The Spirit Pearl

Sitting in the room, Ye Chuan meditated and regulated his breathing for half an hour.

"Taking a few days off is out of the question." Ye Chuan stood up, planning to ask Hai Cang about the nautical chart.

After all, Bai Qianshuang was waiting for him, and the sooner he could set off, the better. He couldn’t bear the thought of leaving Bai Qianshuang alone for too long.

Although Bai Qianshuang was familiar with the Tianxuan Continent—

If Ye Chuan remembered correctly, her identity on the Donghua Divine Continent was that of a wanted saintess from the Demon Sect.

Ye Chuan left the room and, after asking the guards for directions, headed toward the residence of the mermaid clan’s chief.

Along the way, many mermaids greeted him warmly, their eyes filled with gratitude.

Yuyu seemed to be the chief’s daughter and was clearly the darling of the clan.

Soon, Ye Chuan arrived before a palace constructed from enormous pearls and colorful coral. The guards at the entrance hurried forward to greet him and, upon learning his purpose, said,

"Honored guest, the chief is currently in a meeting inside. Please wait a moment—I’ll go and announce your arrival."

"No need. I’ll wait here for a while," Ye Chuan waved his hand dismissively.

Inside the hall, Hai Cang and several mermaid elders were seated together, discussing something with grave expressions. When they learned of Ye Chuan’s arrival, the conversation ceased.

Hai Cang stood up and approached with a smile. "Did you rest well?"

Ye Chuan nodded. "Thank you for your hospitality. I came to inquire about the nautical chart. If possible, I’d like to depart as soon as I can."

Hai Cang’s smile faded slightly, and he sighed.

"To be honest, we’re currently troubled by a matter, so the nautical chart will have to wait a little longer."

"Wait…?"

"What’s the trouble?" Ye Chuan asked.

Hai Cang paused before continuing, "The reason Yuyu was captured by the serpentfolk was because of our clan’s secret treasure."

Ye Chuan’s eyes flickered with curiosity. "I did hear about that. So…?"

One of the mermaid elders interjected, "Deep within our territory lies an ancient secret realm."

"Legends say it holds countless treasures, even rare materials that can enhance one’s cultivation. However, the realm is sealed by a powerful barrier. Only the legendary 'Spirit Pearl' can serve as a key to open it."

"But the Spirit Pearl has been lost for thousands of years. No one knows its whereabouts."

Because of this, the mermaids didn’t mind discussing the matter with Ye Chuan—after all, the existence of their secret treasure was common knowledge among the nearby demon clans.

Hai Cang added, "The serpentfolk also know of the realm’s existence. They kidnapped Yuyu to force her to reveal its location and the Spirit Pearl’s whereabouts."

"Though we still don’t know where the Spirit Pearl is, Yuyu is one of the few in our clan who knows the general area of the realm. Thankfully, you rescued her in time, or the consequences would have been dire."

Spirit Pearl?

Why does that sound so familiar?

Ye Chuan’s heart stirred. "What does this Spirit Pearl look like?"

Hai Cang described, "According to legends, it’s a deep blue gem about the size of a fist, covered in intricate water-patterned inscriptions. When held, it radiates dense water-attribute spiritual energy and emits a faint blue glow in response to its wielder’s will."

"Let me check."

Ye Chuan rummaged through his spatial storage and eventually pulled out a blue gem.

[Item: Spirit PearlGold

Key to a certain secret realm.]

This was a reward he had received after rescuing Chen Muling in Shatuo City—reportedly fished up by a fisherman from the Great Qian Dynasty. Since it was a gold-tier item, Ye Chuan had kept it in his storage.

The Spirit Pearl was deep blue, the size of a fist, and its water-patterned inscriptions shimmered faintly in the dim hall, matching Hai Cang’s description perfectly.

The moment the mermaids saw the pearl in Ye Chuan’s hand, they all shot to their feet. Hai Cang strode forward, his eyes burning with intensity.

"This… could this be the Deep Sea Spirit Pearl? Honored guest, you actually have it?"

They had just lamented its loss for millennia, yet Ye Chuan had produced it out of nowhere!

Ye Chuan was equally surprised. "I obtained it by chance. I never imagined it was the key to your secret realm."

Hai Cang’s voice trembled with excitement. "Heaven favors our mermaid clan! With the Spirit Pearl, we can finally open the realm! Honored guest, we can never repay your kindness!"

He took a deep breath to steady himself. "Honored guest, why don’t we open the realm together and retrieve its treasures? There might be something inside that can help you cross the Demon Sea. And as our benefactor, you may take your pick of the treasures first!"

"That generous?" Ye Chuan chuckled.

He had half-expected the mermaids to turn on him after he produced the key. Instead, they were offering him first dibs on the loot.

Perhaps the Tianxuan Continent had too many villains, while the demon clans had more sincerity?

Besides, Hai Cang had a point—opening the realm might yield useful items, perhaps even something to speed up his journey.

"Very well. Let’s take a look at the realm first."

Hai Cang immediately summoned the clan’s elite elders to prepare for the opening.

At the same time, the clan’s defensive formations were activated to prevent intrusion by outsiders.

When Yuyu heard the news, she swam over excitedly and tugged at Ye Chuan’s sleeve.

"Honored guest, I know the terrain around the realm very well!"

She never expected that Ye Chuan, who had saved her, would also possess the realm’s key.

He truly seemed chosen by fate.

Seeing the anticipation in her eyes, Ye Chuan nodded.

Soon, the group was ready. Under Hai Cang’s lead, they swam toward the depths of the mermaid territory.

The seawater grew clearer along the way, the coral more vibrant, and the spiritual energy in the air thickened.

After about half an hour, they arrived before a massive underwater canyon.

Ancient inscriptions covered the canyon’s entrance, exuding a powerful sealing aura—clearly, this was the realm’s gateway.

Hai Cang stopped and turned to Ye Chuan. "Honored guest, this is the entrance. The Spirit Pearl is needed to activate the barrier."

Meanwhile, Ye Chuan was pondering whether he even needed a key to bypass such a barrier—his Primordial Indestructible Body made him immune to most seals.

But even if he could ignore the barrier, he wouldn’t know where the entrance was.

So the key was necessary after all?

Ye Chuan stepped forward and held the Spirit Pearl in his palm.

The moment the pearl touched the canyon’s inscriptions, it erupted in a dazzling blue light, resonating with the ancient runes.

The inscriptions began to rotate slowly, emitting a low hum. The space at the canyon’s entrance twisted, gradually forming a massive luminous gate!

As the gate opened, a surge of rich spiritual energy rushed out, accompanied by the faint glimmer of treasures within.