The Dang Domain Water Country lies near the vast East Sea. This region is densely scattered with reefs, shrouded in fog year-round, and populated by fish, beasts, insects, and birds with massive bodies and peculiar appearances, exuding a primal, ancient aura. Beneath the earth here flows the Earth Vein Magnetic Force, which disrupts spiritual mechanisms and prevents cultivators from flying.
The Water Country is surrounded by mountains on all sides, with eight different entrances. Each entrance varies in difficulty: some require scaling cliffs unreachable by birds, others demand swimming through streams, while some are swept by perpetual howling winds, necessitating slow and cautious movement.
The entrance Zhang Yan intended to enter was located halfway up a mountain wall, a cavern over twenty zhang wide. Inside was a narrow, winding corridor of dark river passages. Without a seasoned guide, one could never hope to find the true way into the Water Country here.
During high tide, ships moored in the shallow inlets are raised by the waters. Only when the water level surpasses the cave walls can one sail inward successfully.
The ship Zhang Yan boarded was owned by a man named Huang Bao, a Human Cultivator with a Ming Qi Third Realm cultivation level from a small noble family. Huang Bao typically ferried only rare goods through the entrance and refrained from transporting passengers. However, upon noticing Zhang Yan’s generous demeanor, which suggested wealth, and seeing that he was also a Human Cultivator, Huang Bao agreed to bring him aboard.
At that moment, Huang Bao regarded the scene ahead with a sigh and said, "The tides have passed for today. It looks like we’ll have to pay a hefty bribe."
This entrance, compared to the other seven, was the safest. However, it had one notable drawback: the chaotic Earth Vein Magnetic Force disrupted tide schedules, making them irregular and easily missed. As a result, some Demon Cultivators of the Water Country devised a scheme to pull ships upward and charge a "road toll."
Following Huang Bao’s gaze, Zhang Yan noticed two Whale Demons, each over ten zhang tall, standing atop the cave walls. They were currently hauling a large ship up inch by inch. Judging by their pace, it would take nearly half an hour before their ship’s turn.
Just then, Zhang Yan heard some Demon Cultivators aboard a nearby vessel chatting enthusiastically about a certain topic. He listened intently and couldn’t help but smile faintly.
"I heard that one month ago, Su YiAng from the Mingcang Sect avenged his younger brother by slaying Qu Bo of Deep Pool Stream."
"Qu Bo was also a Hua Dan Cultivator. What’s the background of this Su Yihong, to think he could kill such a figure?"
"You must be unaware of the details. Su Yihong is exceptionally gifted. His cultivation reached Hua Dan within forty years, far faster than most. Furthermore, he is one of the rare Human Cultivators skilled in the Power Dao, having achieved Inner and Outer Unity. His body is invulnerable to Dharma Treasure Flying Swords, rendering Qu Bo completely outmatched."
"Heh, the Mingcang Sect suddenly taking action against Qu Yue’s forces—do you think this conflict will escalate into a full-scale feud between the two factions?"
"Not likely. This was a personal vendetta of Su YiAng. Besides, with Lord Ji’s grand birthday celebration approaching, there’s no way they would foolishly resort to warfare at such a time. Impossible. Absolutely impossible."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yan made eye contact with Luo Xiao, who immediately understood and followed him to a secluded corner where others wouldn’t notice.
Pulling out a jade piece from his sleeve, Zhang Yan said, "Junior Su, what’s your take on this?"
Replying from within the jade, Su YiAng bowed deeply and said, "Brother Zhang, given my elder brother’s personality, he absolutely will not let this matter go. To be safe, I recommend you appear publicly at the Water Country; doing so will ensure your protection."
Hearing this, Luo Xiao furrowed her brows sharply and coldly retorted, "This man is spewing nonsense and intends to harm the young master. Let me shatter his Divine Soul right now." She prepared to take action as she spoke.
Su YiAng trembled with fright and kowtowed repeatedly from within the jade, his voice desperate and hoarse: "Brother Zhang, I beg for your discernment! I beg for your discernment! Heaven and earth bear witness that I hold no such intention!" The terrifying memory of watching Luo Xiao kill He Fang remained vivid in his mind; the ferocity of this Female Demon ensured that her threats were never empty.
But Zhang Yan only chuckled and said, "Junior Su, there’s no need to fear. I understand the feasibility of your plan."
Luo Xiao grew anxious and exclaimed, "Young master, showing yourself in the Water Country now is extremely dangerous. If the Su Family sends people after you, wouldn’t that place you in dire peril?"
Zhang Yan smiled confidently and reassured her, "Luo Daoist, have no worries. My purpose here is to offer birthday greetings to Lord Ji. Once I arrive, my status as the Mingcang Sect’s envoy will mean that during the grand occasion, Lord Ji will ensure no harm comes to me. In fact, he’ll likely assign protectors to safeguard me, lest a conflict arise between the factions over a mere envoy’s safety."
If Zhang Yan were attacked during his journey, both sides could still find ways to cover up the incident. However, if he were killed within the territory of the Water Country, the Mingcang Sect would have no choice but to retaliate—otherwise, the dignity of a Great Sect would be utterly compromised.
Su YiAng hurriedly added, "Exactly, exactly. Circumstances differ now. My elder brother is surely intelligent enough to understand that once Brother Zhang has established himself in the Water Country, he won’t dare provoke you further at such a sensitive time."