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Novel: [The Primordial Law]
Volume 5: [Seeking Immortality in the Eastern Sea]
Volume 5 (Pinyin): [Dong Hai xun xian]
Chapter 5 (442): [Ambush at Sea]
(5th of Volume 5)
Translator: Shadow Knight AK
Editor: Shadow Knight AK
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The vast East Sea shimmered with fiery reflections near the burning ships, while endless waves of smoke billowed into the distance.
This ancient, boundless sea stretched beyond the horizon.
Ships burned, accompanied by thick plumes of smoke.
"Splash!"
Amidst ripples of Spiritual Qi, ships shattered, and cultivators plunged into the water, their corpses floating on the surface.
"Escape quickly! It's Qin Feng, the Thundercloud Sect's newly ascended Great Power in the Immortal Realm!"
"Thunder Law Profound Ice... Withercloud Beast..."
On the sea surface, Martial-Mystic Cultivators with high cultivation levels stood on Spiritual Qi Cloud Mist, treading the water as they fought their pursuers.
Screams, the crackle of flames, and the clash of weapons filled the sea with a cacophony of chaos.
Standing on a white sand ridge just dozens of feet from the shore, Li Weiyi watched the slaughter unfold, his robes billowing in the fierce wind.
He observed the scene with detached detachment, like a mere spectator.
"Those are Twin Rice Sect ships trying to evacuate the Three Islands," Yang Qingxi said, her gaze fixed on the aged figures flying across the sea in the Dao Seed Realm.
"They plan to retreat to the islands and defend them alongside the Dragon Sect, White Barbarians, Huai Barbarians, and Jiao Barbarians."
Li Weiyi also observed the battle.
He noticed that the majority of those besieging the Twin Rice Sect ships were disciples of the Thunderclap Sect, with a smaller contingent of experts from the Imperial East Sea Garrison.
It had to be said, the Thunderclap Sect had struck gold in the Lingxiao Realm campaign.
The Zhu Sect of the Western Territory had suffered devastating losses in their clashes with the Demon Race, nearly facing annihilation.
In the battle for Lingxiao City, over half of the Imperial Court's experts had perished.
The Snow Sword Tang Court had fought a bloody stalemate against the Army of the Dead, while the Zuoqiu Sect had stormed the Underground Immortal Mansion - all grueling battles.
Now that the hard fighting was over, the Thunderclap Sect, having preserved the most of its strength, was reaping the rewards and expanding its territory.
Though the Twin Rice Sect's Main Hall had fallen, the sheer number of survivors suggested that the true treasures and resources were carried by these fleeing refugees.
It was foreseeable that the Thundercloud Sect would soon bring the entire Seven Eastern Prefectures under its control.
The Land of the Dead in the Southeast Nether Realm would also fall within their sphere of influence.
Following this, the major powers of the Human Race would inevitably launch a massive scramble for the resources and treasures of the thirty-one prefectures in the Southeast Nether Realm.
The Thundercloud Sect, with its geographical advantage and preemptive strike, would be well-positioned to seize the initiative.
With opportunity now within reach, if the Thundercloud Sect possessed the ambition to conquer the Dragon Sect of the East Sea and subdue the Three Island Barbarians, securing their rear, it was not impossible for them to reclaim their position as Lord of the Lingxiao Realm.
"Strange," Li Weiyi mused, "there are over a dozen giant warships here, teeming with Martial-Mystic Cultivators and supplies, yet no Immortal Realm Great Power from the Twin Rice Sect is present. That doesn't make sense!"
Yang Qingxi asked, "Divine Son, hasn't the Southern Venerable told you about the legends of Rice Prefecture?"
"Rice Prefecture?" Li Weiyi echoed.
Yang Qingxi explained, "Legend has it that the Divine Sect possesses an Imperial Technique capable of reversing the Nether Realm into a Life Realm. Within the Nether Realm of the Dead, they have cultivated a small Life Realm specifically for growing Benevolent Rice. Si Kong Jingyuan and Si Kong Yanlun's supposed training in the Nether Realm of the Dead likely involves this cultivation effort."
"The Hall Master of the Heavenly Principles Hall remains shrouded in mystery, yet the Hall consistently produces Soul Seeds refined from powerful Dead Spirits. It's highly probable that the Hall Master is stationed there, taming Dead Spirits during the cultivation process."
"If I'm not mistaken, the Twin Rice Sect cultivators sent to the East Sea are mere pawns, meant to distract us."
"The sect's true elites and powerhouses are likely retreating to Rice Prefecture, which is probably located somewhere within the Nether Realm behind us."
Li Weiyi wasn't surprised that the Twin Rice Sect, possessing nine pages of the Book of Radiant Stars, could manipulate the Nether Realm.
However, maintaining a Life Realm within the Nether Realm would be no easy feat.
Li Weiyi turned to Yang Qingchan.
"Don't look at me," she said, "I don't know the exact location of Rice Prefecture. After I was captured, they refined me into a Soul Seed."
"Look! There's a hidden expert on the ship!" Yang Qingxi exclaimed.
"Whoosh!"
From within the burning warship, a small, meter-long spiritual artifact boat shot out like a streak of light, vanishing into the distance.
A tall, upright figure stood on the boat, his Spiritual Qi of exceptional quality. The boat moved with terrifying speed.
The figure had disguised himself with simple alterations, wearing a yellow monk's robe reminiscent of the Buddha's Salvation Bandits and a bamboo hat.
It was none other than Fu Wenyan, the Young Heavenly Emperor-level prodigy of the Calamity Crossing Temple.
The Calamity Crossing Temple accepted disciples regardless of background. Martial-Mystic Cultivators from Life Realms across southern Yingzhou, provided they possessed sufficient talent, could apply for the temple's entrance examination.
Demon Child and Xie Chucai, both from the Demon Kingdom faction, possessed extraordinary talent and immense backing.
Their decision to join the Calamity Crossing Temple stemmed from two motives: the Demon Kingdom's covert ambition to control the temple through its demonized branch, and their personal desire to compete for the True Inheritance of the Calamity Crossing Temple.
By claiming the title of Martial-Mystic Dao Heavenly Emperor, they sought to gain divine protection and roam the world with impunity.
The True Inheritance of the Calamity Crossing Temple, along with several other ancient sects in southern Yingzhou, wasn't bestowed upon True Inheritance Disciples, but rather upon the heir to the Martial-Mystic Dao Heavenly Emperor.
Becoming the True Inheritance of such an ancient sect meant inheriting the mantle of the Martial-Mystic Dao Heavenly Emperor.
Overnight, one could become a legend across the prosperous lands of southern Yingzhou, a figure coveted by every Life Realm.
It was akin to possessing a golden shield.
Any elder expert contemplating harming them would first have to weigh whether they had truly lived long enough.
Fu Wenyan, hailing from the Fu Clan of Zongsheng Academy, had also joined the Calamity Crossing Temple with the ambition of claiming the True Inheritance of the Calamity Crossing Temple.
Despite Madam Ye, the Founding Ancestor of the Fu Clan, being a top-tier Transcendent, her status paled in comparison to that of the Temple Master of the Calamity Crossing Temple.
The Martial-Mystic Dao Heavenly Emperor's legacy had blocked the path of countless Heavenly Prides and heroes: Qilin Zhuang, the Crown Prince of the Demon Kingdom, Yu Yaozi, Lord Lan... countless peerless figures had remained trapped beneath the Heavenly Emperor's shadow, unable to break through for millennia.
With Madam Ye's death in Lingxiao City and the Fu Clan's strongest member fallen, the position of "True Inheritance of the Calamity Crossing Temple" became even more crucial for Fu Wenyan.
The innate talent required to become a Young Celestial Emperor was merely the entry threshold for competing for the True Inheritance of an Ancient Myriad Sect.
It was akin to a group of princes vying for the position of crown prince.
However, Fu Wenyan's immediate priority was escaping the Lingxiao Realm and returning to the Calamity Crossing Temple or Zongsheng Academy.
Not only were the Imperial Court's experts hunting him relentlessly, determined to eradicate him completely, but there were also powerful figures of unknown origin seeking to kill him and seize the opportunities he carried.
Those destined to become Young Celestial Emperors all possessed heaven-defying opportunities.
If an Inheritor-level Heavenly Pride were to seize Fu Wenyan's opportunities, they might even ascend to become a Young Celestial Emperor themselves.
At the very least, they would rise to the pinnacle of Inheritor-level cultivation.
With such a tempting prospect, which ambitious Martial-Mystic Cultivator wouldn't risk everything for a chance at glory?
This was no different from Huang Xu and Kong Xu's relentless pursuit of Li Weiyi.
Fu Wenyan had initially traveled to Qiu Prefecture seeking refuge with Zhuang Shiyan, the Immortal Master of the Calamity Crossing Temple.
But the Zuoqiu Sect and the Twin Rice Sect were locked in a cataclysmic war across Fu Prefecture and Qiu Prefecture, leaving behind mountains of corpses and seas of blood.
Targeted by unknown powerhouses, Fu Wenyan fled, concealing his identity and hiding among the Twin Rice Sect's retreating forces, eventually being swept to the East Sea.
No longer relying on others, Fu Wenyan resolved to risk crossing the East Sea, hoping to escape the Lingxiao Realm.
Suddenly, a massive whirlpool materialized on the sea's surface.
Fu Wenyan scanned his surroundings, his vision filled with swirling waves. He and his spiritual artifact skiff had already sunk below sea level.
An overwhelmingly terrifying aura emanated from the whirlpool's center.
"It's him again," Fu Wenyan thought, his heart pounding with tension and rage. He had been targeted by this same figure in Fu Prefecture, narrowly escaping death multiple times.
Only by using the life-saving measures carried by his clan had he survived until now.
From his Ancestral Field, a seven-foot-long Bronze Painting Brush shot forth, slashing across the sea's surface.
"Whoosh!"
Over eight thousand Scripture characters materialized as the brush tore through the whirlpool, parting the seawater.
Having broken through the enemy's Dao Technique, Fu Wenyan abandoned his skiff, leaping into the air and fleeing atop the Ink Mist Smoke Bridge.
He knew all too well that his opponent was an Immortal Realm Great Power, far beyond his capabilities.
"Boom!"
A dark shadow erupted from the depths like an arrow, hurtling after Fu Wenyan.
The shadowy figure, completely shrouded in black robes, dared not unleash his Dao Heart Manifestation to restrain Fu Wenyan, fearing exposure to the experts of the Thundercloud Sect and East Sea Garrison.
An Immortal Realm Great Power assassinating a Dao Seed Realm Young Celestial Emperor from the Calamity Crossing Temple to seize his opportunities and Dao Fruit?
If exposed, would the Calamity Crossing Temple and Fu Clan ever let it rest?
It was precisely this need for caution, this constant restraint, that had repeatedly allowed Fu Wenyan to escape.
Yang Qingchan's brow furrowed: "That black-robed figure... there's something so familiar about it."
"It's Yao Qian!" Yang Qingxi exclaimed, "He's using the Sui Sect's Swirling Robe Technique underwater."
"Damn these lingering memories!" The Dead Spirit within Yang Qingchan seethed.
Li Weiyi didn't know who Yao Qian was pursuing, but he had his suspicions.
Who else, with Dao Seed Realm cultivation, could wield an Eighth-Grade Thousand-Character Artifact of the Confucian-Daoist lineage?
Only the Young Celestial Emperor of the Calamity Crossing Temple fit the description.
"We need to move now," Li Weiyi urged.
He sensed a powerful Willpower descending from the sea, locking onto him.
He couldn't determine its source.
If it were Yao Qian's Willpower, it would have immediately turned and attacked him.
Li Weiyi enveloped Yang Qingxi and Yang Qingchan in Spiritual Qi, activated a Divine Speed Talisman, and fled swiftly across the white desert, quickly escaping the range of the Willpower's perception.
He turned to Yang Qingchan, "Did we take the wrong path earlier?"
Li Weiyi recalled that the map of the Nether Realm of the Dead showed Sand Prefecture and Sea Prefecture bordering the East Sea.
Yu Prefecture, where the Phoenix Blood Tree stood, lay inland, east of Sea Prefecture, more than a thousand miles from the coast.
Yang Qingchan replied, "I deliberately led us this way to avoid the Water Beaver Immortal. The direction it fled is actually the path to Yu Prefecture. If we had followed its trail, we would likely have run right into it."
Li Weiyi was curious, "Why would a river beaver from the Huang River cross the desert and endure such hardship to reach Yu Prefecture?"
"According to the beaver, it was delivering a message to a sea demon named Princess Lantern Phoenix, a member of the Jellyfish Clan," Yang Qingxi explained.
Li Weiyi frowned, "Yu Prefecture is inland. How did a jellyfish end up on land?"
"The Phoenix Blood Tree and the vast resources controlled by the Dead Spirit are coveted by cultivators of all races. The East Sea Demon Race and the Nether Realm of the Dead have always been locked in mutual restraint and competition. Otherwise, how could the Lingxiao Realm have remained stable for a thousand years?" Yang Qingxi added.
"Lord Lan's fall and the Army of the Dead's defeat, followed by the Followers of the Twin Rice Sect's retreat to Huangjiang Border City, have been confirmed. The Water Beaver Immortal will undoubtedly report this news immediately, leaving the Sea Demons stationed in Yu Prefecture with no further reservations."
Li Weiyi suddenly understood.
It made perfect sense. The territory ruled by Lord Lan was even larger than the Lingxiao Realm itself.
With his demise, the great war to divide the Lingxiao Realm had transformed into a scramble to plunder the Southeast Nether Realm.
What immense wealth and resources were at stake!
Li Weiyi's eyes narrowed: "Does this mean if we delay, we won't even find a single leaf of the Phoenix Blood Tree? How do we proceed now?"
Having a map didn't mean they could act freely; many areas were restricted. They still needed to consult Yang Qingchan, the "local expert."
Yang Qingchan replied, "If we detour along the coast, it will add eight thousand miles to our journey. As he said, if we're too late, we might as well not go at all."
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END OF CHAPTER
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