The Cloud-Chasing Guards' silver-armored ship carved a white wake across the Shattered Star Sea. Han Li stood at the bow, the Pure Water Source Heart glowing faintly blue in his palm.
The sea breeze swept past, laden with salty moisture, yet he sensed his water-origin spiritual power quietly merging with the magnetic essence aura within him. While contemplating the beginner-level properties of "water-magnetic unity" the previous night, the water patterns and magnetic patterns on the Golden Core in his dantian had begun to join together, like a river of stars reflected on a lake.
[System notification: "Water-magnetic unity" activated. Fusion efficiency of water-origin spiritual power and magnetic essence power +20%. Current fusion progress: 15% (beginner).]
"Golden Turtle Island is another three hundred li away." Zi Ling emerged from the cabin, her eyes bright beneath her Plain Silver Hairpin. The Star-Illusion Maze Formation Flags swayed gently in her hand, their star patterns echoing the shimmering sea. "The External Affairs Hall's headquarters is in the Myriad Treasures Pavilion at the island's center. Rumor has it that Zhao Kui conceals his secret vault with a 'Treasure-Gathering Basin' formation. Ordinary cultivators trigger its restrictions just by approaching."
She paused and took out an ice Jade Slip. "This is the 'External Affairs Hall layout' the Grand Elder gave us. It marks a hidden compartment on the Myriad Treasures Pavilion's third floor. That may be the entrance to the secret vault."
Han Li took the Jade Slip and swept his spiritual sense through it. The Myriad Treasures Pavilion's ground floor was a trading hall, its second floor held storerooms, and its third floor housed a Treasure-Appraisal Room. The hidden compartment lay inside a double wall behind the Star-Illuminating Mirror in that room.
He tapped the Water Essence Spirit Needle with a fingertip, blue light