As the time for the Penglai Discourse on the Dao drew near, Tang Xiaoqi once again entrusted all sect and Alliance affairs to Senior Brother Mu Qingfeng.
He carefully sealed the uncompleted portions of the "Scripture of World Purification" in the Heart-Keeping Cave. After all arrangements were made, he didn't bring any attendant disciples, only deciding to bring along the rabbit spirit. The little creature, upon hearing they would visit overseas immortal islands, bounced excitedly, stuffing its "treasure pouch" full overnight with who knows what strange "treasures."
Before departure, Xiao Qi, following the method inscribed on the invitation, injected a wisp of divine sense into it. The invitation immediately blazed with light; a soft, pure silver pillar of radiance shot upward, piercing the clouds, pointing distant toward the Eastern Sea's depths. This was the guiding immortal light that would direct him to the mysterious Penglai Immortal Island.
One person and one rabbit, transformed into an azure rainbow, left Qingxu Temple along the guiding immortal light's direction, heading directly east, flying toward that boundless blue sea.
Upon leaving the shore, scattered islands and fishing boats were still visible. But as they flew deeper, surroundings became only the endless sea and sky. Sea wind carrying salty scent rushed against them; below was the ink-blue depths, unfathomable. Occasionally enormous sea beast shadows glided beneath the water, emitting auras no weaker than Golden Core or even Nascent Soul. Occasionally they encountered violent thundercloud storms, lightning serpents dancing wildly, monstrous waves crashing sky-high. But for Xiao Qi's current cultivation, these were merely scenery on the journey.
The rabbit spirit was initially somewhat frightened, tightly gripping Xiao Qi's robe. But soon it was attracted by the different scenery overseas, its ruby eyes round with curiosity, scanning everything.
After flying for about ten days, the surrounding spiritual energy began becoming rich and active, quite different from the Central Plains mainland's rich, peaceful aura—more carrying the vastness and vitality unique to the ocean. The sea below also became clearer, showing dreamy blue-green hues. Occasionally one could see large coral jungles glowing with phosphorescence, and some uniquely shaped marine spiritual plants.
They also began encountering overseas cultivators. These cultivators' attire greatly differed from the Central Plains—mostly lightweight shark silk, shining shells, or some sea beast leather for clothing. Their magical artifacts were also mostly flying vessels, shell boats, or directly riding tamed sea beasts. Their cultivation system seemed closely related to water; their auras were more nimble and ethereal, skilled in water techniques and beast taming.
Xiao Qi didn't deliberately hide his presence, but did restrain most of his aura. Some overseas cultivators noticed them, especially sensing Xiao Qi's unfathomable depth, mostly just watched from afar or nodded politely, not approaching to disturb. The overseas cultivation world seemed to emphasize individual cultivation and appreciation of nature more; though competition existed, it had less of the central plains' fireworks and sect entanglements.
This day, they passed by a fairly large overseas island. The island was shrouded in clouds and mist, its spiritual aura strong. The island's buildings weren't pavilions and towers, but jade caves and crystal palaces perfectly integrated with the mountain terrain. The island had a bustling market district, catching Xiao Qi's attention. He decided to pause briefly and observe the overseas cultivation world's style.
Landing his sword light, he entered the market. Trading methods here also differed from the Central Plains—less spirit stone usage, more barter trade, or using "sea spirit crystals" containing pure water elemental energy as currency.
The goods on display amazed Xiao Qi. There was "ten-thousand-year profound ice essence" radiating refreshingly cold aura—treasures for cultivating ice techniques or refining top-grade ice-attribute artifacts; living "seven-colored spiritual coral" that could autonomously gather spiritual energy, kept in special spirit water bottles; "tide shell armor" inscribed with ancient water-arrays, astonishing in defensive power; and various rare deep-sea spiritual medicines and strange beast materials Xiao Qi had never seen, even jade slip fragments recording overseas unique techniques.
The rabbit spirit was even more excited, darting between booths. Using its unique treasure-hunting talent, it actually dug out, from a pile of unremarkable "trash," an amber-like crystal containing a drop of golden liquid. According to the vendor, it was something called "ancient dragon saliva incense," with effects of coagulating souls and calming the heart. The rabbit spirit traded for it with some sparkling "star bird tail feathers" it apparently had gotten from somewhere, stuffing it into its treasure pouch like a treasure.
Xiao Qi also strolled with interest. He discovered overseas cultivators had unique insights into alchemy and artifact refining. They were more skilled at utilizing ocean resources; their refined pills mostly carried gentle water attributes and nurtured spiritual souls; their refined artifacts often combined with natural phenomena like water currents, tides, and clouds—mysterious and unpredictable. For instance, he saw an artifact called "mirage pearls"—when activated, they could create realistic mirages for trapping enemies or hiding, with excellent effects.
He also noticed some overseas cultivators weren't purely human—some had tiny scales behind their ears, others had cat-like pupils—clearly having partial sea clan or other mixed blood, which seemed quite common overseas and no one found it strange.
In a shop run by an elderly clam spirit, Xiao Qi traded several "purification elemental pills" he refined containing Green Lotus source for a jade slip recording common overseas customs and faction distribution, and a bottle of "abyssal heavy water" said to be from bottomless sea trenches, able to temper divine sense.
Through the jade slip and market observations, Xiao Qi gained understanding of the overseas cultivation world. Sect concepts were relatively weak here; organization was more by islands or loose alliances centered around powerful immortals. The largest force, naturally, was the sending-invitation "Overseas Alliance," jointly presided over by several incomparably powerful immortals, located on the legendary Penglai, Fangzhang, and Yingzhou three main islands and countless surrounding subsidiary islands. Beyond the Alliance, there were also powerful sea clan or ancient race forces like the "Merman Kingdom," "Black Tortoise Clan," and "Storm Giant Remnants"—each occupying vast sea territories, maintaining relatively peaceful and limited exchanges with the Alliance.
After resting briefly and replenishing some overseas specialty supplies, Xiao Qi, with the rabbit spirit's lingering excitement, set off again, following the guiding immortal light that always pointed east, continuing into the boundless sea.
Crossing the Eastern Sea, all he saw and heard along the way made him realize the cultivation world's breadth and diversity. The Central Plains mainland was perhaps merely one corner of this vast world. This further strengthened his determination to discourse on the dao at Penglai and broaden his horizons. He anticipated that at those overseas immortal islands, he would see more profound dao methods different from the Central Plains, and sit with those hidden great powers to discuss the dao, clashing sparks of wisdom.