"The Sunken Sea!"

"Huh?"

"Yes, that place is actually far out on the Sunken Sea." Ding Yi stared fixedly at Luo Chen, enunciating each word clearly.

Luo Chen felt uncertain. "Isn't the Sunken Sea basically the devil sect's backyard? There's still something in there you're after?"

"Most people only know it guards the rear of the Heaven of Northern Yama. What they don't realize is the dangers inside don't just keep enemies out; they kept the devil sect out as well."

Luo Chen frowned. "Whatever real treasures were inside, the devil sect probably took them long ago. Do you think there's anything left for you to grab?"

"Didn't I just say it? Even the devil sect's members couldn't move freely in there. Actually, a lot of what we know about the place came from those people figuring it out bit by bit. They were exploring it themselves, but they didn't get the chance to get a full map before the sect was destroyed."

Luo Chen nodded slightly, though doubt still lingered in his heart. "Well, in any case, we both agree the Sunken Sea is insanely dangerous. So what exactly lies in there that makes you so determined to go there?"

This time, Ding Yi's tone turned more cautious, almost secretive. "I couldn't tell you exactly what's inside, but I do know that... there's an ancient cultivator's pocket world there!"

An ancient cultivator's pocket world? Luo Chen thought of Bai Ye's residence in the Thundernet Mountains. A pocket world that even the Primordial Devil Sect had insisted on exploring must have belonged to someone tremendously powerful. Whatever treasures remained, even the most insignificant scraps, would be priceless to Adepts and even to Sages—the millennial Lightning Essence was just an example.

Seeing Luo Chen fall into thought, Ding Yi did not rush him. There were too many details involved, and it was not something he could fully explain yet. He would only reveal everything he knew once Luo Chen agreed to go. But after a long while, Luo Chen still did not respond. Thinking back to how Luo Chen had only referred to him alone earlier, not "them," Ding Yi grew a little anxious. "Azure Yang, are you really not tempted?"

Luo Chen remained calm and said nothing.

Ding Yi continued persuading him patiently. "There's bound to be something incredible in there. Over the years, I've found that quite a few experts in the Northern Sea have been actively exploring the Sunken Sea."

"Are there Sages among them?" Luo Chen asked.

"Of course. In fact, they're the main force."

"If that's the case, what would be left for the likes of us?"

"It's not as hopeless as you think. There is an Adept you know who's made it out with something."

"Who?"

"Fairy Jadecold!"

Seeing Luo Chen's raised eyebrow, Ding Yi lowered his voice. "Listen... Rumors say she was involved with a bigshot from the devil sect, but from what I've heard, she was nothing more than a plaything for one of the Grand Elders. He took her into that pocket world, and when she came out, she had already broken through to the Nascent Soul Realm. That's how she later got her hands on Jadecold City and broke free from that fate."

That distant and untouchable Fairy Jadecold was once just a tool? Wow, the drama... The revelation surprised Luo Chen. Yet what startled him even more was the mention of a chance to form the Nascent Soul. At that, he understood why Ding Yi was so determined to go: He was seeking a chance to break through.

Clearly, this piece of information had been deliberately revealed. After saying it, Ding Yi simply watched, confident that Luo Chen would be tempted. Yet Luo Chen's expression changed from shock to anticipation to hesitation and finally to resolution as he shook his head. "I'm sorry. I've always been cautious, and I don't act on anything without certainty. I've thought it over, and that place is far too dangerous. It's not something I should involve myself in."

Ding Yi's expression immediately turned dark. He realized that this so-called Devil Lord had none of the demeanor of a devil path cultivator. He was clearly extremely cautious, nothing like the domineering figure who had faced multiple peers alone at Coldlight Island.

In truth, Luo Chen had simply thought the matter through and decided it was not worth it. So what if there was an opportunity to form the Nascent Soul? He had already grasped a method for it and possessed a formula for a Nascent Soul Pill. As long as he could refine it, the only thing he would lack was not opportunity, but a fourth-tier spirit land. Under such circumstances, why take such a risk? Was it really worth it just for some unknown treasures?

He had always acted with caution. He knew of several secret realms, yet whether it was the ruins of the Valley of Ghosts and Divinities that had once been within reach during the Qi Refinement Realm or the pocket world he had stumbled into during the Foundation Establishment Realm, he had never taken the initiative to explore them. It was precisely because of this cautious nature that he had reached where he was today. If he was not certain, then he would refrain from it, and that was that. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Seeing Ding Yi's displeased expression, Luo Chen tried to smooth things over. "The Society is huge, and there are plenty of people stronger than me. Why insist on me? If you ask me, Devil's Cloud, with all those treasures of his, is more than capable."

"He is, and I've already recruited him."

"Uh... there are others too. Ghost Spirit Child is nearing the end of his lifespan. If he knew about this kind of opportunity, he'd definitely take the risk. The Angler's good too; his abilities surpass mine. And there's also Huo Fang, the deputy city lord of Dragon Abyss..."

Ding Yi cut him off with a shake of his head. "Ghost Child Spirit? He's as good as a corpse, not worth considering. As for the Angler, he's under Blood Hermit. Even if I don't invite him, he'll most likely head to the Sunken Sea on his own. And Huo Fang is, all things considered, a sect's underling. I don't trust him."

Every name Luo Chen brought up was rejected by Ding Yi, and all of them for good reason. It was not that those people were incapable, but that they were difficult to control and had other interests. By comparison, Luo Chen's combat strength was formidable, while his cultivation was relatively lower. That meant he would not threaten Ding Yi's lead. Indeed, of all the Society members, he was probably the most suitable companion. And just as he'd said, Devil's Cloud also met these conditions. He possessed many enchanted treasures and great abilities, yet his cultivation was only at the seventh stage of Golden Core and he had no one controlling him, so he posed no threat to Ding Yi's interests.

With that realization, Luo Chen's expression turned cold. Even in the past, when he had acted under the influence of a heart devil and moved against the Flame Alliance, he had still taken the central role and held the initiative. The more dangerous the venture, the more one needed control. Otherwise, one would not even know how they died. Just as he was about to send him off—

A voice suddenly sounded in his ear. "Five Elements Lotus."

"Hm?" Luo Chen's eyes sharpened as he fixed his gaze on Ding Yi.

Ding Yi chuckled. "From what I know, you've been looking for a Five Elements Lotus Pod all these years. Have you found anything?"

Luo Chen did not answer and just kept staring at him.

Ding Yi shrugged. "I won't hide it from you. That ancient cultivator's pocket world has Five Elements Lotuses, and not just one or two. I don't know what you need them for, but I do know that those things are used by Sages, and they only trade them among themselves. If you're thinking of gathering them from low-tier rogue cultivators... you could spend a lifetime at it and still not come up with even a couple. But if you go with me, any Five Elements Lotus we find in there will be yours. Well... Azure Yang? Still not interested?"

This time, Luo Chen fell into a long silence. Silence meant hesitation, and hesitation meant he was tempted. A smile returned to Ding Yi's face. He plucked a willow branch and idly waved it in his hand. "I'll be at Devil's Cloud Mountain working on my treasure. If you make up your mind, come find me. But I'll say this upfront: there is no set time for when the pocket world opens, so you'll need to decide soon. And the Sunken Sea itself is dangerous. If you want to cross it, you'll need the right tools. Make up your mind early, and I'll teach you how to refine them so you don't end up holding me back."

His words trailed off as he moved farther away. Soon, the plump silhouette left Surging Island and disappeared into the sky.

By the lakeside, Luo Chen stood there for a long time. Only when Heavenjade quietly approached did he come back to his senses. "Master, Black King is back."