Chapter 844: Absolute Spirit Sea Region

The Spirit-Severing Sea Area is one of the seven most perilous locations in the South Sea. It is said to be an ancient battlefield, even more dangerous than the Ten Thousand Ghosts Sea Area.

The Spirit-Severing Sea Area is a space entirely devoid of spiritual energy. When operating within this sea, cultivators can only rely on spirit stones and elixirs to recover their mana. Their divine sense is also somewhat affected. Body cultivators, however, experience less impact in the Spirit-Severing Sea Area. The primary reason this area is listed among the South Sea's seven most perilous locations is the presence of Spirit-Severing Qi.

Spirit-Severing Qi erupts intermittently in the Spirit-Severing Sea Area, with varying coverage areas, durations, and locations. If fortunate, the Spirit-Severing Qi's coverage might be as small as a few meters and last only a few hours. However, if unlucky, it can envelop over half the sea area for hundreds of years. The Spirit-Severing Sea Area does contain demonic beasts. Once trapped by Spirit-Severing Qi, cultivators are unable to use any mana, rendering them no different from mortals. Demonic beasts, which largely rely on close-quarters combat, remain unaffected.

Over five hundred years ago, several Nascent Soul cultivators in the South Sea, nearing the end of their lifespans, ventured into the Spirit-Severing Sea Area in search of treasures. They encountered a massive outbreak of Spirit-Severing Qi, which covered over half the sea area for a century. When the Qi finally dispersed, their friends and family went to search for them, but not even bones were found.

“The Spirit-Severing Sea Area?”

Wang Changsheng's brows furrowed deeply. While the Ten Thousand Ghosts Sea Area was dangerous, he could at least still use his mana there. An unlucky encounter with a major Spirit-Severing Qi outbreak, however, would spell serious trouble. Enveloped by Spirit-Severing Qi, he would be unable to use his mana, making him no different from a mortal. Opportunity and danger often go hand in hand; everything has its advantages and disadvantages.

“Fellow Daoist Guang, why did you seek me out?”

Wang Changsheng asked with a frown. Guang Dongren had formed his core many years ago and surely had his own connections; it was unlikely he'd seek Wang Changsheng for every opportunity that arose.

“The Spirit-Severing Sea Area has less impact on body cultivators. Since you, Fellow Daoist Wang, cultivate both magic and body, inviting you increases our chances of success. Furthermore, the Heavenly Moon Golden Lotus is guarded by a tier-four demonic beast. To be honest, I didn't discover the Heavenly Moon Golden Lotus myself; a friend of mine did. He has already invited other fellow daoists, and I'm inviting you. There are a total of twelve lotus seeds. He has four people on his side, and with us, that makes seven people. Each of us can get one lotus seed. There’s certainly a risk, but it’s not very significant.”

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan exchanged glances. Having cultivated the Coordinated Mind Technique, they could understand each other’s thoughts without speaking.

It was essential for Wang Changsheng to go as a Nascent Soul cultivator, as only they held real influence. Nascent Soul formation spiritual items were typically controlled by major powers and rarely circulated externally. Acquiring such items from powerful factions was extremely difficult, and one also had to worry about being killed for the treasure. Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan were only one cultivation layer apart. Wang Changsheng already possessed two Nascent Soul formation spiritual items and a spirit treasure, while Wang Ruyan had none.

After marrying Wang Changsheng, Wang Ruyan had contributed immensely to both him and the Wang family. She had even returned to her maiden home to borrow money to help Wang Changsheng pay off debts. Naturally, Wang Changsheng would not treat Wang Ruyan unfairly.

Wang Ruyan was not keen on venturing into the Spirit-Severing Sea Area. After all, they were still young, and the main concern was the extreme danger of the area. A major outbreak of Spirit-Severing Qi would put them in serious jeopardy.

“There’s no rush on this matter. You can discuss it, and it won't be too late to give me your answer tomorrow.”

Observing their hesitation, Guang Dongren wisely rose and took his leave.

“My dear wife,” Wang Changsheng said, holding Wang Ruyan’s right hand, trying to persuade her. “This opportunity is rare and precious. I think we should go for it! If we miss this chance, who knows when another will come along? I already have items for Nascent Soul formation, but you don't. Getting two lotus seeds would be excellent.”

Wang Ruyan sighed softly, nodded, and replied, “Since you’ve made up your mind, my husband, then let’s make this trip.”

The next day, Wang Changsheng contacted Guang Dongren and agreed to the venture. Guang Dongren's face lit up with joy.

“Excellent, Fellow Daoist Wang! With your participation, our chances have increased significantly. Let's depart quickly!”

Guang Dongren, Wang Changsheng, and Wang Ruyan departed from Lingbie Market and ascended into the sky.

***

Crimson Moon Sea Area, Silver Snake Island.

Inside a secret chamber, Wang Qingling sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, her expression somewhat excited. Before her was a yellow earthworm, about sixty centimeters long.

The yellow earthworm’s body was covered in yellow scales, and a pair of yellow dragon horns adorned its head. It had no eyes, a small mouth, and a row of sharp teeth inside.

“An Earth Dragon Worm! I never expected it to be this kind of spiritual insect. This time, I’ve truly stumbled upon a treasure.”

Wang Qingling murmured to herself, her eyes shining with delight.

Years ago, Ye Haitang discovered an ancient cultivator’s cave dwelling and obtained several insect eggs. Wang Qingling spent years attempting to hatch them without success. Even after acquiring spirit cultivation liquid from Ten Thousand Beasts Island, they still wouldn't hatch. Later, Wang Jiyun and others obtained many spiritual items from a secret realm. Wang Qingling then used a tier-three demonic core and several five-hundred-year-old spiritual herbs to concoct a special spiritual liquid, adding thousand-year spirit milk. Only then did one egg finally hatch. To her astonishment, it turned out to be an Earth Dragon Worm.

The Earth Dragon Worm, ranked thirtieth on the Heaven and Earth Strange Insect List, possesses the bloodline of an earth-attribute true dragon. It boasts extremely fast evasion speed, a keen sense of smell, and is adept at locating spiritual treasures.

“It’s a pity only one egg could hatch. The others are dead.”

As the Earth Dragon Worm had just hatched, it was still relatively weak. Wang Qingling placed several restrictions upon it, then took out a spiritual herb to feed it. After playing with it for a while, she finally placed it into a Spirit Beast Pearl.

***

The Spirit-Severing Sea Area is a space entirely devoid of spiritual energy, where Spirit-Severing Qi occasionally erupts. Compounded by numerous ancient restrictions remaining from antiquity, it is sparsely populated, and few cultivators dare to venture into its depths.

A streak of red light suddenly swept across the sky, landing on a small island at the periphery of the Spirit-Severing Sea Area. The light dissipated, revealing two men and one woman—Wang Changsheng and his two companions. All three had altered their appearances.

“Hmm, they haven't arrived yet?”

Guang Dongren released his divine sense, swiftly sweeping over the island, but detected no other presences.

Wang Changsheng offered a faint smile, his gaze fixed in a certain direction as he spoke: “They are already here. Fellow Daoists, show yourselves! There’s no need to hide any longer, or I won't be so courteous.”

His only reply was silence, as if no one were present.

Wang Changsheng’s right fist struck at the void in a particular direction. A blue fist-shadow, several meters in size, shot forth and slammed violently into the empty space.

With a flash of green light, a green blade-qi, over ten meters long, flew out from the void and powerfully met the blue fist-shadow.

Boom!

The green blade-qi shattered the blue fist-shadow, and a powerful surge of air stirred up a large cloud of dust. The green blade-qi continued unabated towards Wang Changsheng and his two companions, its speed not diminished in the slightest.

Wang Ruyan’s jade hand flipped, and a red jade flute appeared in her grip, which she brought to her lips. A low, resonant flute melody filled the air, and an invisible sound wave shot forth. The green blade-qi collided with the invisible sound wave, unleashing a powerful surge of energy that caused the blade-qi to dissipate, yet the force of the impact remained undiminished.

With a flash of red light, four cultivators materialized: three men and one woman. The highest cultivated among them was a golden-robed old man in his early fifties. The old man sported a walrus mustache, held a golden staff, and had a golden gourd hanging from his waist. Beside him stood a graceful young woman in a blue dress, in her early thirties, with a blue gourd hanging from her own waist.

Of the remaining two men, one was a tall, lean man in a green robe with a seemingly dislocated left arm, carrying a green longblade on his back. The other was a short, stout man in a red robe, reeking of alcohol so strongly that it was noticeable from a distance.

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan exchanged glances, both seeing surprise in each other’s eyes.