C393 Embers Sea

The Land of Quiescence and Aetherius are separated by a vast and boundless ocean, dotted with numerous islands. Without the aid of a teleportation circle, the journey between the two continents is incredibly long. Even aboard a Sky Chariot, akin to a Golden Ship, the voyage would take at least a year or two. For mortals, crossing the expansive ocean to reach the Land of Quiescence from Aetherius is nearly impossible. Even for accomplished cultivators, traversing between the two continents is fraught with difficulty.

The endless sea harbors many unpredictable and perilous areas, home to formidable sea beasts and malevolent cultivators lurking beneath the waves. Additionally, there are numerous unknown natural storms, treacherous currents capable of shredding both flesh and soul, and bizarre regions that even the Solar Spirit and Unbound cultivators dare not traverse.

Dragon Lake lies midway between Aetherius and the Land of Quiescence, with the Nagas either slumbering in the ocean depths or dwelling on the islands above. Cultivators lacking the backing of powerful sects risk being attacked by evil dragons and arbitrarily slain by the Nagas if they inadvertently wander into the vicinity of Dragon Lake. Moreover, vicious evil dragons occasionally venture out from Dragon Lake, transforming into bloodthirsty predators that hunt down passing cultivators.

Over the centuries, numerous cultivators have fallen to these evil dragons, leading to countless incidents where their fellow cultivators have sought retribution at Dragon Lake. Of course, there are also rule-breaking evil dragons that leave Dragon Lake and wreak havoc, only to meet their demise when they encounter insurmountable opposition, resulting in their Dragon Souls being extracted and their lives extinguished.

The dragon whelp that resided within Zhao Yafu likely perished for this very reason. Beyond sect-controlled areas like Dragon Lake, the Frozen Hellscape is another formidable region situated between the two continents. Intelligent lifeforms with insufficient cultivation levels who stumble into the Frozen Hellscape are instantly frozen to death by its ice power. Even cultivators with a Lunar Spirit, using their remnant soul for exploration, face a high likelihood of soul destruction due to the penetrating cold.

The Embers Sea is yet another renowned location situated between Aetherius and the Land of Quiescence, equally as infamous as the Frozen Hellscape.

In legend, the Embers Sea is a place beyond the Star River where burning stars fall from the sky.

Ancient tales tell of stars meeting their demise, sometimes by human intervention, other times through natural causes.

These deceased stars may explode, shattering into innumerable burning Starshards that scatter across the cosmos, creating a meteor shower.

The Moonfall Sanctuary is where the Moon Shards plummeted. The cultivator known as Moon Slayer severed the moon, obliterating the Moonfiend's homeland, and the fragments fell into the forbidden area. There, the Soulforge Matrix was completed to quell malevolent spirits and alien souls.

But what fell were merely fragments of the moon.

The Embers Sea is unique!

For eons, countless incandescent Star Shards from extraterrestrial realms have descended and settled on its ocean floor.

Among the debris are shattered stars, rare stones, fine gold, seeds of unknown plants, and even the remains of Otherkin.

To prevent surviving Otherkin from emerging, the Devil Palace and Shadow's Keep station their formidable experts around the Embers Sea.

These two powers allow cultivators to enter; those with sufficient skill can claim any wonders they discover in the sea's depths.

However, those wishing to venture deep must pay a soulstone to the Devil Palace and Shadow's Keep as a toll.

"Have you not heard? Recently, another extraterrestrial starshard descended in a fiery meteor shower," Yan Lu said, his excitement palpable. "The flaming meteor plunged into the Embers Sea, drawing the attention of many! Whenever such events occur, cultivators from all corners flock to the Embers Sea to test their fortune."

"You're aware that the Yan family has strong ties with the Devil Palace. I've heard that the state preceptor of the Crimson Sun Empire is from the Ruby Hand, and he's keen on sending you to the Embers Sea."

"I was planning to go there myself, and since you're headed that way too, we might as well join forces!"

Yan Lu, having advanced to the middle period of the Veil Breaking Stage, was ready to depart from Aetherius and journey to the Land of Quiescence to pursue deeper cultivation within the Devil Palace.

After the Devil Palace's emissaries aided Yan Gui in vanquishing his rivals and ascending as the new emperor of the Silvermoon Empire, they directed him to visit the Embers Sea first.

It just so happened that they were both headed in the same direction.

Regardless of what Yan Lu might find in the Embers Sea, the Devil Palace had plans for him to come and train with them.

A representative from the Devil Palace had been in touch with Zhou Cangmin at the palace and informed Yan Lu that Zhou Cangmin intended to send a younger member of the Yu family to the Embers Sea too.

Upon hearing this, Yan Lu thought it was an excellent opportunity. Carrying a message from his uncle, Yan Gui, he made his way to Asvetaesi.

After discussing Lee Yupan's situation with Yu Yuan and Yu Zhu, he intended to join Yu Yuan on a journey to the Embers Sea.

They would be traveling on the Sky Chariot provided by the Devil Palace for this expedition.

"State Preceptor, the destination you've arranged for me is the Embers Sea?" Yu Yuan stroked his chin thoughtfully before adding, "I was under the impression that I would be given several options to choose from."

"There might have been options initially, but the recent fall of starshards in the Embers Sea has everyone believing there could be valuable items to be found," Yan Lu said, clearly excited. "I have reliable information that when those flaming starshards approached our Everlands, a cultivator with a primordial spirit used their divine powers to inspect them and found no signs of extraterrestrial life."

"That same cultivator mentioned that the fallen starshards contained some unusual objects."

"You must understand, anything deemed unusual by a cultivator of the primordial spirit is bound to be exceptionally rare and valuable. What he dismisses might be considered a top-tier treasure by others!"

"I've heard that many from the Land of Quiescence have also made their way to the Embers Sea by various means. Being closer, the Land of Quiescence is no different. Besides the Devil Palace and Shadow's Keep, the Ruby Hand, Colddeath, Blood God Cult, Binders of Shadows, and Artifact Sect have all sent representatives to explore the Embers Sea."

"Yu Yuan, join me in exploring the depths of the Embers Sea. You won't even have to pay with soulstones."

Yan Lu owed Yu Yuan a debt of gratitude from their time in the Moonfall Sanctuary and now sought his assistance. He was therefore very keen on convincing Yu Yuan to accompany him to the Embers Sea.

"I'll make my decision after I've met with the High Oracle," Yu Yuan stated with composure.

"The situation in the City of Silvermoon should be nearing a resolution. If he's made a promise to you, expect him to seek you out within the next couple of days," Yan Lu said, not pressing him for an immediate commitment. "But do remember, you've given me your word. My uncle will have a word with Yu Zhu on your behalf."

Yu Yuan offered a smile. "I won't forget."

Lee Yupan's real body had been captured by the High Oracle, yet her Lunar Spirit remained within the little world in the eye of the Dark Realm's Shura, which meant it was still under Yu Zhu's control.

Yu Yuan wasn't clear on how Yu Zhu intended to handle the Lunar Spirit and hadn't inquired about it.

Nevertheless, Lee Yupan's Lunar Spirit alone could be the basis for numerous schemes...

"I'll await the good news in Thylethlume."

Yan Lu was tactful enough to take his leave after stating his purpose.

Thylethlume was a town of moderate size with many households. He found a place to settle down easily. With a soulstone at his disposal, his Veil Breaking cultivation and body tempering wouldn't be hindered.

"I've concocted some pills."

Once Yan Lu had departed, Yu Yuan looked over at Qin Yun and, after a moment's consideration, handed him three pills resembling red dates. "These pills aren't of a high grade, nor are they well-known. However, they should be beneficial to you specifically. They might not be as effective for others."

"Young Master, did you refine these solely for me?" Qin Yun was momentarily taken aback, a hint of surprise in his voice. "You're versed in the art of alchemy?"

He was moved as he accepted the date-like pills, though he didn't seem overly impressed.

During their time in the Moonfall Sanctuary, he had grown quite familiar with Yu Yuan and had come to understand a great deal about him. However, Yu Yuan's proficiency in alchemy was something he hadn't been aware of.

Alchemy was no simple feat. It was a discipline more challenging to enter and master than cultivation itself, a complex form of thaumaturgy.

Considering Yu Yuan's youth, even if he had some skill in alchemy, how profound could his creations be? What kind of extraordinary pill could he possibly produce?

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