Starting as pearl divers, they have endless jobs.

Chapter 1: The Sinners and Tanka People
Blackwater Lake, under the jurisdiction of the Blood Lotus Sect.

The lake water was as black as ink, and its bottom was unseen. Even at noon, it was still chillingly cold, making one's hair stand on end.

But this is already the best time of day to go into the water to collect pearls.

One by one, pearl-diving boats were moored on Blackwater Lake. The Tanka people took off their clothes, leaving only their underwear, and then jumped into the water with a splash.

Chen Ye was among them. He moored the boat at the edge, took a deep breath, and plunged in.

The lake water was icy cold; an ordinary person would die if they went in without protection.

Fortunately, at that moment, the talisman hanging around Chen Ye's neck came into play, emitting a faint warmth to ensure the most basic circulation of qi and blood.

Chen Ye sped up, diving into the water like a slippery fish.

The lake bottom was covered with a thick layer of silt. Chen Ye held his breath and quickly began to sift through it.

This is a very technically difficult maneuver, because even a slightly larger movement could stir up the mud and sand, causing one to lose their way.

In this icy water, losing your way means death.

Fortunately, Chen Ye was experienced and acted cautiously and quickly, soon finding a clam the size of a palm leaf fan in the mud and sand.

This clam is grayish-brown all over and mixed in with the mud and sand, so it is easy to miss it if you are not careful.

In addition, the tightly closed, steel-like clam shell is also a major challenge.

Chen Ye took the shovel from his waist. The shovel had a unique shape and its edges shimmered with a faint spiritual light. It was specially designed to deal with these hard clam shells.

These are tools distributed to the Tanka people by the Blood Lotus Sect, and besides the Yin-expelling talisman, they are the only magical artifacts that Chen Ye can access.

Chen Ye pressed the tip of the shovel against the gap in the clam shell and exerted a sudden force. A barely perceptible spiritual light seeped into it, and then a snapping sound was heard as the spiritual clam was pried open.

On the dark lakebed, a soft fluorescent glow peeked through the cracks, standing out conspicuously.

Chen Ye quickly pried open the entire clam shell, and there lay a spirit pearl the size of a longan inside the clam meat, radiating a lustrous glow.

Chen Ye was overjoyed. Judging from its size and luster, it was at least an eight-point spirit pearl.

The Blood Lotus Sect roughly divides spirit pearls into nine grades, with grade one being the highest and grade nine being the entry level. However, having been here for so long, Chen Ye has never even seen a grade nine, let alone a grade one.

Most of the spirit pearls he saw in his daily life, or rather, the vast majority of the Tanka people could come into contact with, were not of high quality.

Even so, there are differences in size, and an eight-point spirit pearl means that it is quite good in both size and luster.

With this, today's task is complete.

Chen Ye carefully took out the spirit pearl and put it into a specially made bag at his waist.

Just then, Chen Ye felt the surrounding lake water growing colder and colder, a chill penetrating deep into his bones. At the same time, his own blood and qi were slowing down, as if he were frozen.

As for the Yin-dispelling talisman on his chest, its light had dimmed to the extreme, and the heat it emitted was rapidly decreasing.

This is a sign that the talisman for dispelling evil spirits is about to lose its effectiveness.

Three months ago, that's how my predecessor died.

Therefore, Chen Ye dared not delay at all, and with a push of his legs, he quickly rushed towards the lake.

Wow!

Finally, before the Yin-repelling talisman completely lost its effect, Chen Ye broke out of the water.

The midday sun shone on him, but it couldn't dispel the chill in his body. Chen Ye scrambled onto the pearl-diving boat, curling up into a ball, trembling like a leaf, his lips even turning bluish-purple.

It took him a long time to catch his breath before he shakily lifted the lid of a wooden bucket, inside which was ginger soup that had been brewed in advance.

Chen Ye drank two large bowls in a row, and only after a light sweat appeared on his forehead did he feel relieved.

Then he slumped into the cabin, his face full of bitterness.

Three months ago, Chen Ye woke up to find himself no longer working for the company, but inside the body of a boy with the same name.

At first, Chen Ye was a little excited, but he was quickly slapped in the face by reality.

This is a world where all methods flourish and a hundred schools of thought contend, where cultivators are high above and mortals are as lowly as dust.

Their predecessors were noble sons of a dynasty called Dayao under the rule of the Blood Lotus Sect, who once lived a life of luxury and extravagance.

Unfortunately, the family later lost in the power struggle and, after losing power, the whole family was sent to the Blood Lotus Sect, where they were registered as criminals and became the pearl-diving Tanka people.

Blackwater Lake is a general term for an extremely vast body of water, fraught with countless dangers, which even the Blood Lotus Sect has not been able to fully explore.

The area where they were harvesting pearls was just a small corner of Blackwater Lake, and there are many similar pearl-harvesting areas.

The spirit pearls produced in Blackwater Lake are of excellent quality and are an important strategic resource. However, because the lake water is too yin, especially for cultivators, once it invades their bodies, it can damage their blood and qi, or even destroy their foundation. Therefore, the Blood Lotus Sect continuously conscripts criminals from the various dynasties under its rule to use as consumables.

Over the years, almost none of the criminals sent here have returned alive. Therefore, in the major dynasties, sending criminals to the Blood Lotus Sect has become an extremely terrible punishment, even worse than death.

After all, killing someone is just a matter of a head falling to the ground, and one stab is all it takes to end it all. But here, one has to endure unimaginable despair and torment.

In order to make these "consumables" work better, the Blood Lotus Sect would give them a Yin-dispelling talisman before each dive. However, the quality of this thing was too poor. It was supposed to last for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, but in reality, it often failed prematurely.

The original body was caused by the premature failure of the Yin-repelling talisman during a swim three months ago, which allowed Yin cold to enter the body. Although it managed to climb out of the water, it developed a high fever that night and ultimately could not survive. Then... Chen Ye transmigrated here.

Recalling these past events, Chen Ye felt endless melancholy.

In such dark and hopeless days, even if a normal person doesn't freeze to death by the yin energy or be swallowed by those unknown monsters underwater, they will eventually be driven insane.

Fortunately, I still have a glimmer of hope.

With a thought, a light screen that only he could see quietly appeared before Chen Ye's eyes.

Name: Chen Ye

[Identity: Sinner of the Blood Lotus Sect]

【Occupation: Tanka (lv2)】

[Talent: Cold Resistance, Body of an Ox or Horse]

[Skills: Diving lv2 (You can hold your breath underwater for longer periods and are more adaptable to water pressure), Spirit Clam Sensing lv2 (Within a five-meter range, you can vaguely sense the presence of a spirit clam and make a preliminary judgment as to whether it contains a spirit pearl)]

It was through this awakened Tanka (boat-dwelling people) profession that Chen Ye was able to survive in this cannibalistic place.

After exploring for a while, Chen Ye discovered that this job panel was quite intriguing.

First of all, there is no limit to the number of professions it can accommodate.

To awaken one's professional potential, one needs to engage in that profession and gain recognition from others.

For example, the Tanka people's profession has awakened in this way.

As for awakening through other means, Chen Ye has not yet tried due to limitations.

In addition, professions can be changed after reaching a certain level, but Chen Ye is only level 2 now, so he can only know that this exists.

What also filled Chen Ye with anticipation was the last column on the panel.

【The Ark to the Other Shore (Not Activated)】

Activation conditions: ???

[Description: By piloting this vessel, one can reach the other shores of the heavens.]

The boat to the other shore can reach all the heavens!
Upon seeing those words, Chen Ye's heart began to race.

If it is as described, then although his physical body may not be able to leave this place immediately, he will at least have a trump card to turn the tide.

Unfortunately, three months have passed since he transmigrated here, and despite trying various methods, Chen Ye still cannot activate it.

It seems the activation conditions are quite demanding.

With a sigh, Chen Ye turned off the control panel, then got up and rowed towards the dock.

The dock was bustling with people. The disciples of the Blood Lotus Sect stationed there sat behind a table, their faces expressionless.

The people actually in charge of doing the work were a few level-seven criminals.

It turns out that even among the criminals in Blackwater Lake, there are different ranks. In order to better govern them, the Blood Lotus Sect has established strict regulations. Those of higher ranks not only have relatively ample food supplies, but can also move freely within a limited area.

Those of lower rank were even worse off than slaves, not only lacking food and clothing, but also frequently subjected to bullying.

In addition, some high-ranking criminals, if they are lucky, will even be put in charge of management. This is an even better job, a "step up to the top".

These people had a clear division of labor, collecting and registering the day's harvest from the Tanka people in order.

"Wang Qi, five ungraded, level-three spirit pearls."

"Li Lei, three ungraded, level 5 spirit pearls."

Such shouts were heard incessantly, while others inspected the Tanka people to prevent anyone from smuggling goods.

The seventh-level criminal in charge of the inspection was seen carrying a palm-sized, clam-shell-like magical artifact, which he walked over each of the Tanka people who had handed over their spirit pearls.

The process was quite rigorous.

This is because spirit pearls are extremely precious resources, especially important to the Blood Lotus Sect. Therefore, any act of secretly possessing or smuggling them will be severely punished.

As for what to do with it if I secretly take it away...

There have always been rumors that spirit pearls can enhance a person's talent and physique, and even help them awaken their spiritual energy, thus embarking on the path of cultivation. However, no one knows whether this is true or false, or how exactly to use these spirit pearls.

But this doesn't stop some people from taking the risk because of it.

For example, today, just as Chen Ye was quietly queuing, there was a sudden commotion in front of him.

It turned out that the clam shell artifact suddenly emitted light while examining a tall, thin man.

Almost instantly, several convicts who had been waiting nearby rushed forward like wolves, dragged the man out of the line, pinned him to the ground, and then stripped him naked.

After a second inspection, the clam shell artifact stopped at the man's abdomen, and then the man looked at the Blood Lotus Sect disciple sitting behind the table with a fawning expression.

The young disciple didn't even glance at him, only nodding slightly.

The seventh-degree criminal immediately drew a short knife, completely ignoring the desperate pleas of the man on the ground, and slashed him down.

A moment later, without changing his expression, he pulled out a round, apricot-sized spirit pearl that emitted a pinkish glow from his bloody wound.

"It's a high-grade spirit pearl!"

"A ninth-grade spirit pearl. No wonder this Liu Da Ge would take such a risk."

The crowd stirred in astonishment.

Once a spirit pearl reaches a certain grade, it not only becomes significantly larger, but also radiates a precious light and possesses extraordinary spiritual energy.

Just as everyone was captivated by the ninth-grade spirit pearl, Chen Ye's pupils suddenly contracted.

Upon seeing the ninth-grade spirit pearl, an indescribable longing suddenly arose in his heart, as if a person who had been starving for three days and three nights had encountered a table of unparalleled delicacies.

He couldn't help but swallow hard, forcibly suppressing the urge.

Only after the Blood Lotus Sect disciple put the ninth-grade spirit pearl into his bag did Chen Ye finally breathe a sigh of relief, and then his heart was filled with turbulent waves.

what happened?

Why did I develop such a strong desire?

Just as Chen Ye was wondering to himself, the man who had been disemboweled twitched a few times on the ground and then died.

But his body was not wasted; soon several convicts and constables came forward and carried it away.

I heard it was used to grow flowers, but no one knows what kind of flowers require a corpse to grow.

Because of this scene, the dock became very quiet. Everyone lined up in silence, not daring to make a sound.

Soon it was the turn of a middle-aged man who was in front of Chen Ye in line.

“Sun Zhe, your quota has not been met for three consecutive days, so you are downgraded to Level 1,” the criminal in charge of recording said coldly.

Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man immediately collapsed to the ground, unable to utter a single word.

To prevent them from slacking off, the Blood Lotus Sect also set a rule for these criminals and Tanka people: apart from the management personnel, everyone else had a daily quota of tasks. If they failed to complete the quota, they would first have their food reduced, and then they would be demoted.

Being demoted to level one also means that this middle-aged man named Sun Zhe will be relegated to the lowest level, and unless he is incredibly lucky, he will die soon.

At this moment, someone grabbed Sun Zhe by the hair and dragged him away.

Seeing this scene, many people felt a pang of sympathy, after all, no one can guarantee that Sun Zhe's fate today won't be their own tomorrow.

Finally, it was Chen Ye's turn. When he handed over the eight-point spirit pearl, the criminal in charge of the inspection was obviously taken aback, and then shouted loudly, "Chen Ye, one ungraded eight-point spirit pearl."

The criminal in charge of recording also looked up, forcing a smile. "Chen Ye, right? You've accumulated enough points to level up recently. From today onwards, you're a Level 4 criminal."

As he spoke, he handed over a sign with the four characters engraved on it.

In an instant, everyone's eyes were focused on Chen Ye, some with envy, some with jealousy, and some with ill intentions.

After all, here, rank means everything; food, lodging, and even so-called dignity are all tied to that little sign.

Chen Ye's face remained calm and expressionless, as if he hadn't been the one who had leveled up.

He took the new wooden plaque, handed over his original level-three wooden plaque and spirit shovel, and then received the supplies for level-four criminals—a small bag of fine rice, a bag of dark but substantial wheat cakes, and even a few pieces of smoked meat.

This treatment is much better than before.

After packing up the supplies, Chen Ye turned and left the dock under the watchful eyes of those people.

There is a town right behind the dock.

It's important to understand that even criminals have basic needs, especially the higher-ranking criminals who have surplus resources. In addition, new criminals arrive almost every few days, which has led to the creation of this distorted town.

The newly assigned residence was on the edge of the town. Chen Ye walked quickly along the muddy road with his head down.

Everything seemed ordinary, but Chen Ye walked faster and faster, and after entering the town, he suddenly turned into an alley.

Just as he turned into the alley, three people quickly chased after him, only to find that he hadn't caught up with them.

The dilapidated alley was deserted; there was no trace of Chen Ye to be seen.

"Where did they go? How could they disappear in the blink of an eye?" one of the men, with a pointed mouth and monkey-like face, asked, full of doubt.

"This kid is like a dog. We were so careful following him, but he still found out." Another man with triangular eyes looked even more frustrated.

The leader was a burly man with a full beard. He glanced at the alley with a gloomy look, then said in a deep voice.

“This kid is really something else. I’ve been observing him for over a month and I’ve noticed that he can collect spirit pearls almost every day, and they’re all of good quality. So I suspect that he’s found a spot where spirit clams gather.”

As he said this, a glint of greed flashed in his eyes.

"It doesn't matter if he gets away this time. He can run away, but he can't hide. I don't believe he can escape tomorrow."

These three were all high-ranking criminals, especially the leader, a burly man with a thick beard named Zhao Qiu, who had lived here for several years and was said to have a good relationship with the management, making him a true local tyrant.

Since they were in town, Zhao Qiu and his two companions didn't dare to act too recklessly. After confirming that there was no trace of Chen Ye, they could only leave dejectedly.

After they left, the gate of a small courtyard in the alley was quietly pushed open a crack.

Chen Ye slipped out from behind the door, his expression somewhat grave.

He had noticed that someone was following him while he was on the road.

Therefore, after turning into the alley, he exerted his strength almost instantly, using both his hands and feet, and jumped into the small courtyard at an extremely fast speed, barely managing to shake off his tail.

He also heard every word of the conversation between Zhao Qiu and the other two.

Sure enough, they were being watched.

Over the past two months, relying on the Spirit Clam's sensing ability, I have achieved stable gains and leveled up too quickly, which has eventually attracted covetousness.

We've managed to dodge it this time, but what about next time? Are we going to keep hiding like this forever?

It seems that we must have means to protect ourselves.

Chen Ye clenched his fists, and the image of the ninth-grade spirit pearl on the dock involuntarily surfaced in his mind, along with the intense longing that had originated from his soul at that time.

That feeling was so real, it was definitely not normal.

Could it be that... the activation conditions for the Ark of the Other Shore are related to this Spirit Orb?

　New book launch, please support! A veteran LV5 author, consistently high-quality work, already signed internally, invest with confidence!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)