Chapter 198: Who Exactly is Ye Yan?
The Jade Cauldron Sect's mountain gate was located in Taishan Prefecture.
Xuanjing Prefecture and Taishan Prefecture were positioned in the far south and far west of Yuzhou, separated by several other prefectures.
For an ordinary mortal with no cultivation, reaching it on foot would take an unimaginable amount of time.
But for Shen Mo, a Nascent Soul cultivator, the distance was far from insurmountable, feeling more like it was within arm's reach.
If he wished, he could travel there at full speed and reach Taishan Prefecture within seven days.
However, Shen Mo chose not to rush.
Instead, he traveled leisurely, taking in the sights along the way.
Occasionally, he would explore deep mountains and valleys, seeking out opportunities.
Each time, his presence startled groups of demon beasts.
He found he enjoyed this kind of life.
Since coming to this world, he felt he should indulge in the mountains and rivers, experiencing the wonders of the world.
If he spent all his days in ascetic cultivation, buried in ancient texts, wouldn't his journey through worlds have been for nothing?
After a few days…
A commercial vessel sailed across the vast and boundless river, heading west.
A young man in black stood on the deck, gazing over the waters.
This river was even more expansive and majestic than Xuanjiang.
Boundless and immense.
This river originated in the northwest of Jing Nation and flowed southeast, known as the "Cangjiang."
Xuanjiang was merely a tributary of Cangjiang.
The young man was none other than Shen Mo.
He had deliberately concealed his aura, changed his attire, and boarded this ship.
The vessel's destination was the mouth of Cangjiang, where one of Jing Nation's largest cities, Yuhai City, was located.
With its thriving trade and abundant resources, Yuhai City had become one of the most important cities for Jade Cauldron Sect.
If everything went smoothly, the ship would arrive in Yuhai City in about seven days.
Once there, Shen Mo only needed to show his Jade Cauldron Pearl, and disciples of the Jade Cauldron Sect would respectfully escort him to the mountain gate.
"Daoist, your lunch is ready," a sweet voice sounded from behind him.
Shen Mo turned and saw a slender, delicate-looking young man.
If it weren't for his Adam's apple, many would mistake him for a woman.
This was Guo Yi, the godson of Guo Long, the ship's owner.
Since Shen Mo had accepted Guo Long's commission and boarded the vessel, all his meals had been arranged by Guo Yi.
With his meticulous care, Shen Mo had come to appreciate his service.
"Leave it in my cabin. I'll eat it later," Shen Mo replied with a smile.
Guo Yi nodded repeatedly, then added, "Daoist Shen, we're approaching the Black Sand Reef area soon, where a water demon might appear. Please be cautious."
Shen Mo nodded slightly.
This was the commission Guo Long had issued.
Over the past few months, a malevolent water demon had been wreaking havoc in the Black Sand Reef area of Cangjiang.
Some claimed it was a water python, others said it was a water ghost. The truth remained uncertain.
However, it had indeed destroyed several cargo and passenger ships, causing numerous deaths.
The ship owners daring enough to traverse Cangjiang were all of notable strength, most at least at the Foundation Establishment stage.
Sometimes, if the cargo was especially valuable, a ship owner might even hire a Golden Core cultivator for protection.
Yet, even these precautions hadn't deterred the water demon.
Although a nearby prominent sect had investigated, they backed off after several of their Golden Core cultivators were injured.
Since then, the water demon of Black Sand Reef continued to terrorize the area.
Recently, the number of ships around Black Sand Reef had decreased significantly.
Guo Long had only accepted this job because the reward was lucrative, finally deciding to take the risk of transporting the goods.
At that moment, footsteps echoed from behind.
Four cultivators emerged from the cabin onto the deck, chatting and laughing.
They didn't seem to take the water demon threat at Black Sand Reef seriously.
The leader of the group was an elderly man with white hair and beard, exuding an air of authority and respect.
The other three cultivators gathered around him, clearly treating him as their leader.
Shen Mo glanced at the man.
Over the past few days, he had learned their names.
The old man's name was Mei Haihe.
He was at the peak of the Golden Core stage, likely over three hundred years old.
A rogue cultivator, not affiliated with any sect, he frequently traveled through Taishan Prefecture and neighboring regions.
If someone like Mei Haihe were in Xuanjing Prefecture, he would already be capable of founding his own sect, becoming a local powerhouse.
After all, even the head of a first-rate sect in Xuanjing Prefecture is typically only at the peak of the Golden Core stage.
However, the spiritual energy along both sides of Cangjiang in these surrounding prefectures is much denser, and cultivation levels here are generally higher than in Xuanjing Prefecture.
Thus, being at the peak of the Golden Core stage doesn't automatically command respect among most cultivators here.
"I've heard that the water demon in Black Sand Reef is quite sinister. The three of us are only at the Foundation Establishment stage; it might be difficult for us to handle it."
"What's there to worry about? We have Elder Mei with us. Elder Mei is a Golden Core peak cultivator—dealing with a mere water demon should be a piece of cake!"
"Right, right, we're relying on Elder Mei."
The elderly cultivator with an air of refinement stroked his beard and laughed heartily.
"Let's not overpraise me. I'm nothing exceptional here in Taishan Prefecture, but handling a water demon should be manageable."
Ship owner Guo Long also cupped his hands in respect.
"We're fortunate to have your assistance, Elder Mei."
Mei Haihe nodded slightly.
He caught sight of Shen Mo and gave a small smile.
"Young friend, you're up on the deck quite early. You seem quite concerned about the water demon of Black Sand Reef."
Shen Mo smiled back and nodded,
"Of course, when you accept a commission, you have to see it through."
Although the payment for Guo Long's commission wasn't much, Shen Mo believed that accepting the payment meant fulfilling his duty.
Besides, he didn't care much for the money; it was simply something to pass the time on his way to Yuhai City.
Nevertheless, out of caution, Shen Mo examined Mei Haihe's life panel.
[Recent Turning Point: Tonight, while passing through Black Sand Reef, the ship will be attacked by a Corpse of Yin, nearly resulting in death.
At the critical moment, Ye Yan will appear, slay the Corpse of Yin, and seize the Yin Sha Pearl. However, the aftermath of the battle between Ye Yan and the Corpse of Yin will impact the cargo ship, severely injuring Mei Haihe, who will subsequently be attacked and killed by other water demons in Cangjiang.]
Shen Mo frowned slightly and looked at the three Foundation Establishment cultivators.
"Why… is it that…"
Looking around, he raised an eyebrow.
Everyone on the ship, including Guo Long, his godson Guo Yi, and even Mei Haihe, would perish!
Only he, Shen Mo, would survive.
"This Ye Yan… who is he?"
"The energy from his battle with the Corpse of Yin was so powerful that even a peak Golden Core cultivator couldn't withstand it. His level… must be at least entry-level Nascent Soul."
"But I didn't expect to come across a Yin Sha Pearl here."
"The Yin Sha Pearl is indeed a rare treasure, found only in one out of a hundred Corpse of Yin."
"If I can obtain and refine it, it will produce Yin Sha Qi, the purest and most potent form of Yin energy."
"It's also ideal for crafting the Nascent Crown."
Shen Mo pondered.
When a Nascent Soul cultivator is formed from a Golden Core, the core shatters and falls into the sea of spiritual energy.
However, those fragments of the core don't lose their value.
If a Nascent Soul cultivator can obtain Yin energy, they can use it to refine these core fragments into a "Nascent Crown."
A Nascent Crown has no physical form and doesn't protect against external attacks.
Its sole purpose is to nourish the Nascent Soul.
While it may appear that using Nascent Soul techniques doesn't consume energy, it actually depletes the Nascent Soul's strength.
Once a Nascent Crown is formed, the Nascent Soul's power can recover more quickly.
For example, without a Nascent Crown, Shen Mo could only use his Nascent Soul technique once every three days.
But with a Nascent Crown, he could reduce this time.
Perhaps he could use it every two days, or even daily.
The exact recovery rate would depend on the quality of the Nascent Crown produced.
"This Yin Sha Pearl… I must acquire it."
Shen Mo gazed at the calm surface of the river, nodding slightly.
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