Chapter 524: Sea Clan and Ice Domain

The Sea Race is a type of demon race, specifically referring to demons that have long resided in the ocean. For instance, while there are dragons in the Demon Domain, the dragons found in the East Sea are considered members of the Sea Race.

Upon entering the Water Vein Sea, the six individuals found their vision momentarily obscured. It was only as the dark shadow receded that they could discern what it was.

"That's a whale, a creature unique to the East Sea that hasn't yet developed sentience."

The group then observed another species: a cluster of female beings with human torsos and fish tails. They possessed delicate features, excellent physiques, and sea-blue eyes, with their vital areas covered by seashells.

"These are the Merfolk, also known as the Fish Race. Legend has it they are the result of ancient humans and powerful fish demons transforming. They prefer to appear in groups, with the females handling hunting and the males managing household chores."

Suddenly, another mermaid, whose appearance was even more striking than the previous Merfolk, swam past, her tail undulating gracefully. She cast a fleeting glance at the group before continuing on her way.

"Is that a lone Merfolk, perhaps ostracized?"

"No, that's Senior Sister Tang Fuling, who has a Water Spirit Root. She's currently researching how a Water Spirit Root can project seawater and has recently been disguising herself as a member of the Sea Race."

Lu Yang grew more curious: "Is there any particular difficulty for a Water Spirit Root to expel seawater?"

"Of course there is. A Water Spirit Root is water; how can it produce salt?"

Lu Yang conceded that this was indeed a challenging problem.

"Wait, what's the purpose of researching this?"

Bai Ming looked embarrassed and said, "Family matters should not be aired publicly. Please keep this to yourselves; we wouldn't want the imperial court to hear about it."

"You can rest assured, we're very discreet," Meng Jingzhou vowed truthfully. The fact that their identities as the Heavenly Court Sect's Young Master and four Holy Sons remained unexposed attested to their strict confidentiality. Of course, in a way, their discretion also stemmed from their fear of life-threatening danger should their identities be revealed, a clear sign of their valuing life.

"Senior Sister Tang is fond of money. She heard that illicit salt trade generates quick profits, so she's planning to engage in it."

Meng Jingzhou was speechless.

No wonder they feared the imperial court learning of it.

"Given the abundance of seawater here, wouldn't it be simpler to just sun-dry it into salt?"

"Senior Sister Tang said she takes sole responsibility for her actions. Selling sun-dried seawater salt would make it too easy for the court to trace the source back to our sect."

"My goodness, how thoroughly she's thought this through," Li Haoran exclaimed, impressed that she had even considered the aftermath. Such meticulous planning nearly rivaled Qin Haoran's.

"That's the Turtle Clan, that's the Shark Clan, and that's the Clam Clan," Bai Ming explained, identifying each of the sea races. Upon seeing the guests from the Five Elements Sect, the sea creatures nodded in greeting. He indicated the Turtle Clan, bearing heavy shells; the Shark Clan, still identifiable by gills on their faces; and the singing Clam Maidens.

"It's a shame that top-tier sea races like the Dragon Clan and Kunpeng Clan are reluctant to leave the East Sea and reside with our sect," Bai Ming lamented. "Even if they do visit, they usually only stay long enough to broaden their horizons before returning." He regretted never having the opportunity to meet members of the Dragon or Kunpeng Clans.

"The Kunpeng Clan even asked me for a favor once," the Immortal Fairy remarked. She had, of course, met the Kunpeng Clan; their ancestors would treat her with utmost reverence.

"What did they ask you for?"

Did they ask you to spare their lives, or perhaps to make them taste better? The Unrivaled Pill's timely reminder made Lu Yang forcefully suppress the thought.

"Have you heard the popular description of the Kunpeng Clan: 'In the Northern Darkness there is a fish; its name is Kun. The Kun's size stretches for thousands of miles. It transforms into a bird; its name is Peng. The Peng's back extends for thousands of miles'?"

During ancient times, when planets were still in existence, the Kunpeng Clan inhabited a planet called Northern Darkness.

"Yes, I have. What about that passage?"

"At that time, the Kunpeng Clan's ancestor approached me. He explained that because units of measurement were inconsistent and different races used varying scales—especially concerning the definitions of 'one li' and 'one meter'—it was impossible to accurately describe their true length."

"So the Kunpeng Clan's ancestor requested that we, the Five Ancient Immortals, unify the system of measurements. Coincidentally, we had already been considering this, so we agreed to his request."

Lu Yang was speechless.

So that's the true meaning of that description.

"Why does it feel a bit cold?" Tao Yaoye asked after they had swum for some time. While Golden Core stage cultivators are immune to extreme temperatures, they can still perceive external warmth or cold.

"Ahead lies the Ice Domain, which the first Water Vein Elder constructed using formations. Subsequent Water Vein Elders have expanded its area and intensified its coldness, making it increasingly formidable. Few typically venture there; would you like to visit?"

Ice-attribute cultivation techniques and divine abilities are considered a branch of water-attribute. Given that the Ice Spirit Root is a variant of the Water Spirit Root, the Ice Domain is also an essential location for Water Spirit Root cultivators.

As they spoke, a colossal iceberg slowly drifted into view, making a giant whale appear as tiny as an ant in comparison. Ninety percent of the iceberg remained submerged, with less than ten percent visible above the water.

"It's a rare opportunity, so let's go see it," Meng Jingzhou chuckled. During his last visit to the Five Elements Sect, he had been too preoccupied with studying spells to thoroughly explore all five divisions.

The area north of the Great Xia Dynasty is a severely cold region known as the Extreme North. Few, even from the Dao Seeking Sect, had ever ventured there, let alone Lu Yang and his companions. The Extreme North is sparsely populated, with scarce cultivation resources; essentially, there is nothing there but ice, rendering a visit unnecessary.

The deeper they ventured into the Ice Domain, the more they felt a piercing cold. Even Golden Core cultivators found themselves unable to fully shield against it. Everyone experienced the true meaning of extreme cold, with their spiritual power circulation slowing by 30 to 40 percent and becoming sluggish.

Yet, no one suggested stopping along the way; they all continued to swim forward.

"Alright, let's stop here," Bai Ming said, shivering uncontrollably from the cold.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Someone had finally called for a halt, as they too were nearing their limit.

"Since the Ice Domain was established by the first Water Vein Elder, does that mean it's filled with millennium-old ice, ten-thousand-year-old ice, or even hundred-thousand-year-old ice?" Mang Gu asked, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. Having lived in the perpetually hot western part of the continent, he had never witnessed so much ice.

"Of course. This place is teeming with ten-thousand and hundred-thousand-year-old ice, though it's largely useless."

"Useless? I heard that ten-thousand-year-old ice is very valuable."

Bai Ming waved a dismissive hand, clarifying for Mang Gu: "That's all hype created by unscrupulous merchants, marketing it with flashy claims about its historical depth, enduring coldness, and immense benefits for cultivation. It's simply a deception, implying that older means more valuable. If that were true, why isn't anyone selling the spiritual energy we breathe, which is millions, even tens of millions, of years old?"

"And this water, this stone, it's not just a hundred thousand years old; it's millions of years old."

Lu Yang nodded frequently, agreeing with Bai Ming's assessment. He then inadvertently noticed the silent Meng Jingzhou and felt a pang of confusion.

"Old Meng, what's wrong? You're usually the most talkative at times like this."

Meng Jingzhou discreetly transmitted to Lu Yang: "Don't say anything. It was our Meng family who inflated the value of the ten-thousand-year-old ice."