[Creation]

Qi Yun bid farewell to the remote West Sea and traveled swiftly southeast.

Initially, the rugged coastline of the continent and the sparse islands in the near sea could still be seen below.

As they ventured deeper, the outline of the mainland gradually disappeared behind them.

As far as the eye can see, there is only the boundless, deep blue sea and the equally vast sky.

The sea breeze carries the scent of salt and freedom, sometimes as calm as a mirror, reflecting the drifting clouds; sometimes the waves ripple gently, churning up thousands of piles of snow.

Following the nautical chart and coordinates given to him by Xuanhengzi, he spread his Divine Sense like a fine net, sensing the direction of ocean currents, the rise and fall of ocean ridges, and the subtle gradient changes in the air.

Observe the positions of the stars at night and calibrate the path.

The method passed down by Xuanhengzi combines the unique celestial positioning of the Heavenly Star Sect with the secret sea route of the Sea-Treading Wanderer.

It involves several "illusory positions" that can only be seen at specific times and from specific celestial angles, as well as several "whirlpools" and "fog zones" that must be avoided, which are fraught with hidden dangers.

The journey was fraught with difficulties.

Once, they accidentally entered a seemingly calm area that actually contained chaotic magnetic fields. Their escape light almost went out of control, but fortunately, they were saved by [Great Luo Heaven].

With Dao Foundation, the direction was forcibly fixed, allowing one to bypass the obstacle and escape.

Another encounter was with a rare, large-scale "sea wind," which was formless and intangible, yet specifically targeted the Law Power light of cultivators.

Qi Yun had no choice but to temporarily avoid the limelight, diving thousands of feet into the deep sea to resist the attack with the help of water pressure and the earth's yin energy, which delayed him by a day.

They proceeded so cautiously, taking a roundabout route, traversing tens of thousands of miles of sea, and it took them more than a month.

On this day, in the darkest hour before dawn, only a sliver of light remained on the horizon.

Qi Yun hovered in the air, and Fang Hai was an unusual deep indigo, almost black. The currents were slow and chaotic, forming huge, slowly rotating eddies, yet strangely, there were very few waves.

The Spiritual Qi in the air was so thin as to be almost nonexistent, yet a profound sense of emptiness permeated the air.

This is it!

Following the Secret Method, Qi Yun took out a simple compass made of starstone.

After the compass needle spun wildly for several weeks, it finally pointed shakily to a specific angle.

"Follow the star's direction, enter the void, and use the water's eye as a guide—" Qi Yun silently recited in his heart, his body suddenly sinking, not vertically, but along a tilted spiral trajectory at a specific angle to the sea level, heading towards the deep-sea spring.

As the light streaked past, the surrounding scenery began to distort.

The inky black seawater seemed to have turned into a viscous gel, swallowing up light and greatly suppressing Divine Sense.

After descending approximately three hundred feet, the surroundings were completely dark and deathly silent; the water pressure was enough to crush fine steel.

Just then, a faint light flashed from the spring ahead. Without hesitation, Qi Yun cast a special star power seal into the spring, a technique passed down by Xuanhengzi.

Buzz!

A deep, resonant sound.

The faint light from the spring suddenly expanded, forming a vortex that could only allow one person to pass through.

Qi Yun slipped inside.

After passing through a thin film of water, the view suddenly opened up before me!

This appears to be a giant underwater bubble, or perhaps a [water palace] stretched open by some natural force field.

In the center of the space, the base of an island is rooted in the seabed at an unknown depth, extending upwards, piercing through the halo of light, and reaching the sky.

Qi Yun's figure floated up and quickly passed through the light blue halo.

Suddenly, my vision brightened, and a refreshing, moist, and incredibly abundant Spiritual Qi rushed towards me!

We are now on an island.

This island is not large, spanning about a hundred miles in length and width, and its shape is not very regular. In the center are several low but beautiful green peaks, and between the peaks, streams flow and converge to form several clear pools and small lakes.

The island is covered with lush vegetation, mostly Rare Flowers and Exotic Herbs, herbs, and trees adapted to the overseas climate. Although there are no particularly rare species, they grow very well, are verdant and full of vitality.

At the edge of the island are fine, silvery-white sand beaches and scattered reefs.

The entire island seemed to be shrouded in an invisible barrier of moisture, with its internal energy circulating in a self-contained, warm and peaceful manner.

Looking up at the sky, one can see blue skies and white clouds, with warm, gentle, and stable sunlight.

This is probably the scene inside the hidden barrier formed by the natural sea fog and turbulent ocean currents that Xuanhengzi mentioned.

Not only is it secluded, but it also creates an excellent environment for cultivation.

"Yellow Li Island —truly a blessed land." Qi Yun's Divine Sense spread out like a tide, carefully scanning every inch of the island's land, every body of water, and every Spirit Vein.

He examined the area with extreme care, leaving no stone unturned as to any possible traces of remaining restrictions, hidden cave abode, or lurking powerful creatures.

After a day and a night, Qi Yun withdrew his Divine Sense, a satisfied look on his face.

As Xuanhengzi said, this island is indeed rich in pure Spiritual Qi, with stable ley lines, and no traces of powerful restrictions or cave abode left by predecessors.

Only some wild beasts and low-level seabirds inhabit the area, and the strongest are some slightly spiritual spirits, which pose no threat to him.

It seems that the Sea-Treading Wanderer truly only used it as a secluded retreat for occasional quiet contemplation, and did not develop it extensively.

"This is the place." Qi Yun made up his mind.

His first task was to further transform this naturally secluded island into his own impregnable retreat.

Its body flew to the top of the highest mountain in the center of the island.

Qi Yun pointed his fingers like a sword, slashing through the air, and streams of incredibly condensed Law Power shot out, disappearing into the depths of the mountain and the earth's veins.

He was using his Law Power to directly fine-tune the island's leyline nodes, enabling him to more efficiently gather the aquatic energy from the surrounding seas.

This is a signature technique of the Earth Spirit Sect, obtained from True Person Moshou!

The mountain peaks trembled slightly, the earth's energy rose, and the gushing of several spiritual springs intensified, while the streams flowed even more merrily.

The vegetation on the island is becoming lush and verdant at a rate visible to the naked eye.

Immediately afterwards, he took out various array flags and spirit jade that he had prepared beforehand, and flicked them with both hands. These Formation Deployment objects seemed to have a life of their own, flying to all directions of the island.

They may be embedded in rocks, sunk to the bottom of water, or suspended in mid-air.

He was setting up a complex, multi-layered array.

The outermost layer is the [Illusory Sea Bewildering Tracks Grand Formation], which further enhances its ability to conceal and confuse by utilizing the island's natural moisture barrier.

The middle layer is the [Nine Palaces Spirit Locking Mountain Suppressing Array], which stabilizes the earth's veins, locks in spiritual energy, prevents excessive leakage of energy during breakthroughs, and also possesses powerful defensive and counter-attack capabilities.

At the inner core, surrounding his chosen main secluded cave abode, he laid out his most powerful [Northern Defense Grand Formation].

As the last line of defense during his seclusion!

Qi Yun Formation Deployment spells, unleashing the power to move mountains and fill seas with every gesture.

With a wave of his hand, the boulders rose into the air and rearranged according to the requirements of the Formation Art.

When he stomped his foot, the earth's veins subtly shifted, and the Lingqu Canal changed its course.

His deep blue Daoist robe fluttered in the sea breeze, and the Daoist aura emanating from him gradually blended with the spiritual energy of the entire island.

At that moment, he seemed to be the master of the island.

The rules governing this area, spanning a hundred miles, are being quietly reshaped according to his will.

Meanwhile, Qi Yun meticulously preparing on a remote island overseas, making final preparations for his breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage.

In the capital city of the Southern Yin Dynasty on the Central Earth Continent.

The Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince's Residence.

In a study that is extremely elegant and luxurious, yet reveals supreme majesty and classical charm in every detail.

The incense burner emitted wisps of blue smoke, the priceless "Ambergris Incense for Stabilizing the Soul."

The walls are adorned with authentic landscape paintings by renowned masters of the previous dynasty. The paintings evoke a profound and distant atmosphere, subtly harmonizing with the miniature feng shui arrangement within the study, gathering pure auspicious purple qi.

A young man dressed in bright yellow robes and with his hair tied up with a jade crown stood before the desk.

He was extremely handsome, with exquisite features, a high nose bridge, and fair skin like jade. Although he did not deliberately exude an aura of power, he naturally revealed an air of elegance and nobility that came from someone who had long held a position of authority.

Between his brows and eyes, there were wisps of pure, pale golden imperial dragon energy, which flowed subtly with his breath, making him indescribably noble.

This person is none other than the current Crown Prince of the Southern Yin Dynasty.

He is also a prodigy in the cultivation world who has already entered the Foundation Establishment Realm and whose abilities are unfathomable.

Knock knock knock -

The door was gently pushed open.

The newcomer was an elderly man, tall and thin, wearing a plain, floor-length black robe. His face was gaunt and deeply wrinkled.

The old man walked slowly but with unusual steadiness. Occasionally, fleeting glimpses of stars disappearing and cause and effect flashed through his eyes, making it impossible to look directly at him.

Director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau of the Southern Yin.

A highly skilled cultivator of the Xuanmen sect, specializing in observing celestial phenomena, predicting national fortunes, and divination, whose cultivation is unfathomable!

"This time, I'll have to trouble you, Supervisor."

The crown prince's voice was clear and melodious, yet his tone was extremely polite, even carrying a hint of a junior's respect for an elder.

The black-robed supervisor bowed slightly, his voice hoarse yet steady, like the rubbing of old silk. "Your Highness, you are too kind."

"To share Your Highness's burdens and serve the dynasty is the duty of this old minister, and I will do my utmost to live up to your trust."

He raised his head, his eyes, which seemed to see through the mist, looking at the Crown Prince. "Your Highness, may I ask this old minister to divine the location of whom this time?"

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince of Southern Yin's smile remained unchanged, but a brilliant glint suddenly flashed in his eyes, as cold as eternal ice and as scorching as the sun in the heavens!

He no longer concealed his aura and slowly and completely released the shackles that had been hidden deep within the Purple Mansion Mansion's origin, facing the direction of the supervisor!

"Boom--!!"

In an instant, the entire study, centered on the crown prince, trembled violently!

An indescribable, powerful aura, like an ancient dragon awakening from its slumber, swept across the land!

This aura, born of Creation, is incomparably domineering, carrying an unparalleled will that overlooks the eight wastelands and six directions, and looks down upon all living beings.

Under the influence of this energy, the pale golden imperial dragon energy transformed into tiny golden dragon phantoms, which danced around the crown prince, emitting silent, noble roars.

For the first time, a clear look of shock appeared on the usually calm and composed face of the supervisor. His eyes flashed with a terrifying light as he murmured, "This—this is— the Supreme Dao?!"

Your Highness----"

The Crown Prince of Southern Yin released his aura and immediately withdrew it. The terrifying supreme aura and the countless dragon shadows instantly disappeared into his body, and the study returned to calm, as if everything that had just happened was just an illusion.

But the gentle smile on his face had vanished, replaced by a profound calm.

He looked at the supervisor and said, word by word, with perfect clarity, "Indeed. Supervisor, please take this energy as the foundation."

"To me, I have deduced the traces of another supreme being in this world."