166: Turtle Appearance Brings Treasure

Just as Gao De finished absorbing the essence of the Profound Shadow Flood Dragon and Green Edge and Iron Pincer led others forward to clean up the battlefield, Gao De's heart stirred, and his gaze swept over the area where the evil dragon had previously coiled.

"Search its nest and the surrounding area carefully to see if there is anything unusual," Gao De ordered.

For a Third Tier Yao Beast that had lived for who knows how many years, even if it hadn't attained sentience, its nest would sometimes accumulate "odds and ends" that it couldn't use but collected out of instinct.

The Yao Race members acknowledged the order and quickly dispersed to search.

This nest, located in the stalagmite forest of the middle layer of the Black Water Abyss, was quite crude. It was more like a feeding ground for a large predator, with the bleached bones of various large aquatic beasts and even some unfortunate Cultivators and Yao Race members scattered everywhere, some of which were still fresh.

An invisible force isolated the water outside the nest.

The air was permeated with a faint, putrid smell and the lingering chill of shadows.

Soon, several Demon Soldiers found a few Storage Pouches with varying degrees of damage beside several incomplete humanoid skeletons, removed the remaining Restrictions, and presented them.

Inside, apart from some ordinary Spirit Stones, Medicinal Pills, and low-tier Magical Artifacts, there was nothing particularly eye-catching. However, the style and remaining marks of two of the Storage Pouches vaguely pointed to two small cultivation Families that had once been active in Yunmeng Marsh. Judging by the color of the bones, it was likely that Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators from those Families had unfortunately perished in the dragon's mouth here.

Gao De had little interest in these and signaled his subordinates to put away the useful items.

His attention was focused more on the huge, smooth black rock where the evil flood dragon had coiled year-round.

The lingering shadow and chill were most intense there, and the surface of the rock had even been worn into shallow indentations.

He stepped forward, extended his sharp claws covered in purple scales, gently pressed them onto the center of the rock, and probed carefully with his Divine Sense.

The rock itself was not unusual, but its texture had become exceptionally hard and cold due to the evil flood dragon coiling on it for years.

But when his Divine Sense penetrated downward along the contact edge between the rock and the silt at the bottom of the abyss, he felt a trace of an extremely faint but high-rank water spirit fluctuation, cleverly hidden by the thick silt and the rock itself. If his Divine Sense hadn't been sharp and he hadn't been probing deliberately, he would have almost been unable to detect it.

"There is something underneath," Gao De said, a flash of purple light in his eyes, signaling Green Edge and the others to back away.

He wielded the thunder fang formation-breaking halberd, carefully cut open the connection between the rock and the ground, and then slowly moved it away with his Demonic Power.

Underneath the rock was a shallow pit that had been deliberately covered, though the burial method was very sloppy.

There was no treasure light radiating from the pit; there was only a cluster of soft, pale blue halo like moonlight, enveloping a precious pearl about the size of an infant's fist, perfectly round, with a texture that was neither gold nor jade, and naturally covered in layers of water patterns on its surface.

The precious pearl lay there quietly, and the pure water spirit Qi it emitted made the surrounding originally cold and chilly waters become much more moist and fresh, and even the filth at the bottom of the abyss was faintly repelled.

"Is this... the 'ocean vastness spirit nurturing pearl'?" After a brief identification, Gao De found the corresponding object from his Legacy memories and past knowledge.

This pearl was a wondrous object that could only be naturally conceived after being nurtured by water spirit Qi for a thousand years in a water vein spirit cave or at the bottom of the extremely deep sea.

The pure water spirit Origin it contained was a supreme treasure for Cultivation for water-attribute Cultivators or the Yao Race. It could significantly increase Cultivation speed, nourish the Physical Body and Divine Soul, and even assist in breaking through a Bottleneck.

It was especially effective for aquatic races such as turtles, soft-shelled turtles, and clams.

Unfortunately, the attributes of this pearl did not completely match Gao De's Purple Lightning Flood Dragon Bloodline. He specialized in lightning techniques, and his path to dragon transformation emphasized thunder and Bloodline transformation more. For him, this "ocean vastness spirit nurturing pearl," while having a certain nourishing effect, was far less direct and effective than directly devouring dragon blood, so it was just an icing on the cake.

However, Gao De immediately thought of Turtle Three Thousand.

As a Profound Turtle, Turtle Three Thousand's cultivation had been stuck at the Second Tier Late-stage for a long time. He managed the internal and external affairs of Qianjiao Cliff and had worked hard, and his talents in divination and overall planning were crucial to the development of the force.

If he could use this pearl to make a Breakthrough to the Third Tier, not only would his strength greatly increase and his Lifespan be extended, but he would also be able to better assist him.

"This item is just right for him." Gao De reached out and beckoned, taking the "ocean vastness spirit nurturing pearl" into his palm. The moist water spirit Qi made him feel a burst of comfort as well.

He checked carefully, confirming that the treasure pearl was intact and had no hidden traps or marks.

"After the battlefield is cleared, return to Qianjiao Cliff immediately," Gao De ordered as he put the pearl away.

...

In the side hall of the Qianjiao Cliff spirit cave, Turtle Three Thousand was working at a desk, processing a mountain of Jade Slips and account books, when he suddenly received the order summoning him to see Gao De. He hurriedly tidied his clothes and rushed to the main spirit cave.

"Your subordinate, Turtle Three Thousand, pays respects to the Master!" Turtle Three Thousand bowed respectfully.

Gao De was coiled at the head, his aura even deeper and more unfathomable than before his seclusion.

His gaze fell on Turtle Three Thousand, and he nodded slightly: "Prime Minister Turtle, matters have been complicated recently; you have worked hard."

"Sharing the burden for the Master is the duty of your subordinate; I dare not speak of hardship," Turtle Three Thousand replied hurriedly, feeling joy in his heart upon hearing this.

Gao De did not say much more and directly took out the "ocean vastness spirit nurturing pearl."

As the treasure pearl appeared, a soft and pure blue halo immediately illuminated a corner of the side hall, and a rich water spirit Qi permeated the area.

Turtle Three Thousand shuddered. As a Profound Turtle, he was extremely sensitive to such pure water spirit objects, and he instantly understood what kind of treasure was before him!

His breathing couldn't help but quicken a little, and his eyes revealed an irrepressible desire, but he quickly lowered his head, not daring to look more.

"This item is called the 'ocean vastness spirit nurturing pearl.' It is of little use to me, but it matches your attributes," Gao De said indifferently. "You have followed me for a long time, are diligent and loyal, and have managed internal and external affairs with great merit. I now bestow this pearl upon you to help you make a Breakthrough of the Third Tier Bottleneck. I hope you will achieve the realm of Yao King soon and serve me even better."

Upon hearing this, Turtle Three Thousand first raised his head in disbelief, and then a huge surprise and gratitude surged into his heart. He plopped down and prostrated himself on the ground, his voice even trembling: "Master... thank you for your generous reward! How could this subordinate... I... I will definitely exhaust my remaining body and die for you to repay your great kindness!"

He knew the value of this treasure pearl too well!

This was almost his greatest Opportunity to make a Breakthrough to the Third Tier! Without such external help, given his Aptitude and busy affairs, he did not know how many more years he would have wasted.

"No need for such formalities, get up," Gao De waved his hand, and a gentle force lifted Turtle Three Thousand up, while the treasure pearl also slowly flew in front of him.

"Go back and refine it well, and go into seclusion to make your Breakthrough. The affairs of the Cliff can be temporarily handed over to Green Edge and Iron Pincer to share, with Lin Xiaofan assisting from the side. After you succeed, I will have other important tasks to entrust to you."

"Your subordinate obeys! Thank you for your grace, Master!" Turtle Three Thousand received the "ocean vastness spirit nurturing pearl" with trembling hands. Feeling the vast and pure water spirit power within it, he was so excited he could hardly control himself. After bowing deeply again, he carefully retreated to prepare for immediate seclusion.

After handling this matter, the gentle expression on Gao De's face faded, and he returned to his usual calmness.

He had just received the final urgent intelligence report summarized by Turtle Three Thousand before his seclusion, the content of which was similar to what he had received earlier in the Black Water Abyss, but more detailed and urgent.

"The Sunken Abyss Sea Eye seems to have abnormal movements... The Nine Dragons Chamber of Commerce, the Heavenly Demon Cult, and the Thunder Tiger Demon King have all taken action..." Gao De tapped the Jade Slip with his fingertips, purple electricity swirling in his dragon eyes, his thoughts racing, "The storm has already begun, and there is no longer any possibility of staying out of it. Continuing to hunt on the periphery is steady, but it may mean missing the most critical Opportunity and information in the Early Stages of the Sea Eye's abnormal changes."

He stood up, walked to the edge of the spirit cave, and looked to the west.

"It is time to let the shadow of Qianjiao Cliff be cast into that abyss as well," Gao De had already made a decision in his heart. "However, there is no rush to wade into those muddy waters. With my current strength, facing these Fourth Tier forces is still too dangerous. I must find that one crack in the most chaotic situation that is most favorable to me."

"Pass the order to Green Edge, Iron Pincer, and Lin Xiaofan to come see me."

A new chess game had already unfolded above the abyss. And Gao De, holding greater strength and more loyal subordinates, was about to place his well-considered piece. The target was pointed directly at that restless place—the Sunken Abyss Sea Eye.