Chapter 1408: Suffering Sea

The starry sky is constantly turbulent, with great battles occurring daily and renowned masters frequently falling. Just today, a Great Saint was slain in a duel, shaking the entire ancient domain.

The Mythological Ancient Road has grown increasingly brutal. Recently, a large influx of experts from various races has arrived from numerous ancient domains, all hoping to reach the Other Shore and behold the gods. As for the ambitious, their goal is the Ancient Tree of Life. The Mythological Ancient Domain grows increasingly restless, with life withering and blood blooming daily, making people numb to the sight of countless corpses.

"There are clues about the Bitter Sea!"

On this day, a piece of news swept through the starfield like a hurricane, invigorating many cultivators. Endless armies of ancient beasts surged forth, causing the entire dark universe to tremble. The Diviner of Heavenly Secrets, after repeated deductions, calculated the location of the Bitter Sea and marked out its approximate coordinate range, causing great excitement among the powerful figures who learned of it. This was absolutely groundbreaking. From ancient times until now, even the powerful lords among the ancient beasts had spent immense resources without being able to find the Bitter Sea. Historically, only a few individuals had entered the "Other Shore" through special fortuitous encounters.

"It has been calculated," came the news. "It's on the other side of the starry sky."

Everyone went wild and mobilized, rushing to another ancient land, though still within the confines of the Mythological Ancient Domain. The exact location was not revealed, but people knew the approximate area and followed those who had more detailed information.

Along the way, there was much bloodshed and too many battles. The four Beast Sovereigns—Grey Flood Dragon, Golden Toad, Heavenly Dog, and Roc—joined forces to collect life essence, preparing to cross the Bitter Sea. Besides them, overlords from other ancient domains also stirred up bloody storms, acting individually without forming alliances. Transcendent beings such as the Ox Demon King, Saint Spirit, and Human Race Dao Protector, who had entered from the Human Race Ancient Road, were also preparing for battle and frequently clashed with the Beast Sovereigns along their journey. These were all Great Saint-level figures. Their battles often resulted in falling stars and sinking moons, reaching world-destroying proportions, inspiring awe and dread, and forcing others to keep their distance.

This was a desolate starfield, devoid of any clues, where not even a suitable planet for landing existed. The vast starry sky was bleak and barren. When the powerful figures arrived, they didn't see even a single drop of water, let alone the endless Bitter Sea. There was nothing at all.

"I've been to this ancient domain before; there has never been any ocean here," an ancient beast overlord questioned. "How could it be here? Was the calculation wrong?" This place was too barren, with scarce stars. It was the coldest and most desolate dead zone, vastly different from the Bitter Sea that existed in people's imaginations.

"The Other Shore and the Bitter Sea are hidden within dark celestial domains beyond our reach," explained an elderly man. "They need to be opened before they can be perceived. Otherwise, if they could be seen at a glance, they wouldn't have remained elusive for eons."

An old man in green robes stepped forward, protected by the Great Saints. Even though they were from different factions, no one attacked him; instead, they all protected him. "It should be in this ancient domain; the general location cannot be wrong," he affirmed. He was a Diviner of Heavenly Secrets, aged beyond recognition, with white hair and beard, skin and bones, a face covered in wrinkles, and no luster.

"Since it's here, please, Diviner, deduce again," a Beast Sovereign requested. "Calculate the exact location of the celestial domain, and perhaps we can open it together." Grey Flood Dragon, Golden Toad, Ox Demon King, Stone Man, and others all nodded in agreement, waiting for the old man to make his final deduction, after which they would forcibly open the Bitter Sea's location.

The old man was gaunt and his face sallow; one could tell at a glance that his lifespan was short, with not many years left to live. After a soft sigh, he began to calculate silently. Diviners of Heavenly Secrets are transcendent beings who can predict good and bad fortune and foresee parts of the future. However, doing so severely damages their own life essence, so under normal circumstances, they would never act against the heavens. The Other Shore was of paramount importance. The Great Saints invited the old Diviner to come forth, promising great blessings to his descendants, which finally persuaded him, whose lifespan was short, to perform the deduction. All these clues emerged from the "Questioning Heaven" phenomenon when Daoist Qinghuang assimilated with the Dao. Otherwise, not even a Diviner, or a true god, would have been able to help.

For nine consecutive days, the old Diviner sat motionless in the dark universe, as if he were about to assimilate with the Dao. Essence and fragments of the Great Dao occasionally flew from his body, indicating he was consuming his own life force! This was a terrifying phenomenon: fragments of the Great Dao directly split from his Immortal Platform. He became increasingly withered, his vital energy depleted, and he visibly shriveled. Various phenomena and Dao marks, such as the Bitter Sea, that appeared after Daoist Qinghuang's passing, now vaguely materialized and circled around him. The old Diviner's deduction had reached a critical moment.

"I see it! A vast Bitter Sea, it's right there!" he exclaimed. He suddenly opened his eyes, shooting out two incredibly brilliant rays of light that fixated on a distant part of the starry sky. At the same time, his brilliant eyes instantly burst open, turning into bloody mud and liquid that splattered everywhere. This terrifying sight made people's scalps tingle.

This was a heavenly punishment! People like him, living in the world, can witness miracles and heavenly secrets, but they absolutely cannot speak of them. The old Diviner grunted, his eye sockets sunken and devoid of eyeballs. He used his hand to inscribe characters in the void, writing out the celestial coordinates. *Splat!* His fingers broke and shattered, turning into bloody pulp. Both of his arms also shattered and ceased to exist, a truly ghastly sight.

"You should know, my life is ending," the old Diviner said with a trembling voice. He had deduced the Bitter Sea and revealed its coordinates, but in doing so, he had expended all of his lifespan and could no longer remain in the world.

"You may rest assured and depart peacefully," several Great Saints stated in turn, making a promise. "Your descendants will henceforth receive great blessings. As long as we live, they will become the favored ones of this ancient domain."

*Crack!* The old Diviner's Immortal Platform disintegrated, and fragments of the Great Dao flew out. Then his entire being exploded, beginning to assimilate with the Dao, as large bolts of heavenly lightning descended from the sky, all striking him. This was a heavenly punishment, a divine retribution. People's hearts trembled; this was truly strange. Cultivators act against the heavens, disbelieving in any hidden rulers and all seeking the path to longevity, yet what they witnessed made their hair stand on end.

"This might be a rule," Ye Fan muttered to himself, using his own understanding to explain the intrinsic nature of this bizarre phenomenon. "Ancient curses, Dao principles, and order can resonate. If touched, they might trigger some unusual phenomenon in heaven and earth, appearing as a heavenly punishment." But with no direct evidence, this could only be considered a mere hypothesis.

The dark universe cracked open, and starlight exploded as all the Great Saints acted together, tearing a rift in the starry sky that the old Diviner had finally pinpointed. *Rumble, rumble, rumble!* Almost instantly, people heard the sound of ocean waves sweeping across the sky, as if they were facing an endless ocean. This sound emanated from the rift, accompanied by powerful waves of energy.

*Crack!* An immortal ruler flew up as the Stone Man used the Heaven-Measuring Ruler, emitting a brilliant glow. Forged from Immortal Tear Green Gold, it was capable of striking the Nine Heavens above and shaking the Nine Netherworlds below, its power utterly terrifying. The rift expanded, revealing a portion of the ocean, which deeply shook everyone. This was a celestial domain hidden in the void, a real space, part of the universe, now manifesting itself. Other Great Saints also acted again. Especially when the glistening Adamant Hoop flew from the Ox Demon King's hand, it instantly shattered the area, revealing a vast entrance to the celestial domain.

"It appeared, it's truly the Bitter Sea!" someone exclaimed. "We can enter the Other Shore through this!"

"A vast divine sea!" another cried. "The legends are truly real! Is the dwelling place of the gods on its other shore?"

The place erupted with excitement; everyone rushed forward, eager to see the sea up close. The Great Saints naturally led the way, being the first to charge in. They beheld a magnificent, boundless ocean, as if they had reached the end of the universe. This was the most primordial sea of heaven and earth, where individuals were infinitesimally small, not even a speck of dust in comparison.

The powerful figures entered one after another, horrified to discover how truly vast it was. Was this still an ocean? Its size rivaled a starfield, with stars even floating and sinking within it! Such a sight was unprecedented. Numerous large stars rotated in the sky, some falling into the sea, stirring up waves a hundred thousand miles high, a truly terrifying display.

"This is... a myth!" someone exclaimed. "How can such a sight exist? This sea can swallow stars; it's no smaller than the Mythological Ancient Domain." This was an extension of the universe, a vast space that had never been discovered by anyone. It could even be called a starfield sea, too magnificent and boundless.

After arriving here, people dispersed, no longer needing to worry about contending with Great Saints for a path. Since it was so vast, couldn't they cross the sea from anywhere? No one ventured to cross the sea rashly; including the Great Saints, all were carefully observing. People are always filled with reverence for unknown and mysterious things.

The seawater was black, and within it lay a mysterious power that sent a ripple of trepidation through the hearts of the Saints. It actually contained portions of Grand Yin Essence, harbored within the Bitter Sea. This was truly extraordinary. Perhaps in the depths of the ocean, there was a true Grand Divine Domain. What an immense power this was! There were no living beings in the sea; at least, no water plants were seen, nor any shrimp soldiers, crab generals, or even a single sea fish.

"There's something wrong with this water!"

When an ancient beast fell into the water, it struggled violently but rapidly sank. Even with profound cultivation, it was useless; it was swallowed alive by the Bitter Sea. "This water is too terrifying!" someone exclaimed. "It can turn powerful cultivators into mortals! Once inside, all cultivation and magic power will disappear!" Even the Great Saints' expressions changed, and they became extremely wary of this Bitter Sea.

Two days later, some began to cross the sea, venturing deep into the ocean. Their purpose was not to reach the Other Shore, but merely to scout ahead. After flying a hundred thousand miles, all of them turned back. "Above the Bitter Sea, there's a suppression of Dao principles," they reported, "and people's divine power will quickly dry up." This was very bad news, causing deep worry and making them stare blankly at the Bitter Sea.

Some began to meticulously carve array patterns, preparing to open domain gates for long-distance teleportation, hoping to probe for the Other Shore's coordinates and reach it directly. However, they ultimately failed. Even powerful formation masters frowned, as it was impossible to traverse the void in this place; Dao patterns dimmed and all became ineffective. They could only cross the sea, not traverse the void.

"Huh, what's that ahead? There's an ancient ship!" someone exclaimed. In a certain sea area, an ancient ship was discovered, majestic and tall, like a small mountain.

"I understand!" someone declared. "Only such ancient ships can carry people to the Other Shore." People recalled legends that ancient individuals who had reached the dwelling place of the gods had all crossed the sea by ship. It was said that these were left by the gods and were the only means of crossing the sea.

In an instant, several Great Saints landed on the ancient ship and activated their magic power. The ancient ship, like a true dragon, rode the wind and waves, transforming into a fleeting light as it surged into the dark ocean. Soon after, several more ancient ships were discovered and naturally fell into the hands of the Great Saints. They rushed into the Bitter Sea, and the ships were so incredibly fast that they ultimately passed directly through space, disappearing from the sea.

Days later, those on the Bitter Sea's shore grew anxious. All the Great Saints had journeyed far, not a single one remained, and even one or two young Supremes had crossed the sea. However, the remaining people found it difficult to find ancient ships.

"Search!" someone urged. "In such a vast Bitter Sea, I refuse to believe there are only a few ships. The gods should have left them in various areas." Indeed, people successively discovered ancient ships, which naturally triggered bloody battles as everyone vied to get on board.

Half a month later, Ye Fan, Pang Bo, and the Dragon Horse stood on a blood-stained deck, having slain a group of attacking plunderers, and advanced into the Bitter Sea. When the ship's speed reached its limit, a void passage appeared. The ancient ship disappeared into it, reappearing hundreds of thousands of miles away. This was only a brief pause before it accelerated again, plunging into another void passage.

After sailing an unknown number of miles, the ancient ship began to navigate directly on the sea, no longer traversing void passages. "Huh, what's that ahead?" Pang Bo asked, uncertain. "A ship is shattered, with only its deck floating. Where are the people who were on it?" Ye Fan took a sharp breath after scrutinizing it. They had seen this ancient ship before; it had been boarded by two Great Saints and set off half a month ago, yet it was destroyed here. There were many bloodstains on the broken ship, and powerful fluctuations spread from it, indicating the blood of Great Saints. Those two had likely met a grim fate.

"Who attacked? Did Great Saints clash?" the Dragon Horse mused, staring intently at the broken ship.

"It doesn't look like a bloody conflict between Great Saints," Ye Fan said. "The threat might come from the sea. Everyone, be vigilant."

"What's that?" Suddenly, Pang Bo pointed ahead. In the black seawater, a purple light flickered in the depths, gradually surfacing.

A corpse! It was a corpse, dead for an unknown number of tens of thousands of years. The purple light emanated from its blood within, extremely terrifying, as it floated horizontally across the sea surface. Ye Fan's heart jolted, and he felt an inexplicable sensation. This corpse was too extraordinary; it must have been a Hegemon Body, as its blood caused him to have a unique perception. Of course, this was definitely not a contemporary Hegemon Body. It had been dead for at least tens of thousands of years, and it was probably supremely powerful in life, for its majesty could still be felt now.

It quietly drifted away, becoming increasingly distant, but Pang Bo's face turned grim, and he whispered, "I clearly saw its eyes open a slit, shooting out purple light, but then they closed again, becoming a dead body?"

"I saw it too, but it must be a corpse without a doubt," Ye Fan said in a deep voice. "Perhaps something unusual happened to it."

Pang Bo nodded, saying, "Let's be careful. It's too terrifying that a Hegemon Body's corpse is lying in this Bitter Sea!"

*Boom!* Suddenly, an immense danger descended. Several gigantic holy arrows streaked across the sky, shooting towards the ancient ship, one of them almost piercing the Golden Lion.

"Someone is attacking us, trying to destroy the ancient ship," came a voice. "They want us to sink in the Bitter Sea and die miserably after being reduced to mortals."

In the distance, a large ship appeared, upon which stood three terrifying figures: Blood Beast, Gold-Eating Beast, and Sky-Swallowing Beast, all exuding monstrous blood energy. These three ancient beasts were all primordial exotic species, young generation Supremes, and extremely powerful. Now united, they had encountered Ye Fan and his companions in the sea and launched an attack.

"Blood Beast, it's you again!" Pang Bo shouted. "Let's settle all scores, old and new!"

The three ancient beasts all transformed into human forms and stood on their ancient ship, each drawing their bow and firing arrows. Each arrow emitted a sound like wind and thunder, powerful enough to reduce entire mountain ranges and rivers to ashes, let alone an ancient ship, no matter how special it was. Ye Fan, Pang Bo, and the others acted, smashing the arrows with their fists. Then Ye Fan's eyes turned cold, and a giant bow appeared in his hand. This was forged after he reached the Saint King realm, and the arrows were Saint Bone Arrows. They flew out in an instant, causing the sky to collapse and the earth to crack, launching a counterattack!

*Whoosh...* A strange howl came as another ancient ship approached. It turned out to be the four young masters of the Golden Serpent race, who flew over to join the battle. And behind them, in the Bitter Sea, the Heavenly Maiden Xin Lan of the Divine Race, Sang Gu (a descendant of the Primordial Gods and Devils), and the Copper Ant King also arrived, standing on the same large ship.