Chapter 290: Chapter 70 Infinite Star Sea
The impact of this competition was significant, provided one disregarded the underhanded behavior displayed by the last two Spiritual Beasts.
After this alliance competition, the relationship between the Jiuyou Sect and Myriad Beasts Sect grew much closer. They even planned to hold future competitions in this format, though some improvements were still needed. Furthermore, both sides could now send disciples for exchange studies and share resources appropriately. Overall, the benefits outweighed the drawbacks.
「Eden Garden」
Chen Jiuge looked at Da Bai, who bragged about nearly winning the championship as soon as he returned, and yelled, "Go herd cattle in the Heavenly Bull Realm."
"That’s right, haven’t several Spiritual Beasts in Su Mei’s care achieved True Immortal breakthroughs? You’re in charge of all of them now, Da Bai. If you don’t look after them well, heh heh," Chen Jiuge said with an ominous smile.
Su Mei turned to Da Bai, who looked dumbfounded, and said, "Congratulations, you’ve hit the jackpot again, Crafty King."
"What Crafty King? What kind of title is that?" Da Bai grumbled discontentedly.
But since force can’t compete with power, Da Bai still ended up despondently herding cattle in the Heavenly Bull Realm.
In truth, not all cultivators disapproved of Da Bai’s behavior; quite the opposite, many thought he did very well. If he hadn’t been countered in the end, his reputation wouldn’t have suffered. Alas, there were no what-ifs.
Upon hearing about Da Bai’s situation, Yue Meng, who was refining elixirs, showed a hint of contempt and said, "I told him not to go, not to go, but he insisted. Now look, he’s been exiled again. Wouldn’t it have been better to focus on Artifact Refining?"
"Bai Ya, this batch of elixirs is ready, and Silver King has emerged. Have it delivered to Three Water Immortal City," Yue Meng said, satisfied with the quality of the elixirs in the furnace.
"Okay, but Sister Yue Meng, isn’t it boring to keep refining elixirs all the time?"
"Not really. However, I do have a good place in mind, but it’s not confirmed yet. I’ll tell you later," Yue Meng said, thinking of Wen Ruoshui’s earlier suggestion, and spoke mysteriously.
After the competition, Chen Jiuge simply stayed in Eden Garden, resuming his carefree, idle life.
Holding Black Eye’s newborn child, Chen Jiuge exclaimed, "This is the life!"
SLURP.
"Mo Yu, this tea artistry of yours?" Chen Jiuge marveled, savoring the exquisite, lingering taste of the Spiritual Tea. A hint of surprise touched his features. "This Spiritual Tea is truly delicious."
Mo Yu offered a faint smile, feeling proud inside. If the software can’t keep up, then I’ll just make sure the hardware is better. Big Brother specially brought back these tea leaves; I heard their flavor is unparalleled.
"Junior Brother, Junior Brother!" The boisterous voice of Wudao Tian called out.
Chen Jiuge stiffened upon hearing this, passed Black Eye’s son to Chen Ziteng, and attempted to hide, albeit a step too late.
"Junior Brother, haha, you’re really living at ease. Senior Brother is taking you to a great place," Wudao Tian said with a secretive expression.
Chen Jiuge said deflatedly, "Senior Brother, can we not go to a competition?"
"Why? Don’t you find it interesting? Besides, it benefits our Cultivation," Wudao Tian asked, surprised.
"Benefits? All I feel is weary," Chen Jiuge complained.
Wudao Tian said thoughtfully, "Is that so? Then let’s not compete."
"Anyway, I am not inviting you to compete this time. Junior Brother, I’m heading to the Infinite Star Sea. Do you want to join?" Wudao Tian offered.
"The Infinite Star Sea?" Chen Jiuge uttered in surprise.
"Yes, after becoming True Immortals, it’s a requirement to visit the Infinite Star Sea. However, it’s not mandatory within the first three thousand years of becoming an Immortal. If I recall correctly, Junior Sister Wen is about due for her three-thousand-year mark."
"No need to elaborate, Senior Brother, let’s go."
"Hold on, Junior Brother, don’t rush. Let me tell you about the Infinite Star Sea first. It’s easy to run into trouble if you go in knowing nothing."
The Infinite Star Sea of the Heavenly Realm and the Infinite Abyss of the Demon Abyss both originated from beyond this universe. The distinction of a universe is primarily based on the presence of an origin world, like the Heavenly Realm and the Demon Abyss, which are actually connected. That’s why the terminus of high-speed travel through the Nether Sea can lead directly to the Demon Abyss.
Both the Infinite Star Sea and the Infinite Abyss are passages to another universe. Curiously, the origin world of that universe has already perished, resulting in the extinction of its cultivators. The remaining creatures there have nearly lost all consciousness and only instinctively devour anything containing Spiritual Energy.
Countless bizarre creatures emerged from the two passageways, invading the universe where the Heavenly Realm is situated. In reality, that place is a line of defense—the only line of defense. However, due to its unique geographical position, the Infinite Star Sea produces an abundance of rare Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures. This makes all major powers eager to expand their territories in the Star Sea, desperately resisting those monsters.
"As for describing the Infinite Star Sea, I’m not quite sure how to put it," Wudao Tian said, somewhat conflicted. "It looks beautiful but is also exceedingly dangerous. Additionally, the resources there are incredibly abundant."
"Junior Brother, prepare well and don’t hold back. I see you have quite a few True Immortal level Spiritual Beasts in Eden Garden; it’s best to bring them all. Anything beneath True Immortal there is cannon fodder," Wudao Tian cautioned.
After his Senior Brother left, Chen Jiuge pondered, A passage to another universe?
Not long after Wudao Tian’s departure, Wen Ruo showed up.
"Senior Brother must have told you about the Infinite Star Sea, right?" Wen Ruo asked.
"Yes, Senior Sister. For such a big matter, why didn’t you tell me?" Chen Jiuge expressed his dissatisfaction.
"Before you were initiated, Junior Brother, Master had already told me," Wen Ruo sighed. "Actually, you don’t need to worry about me, Junior Brother. It’s primarily your own safety you should be concerned about. Once you go to the Infinite Star Sea, even if Master is a Golden Immortal, he won’t be able to interfere with the Sect’s arrangements for you."
The Infinite Star Sea was the foundation for every Sect. Wen Tianming, when he was still a Heavenly Immortal, had spent a great price and many contributions to secure a spot, allowing Wen Ruo to follow him when he ascended. As for Chen Jiuge, he wasn’t initiated at that time, so naturally, there was no arrangement for him.
"So, Senior Sister’s trip to the Infinite Star Sea is actually just following by Master’s side, and she won’t encounter any dangers, right?" Chen Jiuge somewhat understood.
"Yes. If it’s possible for you, Junior Brother, it’s best to wait a bit longer. After all, three thousand years haven’t passed yet," Wen Ruo advised.
"No need, Senior Sister. I’ve already agreed with Eldest Senior Brother," Chen Jiuge said, smiling. "Since Senior Sister is going to be fine, then I can rest assured. I’m quite curious about the Infinite Star Sea."
Wen Ruo, seeing Chen Jiuge’s blinding smile, couldn’t help but laugh along. "Yes, Junior Brother is indeed a True Immortal."
Clad in white robes, Chen Jiuge watched calmly as his Senior Sister departed on the Flying Boat, only turning away when the Flying Boat was completely out of sight.
The Transmission Array to the Infinite Star Sea was concealed. Aside from the Sect’s nine Elders, the Sect Master, and the Honored Ancestor, no one else knew its location.
Wudao Tian, with his hands behind his back, said, "Junior Brother, we still have about ten years. Let’s make preparations. By the way, your Fighting Demon Ape is also in the Infinite Star Sea, always following Yue Jun. I hear it has a monkey troop under its command; their strength isn’t bad."
"Your Martial Rats are also suited for forming a vanguard squad. You might give it a try," Wudao Tian suggested.
"Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother," Chen Jiuge expressed his gratitude.
「Eden Garden」
Chen Jiuge looked at the nearly eight hundred Martial Rats, approximately three hundred of which were adults. He planned to select the strongest hundred to form an elite vanguard squad.
Besides the Martial Rats, Chen Jiuge also organized all of Eden Garden’s Spiritual Beasts.
There were thousands of adult Fire Flood Dragons, their strength at the Mahayana limit. These Fire Flood Dragons were just one step away from becoming True Immortals. It was best to leave them under the command of Ao Li and Ao Yi. The two beasts had, after all, experienced ancestral regression and broken through to True Immortals, becoming genuine Fire Dragons.
Yue Meng and Da Bai were mainly responsible for Alchemy and Artifact Refining. Although Da Bai’s Artifact Refining skills were slightly lacking, he had reached the Sixth Rank, so some small items could still be managed. Taking the Fire Crystals essential for complex fire-making and some Medicinal Rabbits along, they would serve as logistics.
Yue Li’s Violent Rabbits and Yang Huan’s species could each assemble a hundred Mahayana cultivation Spiritual Beasts, capable of forming independent teams.
Black Eye’s kin were a bit weaker. At best, there were only about a hundred of them in the Mahayana Realm. It would be better to take half this time; the rest needed to take care of Eden Garden.
Mo Yu, Bai Ya, Tian Que, Li Kui, Ming Yujing, and Bali—these solitary individuals were perfect for leading other Mahayana realm Spiritual Beasts in the ecosystem.
"Boss, all the spiritual materials you requested are ready," Chen Tingting said, holding several Storage Rings.
With a glance of his Divine Sense and seeing the full stock of Spiritual Medicines, Spiritual Ores, and a large quantity of Array Plates and Runes inside, Chen Jiuge showed a satisfied smile. "Excellent, you have worked hard. From now on, the welfare of Eden Garden will rely heavily on you."
"It’s all part of the job, Boss. Please be careful," Chen Tingting said, a hint of worry in her voice. She didn’t know much about the legendary Infinite Star Sea, only that it was said to be very dangerous.
Ten years passed quickly. Wudao Tian visited Eden Garden this time with a very serious expression.
"Junior Brother, it’s time to depart. This isn’t a competition, nor small skirmishes like those in the Demon Abyss. This is a real war."
"I understand, Senior Brother," Chen Jiuge replied solemnly.
"Let’s depart, then."
Similar to what he had seen before, Chen Jiuge and Wudao Tian needed to take a Flying Boat. There were many acquaintances among the cultivators on board, each with a very serious expression. Before the Flying Boat took off, all of their five senses and Divine Senses were blocked by Elder Yue Shanghua, who was leading the team.
Not knowing how much time had passed, after experiencing several bouts of the world spinning, Chen Jiuge was finally able to see again.
It was like the Milky Way, a silver-white star trail spanning the entire sky, with silver, green, purple, red, and other colored orbs scattered nearby, creating a beautiful tapestry of the starry sky.
Yue Shanghua said gravely, "Everyone, we have arrived at the Infinite Star Sea."
"I will now send you to your respective posts, where someone will inform you of your duties and who the enemies are."
"Remember, under no circumstances leave your post alone. Don’t step foot into the Star Sea on a whim, unless you’re strong enough."
WHOOSH. WHOOSH. WHOOSH.
One after another, the disciples disappeared, and soon it was Chen Jiuge’s turn.
Yue Shanghua’s expression softened a bit. "Remember what I said: stay vigilant in your designated area, and without sufficient strength, do not venture beyond it."
"Yes, Elder."
A flash of white light, and Chen Jiuge successfully arrived at his post.
"It’s about time someone showed up. If no one else had come, I would have been worked to death."
"Junior Brother, welcome to the Infinite Star Sea. This is a paradise for the strong, and hell for the weak."