Chapter 483 : The Perilous Outer Sea

"The Outer Sea Territories?"

Upon hearing him mention the Outer Sea Territories, Hugo Lu's expression grew slightly solemn.

He glanced at Eldrin Chen and then took a deep breath before speaking. "To be perfectly honest, the situation in the Immortal Realm of the Outer Sea has deteriorated to an extreme degree."

"That region is now overrun with demons and monsters. Many sea domains that once belonged to the Human Race have been seized by these fiends. Even an Infant Soul True Lord would face significant peril venturing rashly into their occupied territories."

"Furthermore, the Outer Sea Territories are separated from the Inner Sea by a vast expanse of desolate ocean spanning hundreds of millions of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]. There are almost no places to rest along the way. Even the spiritual power of an Infant Soul True Lord would struggle to sustain such an immense journey."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen furrowed his brow. Setting aside landmass, the Eastern Sea Cultivation World was far more expansive than the Eastern Region Great Wasteland.

Within this domain, the distance between two Fifth Rank Spirit Island could sometimes span tens of millions of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] of open sea.

The desolate ocean separating the Outer and Inner Seas was particularly vast—large enough to contain several Three Rivers Ancient Domain within its breadth. The spiritual energy there was exceedingly sparse.

Such an immense distance made direct crossing impossible, even for a Golden Core Cultivator, let alone an Infant Soul True Lord.

In truth, even if one possessed sufficient spiritual power for the journey, it would be perilous in the extreme. A cultivator's energy reserves would be severely depleted, and there would be no suitable Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with concentrated spiritual energy] to serve as a resting point. Official source: www . audio-novel.com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

Moreover, if a cultivator's magical power [the energy cultivated and wielded by practitioners of the mystical arts] is depleted too greatly, they become highly vulnerable to ambush by demons and monsters.

In fact, the Golden Core of a high-level cultivator is a potent tonic for such fiends. Many demons and monsters roam the domains of the Vast Sea, lying in wait to slay Human Race cultivators.

Under such circumstances, attempting to travel long distances by sword flight would indeed entail significant peril.

After listening, Eldrin Chen furrowed his brow and asked, "Does the Eastern Sea Cultivation World truly lack Teleportation Formation [magical arrays that allow instantaneous travel across vast distances]?"

"Of course, Teleportation Formation exist," Face River Lu replied, then added with a bitter smile, "But the distance between the inner sea and the outer sea is simply too vast. Not even Fourth Rank or Fifth Rank Teleportation Formation can bridge such a gap."

"Only the legendary Sixth Rank Teleportation Formation could span such an immense distance."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen also showed a look of helplessness. Crafting a Sixth Rank Teleportation Formation requires a Void Gem [a rare spatial-aligned mineral] of Sixth Rank grade.

And a Sixth Rank Void Gem is a treasure of the Primordial Solar Grade [a realm of power equivalent to that of ancient sun deities]. Such a supreme treasure is of immeasurable value and is exceedingly rare even within the entire Purple Seal Realm.

Legends say the Horizon Pavilion possesses a Sixth Rank Teleportation Formation, but that Formation is used to connect with Path Lord Sacred Land in the Eastern Region Great Wasteland and even the Central Ancestral Domain. Clearly, the Offshore Cultivation World lacks a corresponding Teleportation Formation to link with it.

As he spoke, Face River Lu sighed, "Before the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm, there were originally a few Spiritual Vein [natural conduits of concentrated spiritual energy] of Fifth Rank High-Grade. The distance was just barely sufficient to deploy a Fifth Rank High-GradeTeleportation Formation."

"However, those few Spiritual Vein [a vein of earth that concentrates and produces spiritual energy] were either destroyed by the Outer Realm Heavenly Demon [a powerful demonic entity from beyond this world] or have fallen into the hands of the Demon Race [the collective term for demonic beings], rendering the Teleportation Formation [a magical array for instantaneous travel over vast distances] unusable."

Eldrin Chen listened quietly. After a long moment, he could not help but ask, "If even a True Lord [a high-ranking cultivator] would find it difficult to cross, how have you maintained contact with the Distant Sea Cultivation World [a distant realm of cultivation across the sea]?"

"We use Demon-Hunting Ships and War Treasure Ship [massive, fortified vessels designed for warfare and long voyages]."

Face River Lu explained. He informed Eldrin Chen that since ancient times, the Eastern Sea Cultivation World [the cultivation realm of the Eastern Sea] had a tradition of using the bones of high-rank Demon Beasts [monstrous beasts infused with demonic energy] as the Dragon Bone [the primary keel or structural spine] for crafting Demon-Hunting Ships.

A Fifth Rank [a grade denoting immense power and rarity] Demon-Hunting Ship is forged using the skeleton of a Demon Emperor [an emperor among demonic beings] as its Dragon Bone. It employs a Formation [a complex magical array or diagram] to draw upon the boundless Water Essence Power [the fundamental energy of water] from the ocean itself as its power source, enabling it to traverse tens of millions of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] of sea to reach distant shores.

Furthermore, these ships are equipped with Demon-Hunting Crossbow [a massive crossbow designed to pierce demonic hides] and Demon-Slaying Cannon [a cannon that fires projectiles infused with demon-slaying energy], making them unparalleled treasures for hunting high-rank Demon Beasts.

"Although the Teleportation Formation are gone now," Face River Lu continued, "cultivators from the Eastern Sea Cultivation World can still reach the Distant Sea Cultivation World directly by boarding these Treasure Ship."

After his detailed explanation, Face River Lu added, "From time to time, Treasure Ship depart from the near seas for the distant seas. When the time comes, you can take passage on one. Your safety would be greatly increased."

"I see," Eldrin Chen nodded, then clasped his hands in a respectful salute. "My thanks for your guidance, Fellow Daoist."

"There is no need for such courtesy, Fellow Daoist," Face River Lu replied with a smile. He rose to his feet and returned the salute. "I have pressing matters to attend to and cannot linger. I hope you will make your decision soon."

"Fellow Daoist, rest assured, I will deliberate carefully."

Eldrin Chen cupped his hands in farewell as he saw off Face River Lu.

After the other had departed, Exquisite Jiang said calmly, "Survival is not easy for the Human Race in the Eastern Sea Cultivation World. We can lend a hand with the troubles on Nine Rivers Island."

"That is precisely what I was thinking."

Eldrin Chen nodded slightly and then said, "However, we are newcomers here, unfamiliar with the land and its people. To avoid being deceived, a measure of caution is warranted."

"Let me observe the situation for a time before we decide on a course of action." Experience the full epic at @udio-novel.com.

"Very well."

Exquisite Jiang offered a faint smile. Eldrin Chen possessed a righteous and sharp character, yet he was neither rigid nor naive—one of the very qualities that had drawn her to him.

"…"

Early the next morning, Eldrin Chen left his cave abode, determined to learn more about the situation on Nine Rivers Island.

After some investigation, the two of them learned the basic situation of Nine Rivers Island, which largely matched what Hugo Lu had described.

The Sovereign-level power on Nine Rivers Island was called the Nine Rivers Sect. Its island master, Nine Rivers True Lord, was over two thousand years old and an old True Lord of the Infant Soul 3rd Tier.

This lord had founded the Nine Rivers Sect using his own Dao title as its name, and had also joined the Eastern Sea Immortal Alliance, becoming an Elder within it.

He specifically observed the low-level cultivators and found that Nine Rivers True Lord had a rather good reputation in their eyes, with no particularly evil deeds attributed to him.

"It seems this Nine Rivers True Lord should be trustworthy."

Eldrin Chen walked upon the Spirit Island, speaking calmly to Exquisite Jiang.

Exquisite Jiang also nodded. With their combat prowess and cultivation, they could venture to most places in the world, save for a few perilous locations, and thus had little need for excessive caution.

As they conversed, Eldrin Chen suddenly frowned, his gaze sharpening as it fixed on a point in the distance. Without a word, he began walking towards it.

"Grandfather! Grandfather!"

In a corner of the Nine Rivers Market, before a dilapidated courtyard, a gaunt old man lay on the ground, his face pale as ash.

A young boy clung to the old man's body, weeping and shaking him.

"Is he dead yet?"

Three cultivators sneered, kicking the child aside before glancing at the old man lying on the ground.

They searched the body and retrieved a Storage Bag from the old man, handing it to their leader, the Hulking Warrior.

"Big brother, so many Spirit Stones [minerals that store and radiate spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]!"

The cultivator exclaimed excitedly, his face breaking into a wide grin. "I heard Old Man Ye earned a huge reward in Spirit Stones for guiding a distinguished guest. Seems the rumor was true."

"Little brat, your grandfather's lifespan ran out. We're just taking care of his body. Taking a few of his belongings as payment isn't too much to ask, is it?"

As he spoke, his gaze turned cold and mocking towards the child.

But the child's eyes were wide with fury, brimming with hatred. "My grandfather didn't die of old age! You killed him! You killed Grandpa!"

"You villains! Give me back Grandpa's Spirit Stones!" Find this and other novels at audio_novel.com.