The courtyard of the Eastern Suppressing Prince Mansion was serene and peaceful, suffused with spiritual energy. More than a month had passed since Yun Ce had bestowed pills and imparted cultivation techniques. During that month, Zhao Yunxing had taken the Super Marrow Cleansing Pill and successfully rebuilt his meridians. He had not only broken through to the Xiantian Realm but also begun cultivating both internal and external martial arts. His foundation in External Martial Arts had grown ever more solid, while his internal cultivation steadily improved. Lian Yan, meanwhile, had devoted himself to practicing the Nature Return-to-Origin Art. His understanding of the natural world had deepened, and the resonance between the Xiantian True Qi within him and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth had grown stronger. He had already accumulated much of what he needed to break through to the Golden Core stage.
Qin De and Feng Yuzi had also made considerable progress in their cultivation thanks to the three top-tier techniques Yun Ce had bestowed upon them. Everyone in the Qin Family was immersed in a fervor for cultivation, and the family's foundations grew ever stronger. Qin Yu, Black Feather, Dragon Rock Lion, and Red Phoenix had not slacked off either. Qin Yu focused on consolidating his Golden Core Mid Stage cultivation, refining his Nebula True Qi, and learning to coordinate with the three divine beasts. Black Feather, Dragon Rock Lion, and Red Phoenix diligently practiced the Body-Shrinking Art Yun Ce had taught them, along with their own techniques. Their strength steadily increased, as did their rapport with one another.
At dawn that day, golden light spilled across the entrance to the Eastern Suppressing Prince Mansion. Yun Ce stood with his hands behind his back, his aura restrained and his expression composed. Qin Yu stood beside him, with the shrunken Black Feather, Dragon Rock Lion, and Red Phoenix perched on his shoulders. The three divine beasts were docile and lively, occasionally peering around at their surroundings, their eyes full of curiosity about the journey ahead.
"Master, everything is ready," Qin Yu said softly. There was a hint of anticipation in his voice, along with some reluctance to leave the Qin Family. This month of rest had let him feel the warmth of home once more. Yet he knew that cultivating was like rowing upstream: stop advancing, and you fell behind. Only by continuing to venture out could he reach a higher level and live up to the hopes his master, his father, and the others had placed in him.
Yun Ce nodded and looked toward the depths of the mansion. "All right. It's time to leave. The journey to the Undersea Beast World is long and fraught with danger. You and the three divine beasts must stay close to me at all times. Don't act on your own."
"I understand, Master!" Qin Yu nodded firmly. Then he lowered his head and admonished the three beasts on his shoulders. "Black Feather, Long Yan, Red Phoenix, make sure you listen to Master on the way. Don't cause trouble."
The three divine beasts nodded solemnly and sent their replies through spiritual transmission: "Don't worry, sir (Master). We'll be careful!"
Just then, footsteps approached. Qin De, Feng Yuzi, Qin Feng, and Qin Zheng hurried over, each with reluctance written on his face. They had learned more than a month ago that Yun Ce would take Qin Yu to the Undersea Beast World in the Southern Sea Region. Though they hated to see him go, they understood that no one could grow without weathering hardship. With Yun Ce, a Void-Piercing Realm immortal, protecting him, they could at least feel somewhat reassured.
"Brother Yun, Xiaoyu." Qin De stepped forward and looked at Qin Yu, his eyes full of concern. He spoke solemnly. "The journey to the Southern Sea Region is long, and the Undersea Beast World is extremely dangerous. You must be careful at all times. Listen to Brother Yun and don't act recklessly."
He paused, then turned to Yun Ce and bowed respectfully. "Brother Yun, I'm entrusting Xiaoyu to you. If you run into any trouble, the Qin Family may be weak, but we'll do everything we can to help. Please look after him."
Yun Ce smiled faintly and raised a hand to signal Qin De to stand. His tone was gentle but assured. "There's no need for formalities, Brother Qin De. Xiaoyu is my disciple, so of course I'll keep him safe. The undersea journey will be dangerous, but it will also be an opportunity for him. When he returns from this trial, he'll be stronger than ever."
Qin Feng stepped forward and patted Qin Yu on the shoulder. His voice was hearty, but his eyes betrayed his reluctance. "Third Brother, take care on your journey! Look after yourself, and keep learning from the immortal. When you come back, I want to hear all about your adventures under the sea!"
Qin Zheng stepped forward as well. His expression retained the composure of an emperor, but he could not conceal his concern. "Third Brother, focus on your trial. Father and I will take care of the Qin Dynasty, so don't worry about home. When you return, the Qin Family will have even more to be proud of."
Feng Yuzi stroked his beard and looked at Qin Yu, his eyes full of hope. "Xiaoyu, the Undersea Beast World is full of hidden dangers and powerful figures. It holds both opportunities and perils. Remember, keep a steady mind as you cultivate. Don't rush for quick results. Ask Brother Yun for guidance, and you're sure to gain something. This Jade Slip contains what I've compiled about the Undersea Beast World, as well as a map showing how to reach my sect. I hope it'll be of help."
Seeing how concerned everyone was, Qin Yu felt warmth well up inside him. He carefully took the Jade Slip Feng Yuzi handed him, then bowed deeply to everyone. "Thank you, Father. Thank you, Big Brother and Second Brother. Thank you, Uncle Feng! I'll remember your advice, cultivate diligently, and return safely. I won't let you down!"
Watching them, Yun Ce smiled faintly. "All right, it's getting late. We should be on our way. Brother Qin De, everyone, until we meet again."
With that, Yun Ce raised a hand, and a gentle stream of Stellar True Essence enveloped Qin Yu and the three divine beasts. He then activated the power of space. With a slight shift, he carried them slowly into the air.
"Father, Big Brother, Second Brother, Uncle Feng, goodbye!" Qin Yu waved to everyone below, suspended in midair, his eyes full of reluctance.
Qin De and the others waved back, their faces full of concern. "Xiaoyu, take care! Brother Yun, take care!"
Yun Ce nodded to them, then turned without hesitation and flew south with Qin Yu and the three divine beasts. They grew smaller and smaller, until they finally vanished into the distance. Qin De and the others remained at the mansion gates for a long time, their hearts full of hope that Qin Yu would return safely.
High above the ground, Yun Ce channeled the power of space and sped south toward the Southern Sea Region with Qin Yu and the three divine beasts. They flew at incredible speed, while the mountains, rivers, towns, and villages below blurred past like scenes in a moving picture.
Standing beside Yun Ce, Qin Yu felt the wind rush past his ears and watched the landscape streak by below. He was filled with emotion. Over the years, he had grown from a mortal child unable to cultivate into a Golden Core Mid Stage cultivator. Now he was heading for the distant Undersea Beast World to begin a whole new trial. None of it would have been possible without his master's careful guidance and generous support.
Black Feather, Dragon Rock Lion, and Red Phoenix perched on Qin Yu's shoulders, curiously craning their necks and occasionally letting out soft calls. They were fascinated by everything around them. Red Phoenix and Dragon Rock Lion were mid-level divine beasts. Red Phoenix was bright red all over, with small wings and lively eyes. After spending this time with Black Feather and Dragon Rock Lion, she had grown close to them and become a capable ally at Qin Yu's side.
After about half a day of flying, the landscape below gradually changed. The mountains and rivers dwindled, replaced by an immense ocean. Endless blue waves stretched beneath them, and the sea churned with towering swells. Far away, sea and sky met in a magnificent vista.
"Master, is this the Southern Sea Region?" Qin Yu asked softly, gazing down at the vast ocean in wonder.
Yun Ce nodded and slowed down. His voice remained gentle, but grew more serious. "That's right. This is the edge of the Southern Sea Region. Before long, we'll enter the deep sea and reach the Undersea Beast World. Before we do, I'll tell you about the Southern Sea Region and its various powers, so you'll know what to expect."
Qin Yu and the three divine beasts perked up and listened attentively. Black Feather stopped fooling around and fixed his keen eyes on Yun Ce, afraid to miss a single detail.
Yun Ce gazed toward the distant deep sea and spoke evenly. "In this boundless sea region of the south, there's an immortal island more than a hundred thousand li away. Elsewhere, islands of all sizes are scattered haphazardly. Many are occupied by cultivation sects, whose members practice and make their homes there. They sometimes cooperate, but they also clash with one another."
He paused, then continued. "Far to the south, countless billions of li away, lies the heart of the Overseas Immortal Islands: the Penglai Immortal Domain. It's a sacred place for cultivators, home to countless top-tier experts and backed by immense power and deep foundations. It's one of the strongest cultivation forces in the Southern Sea Region."
"Besides the Penglai Immortal Domain, there are many other forces in the Southern Sea Region. Some islands belong to cultivation sects, while others are the domain of demonic cultivators. Not far from the Penglai Immortal Domain, there are even more than a hundred islands clustered together to form the core of a demonic island: the Purple Flame Demon Prison."
"The Purple Flame Demon Prison is as famous as the Penglai Immortal Domain, and its power is on par with it. But the two follow different paths, so they clash fiercely, and war has raged between them for years. They're the central forces in the struggle between cultivators and demonic cultivators in the Southern Sea Region."
At this point, Yun Ce's tone turned grave. "But remember this: in this boundless sea, the greatest power doesn't belong to cultivators or demonic cultivators. It belongs neither to the Penglai Immortal Domain nor the Purple Flame Demon Prison. The strongest force is the demon cultivators!"
Qin Yu looked puzzled. "Master, why are demon cultivators the strongest? Aren't the Penglai Immortal Domain and the Purple Flame Demon Prison already very powerful?"
Yun Ce smiled and explained, "Because the largest part of this boundless sea isn't the islands, but the waters. Those waters are home to all kinds of underwater beasts. The deeper you go, the stronger they become. These underwater beasts form the bulk of the demon cultivators. They are numerous, come in countless varieties, and include many beasts at the Nascent Soul and Void-Piercing realms, or even higher. Together, they form a vast demon-cultivator force that far surpasses the Penglai Immortal Domain and the Purple Flame Demon Prison."
"The Undersea Beast World we're heading to is one of the main gathering places of these demon cultivators. It's full of hidden dangers and powerful figures, but also abundant opportunities." Yun Ce looked at Qin Yu, his tone grave. "The key to the Nine Swords Immortal Mansion of Immortal Emperor Ni Yang is about to appear in the Turbulent Star Sea, within the Undersea Beast World. That's the main reason we're going there. But to obtain the key and claim the opportunities inside the mansion, we'll have to contend with many different forces: the Penglai Immortal Domain, the Purple Flame Demon Prison, the Azure Dragon Palace, the Clear Water Mansion, the Nine Sha Hall, and the many demon-cultivator forces across the undersea world."
The three divine beasts and Qin Yu grew solemn. At last, they understood that the trip to the Undersea Beast World was no simple trial. It was a contest filled with danger and uncertainty. The Penglai Immortal Domain, the Purple Flame Demon Prison, the Nine Sha Hall... all were top-tier powers. The challenge of competing for opportunities against them would be immense.
"Master, are you confident?" Qin Yu asked softly. There was a hint of apprehension in his voice, but also a hint of resolve. He knew that if he stayed by his master's side, he had a chance to find opportunities and reach a higher level.
Yun Ce smiled faintly, his eyes full of confidence. "Don't worry. With me, your strength, and the help of the three divine beasts—Long Yan, Red Phoenix, and Black Feather—we may well seize the initiative among all these forces. Just remember to be cautious in the Undersea Beast World. Don't act on your own. Follow my instructions."
"Yes, Master!" Qin Yu nodded firmly, the apprehension in his eyes fading and giving way to resolve. Black Feather, Dragon Rock Lion, and Red Phoenix all let out soft calls, as if responding to Yun Ce's warning.
Yun Ce nodded and said no more. He accelerated again, flying over the ocean toward the deep waters of the south. As they ventured farther out, the sea below grew deeper, its color shifting from pale blue to deep blue. The spiritual energy in the air grew denser, and the auras of countless savage beasts could be felt all around them. Yun Ce, Qin Yu, and the others had begun entering the Undersea Beast World, setting out on a new journey.
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