The Ice Flame displayed its might, leaving everyone horrified.

They watched the receding figures of Qin Ya and Shangguan Yue, their throats dry. Swallowing hard, one of them said hoarsely, "No wonder he’s been safe all this time. So this is how strong he’s become."

"With power like that, he’s probably on par with the Liujie."

...

「One month later, on Luoyun Island.」

Qin Ya sat with his eyes closed as the surrounding Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi surged into his body like a great river flowing into the sea. His True Essence Qi Sea now resembled a vast, boundless ocean, with waves churning and radiating unparalleled power.

As someone with a Leakless Body, the quality and quantity of Qin Ya’s True Essence were already far superior to that of Martial Artists at the same realm. Although his cultivation was currently at Celestial Essence Realm Perfection, his True Essence alone could rival that of some weaker Extraordinary cultivators.

However, the most important combat methods for an Extraordinary Strong Person were not just their internal True Essence, but also their control over Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi and its Mysteries. Therefore, even though Qin Ya possessed True Essence comparable to an Extraordinary Strong Person, he was still no match for one.

"The Heaven-Reaching Pass... the Heaven-Reaching Pass!"

Qin Ya muttered to himself. To achieve the Extraordinary Realm, one first had to clear the Heaven-Reaching Pass. Only then could they draw upon Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi, comprehend the Mysteries of Heaven and Earth, and wield Extraordinary Power.

There were countless Martial Artists in the world who reached the Celestial Essence Realm, but not even one in a hundred could clear the Heaven-Reaching Pass. It wasn’t even guaranteed that one out of a hundred Perfect Martial Artists at the Celestial Essence Realm could do it. For a peerless talent like Qin Ya, clearing the Heaven-Reaching Pass was not difficult, but it wasn’t something that could be accomplished overnight.

It required an accumulation of resources, time, and even opportunities.

’I’ve been at the Vast Sea Divine Palace long enough. I don’t know when I’ll break through to the Extraordinary Realm—it could be a month, or it could be a year... But returning to the Yunxiao Empire is a must. Maybe I should just go on ahead.’

’Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles. Gaining experience is essential for any Martial Artist. My cultivation has been too smooth so far, which isn’t good for my future path in Martial Arts. This is the perfect opportunity to make up for that lack of hardship.’

Having made up his mind, Qin Ya went to the Sea King Hall to find Shangguan Feiying.

After Qin Ya explained his intentions, Shangguan Feiying let out a long sigh and said, "Master Qin, I knew the Vast Sea Divine Palace couldn’t hold on to you, but I didn’t expect you to leave so soon. Very well. Since your mind is made up, I won’t try to keep you."

Qin Ya was slightly taken aback. He hadn’t expected Shangguan Feiying to agree so readily.

After all, he was a top-tier Alchemist of the Ninth Grade or higher—an extremely valuable talent for any Sect. If any other Sect heard he was leaving, they would surely do everything in their power to make him stay.

Some might even resort to extreme measures, imprisoning him and turning him into a Pill Slave, forced to spend the rest of his life refining Elixirs for the Sect in a living death.

’The Vast Sea Divine Palace is quite righteous,’ Qin Ya thought to himself.

"Heh, so Master Qin is leaving already." At that moment, a voice drifted over, and a blue figure appeared in a flash.

It was the Vast Sea Supreme Elder, Zong Ji.

"Greetings, Supreme Elder." Qin Ya bowed slightly.

He had a rather favorable impression of Zong Ji, this Martial Arts King.

When facing the Peerless Sect Female Demon, Zong Ji hadn’t retreated a single step, despite knowing he was no match for her. He did it all for the peace of the world, a truly righteous and awe-inspiring act.

"I have imposed on you for quite some time. It is time for me to depart," Qin Ya said.

"Master Qin, you are too modest. Over this period, you have refined an unknown number of precious Elixirs for our Divine Palace. We haven’t even had the chance to thank you properly."

Qin Ya had only been at the Vast Sea Divine Palace for a few months, but in that time, all of the Divine Palace’s stored medicinal ingredients had been transformed into incomparably rare Elixirs. This was a feat that not even ten Yun Loxis could accomplish, yet Qin Ya had done it.

One would be hard-pressed to find such skill in the entire Azure Sky Realm.

"It was merely a transaction. In refining Elixirs for your esteemed Divine Palace, I also gained considerable benefits," Qin Ya said with a faint smile. This was true; he had kept half of the Elixirs he refined for the Vast Sea Divine Palace, and now he possessed an innumerable amount.

It was enough to support his cultivation needs even after he reached the Extraordinary Realm.

"Heh."

Zong Ji smiled faintly and then asked, "Master Qin, you’re leaving the Vast Sea Divine Palace to return to the Yunxiao Empire?"

"That’s right. I’m also taking this as an opportunity to gain some experience."

"This place is a great distance from the Yunxiao Empire, and the journey requires crossing the treacherous Celestial Dragon Sea Region and the Black Demon Mountain Range. It is fraught with peril."

"I am aware," Qin Ya replied.

Zong Ji pondered for a moment before saying, "Following the sea lanes from the Vast Sea Divine Palace will lead you directly to the entrance of the Celestial Dragon Sea Region. How about this: We happen to have a few spare Profound Vessels in the Vast Sea Divine Palace. I’ll give one to you, Master, to aid you on your journey."

"A Profound Vessel?"

"Indeed. The Celestial Dragon Sea Region is overrun with pirates and teeming with Sea Beasts. Ordinary ships are far too fragile there. The Vast Sea Divine Palace is based by the sea, so we have forged many Profound Vessels for ocean travel," Zong Ji said with a smile.

With that, Zong Ji led Qin Ya to a more remote island.

On the beach stood several ships of varying sizes. Unlike ordinary boats, they had a greenish hue and were covered in carved Array Patterns.

"This is... Bronze Iron Wood."

Bronze Iron Wood was a very special type of wood, as hard as steel. The Upper Class specimens were even tougher than ordinary Profound Soldiers. Qin Ya could see that all the ships before him were forged entirely from Bronze Iron Wood.

"Master Qin has a sharp eye," Zong Ji said. "These Profound Vessels are all forged from Upper Class Bronze Iron Wood. Even a Fourth-Grade Profound Soldier couldn’t leave a scratch on them. Furthermore, they are inscribed with numerous Array Patterns that not only shield them from the perception of most Sea Beasts but also provide cleaning, defensive, and offensive capabilities. They are truly formidable tools for the sea."

"A Profound Vessel like this must be incredibly valuable."

"Master Qin, you’re being too polite. No matter how valuable this Profound Vessel is, what does it matter? I have yet to repay you for saving my daughter, Shangguan Yue. What is a single Profound Vessel in comparison?" Shangguan Feiying stepped forward and said.

Qin Ya’s brow furrowed. "Yue’er and I are friends. I saved her out of friendship. Palace Master, please don’t mention this again. This Profound Vessel would indeed be a great help to me. How about this: I will trade some items with you for it."

Shangguan Feiying and Zong Ji exchanged a look and sighed helplessly. The Profound Vessel was indeed costly to build; the materials alone were astronomically expensive. However, they wouldn’t feel it was a waste to give it to Qin Ya. In fact, they would consider it more than worth the price.

After all, Qin Ya was an Alchemist of the Ninth Grade or higher.

Befriending such a figure had a hundred benefits and no drawbacks for the Divine Palace.

"Since Master Qin is so insistent, we won’t be coy about it," Zong Ji said.

In their eyes, aside from the exceedingly precious Pseudo-Spiritual Artifact, Scenic Landscapes, the only other valuable things Qin Ya had were the various Elixirs he’d refined using the Divine Palace’s ingredients. ’He wouldn’t possibly offer those Elixirs or the Pseudo-Spiritual Artifact in exchange, would he?’

’A Profound Vessel is valuable, but it’s nothing compared to a Pseudo-Spiritual Artifact.’

’The Elixirs are good, but Qin Ya has already refined plenty for the Divine Palace these past few months. Besides, the ones he has were made from the Divine Palace’s own ingredients.’

’Yes, as long as Master Qin offers something, we’ll accept it. We absolutely cannot cause him to lose face. This way, we can still consider our relationship solidified.’

Shangguan Feiying and Zong Ji thought to themselves.