Starting as dockworkers, they swept through Chongqing.

The steam engine stopped in front of the city gate.

The guards responsible for the inspection had just approached when they were stopped by the driver's pass.

Upon seeing the disciplinary institution's seal on the page, the guard immediately dropped his previously nonchalant expression.

"So they are distinguished guests of the monastery."

"Please come in."

The iron bars were raised.

The steam-powered vehicle slowly drove into the town.

The street is not wide, and most of the houses on both sides are built of black stone and wood, with dark gray tiles on the roof.

The air was filled with the smells of seawater, dried fish, coal smoke, and cheap alcohol.

Xilun's gaze swept across the street.

Two men with heavy auras stood at the entrance of an ordinary inn. One of them carried a broadsword on his back, his arm muscles making his sleeves bulge high.

Second-order extreme realm.

It is close to the third order.

Further ahead, a woman in a brown leather jacket was haggling with a vendor.

She carried no obvious weapons, but a row of glass tubes containing different colored liquids hung from her waist, and her spiritual aura was far beyond that of ordinary people.

Along the short street, Xilun had already sensed more than ten extraordinary auras.

One of them even reached the third level.

Such a remote seaside town would not normally be able to gather so many extraordinary people.

The car was parked in front of a hotel in the town.

Elena's distant uncle wouldn't be available to receive them until night, so the two decided to find a place to stay first and inquire about some information.

The driver unloaded the luggage.

Xilun entered the hotel.

The receptionist was an elderly woman with gray hair. Upon seeing the fabric of their clothes and the weapons at their waists, a smile immediately spread across her face.

"Would you like to stay at the hotel, you two?"

"Two adjacent rooms."

Elena said.

The old woman flipped through the account book, her smile slightly embarrassed.

"We've had quite a lot of customers lately."

"Only two rooms are left on the third floor, but they are not adjacent; there are four rooms separating them."

"Can."

Elena didn't care.

After checking in, the two did not rest immediately, but went to the restaurant on the first floor of the hotel.

There are quite a few people sitting here.

By the window, a group of sailors were loudly discussing the cave beneath the shoal.

"Three more have died."

"Someone saw them go into the water this morning, and they haven't come out yet."

"The hole is only exposed for two hours after the tide recedes on that shallow area. By the time the tide comes back, most of them have already died inside."

"not necessarily."

A one-eyed sailor lowered his voice.

"I heard it's huge inside, not an ordinary cave at all."

"Some people have seen palaces stretching as far as the eye can see, and trees laden with black fruit."

Someone nearby immediately sneered.

"How can there be trees underwater?"

Just because you haven't seen it doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

The one-eyed sailor stared wide-eyed.

"A high-ranking official from the Black King's Palace has personally gone inside."

"I heard he brought out a fist-sized piece of Spirit Transformation Gold, which sold for over a thousand pounds!"

A collective gasp filled the air around them.

Siren and Elena exchanged a glance and sat down in the corner.

The waiter quickly brought over dark bread, fish soup, and fried meat.

Xilun took out two copper coins and placed them on the table.

"What's been happening in town lately?"

Upon seeing the copper coins, the waiter's actions became noticeably more enthusiastic.

"Are the guests also here for the underwater treasure?"

"We just arrived."

No wonder.

The waiter put the coins away and lowered his voice.

About two weeks ago, someone discovered an underwater cave in the shallow waters to the north.

"At first, only the fishermen in the town knew about it. Later, a second-tier extraordinary being brought out a glowing bone from the cave and sold it for three hundred pounds that very night."

"The news spread like wildfire."

"Extraordinary beings from several nearby islands are all heading here."

Elena asked, "How many people went in?"

Who knows?

The waiter shook his head.

"More than a dozen people go into the water every day."

"But less than half of them actually made it out."

"A few days ago, a team of seven went in, but only one person came out alive."

The guy seemed to have gone mad, constantly saying he heard bells inside and that his companions had been eaten by the walls.

"When asked what he brought out, he refused to say."

"Where is he?" Siren asked.

The waiter's expression changed slightly.

"He's dead."

"The night after he came out, he cut open his stomach and stuffed it with a pile of rubble."

"By the time the hotel staff found him, he had bled to death."

The fish soup was still steaming.

Elena put down the spoon in her hand.

"Didn't anyone in town stop others from going in?"

The waiter gave a helpless smile.

"How can we stop it?"

"Even second-tier extraordinary individuals dare not provoke the guards of the town mayor's mansion, let alone those third-tier big shots."

"Moreover, everyone says that the cave contains the legacy of a fourth-tier extraordinary being."

"As long as I can bring out one treasure, I will never have to risk my life at sea for money again in this lifetime."

He left in a hurry after he finished speaking.

Xilun broke off a piece of bread and dipped it into the fish soup.

"The news has spread too widely."

"Yes."

Elena looked serious.

"This contradicts the Hermann family's account."

According to the mission file, clues to that underwater cave were only recently rediscovered.

It now appears that it has been explored for at least half a month.

Even those of the third rank extraordinary level entered it.

Xilun took a bite of bread.

It has a rough taste and a strong bran flavor.

"It's possible that the Hermann family concealed the timeline."

"It's also possible that someone deliberately spread the news."

Elena frowned.

Why?

"To attract more people to explore and discover the path."

Xilun said, "The dangers of underwater caves are unknown. If someone wants to get to the deepest part, they will naturally want to use the lives of others to find out what's inside first."

Elena's gaze sharpened slightly.

This is indeed the most reasonable explanation.

If the news had only been leaked by chance, it would have been impossible for it to have spread to several nearby islands in just half a month, let alone for enticing claims such as Spirit Transformation Gold and Fourth-Order Legacy to have appeared at the same time.

Someone is stirring things up behind the scenes.

"Black King's Palace".

Elena said softly.

The sailor just mentioned this organization.

The Black King's Palace is not one of the five major powers on Star Ring Island, but rather an underground organization active in the northern sea area.

Its members engage in smuggling, run the black market, and accept illicit commissions.

In terms of direct strength, it is far inferior to the Holy Light Monastery and the Sea Demon Temple.

But the Black King's Palace has a very deep reach when it comes to information gathering, selling stolen goods, and exploring historical sites.

"It's not necessarily just them."

Xilun continued eating.

"Find out the details first."

After lunch, the two went on a separate visit to the town.

Xilun changed into an ordinary short coat, wrapped the Canglei Spear around his waist, and went to the tavern near the dock first.

The news in the tavern was more chaotic than in the inn.

Some say the cave contains the treasury of an ancient kingdom, others say it is the tomb of a fifth-tier powerhouse, and still others claim to have personally witnessed an extraordinary individual bring out herbs that can regenerate severed limbs.

It's hard to tell the truth from the fake.

However, by comparing the statements of different people, some valuable information can still be obtained.

The entrance to the cave is located on the Black Reef Shoal, seventeen miles north of the town.

At low tide each day, the entrance will be visible about sixty feet underwater.

There is a force inside the cave that isolates it from the seawater.

Once inside, the first half consists of numerous broken walls and ruins; the deeper you go, the stronger the mental pollution becomes.

Most of the second-tier extraordinary individuals who went in did not come out.

Those who successfully returned were almost all at level three.

Even those at the third tier of extraordinary status are not absolutely safe.

As evening fell, Xilun returned to the hotel.

Elena was already waiting in the room.

On the table lay a hastily drawn map of the shallows, marked with the cave entrance, low tide times, and the locations of the most recent deaths.

"I went to the Hermann family's shop in town."

She said.

"It's already closed."

"Nearby shopkeepers said that the Hermann family suddenly left seven days ago, leaving only two servants to guard the warehouse."

Xilun sat down opposite her.

"Where were they removed from?"

"have no idea."

"Some people saw them leave by boat, while others said they went to the northern estate."

Elena points to the map.

"The strangest thing is that the time they submitted the task to the monastery was exactly seven days ago."

In other words, the Hermann family evacuated the town immediately after issuing the order.

It's like they're hiding from something.

Or rather, they had anticipated that the town would descend into chaos.

Xilun pressed his finger on the shallows on the map.

"Three extraordinary individuals have already gone missing."

"The task difficulty is no longer at the ordinary level B."

"It should at least be upgraded to Grade A."

Elena nodded.

The level of inner court missions is not equivalent to the extraordinary rank.

Tier A missions often involve Tier 4 threats or pose a risk of mass casualties, and usually require a Tier 3 Extreme level leader to lead the team and prepare appropriate survival items.

There were only two of them this time.

According to the initial mission data, their strength is more than sufficient.

Faced with an unknown cave where even a third-tier extraordinary being could disappear without a trace, the two had to reassess the risks.

"Do not enter immediately tomorrow."

Elena said, "Let's go observe from outside the shallows first."

"Um."

Xilun had no objection to this.

The more people flock in, the more likely it is to trigger certain changes within the cave.

Although Xiren wanted to investigate the remains of the evil god, he had no intention of blindly barging in with a group of greedy strangers.

The sky outside the window was gradually darkening.

The gas lamps on the town's streets lit up one by one.

Elena put away the map.

"I know an uncle here."

"Strictly speaking, he's a distant relative on my mother's side. He left the family years ago and ran a business selling medicinal herbs and marine animal materials on the Shenxing Coast."

"There's a secret business deal going on in town tonight."

"Participants must be at least Tier 3 Extraordinary individuals."

Xilun raised his head.

"What are you trading?"

"Bartering can also be used to buy and sell information."

Elena said, "That uncle can take us in."

Are you interested?

Xilun barely considered it.

"go."

He had attended similar extraordinary gatherings before.

The more underground the transaction, the more likely it is to involve items of dubious origin but extremely valuable.

Even if you don't have any treasures suitable for trading, you can still take the opportunity to exchange information with other extraordinary individuals.

Especially information about underwater caves.

Ordinary sailors and second-tier extraordinary individuals know too little; third-tier powerhouses who actually enter and come out alive must possess far more information.

"There are three hours left before the trading begins."

Elena said, "Let's rest first."

Xiren returned to his room.

He didn't sleep, but instead sat cross-legged in meditation.

The Moon Memory Meditation Method operates slowly, gradually suppressing distracting thoughts within the body.

The expert-level breath of the Styx penetrated his lungs, while the icy coldness of the dark yin covered his right arm, forming an invisible seal.

Tonight is just a transaction; there's no necessarily any danger.

But suddenly, a large number of extraordinary individuals have gathered in this town, including several third-tier powerhouses. They might fight at any moment over a single item, all for the sake of the so-called secret treasure.

Xilun will not rely on the rules of the secret shop for security.

Two and a half hours later, he opened his eyes.

Night had completely enveloped the town.

Xilun walked out of the room.

Elena happened to be walking from the other end of the corridor. She had changed into a hooded black robe, hiding her long, pale blonde hair inside, and the two swords at her waist were wrapped in cloth, trying to conceal her identity as much as possible.

The two walked out of the hotel.

The night wind was cold.

The sound of waves kept coming from outside the town, but the number of pedestrians on the streets did not decrease.

Several taverns were lit, drunken sailors were arm in arm, and occasionally extraordinary men carrying weapons would pass by the alleyway.

Elena led Siron across two streets and stopped in front of a shop selling spices and dried herbs.

The shop was already half closed.

She raised her hand and tapped three times, then paused for a moment and tapped twice more.

Footsteps could be heard coming from inside.

The wooden door opened, and a slightly overweight middle-aged man with a short brown beard poked his head out.

Upon seeing Elena clearly, he immediately smiled.

"You've finally arrived."

The last time I saw you was five years ago.

"uncle."

Elena removed her hood.

The middle-aged man's gaze lingered on her face for a moment, then he remarked, "You look more and more like your mother when she was young."

After he finished speaking, he looked at Xilun again.

A hint of inquiry appeared in his eyes.

"Who is this?"

"My companion, Siren."

The middle-aged man's eyes changed slightly.

I've obviously heard of this name.

"So he's Elder Swain's newly accepted disciple."

"sorry."

Xilun nodded slightly.

Just call me Xilun.

The middle-aged man chuckled and ushered the two into the shop, then closed the wooden door.

"The transaction is about to begin."

"Stay close to me."

"Recently, many strangers have come to town, and the rules of the secret shop are stricter than usual."

He picked up an oil lamp and led the two through the back room, which was filled with wooden boxes of medicinal herbs.

A wooden shelf stands against the wall.

The middle-aged man pushed open one of the wooden crates, revealing a narrow corridor behind it.

The corridor leads downwards.

A wave of damp air swept over me, carrying with it the scent of earth and some kind of incense.

Xilun slowly descended the stone steps.

The deeper you go, the more indistinct the sound of the waves becomes.

When you reach the end, a heavy wooden door covered with iron sheets comes into view.

Several faint auras could be heard behind the door.

Each one belongs to a third-tier extraordinary being.

The middle-aged man took out a black token and stuck it on the door.

Crack.

The internal mechanisms turned slowly.

The iron gate opened to both sides.

The dim yellow light shone out, illuminating the silent and unfamiliar faces around the round table.

Xilun crossed the threshold.

At that very moment, the wisp of black energy deep within his right arm, which had been sealed by the Xuan Yin coldness, suddenly stirred once more.

This time, the sensation did not originate from distant shallows.

It came from inside the room.

The underground chamber was not large.

The walls were made of thick black stone, and a whale oil lamp was embedded every few steps.

The orange flames flickered slightly in the air, casting long, thin shadows of everyone present.

A black round table was placed in the center.

There were already seven or eight people sitting around the table.

Some wore iron masks that covered their entire faces, some wore wide cloaks, and some did not conceal their faces at all, clearly having enough confidence in their own strength or background.

Xilun's gaze swept over them quickly.

Third order.

They were all third-tier extraordinary beings.

Two of them had particularly deep and concentrated auras, indicating that they had at least completed most of their physical tempering.

A man with a hooked nose sitting on the right caught Sirendo's eye.

The man was around forty years old, with a gloomy complexion. He wore a finely tailored dark suit and three rings of different materials on his fingers.

He didn't deliberately release his strength, yet his body seemed to be shrouded in an invisible shadow.

Third-order extreme realm.

It may even have already begun to touch upon the fourth-order path.

The man with the hooked nose raised his eyes and met Xilun's gaze for a moment.

Those eyes were a very pale gray, devoid of much emotion.

Xilun naturally looked away.

Two people sat at the head of the round table.

On the left is a gaunt old man, and on the right is a tall woman wearing a half-silver mask.

Both of them had a black palace embroidered on their clothes.

The Black King's Palace.

After the middle-aged man led Xilun and the other man inside, he whispered a few words in the ear of the gaunt old man.

The old man's gaze swept over Elena, finally settling on Siren.

"It seems everyone has arrived."

His voice was hoarse.

"You are all distinguished guests, please have a seat."

Siren and Elena sat down near the door.

The middle-aged man who led the way did not participate in the transaction; he bowed and left the way he came.

The heavy iron door closed immediately, and the sound of the mechanism turning completely isolated the secret room from the outside world.

The woman in the silver mask raised her hand.

A nearly transparent gray light curtain rose from the wall, enveloping the entire room.

"This is a soundproof array."

"From now on, nothing that happens inside will be reported to the outside."

"The rules tonight are the same as usual."

"The first half involves exchanging information, the second half involves the Black King's Palace providing some items, and the final half is a free trade."

"You can use gold pounds, or you can barter."

"Do not inquire about the origin of the traded goods, and do not take action within the secret shop."

She paused for a moment.

"If any conflict occurs after we leave here, it has nothing to do with the Black King's Palace."

No one objected to this.

This has always been the case in underground transactions.

Maintaining order inside the sealed room is sufficient.

The gaunt old man placed his hands, folded, on the table.

"Let's start with what everyone is most concerned about."

"Black reef and shallows".

The moment the words were spoken, the atmosphere in the room changed immediately.

A man wearing an iron mask spoke first:

"What exactly is the secret behind this hidden treasure?"

"So far, at least seventy people have gone in, but fewer than twenty have actually returned."

"Moreover, most of the people who came out were mentally unstable, so it was impossible to get complete information from them."

He looked at the two people in the Black King's Palace.

"The news first leaked from your channels."

"The Black King's Palace should provide an explanation."

The woman in the silver mask tapped her fingers lightly on the table.

"We were not the first to spread the news."

"The Black King's Palace simply knew about it earlier than you all."

"As for the explanation..."

She chuckled softly.

"Secret treasures are always accompanied by danger."

"No one forced those people to come in at knifepoint."

The stern-faced man snorted coldly and didn't pursue the matter further.

An elderly woman in a gray robe, sitting on the left, said:

"I checked outside the shallows."

"There are remnants of ancient formations near the entrance to the cave."

"That formation wasn't used to block the seawater, but to seal off something."

"Judging from the signs of corrosion, the formation has existed for at least a hundred years."

Another burly man with bare arms frowned.

"Sealing things off?"

"You mean, that's not a ruin, but a prison?"

"perhaps."

The old woman said, "It could also be a place of worship."