Chapter 105: Foundation Establishment, Third Layer—A Shocking Revelation! (Please Subscribe)
Three days later.
Within the cave abode, all had settled. Shen Lian’s aura radiated outward, his Foundation Establishment at the third layer steadily consolidating.
The expanded dantian sea had caused the trickling spiritual liquid to thin, allowing it to hold even more spiritual power.
With his eyes opening and closing, a gleam of sharpness flickered; ripples stirred within his sea of consciousness as his divine sense spread like tidal waves.
Eight hundred zhang... nine hundred zhang... one thousand zhang... one thousand one hundred zhang...
One thousand one hundred fifty zhang... one thousand one hundred seventy zhang...
Only after encompassing the entire island within his perception did his divine sense reach its limit.
One thousand one hundred eighty-three zhang!
This was an increase of three hundred zhang compared to when he was at the second layer of Foundation Establishment.
Ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators would rejoice if each minor advancement added a hundred zhang.
“Nearly twelve hundred zhang... I wonder how this compares to those with false elixirs,” Shen Lian mused as he slowly withdrew his divine sense.
After a brief pause, he took out a sea chart, glanced over it, then put it away again.
It was pointless to look.
He was currently lost.
What was certain was that he had left the central sea region of the Ten Thousand Stars Sea; the sparse spiritual energy drifting around him was proof.
Keep moving!
The farther away from the Xuanhai Sect’s territory, the better.
On the island’s shore, a flash of spiritual light enveloped Shen Lian as he plunged into the water. From the outside, he appeared as a swimming fish, heading toward the deeper waters.
...
A few days later, Shen Lian arrived at a small island inhabited by mortals. With a slight effort of thought, he figured out his current location.
He was still within the Xuanhai Sect’s sphere of influence but had reached its borderlands, where the spiritual energy was thin and islands were mostly inhabited by mortals.
To reach the nearest island inhabited by cultivators, he still had about three thousand li of sea journey ahead.
Territorial divisions among cultivation sects often did not share borders directly but had buffer zones between them to maintain peace.
Such was the case between the Xuanhai Sect and the Xuan Corpse Sect. One represented the righteous path, the other a demonic sect, naturally opposing each other. Should a fight break out, the buffer zone could absorb the initial clash and cool tempers, perhaps restoring harmony afterward.
To enter the Xuan Corpse Sect’s territory, one had to pass through the buffer region known as the Qiu Mountain Island Alliance.
This alliance was formed by several small Foundation Establishment families, much like the earlier Thousand Leaf Island Alliance.
Shen Lian had no intention of lingering in the Qiu Mountain Island Alliance; he planned to enter the Xuan Corpse Sect’s territory directly.
...
One month later.
On the sea’s surface, a massive treasure ship nearly thirty zhang tall sped swiftly through the waves, cutting through towering swells.
The entire ship had nine decks, resembling a colossal moving beast.
At its highest point fluttered a flag bearing the character “Corpse,” marking it as a passenger vessel of the Xuan Corpse Sect.
On the seventh deck, within a chamber, Shen Lian sat cross-legged on a bed crafted from Xuan Yin wood. Before him, an incense burner emitted curling wisps of pale smoke.
Opposite the window, the endless ocean stretched out as far as the eye could see.
Departing from that nameless small island and crossing through the Qiu Mountain Island Alliance, he had fortuitously encountered this Xuan Corpse Sect treasure ship.
Unlike other sects, the Xuan Corpse Sect did not restrict the spiritual ships of its various factions. However, all surface treasure ship transport was monopolized by the Sect itself.
A Foundation Establishment sixth layer cultivator from the Xuan Corpse Sect guarded the ship, accompanied by a corpse puppet of nearly equal strength.
In truth, whether or not a Foundation Establishment cultivator was on board mattered little, as no one dared to hijack the Sect’s treasure ships within their domain—except for the occasional sea demon.
Rising from the bed, Shen Lian walked over to the window. He chose not to board a spiritual ship, as those for long voyages were manned by false elixir cultivators.
Though the treasure ship was slower, it was already within Xuan Corpse Sect territory, far from Ao Shi Immortal City.
After advancing to the third layer of Foundation Establishment, the spiritual essence hidden inside the shell within his body continued to pour forth, being eagerly absorbed by the five-element corpse puppets.
Shen Lian clearly sensed that the aura of the five-element corpse puppets was about to surpass his own.
Not a combined five-in-one puppet, but each puppet of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth was approaching Foundation Establishment third layer strength.
Once the treasure ship reached its destination, he would need to find a place to properly settle and reinforce the puppet runes for the five-element corpse puppets.
The spiritual essence inside the shell kept emerging continuously—how much it contained was unknown.
Shen Lian avoided rash probing, fearing unnecessary trouble. As long as the spiritual energy kept flowing out, the five-element corpse puppets would absorb it all, eventually draining it dry.
Several days later, at Xuan Shui Island.
“Fellow cultivators, Xuan Shui Island has arrived.”
A voice mixed with howling cold wind echoed aboard the treasure ship, but the cultivators aboard were already accustomed to it.
Unlike the contemptible demonic cultivators elsewhere, the Xuan Corpse Sect was a model among the demonic paths.
They helped preserve family legacies, safeguarded the sea’s peace, and opened trade routes connecting islands—their sect’s affairs prospered greatly.
The current Xuan Corpse Sect sect master, Master Yin Mei, had personally driven off the Black Cliff Old Demon who ravaged their territory, protecting the sea’s safety.
Their reputation was impeccable.
...
Apart from the frequent chilling winds, the Xuan Corpse Sect’s domain was hardly gloomy.
Stepping off the treasure ship, Shen Lian caught fragments of conversations among cultivators, feeling somewhat bewildered. Had he come to the wrong place?
They called this a demonic sect?
Then what about the Xuanhai Sect, which secretly orchestrated wars involving millions of mortals?
Xuan Shui Island was a secondary-level immortal city. Treasure ships were moored at the docks, while in the distance, a towering black treasure tower blazed with roaring flames.
This fire was visible clearly even from hundreds of li away.
Every island of the Xuan Corpse Sect had such fire towers, said to guide travelers.
Shen Lian examined the tower and observed the bustling cultivators passing through—a scene of prosperity.
Damn, this was the domain of a demonic sect?
“Senior, do you need a guide?”
As Shen Lian hesitated, a lean young man approached briskly, followed by a corpse puppet clad in a wide robe hopping along.
“Hmm?”
Shen Lian glanced over—Foundation Establishment third layer.
The corpse puppet appeared to be around fourth layer.
Seeing Shen Lian did not refuse, the young man’s gaze swept over the corpse puppet behind him, and he casually added, “Senior, this is my inheritance from my father, my grandpa.”
“...”
Shen Lian looked into the distance at the dock, where dozens of cultivators of similar stature as the young man were trying to sell their services to new arrivals.
These cultivators were distinctive—mostly low in strength, some followed by corpse puppets, others with strange forms.
Noticing Shen Lian looking away, the young man quickly spoke, “Senior, those fellows charge ten spirit stones per day; I only ask for eight, not five.”
Shen Lian raised an eyebrow.
In the Wildlands, one spirit stone was plenty.
But seeing the young man’s grandpa had to come along to make a living, Shen Lian did not mind a few extra spirit stones.
“Show me around first.”
“Very well, please take a seat, senior.”
The young man, Du Shengyun, formed a hand seal, and the corpse puppet behind him jumped before Shen Lian, squatting down.
Two thick animal pelts served as cushions on its shoulders.
What a grandpa—acting like a grandson to his grandson.
Shen Lian bypassed the corpse puppet and strode quickly toward the distant city.
Du Shengyun did not mind, running up beside him to guide the way.
After a couple of steps, Shen Lian saw many corpse puppets carrying their masters—a local specialty.
“Is there a place in the city that sells information?”
“Yes, the Ten Thousand Spirits Pavilion... oh no, the Ten Thousand Spirits Hall sells such things.”
“Take me there.”
Led by Du Shengyun, Shen Lian entered Xuan Shui City.
The city was bisected by a winding river stretching tens of li, flanked by various buildings and scattered with independent cultivators’ stalls.
“Senior, the Ten Thousand Spirits Hall is on an island in the middle of Xuan Shui River. You can also take a bamboo raft—ten spirit stones to cross the entire city.”
“I prefer walking; I don’t like water.”
Shen Lian ignored Du Shengyun and followed the riverside path.
Having spent so much time in water since escaping Ao Shi Immortal City, aside from advancing to Foundation Establishment third layer, he had gained deeper insight into aquatic movement techniques.
They soon arrived at the Ten Thousand Spirits Hall, an ancient and grand palace standing on the river’s heart island.
The building rose several dozen zhang high, surrounded by massive trees rooted in the river.
Beneath eaves carved with dragons and phoenixes, the characters “Ten Thousand Spirits” shimmered.
“Senior, I will wait here.”
Du Shengyun set his grandfather carefully into a stone trough outside the riverside stone path and stood by the roadside.
Shen Lian tapped his heel and flew lightly onto the spacious wooden platform outside the hall.
As soon as he landed, a voice sounded in his ear.
“Honored guest, please take a seat.”
The voice came from the third floor of the palace. Shen Lian nodded and soared directly upward.
Du Shengyun, waiting by the riverbank, stared blankly as Shen Lian flew into the third floor.
“Third floor... Foundation Establishment senior...” he muttered, having thought the newcomer was merely at Qi Refinement stage.
Suddenly, he leaned toward the corpse puppet beside him.
“Grandpa, did you see? Your grandson has made progress, guiding a Foundation Establishment senior. Too bad the senior didn’t ride—”
...
Upon landing on the third floor balcony, Shen Lian saw two tall female cultivators dressed in black and white robes.
Their faces were delicate and graceful, each bearing a faint red mole on the brow, their identical features stirring imagination.
“Senior, I am Yun Fei.”
“Senior, I am Yu Fei.”
After a slight bow, the two women attempted to approach Shen Lian but were stopped by an invisible force of spiritual energy.
“Se...Senior...”
“So lifelike,” Shen Lian nodded, passing between them.
The two women’s bodies flashed, transforming into beams of black and white light that darted past Shen Lian and entered the room.
A faint fragrance filled the chamber. The furnishings—tables, beds, screens—were all crafted from second-grade Xuan Spirit wood.
At the center stood a spring emitting gentle spiritual energy.
On the large bed beside it, a woman in a black robe with a face as pale as a mask scrutinized Shen Lian.
The previously named Yu Fei and Yun Fei had shrunk to five-inch figurines, bowing again on the small table.
“I am Xiuxiu Xia, steward of the Ten Thousand Spirits Hall. You seem unfamiliar here.”
“I have been traveling afar and have just arrived at this place.”
Shen Lian’s expression quickly tightened as he cupped his hands in greeting.
The woman’s black robe bore a humanoid emblem—the insignia of the Xuan Corpse Sect.
“Please excuse us. Recently, the Black Cliff Old Demon from the Xuanhai Sect has caused much trouble. The sect has issued orders to carefully verify all newly passing Foundation Establishment cultivators.”
“Black Cliff Old Demon?” Shen Lian asked, surprised.
“Yes, that old demon has reappeared, wreaking havoc on three great immortal cities under the Xuanhai Sect’s command, stealing the earth spirits nurtured over centuries.”
Shen Lian had come here to purchase information about that very demon, yet had overheard this before speaking.
Discussing one demonic cultivator’s menace with another, both criticizing him in unison—it was an oddly surreal scene.
He realized that further probing about the old demon and Xuanhai Sect might be too conspicuous, even mixed with other information.
“I have been traveling among islands recently and have not paid attention to such matters.”
Xiuxiu Xia did not mind Shen Lian’s words. She had invited him to the third floor because the Ten Thousand Spirits Hall contained special arrays capable of sensing demonic and evil qi—both of which Shen Lian lacked.
“What spiritual items do you require?”
“Do you have Xuan Spirit Jade Core?”
“No.”
“How about raw Xuan Spirit Jade Core stones? Small pieces will do.”
The Ten Thousand Spirits Hall was not only an information vendor but also a combined tavern and spiritual item store.
“Sorry, we have none.”
Xiuxiu Xia smiled apologetically, though her pale face lent the smile an eerie quality.
“I need a detailed sea chart of this region.”
“That we have.”
She nodded and flicked her fingers; the black Yun Fei leapt from the table, drifting outside the room.
The white Yu Fei also rose and began brewing tea.
“Please, senior.”
Yu Fei seductively presented the tea to Shen Lian.
Shen Lian found the little woman intriguing. As a puppet expert, he could tell she was neither a pure puppet nor a corpse puppet.
Her agility far surpassed ordinary puppets. If mass-produced, how many cultivators would benefit!
Xiuxiu Xia paid no mind to his scrutiny—this was a secret technique of the Xuan Corpse Sect, highly restricted and not easily stolen by a glance.
After a few looks, Shen Lian withdrew his gaze. Having lively servant puppets like these would be convenient; no need to always have Big Black serve when refining pills, crafting talismans, or brewing tea.
“Is there anything else you need?”
“I plan to head to the South Sea region in a while. Does your hall have any news or rumors about that area?”
Unable to openly inquire about the Xuanhai Sect or the Black Cliff Old Demon, Shen Lian changed tactics.
The Black Cliff Old Demon’s terror was limited to the Ten Thousand Stars Sea. He intended to go to the South Sea region’s immortal cities governed by Nascent Soul sects to make his mark. Surely a Golden Core demon could not trouble those cities?
This was because the Ten Thousand Stars Sea lay at the southern edge of the South Sea region, separated by vast uninhabited ocean stretches.
Thus, although part of the South Sea region, the Ten Thousand Stars Sea was somewhat isolated, its connections sparse—like an enclave.
Cultivators from the Ten Thousand Stars Sea instinctively referred to the distant northern area as the South Sea region.
The Xuan Corpse Sect was located in the northeast of the Ten Thousand Stars Sea’s central ocean. Beyond it lay the northern uninhabited ocean, then the South Sea region.
Before long, Shen Lian received the sea chart and information he sought.
His divine sense casually sifted through the intelligence, revealing snippets.
“South Sea region: Master Xi Yue of Clear Moon Valley breaks through to Golden Core Completion.”
“South Sea region: A third-tier demonic beast shape transformation heavenly tribulation appears in the Mirror Xuan Sea region, suspected to be a high-level demonic python transforming into a flood dragon.”
...
“Taiyi Sect’s Master Xuan Shan and Xuan Yin Sect’s Master Yue Yin jointly fought Master Zi Yang at the border of the Ten Thousand Mountains and South Sea regions. Zi Yang’s physical body was destroyed, leaving only his Nascent Soul to escape. His whereabouts remain unknown.”
(End of chapter)