Chapter 168 The Remnants of the Abyss, First Encounter with Chen Yu

As the light and shadows dissipated, Zhang Luoyan's remnant moonlight image and Ye Qingcheng's Deep Sea Escape Light successively vanished from sight.

Lin Yue stood alone at the center of the East Sea node, the Yin and Yang Sea-Suppressing Bead slowly rotating above his head. Its faint blue and iridescent white halos pulsed like breathing, suppressing all the surrounding scattered spatial turbulence.

The fierce winds of the Abyss of the East Sea whistled through the cave crevices, emitting a mournful sound, mixed with the low growls of deep-sea creatures, further highlighting the tranquility and profound depth of this realm.

"The Foundation of the Heaven-Connecting Array is finally mostly stable," Lin Yue raised his hand to catch the falling Yin and Yang Sea-Suppressing Bead. The Yin and Yang fish patterns on the pearl's surface became even more vivid. "However, the residual power of the external chaos has not been completely purged. This place still requires more attention."

He circulated his Golden Core Dao Body, and his Divine Sense, like an invisible net, spread towards the depths of the Abyss of the East Sea.

Previously, when reinforcing the node, he had already sensed a faint yet unique Spiritual Qi fluctuation hidden deep within this sea area. It didn't seem naturally generated by heaven and earth; instead, it carried a hint of artificial cultivation and order.

Following that Spiritual Qi fluctuation, Lin Yue put away the Yin and Yang Sea-Suppressing Bead. His figure transformed into a cyan-gold stream of light, shuttling between the crisscrossing deep-sea canyons. The water pressure in the Abyss of the East Sea was extraordinarily high; ordinary Golden Core Cultivators would need to expend Spiritual Qi to resist it. Yet, with his Golden Core Dao Body and the protection of Yin and Yang power, he moved as if on flat ground.

Along the way, he saw many strange deep-sea Spiritual Plants. Some emitted a faint blue light, while others, when touched, sprayed ink containing Spiritual Qi. There were even massive Black Armored Spirit Tortoises resting in coral thickets. Upon seeing him approach, they merely glanced up before settling back down—clearly sensing the powerful aura emanating from him.

After about half an hour of travel, the Spiritual Qi fluctuation became even clearer.

Lin Yue slowed down, concealed his figure, and landed behind a massive reef. The sight before him made him slightly pause: ahead was a deep-sea basin enveloped by an invisible barrier. Faint blue runes flowed across the barrier, isolating the seawater. Inside the basin was dry land, with dozens of houses built from coral and white jade scattered about. Around the houses grew many "Water Condensing Orchids," a Spiritual Plant only recorded in ancient texts. This Spiritual Plant could purify seawater and produce breathable Spiritual Qi, which was crucial for sustaining this deep-sea settlement.

"It's actually a reclusive deep-sea clan," Lin Yue thought to himself. He carefully observed the runes on the barrier, noticing that while they weren't complex, they contained ancient Water Laws, clearly indicating a protective array passed down through the clan for generations.

At this moment, many clan members wearing blue brocade robes were active within the basin. Most of their cultivation was between the Qi Refinement Stage and Foundation Establishment Stage. A few older clan members had slightly stronger auras, but they were only in the Late Foundation Establishment Stage. Compared to the external immortal cultivation Sects, their strength was not outstanding, but they all carried a unique aura that blended with the sea.

Just as Lin Yue was about to investigate further, a clear, bell-like laugh came from deep within the basin. He followed the sound and saw a slender figure running out of the largest coral house, followed by several clan girls of the same age.

The owner of the figure was about sixteen or seventeen years old, dressed in a moon-white gauze dress embroidered with delicate wave patterns on the hem. Her black hair was tied up with a green jade hairpin, with a few wisps falling by her cheeks, further highlighting her snow-like skin.

What was most captivating was her appearance: willow-leaf eyebrows, almond-shaped eyes, a delicate nose, and cherry-pink lips. Especially her eyes, they were clear and bright, like an innocent child's, full of pure innocence.

However, her figure was at odds with this innocence. Despite her young age, she was already incredibly alluring, with a slender waist and full breasts. As her skirt swayed, it outlined the rounded, perky curves of her buttocks. When she walked, she resembled a willow branch swaying in the wind, fully displaying a maiden's charming naivety and allure.

"This maiden's Physique is quite unique." As this thought arose in Lin Yue's mind, the System's prompt suddenly sounded: "[Detected special Physique target. Target name: Liang Chenyu. Identity: Daughter of the Deep Sea Liang Clan Chief. Cultivation: Middle Foundation Establishment Stage. Physique: Innate Water Spirit Body (Unawakened). Status: Virgin. Triggered special mission: Dual Cultivation with Liang Chenyu can fully activate her Innate Water Spirit Body. The host will gain the 'Sea Spirit Symbiosis' special ability. This ability allows the host to communicate with sea creatures, control seawater, and be immune to water-element Spell damage.]"

"Innate Water Spirit Body, Sea Spirit Symbiosis..." A hint of surprise flashed in Lin Yue's eyes, followed by intense interest.

The Innate Water Spirit Body was a top-tier water-element Physique, comparable to Zhang Luoyan's Lunar Spirit Body, though difficult to Awaken. And the "Sea Spirit Symbiosis" ability was truly Heaven-Defying in an environment like the Abyss of the East Sea. He already needed to stabilize the East Sea node; if he could acquire such an ability, his chances of dealing with the residual power of the external chaos would undoubtedly be greater.

Just as Lin Yue was observing Liang Chenyu, a young man in a black brocade robe suddenly walked out of the coral house, quickly caught up to Liang Chenyu, and reached out to put his arm around her shoulder.

Liang Chenyu instinctively dodged, a hint of shyness on her face: "A Hao, don't be like that, the clan members are watching."

The young man's name was Zhao Hao. He was Liang Chenyu's Dao Companion, with a cultivation in the Late Foundation Establishment Stage, considered one of the outstanding young talents in the clan.

Upon hearing her words, he revealed a gentle smile, withdrew his hand, and said dotingly, "Chenyu, aren't I just worried about you? You just finished Cultivating and ran out to play wildly. Be careful not to get tired."

But deep in his eyes, a trace of almost imperceptible greed and possessiveness flickered.

Zhao Hao's gaze inadvertently swept beyond the barrier, then suddenly froze, his eyes instantly becoming wary. He circulated his Spiritual Qi and shouted in the direction of Lin Yue's hiding spot: "Who's out there? Hiding your head and showing your tail, what kind of hero is that!"

Lin Yue thought to himself, "His vigilance isn't low." Since he had been discovered, he no longer concealed his figure, slowly walked out from behind the reef, and with a flash, passed through the protective barrier, landing in front of Liang Chenyu and Zhao Hao.

He calmly swept his gaze over the two and spoke faintly: "I am Lin Yue. Passing by this place, I sensed the unique Spiritual Qi here, so I stopped to observe. I mean no harm."

Zhao Hao scrutinized Lin Yue, seeing him dressed in a cyan-gold Daoist robe, with an otherworldly aura, and his Spiritual Qi, though subtle, was extremely profound. A sense of crisis immediately arose in his heart. Especially when he saw Liang Chenyu curiously staring at Lin Yue, his vigilance intensified, and his tone became sharp: "Passing by? The Abyss of the East Sea is a dangerous place; ordinary Cultivators wouldn't dare venture deep. You, a Golden Core Cultivator, would pass by our clan's settlement for no reason? I think you have ulterior motives!"

Liang Chenyu heard Zhao Hao's words and quickly tugged at his sleeve, softly saying, "A Hao, don't say that. Fellow Daoist Lin doesn't look like a bad person." Her gaze fell on Lin Yue, with a hint of curiosity and innocence. "Fellow Daoist Lin, are you really just passing by? Our Liang Clan has lived here for generations; outsiders rarely come."

Lin Yue gave Liang Chenyu a gentle smile and nodded: "Naturally, I am passing by. My purpose in coming to the Abyss of the East Sea this time is to deal with some hidden dangers of spatial rifts and reinforce the Heaven-Connecting Array node here, not to target your esteemed clan."

He deliberately mentioned the Heaven-Connecting Array to indicate that he was not an evil person—the Heaven-Connecting Array concerned the safety of all Cultivators in the world, a universally acknowledged major event in the cultivation world.

Zhao Hao, however, was unyielding. He stepped forward, blocking Liang Chenyu, and said coldly, "Heaven-Connecting Array? Hmph, who knows if what you're saying is true or false! I advise you to leave quickly, otherwise don't blame me for being impolite!"

He circulated his Late Foundation Establishment Stage Spiritual Qi, and a faint black halo appeared around him. Although he deliberately restrained it, Lin Yue keenly noticed a subtle Demonic Path aura mixed within that black halo.

"A Demonic Path practitioner?" Lin Yue understood, instantly grasping the key point.

This Zhao Hao didn't truly like Liang Chenyu; he coveted her beauty and special Physique, wanting to gain the Clan Chief's trust through her, and then control the entire Liang Clan.

After all, once the Innate Water Spirit Body Awakened, its value would be immeasurable. And although the Liang Clan wasn't strong, they occupied a treasure land in the Abyss of the East Sea, likely hiding many unique deep-sea spiritual materials.

A cold glint flashed in Lin Yue's eyes, but his face remained calm. He didn't expose Zhao Hao on the spot but cupped his hands to the two of them: "Since Fellow Daoist dislikes my presence, I shall take my leave." With that, his figure flickered, and he withdrew from the protective barrier, disappearing back behind the reef.