171: Li Xiaoyao

Hearing this, Hanji Mountain laughed heartily and said, "Fellow Daoist, you may not know, but the Nether Sea Region where the nether flower is located is within a Nether Cave. This cave leads to a Nether Realm, a realm cultivators cannot enter once their cultivation reaches the Nascent Soul Realm. Although my cultivation is not weak, I have already reached the Mid stage of the Yuanying Realm, so I cannot go personally. However, your cultivation is still low, so perhaps you can enter it. Of course, I will also give you some Magic Treasure and Medicinal Pill for self-preservation to ensure your safety."

Lin Feng's Incarnation, Wang Sicong, was also moved when he heard this. He didn't expect the Cold Mountain Sect Sect Master to make such a request. Picking the nether flower was undoubtedly an extremely dangerous task; a slight misstep could lead to losing his life in the Nether Sea Region.

However, Wang Sicong also knew this was a rare Opportunity. If he could successfully pick the nether flower, he would not only gain the Cold Mountain Sect's friendship and generous rewards but also potentially achieve a significant increase in his cultivation.

Thinking of this, Wang Sicong took a deep breath and looked at the Cold Mountain Sect Sect Master, saying, "Sect Master, I accept your request. However, I hope you will keep your promise, show me the records about the Nether Sea Region, and provide some necessary assistance during my process of picking the nether flower."

The Cold Mountain Sect Sect Master's face showed a satisfied smile upon hearing this. He patted Wang Sicong's shoulder and said, "Fellow Daoist, rest assured, I, Hanji Mountain, always keep my word. As long as you can successfully pick the nether flower, I will not only give you all the records about the Nether Sea Region but also bestow upon you a top-grade Magic Treasure and a bottle of Medicinal Pill for self-preservation."

Wang Sicong was secretly delighted to hear this. He knew that the top-grade Magic Treasure and Medicinal Pill mentioned by the Cold Mountain Sect Sect Master were extremely precious items that would greatly aid his cultivation and strength.

Thus, Wang Sicong nodded solemnly and said, "Sect Master, it's a deal then. I will go prepare now and head to the Nether Sea Region as soon as possible."

The Cold Mountain Sect Sect Master smiled and nodded, saying, "Good, Fellow Daoist, take care. When you return with the nether flower, my Cold Mountain Sect will surely reward you handsomely."

After speaking, the Cold Mountain Sect Sect Master had someone bring the records about the Nether Sea Region to Wang Sicong and personally escorted him outside the mountain gate.

Upon receiving these Cold Mountain Sect records, Wang Sicong began to read them carefully. These records detailed the terrain, climate, distribution of Yao Beasts, and the dangerous nether energy in the Nether Sea Region. Wang Sicong memorized them silently as he read, also considering how to deal with potential dangers.

After finishing the records, Wang Sicong began to prepare for his journey to the Nether Sea Region. He knew this trip would be extremely perilous and required thorough preparation.

The sea area where the Cold Mountain Sect is located is called the Northern Cold Mountain Region. The reason Wang Sicong, as an Incarnation, was going to explore the Nether Sea Region was that Lin Feng wanted to refine another Magic Treasure, the Yin-Yang Twin Mirror, and this place had Yin-pole Materials not found elsewhere.

And this kind of Yin-pole Materials, it is said, can only be found in the deepest part of the Nether Sea Region. Wang Sicong understood that this trip to the Nether Sea Region was not only to help the Cold Mountain Sect pick the nether flower but also for Lin Feng's main body to successfully refine the Yin-Yang Twin Mirror.

He listed all the items he needed, including defensive Magic Treasure, offensive Magic Treasure, healing Medicinal Pill, and Bigu Pill (Bigu Dan - grain-abstinence pills) that Lin Feng had prepared for him in advance. He knew that in the Nether Sea Region, every resource could become crucial for his survival.

Besides these items, after some consideration, Wang Sicong decided to see if there were any companions, as he was not in a rush to immediately head to the Nether Sea Region.

Wang Sicong secretly pondered that if he could find some capable fellow cultivators to go together, they could look out for each other and have more assistance when encountering danger.

Thus, Wang Sicong inquired around the sea area near the Cold Mountain Sect to see if any other cultivators also planned to go to the Nether Sea Region. After some asking, he indeed found a cultivator equally interested in the Nether Sea Region. This person was named Li Xiaoyao, a Loose Cultivator, whose cultivation had also reached the Late stage of the Golden Core Realm.

Speaking of Li Xiaoyao, he was also a somewhat legendary figure. He traveled alone, roamed everywhere, had profound cultivation, but never boasted. Wang Sicong first met him during a sea encounter where a group of Yao Beasts was besieging him.

Wang Sicong intervened to help, rescuing him from the Yao Beasts. They became acquainted and then friends. When Wang Sicong mentioned his upcoming adventure to the Nether Sea Region, Li Xiaoyao immediately showed great interest.

He told Wang Sicong that he had always been curious about the legends and secrets of the Nether Sea Region but had never had the Opportunity to go. Now, hearing Wang Sicong's plan, he immediately decided to go with Wang Sicong to explore the secrets of the Nether Sea Region together.

Wang Sicong was overjoyed to hear this. He knew that Li Xiaoyao's strength was not to be underestimated; with him as a companion, his safety was further ensured. Thus, the two began to discuss the specific arrangements for their trip to the Nether Sea Region, including the route, equipment, and how to deal with potential dangers.

After making preparations, the two slowly headed northwest towards the Nether Sea Region. Along the way, Wang Sicong and Li Xiaoyao looked out for each other, facing countless difficulties and challenges together. They traversed the vast ocean, endured the baptism of fierce winds and giant waves, and encountered attacks from powerful Yao Beasts. However, relying on their superb cultivation and wit, they managed to turn danger into safety every time, continuing towards their goal.

After several months of arduous travel, they finally arrived at the edge of the Nether Sea Region. The sea here had become unusually eerie; the water was a deep, dark black, as if it could swallow everything. The air was filled with a strange nether energy, making people feel suppressed and uneasy.

Wang Sicong and Li Xiaoyao exchanged glances; both felt the unusual aura of this place as soon as they arrived at its edge.

The two were in the sky at this time, with gusts of cold wind howling, bringing bone-chilling cold. Wang Sicong and Li Xiaoyao were both tightly wrapped in their Magic Treasure to ward off the extreme cold. They knew this was only the aura of the outer reaches of the Nether Sea Region; the real danger lay ahead.

Wang Sicong took a deep breath and looked at Li Xiaoyao, saying, "Brother Li, we are about to enter the Nether Sea Region. Are you ready?"

Li Xiaoyao smiled slightly and said, "Brother Wang, don't worry. When have I, Li Xiaoyao, ever retreated? Since I decided to come here, I am naturally fully prepared."

Wang Sicong nodded upon hearing this. He knew that although Li Xiaoyao was a Loose Cultivator, his strength was not to be underestimated. With him as a companion, he indeed had an extra boost.

At this moment, Wang Sicong patted the Storage Pouch at his waist, and a compass appeared in his hand. This item was precisely the Si Nan Compass he had refined before coming.