Chapter 200: Crossing the Boundary Sea Eastward

Chapter 200: Crossing the Boundary Sea Eastward

The Fu Hai Ship had two pavilions: the Fu Hai Pavilion and the Zhen Hai Pavilion. These pavilions were strictly reserved for Golden Core Zhenren. Except for the Heavenly Deaf Mute who entered daily at 9 AM to clean, no other Fu Hai Sect cultivators or passengers were permitted inside.

Fan Hongyu led Xiao Chen to the pavilion entrance before hastily rushing to the Fu Hai Pavilion to report.

"Hahaha! Which fellow cultivator has graced us with their presence today?"

As Xiao Chen entered the Zhen Hai Pavilion and began examining the grand hall's decor, a hearty laugh echoed from outside. Moments later, a towering figure strode in. His prominent cheekbones framed thick eyebrows and large eyes, standing over eight chi (about 2.6 meters) tall. A red gemstone adorned his golden hairpin, and his tight brown tunic revealed bulging muscle contours beneath.

Based on intelligence Xiao Chen gathered before departure, this must be Yu Cha Zhen Ren. There was a saying about him: the Yu Cha Zhen Ren of Fu Hai Sect referred not to a specific individual but the Golden Core cultivator who piloted the Fu Hai Ship. The title originated from a legendary spiritual artifact—the Three-Toothed Sea-Piercing Jade Fork. Forged by a Fourth Stage Forging Master from the Eastern Territory, it was the Fu Hai Sect's treasured heirloom, capable of effectively countering golden core yao beasts in the sea.

"Ah!"

Yu Cha Zhen Ren's large eyes swept over Xiao Chen as he exclaimed in surprise. "Forgive my poor eyesight, but this fellow cultivator looks unfamiliar. Might I ask which region you hail from?"

The Southern Domain was small, and Golden Core Adepts generally knew of one another. Excluding newly ascended Golden Cores, Yu Cha should have recognized any mid-stage Golden Core cultivator preparing for the sea crossing.

Xiao Chen clasped his fists. "This one is from Li Zhou, known by the title Flame Dragon."

The Southern Domain's custom was to introduce oneself by cultivation title rather than name.

"Ah! So you're Flame Dragon fellow cultivator from Li Zhou! Long have I admired you!"

Yu Cha Zhen Ren feigned sudden realization. Though he'd never heard of this name, he played along with practiced courtesy. "No wonder the sea magpies sang this morning! A distinguished guest indeed!"

Xiao Chen waved his hand. "You flatter me, Yu Cha fellow cultivator. It's your reputation that echoes far and wide."

After exchanging pleasantries, they settled on either side of a tea table. Yu Cha Zhen Ren subtly probed Xiao Chen's background before turning to business.

"Flame Dragon fellow cultivator, since you wish to cross eastward, there's no need for a ship ticket." Yu Cha's face broke into a smile. "Simply agree to assist in times of danger, and not only will you sail free of charge, but I'll also offer additional compensation."

"Of course, if you'd rather not intervene, that's perfectly fine too."

"Just expect a slight delay—two days to prevent junior cultivators missing the departure and three years to avoid recent fish tides."

If a Foundation Building cultivator had come instead, they'd need to channel mana into the formation during emergencies. At sea, with no land in sight, every ounce of strength mattered.

Xiao Chen had no objections. He'd be on the ship himself; letting it sink wasn't an option. Helping others was also helping himself.

"If danger arises, I'll certainly do my part." He mainly wanted to avoid wasting time. "But what's this fish tide situation? When can we depart earliest?"

Hearing Xiao Chen's agreement, Yu Cha Zhen Ren's face lit up. "Fellow cultivator, your decisiveness is admirable! I'll waste no time—preparations begin immediately. We'll depart no later than three days hence!"

"As for the fish tides, with your promise, they're no longer a concern."

The fish tide was merely an excuse. The Fu Hai Sect had mastered the sea's patterns over decades and had other methods to avoid dangers.

With the departure time confirmed, the Fu Hai Sect mobilized. Crates of Spirit Herbs were loaded into the cargo hold as Forging Masters and Formation Masters conducted routine inspections. A grand Heaven-Worshipping Ceremony was held to pray for a smooth voyage. Finally, the hundreds of mooring ropes along the shore were gradually retracted.

Though only 200+ Foundation Building cultivators boarded, thousands of loved ones gathered to bid farewell. As the Fu Hai Ship slowly departed Eastern Crossing Bay, Xiao Chen's spiritual sense scanned the scene.

Some clung to the railing, waving tearfully—a young heir from a local Haozhou family learning to trade goods between the Southern Domain and Eastern Territory while inheriting family connections. Others sat alone in cabins, eyes vacant with uncertainty. Many sought fortune in the Eastern Territory but felt anxious about the unknown.

A few finally dropped their disguises. "Damn it! Finally escaped this cursed place!"

These were mostly rogue cultivators or bandits wanted by sects, unable to survive in the Southern Domain. Xiao Chen noticed no sign of Ye Fei. With only a handful of ordinary female cultivators aboard, the possibility of disguise was minimal.

"Yu Cha fellow cultivator, what about those wanted rogues?" Xiao Chen asked curiously, certain the other had noticed.

"Hmph! Flame Dragon fellow cultivator, you're unaware", Yu Cha laughed. "When establishing this route, the sects agreed: better to let these pests flee than hide and cause chaos."

"They may leave the Southern Domain, but returning is forbidden. Any attempting to sneak back gets tossed to the sea beasts."

The sects reasoned that instead of letting them hide and wreak havoc, they'd open an escape route—strictly one-way—to plague the Eastern Territory instead.

"Enough talk! Let's drink!" Yu Cha grabbed a wine jar, filling Xiao Chen's bowl. "A friend from Wanxian Island gifted this—White Jade Xiao Qinglong."

"Three-stage White Jade Koi and rare Spirit Herbs were sealed inside using a secret technique. Buried underground for nine years, soaked in seawater for nine, then hung in the air for nine more to ferment."

Xiao Chen peered into the golden bowl. Wisps of white mist swirled like koi fish, then transformed into dragon shapes. Though lively, his spiritual sense detected only exceptionally pure spiritual energy—nearly matching a vial of Five-Luster Mysterious Water.

The cost must be astronomical...

He raised the bowl and drank. The spirit wine was sweet as honey, smooth as silk, with a lingering aftertaste. A warm energy surged from his abdomen to his chest, radiating comforting warmth. For two quarters of an hour, the heat lingered, gradually infusing mana into his dantian to aid future cultivation.

"Excellent wine!" Xiao Chen praised. "You've been too generous, fellow cultivator."

"Flame Dragon fellow cultivator, you're too polite!" Yu Cha refilled the bowl. "If you don't mind, have another!"

"This jar holds ten jin. At two quarters per bowl, it'll last long enough to pass the sea journey."

The cost wasn't as high as imagined. The Eastern Territory had abundant spirit veins, and White Jade Koi were farmed in large numbers, making them less rare than in the Southern Domain. While genuine three-stage spirit fish, their abundance reduced their value—for Golden Core Zhenren, at least. Foundation Building cultivators couldn't afford such luxuries.

Whether from loneliness or natural openness, after two bowls, Yu Cha grew talkative. He regaled Xiao Chen with tales of his Boundary Sea adventures and Eastern Territory curiosities.

"Flame Dragon fellow cultivator, during my third voyage, I encountered a four-eyed swordfish!"

"It led thousands of sea beasts, surrounding the Fu Hai Ship in three layers. From the bow, I saw countless water swords slashing from all directions, shaking our composite defense formation!"

"The four-eyed swordfish hid in the swarm, avoiding detection while spirit stones burned rapidly."

"Then what happened?" Xiao Chen played along. "How did you resolve it?"

"Hehehe! Back then, I had courage and a companion cultivator guarding the ship!" Yu Cha grinned. "I gripped the Sea-Piercing Jade Fork and dove into the sea!"

"The swordfish's head alone was four zhang high, at least twenty zhang long! Its mouth spanned three zhang vertically, with whiskers as thick as my thigh!"

"It thought me vulnerable in the water and charged head-on!"

"Hmph! I tightened my Magic Robe, lunged forward, pierced through its mouth, and tore through its belly!"

"I struck its core, splitting its yao core in two!"

Yu Cha spread his arms wide. "The half-core alone measured five chi across!"

According to Xiao Chen's ancient records, four-eyed swordfish kings were typically only twelve zhang long—half Yu Cha's claim. But perhaps this was a mutated specimen. Rather than dispute, Xiao Chen listened, gaining insights while passing time.

The Fu Hai Ship's maximum speed reached 5,000 kilometers per day, faster than many Golden Core Zhenren. Even so, crossing the Boundary Sea required nearly four months. With detours for fish tides or mid-journey attacks, four months might not suffice.

It's always better to have someone to chat with than to keep quiet alone.

After finishing the stories about the Boundary Sea, Yu Cha Zhen Ren continued with a rumor: "Flame Dragon Fellow Cultivator, have you heard about the three great clans in Jingkong Sea?"

Xiao Chen had seen this in Dong You Ji: "They're the Chu Clan, Wen Clan, and Zhao Clan. These three families."

Actually, he had seen the younger generation of these clans during his time at Xuantian Immortal Palace. Back then, they were already at the peak of Foundation Building. He wondered if they had successfully undergone Golden Core Formation yet.

"Actually, those three families are only surface-level powers."

Yu Cha Zhen Ren slapped the table: "I have a very close fellow cultivator who told me that the three great clans of Jingkong Sea were all secretly supported by Pagoda Zhen Jun."

Golden Core cultivators addressed Zhen Ren as "Master", while only Golden Core cultivators who reached the Zhen Jun stage could be called "Zhen Jun."

"Pagoda Zhen Jun?"

Xiao Chen became curious: "May I ask about this Zhen Jun's background?"

"You've asked the right person."

Yu Cha Zhen Ren patted his chest proudly: "I specifically investigated this matter. Pagoda Zhen Jun is no ordinary figure."

"Do you know about the Haihai Forbidden Realm?"

Xiao Chen shook his head: "Never heard of it."

"This requires some explanation then."

Yu Cha Zhen Ren drew his finger across the table: "From Jingkong Sea heading north is Heiyan Sea, and south lies Wanxian Island. Beyond Heiyan Sea, fifty thousand kilometers west, is Heiyan Fishing Ground. Continuing east another hundred thousand kilometers brings you to Yunchi Sea. Beside Yunchi Sea lies the infamous Feidu Sea."

Feidu Sea? Xiao Chen mentally noted this location. It was one of his key destinations on the way to the Eastern Territory.

"In ancient times, the Eastern Territory also had a Demon Dao sect. The largest among them, the Yin Sha Immortal Sect, established their mountain gate right here."

"Continuing east from Feidu Sea, about seventy thousand kilometers, lies the Haihai Forbidden Realm."

Yu Cha Zhen Ren paused deliberately: "Also known as Hanhai Boundary."

"It's said to be vast and boundless. Cultivators at Golden Core and below can enter. Inside are countless treasures."

"The most important part is that it has entrances in both the Western and Northern Territories."

"Really?"

Xiao Chen asked curiously: "So one could directly travel to the other territories through this forbidden realm?"

"If only that were possible."

Yu Cha Zhen Ren shook his head: "The forbidden realm contains a powerful sealing formation. Once you enter through a specific entrance, you can only exit through the same one."

"Moreover, the entrance's activation time isn't fixed. The three territories' entrances don't synchronize either."

"Based on current estimates, the minimum interval is one year, maximum three years. Each entrance only stays open for seven days."

"If you want to explore the treasures, you usually have to wait for the next entrance opening to leave."

"Due to the sealing formation's restrictions, staying inside Haihai Forbidden Realm becomes extremely dangerous."

"One must be careful of Bandit Cultivators ganging up on you, and attacks from cultivators of the other two territories."

That does sound dangerous.

Xiao Chen thought for a moment and immediately grasped the key issue: cultivators from different territories encountering each other would have no restraints.

Since you can't pursue someone through the entrance, even the strongest Background Influence can't seek revenge. It's practically consequence-free.

This rule is practically encouraging mutual hunting!

Cultivators' storage bags or Storage Rings from other territories have become treasures within the forbidden realm.

Yu Cha Zhen Ren waited a while, letting Xiao Chen ponder the rules.

Then he changed the topic: "Now, Pagoda Zhen Jun is one of the top-tier cultivators who can permanently reside in the forbidden realm for cultivation."

"Previously, many factions compiled dozens of ranking lists based on all cultivators from the three territories who appeared in Haihai Forbidden Realm."

"But no matter which list, Pagoda Zhen Jun always ranks steadily within the top ten."

Hearing this, Xiao Chen immediately understood.

In the Eastern Territory, aside from the Fifth Stage experts who are as elusive as divine dragons, Pagoda Zhen Jun should already be at the pinnacle.

"Therefore, after arriving in the Eastern Territory, never provoke the three great clans."

Yu Cha Zhen Ren warned: "If any conflict arises, swallow your pride and yield when possible."

"Otherwise, if you provoke Pagoda Zhen Jun, ten lives wouldn't be enough to pay the price."

"These are my heartfelt words. It's only because we're both Southern Domain cultivators that I'm sharing this with you."

Of course, he spent most of his time on the ship, rarely meeting outsiders.

Except for the Jin Xia Sect cultivators responsible for coordination, he didn't have many opportunities to talk.

"Thank you for the warning, Fellow Cultivator Yu Cha."

Xiao Chen bowed in gratitude: "I'll remember this."

Actually, he differed from other Golden Core cultivators. He was only passing through Jingkong Sea briefly, with his main goal being Baicao Forbidden Realm.

Regardless of whether he needed this intelligence, he should appreciate the good intentions behind it.

With this warning, he could simply stay low-key in Jingkong Sea.

Xiao Chen wasn't the type to cause trouble anyway. As long as others didn't actively seek him out, he wouldn't deliberately offend anyone.

Under normal circumstances, he shouldn't have any entanglements with the three great clans.

Through such casual conversations, two months passed quietly.

Xiao Chen also gained many detailed insights about the Eastern Territory.

Although Yu Cha Zhen Ren's stories might not be entirely accurate, the local customs and traditions described were genuine.

"Boom~!"

A thunderous explosion echoed. Standing by the window, dark clouds pressed across the horizon, stretching for thousands of kilometers. Fierce winds howled as waves towered like mountains.

Looking further, about thousands of kilometers away, countless purple lightning pillars continuously fell from the sky, crashing into the sea.

Occasionally, a red glow flashed, followed shortly by another thunderous boom. The scene resembled the apocalypse.

Yet Xiao Chen had already grown accustomed to this.

Anyone watching for half a month would inevitably become desensitized.

Initially, he was naturally startled, wondering if they encountered some natural disaster.

Later, he learned this was indeed a disaster called the Boundary Sea Thunderstorm.

The lightning currents that seemed capable of destroying heaven and earth were genuinely powerful. A single strike could easily kill a Golden Core Zhen Ren or severely injure a Golden Core cultivator.

However, despite the disaster, the distance was still far. Fu Hai Ship's route remained very safe.

More accurately, Fu Hai Ship intentionally sailed close to the thunderstorm's edge.

Such storms occurred annually in Boundary Sea, each with a certain coverage area.

During the storm, even the Yao Beasts within the affected range would instinctively flee, too preoccupied to attack spiritual vessels.

Therefore, sailing along the thunderstorm's edge allowed them to use the power of heaven and earth to avoid potential fish swarms.

The exact boundary was one of Fu Hai Sect's major secrets.

On the day the storm ended, the spiritual ship also stopped, drifting on the sea surface with the waves.

Yu Cha Zhen Ren took the opportunity to invite Xiao Chen for sea fishing: "This is a rare chance. Ordinary people rarely get to experience this."

To avoid disturbances, the Foundation Building cultivators on the ship had been instructed by Fu Hai Sect cultivators to stay in their cabins.

The wide deck only had Xiao Chen and Yu Cha Zhen Ren.

After the long-awaited rain finally cleared, they lay on rocking chairs sunbathing, fishing rods in hand.

"Flame Dragon Fellow Cultivator doesn't fish often, does he?"

Seeing Xiao Chen's somewhat clumsy movements, Yu Cha Zhen Ren chuckled: "Just follow my lead, Fellow Cultivator. Today's fishing is the easiest."

Xiao Chen soon noticed schools of fish swimming beneath the surface.

In moments, thousands upon thousands passed by.

As noon approached, the scorching sun shone down. The once sapphire-blue Boundary Sea suddenly seemed coated with flowing silver.

Countless tiny light spots shimmered on the sea surface, like stars from the heavens falling into the ocean.

This included both sunlight reflections and countless small fish leaping from the water.

The fish swarms that had fled during the Boundary Sea Thunderstorm now returned after the storm ended.

Fu Hai Ship happened to be at the boundary, naturally encountering the returning fish tide.

After an entire morning, Xiao Chen estimated that millions of sea fish had passed by, truly broadening his horizons.

Yet for Boundary Sea, this was only a small area.

One couldn't imagine how many spirit fish existed throughout the entire Boundary Sea.

With such an enormous quantity, how many high-rank spirit fish could be born?

"Flame Dragon Fellow Cultivator, the Rainbow Fish tide is here!"

Yu Cha Zhen Ren suddenly became excited: "Never thought we'd encounter Rainbow Fish. This time, I must catch the Fish King!"

Rainbow Fish were special small fish, usually three inches long, around cultivation stage two.

Some individuals were slightly larger, but only six inches, at mid-stage Core Formation cultivation.

Their unique feature was the uniform distribution of seven colors—red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and purple—from head to tail, hence their name.

Among every hundred thousand Rainbow Fish, there was a chance to find a twelve-inch-long Fish King, at Foundation Building cultivation.

These were the details Yu Cha Zhen Ren had previously shared with Xiao Chen.

Of course, the highlight of his story was how he almost caught a Fish King once.

That Fish King was particularly large, at least fourteen inches.

Xiao Chen had been dozing in the sunlight, but upon hearing this, he opened his eyes and instantly experienced the dazzling spectacle.

Under the bright sunlight, the seven colors wove into a magnificent brocade.

"Snap~!"

His fishing rod suddenly jerked. Xiao Chen immediately pulled back, revealing an exceptionally beautiful Rainbow Fish flying out of the water.

Looking closely, it was fifteen inches long—the Rainbow Fish King.

"Slap!"

Yu Cha Zhen Ren's fishing rod suddenly fell to the ground.

"This can't be happening!"

"Ah, I get it now. It must be beginner's luck."

"You just started fishing, so newbies always have good fortune."

...

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end