence so awe-inspiring that a single glance seemed to steal one's soul.

"Great Evolution Blue Wing Sword Art?" Xu Yang froze. Wasn't this the sword art he had taught his disciple years ago? How did this person know it?

Xu Mengyao, who was in the air, was also stunned. Her Great Evolution Blue Wing Sword Art was an absolute secret of the Sea Soul Sect, known only to its Saintess and reserved exclusively for the Saintess to cultivate. Yet, this young man, who had appeared from nowhere, knew the name of her sword art?

She gave a slight tremor to the blue spirit sword in her hand, dispelling the sword art she had just unleashed. "Who are you? How do you know the name of my sword art?!" With a *swish*, Xu Mengyao placed the blue spirit sword at Xu Yang's throat.