Chapter 181

Chapter 181: Sea of the Universe

"Behind us is a sea." a voice came, someone had already crossed the mountain range and arrived at the other end of the Seven-Treasure Mystic Forest.

The misty waves spread far and wide, an endless expanse of ocean.

Between heaven and earth, there seemed to be no trace of wind, making everything calm and serene.

The crowd crossed the mountain range and reached the coastline, gazing into the distance as far as the eye could see.

The sea region was vast, with no visible boundary, as if connected to the sky into one.

Many Emperor Venerables and Great Emperors felt their hearts stir.

"The Sea of the Universe is here…" Ye Xu murmured.

Great Emperor Ziwei’s gaze flickered slightly, "Brother Qing Xuan, what is the Sea of the Universe?"

"And how do you know its name?"

Great Emperor Ziwei grew increasingly suspicious of Ye Xu’s origins.

Not only could he easily subdue Tai Sui, but he also knew the name of this sea region; he couldn’t possibly be an ordinary person.

But the Seven-Treasure Mystic Forest was being opened for the first time until now, so Ye Xu couldn’t be entering this place a second time, could he?

"I know a bit about the Seven-Treasure Mystic Forest." Ye Xu said with a laugh, offering no more explanation.

"The master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion once said the Seven-Treasure Mystic Forest has seven supreme treasures and is even divided into seven parts. Could this sea be one of them?" the Palace Master of the Holy Mother Palace said solemnly.

"This sea region appears calm, but Divine Sense can’t pierce through it; it’s very strange."

"If we want to know if there are treasures, we just need to go in and look."

The Palace Master of Empress Nuwa Palace raised a snake-headed scepter, and a golden light covered everyone from Empress Nuwa Palace, then together they flew into the Sea of the Universe, heading straight for the depths.

"Let’s go in too." One Emperor Venerable after another moved.

Boom!

After the Various Emperor Venerables entered the Sea of the Universe, a sudden wave churned on the calm sea surface; below the waves, something seemed to be swimming upward, making the waters roil and surge.

Roar!

A vortex emerged on the sea surface with flashes of lightning and rolls of thunder, and a giant azure dragon’s head appeared; it opened its mouth to swallow, immediately aiming to devour the people from Empress Nuwa Palace.

"You beast! How dare you be audacious?" The Palace Master of Empress Nuwa Palace remained composed, waved his scepter, shattered the power of the azure dragon, and struck it on the dragon’s head.

With a thud!

The azure dragon wailed mournfully, its head bleeding profusely, and it immediately retreated into the depths of the sea region.

"As expected of the Seven-Treasure Mystic Forest—even a random sea beast has the strength of the Emperor Venerable Realm. In my view, the deeper we go, the more perilous it’s likely to be." Emperor Venerable Miao Fa said in a grave tone.

"Are you scared?" Emperor Venerable Zi Zai sneered laughingly.

Perhaps, back then we should have bought the map of the Seven-Treasure Mystic Forest from the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion. Then we wouldn’t be so completely cornered right now.

Another Emperor Venerable sighed.

Hearing this, Ye Xu curled his lips in disdain.

Even if they had that awareness, he doubted they could have produced so many treasures.

Time flowed quietly.

They journeyed deeper into the Sea of the Universe until the coastline vanished beyond sight.

"The space ahead seems different," murmured Emperor Venerable Mi Luo, divine light swirling mistily in his gaze as he saw a wondrous sight: an endless expanse of multicolored bubbles floating upon the sea that lay before them.

The seawater resembled chaotic matter, embracing all manifestations beneath its surface.

Stars submerged and resurged amidst its depths, primordial beasts swam through the chaos—an entire universe evolving within its boundless folds.

"We’ve reached a dead end."

Dao King’s expression was icy, the Chaotic Sea blocking their path while the countless bubbles proved opaque to his senses, forbidding rash probing.

"Those bubbles radiate strangeness," remarked Su Miao Zhen, her beautiful eyes intense with scrutiny, yet she discerned no clues.

"This is the Sea of the Universe,"

Suddenly, a voice proclaimed.

"Hnn?"

Dao King, Master of Yama Hall, Emperor Venerable Mi Luo, and Su Miao Zhen—all pinnacle powerhouses—immediately focused on the origin of the voice.

It was Great Emperor Ziwei!

Ye Xu pressed a palm against his forehead.

His headache began.

"Young friend, you recognize this place?" Emperor Venerable Mi Luo offered a kindly smile, inquiring gently, "Could you share more complete information with us?"

"If it proves useful, this Seat shall grant you protection along the journey," declared Emperor Venerable Yama.

Ahem…

Great Emperor Ziwei offered an awkward chuckle. "Esteemed Seniors, I only know its name. I truly don’t understand the specifics."

He glanced toward Ye Xu but ultimately held his tongue.

"You take this Seat for a fool?" Dao King’s voice plunged into a glacial edge. "If you didn’t know, how could you possibly name it?"

"Are you perchance the mastermind behind the leaked intelligence?"

Shhk!

The gazes of all cultivators from the Five Realms sharpened like blades, piercing through Great Emperor Ziwei as if prepared to flay him alive.

Having invested exorbitant sums for what appeared to be exclusive knowledge, only for it to become common rumor in moments—the loss bled resentment.

The accused Great Emperor Ziwei indeed bore suspicion.

"A misunderstanding, Esteemed Ones…" Great Emperor Ziwei’s very marrow turned to ice. If marked as the suspect, a hundred lives wouldn’t be enough for Dao King to take.

He deeply regretted not keeping his mouth shut.

"This damn mouth…" Great Emperor Ziwei felt helpless to the point of tears.

"If you refuse to speak, then this venerable will take it myself." Emperor Venerable Yama also became murderous, his magic power surging, preparing to suppress Great Emperor Ziwei and perform soul searching.

"Hold on."

Ye Xu took a step forward and stood in front of Great Emperor Ziwei.

"Who are you?"

Emperor Venerable Yama stared at Ye Xu with suspicion and uncertainty.

Ye Xu’s aura was extremely strange; it was not like that of humans, but more like that of divine clans.

"Me?" Ye Xu smiled lightly, "I’m just a person nurtured by Heaven and Earth."

"?" A question mark arose in everyone’s hearts.

Nurtured by Heaven and Earth? These words held great meaning.

"What do you mean by that?" Emperor Venerable Mi Luo’s gaze turned sharp. "Could it be that you are an Innate Divine Being?"

"Impossible." Su Miao Zhen said, "The descent into the world of an Innate Divine Being would certainly not be at just the Great Emperor realm."

"Why should you all care about my origins?" Ye Xu didn’t think much of it; he hadn’t been lying in the first place. This body was forged from seven-colored divine stone, and the seven-colored divine stone was nurtured by Heaven and Earth.

"If you want to know the origin of the Sea of the Universe, I can explain it to you in detail."

"It seems you are the one who truly knows." Dao King suddenly understood; Great Emperor Ziwei was merely someone who heard things through the grapevine.

"For someone at the mere Great Emperor realm to remain composed before us, this venerable greatly admires you." Dao King laughed.

"Reveal the information about the Sea of the Universe, and this venerable will protect you."

"Protect me?" Ye Xu smiled ambiguously, with a hint of mockery in his eyes. "Is Dao King going to protect me from death? Or protect me in crossing the Sea of the Universe? Or even protect me in entering the Immortal Realm?"

Dao King’s face darkened. He certainly didn’t have that much capability. What he had said earlier was merely a polite remark.

"Forgive my bluntness, but all of you present here, inside the Seven-Treasure Mystic Forest, are merely ordinary people. Whether you can protect yourselves is uncertain, let alone protect me." Ye Xu said lightly.

"This kid is too arrogant!" Each Emperor Venerable looked on, their faces flushed with anger.

"Sect Master, let me teach him a lesson. I refuse to believe he won’t spill."

Some even dared to threaten Ye Xu with violence.

"Tai Sui, get out here and fight!"

With a mere thought from Ye Xu, his Purple Palace opened wide. A massive mass of flesh squirmed out, expanding until it nearly swallowed half the sky, radiating a profound and boundless aura.

After days of rest and cultivation, Tai Sui’s power had grown explosively. Even against a mid-tier Emperor Venerable, it would not be at a disadvantage.

"A Primordial Being?"

Everyone stared at the fleshy monstrosity that was Tai Sui in terror.

The aura of a Primordial Being was too unique; it was nearly impossible to mistake it for anything else.

"Is that… Tai Sui?"

Emperor Venerable Mi Luo voiced his uncertainty.

"It is indeed Tai Sui," Emperor Venerable Yama solemnly confirmed. "That he could subdue Tai Sui and tame it as his own tool speaks volumes about his extraordinary capabilities."

"Tai Sui possesses the trait of indestructibility; it can split into countless fragments, rendering it virtually immortal. Though this one appears weak, not even a late-stage Emperor Venerable Realm expert could truly overcome it. If the battle drags on for long," Dao King dissected calmly, "one could very well be dragged down and exhausted to death by Tai Sui itself."

Tai Sui’s offensive power wasn’t overwhelming, but its endurance was formidable.

If you couldn’t confine or restrain it, you were inevitably doomed to a war of attrition.

Seeing Tai Sui manifest, the Emperor Venerable who was clamoring to attack Ye Xu instantly lowered his banner and silenced his drums.

"Brother, you truly have remarkable skill," Great Emperor Ziwei voiced his sincere admiration. "To elevate Tai Sui’s strength to the next level in such a short time…"

"More than sufficient to deal with a bunch of petty rodents," Ye Xu retorted with a lazy smile.

"You…!"

That particular Emperor Venerable’s expression twisted in fury.

To be publicly humiliated by a mere Great Emperor was an utter disgrace for one of his stature.

"Silence!"

Emperor Venerable Miao Fa snapped, his face dark with displeasure. "Haven’t you embarrassed yourself enough?"

"…Yes."

The Emperor Venerable backed down awkwardly.

"Young friend," Emperor Venerable Miao Fa addressed Ye Xu, his voice icy, "I understand you are fearless because of your backing. However, if you fail to read the situation clearly, this one Tai Sui alone will not shield you from us."

Everyone present understood the crux: the true key lay with Dao King and the other three Paramount figures.

As Ye Xu held the secrets to the Sea of the Universe, Dao King and his peers would never resort to killing him outright.

Otherwise, Emperor Venerable Miao Fa wouldn’t have swallowed his rage and held back.

"Ahem, cough cough…"

Ye Xu rubbed his hands together, his eyes gleaming expectantly. "Esteemed colleagues," he declared brightly, "I do indeed possess a few secrets. But surely," he spread his hands innocently, "you don’t expect me to just hand them over for free?"

"After all, we’re all adults here, so let me be blunt."

"Give me sufficient benefits," he grinned, "and I will answer anything and everything you wish to know."