Translator: CinderTL
Deep within the Mist Sea, Xu Sanyan remained unaware of the chaos unfolding in the city. His immediate priority was to escape with the fruit.
As soon as he plunged into the Mist Sea, Xu Sanyan was struck by an overwhelming chill—a bone-deep cold that seemed to seep from his very core, permeating every inch of his body.
The dense fog obscured his vision, limiting visibility to less than a hundred meters. Beyond that, only blurred shadows loomed.
Xu Sanyan carefully flew forward, cradling the fruit, with the Mist Sea stretching beneath him like a stagnant pool of deathly calm.
Occasional ripples disturbed the surface, hinting at unseen creatures stirring beneath the murky depths.
Gazing at the fruit in his hands, Xu Sanyan hesitated to explore it immediately.
This fruit was a self-contained secret realm. If it proved as inescapable as the Endless Central City or the ghost city he had previously encountered, he could be trapped inside indefinitely, placing him in grave danger.
He decided to first find a secure location before attempting to enter.
Hiss~
A hissing sound echoed from the depths of the fog. Xu Sanyan couldn't identify the creature lurking within and dared not approach recklessly, choosing instead to change direction.
As for his ultimate destination, he had no clear plan, contrary to Tu Wanshan's assumption that he was heading for the Chaotic Cloud Mountains.
Truth be told, Xu Sanyan didn't even know where the Chaotic Cloud Mountains were. His sole objective was to distance himself from Venerable He Yu and his followers.
As for the Harmonious Heart Demonic Sect, he would undoubtedly return—just not yet.
As Xu Sanyan pondered, the mist ahead suddenly parted, revealing a humanoid figure flickering in and out of view.
The slender figure resembled a bamboo stalk, its vague silhouette barely discernible through the swirling mist. Countless tentacles drifted aimlessly around it, like the limbs of a cuttlefish.
Ripples spread across the seawater at its feet, indicating it was moving toward him.
Xu Sanyan swiftly adjusted his course. While the Mist Sea's periphery wasn't known for particularly formidable monsters, it was always best to avoid them if possible.
"Ugh... ah..."
A hoarse groan escaped the monster's mouth as it seemed to sense Xu Sanyan and began lumbering directly toward him.
"What is that thing?" Xu Sanyan frowned, slowly extending his palm. A surge of spiritual power pierced through the mist, striking the monster's body.
Crack—
The monster's torso snapped in half as easily as snapping a bamboo stalk with a casual flick of the wrist.
"That weak?" Xu Sanyan raised an eyebrow. How dare something this pathetic even venture out here?
He knew the monsters near the Mist Sea's edge were weak, but he hadn't expected them to be this feeble. This creature's cultivation level barely reached the Celestial Being Realm.
A gentle breeze swept beneath his feet, lifting him toward the monster.
Closer now, he saw the creature was already dead, its severed halves slowly sinking into the seabed.
Shaking his head, Xu Sanyan continued his flight deeper into the mist.
At that moment, in a courtyard within Mist City, Lin Fan listened to Elder Ren's announcement that the holy son had defected. Though he didn't believe it, his low status left him with no right to speak.
Moreover, he had no intention of returning to the sect for the time being. He had long planned to venture out alone, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity.
Xiang Tan patted his shoulder. "Are you sure you want to leave?"
"Yes," Lin Fan nodded, his voice solemn. "Junior Brother carries a blood feud that must be avenged!"
Hearing this, Xiang Tan stopped trying to dissuade him. "Very well. With the holy son's whereabouts unknown, Crimson Dragon Mountain is likely facing a major upheaval. It's wise to avoid the storm for now."
"Mm, take care, Senior Sister." Lin Fan cupped his hands in farewell and turned to leave.
"You too, Junior Brother."
Xiang Tan watched Lin Fan's retreating figure, her mind drifting to wistful thoughts. "Senior Brother, where have you gone? Why didn't you take me with you...?"
She had her own suspicions about Xu Sanyan's escape, convinced that the gray fruit was the true cause.
At that moment, undercurrents surged within Mist City. The Righteous Path Sects, including the Heaven's Will Demon Subduing Temple, had learned of Xu Sanyan's escape with the treasure and were deploying forces to search the Mist Sea.
Hua Gu sat at the head of the table, her pale green floral skirt lifted slightly as she casually crossed her slender legs, appearing utterly at ease. She listened attentively to Jiang Qinqin's report, her mind racing with possibilities.
After Jiang Qinqin explained the situation in detail, she asked, "Master, should we enter the Mist Sea to search for him?"
Hua Gu slowly shook her head. "The Mist Sea is vast and fraught with countless dangers. How could we possibly search it with our limited forces?"
"Then..." Jiang Qinqin didn't understand her Master's intentions.
Hua Gu glanced at her. "We'll have to rely on luck. Let's go block his path on the other side."
Entering the Mist Sea to search would also be a gamble. Visibility was extremely low within the mist, and it severely suppressed divine sense. Even for a Void Harmony realm expert like Hua Gu, her sensory range was limited to a mere two hundred steps.
Moreover, venturing into the Mist Sea carried significant risks, making it far safer to intercept Xu Sanyan on the opposite side.
"Master is wise," Jiang Qinqin said, offering a subtle compliment. "Where should we intercept him?"
Hua Gu pondered for a long moment before slowly uttering three words: "Chaotic Cloud Mountains."
"Understood. I'll make the arrangements immediately."
Within the Mist Sea, Xu Sanyan cautiously advanced. Ahead, a small rocky island loomed faintly through the swirling mist.
Even obscured by the fog, the island's diminutive size was evident—no more than a few dozen meters across.
When the dense fog had briefly receded earlier, Xu Sanyan had glimpsed countless such islets dotting the sea, almost all devoid of life, not even a single blade of grass or flower.
But this island...
Xu Sanyan narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the rocky islet. Something seemed to be writhing on its surface, occasionally intertwining and rearing up like ostriches, craning their necks to peer around.
At other times, the creatures would suddenly disperse into individual entities, twisting and diving into the sea.
"What are those things?"
Xu Sanyan frowned deeply. The sight of them stirred a profound psychological unease within him, a single glance sending a chill down his spine.
No need to dwell on it. Best to avoid them.
With that thought, he altered his course, veering left to bypass the rocky island.
Splash!
The sound of rippling water was faint, but it carried clearly through the silent Mist Sea to Xu Sanyan's ears, causing his heart to tighten and his gaze to lock onto the direction of the sound.
Ripples disturbed the murky water's surface. Suddenly, a long, pitch-black figure pierced through the surface, lunging toward him with a gaping maw lined with fangs, ready to devour him whole.
"Holy shit!"
The sudden attack startled him, and an elegant curse slipped from his lips. His great halberd materialized instantly in his hand. With a swift, one-handed slash, a ghostly light flashed.
Swish!
The halberd sliced effortlessly through the monster's neck, and its massive head, severed from its body, splashed into the sea.
Xu Sanyan took a deep breath, frowning slightly as he stared at the floating head. What a bizarre creature, he thought.
The monster resembled a giant serpent, its body pitch-black and scaleless, with a massive, tooth-lined maw at its head. It had no eyes, no nose—nothing but that gaping mouth.
Moreover, after he severed its head, the monster's body vanished into the depths of the sea without a trace.
Before he could examine the head further, the sea suddenly churned violently, as if a Flood Dragon were stirring up the waters. A colossal creature erupted from the depths, unleashing a tidal wave.
Whoosh!
(End of the Chapter)
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