156: Intelligence Summary

Qianjiao Cliff spirit cave.

The encounter intelligence brought back by the exploration team, along with the latest information Turtle Three Thousand collected from the external network, was presented to Gao De.

The atmosphere in the spirit cave was solemn.

"Three Split-Spine Demon Sharks, suspected to be specially manipulated and carrying Yin and Death Qi..." Gao De's dragon eyes narrowed slightly, his fingertips tapping gently on the Jade Slip. "Turtle Three Thousand, what about the external intelligence?"

"My Lord," Turtle Three Thousand said with a serious expression, "According to reports from our informants in the 'Black Tide Market,' about half a month ago, a group of Cultivators with mysterious movements, dressed in gray-blue Daoist robes, and exuding a chilling aura, took up residence there. They are extensively purchasing deep-sea Vicious Beast Materials, especially bones and fresh Divine Souls. Their actions are low-key, but they are very generous with their spending. Your subordinate speculates that they seem to be experimenting with some 'Beast Taming' or 'Corpse Refining' Magical Artifacts, but no one dares to investigate further. Their origin is a mystery; they are suspected to be from an external Sect or Family skilled in this Dao."

"Additionally," Turtle Three Thousand added, "Regarding the abnormal activity in the Sunken Abyss Sea Eye, there have been scattered reports recently that 'soul loss' phenomena have started appearing in certain peripheral areas.

Some low-level aquatic creatures or Cultivators who ventured too close returned in a dazed state, with memory loss, and a faint residual Yin and Death Qi within them. This matter has not yet attracted widespread attention, but it has quite a few similarities with our exploration team's encounter."

Lin Xiaofan also stepped forward to report: "Great King, your subordinate has repeatedly calculated based on ancient scrolls and recent water vein monitoring data, and believes that the abnormal activity in the Sunken Abyss Sea Eye is very likely related to the periodic 'tide' of a deep 'Yin Vein.'

This Yin Vein might be connected to an extremely Yin place or an ancient battlefield. The overflowing Qi from it may affect or even control the minds of living beings within a certain range, or attract and stimulate certain Yin undead creatures.

The next significant 'tide' peak, inferred from the fluctuation patterns, might be... three years from now."

Gao De was silent for a moment, connecting all the information in his mind.

Mysterious Cultivators, manipulated Vicious Beasts, Yin and Death Qi, soul loss phenomena, deep Yin Vein tides... and the vaguely leaked legend of the "Great Sage Who Overturns Seas Abyss Suppressing Palace."

"It seems that we are not the only forces from the three kingdoms and one region eyeing this turbid water," Gao De slowly spoke, his voice carrying a chill. "These outsiders employ strange methods and have unclear motives, but they are clearly also preparing to explore the Sea Eye, and may have even begun preliminary probes."

"My Lord, should we accelerate our progress, or..." A flash of Battle Intent, and a hint of lingering fear, flickered in Green Edge's eyes. This encounter indicated that the periphery was no longer safe.

Gao De shook his head: "No, quite the opposite. The situation is more complex than expected. Unknown enemies, unknown dangers, plus the mystery of the Sea Eye itself. Our original plan needs to be adjusted."

His gaze swept over his core subordinates: "First, the exploration team is to suspend close-range reconnaissance of the Sea Eye's periphery.

Instead, they are to conduct remote monitoring and information gathering in the safer outer regions, utilizing Lin Xiaofan's water vein monitoring network and Turtle Three Thousand's intelligence network.

The focus will be on recording abnormal energy fluctuations, movements of unknown forces, and the patterns and scope of the 'soul loss' phenomena."

"Second, Green Edge, Iron Pincer, lead the exploration team into targeted training.

The focus will be on practicing how to counter 'manipulated Yao Beasts,' 'Death Qi erosion,' and how to maintain combat and retreat capabilities in environments with strong interference and mental attacks.

I will personally take action to simulate stronger Yin and Death Qi and mentalImpact for you to adapt to."

"Third, Turtle Three Thousand, use all channels to fully investigate the origins, objectives, and strength levels of that group of gray-blue Daoist-robed Cultivators.

At the same time, continue to collect any legends or records related to the 'Great Sage Who Overturns Seas,' 'Abyss Suppressing Palace,' and ancient water vein Yin Qi."

"Fourth, Lin Xiaofan, your research is crucial. I want you to calculate as precisely as possible the specific time window and influence range of the Yin Vein 'tide,' and try to analyze whether this Yin Qi tide could... temporarily weaken or alter certain Restrictions or environments at the Sea Eye's entrance?"

Lin Xiaofan's spirit was invigorated: "Your subordinate understands! I will do my utmost!"

"Fifth," Gao De looked towards the depths of the spirit cave where he resided, where his long-term resting place glowed faintly, "This King needs to further refine Hidden Scale Concealing Scenery and Heaven-Confusing Illusionary Mist, attempting to integrate the two more deeply and strengthen the Divine Soul's resistance to sinister Death Qi.

At the same time, I will continue to refine a batch of more targeted Magical Artifacts, such as 'Soul-Stabilizing Nails' and 'Evil-Breaking Thunder Pearls.'"

He concluded: "The Sunken Abyss Sea Eye has become a whirlpool. The Opportunity may be immense, but the danger far exceeds expectations. My Qianjiao Cliff will not contend for temporary advantage, nor will it involve itself in unnecessary risks.

We must make the most thorough preparations and await the most opportune moment. The next Yin Vein tide might be a critical juncture. Before then, accumulating strength and understanding the enemy's situation is the best strategy."

Everyone acknowledged the command, deeply impressed by their Lord's steady and shrewd decisions.

The intelligence of the encounter brought back by the exploration team was like a giant stone thrown into a deep pool, stirring up huge waves in the hearts of Qianjiao Cliff's high-ranking members.

Mutated demon fish corroded and controlled by Death Qi, mysterious external forces, and increasingly bizarre anomalies in the Sea Eye... everything foreshadowed an approaching storm.

As Gao De issued command after command, Qianjiao Cliff, like a startled clam, quickly retracted its soft interior into its thick shell, leaving only the most secretive sensory tentacles to quietly probe the external turmoil.

However, just as Gao De was fully preparing to deal with the potential crisis from the Sunken Abyss Sea Eye and planning how to carefully extract benefits from the edge of this whirlpool, an unexpected change, yet one perfectly aligned with his core demands, was quietly occurring deep within Yunmeng Marsh.

First, the most widespread low-level aquatic creature informants under Turtle Three Thousand's command successively reported some scattered, vague news:

"In a cold pond in the western district of Dongting Lake, the Silver-Scaled Violent Carp clan is acting abnormally, their aura violent, suspected of a collective Breakthrough..."

"Near the Northern Abyss Rift, that old Alligator Dragon who left many years ago recently returned, frequently appearing to hunt, its Yao might even greater..."

"In the southeastern undercurrent zone, traces of a freshly shed Ink-Armored Dragon Turtle shell were suspected to be found, its Qi and blood far more vigorous than recorded..."

Initially, this information did not attract much attention; Yunmeng Marsh is vast, and occasional Yao Beast Breakthroughs or activities of powerful creatures are not uncommon.

But as time passed, similar news became more frequent and numerous, and without exception, they all pointed to Yao Beasts with Dragon Clan Bloodlines or those suspected to be Dragon-affiliated!

They were either suddenly breaking through their Bottlenecks, or behaving unusually actively, or emitting a more refined Dragon might and blood Qi.

"My Lord, this matter is absolutely not ordinary!" Turtle Three Thousand said, holding the newly compiled intelligence Jade Slip, his expression solemn with a hint of incredible excitement.

"In the past month, there have been as many as seventeen 'Dragon Vein creature abnormally active or suspected of advancement' incidents reported by informants across various locations! The types involved include Violent Carp, Poison Flood Dragon, Alligator Dragon, Dragon Turtle, and even Cloud-Patterned Water Boa with thin Chi Dragon Bloodlines! The locations seem scattered, but if viewed on a water vein map... they subtly appear to spread out, encircling the 'Sunken Abyss Sea Eye'!"

Almost simultaneously, Lin Xiaofan also rushed to seek an audience with his latest research findings, his face showing a researcher's fervor and confusion: "Great King! Your subordinate has repeatedly measured and found that the nature of this Yin Vein tide may be slightly different from what is recorded!

Ancient texts mostly describe it as 'deadly Yin and cold,' but in these fluctuations, there seems to be a trace of an extremely subtle, yet extremely high-ranking 'life' Qi mixed in, or rather... it's the agitation of some 'Source Blood' that has been dormant for eons!

Its stimulating effect on aquatic creatures, especially those with Dragon-affiliated Bloodlines, far exceeds expectations! This might explain why Dragon-Blooded Creatures are all acting abnormally!"

Gao De's dragon eyes suddenly opened, Purple Lightning flashing like a thunderstorm for an instant!

Source Blood agitation? Frequent abnormal activity of Dragon Vein creatures? Spreading out, encircling the Sea Eye?

Several clues instantly collided and connected in his mind!

The abnormal activity of the Sunken Abyss Sea Eye, followed by the outflow of information suspected to be connected to the ancient Yin Vein and the 'Great Sage Who Overturns Seas' ruins, then the periodic Yin Vein tide, coupled with this tide containing suspected 'Dragon Source' agitated Qi, which then stimulated the Dragon-Blooded Creatures within Yunmeng Marsh to become active and achieve Breakthroughs!