The flying ship cut through the clouds, and the salty sea breeze, carrying the vast water vapor, rushed towards them. Mist City had already disappeared on the horizon. The further east Chen Changqing went, the more he could sense the activity of the spiritual energy in the sea, almost twice as strong as in Mist City, but also unusually turbulent. Beneath this abundant spiritual energy, danger lurked. Standing at the bow, Chen Changqing quietly activated his Karma Heavenly Eye. In his vision, above the calm sea surface, scarlet, dark purple, and murky lines of karma crisscrossed and intertwined, tearing at each other—those were the embodiments of killing, greed, and betrayal, like deep-sea beasts waiting to devour anyone, lurking in the vast expanse of blue waves.
"Wow! Senior Brother, look! Such big birds!" Lin Wanqing excitedly leaned on the ship's railing, pointing at several seabirds with amazing wingspans, her eyes shining. "The spiritual energy here is so abundant, even more comfortable than the back mountains of our Yinxuan Sect!" Chen Changqing nodded slightly, but didn't reveal the dangers behind the spiritual energy. His junior sister was pure-hearted, and there were some things he didn't want her to know too early. He discreetly raised the flying ship a little higher, avoiding several areas of particularly chaotic energy below.
Several days later, the flying ship landed in Canglang City, the largest port in the Eastern Sea. The city was built by the sea, unlike anything inland. Giant ships lined the docks, and the air was filled with a unique smell of seafood, dried fish, and various spiritual materials. The cultivators walking on the streets were fierce, their cultivation generally higher than in Mist City; Qi Refining stage late-stage and Foundation Establishment cultivators were seen everywhere, and occasionally the pressure of a Golden Core expert would sweep across, making people's hearts palpitate. The two found a seaside inn to stay in. Chen Changqing wasn't in a hurry to act; instead, he took Lin Wanqing to stroll around places like teahouses, restaurants, and markets, these places where many people gathered and gossiped. In reality, he was carefully listening, filtering every useful word.
"Have you heard? The Black Dragon Gang robbed another ship from the Four Seas Merchant Guild last month; the goods were gone, and the people vanished without a trace!" One person at the next table lowered his voice. "Shhh! The Four Seas Merchant Guild is investigating strictly now!" "Investigate? The Eastern Sea is so vast; which of those sea bandits isn't like a slippery eel? Besides, who knows which mountain they're backed by..." The man paused, warily scanning his surroundings.
"Four Seas Merchant Guild..." Chen Changqing tapped his fingertips on the table, silently engraving this frequently mentioned name in his heart. From what he had heard these past few days, this merchant guild almost monopolized over seventy percent of the resource transactions in the Eastern Sea, with a vast influence and unfathomable roots. Even the ferocious pirate gangs dared not easily provoke their core fleets. "Senior Brother, are those pirates they mentioned very powerful?" Lin Wanqing asked in a low voice, her big eyes full of curiosity. "Well, Eastern Sea pirates have existed for a long time, a mix of good and bad. Some are rogue cultivators turned bandits, some are evil cultivators establishing sects, and they might even be secretly colluding with certain land-based sects," Chen Changqing explained briefly. "In short, they're quite a nuisance."
Besides pirates and merchant guilds, another topic was always mentioned inadvertently, with yearning, reverence, and a hint of undisguised greed. "...That old man was spitting nonsense, saying there was a crystal palace at the bottom of a ten-thousand-foot-deep sea abyss, the Dragon Palace Secret Treasure left behind by the ancient dragon race! Treasures piled up like mountains, and there's a dragon clan inheritance that grants instant cultivation!" "Tch, that's an old story, just to fool ghosts, right? If there was a Dragon Palace, would it still be around now?" "Hey, you never know! Haven't you heard that the sea's veins in the Eastern Sea have been unstable lately, and sea eyes are appearing frequently? Maybe...the rumors are true?"
Dragon Palace Secret Treasure. Chen Changqing's heart stirred slightly. He quietly activated his Karma Heavenly Eye, combining the information bestowed by the Pavilion Master of Xu Yang and the subtle guidance of the Sea Stabilizing Pearl, and began to deduce. After a moment, his eyes narrowed. Indeed! The karma of a fragment of the Four Seas Spiritual Seal's main seal ultimately pointed to the legendary Dragon Palace Secret Treasure! More precisely, it pointed to a certain mysterious sea area or ruin related to the Dragon Palace legend. The target was clear, but how to get there? Going out to sea directly was like searching for a needle in a haystack, not to mention the dangers along the way. The various forces coveting the Dragon Palace would be a huge problem. This was contrary to his consistent 'steady' approach. It seemed the breakthrough still had to be found with the Four Seas Merchant Guild. As the local overlords of the Eastern Sea, they possessed intelligence far beyond what outsiders could know. Moreover, the Four Seas Spiritual Seal and the Four Seas Merchant Guild had the same name, which was definitely not a coincidence.
"Wanqing, we're going to join the Four Seas Merchant Guild," Chen Changqing made his decision. "Ah? Join them?" Lin Wanqing was puzzled. "Aren't we looking for the Dragon Palace?" "If we want to find the Dragon Palace in the fastest and safest way, we have to borrow their ships and use their maps," Chen Changqing explained. "Moreover, don't you think the name 'Four Seas Merchant Guild' and Four Seas Spiritual Seal is too coincidental? The clues might be within the merchant guild." Lin Wanqing nodded, seeming to understand: "Oh... Okay then, I'll listen to Senior Brother."
The Four Seas Merchant Guild had a branch in Canglang City, a large-scale operation occupying prime real estate near the harbor. The guild was constantly recruiting talent, and the assessment was extremely strict. Chen Changqing and Lin Wanqing arrived at the recruitment office, where a long line had already formed. Most were Qi Refining cultivators, with a smattering of Foundation Establishment cultivators mixed in. When it was their turn, the assessor was a cold-faced, early-stage Golden Core manager. He glanced at the two of them, sensing Chen Changqing's "ordinary" late-stage Qi Refining cultivation (actually suppressed) and Lin Wanqing's cultivation at the same level, his expression indifferent.
"Name, cultivation, specialties?"
"Chen Qing, late-stage Qi Refining, somewhat familiar with formations and talismans." Chen Changqing used a pseudonym.
"Lin Wan, late-stage Qi Refining, good at… fighting!" Lin Wanqing declared.
The manager's face twitched almost imperceptibly, then he pointed to a black iron stele used for strength testing. "Go on, give it your best shot."
Chen Changqing stepped forward and, seemingly casually, threw a punch. True essence condensed into a single point, neither too much nor too little, leaving a clear but inconspicuous fist mark on the stele, exactly matching the late-stage Qi Refining level.
"Acceptable." The manager nodded, gesturing to Lin Wanqing.
Lin Wanqing imitated her senior brother's actions, clenching her small fist and throwing a punch. She didn't think too much, just wanting to avoid embarrassing her senior brother. The spiritual power of the Azure Frost Sword Vein flowed automatically within her, and a faint but incredibly sharp sword intent subtly attached itself to her fist.
Boom!!
A muffled explosion, far exceeding all previous test results! The black iron stele vibrated violently, and a clear crack appeared on its surface! The people waiting in line froze instantly, staring blankly at Lin Wanqing's fair, delicate hand. The Golden Core manager's pupils contracted, and his sharp gaze instantly locked onto Lin Wanqing. This power and penetrating force were not something an ordinary late-stage Qi Refining cultivator could possess! This woman... was not simple!
Lin Wanqing was also startled, quickly retracting her hand and sticking out her tongue, whispering, "Senior brother, did I use too much force?"
Chen Changqing: "..." Just a wry smile. His junior sister's special constitution always seemed to "stir up trouble" unintentionally. However, this accidental "display of talent" made the manager look at them differently.
In the subsequent spiritual sense test and simple combat assessment, the two of them intentionally controlled their performance, acting conventionally, but it was enough to pass easily. In the end, they successfully obtained the lowest-tier "Black Iron" identity tokens, becoming peripheral members of the Four Seas Merchant Guild.
Becoming a guild member didn't immediately grant them access to core secrets. They were assigned simple tasks, such as guarding warehouses and patrolling the docks, and the rewards were only enough to barely maintain their daily cultivation. Chen Changqing didn't mind this; he had plenty of patience. He used the opportunity to familiarize himself with the guild's operational methods, get to know other low-level members, and indirectly inquire about the Four Seas Spiritual Seal and the Dragon Palace, while also secretly observing the internal power structure and potential risks within the guild. Lin Wanqing, on the other hand, was a bit restless, finding these tasks tedious. Several times, she wanted to sneak out with Chen Changqing to search for treasures, but Chen Changqing stopped her each time.
Half a month later, the Golden Core manager came looking for them. "Chen Qing, Lin Wan, there's a mission," the manager said straight away, "Escort a batch of supplies to Seven Star Island, the reward is this much." He made a gesture. For ordinary peripheral members, this reward was substantial.
"Seven Star Island?" Chen Changqing remembered that the island was located in the outer sea, and the sea route was not peaceful, with pirates often causing trouble.
"This batch of supplies is quite important and must not be lost," the manager emphasized. "Besides the two of you, there will be a Foundation Establishment enforcer leading the team, plus ten Qi Refining guards. Assemble at Dock Three tomorrow morning."
Chen Changqing didn't immediately agree. "Manager, can you reveal the details of the supplies? It would allow us to be prepared."
The manager frowned, as if impatient, but remembering Lin Wanqing's astonishing punch, he said, "Some refining materials and pills, to be supplied to the Seven Star Island branch. There's no need to ask more questions, just follow the enforcer's arrangements."
"Understood." Chen Changqing agreed.
After the manager left, Lin Wanqing was excited. "Senior brother! Finally, we get to go to sea! Shall we look for the Dragon Palace along the way?"
Chen Changqing, however, furrowed his brow. He took out the Primordial Calculation Rods, his mind sinking into it, and began to deduce the fortunes of the journey. A moment later, his expression changed drastically. The divination—ominous!
It wasn't the usual danger of pirate raids, but a deep malice and meticulous calculation, as if an invisible hand was manipulating things in the dark! This escort was definitely not simple. Was it a test? A pawn? Or... to kill with a borrowed knife?
Chen Changqing looked out the window at the rolling, inky-black waves, his eyes as cold and still as ice. This Four Seas Merchant Guild was indeed a den of dragons and tigers, with unfathomable depths.
"Wanqing, be careful on this journey," he warned solemnly. "You must stick close to me and do not act on your own."
"Understood, senior brother!" Lin Wanqing nodded vigorously, but her eyes sparkled with the excitement of "adventure," completely unaware of the lurking crisis.
Chen Changqing sighed inwardly. Ahead, there were not only the wild winds and violent waves of the sea and the ferocious pirates, but also the cold arrows and conspiracies from within the guild.
The journey to the East Sea, the true test, had already begun.
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