154: Schemes Under the Covert

Gao De's orders were like a stone cast into a deep pool, stirring up ripples beneath the calm surface of Qianjiao Cliff and quickly transforming into silent yet efficient action.

Turtle Three Thousand first found Green Edge and Iron Pincer.

Upon hearing that the exploration might involve the ruins of an ancient great Yao, the two Yao generals felt no fear; instead, their eyes burned with raging Battle Intent and desire.

They had followed Gao De for many years, knew their master's style of doing things well, and understood even better what such an Opportunity meant.

"The master has ordered us to select the most elite, loyal, and skilled subordinates at deep-water stealth and survival to form a small exploration team."

Turtle Three Thousand's expression was solemn as he conveyed the order: "Quality is better than quantity; they must be reliable. Conduct secret training under the guise of practicing new Formations and exploring new resource points, and choose the 'Gloomy Corridor' as the location."

The Gloomy Corridor was an extremely complex deep-water canyon area within the territory of Qianjiao Cliff, characterized by high water pressure, surging undercurrents, treacherous terrain, and a natural magnetic field that interfered with Divine Sense, making it the best simulated training ground.

Green Edge and Iron Pincer accepted the order and immediately set about selecting members.

They carefully selected twenty members from the Demon Soldiers under their respective commands and from the aquatic tribes that had performed outstandingly in recent years.

These twenty "individuals" were of different races: there were "Arrow-Fast Electric Eel Yao" skilled at moving flexibly under extreme water pressure, "Black Iron Giant Crabs" with hard shells, immense strength, and keen perception of undercurrents, and "Phantom Sound Dolphin Yao" capable of emitting special sound waves to detect complex terrain or even briefly interfere with enemy perception.

Although the team was small, it covered reconnaissance, assault, defense, support, obstacle breaking, and other aspects. Coupled with the various special Magical Artifacts provided by Turtle Three Thousand, they were definitely the elite of the elite.

Training immediately began under top-secret conditions.

Green Edge was responsible for tactical coordination and assault drills, while Iron Pincer focused on defensive Formations and stable combat in chaotic environments.

On the other hand, Gao De was not idle himself. Inside the spirit cave, various Materials hovered before him: old scales and armor shed from his previous metamorphosis with extraordinary texture, "Millennium Cold Marrow Iron," "Deep Sea Wave-Stabilizing Stone," "Three-Light Water-Avoiding Pearl" embryos purchased at a high price through the Nine Dragons Chamber of Commerce or unearthed from the territory's treasury, and several types of tough and highly spirit-conductive tendons from third-order water-attribute Yao Beasts.

His way of Artifact Refining mainly originated from the miscellaneous studies section attached to the Purple Heaven Dragon Transformation Art, as well as scattered memories and insights gained after devouring certain Yao or Human Cultivators who were skilled in Artifact Refining.

Although not a specialist, with his third-order Flood Dragon King's Demonic Power fire and powerful Divine Sense control, refining specific functional Magical Artifacts suitable for himself and his subordinates was already sufficient.

First, he prepared for the two great generals.

He took out the scales and armor shed by the two Yao generals, supplemented them with Cold Marrow Iron and Wave-Stabilizing Stone, and combined them with his understanding of the spatial suppression intent within the 【Prison Suppressing Thunder Domain】 to begin refining an object resembling a heart-protecting mirror—the "Abyss Suppressing Armor."

This armor did not pursue full coverage but focused on strengthening vital areas such as the heart and reverse scale, with core functions of "stability" and "pressure resistance."

During refining, he infused it with a wisp of Essence Blood taken from the two Yao generals and his insights into the water-attribute Law, allowing it to automatically adjust its internal structure in extreme deep-water environments, disperse pressure, resist the violent impact of external water flow Spiritual Qi, and maintain the stability of one's own Demonic Power. The surface of the armor had faint dark patterns of intertwined water currents and mountains, with a point of restrained Purple Lightning light at the center.

Next, he used the old teeth shed by Green Edge and some tough tendons, combined with the Water-Avoiding Pearl embryos, to refine several "Wave-Breaking Awls."

This type of Magical Artifact was shaped like a short shuttle; when activated, it could break through heavy water pressure and turbulent undercurrents, forming a relatively stable temporary passage. It could serve as both a thrown obstacle-breaking weapon and provide a safe, short-distance path for the team to advance.

Gao De sealed a wisp of Purple Lightning Thunder Aura into each Wave-Breaking Awl, allowing it to erupt with a lightning strike when necessary, also possessing the effect of breaking evil.

For the exploration team members, Gao De designed a standardized but practical auxiliary Magical Artifact, the "Water Travel Pendant."

Refined using smaller scales, ordinary Cold Iron, and simple water-avoiding, mind-stabilizing, and Spiritual Qi-gathering runes, it could help the wearer better adapt to deep-water high pressure, slightly stabilize the mind to resist the effects of deep-water claustrophobia and chaotic Spiritual Qi, and slowly gather Spiritual Qi to replenish consumption.

Although the functions were simple, batch refining was not difficult for Gao De, and it was significantly effective for low-order Cultivators and Demon Soldiers.

In between Artifact Refining, Gao De continued to monitor external intelligence through Turtle Three Thousand, especially regarding the slightest changes in the Sunken Abyss Sea Eye.

Several months passed, and intelligence gathered like a trickle:

The unusual movements continued; the abnormal water-spirit tides in the direction of the Sunken Abyss Sea Eye did not stop but instead showed a trend of slow intensification. The fluctuations remained obscure, but the coverage seemed to have expanded slightly. Some bold low-order aquatic creatures ventured near the periphery and discovered traces of third-order deep-sea Vicious Beasts that were usually rare. They seemed to have been attracted or disturbed by the unusual movements and were wandering in the peripheral area.

As for the ancient legends of the "Great Sage Who Overturns Seas" and the "Abyss Suppressing Palace," a hint of news had leaked from some extremely secret channel. It had not yet attracted large-scale attention, but clearly, a very small number of well-informed individuals or ancient Legacies had cast their eyes toward the depths of Yunmeng Marsh.

Turtle Three Thousand monitored through the intelligence network he had arranged that a large number of outside Cultivators had recently entered the Yunmeng Marsh region, and they were also resupplying in nearby markets.

While continuing to tend to the Spirit Fish, Lin Xiaofan was almost forgetting to eat and sleep as he studied the Incomplete Manual of the "Great Marsh Ancient Records" and his own supplementary notes on the "Spirit Fish Cultivation Technique."

Combining his in-depth understanding of the water quality throughout Yunmeng Marsh, he proposed a bold guess: the unusual movements of the Sunken Abyss Sea Eye might be related to some kind of "periodic pulsation" of the deep water veins of Yunmeng Marsh. This pulsation might be the key to the Restriction set by ancient powerful beings on the Water Mansion, causing it to periodically "breathe" or reveal traces. He even tried to draw a possible linkage map of the water veins; although rough, it provided a new angle of thought.

"The trees desire stillness, but the wind will not cease." After receiving this summarized intelligence, Gao De understood in his heart.

The Opportunity had not yet appeared, but dark currents had already arisen. It seemed that the attraction of this "Abyss Suppressing Palace" far exceeded his estimates and had already begun to draw the attention of some eyes hidden behind the scenes.

He summoned Turtle Three Thousand, Green Edge, Iron Pincer, and Lin Xiaofan, who was permitted to participate in core discussions.

Inside the spirit cave, Gao De coiled beside the bed, his dignity self-evident. His gaze swept over the four core subordinates standing solemnly below.

"The situation is clear. The changes in the Sunken Abyss Sea Eye involve ancient secrets and have already attracted the prying eyes of many parties." Gao De's voice was calm but carried unquestionable decisiveness. "My Qianjiao Cliff must absolutely not stay out of this, nor can we become pawns for others to pave the way."

"Green Edge, Iron Pincer, how is the exploration team's training?"

"Reporting to the master!" Green Edge stepped forward, his eyes flashing with sharp light. "The twenty members have basically mastered coordinated combat in high-pressure deep-water environments and are proficient in dealing with subjects like simulated undercurrents and Vicious Beast attacks. Most of the complex terrain within the 'Gloomy Corridor' has been explored; the team's stealth, assault, defense, and evacuation capabilities have initially taken shape, and they are ready for more targeted practical training at any time!"

Iron Pincer added: "In terms of equipment, we have completed the distribution according to the 'Water Travel Pendants' bestowed by the master and some underwater equipment we prepared ourselves, and familiarity is good."

Gao De nodded: "Very good. Next, the training content will be adjusted. Turtle Three Thousand will provide information on several relatively 'safe' paths and potential danger points that have been explored and may be close to the periphery of the Sunken Abyss Sea Eye. I want you to lead the team to explore these areas.

There are three objectives: first, to explore the environment and potential threats in the target areas; second, to search for treasures and clues that may appear with the unusual movements; third, to attempt to collect rough information on the personnel appearing in that area.

Remember, take stealth, reconnaissance, and self-preservation as the priority. Do not engage in battle unless necessary. Once there is a risk of exposure or you encounter irresistible force, retreat immediately."

"Subordinates obey!" Green Edge and Iron Pincer answered solemnly. This was undoubtedly a key step from training toward practical combat.

"Turtle Three Thousand, continue to increase the intensity of intelligence gathering, focus on monitoring the further movements of those suspicious forces, and do not act rashly."

"Subordinate understands!" Turtle Three Thousand replied.

"Xiaofan," Gao De looked at this Cultivator whose value was increasingly apparent, "Your insights into water veins are unique; continue to delve deeper. If you can more accurately grasp the possible cycle, duration, or estimated time point of the next significant change of this unusual movement, it will be a great contribution."

"Rest assured, Great King, this subordinate will definitely do his utmost!" Lin Xiaofan felt the heavy responsibility, excited and solemn.

"As for this King," Purple Lightning flashed and vanished in Gao De's dragon eyes, "I will continue to refine my Divine Abilities and consolidate my cultivation. During the exploration team's outing, this King will separate a wisp of Divine Thought to attach to Green Edge or Iron Pincer to serve as supervision and guidance when necessary."

With the arrangements settled, everyone took their orders and left.

The war machine of Qianjiao Cliff, after experiencing a long period of dormancy and development, finally began to quietly accelerate its operation for a distant and dangerous unknown goal, cautiously extending its tentacles toward that deep-water forbidden zone filled with legends and death.