Half a year later.
Far ahead, a shimmering expanse came into view before Chen Lin and the others, growing clearer as the Spirit Boat advanced.
Conflicting expressions of relief and tension appeared on their faces.
They were relieved because the journey had gone smoothly.
Neither the black sword's owner nor potential threats such as Huyan Wushuang had appeared.
What made them nervous was their impending entry into the Sea of Despair.
This Void Sea had built its fearsome reputation on the lives of countless cultivators. Although none of them had reached the true realm and would therefore suffer no erosion of their true origin, the danger remained considerable.
Rumor had it that many bizarre creatures lived within. To these creatures, cultivators were invaders, and an encounter inevitably meant an attack.
"Stop!"
Standing at the bow, Chen Lin suddenly spoke.
The Spirit Boat's glow faltered, and it slowly came to a halt.
"What is it, Second Brother?"
Gu Siming looked at Chen Lin in surprise.
The Sea of Despair was vast. Although it seemed close, it was actually still far away.
They had only reached the area affected by energy spilling out from its outskirts. Even at full speed, the Spirit Boat would need several more days to reach its actual edge.
Chen Lin's expression shifted.
He glanced at the distant shimmering waters and said gravely, "Things have become a little troublesome. I condensed a thunderbolt true principle in the Chaos Thunder Pond earlier. The closer we get to the Sea of Despair, the more strongly it reacts."
He had never mentioned this before.
According to the records, the energy in the Sea of Despair was highly corrosive only to true origin. Though true principles were also affected, the effect was nowhere near as severe. He had condensed a true principle,