Chapter 106

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Chapter 106: Treasure Hunting Underwater

Several figures abruptly materialized mid-air, nearly plunging into the ocean. Had Ye Yun been present, he would’ve been astonished—these were all familiar faces. Alongside Duan Chenfeng, Qu Yiping, and Yu Minghong stood Su Ling herself.

"The third layer! It’s truly the third layer!" Duan Chenfeng’s trademark arrogant laughter boomed across the seascape.

"Senior Brother Duan, we’ve actually entered the third layer. This place feels perilous—we should depart immediately," Yu Minghong urged with his usual meek demeanor.

Qu Yiping gaped at the endless waters, his excitement barely contained.

"Duan Chenfeng," Su Ling demanded, her delicate brows knitting as she scanned the horizon, "can you really locate Ye Yun?"

Shrugging, Duan Chenfeng replied, "You claim he’s here. We’ll search thoroughly."

Whirling around, Su Ling glared. "I brought you here only after your promise to find him. Break that vow, and you’ll regret it."

Both she and Ye Yun had been swallowed by the spatial rift’s violent forces. While Ye Yun vanished completely, Su Ling found herself trapped in a barren pocket dimension—a collapsing spatial array’s unstable remnant devoid of spiritual energy or celestial bodies. There, she’d discovered the stranded trio.

Her knowledge of spatial arrays proved crucial. Recognizing the temporary nature of their prison, she’d bargained passage to the third layer in exchange for their aid in tracking Ye Yun. Now Duan Chenfeng’s casual attitude ignited her fury. Though their cultivation levels matched, Su Ling’s superior spiritual weapons and Celestial Techniques could overwhelm him within ten strikes.

"Worry not," Duan Chenfeng sneered. "The Duan family’s honor binds me. My word is irrevocable."

"See that you keep it," Su Ling retorted icily.

Duan Chenfeng’s gaze drifted toward the distant Water Cloud Hall, its structure suspended by eighteen spiraling Water Columns. The sight made his pupils contract—such magnificence defied imagination.

"That… that hall’s entirely composed of flowing water!" Yu Minghong stammered, awestruck.

Even Su Ling, with her noble upbringing and vast scholarly knowledge, found the aquatic marvel incomprehensible. Only Qu Yiping remained silent, hunger blazing in his eyes as he stared at the structure.

"If Ye Yun’s here, he must be inside." Su Ling moved to fly toward the hall.

"Wait!" Duan Chenfeng blocked her path. "Think—Ye Yun’s cautious. With major forces flooding through the broken light and shadow into this layer, would a body refinement stage cultivator dare enter that obvious treasure trove? He’d be slaughtered instantly."

"Then where?" Su Ling and Yu Minghong chorused.

Qu Yiping interjected quietly, "Treasures needn’t reside in buildings."

Duan Chenfeng smirked. "Surprisingly astute, though you remain my inferior. The answer’s obvious—" he gestured at the rolling waves "—he’s beneath us."

As the others stared in disbelief, Su Ling’s initial shock gave way to dawning comprehension. If the hall proved inaccessible, the ocean itself might hold both answers and treasures.

“I’ll go down to take a look!” Yu Minghong volunteered and moved to leap into the sea.

“Wait.” Duan Chenfeng blocked him. “This ocean stretches thousands of miles. Diving blindly won’t help. We need a way to stay submerged longer.”

Su Ling paused, then said, “I have a solution.”

She flipped her hand, revealing four blue pearls in her palm. They glimmered faintly, watery shadows swirling inside.

“These are Water Avoidance Pearls. Infuse them with a bit of spiritual power, and they’ll part the sea for twelve hours. We’ll find Ye Yun.”

Duan Chenfeng and the others stared, surprised Su Ling carried such treasures—and that she’d use four pearls for Ye Yun’s sake.

With the pearls in hand, the three wasted no time. Each took one and followed Su Ling into the ocean.

When they plunged into the water, Ye Yun and Hua Yicheng had already descended hundreds of miles. Their azure-eyed crystal beast water garments let them swim like fish, swift and effortless.

If the second layer’s Yellow Sand Desert was barren, this ocean felt deader. After a hundred miles, no creatures or plants appeared—only endless water.

“Brother Hua, this isn’t working. Should we stop to investigate?” Ye Yun frowned at the lifeless expanse.

Hua Yicheng nodded. “This ocean is likely a spatial array illusion. To break it, we must find the array’s core or trace its pattern. The Water Cloud Hall isn’t the only treasure area.”

“How much do you know about spatial arrays?” Ye Yun asked.

“Only basics. Golden Pill masters’ spatial magical arrays aren’t easily cracked.” Hua Yicheng glanced around, seeing nothing but water.

Ye Yun sighed. If only Su Ling were here—but she’d probably left the great tomb by now.

After a moment, he said, “Let’s pick a direction and keep moving.”

“Agreed.” Hua Yicheng smiled, a cold glint flashing in his eyes as he turned.

They dove deeper. The water garments let them speed through the sea, faster than on land.

Though their cultivation levels paled against Qi refining or foundation establishment stage experts, they still covered hundreds of miles in an incense stick’s time.

Hua Yicheng, with higher cultivation, led straight ahead. Ye Yun strained his spiritual power to keep up, unaware Hua Yicheng subtly shifted direction at intervals.

The slight deviations went unnoticed, easily mistaken for natural drift over time.

Three hours later, a flicker of light pierced the ocean’s monotony. As they neared, it pulsed brighter.

“Treasures exist here beyond the Water Cloud Hall!” Hua Yicheng exclaimed.

Ye Yun squinted. The light sharpened into a flickering lamp-like glow.

Half an incense stick’s time later, they reached it—a glowing water sphere five feet wide, radiant with light and shadow. Behind it loomed crimson coral formations framing a pitch-black opening that devoured all light.

“We’re here, Ye Yun!” Hua Yicheng cried triumphantly.

Excitement surged through Ye Yun, but he frowned suddenly as he studied the sphere and coral.

Hua Yicheng glanced over. “Something wrong?”

Ye Yun shook his head, forcing a smile.