Chapter 309

Chapter 309: Departing for the Ghost Sea

BeiChen Ming couldn’t help feeling puzzled as Leng Cangqiong unexpectedly asked Lou Yun to forge a common weapon for him. Curiosity got the better of him, and he inquired, "Elder Brother, why do you want a common weapon?"

Leng Cangqiong glanced at him and replied, "Not just for me. If Third Brother has the time, you should have him forge one for you too."

"Why? If I need a common weapon, I can forge it myself! Why involve Third Brother?" BeiChen Ming remained perplexed, as Lou Yun hadn’t yet shared the true path of cultivation with him.

So Leng Cangqiong gave a brief explanation, concluding, "To be honest, I was skeptical about the necessity of practicing both magical and ordinary skills to advance. But you witnessed Gui You Quan’s strength. Third Brother said Gui You Quan came from another world and has reached the Weapon Emperor Realm. His words convinced me. Think about it— both of us have attained the emperor rank, yet we find it impossible to advance further. Don’t you find that strange?"

Though BeiChen Ming’s magical weapon realm was slightly lower than Leng Cangqiong’s, he too had struggled increasingly with breakthroughs. Leng Cangqiong’s words plunged him into deep thought.

Lou Yun genuinely wanted his sworn brothers to embark upon the true path of cultivation. Seeing this moment as opportune, he shared his insights and experiences from practicing both magical and ordinary skills.

"Elder Brother, Second Brother, I once shared your skepticism. But meeting my master dispelled my doubts. You saw Gui You Quan’s might— the Weapon Emperor Realm is leagues beyond the Weapon Emperor realm! I implore you both, follow my path. Cultivating both your magical weapon and your common weapon, simultaneously!"

"Moreover, your magical weapon realms have already peaked at the emperor rank. You can momentarily set aside further refinement of your magical weapons and focus entirely on the common weapon. Your accumulated experience and profound comprehension far surpass others. Mastering the common weapon shouldn’t take much time."

Pressed earnestly by both Lou Yun and Leng Cangqiong, BeiChen Ming hesitated before relenting. "Your reasoning is sound. Very well. Elder Brother, Third Brother has many responsibilities; don’t trouble him to forge for you. Tomorrow, I’ll procure the finest materials. I’ll personally forge two common weapons— one for each of us! We’ll commence practicing both skills from this moment forth!"

BeiChen Ming’s skill in weapon forging vastly outstripped Lou Yun’s. Leng Cangqiong had initially asked Lou Yun simply because their bond was closer. With BeiChen Ming now volunteering, he readily accepted.

Thus, the matter was settled. After some further conversation, the three brotherly figures parted ways.

Alone in his room, Lou Yun’s thoughts drifted back to his experiences within the Thousand Layer Cave. It felt surreal, like a vivid dream.

The ferocious Gui You Quan had been rescued by his Master centuries prior, instructed to later follow Lou Yun as repayment. This implied his Master had foreseen Gui You Quan’s fate over those centuries and orchestrated this support specifically because he knew Lou Yun would face numerous powerful foes beyond his capacity to overcome alone.

Such foresight seemed god-like, bordering on mythical— knowing events five centuries in both the past and future. It was staggering to comprehend!

Lou Yun felt a pang of regret. During their encounter in the True Dream Realm, why hadn’t he extended the dream, spoken longer with his Master? Greater wisdom surely would have flowed from him!

Sighing, Lou Yun settled into meditation. Chang Xiang’s voice abruptly pierced his thoughts: "Boy, you mentioned having private matters? What do you intend?"

"For now, apart from finding Old Brother Zuo and the others, most pressing tasks are settled. I’ve decided to meet with the Nine Families, to speak directly. To see if this blood feud can be resolved. If they agree, I can finally cast aside these burdens and focus solely on cultivation."

Chang Xiang had always been skeptical about the Lou Family’s hope for reconciliation with the Nine Families. Deep down, he deemed it impossible. He simply hadn’t voiced his grim assessment bluntly.

Now, hearing Lou Yun initiate this plan, he offered no objections, instead asking lightly, "Which family will you approach first?"

"The Huangfu Family of the Ghost Sea!"

That summons floated back into memory. During his travels with Wan Huier, encountering Zuo Mingyang and sheltering within that secluded residence, they had come— emissaries delivering an invitation, beseeching him to visit the Huangfu Family someday.

Chang Xiang had vehemently opposed it then. He’d insisted Lou Yun only go when his magical weapon realm attained the earth level, and absolutely must bring a water-controlling member of the Shui Family. Back then, Lou Yun’s realm was a mere mystery rank.

But now, his purpose was peace, not conflict. His personal power felt irrelevant. As for the Shui Family… their entanglement with Shui Lingluo was complex enough. He had no desire for further involvement with them.

Surprisingly, Chang Xiang didn’t argue further. Lou Yun wouldn’t go alone. Accompanying him would be Gui You Quan— a being from beyond their world, a true Weapon Emperor! Despite the Huangfu Family being formidable core members of the Nine Families, no one should pose a threat to the guardian monstrosity beside him.

"Hmm. Go then. It was inevitable sooner or later," Chang Xiang conceded. "But… temper your trust. Keep your guard up. Stay vigilant."

Lou Yun readily agreed.

Early the next day, Lou Yun gathered his kin. He proposed relocating Yulu Mountain Manor to Divine Weapon Island. As both the clan head of the Lou Family and Lord of the Manor, this decree met no resistance.

He entrusted the relocation’s specifics to his sworn brothers. Both Leng Cangqiong and BeiChen Ming, profoundly affected by their battle with Gui You Quan, chose to remain, retreating from wandering to focus entirely on cultivation.

Lou Yun then bade farewell to his father, Lou Tianming, and others. They understood his perilous mission: seeking peace with the nine families. Unease gripped them, yet they yielded; this confrontation was unavoidable. Lingering apprehension held no merit— an early resolution, whether peace or war, would serve the Lou Family best.

With his brothers remaining as formidable guardians, Lou Yun harbored no fears for the family’s safety. As for Xia Zhilan, accepted by the Lou as their future matriarch, she stayed on at the manor.

Having made all arrangements, Lou Yun parted from his loved ones. Accompanied by his newly-bound servant, the ancient Gui You Quan, he departed Yulu Mountain Manor, commencing the long journey toward the Ghost Sea.

This voyage unveiled the genuine power of the Weapon Emperor Realm further. Lou Yun observed in awe as Gui You Quan flew, not harnessing any magical weapon, but seeming to soar upon air itself solely by the force within his physical form. The method was wondrous, stirring intense envy within Lou Yun. He yearned to ask but held his tongue out of courtesy.

Gui You Quan’s temperament mirrored Leng Cangqiong’s— stoic and taciturn. Shared language felt scarce. Silence reigned throughout their flight southward toward the Ghost Sea.

To prevent Gui You Quan’s latent homicidal impulses from resurfacing into indiscriminate slaughter, Lou Yun meticulously avoided populated areas. Rest, when needed, occurred only in the dead of night, at the most remote places he could find.

Nurtured by the heavenly fire storm within him that generated sparks converting to spiritual energy, Lou Yun possessed astonishing resilience. Gui You Quan’s immense cultivation rendered rest nearly obsolete. Their journey became an almost unceasing rush.

The route from Yulu Mountain Manor to the Ghost Sea spanned the continent— from the frosty northern tip to the southernmost edge where the vast Nanhai Sea met the legendary dangers of the Ghost Sea.

Nearly a moon’s cycle later, the grey expanse of the Nanhai Sea shimmered on the horizon. Memories returned of Zuō Mingyáng’s chilling description…

Ghost Sea— a dreaded zone within the Nanhai Sea. A place christened the Death Sea. Legend spoke terrifyingly: Nothing floated there. Even a feather, placed gently upon its surface, would sink without hesitation into unfathomable depths. Understandably, all mankind declared it forbidden.

Yet, local fishermen whispered tales… of figures moving within its cursed waters. Not men, they insisted. Ghouls haunting the waters whence the region drew its frightful name: Ghost Sea. Fear drove them to chart courses that added miles to their journeys just to bypass this accursed patch of ocean.

Lou Yun’s grasp of these legends remained factual. The precise location eluded his knowledge. Human guidance was necessary. Spotting a coastal town below, he turned to Gui You Quan. "Gui You Quan…" He paused, reconsidering. "Though you’ve pledged allegiance as my servant, addressing you solely by name feels improper. Given you are truly my master’s contemporary… henceforth, I shall call you Uncle Ghost."

Throughout the grueling journey, Gui You Quan had remained silent, his aged face an impassive mask. But at Lou Yun’s proposal, a flicker— barely perceptible— crossed his weathered features. "This old servant shall answer to whatever form of address the Young Master chooses," he stated, his voice devoid of inflection.

"Very well, Uncle Ghost," Lou Yun acknowledged. "Our destination is the Ghost Sea. It resides within these southern waters, yet I admit unfamiliarity with its terrain. To navigate this, I must seek information from locals. Accompany me."

"Understood."

Gui You Quan, centuries old, easily perceived the unspoken message layered beneath Lou Yun’s simple words. However, he betrayed nothing; his expression remained unaltered as he merely nodded assent.

Descending near the town’s imposing outer wall, their feet touched solid ground before a city gate crowned by stark characters declaring: South Sea City. The sight inevitably conjured Lou Yun’s past encounter within familiar walls at Binhai City.

"Of course! If the Divine Weapon Alliance maintains a presence in coastal Binhai City, logic dictates they’d also occupy South Sea City," he reasoned inwardly. "Safer to seek them out rather than risk alarming ordinary fishermen with questions about the Ghost Sea. Better to find a Divine Weapon Alliance member directly."

Considering the Ghost Sea’s sinister reputation among fishermen, sudden, explicit inquiries into its whereabouts guaranteed unwanted attention and potential chaos. Approaching sworn members of his own Alliance seemed the prudent choice.

Resolute in his decision, Lou Yun led Gui You Quan towards the city gates. However, merely crossing the threshold proved challenging. Two soldiers abruptly thrust out their arms, blocking their path. "Halt!" one barked sharply. "State your identities!"