The sea and sky are vast, emerald and washed clean, yet at the horizon hangs a cloud layer like a long thick ink streak, stretching endlessly. If one ventures closer, they can see countless flashes of lightning like silver snakes darting and leaping, with sounds echoing far and wide, heard even across a thousand miles.

Suddenly, there is a loud noise; a massive ship a thousand feet long bursts through the dense clouds and grim fog, thundering through. The ship is aglow with countless talismanic scripts shimmering, casting a golden haze over the sea surface.

The entire ship tilts downwards, crashing onto the sea surface with a rumbling sound, shaking and quivering continuously until, after a moment, it finally stabilizes.

On the deck, Wang Caiting turns back to glance at the dark clouds, pats her chest, and says with lingering fear, "Sister, we finally passed through those ghost clouds."

Wang Caiwei also breathes a sigh of relief. For the past hundred days, thunderclouds frequently gathered over the sea, each time triggering storms and waves, sometimes accompanied by tens of thousands of lightning bolts striking down. Fortunately, the prohibitions on the Dragon Tooth Large Boat were extremely robust, specifically designed to withstand waves and fierce lightning, allowing them to safely traverse through the thunderclouds.

Zhang Boyant now stands with the two, speaking solemnly, "I heard the elders in the sect say that outside the East Victory Continent, there are boundless black gold thunderclouds. When winds and clouds collide, lightning ravages, sweeping across sea territories. Not only do fish and birds hide away, even cultivators must retreat far. Looking at it now, it’s true indeed. If not for this large boat, perhaps only the Pavilion Master could pass unharmed."

A voice comes from behind, saying, "After passing these thunderclouds, the East Victory Continent is not far ahead."

The Wang Sisters turn around at the sound, and Wang Caiting, in surprise, exclaims, "Master has emerged from seclusion?"

Wang Caiwei furrows her brow, pulling at her sister’s sleeve, saying, "Shouldn’t you kneel?"

Wang Caiting finally snaps to it, quickly kneeling with her sister, respectfully saying, "Disciple respectfully welcomes Master out of seclusion."

Zhang Yan steps forward, smiles, raises his hand, and says, "Stand up. There are no outsiders here, no need to be too formal."

The sisters obey and stand up.

Zhang Yan turns to Zhang Boyant and bows slightly, saying, "During these few days while I was in seclusion, much thanks to fellow Daoist Zhang for protecting my two disciples."

Zhang Boyant returns the bow, saying, "Ashamed, I merely borrowed the boat’s prohibition. Even so, that prohibition is largely damaged."

Zhang Yan smiles and says, "No matter, it will just take some time for sacrificial refinement."

After exchanging a few words with Zhang Boyant, he notices the sea is calm and returns to the cabin, settling on the Jade Couch.

Since setting out from the East Splendor Continent, fifteen months have passed. Though it seems long, for cultivators often secluded for decades, it is but a brief moment.

During this time, aided by the Qiantian Junyang Essence, his cultivation has greatly improved. He calculated that once the essence is fully refined, he will smoothly step into the Nascent Soul Second Realm.

Initially, he intended to use this opportunity to learn the Divine Skills hidden within the talisman granted by the Sect Leader. However, unexpectedly, it harbors a hidden prohibition preventing him from viewing it.

Consequently, he had to spend an hour each day forcing it with mana, gradually unraveling it.

The Sect Leader’s actions were not unfounded; he discovered that every time he activated the prohibition, he seemed to confirm a certain Divine Skill he had mastered long ago. Today, he finally dispelled this prohibition and inferred its origins somewhat.

He touched his fingertips to his forehead, where an acupoint pulsed, spraying a beam of golden light onto the table, transforming into two sheets of talismanic script.

He leaned slightly forward, extended his hand to pick up one and look at it, smiling subtly and thought to himself, "It is indeed so."

Casually shaking the talisman, it disintegrated into powder, and then he took the other talismanic script, opened it, finding it was a secret edict from the Sect Leader.

His expression turned serious as he read it, slightly furrowing his brow, stood up, gazing at the tranquil sea, pondering, "This is indeed a thorny matter; perhaps Master Shen was unaware beforehand as well."

In ancient times, the ancestor master of Mingcang Sect personally set six seals rumored to imprison six types of Ancient Evil Creatures. No one knows their locations, yet this talismanic script reveals one hidden within East Victory Continent.

Moreover, the Sect Leader, through calculations with the Spirit Stele in the Ancestor Hall, discovered that this seal is restless, as if someone is attempting to break it. If this continues, it surely will be broken within decades or a century, thus ordering him to find a way to deal with it, ensuring it doesn’t fall into others’ hands.