Mountain Venerable and Sea Immortal

"Look over there, all of you."

Suddenly, a crimson glow pierced through the clouds above the Crimson Fire Reef Islands, cascading down like a waterfall and turning the entire sea crimson. A world-destroying power of law, carrying both scorching heat and an ancient, boundless aura, swept across all directions.

Within a radius of a thousand miles, the concentration of spiritual energy suddenly surged to a boiling point. The waves were engulfed by the spiritual energy, churning and turning into crystalline spiritual mist. Even the spiritual vein fluctuations on the main peak of Laoshan Mountain could clearly sense that vast aura that surpassed the Hidden Crystal Spiritual Vein by a hundred times.

From the day the three sects besieged and annihilated the Burning Heaven Gate, the vast deep blue sea southeast of Laoshan swallowed up the outline of the archipelago, leaving only the Chihuo Reef Archipelago like a red-hot iron, hanging alone on the sea surface.

Due to the unique nature of the region, after several months, the archipelago had long since become a dead land—craggy, crimson volcanic reefs lay scattered about, the surface covered with a layer of charred ash. A gust of wind would whip up clouds of red dust, devoid of any greenery. Subterranean fires surged, occasionally erupting lava that burst through the rock layers, spewing forth towering waves of flame that mingled with sea mist to create a hazy crimson glow, dyeing the sky as if it were ablaze. The air was not filled with gentle spiritual energy, but with a volatile, scorching fire spirit, mixed with a faint malevolent aura emanating from the Ruins of Return. Every breath one took there felt like a fire burning their lungs; even Foundation Establishment cultivators had to circulate their spiritual energy to resist.

The moment the strange phenomenon spread, the entire territory of the three sects was shaken.

"A major incident has occurred in the Forbidden Land of Burning Heaven!"

"It is said that the source of ancient primordial fire is sealed deep within Crimson Fire Reef!"

"A fortune even more advanced than the Hidden Crystal Spirit Vein? If I could obtain it, let alone the late Foundation Establishment stage, even the Golden Core stage would be within reach!"

Rumors spread like wildfire, and the high-level council hall of the three sects, which had just calmed down due to the allocation of the Hidden Crystal Spirit Vein, instantly erupted into chaos. The elders' conversation naturally turned to the scene at the Heavenly Gate.

"Brother, did you see the strange phenomenon at the Heavenly Gate?" Yi Azhu walked up to Lin Yan at some point. "It's all over the place. Everyone's saying that a great fortune is about to happen on the Crimson Fire Reef Islands."

Lin Yan stood at the mouth of Lingxiancao Valley, gazing thoughtfully at the distant Chihuo Reefs.

"Brother Lin Yan, is there really a great fortune to be found in the Red Fire Reef Islands?" Chen Dagang also shouted in a gruff voice.

Yunxi, Ye Qing, and Su Lingyue then walked over to him.

The sect leaders wore solemn expressions, their gazes all fixed on the southeastern sea, none willing to miss such a heaven-defying opportunity. While the Hidden Crystal Spirit Vein was valuable, it paled in comparison to this ancient blessing—for a moment, everyone's attention was completely captivated by the strange signs at Crimson Fire Reef.

Lin Yan slowly withdrew his gaze and looked at the group of people who had gathered around him. His expression was calm, but there was a hint of thought hidden beneath.

"Whether it's fate or not, no one can say for sure right now," he said softly. "Crimson Fire Reef is a forbidden area and was once the stronghold of the Burning Heaven Gate. Now that strange phenomena are suddenly appearing, it may not be a good thing."

Yi Azhu frowned slightly: "But that fluctuation of spiritual energy is really too astonishing. Even the spiritual herbs in the valley are swaying spontaneously. It is far beyond ordinary anomalies."

"Forget whether it's good or bad!" Chen Dagang slapped his thigh, his voice booming. "If there's really treasure, let's go and grab it! It's better than staying here in this valley guarding the spiritual vein, spending our days in monotonous cultivation!"

"Don't talk nonsense." Su Lingyue immediately stopped her softly. "The forbidden area is dangerous and unpredictable. Even the sect elders are cautious. If we go there rashly, we will only throw our lives away."

Yunxi remained silent throughout, her clear eyes gazing at the southeastern horizon as she softly said, "That sea area... I always feel uneasy about it."

Ye Qing nodded as well: "The strange phenomenon came too suddenly, it seems more like someone deliberately provoked it. Now the attention of all three sects has been drawn to it, which makes it seem unusual."

Yi Azhu blinked and tugged at Lin Yan's sleeve: "Brother, should we go take a look too? Even if we don't snatch the treasure, it would be nice to catch a glimpse from afar."

Before Lin Yan could answer, a sword light carrying a sect message pierced through the air from afar, landing directly in front of him and transforming into a stream of light that entered his brow.

Everyone was taken aback.

Lin Yan closed his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them again, his expression was clear.

"The sect has issued an order," he said slowly, "that I lead a team to immediately patrol and guard the waters surrounding Crimson Fire Reef, investigate the source of the strange phenomenon, and not trespass into the depths of the forbidden area."

Chen Dagang's eyes lit up: "You really want to go? That's great!"

Su Lingyue and Yun Xi exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of seriousness in each other's eyes.

Yunxi said softly, "Then we will go with you."

Lin Yan looked around at everyone, his gaze sweeping over the familiar faces around him.

Since the Battle of Guixu, they have fought side by side and gone through life and death together. They are no longer a fledgling group of rookie cultivators.

This time, leaving the heart of Laoshan and stepping into the vast open sea, they will be greeted by a completely unfamiliar world.

"In that case, pack up and prepare immediately, and we'll depart in half an hour."

His tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable certainty: "Remember, this journey is not about vying for destiny, but about investigating the truth."

The outside world is far larger and more dangerous than we imagine.

As soon as he finished speaking, the sea breeze blew through the valley entrance, fluttering the clothes of everyone present.

In the southeastern sky, the crimson clouds still soared, as if quietly awaiting their arrival. The peaceful days of Lingxian Grass Valley might be about to quietly come to an end.

"Brother Lin Yan, shall we go together?" Qing Yao's eyes held a hint of expectation, her voice was soft and gentle, and her gaze remained fixed on Lin Yan.

"Senior Brother Lin Yan, when did I become your brother alone?" Su Lingyue frowned slightly, her eyes raised, revealing her girlish and competitive spirit.

Qingyao's cheeks flushed slightly, but she refused to back down. She simply winked playfully and stopped arguing. With a light tap of her toes, she leaped gracefully into the Water Moon Pavilion's exclusive Spirit Lotus Boat.

The lotus boat, as white as jade, was forged from thousand-year-old water lotus spirit wood. A faint blue light swirled around its hull. Small and agile, it was the exclusive magical artifact for the female disciples of the Water Moon Pavilion on their long journeys. Four female disciples of the Water Moon Pavilion were already standing on the boat, waiting quietly for orders.

On the other side, the Azure Cloud Sect's Azure Edge Sword Boat hovered in mid-air. Its hull was long and narrow, like a drawn sword, its entire body shimmering with azure light, the sword patterns sharp and menacing. Shen Qinghan stood at the bow, sword in hand, while four other elite sword cultivators of the Azure Cloud Sect stood in neat rows, their auras sharp and capable, displaying the imposing presence of a sect's sword cultivators.

Behind Lin Yan, the Laoshan Wave-Breaking Flying Boat stood steady and imposing, forged from deep-sea black wood, its hull wide, sturdy, and reliable. Chen Dagang, already carrying a giant axe, had jumped aboard first, eagerly awaiting departure.

Lin Yan watched the two girls' adorable, secretly competitive expressions and gave a helpless smile. After Yun Xi, Yi Azhu, and Ye Qing successively boarded the flying boat, he moved and also leaped onto the bow of the Laoshan Wave-Breaking Flying Boat.