70: Cultivation and Information

A green light pierced through the gloomy sea and sky; after ten consecutive days and nights of desperate flight, even with Lin Feng's Foundation Establishment cultivation and robust physique, he was now at the end of his rope.

His Dantian's true Qi was nearly depleted, and his Divine Soul was on the verge of cracking from exhaustion.

The Qingfeng Thorn beneath his feet dimmed, emitting a low whine as if groaning under the strain.

Finally, at the edge of his vision, a cluster of islands, protected by a massive ring-shaped coral reef, came into view.

At the center of the islands, built against a steep main peak shaped like a coiled snake, buildings were arranged in a dense, orderly fashion, their Spiritual Qi shimmering, subtly forming a formation.

A giant, light-blue light screen, like an inverted sea bowl, enveloped the core area, isolating it from the external chaos and prying eyes.

Sea Serpent Market.

This place belonged to the Azure Sea Pavilion in the Eastern Sea Region and was considered a medium-to-low-scale Cultivator gathering point on the southwestern edge of the Eastern Sea Region.

The Azure Sea Pavilion was a Golden Core Sect, and its Sect Leader, Immortal Master Bibo, was a Middle Stage Golden Core Cultivator, making him a dominant figure in this area.

The market was named after the highly venomous “Three-Lined Sea Serpent” and its demonic core, which were abundant in the nearby waters, attracting many Cultivators who purchased poisons to refine special Medicinal Pills or Magical Artifacts.

In addition to the branch established by the Azure Sea Pavilion to maintain order, several Foundation Establishment Families affiliated with the Azure Sea Pavilion occupied the surrounding small islands, jointly managing the resources of this sea area.

This place was far from the core of the Eastern Sea Region and not a front line bordering the Northern Territory or the True Demonic Sea.

Coupled with the Azure Sea Pavilion's limited strength and relatively conservative approach, it had unexpectedly become a rare haven in the midst of the chaotic storm.

However, precisely because of this, the market's current security was far stricter than usual.

Lin Feng pressed down his sword light several miles from the market, concealed his aura, and walked towards the only entrance—an archway carved from a giant coral reef.

Guarding the gate were eight Cultivators dressed in the light blue robes of the Azure Sea Pavilion, led by one with Middle Stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, whose eyes were sharp as an eagle's, constantly scanning everyone who entered.

On both sides of the coral walls, several mirror-like treasure mirrors, the size of millstones, were embedded, emitting a soft yet highly penetrating Spiritual Qi.

“Entry fee: twenty Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

Your origin and purpose must be registered.

If there is any false reporting, you will bear the consequences.”

The guard captain's voice was cold and unruffled.

Lin Feng's heart tightened, but his face remained impassive.

He paid the Spirit Stones as instructed and gave a pseudonym and reason: “Lin Jiu, a Loose Cultivator from the West Flow Domain, who drifted here to avoid the beast tide, seeking rest and resupply.”

The guard captain scrutinized him for a moment, lingering particularly on Lin Feng's strong physique and the Qingfeng Thorn at his waist, which had a restrained but subtly sharp aura.

Finally, he waved his hand, and a temporary identity jade token engraved with the character “Snake” flew into Lin Feng's hand.

Passing through the light screen, a cacophony of human voices and a mixture of Spiritual Qi assailed him.

The streets were narrow and winding, lined with shops mostly constructed from coral, reef rock, and sea beast bones, giving them a rugged style.

Cultivators hurried along, most with grave and wary expressions, their conversations hushed.

The air was filled with the scent of the sea, Medicinal Pills, Talismans, blood, and a faint, subtle tension.

Lin Feng found a seaside inn called “Listening Wave Pavilion” and checked in.

He chose a quiet corner, sat down, and ordered a pot of the most common Spirit Tea.

His Divine Sense, however, spread out like an invisible spiderweb, quietly capturing every whisper around him.

“...Alas, who would have thought that the Star Luo Sect would suffer such a great calamity! What kind of person was Old Ancestor Zhaixing, to actually...”

“Shh! Silence! Disaster comes from the mouth! Who knows if there are any Devil Heads mixed in here!”

“What's there to fear! The Bei Ming Magic Sect wouldn't even bother with the Azure Sea Pavilion's small territory! I heard the one who attacked was the Bei Ming Magic Sect, one of the Ten Great Magic Sects of the True Demonic Sea! That sky-covering Myriad Soul Banner is said to be able to corrupt and capture even the Divine Soul of a Nascent Soul Cultivator!”

“More than that! I heard that Old Ancestor Zhaixing had formed a deadly feud with a Nascent Soul Elder of the Bei Ming Magic Sect years ago, fighting a battle in the ‘Buried Star Sea’ with no clear winner.

This time, they took advantage of the once-in-a-century Ten Thousand Beast Sea tide about to erupt, with the Star Luo Sect's main force tied up at the ‘Thousand Reef Defense Line’ and their rear empty, allowing the Bei Ming Magic Sect to brazenly launch a sneak attack!

Not only did they heavily injure Old Ancestor Zhaixing, but they also massacred Tianfeng City, and several large islands nearby suffered as well!”

“Hiss... Bei Ming Magic Sect! That's a colossal entity with several Nascent Soul Old Ancestors overseeing it! What do they want? Just for personal revenge?”

“Personal revenge? Hmph, it's not that simple! I think they covet the stable spatial rift controlled by the Star Luo Sect that leads to the ‘Fallen Star Ancient Ruins’! Or... is it for the legendary ‘Eye of the Star Core’ deep beneath Tianfeng Island? Who knows what those Old Devil Heads are thinking!”

“The Eastern Sea Region is completely in chaos now! The Star Luo Sect is too busy to help itself, Old Ancestor Zhaixing is severely injured, and many Purple Mansion and Golden Core Cultivators within the Sect have been lost.

They are completely unable to support the ‘Thousand Reef Defense Line’ in the south against the beast tide! The pressure on the defense line is expected to increase sharply.”

“What about the West Flow Domain? Although the main force of the beast tide is in Nanchen, the West Flow Domain can't escape it, right?”

“West Flow Domain? Heh, it's even worse there! What good can a few small Golden Core Sects and small Families do?”

The Starry Sea is vast and boundless, roughly divided into five major sea regions: Eastern Sea Region, West Wind, Nanchen, Beichen, Central Heaven, and ten smaller sea regions, among which the West Flow Domain is one of the smaller sea regions.

The nominal co-lord of the Starry Sea is the super Sect “Star Sect” located in the Central Heaven Sea Region, possessing eight Nascent Soul Cultivators, two of whom are great Cultivators at Nascent Soul Perfection, whose strength is unfathomable, ruling over the most core and resource-rich sea regions.

The West Flow Domain is located on the southwestern edge of the Starry Sea, with relatively barren resources, and no Nascent Soul Sects are stationed there.

The strongest are merely a few Sects and Families with Golden Core Cultivators, such as the Golden Core Cultivator of the Yellow Sand Main Sect, and the “Mystic Turtle Island Zhang Family” which controls another medium-sized island.

Besides these, there are also several Purple Mansion Families and about ten Foundation Establishment Families.

The West Flow Domain borders the Nanchen Sea Region, and the Nanchen Sea Region directly faces the vast and dangerous “Ten Thousand Beast Sea.”

The Ten Thousand Beast Sea also borders parts of the “True Demonic Sea,” making the situation complex.

The Eastern Sea Region is located in the eastern part of the Starry Sea, much richer and stronger than the West Flow Domain.

It was originally jointly controlled by two great Nascent Soul Sects: the Star Luo Sect and the Azure Sea Pavilion.

The Eastern Sea Region borders the “Northern Territory” to the north, which is equally rich in resources but has a harsher environment, and to the northeast, it faces the Demonic Path's main stronghold, the “True Demonic Sea,” across a dangerous “Storm Dead Zone.”

The Bei Ming Magic Sect is one of the Ten Great Magic Sects of the True Demonic Sea, with a notorious reputation.

Now, the Star Luo Sect has been severely damaged by the Bei Ming Magic Sect's surprise attack, Immortal Master Zhaixing is seriously injured, Tianfeng City has been massacred, and the Eastern Sea Region's strength has been greatly diminished.

It is too busy to help itself and is completely unable to support the Nanchen, West Flow Domain, and other sea regions that are currently facing the impact of the once-in-a-century Ten Thousand Beast Sea tide.

The plight of those already weak Golden Core Sects and Families in the West Flow Domain is imaginable!

“Lin Family...” Lin Feng's fingers, holding the teacup, tightened slightly, his knuckles turning white.

The impending disaster for his Family filled him with an unspeakable irritation and a hint of worry.

When the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact.