Inside the quiet chamber, sandalwood smoke curled, yet couldn't dispel the heaviness and emptiness left by Tianjizi's abrupt departure. Xiao Qi's hand still rested on that cold jade box; the jade box transmitted not only the White Tiger Soul Crystal Fragment's sharp soul power, but also a heavy sense of responsibility and destiny.
Liu Yun first recovered from the shock. She quickly walked to the door, carefully probing, confirming Tianjizi truly departed with no monitoring around, then breathed relief—but the bewilderment on her face remained.
This Tianjizi predecessor... exactly who is he? Why give away something bought for over five million spirit stones so easily? And pinpoint the direction of the next soul crystal? She walked to the table, looking at the jade box, feeling like dreaming. What he said about impending catastrophe and the cause you carry... Xiao Qi, what's going on?
Xiao Qi slowly withdrew his hand, not touching the jade box yet, but closing his eyes. Tianjizi's every word echoed in his mind.
Carrying great fortune, also bearing great cause...
Connected to Four Symbol Soul Crystals, to the approaching catastrophe...
The catastrophe relates to the ancient demon soul, to Four Symbol imbalance...
Gathering Four Symbol Soul Crystals might correct the situation, but could also trigger greater variables...
These words, like fragments, along with what he learned from Aunt Su, and his own experiences—Xu Lan Manor's destruction, father's fate, Shadow Snake Pavilion's scheme, the demon's hunger for soul crystals—gradually pieced together, outlining an truth.
He opened his eyes; clarity and deeper worry flickered in his gaze.
Senior Sister, Xiao Qi's voice was low and serious. Tianjizi predecessor's words are probably not false. What he called the ancient demon soul must refer to the demon's remnant soul controlling father, commanding Shadow Snake Pavilion. And Four Symbol imbalance... Aunt Su said the demon collects Four Symbol Soul Crystals to solidify control over father and restore its own power. But Tianjizi predecessor implied the Four Symbol Soul Crystals concern an ancient seal!
Seal? Liu Yun's pupils contracted.
Exactly! Xiao Qi's reasoning grew clearer. If the Four Symbol Soul Crystals themselves are a key component of some ancient seal, or their power originates from that seal, then the demon's urgent quest to collect them isn't simply for restoring power and controlling father! Its ultimate goal is likely to completely destroy that ancient seal!
This speculation made both feel chills. An seal requiring Four Symbol Holy Beasts' origin soul power to maintain—what terrifying existence slumbered beneath? If the demon succeeded, the so-called catastrophe would be far more than just the demon restoring power—it could be world-ending disaster!
So that's why Tianjizi predecessor said gathering Four Symbol Soul Crystals might correct the situation but could also trigger greater variables... Liu Yun murmured. If we gather the soul crystals to reinforce the seal, we naturally can resolve the catastrophe. But if handled improperly, or the demon uses them, it could accelerate the seal's collapse!
Exactly! Xiao Qi punched his palm heavily, his gaze sharp. These Four Symbol Soul Crystals are keys, also shackles! We absolutely cannot let the demon collect them! We must find the remaining soul crystals before them!
The goal was clearer than ever, but the pressure was also unprecedented. They not only had to race Shadow Snake Pavilion, but race against a potentially world-sweeping catastrophe!
Xiao Qi's gaze returned to the jade box. At this moment, this fragment within was no longer merely concerning father's survival, but the entire cultivation world's fate!
He took a deep breath, solemnly extending his hand, carefully placing the jade box into his storage bag's deepest part. This was too important; must be properly stored.
East Sea shore, depths within clouds... Xiao Qied Tianjizi's final hint. The predecessor pinpointed the Azure Dragon Soul Crystal's clue, undoubtedly saving us much search time. But East Sea shore's area is immensely vast, depths within clouds even more elusive—where exactly, still needs our own exploration.
He stood, pacing in the chamber, analyzing coldly: We cannot stay in Qingrong City long. Shadow Snake Pavilion's auction failure—they won't accept this quietly. They might not discover Tianjizi predecessor, but we competed with them at the auction—we're probably already being watched. Plus we completed City Lord's Manor missions, our reputation rising; staying here makes our target too large.
Then we immediately depart for the East Sea? Liu Yun asked.
Right. Xiao Qi nodded. But before that, we need some preparations. The East Sea differs from inland—environment complex, sea clans, demon beasts, overseas rogue cultivator forces interweaving. We need to purchase East Sea nautical charts, faction introductions, and pills and artifacts for handling sea beasts and special environments.
He looked at Liu Yun: Additionally, we need a reasonable excuse for going to the East Sea, not raising suspicion about searching for the Azure Dragon Soul Crystal.
Liu Yun understood: We can cite touring for cultivation experience, or... take some East Sea-related missions? The City Lord's Manor Guest Advisor token might let us access higher-level information or missions.
Great idea. Xiao Qi agreed. We'll return to the inn first, pack, then go to the Manor's library to research East Sea, then see if any convenient missions exist.
The two planned; no delay. Leaving the chamber, that guiding clerk had long disappeared, as if nothing happened.
Returning to Banyan Shade Residence, they quickly settled accounts, packed belongings. The fat innkeeper seeing them still showed, but his eyes seemed to hold subtle probing—evidently the auction's storm had spread.
Xiao Qi and Liu Yun ignored him, heading directly to the City Lord's Manor.
Relying on the Guest Advisor token, they smoothly entered the Manor's library first floor. The collection was rich; the two divided tasks—Xiao Qi focused on researching ancient legends, Four Symbol Holy Beasts, and East Sea geography, dangerous regions, faction records. Liu Yun checked mission boards for East Sea region tasks.
Several hours later, they met at the library entrance.
Xiao Qi's brow slightly creased. He'd researched extensively; direct records about Four Symbol Soul Crystals were nearly none, but some ancient fragments mentioned Four Symbol Holy Beasts' power once stabilized the world's four extremes, suppressing evil. Regarding the East Sea, this description of depths within clouds reminded him of several places: one being the perpetually mist-shrouded Maze Immortal Fog Sea, said to have disordered space, frequent sea, extremely dangerous; another being outside Penglai Immortal Island, one of the three overseas immortal islands, also often surrounded by immortal clouds; some ancient books mentioned deep East Sea had dragon clan activities, their dwelling also often hidden within clouds.
The clues remained fuzzy, but.
Liu Yun's side had: She accepted a Tier-C mission—escorting a merchant caravan to Wanghai City, the largest East Sea coastal port. The reward was average, but conveniently along their route, providing cover.
Good. Xiao Qi nodded. No time to waste—we'll meet the caravan immediately, leave Qingrong City as soon as possible.
Setting sun westward; their shadows stretched long. They looked back at the giant banyan shrouded in twilight and lanterns, and the still-noisy city beneath.
Qingrong City was their first stop entering the wide world; here they obtained important clues, obtained the White Tiger Soul Crystal Fragment, and more deeply felt the approaching storm.
Now they were about to head to the more vast and unpredictable East Sea, searching for that Azure Dragon Soul Crystal concerning all living beings.
The road ahead was unknown; fortune and misfortune uncertain, but their footsteps were unwavering.
Tianjizi's warning rang like an alarm bell, in their hearts. This race against time, against the demon—they couldn't afford to lose.