Chapter 157 The Ancient Sea This is a true dragon.
The once densely packed crowd on the field gradually thinned out.
Shen Lixia stood below the stage, gazing at the hazy ripples between the water mirrors above, and silently clenched her fist. Although they had never spoken, she and Yi Xiaohan were surprisingly in the same boat at this moment, both puzzled—what was this?
She had heard that the format of the competition would indeed change slightly, but not to such an bizarre degree, using a magical artifact unknown to everyone present as its base. The aura emanating from the Water Mirror after it was unfolded made her feel quite uneasy. It was a desolate and profound feeling, like a call, unlike the present, nor like the previous dynasty, and it was even difficult to trace the origin of this ancient feeling.
Was it Master's choice, or had the sect leader already decided?
At that moment, someone stepped forward beside her.
“Senior Sister Shen,” Wu Zhuyue turned her head, pursed her lips, and finally smiled at Shen Lixia, “See you later.”
After saying that, she soared into the air and stepped into the water mirror, disappearing in a flash.
Lu Changqing muttered, "You're so biased! You didn't even say goodbye to me! I'll catch up with you!" She raised the jade bracelet with the inscription embedded in it to the others, blinked her left eye, and then jumped into the water mirror.
Next was Lin Yuxian. The young man seemed to sense the unusual aura in the water mirror as well, and a burning light appeared in his eyes as he said, "This is no ordinary object. The nuns have truly put in a lot of effort."
One by one, the figures disappeared, and soon the area around her was empty. Tang Huairou merely glanced at them with a smile, nodded slightly, and left behind a graceful green shadow before vanishing before the water mirror.
Her clenched fist was suddenly touched by something cool and soft, followed by a familiar roughness on her skin—it was her senior sister covering the back of her hand. Shen Lixia opened her fingers and let Qiao Yanshen take her hand and gently squeeze it.
She said gently, "Don't be afraid." Shen Lixia's ears burned when she heard this. She held her hand back, spreading her warm feelings over it, her fingertips brushing against the knuckles, rubbing against the thick calluses on her sword.
"I'm not scared..." the boy muttered softly, "I'm just worried."
Although the crowd was thinning out, such a small gesture as holding hands was still subtle and wouldn't be noticed by others. Thinking of this, she couldn't help but slip her fingertips between Qiao Yanshen's fingers, lightly tapping them together, then pressed her shoulders close to his, and pressed her clasped hands against her chest.
Shen Lixia lowered her head and gently kissed his hand, leaving a faint warmth on his pale skin. She whispered, "It seems we can't enter at the same time. No matter what happens, Senior Sister, you must be well and reunite with me and everyone else, okay?"
She always found herself becoming incredibly gentle when speaking to Qiao Yanshen, just as he was to her. Although she had already reassured her, she was still worried about what her senior sister might encounter in this bizarre and wondrous water mirror, especially since being a fallen demon was already enough to disturb her mind...
I just hope she's safe and sound and doesn't encounter anything that will cause her pain anymore.
The vibrant heartbeat of youth, rising and falling, emanated from their clasped fingers. Qiao Yanshen sighed softly and said with a smile, "Alright. Junior sister, you too, be sure to meet me safely."
Shen Lixia finally felt a little relieved, released their clasped hands, and prepared to follow them into the mirror. The communication talisman, which had been modified into an earring, suddenly became slightly warm, and a familiar voice entered her ears:
"Fellow Daoist, do not forget your promise!"
As if by telepathy, she turned her head and saw the woman in dark blue standing on the steps. Even among rogue cultivators, it was rare to find someone who couldn't fly with a sword. Although the steps were prepared for this purpose, she was the only one using them to ascend.
Dissenting voices were already emerging from the crowd. Many people, seeing that Simmons seemed to lack any cultivation and had an unremarkable demeanor, shouted, "A servant or apprentice who has mistakenly entered the competition venue is to be punished!"
"You can still run now, but you can't beat them!"
However, the woman seemed not to hear, only smiling leisurely, lightly twirling her prayer beads in her hand, as if riding a little donkey, she walked step by step onto the high platform for the competition. As she walked, she winked at her surroundings and occasionally raised her hand to shake it.
Just now, when she was transmitting her voice, she happened to turn towards Shen Lixia and waved with a smile.
She didn't know how she knew where the person was, or if she was just guessing, gambling on their fate. Shen Lixia found it amusing, and not wanting to offend her, she greeted her regardless of whether the other person had actually seen her. Unexpectedly, the communication talisman immediately transmitted Simmons's voice:
You saw me!
He was actually watching her? This person was quite secretive; after all this time, he still possessed supernatural abilities she was unaware of.
Shen Lixia shook her head, not wanting to waste any more time. She looked up and saw the ripples on the water mirror. She took a deep breath, and like a rabbit leaping off the ground, she jumped onto the high platform and landed in the water mirror.
The moment her figure disappeared into the darkness, the dizzying sensation of the shifting space crashed over her like a giant wave, causing Shen Lixia to subconsciously hold her breath. She felt her body go from light to heavy, and finally, she was suddenly enveloped in a chill.
The chill enveloped her, casting a shadow over her vision, leaving only boundless darkness. Confirming that her senses were still intact and she hadn't lost consciousness, Shen Lixia was slightly confused as to why she was like this, and was about to speak—
A cool, salty liquid immediately rushed into her lips, and with each breath, it entered her nasal cavity. Shen Lixia's expression changed, and she immediately took out a water-repelling bead from her mustard seed pouch and put it around her neck.
Within the membrane formed by the water-repelling beads, the boy choked on several mouthfuls of water and couldn't help coughing. His clothes, soaked through, clung stickily to his skin, pulling him slowly downwards. After regaining her senses, Shen Lixia finally began to observe his surroundings, while simultaneously using her spiritual power to support his body, preventing him from unknowingly sinking to a deeper place.
She is now in deep water where she can't see any light.
The cultivator possessed astonishing eyesight. She had the innate pupil technique of the High God Vermilion Bird, coupled with the spiritual vision taught by Qiao Yanshen, allowing her to clearly see everything surrounding her. The sound of the flowing water was gentle, sometimes near, sometimes far. Fragments of white debris floated in the murky water, like embers of a burning fire blown by the wind, or like a sudden, unexpected snowfall in the turbid water. Below, the rocks were covered with fuzzy seaweed and moss, and schools of fish darted through them, their scales shimmering silver. Several strange fish species she had never seen before swam swiftly, some with indistinct eyes, as if they were the most primitive, earliest ancient creatures, still in the process of evolution.
As if sensing the arrival of a visitor, the drowsiness gradually faded, replaced by a strange, soft light that illuminated the entire body of water, turning the deep blue-green seawater crystal clear. Shen Lixia reached out and caught a tiny silverfish fry, surprised to find that she could actually hold it in her hand.
The water rippled, spreading like a long ribbon, sending a cool sensation across her skin. A small fish struggled between her fingers, its translucent body faintly revealing pale blue veins of blood.
Shen Lixia carefully placed it back at the end of the school of fish, then looked around in confusion. There were no spiritual energy fluctuations from anyone else, which meant that no other disciples—at least within a hundred miles—had been teleported with her.
The Water Mirror transported her to an ocean steeped in ancient atmosphere. For some reason, Shen Lixia could sense a tranquility here that did not belong to this world. If the sea is the place that nurtures all things, then this place is the origin of life, seemingly more ancient and profound than any ocean she had ever seen, a sea of all seas, the source of all waters.
—It is the ocean that gave birth to the first brilliant civilization.
The thought suddenly popped into Shen Lixia's mind, and she was horrified. She bit her lower lip and, disregarding the loss of spiritual power, transformed it into a fine net to carefully examine all living beings within a hundred miles.
Fortunately, there was no life force stronger than hers, only some shadowy figures moving vaguely in the darkness. This vast expanse of water also seemed to contain spiritual energy, unlike its usual clarity, and could block part of her divine sense.
However, Shen Lixia was even more impressed that, as expected of the deep sea, there were many strange creatures here, probably because they could not see the light and could grow however they wanted.
Despite the deathly silence, this place was clearly not a safe place to linger.
First, there were no other creatures, whether they were lying in ambush or Shen Lixia was just unlucky, she really came to a place with few people around - although it is reasonable, after all, few people have ever set foot in the deep sea; second, if this place is really the vast ocean in the ancient times, then at this time the Heavenly Spirit Realm and the Earthly Spirit Realm had not yet separated, and all kinds of gods and monsters from ancient times could have appeared here.
She wasn't paying attention in class and only knew some basic myths and legends, but she also understood that those were beings she couldn't afford to offend at her current level. If Qiao Yanshen were here, he might be able to explain even more.
Moreover, after growing wings, Shen Lixia had acquired some bird habits and was quite uncomfortable with being in the water.
After thinking for a while, Shen Lixia withdrew some of her spiritual energy and then ventured deeper. She was always quick-witted and her thoughts changed rapidly. Being underwater was uncomfortable, but she wondered how this ocean had come to be. Perhaps a sacred being resided within this water mirror, capable of perfectly recreating the many scenes of the ancient ocean. If that was the case, it must be full of mysteries; how could she give up so easily?
Ultimately, curiosity triumphed over fear and hesitation, leading Shen Lixia to adjust her course and swim downstream.
The water-repelling bead shimmered with a faint blue hue. Fearing changes in water pressure at the bottom, Shen Lixia reached out and gripped it tightly, lest it disappear and leave her unexpectedly drowning.
Halfway through the swim, Shen Lixia suddenly realized something and frowned slightly.
Master, did you not say that we must not kill people?
Previously, it was clear that this rule existed in the small division, and it was also emphasized in the secret realm that someone would be sent out after being seriously injured.
Does this mean they tacitly condoned the deaths and injuries?
Thinking of this, she quickly dismissed her guess. Neither Si Changxi nor Yan Xueya cared for the lives of those born without permission; how could they possibly treat human life as worthless? There must be rules hidden within this water mirror that they were unaware of; perhaps it was all an illusion from the very beginning.
But once the seed of doubt is planted, it is hard to stop. Shen Lixia was wary and had to be on high alert, keeping a close watch on her surroundings, for fear that some huge sea monster might suddenly appear and swallow her whole.
Even if there were only a slight chance of death, it would be a burden she could not bear.
She can't do it again.
Thinking this, Shen Lixia continued to dive deeper. The water grew deeper, colder, and bluer, as if life itself was initially this gentle aquamarine, born unknowingly in a cold and vast cradle, coughing and weeping silently from the chill, then born and dying as it pleases, beyond its control, left to fate. The crystalline blue converged into ethereal ribbons, with the various creatures of different sizes swaying and swimming within them forming its patterns, softly enveloping the boy.
Suddenly, a powerful aura of spiritual energy rushed towards her. Shen Lixia subconsciously looked up and saw a blurry building outline in the distance, in the direction from which the aura originated.
The building was magnificent, as if it were made of pearls and jade, more noble than gold and silver. It was made of glazed bricks and white jade tiles, which is why it could reflect the sun's brilliance in the misty blue deep sea.
Even from a distance, it is breathtaking.
Strangely, no other fluctuations were detected. Shen Lixia could only assume that the master had left, but she wondered for whom this magnificent palace was built. She felt a slight familiarity with this sea and guessed that if it was indeed an ancient ocean, then it was the prototype of the South China Sea—or rather, the South China Sea before it was split apart.
Therefore, merfolk likely also in these waters. It's just unknown what era this sea exists in, or whether it has ever suffered the ravages of war…
In her memory, the architecture of the Merfolk Kingdom was unique, gentle and symmetrical, unlike the dazzling palace here. Shen Lixia quickened her pace, and the spiritual energy became increasingly concentrated, almost condensing into strange, five-colored droplets as she approached.
The next moment, she was almost blinded.
Inside this semi-open palace, a dazzling array of treasures glittered in the sunlight. The palace gates and pillars were constructed from special jade, adorned with intricate and dazzling patterns. Asymmetrical yet possessing a unique and captivating beauty, they seemed naturally formed, further emphasizing their rarity. Further inside, beneath enormous latticed windows, countless strange objects were piled together, seemingly without order yet vying for attention, illuminating a dazzling and radiant light.
This is a hidden treasure.
Shen Lixia knew this place wasn't real, so she swam straight into the palace. Upon stepping onto the palace floor tiles, she took a deep breath and began searching around.
It's alright, she was just taking what she needed from a bunch of phantoms, she didn't actually steal anyone's treasure from the ancient times.
Thinking this way, the boy felt much more at ease and quickly focused his mind and breath, searching for what he needed based on the various scents.
This is an ancient array plate covered with runes, but she recognized a few ancient characters that read "Slaying Heaven and Transforming Evil." Among them, the earth element was the most intense, which should be suitable for Lin Yuxian.
From a small porcelain bottle, the breath of life flowed out; simply opening it brought a sense of tranquility and refreshment, making one's internal organs feel invigorated. Shen Lixia probed the bottle with her divine sense and discovered a seed inside, remarkably similar to the Golden Water Bodhi, but with a jade-like luster. She didn't know what it was, but subconsciously thought of Tang Huairou.
Yes, Senior Sister Tang should need this...
Next was a piece of dull gray metal, unremarkable in appearance, yet even with the protective aura of a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator, it easily cut her. Perhaps it could be used to forge Junior Sister Wu's sword, making it incomparably sharp, and the young man could also be influenced by its sharpness, becoming more confident. As for Lu Changqing, Shen Lixia immediately took a liking to a pure white robe, its runes faintly flowing and seemingly coming alive, constantly flashing and radiating brilliant golden light. Touching the surface, she could clearly feel the strength of the threads, indicating it was undoubtedly a superior magical robe.
And then there's Simmons... She didn't know what Simmons liked, so she simply pulled out a strangely shaped scroll and stuffed it into her mustard seed bag.
The Vermilion Bird's keen sense of smell for treasures ensured that her choice was the best—Shen Lixia was certain that even if she knew nothing, the divine fire would guide her to the treasure.
Most importantly—what should I bring for my senior sister?
The immortals who have reached their current level must not lack resources; but Shen Lixia and her fellow disciples are either too young to have taken many risks, or they have been pampered since childhood and rarely faced the storms of the outside world. Besides, since they have already come to rob the palace, even though it has no owner, she is too embarrassed to take too much.
After all, she had to leave some for the next generation of junior sisters. What if someone else was as unlucky as her, ending up in the sea and then finding the palace empty of all its treasures? Wouldn't that make them furious?
Qiao Yanshen already has the Rain Edge sword, so he definitely won't choose another one; the robe he'll give to Lu Changqing is the best, and she won't change her mind; as for the books, many are already rotten, so even if he took them out, they wouldn't be of much value...
Shen Lixia's hand, which was resting on a certain object, paused slightly.
She finally sensed something was amiss and suddenly released her divine sense, scanning her surroundings.
Before anyone knew it, the fish had vanished; the distant, eerie cries of sea creatures had also disappeared; the snowflake-like debris abruptly stopped, no longer drifting naturally, but rising and falling, as if it were constantly rising and sinking with the breath of something.
The entire sea was deathly silent. Although the seawater could not enter her mouth or nose, it carried with it a bloody smell.
Her outstretched consciousness was abruptly intercepted, and then, as if someone had casually flicked their finger, it became a devastating blow to Shen Lixia, suddenly piercing her sea of consciousness and startling her divine fire.
The boy felt a piercing pain in his heart and couldn't help but groan. Blood formed thin streams that flowed from his eyes, mouth, nose, and ears. She quickly wiped it away and, under a strange, cold gaze, slowly turned around.
The creature that had been behind her came into view. Shen Lixia had no idea how long it had been lurking in the sea or how long it had been watching her; her blood froze solid.
A pair of dazzling and enormous golden eyes emerged, almost illuminating all the darkness in the sea.
It gazed at the boy before it as if he were an ant, its enormous head concealing a long, coiled body, its silvery gleaming and its fine, shimmering scales stretching to the horizon.
Seeing that Shen Lixia had finally noticed it, it gently shook the tangled horns on its head, exhaled a breath of cold air, and spoke as if it were humming softly, but what finally reached the ears was a clear and melodious woman's voice.
"It's only been a quarter of an hour before they were robbed. Humans are indeed as greedy as she said."
From the movements of the divine fire, Shen Lixia learned the identity of the creature before her and confirmed a guess.
This place is indeed the ocean from ancient times.
Before her stood a true dragon that still existed in the ancient times and thus did not face extinction in the future.
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Author's note: The following chapters will focus more on the plot, explaining many things from the ancient era.
Now that we've reached the Ancient Era, as you might have guessed, your old acquaintances are slowly coming online. I don't know much about ancient mythology, so I'll try to make it sound a bit mysterious (…?).
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