Mountain Venerable and Sea Immortal

After quelling the disturbance in Wanghai Fishing Village, Lin Yan immediately instructed Shen Yue and Su Lingyue to take several fellow disciples back to Laoshan to report on the sect's affairs. He then took Yun Xi, Ye Qing, Yi Azhu, and Chen Dagang and headed straight for Guixu Sea Mouth, following the direction indicated by the spirit turtle.

What kind of sacred place is Guixu Sea Mouth? Ever since Lin Yan accidentally stumbled into the secret realm, he is more than familiar with its mysteries. In the eyes of the five major sects—Laoshan Sect, Qingyun Sect, Fentian Sect, Shuiyue Pavilion, and Xuesha Sect—this small area has long been a coveted and precious piece of land.

Laoshan Sect – The Righteous Sect Master of the East Sea, in Charge of the Entire Region:

Holding the spiritual roots of the entire Laoshan mountain range, ruling over a thousand-mile coastline, encompassing the surrounding islands, and possessing the most abundant mountain and sea spiritual veins in Jiaodong, the Laoshan Sect's power is unparalleled on the East China Sea coast. Its influence covers numerous blessed lands such as Yangkou Lingwan, Hualou Xianshan, and Beijiushui Lingxi; in the outer seas, the islands of Dafu Island, Xiaofu Island, Chaolian Island, and Changmenyan are also under its jurisdiction. The sea and mountains are entirely under its control. In this East China Sea region, the Laoshan Sect is the natural master of mountains and sea.

Qingyun Sect – A renowned sword-wielding sect standing proudly in the neighboring mountains

Specializing in the ultimate swordsmanship, the sect is not located within Laoshan territory, but rather perched atop the Daze Mountain range, a neighboring mountain on the western side of Laoshan, facing the Laoshan Sect across a valley. From its vantage point, one can overlook the vast Jiaodong coastline, with the sea of ​​clouds surging and the boundless East China Sea stretching out before them. They are neighbors with the Laoshan Sect, and have always considered each other righteous allies.

Burning Heaven Gate—a fire-cultivating overlord clan entrenched on Flame Reef

Specializing in the Fire Dao cultivation method, they are a dominant force in the East China Sea, occupying the Chijiao Islands outside the mouth of Laoshan Bay. This place is formed by millions of red volcanic rocks, with crisscrossing fire veins and surging fiery energy from the earth's core. Every day, raging waves of heat rise, and not a blade of grass grows. The world is filled with the intense and scorching energy of fire.

Shuiyue Pavilion – A Water Cultivation Abode Hidden in the Spirit Lake

Specializing in water-based martial arts, formations and restrictions, and the art of healing, the disciples of this sect are of tranquil nature, far removed from worldly strife, and live in seclusion on the northern inland side of Laoshan Mountain, guarding the two inland spiritual lakes of Xiangxue Lake and Yanshui Marsh. They have maintained a thousand-year-old friendship with the Laoshan Sect.

Blood Fiend Sect – A heretical and evil sect hiding in the underworld

The evil cultivation sect, an enemy of the East Sea, acts ruthlessly and viciously, slaughtering cultivators and plundering spiritual materials, committing all sorts of atrocities. They hide on Black Reef Island and Fog-Locked Forbidden Island, far out in the outer sea of ​​Laoshan. They are mortal enemies of the three major righteous sects: Laoshan Sect, Qingyun Sect, and Shuiyue Pavilion.

"That aura has vanished." On the golden sand beach, Lin Yan frowned, his face full of doubt. The faint yet exceptionally pure wisp of spiritual energy from the Netherworld that the spirit turtle had guided him to had disappeared into thin air, leaving not a trace, as if it had never existed at all.

The once bustling Guixu estuary was now eerily quiet. Normally, this strategically important location would be a hub for fishermen to dock and trade their catch, and it would also be a place where independent cultivators and members of small sects would set up makeshift markets to exchange goods. But now, the entire beach was deserted. There were no fishermen, no bustling markets, not even a single fishing boat or makeshift shack in sight. The sea breeze swept through, carrying fine sand, creating a chillingly still atmosphere.

The sea was even more abnormal. Guixu Sea Mouth connects to the outer sea, and should be turbulent and full of spiritual energy. But at this moment, it was as calm as a mirror. A thin layer of gray mist covered the vast sea surface, and there were faint traces of evil energy in the mist. Even the spiritual energy in the air became stagnant and turbid, which was completely different from the scene Lin Yan had seen when he ventured into the secret realm.

"Lin Yan, something's not right here. There's not a trace of life. It's like the place has been deliberately cleared out." Yun Xi gripped her magic weapon tightly, her eyes scanning the surroundings warily as she spoke in a soft voice. Yi Azhu and Chen Dagang also tensed up instantly, while Ye Qing silently drew his sword to protect himself, his spiritual energy contained, ready to deal with any sudden changes.

Lin Yan looked up at the layer of gray mist on the sea, his fingertips forming a hand seal as he tried to detect the surrounding spiritual energy fluctuations. His doubts deepened, and he said in a deep voice, "Let's find a place to rest first."

Gazing at the vast sea that connects to the heavens and the ocean, Lin Yan's doubts spread out like layers of fog on the sea. "This place has been tampered with. Mortals and ordinary cultivators have probably been forcibly driven away."

Before the words were finished, a flash of fire suddenly appeared behind the western reefs, and several figures clad in crimson robes emerged from the flames, their bodies wreathed in billowing flames, exuding an aura of intense fire.

The leader had a bronze-red face and a fierce glint in his eyes; he was the steward of the Burning Heaven Sect leading the team in the outer sea.

He locked his gaze on Lin Yan and let out a sneer: "So it's someone who dares to trespass on territory cleared by my Burning Heaven Sect! It's Lin Yan from the Laoshan Sect. Truly, you choose the path to hell when there's a way to heaven!"

Lin Yan's eyes turned cold: "The Burning Heaven Sect has quite the grand display, completely sealing off the Guixu Sea estuary and even dispersing the fishermen's market. Do they intend to monopolize the opportunities here?"

"A spiritual tide is about to rise here, and treasures will emerge. Naturally, only the virtuous will reside here." The steward of the Burning Heaven Sect waved his hand, and several disciples behind him simultaneously activated their fiery techniques, sending waves of fire sweeping across the beach. "The Laoshan Sect has overstepped its bounds. If you don't leave something behind today, don't even think about leaving this Golden Beach!"

Yunxi and Ye Qing immediately stepped forward, their spiritual energy surging; Chen Dagang clenched his fists, and Yi Azhu also quietly made a hand seal.

The eerie silence that had just filled the Guixu Sea Mouth was instantly torn apart by the soaring flames.

Just as the two sides were on the verge of exchanging blows, the fog on the sea was suddenly cleaved apart by a sharp sword aura. Above the clouds, several figures dressed in white, their robes fluttering, their sword intent soaring to the sky. They were disciples of the Qingyun Sect.

The young man at the head of the group, with his sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, held a long, gleaming sword and swept it across the beach from his high vantage point, declaring loudly, "The Burning Heaven Sect has quite the arrogance! The Spirit Tide has appeared at the mouth of the Ruins of Return; do you think you can just seize it as you please? My Azure Cloud Sect is here to join the fray!"

The Burning Heaven Sect's deacon's face darkened, but he dared not easily resort to force against the Azure Cloud Sect. He could only snort angrily, "The Azure Cloud Sect also wants a share of the pie? They're far too impatient!"

The scene was at a standstill for a moment, but before anyone could speak, a mist suddenly rose from the water in the distance, and the waves shimmered. Several figures dressed in light blue dresses walked gracefully across the water, their spiritual energy as gentle as water. The people from Shuiyue Pavilion also arrived as scheduled.

The woman at the head of the group possessed an elegant demeanor. With a wave of her hand, she calmed the turbulent waves of fire and sword energy, and said softly, "The water veins at the mouth of Guixu Sea are fluctuating. Our Shuiyue Pavilion has come to investigate. You are all righteous people, so why make such a fuss here?"

The faces of the Burning Heaven Sect members grew increasingly grim. Just as they were about to reprimand them, a sudden gust of black wind swept up from the shadows of the rocks on the other side of the Golden Beach. A foul, malevolent aura swept over them, and several ghostly figures silently appeared, their bodies radiating a chilling aura—the evil cultivators of the Blood Fiend Sect had also secretly infiltrated this place!

The leading evil cultivator gave a sinister laugh, his voice hoarse and grating: "Laoshan, Qingyun, Shuiyue, Fentian... quite a lively scene. Now that they're all here, the treasures of Guixu Sea Mouth should also include a share for my Blood Fiend Sect!"

The same strife and undercurrents, only the faces of those on the stage have changed, including old acquaintances and enemies, as well as unfamiliar new faces.

The raging flames of the Heaven-Burning Flame, the chilling sword energy of the Azure Cloud, the gentle ripples of the Water Moon Spirit, and the bone-corroding Yin Wind of the Blood Fiend, along with the majestic spiritual energy of the Laoshan Sect as steady as a mountain, created five distinct auras that intertwined, collided, and suppressed each other in the sky above the Guixu Sea Mouth.

What was once a desolate and empty ferry crossing has, in an instant, become the eye of a storm where five forces converge and good and evil confront each other head-on.