170: boundless sea

[You suddenly recall the Qin Family's destruction during the first simulation—why didn't the Artifact Spirit intervene to save them then?]

[Although you have doubts, you suppress your curiosity and don't ask.]

[Then you turn to Qin Yu and say seriously, "Little sister, you cannot risk yourself this time. Leave the search for the six-leaf azure lotus to me."]

[Qin Yu gazes at you, hesitates for a moment, then nods gently, "Then you must be extra careful."]

[After speaking, she waves her hand, and a yellowed, incomplete beast hide slowly floats before you: "This is a partial map of an ancient ruin. It's said that a six-leaf azure lotus once appeared there. Taking it might prove useful."]

[You look at the incomplete map, and your heart suddenly sinks—this is too much of a coincidence. Qin Yu has this map, the Fu Family Ancestor has it, and even the Ji Family Old Ancestor has it!]

[You carefully examine the beast hide in your hand, finding that its edge patterns are completely different from the one given by the Fu Family Ancestor, yet they can vaguely be pieced together, as if they were originally a single map.]

[This incomplete map seems to have been deliberately torn into many fragments and scattered everywhere...]

[Who is behind this scheme?]

[Qin Yu notices your abnormality: "What's wrong?"]

[You gaze at her, your expression serious: "Where did you get this map?"]

["At an auction in Tianxu Immortal City, I bought it for 100,000 Spirit Stones," she answers frankly.]

[You suppress the doubts in your heart and nod: "Alright, let's go back first."]

[Qin Yu turns to look at Qingming and nods at it.]

[The next second, Qingming transforms into a wisp of green smoke and drills into her Sea of Consciousness between her eyebrows.]

[Immediately after, ripples appear in the surrounding space. Once the fluctuations subside, you are already back in the Qin Manor's courtyard.]

[You don't set off immediately, deciding to stay home for a few days to spend more time with your parents.]

[At dinner time, your Family of four sits around the table—]

[Qin Xiuwen has a grim face and says nothing.]

[Qin Yu secretly winks at you, a sly smile on her lips.]

[Lin Xueping forces a smile and gently nudges her husband: "Dear, Chen'er is rarely back, don't be so stern."]

[Qin Xiuwen heavily puts down his chopsticks, his gaze sharp as he looks at you: "It's been over ten years, do you still remember this Family?"]

[You remain silent.]

[It's not that you don't want to explain, but that you can't.]

[The bloody storm of the Cultivation world, for parents without Spiritual Roots, the more they know, the more dangerous it becomes.]

[Fortunately, a few years ago, Qin Yu obtained an obstacle breaking pill, helping both your parents Breakthrough to the Grandmaster Realm.]

[In Longyang Town, Grandmaster cultivation is already completely sufficient.]

[Moreover, your Divine Sense had already swept across the entire small town, confirming no traces of Ji Bin or Liu Caiping, nor any aura of other Cultivators.]

[With the Nascent Soul Stage Qin Yu overseeing, plus the mysterious methods of the Artifact Spirit Qingming—as long as it's within the Tianhuang Secret Realm, safety should not be an issue.]

[Once you completely control the qingming mirror and break free from the Liu Clan, finding a stable place to settle in the Zixiao Immortal Domain will solve all problems.]

[Therefore, the Liu Clan must absolutely not be allowed to refine a new Artifact Spirit—otherwise, with the Artifact Spirit's control over the grotto-heaven magical treasure, you would be completely exposed under the Liu Clan's watchful eyes.]

[However, these matters cannot be told to your parents yet.]

[Lin Xueping softly breaks the silence: "Chen'er, now that you're back... you're not leaving, are you?"]

["There are still some important matters that must be dealt with," you say earnestly, "Once everything settles down, your child will tell you truthfully."]

["You're thirty-four years old and still wandering outside all day?" Qin Xiuwen frowns deeply.]

[Lin Xueping quickly smooths things over: "Mother will ask a matchmaker tomorrow to find some good girls. You can meet them first?"]

["I'm leaving tomorrow," you blurt out.]

[As soon as your words fall, the atmosphere in the room immediately freezes.]

["There are three major ways to be unfilial, and having no heir is the greatest!" Qin Xiuwen slams the table and stands up. "How long are you going to keep fooling around?"]

[You quickly signal to Qin Yu with your eyes.]

[She interjects with a giggle: "Father, don't worry. Brother has many confidantes~"]

[Lin Xueping's eyes light up: "Really?"]

[You bite the bullet and nod: "Once this matter is settled, I will definitely give you both an explanation."]

[Seeing you relent, your parents' expressions soften slightly.]

["When you're out there, know how to hide your abilities and don't try to be a hero," Qin Xiuwen says in a muffled voice.]

["Listening to your father is right. You must know that there are mountains beyond mountains, and people beyond people..." Lin Xueping rambles on with her advice.]

[Listening to your parents' nagging, you lower your head and eat, agreeing to everything.]

[The next morning, you bid farewell to your parents and depart.]

[Looking at your parents' expectant gazes and your sister's worried eyes, your heart stirs slightly.]

[You suppress the discomfort in your heart, force a smile, and wave to them.]

[You then quickly leave, find an secluded spot to rendezvous with Liu Ruyan, and have her "take" you flying towards the exit of the Tianhuang Secret Realm.]

[Because Liu Ruyan was with you, no one dared to question or provoke you along the way. You successfully arrived at Tianshu City, and then, through the teleportation array, headed in the direction indicated by the incomplete beast hide map.]

[The map points to the southeast of the Zixiao Immortal Domain.]

[Year seventeen,]

[You and Liu Ruyan sit in a private room on the top floor of the Yellow Crane Wine House in Tianyang City, leaning on the railing and gazing into the distance.]

[In the distance, where the sea and sky meet, a slender, faint red light band is faintly discernible, adding a touch of splendor to the blue sea and sky.]

[You arrived here guided by that incomplete beast hide map.]

[The most important marker on the map points to the depths of the vast ocean before you.]

[You have been here for half a year, and in this half year, you have thoroughly investigated the situation of this Star Continent—]

[This Star Continent is called "Tianyang Star," and its overall strength is similar to Ziyang Star.]

[There are countless large and small forces and Families here. The strongest Three Great Factions are the Piaomiao Sect, the Divine Dragon Cult, and the True Spirit Immortal Dynasty.]

[Tianyang City, where you stand, is not only the largest city here but also borders the legendary "Boundless Sea," which no one has ever been able to cross.]

[In the past six months, you have seen countless Cultivators, holding incomplete beast hide maps, heading in groups towards the depths of the sea.]

[But fewer than one in ten thousand return.]

[This death rate is simply too high.]

[However, those who do return are all richly rewarded, bringing back various unseen Advanced Materials, Heaven And Earth Treasures, top-tier Magic Treasures, Cultivation Technique Legacies, and so on.]

[It is even rumored that some people have obtained Spirit Treasures.]

[However, in thousands of years, only three people have obtained Spirit Treasures.]

[These three later founded the Piaomiao Sect, the Divine Dragon Cult, and the True Spirit Immortal Dynasty, respectively.]

[Therefore, even if it means a narrow escape from death, countless Cultivators still eagerly rush to take the risk.]

[Actually, the secret of the "Boundless Sea" was originally only known to the people of "Tianyang Star," but for some unknown reason, it has spread throughout the entire Zixiao Immortal Domain in recent years.]

[Innumerable copies of those incomplete beast hide maps have been made and distributed to almost every corner of the Immortal Domain.]

[Because of this, Tianyang City has become particularly lively in recent years.]

[Just like this "Yellow Crane Wine House" where you are staying now, prices have increased by more than ten times.]