The floating boat pierced the clouds and mist, leaving the rolling mountains and rivers beneath them behind. In their place stretched an endless expanse of dark sea, and the damp sea breeze stirred the hair over Chu Mo's forehead.
He drew a deep breath, gazing at the magnificent scenery below as he murmured, "So this is the Turbid Abyss Sea?"
The vast sea met the sky, its end nowhere in sight. The murky waters obscured their view, making it impossible to glimpse what lay beneath.
It was as though some unknown, terrifying behemoth lurked beneath the deep waters, watching the living creatures that passed overhead.
"Haha." The red-faced Lin Feng approached from behind. "Well? Quite a sight, isn't it? When I first came here on assignment, I also felt so very small before this boundless ocean.
"But then I thought, after experiencing another realm, even scenery like this seems rather ordinary."
"That's true." Chu Mo nodded, recalling the collapse of the Savage Realm. Heaven and earth had overturned, yin and yang had fallen out of balance-it had been far more terrifying than this.
The flying boat continued onward, only slowing gradually when it approached a chain of small islands.
The buildings on the islands followed the contours of the terrain, refined and orderly. A complex on the eastern side was particularly imposing, its halls stretching one after another like a small city.
"All right, Junior Brother Chu," Lin Feng called. "We've reached the Thousand Currents District. Let's pay Island Master Xu a visit first. This is his territory."
The flying boat landed on a specially built raised platform on the island chain. At the sight of Chu Mo and his two companions, the mortal soldiers guarding the area immediately cried out greetings to the immortals.
Accustomed to such scenes, Lin Feng showed no change in expression. He was the first to leap off the boat and led the way, transmitting his voice to Chu Mo as they walked:
"In terms of seniority, we should address Island Master Xu as Martial Uncle. He's a Foundation Establishment senior, though he used an inferior method and only managed to break through with a Foundation Establishment Pill.
"He was posted here thirty years ago to oversee the relatively resource-poor Thousand Currents District, making him the authority in this region. Watch what you say when we meet him, Junior Brother."
Chu Mo nodded in acknowledgment.
Half an incense stick later, the group arrived before an imposing residence. Two guards at the qi refining first layer stood on either side of the entrance, and the three characters for "Thousand Currents Prefecture" on its plaque were written in bold, vigorous strokes.
Lin Feng produced his mission jade token and explained their purpose. After checking it and finding nothing amiss, one of the guards immediately went inside to announce them.
A moment later, the guard returned and said respectfully, "Envoys of the honored sect, the island lord has prepared a banquet in the main hall." With that, he bowed and led the way.
The moment he stepped through the gate, Chu Mo felt the dampness around him vanish, leaving the air refreshingly clear.
As though noticing Chu Mo's puzzlement, the guard explained, "The Thousand Currents District lies out at sea, where the damp air is cold and penetrating. Living here for long can harm the muscles and bones.
"Many mortal servants live in the residence. Out of concern for them, the island lord had a Small Clear Spirit Array installed to dispel the dampness and make the surroundings more comfortable."
Chu Mo gave a slight nod. He had not expected Island Master Xu to go to such trouble for mortals. That was truly rare within the sect.
Treating mortals as ants and fellow cultivators as Storage Bags was the norm.
Chu Mo and his companions followed the guard through courtyard after courtyard, along winding corridors beneath high, beak-like eaves. The residence was intricately laid out, and although the servants coming and going included both cultivators and mortals, everything was strictly ordered. It bore some resemblance to the residence of a powerful secular noble.
Before long, they reached a spacious main hall. Several wooden tables stood along either side, with beautiful maidservants holding silver cups in attendance.
In the seat of honor sat a clean-shaven, fair-faced middle-aged man. His gaze was calm, yet he carried the air of someone long accustomed to standing above others.
[Level 15 · Thousand Currents Overseer Xu Yuan]
Hm? A trace of surprise flickered in Chu Mo's eyes. This Foundation Establishment cultivator felt somewhat different from the other High Persons.
Facing High Person Yuanbai had felt like facing an entirely different kind of creature, with a disparity in the very rank of their lives.
Island Master Xu, however, felt more like the same kind of creature, only "stronger." It was much like the difference between a frail mortal and a robust one.
"Inferior foundation establishment is often jokingly called 'qi refining, eleventh layer.'"
Chu Mo suddenly recalled what Zhu Ming had said in the Savage Realm. Back then, he had only grasped it dimly, without understanding its meaning. Seeing this man today brought him a measure of clarity.
Countless thoughts churned through his mind, but his face betrayed nothing. He stepped forward with Lin Feng and Yue Mian, and they bowed:
"Outer Disciples Chu Mo, Lin Feng, and Yue Mian, reporting on the sect's orders to inspect the Thousand Currents District."
Island Master Xu swept his gaze over the three of them, letting it linger briefly on the unfamiliar face of Chu Mo before lifting a hand slightly. "There's no need for formalities. Sit, and we'll talk."
The three sat as instructed, and maidservants immediately stepped forward to fill their cups with jade-green spirit wine.
"It's been some time. Your cultivation has advanced considerably, worthy nephew," Island Master Xu said to Lin Feng with a smile. "You should be breaking through to the late stage soon, shouldn't you?"
"Thank you for your kind words, Island Lord. I hardly deserve such praise." Lin Feng hurriedly cupped his hands.
"Haha, you're too modest." Xu Yuan laughed heartily, then asked about recent affairs in the sect. He was quite easygoing, with none of a superior's airs in his words. Instead, speaking with him felt like basking in a spring breeze.
After the banquet, Xu Yuan ordered an attendant to bring several charts of the nearby waters. His expression grew a little more serious as he addressed the three:
"To be frank with you, worthy nephews, the number of Coldwater Clams in the Thousand Currents District has dropped sharply of late. The Coldwater Pearls we send as tribute to the sect have decreased accordingly.
"These pearls are excellent water-aspect spirit materials, useful for pill refining, artifact refining, and array construction alike. A prolonged decline in production would be a considerable loss. The main purpose of your inspection is to get to the bottom of this matter."
Chu Mo looked at the sea chart, his gaze settling on several areas marked in red.
"In previous years, all these areas yielded abundant Coldwater Pearls, but lately the harvests have been meager." Xu Yuan pointed at the chart, indicating the areas to them.
"Moonlight Clams are extremely sensitive to water quality and spiritual energy. They cling to their familiar surroundings and never migrate of their own accord. This unusual development is very likely due to changes in the environment.
"Unfortunately, while attempting to overcome the bottleneck to the middle stage some days ago, I suffered internal injuries. I'm still recuperating and won't be able to offer much help."
"We understand," Lin Feng answered immediately. "This is our assignment to begin with. How could we trouble you with it, Island Lord?"
Xu Yuan nodded, then swept his sleeve. Three blue spirit pearls appeared in the air and floated before them. "These are Water-Avoidance Pearls. They'll help you stay active underwater a little longer."
The three accepted the Water-Avoidance Pearls and thanked him in unison.
"There's no need for that." Xu Yuan's tone relaxed slightly. "If you have some leisure time, you can also visit the nearby market for rogue cultivators and get a taste of the Turbid Abyss Sea. You might even find some fine local specialties.
"As long as you don't provoke any high-level cultivators, you'll be quite safe here."
Then his tone changed, and he said gravely, "But do not enter the outer sea. The Great Dao there is strange and suppresses cultivators' cultivation. An ordinary cultivator who enters the outer sea is no different from a mortal."
Lin Feng nodded hastily. He had heard of the outer sea's reputation and naturally knew how dangerous it was.
Xu Yuan gave them a few more words of advice, then summoned an attendant to arrange lodgings for the three.