60: Explore the deep sea in search of core fragments, encounter sea spirits and form an alliance to seek your destiny.

The blue waves of the Origin Sea shimmered with the residual warmth of Divine Fire. Lin Chen clenched the wisp of light golden Divine Fire in his palm, and his Divine Thought probed the deep sea—the fragment's aura was a hundred miles to the southeast.

"Daddy, will there be a Giant Octopus in the deep sea? Like the ones in the stories." Nian Xue sat on A Qing's Dragon back, her small hand shaking a little flame.

A Qing spread his golden wings and flew as steady as a rock: "Even if there is, I'm not afraid! I am now Transcendence Level, and my Dragon Breath can burn it away!"

Clear Snow walked beside the group, her nine tails lightly sweeping the sea surface, condensing icy navigation markers: "There is an 'Origin Current' fifty miles ahead. Following the current will save half our effort."

The Star Spirit Clan Leader held up the crystal stone, the light deflecting according to the current's direction: "There are schools of Origin Fish in the current. Following the fish schools can help us avoid hidden reefs."

The group stepped into the current. The gentle water pushed them forward, and the Origin energy in the seawater seeped into their bodies through their pores—Lin Chen's Origin concentration rose from 80% (Late Diamond Stage Middle Stage) to 82%; Clear Snow's from 10% (Late Diamond Stage Late Stage) to 13%; Nian Xue's from 5% (Late Diamond Stage Early Stage) to 8%.

Nian Xue was held by Lin Chen, her little feet kicking the water, when she suddenly pointed ahead: "Daddy! So many fish! Such big fish!"

A school of Origin Fish, over ten feet long, swam past. Light blue seaweed was carried on their backs, and their scales emitted a strong glow—these were "Origin Carrier Fish," gentle in nature, capable of carrying people through the sea.

"These fish can be used as mounts, much faster than walking!" Clear Snow reached out and stroked the back of a Carrier Fish. The fish docilely stopped and rubbed against her hand.

The group quickly mounted the Carrier Fish. Nian Xue chose the smallest one. A Qing sat next to her to protect her: "Little sister, hold onto the fin firmly, don't fall off!"

The school of Carrier Fish carried the group southeast. The light in the deep sea gradually dimmed. The Star Spirit Clan Leader took out a crystal stone, and its light illuminated the path ahead—many light golden spots were embedded in the rocks on the seabed, which were the aura of the Origin Core Fragments.

"The 'Fragment Reef' is right ahead! The fragments are all embedded in the reefs!" the Star Spirit Clan Leader shouted excitedly, the crystal stone's light shining directly onto the black reef cluster ahead.

As they approached the Fragment Reef, dozens of light blue figures suddenly rushed out from behind the rocks—they were "Origin Sea Spirits," semi-transparent all over, with human torsos and fish tails, possessing an aura reaching the Transcendence Level Early Stage, and carrying weapons made of coral.

"Outsiders! Do not touch the Fragment Reef!" The leading Sea Spirit held a Coral Spear, his tone wary but not hostile. "This is our protected territory!"

Lin Chen jumped off the Carrier Fish's back, cupped his hands, and said: "We are from the Floating Island. We are looking for Origin Core Fragments to achieve a Realm Breakthrough, and we have no intention of seizing your territory."

The Sea Spirit Leader stared at the Divine Fire in his palm, surprise flashing in her eyes: "You have Origin Divine Fire? Are you from Origin Island?"

"Yes, we refined Medicinal Pills on Origin Island and established a Temporary Base there." Lin Chen pulled out an origin pearl pill and handed it to the Sea Spirit Leader. "This is a pill we refined; it can increase Origin concentration."

The Sea Spirit Leader took the Medicinal Pill. After swallowing it, her aura clearly strengthened, and her expression softened: "You didn't lie to me! The fragments on Fragment Reef are almost exhausted, and we were worried about how to improve our strength."

She sighed, pointing at the reef: "These fragments have been contaminated by Dark Tide Beasts. We can't absorb them. Can you purify them?"

Lin Chen walked to the reef, and Origin Divine Fire condensed on his fingertip—the Divine Fire touched the fragment, and the black contamination was instantly burned away, restoring the fragment's light golden luster.

"You can purify them!" Ecstasy flashed in the Sea Spirit Leader's eyes. "We will form an alliance with you! We'll help you find fragments, you help us purify them, and then teach us Alchemy!"

Lin Chen nodded: "Good! We will purify the existing fragments first, and then go to the deep sea to look for new ones."

The team divided the tasks: Lin Chen used Divine Fire to purify the fragments, Clear Snow used the Ice and Snow Law to stabilize the reef, the Metal Clan was responsible for collecting the purified fragments, and the Sea Spirits guided them to the fragment locations.

Nian Xue and A Qing played with the Little Sea Spirits. The Little Sea Spirits guided them through the reefs and helped them fish out glowing "Origin Jellyfish"—the jellyfish's light bands provided illumination and could also replenish Origin.

"This little jellyfish is so pretty!" Nian Xue held a light blue jellyfish. Its light band wrapped around her wrist, increasing her Origin concentration by another 0.5%, reaching 8.5%.

An hour later, ten Origin Core Fragments were purified. Each one shone with a rich golden luster, possessing higher purity than the previous ones.

"There are many fragments in the deep sea's 'Origin Abyss,' as well as 'Origin Crystal Clusters,' but they are guarded by Dark Tide Beasts." The Sea Spirit Leader pointed toward the deep black sea area in the southeast. "The Dark Tide Beasts are Transcendence Level Middle Stage and fear the Origin Divine Fire."

Lin Chen nodded and distributed the ten fragments for everyone to absorb: He absorbed two himself, raising his concentration from 82% to 92% (Late Diamond Stage Middle Stage); Clear Snow absorbed two, 13% (Late Diamond Stage Late Stage) → 23%; Nian Xue absorbed one, 8.5% → 13.5%; A Qing absorbed one, Transcendence Level Early Stage Late Stage 5% → Early Stage Late Stage 10%; the rest were distributed among the various clan leaders.

"Let's head to the Origin Abyss!" Lin Chen told the group. The Sea Spirit Leader summoned "Deep Sea Carrier Fish"—larger than the previous ones, capable of swimming in the high-pressure deep sea.

The group mounted the Deep Sea Carrier Fish and headed toward the Origin Abyss. The deep sea light grew dimmer, illuminated only by the glow of the Origin Jellyfish and crystal stones. The surrounding seawater emitted a rich blue Origin aura.

Suddenly, the Sea Spirit Leader shouted: "Be careful! The Dark Tide Beasts are coming!"

The seawater ahead churned, and ten pitch-black Vicious Beasts rushed over—they were Dark Tide Beasts, shark-sized, covered in Dark Crystal Armor, possessing an aura reaching the Transcendence Level Middle Stage, and spitting black contaminated water from their mouths.

"Use Divine Fire against them!" Origin Divine Fire ignited in Lin Chen's palm, and he hurled it toward the charging Dark Tide Beasts—the Divine Fire touched the contaminated water, instantly burning it away and leaving scorch marks on the beasts' bodies.

Clear Snow deployed the Ice and Snow Domain, freezing the surrounding seawater and restricting the movements of the Dark Tide Beasts; the Metal Clan fired their laser cannons simultaneously, sending light golden lasers toward the beasts' eyes; the Sea Spirits shot Coral Arrows, precisely hitting the beasts' vital points.

The leading Dark Tide Beast spewed thick black mist, attempting to ambush Nian Xue. A Qing immediately shielded her, unleashing golden Dragon Breath—the Dragon Breath, infused with Divine Fire, instantly burned away the mist and scorched the beast's wings.

Lin Chen instantly shifted behind the leading beast, condensing Late Diamond Stage Origin in his palm and striking its core—the beast's body exploded with a bang, turning into black mist, leaving behind only a Transcendence Level Middle Stage crystal core.

Seeing their leader killed, the other Dark Tide Beasts turned to flee but were blocked by the Sea Spirits using Coral Nets. Working together with the team, they were all surrounded and killed, yielding ten Transcendence Level crystal cores.

"Thank you for helping us eliminate the Dark Tide Beasts!" the Sea Spirit Leader said gratefully. "The Origin Abyss is right ahead. There are many fragments and crystal clusters inside!"

The group entered the Origin Abyss. The seawater here glowed with light golden light. The rocks on the seabed were embedded with Origin Core Fragments, and there were large clusters of Origin Crystal Clusters, shining with a rich golden luster—these were top-tier resources for the Transcendence Level!

"So many fragments!" Nian Xue shouted excitedly. A Little Sea Spirit helped her pick a fragment, and she immediately handed it to Lin Chen, "Daddy, purify it quickly!"

Lin Chen used Divine Fire to purify the fragments, Clear Snow and the Sea Spirits collected the crystal clusters, and the Metal Clan and Stone Spirit Clan were responsible for transportation—in one hour, they collected thirty fragments and fifty catties of crystal clusters, enough to allow half the team to achieve a Realm Breakthrough.

"We will return to Fragment Reef to rest first, and then purify these fragments," Lin Chen told everyone. "The pressure in the deep sea was increasing, and staying longer would consume Origin."

The group mounted the Carrier Fish and headed back to Fragment Reef. Nian Xue leaned in Lin Chen's arms, playing with a small fragment in her hand, her little face full of happiness: "Daddy, since we collected so many fragments, will we get stronger soon?"

"Yes, once we finish purifying the fragments, everyone will be able to Break Through, and then we can go to the Transcendence Holy Temple." Lin Chen rubbed her head, his Divine Thought sweeping toward the distant Abyss—there was an even richer fragment aura there, clearly hiding a greater Opportunity.

The Sea Spirit Leader looked at Lin Chen and said softly: "Once we become stronger, we will go with you to the Transcendence Holy Temple to see the Peak world of the Transcendence Level."

Lin Chen nodded, his eyes full of anticipation—the Opportunities of the Origin Sea had just begun, and with the alliance of the Sea Spirit Clan, their path to transcendence would surely be steadier and longer.