System Possession, One Sword Shocks the Gods

178: Jade Spirit Island, Secrets of the Sea ChartThe sea breeze, carrying a salty scent, brushed past, fluttering Ye Chen’s robes. He floated in mid-air, his gaze calmly fixed on the green-robed woman on the Flying Boat’s deck who introduced herself as Su Zhi.

”Ye Chen,” he stated his name, his voice still calm. ”I was passing by and happened upon this event.”

Hearing this, Su Zhi felt slightly relieved. It seemed this Senior had not come specifically for them and held no ill will. She bowed again: ”So it is Senior Ye. Your great kindness in saving our lives is unforgettable to Su Zhi and everyone on Green Jade Island! If Senior does not mind, please come to Green Jade Island, allow this Junior to fulfill the duties of a host, and properly thank Senior for your grace.”

Her attitude was sincere, her eyes clear, showing the gratitude of someone who had survived a disaster, mixed with a perfect measure of reverence. The few guards behind her also bowed, their eyes filled with respect.

Ye Chen pondered briefly. Having just arrived in the Guixu Sea, he was unfamiliar with the place and indeed needed to gather local information and find a way back to the Tianyan Continent or Boundary Severing City. Green Jade Island sounded like a Cultivator gathering place, making it a good temporary stop.

”Alright.” He nodded.

Su Zhi immediately showed delight, quickly instructing her subordinates to control the badly damaged Flying Boat, turn its direction, and sail toward the distant island. She personally led Ye Chen into a relatively elegant cabin inside the Flying Boat and served Spiritual Tea.

The Flying Boat advanced slowly. Ye Chen sat inside the cabin, his Divine Sense silently covering the entire Flying Boat and extending outward, observing this unfamiliar sea area named ”Guixu Sea.”

The seawater was deep, and the energy was chaotic. Occasionally, powerful Auras could be sensed lurking in the deep sea, at least high-level Earth Fiend Realm, and sometimes a few obscure fluctuations appeared that made even him feel a trace of threat. This sea area was far more dangerous than it looked.

About half an hour later, the Flying Boat arrived at the island. The island was quite large, and its periphery was enveloped by a light cyan Formation Light Barrier. Runes flowed across the barrier, emitting a decent defensive fluctuation. The island featured rolling hills and lush vegetation, with buildings faintly visible scattered throughout. Numerous ships of varying sizes were docked at the port, presenting a scene of prosperity.

The Flying Boat passed through the Formation Light Barrier and stopped at a dedicated berth in the port. Su Zhi respectfully led Ye Chen off the Flying Boat.

”Senior Ye, please follow me. I have already sent a message to my father; he is waiting in the Discussion Hall and insists on thanking Senior personally,” Su Zhi introduced while leading the way. ”Our Green Jade Island is considered a sizable Cultivator gathering place in the outer regions of the Guixu Sea, famous for producing ’Green Spirit Jade’ and several deep-sea specialties. My father, Su Hao, is the Island Master of this island.”

Ye Chen nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the port and the streets. The Cultivators coming and going had varied cultivation levels, ranging from Condensing Truth Realm to Earth Fiend Realm. Most were in a hurry, carrying a fierce Aura formed from years of fighting at sea. The architectural style here was also distinct from the Tianyan Continent, built mostly from stone and a dark greenish-black wood, appearing rough yet sturdy.

Soon, the two arrived before a magnificent hall in the center of the island. A plaque bearing the three characters ”Green Jade Hall” hung above the entrance. A middle-aged man, dressed in brocade robes, with a refined appearance but eyes as sharp as an eagle’s, was already waiting outside the hall entrance, accompanied by several Elder-like Cultivators. His cultivation level was astonishingly the Peak Ninth Level of Disha Realm!

”This must be Fellow Daoist Ye Chen!” Upon seeing Ye Chen, the middle-aged man immediately stepped forward quickly, cupped his hands, and smiled. His demeanor was enthusiastic yet appropriate. ”I am Su Hao, the humble Island Master of Green Jade Island. My daughter owes Fellow Daoist a great debt for saving her life; Green Jade Island will engrave this kindness in our hearts! Fellow Daoist, please come into the hall to speak!”

”Island Master Su is too polite; it was merely a small effort.” Ye Chen cupped his hands in return, his tone calm.

The group entered the great hall and took their seats, separating host and guest. Servant girls presented fragrant tea and Spiritual Fruit.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Su Hao got straight to the point, his expression serious: ”Fellow Daoist Ye must have seen that the Guixu Sea appears calm but is actually fraught with danger. Not only are there various powerful Sea Beasts lurking, but there are also vicious pirates like ’Black Skeleton’ roaming about. If Fellow Daoist hadn’t happened to pass by today, my daughter and the others might have...”

He sighed, then continued, ”May I ask where Fellow Daoist comes from? Are you visiting the Guixu Sea for travel or for important business? If there is anything Green Jade Island can assist with, please speak freely; I, Su, will certainly do my best!”

Ye Chen set down his teacup and directly explained his purpose: ”I, Ye, accidentally drifted here and know nothing about the Guixu Sea. Currently, I only wish to find a way to return to the ’Tianyan Continent’ or travel to ’Boundary Severing City.’ Does Island Master Su know any relevant information?”

”Tianyan Continent? Boundary Severing City?” Su Hao’s eyes flashed with surprise upon hearing this. He exchanged glances with the other Elders, all seeing astonishment in each other’s eyes.

”Fellow Daoist Ye actually comes from the Tianyan Continent?” Su Hao’s tone carried a hint of disbelief. ”That is the legendary ’Upper Realm,’ where Spiritual Qi is abundant and the Dao traditions flourish! According to ancient records, one can only travel between the Upper Realm and this ’Lower Realm’ through extremely rare and unstable ’Realm Passages’ or by utilizing Ancient Teleportation Arrays. As for Boundary Severing City... that is a legendary neutral ground, said to be located within the fissures of the Myriad Heavens, mysterious and unpredictable, only reachable by those with great Opportunity.”

Lower Realm? Ye Chen’s heart stirred. It seemed the Guixu Sea, including the previous Nirvana Demon Abyss and the Ancient Battlefield, all belonged to the so-called ”Lower Realm,” while the Tianyan Continent was the ”Upper Realm.” A barrier existed between the two.

”It seems Fellow Daoist Ye fell into this Lower Realm through some accident.” Su Hao nodded knowingly, a trace of sympathy and understanding appearing on his face. ”To return to the Upper Realm—it is difficult, as difficult as reaching the heavens!”

He pondered for a moment, then continued: ”As far as I, Su, know, within this vast and boundless Guixu Sea, there indeed exist ’Spatial Nodes’ or ’Ancient Ruins’ that lead to other realms, possibly even connecting to the Upper Realm. However, their exact locations are controlled by top-tier major powers and are regarded as supreme secrets. Furthermore, most of those nodes are extremely unstable and fraught with danger.”

”Oh? Do you know which powers those are?” Ye Chen pressed.

”The Guixu Sea is boundless, and island powers are as numerous as the stars. But the three powers generally recognized as standing at the peak are these,” Su Hao listed solemnly. ”First is the ’Dragon Whale Palace,’ which dominates the ’Storm Sea Region.’ It is said that their Ancestral Master is an ancient Dragon Whale that successfully Cultivated, whose strength is unfathomable. They control several stable trade routes and at least one ancient ruin suspected of connecting to other realms.”

”Second is the ’Profound Nether Sect,’ entrenched near the ’Netherworld Vortex.’ The Cultivators of this sect practice bizarre Cultivation Techniques, specializing in controlling Ghosts and manipulating cold, yin energy. Their actions are both righteous and evil. Their main altar is said to be located at a ’Sea Eye’ that constantly erupts with spatial energy, possibly connecting to certain yin-attributed realms.”

”Third is the ’Guixu Immortal Sect,’ which is relatively mysterious and rarely appears in the world. This sect has an ancient Legacy, said to be related to the origin of the Guixu Sea. Its Disciples are few, but each possesses formidable strength and elusive movements. Rumors say they hold the secret path leading to the ’Guixu Core’ and even other Main Worlds.”

Dragon Whale Palace, Profound Nether Sect, Guixu Immortal Sect. Ye Chen silently noted these three names.

”Besides these Three Major Powers, some powerful Loose Cultivators or small Alliances might also possess some unknown secret passages, but such information is beyond my, Su’s, knowledge,” Su Hao added.

Ye Chen nodded. Although the information was still vague, he at least had a clear direction. He thought for a moment and asked, ”Island Master Su, do you know where I can obtain a relatively detailed Sea Chart of the Guixu Sea? Especially a chart marking the territories of these major powers, possible dangerous areas, and Spatial Anomaly Points.”

Hearing this, Su Hao showed a hint of difficulty on his face: ”Detailed Sea Charts, especially those involving the territories of those top powers and spatial secrets, are priceless and strictly controlled. Although our Green Jade Island is considered a local power, the Sea Charts we can access are limited to the outer regions and some public shipping lanes. More detailed core Sea Charts can probably only be acquired at a large Trade Hub like ’Ten Thousand Reef City,’ or through some special Black Market Channels.”

”Ten Thousand Reef City?”

”That is one of the largest Cultivator gathering places located in the central part of the Guixu Sea. It is jointly managed by dozens of powers, large and small, a place where the good and bad mix, and trade flourishes. It is known as the place where ’nothing is impossible to buy, only impossible to imagine.’ Fellow Daoist might find what you need there.” Su Hao explained, then reminded him, ”However, Ten Thousand Reef City is extremely far from here. You must cross several dangerous sea regions along the way, and without a reliable Sea Chart and a powerful Flying Boat, it would be impossible to reach. Moreover, even if you arrive at Ten Thousand Reef City, obtaining a core Sea Chart requires paying a huge price and might even attract unwanted attention.”

Ye Chen indicated his understanding. It seemed that traveling to Ten Thousand Reef City to acquire a detailed Sea Chart was the most feasible first step for now.

”Thank you, Island Master Su, for the information.” Ye Chen cupped his hands in thanks.

”Fellow Daoist Ye is too polite; this small amount of information is nothing.” Su Hao waved his hand, then took out a Jade Slip from his Storage Ring and handed it to Ye Chen. ”This is the relatively detailed Sea Chart of the outer regions of the Guixu Sea that Green Jade Island possesses. It includes some safe shipping lanes, dangerous areas, and Resource Points we know of. Perhaps it will be of some use to Fellow Daoist. As for the more core regions, I am unable to help.”

Ye Chen accepted the Jade Slip. His Divine Sense swept over it, revealing an extremely complex Sea Chart, marked with a large amount of information. Although it only covered the outer area, for a newcomer like him, it was like timely assistance in the snow.

”This chart is precious; I, Ye, accept your kindness.” Ye Chen solemnly put it away.

”Fellow Daoist exaggerates. Compared to the grace of saving a life, a mere Sea Chart is nothing worth mentioning,” Su Hao laughed. ”Since Fellow Daoist has just arrived, if you don’t mind, you can stay on the island for a few more days and allow me, Su, to fulfill my duties as host. Moreover, in three days, there will be a small Trade Fair on the island, where items of interest to Fellow Daoist might appear.”

Ye Chen pondered briefly, then nodded in agreement. He indeed needed time to familiarize himself with the environment, digest the information, and plan his next move. Green Jade Island seemed like a good place to rest for the time being.

Seeing Ye Chen agree, Su Hao was very pleased and immediately ordered people to arrange an independent courtyard for Ye Chen that was rich in Spiritual Qi and tranquil in environment.

Over the next two days, Ye Chen remained in the courtyard, studying the Sea Chart and familiarizing himself with the Guixu Sea environment, while also consolidating his newly Breakthrough cultivation and adapting to his surging power. During this time, Su Zhi also came to visit, respectfully asking for guidance on some Cultivation matters, and Ye Chen casually offered a few pointers, which greatly benefited her.

On the third day, Green Jade Island’s Trade Fair was held as scheduled. The location was a plaza in the center of the island. Although Su Hao called it a ”small” Trade Fair, the number of participants was considerable. Besides the island’s own Cultivators, there were also traveling merchants and Cultivators from nearby islands, making it quite lively.

Ye Chen concealed most of his Aura and wandered casually through the plaza like an ordinary Cultivator. Stalls displayed various Sea Beast Materials, Spiritual Plants, Ore, Medicinal Pills, Talismans, and even some damaged Magical Artifacts. The variety was wide, but the grade was generally not high, mostly suitable for intermediate and low-level Cultivators of the Condensing Truth Realm and Earth Fiend Realm.

He walked around once but found nothing that stirred his heart. Just as he was preparing to leave, his gaze unintentionally swept across an inconspicuous corner at the edge of the plaza.

Sitting there was a ragged old man with a weak Aura. Only a tattered cloth was spread before him, sparsely displaying a few pieces of dull-colored Ore, a few poor-quality sea grasses, and a piece of extremely ancient, edge-damaged, unidentified material... a leather fragmentary map?

The fragmentary map was only palm-sized, yellowed in color, and sketched with distorted lines and a blurred arrow mark using some dark brown pigment. It appeared worthless.

However, the moment Ye Chen’s gaze landed on that fragmentary map, the chaos ancestral talisman deep within his Qi Sea once again transmitted an extremely faint yet perfectly clear tremor!