NOVPUBIn the vast sea where Divine Sense was suppressed and white fog pervaded everywhere, even a cultivator found it difficult to discern direction.
Comparatively, the Compass proved quite useful.
On the way back with Lu Jie, as they were flying, Lu Jie began to explain to Lin Jing:
"Here in the Sea of Strange, things are different from the outside world,"
"For us cultivators, setting out to sea typically means boarding a ship and capturing sea beasts, which usually takes several days. Without a vessel as a place to rest, one quickly exhausts their spiritual power."
"Moreover, one must carry a Compass. In this fog-enshrouded sea, losing one’s way is not an option."
"The most crucial part is..."
"Even if one captures sea beasts, they can only operate within the area marked on the sea map; otherwise, veering off this range makes it very easy to get lost."
"Once lost in the vast ocean, the chances of finding one’s way back are incredibly slim."
"You also have a sea map?" Lin Jing immediately showed interest upon hearing about the sea map and quickly asked Lu Jie.
Indeed.
Lin Jing had his own sea map as well.
However, Lin Jing’s map was of the entire Five Elements Realm and the information marked was exceedingly sparse.
It only marked the locations where the True Spirits of the Five Elements appeared and the departure points of the Teleportation Array.
Nothing else was marked.
Especially regarding the Water Element Realm.
Although many islands were marked, their names were not noted.
The only one with a name was Seaheart Island, situated at the center of the Water Element Realm.
And near the Teleportation Array was a Soul Tomb.
Nothing else.
If it were any other realm, one might discern their location by the terrain, but, in the Water Element Realm, one could only distinguish their current position by identifying the position of various islands.
Therefore, what Lin Jing needed to do now was to find his current location.
If he could compare his location with Lu Jie’s sea map, Lin Jing might be able to determine his own current position.
Lu Jie nodded, and then took out a beast-skin made sea map from his Storage Bag and handed it to Lin Jing.
Lin Jing did not hesitate, taking the sea map and immediately started examining it.
While Lin Jing was looking at the sea map, Lu Jie spoke:
"This sea map was previously acquired by my parents, who also added some information when they went out to sea, resulting in its current form."
"This sea map only records a few nearby islands; there are no records of anything farther away."
After saying this, Lu Jie added:
"Senior!"
"Here in the Sea of Strange, the sea maps, various Elixir Medicines, and water attribute Cultivation Techniques hold the highest value, and Spirit Stones are exceptionally precious."
"Since you’ve just arrived, you must be very careful and try to conserve Spirit Stones as much as possible."
"After all, water attribute Spiritual Energy constitutes ninety percent of this Sea of Strange’s energy; if it’s not a water attribute Cultivation Technique, you’d need to use Spirit Stones to cultivate."
Lin Jing nodded at these words, then handed the sea map back to Lu Jie.
He had memorized the entire sea map already. However, it only covered the nearby sea area, and the scope was not very large, hence it couldn’t be used for comparison, and he still could not determine his current position.
After returning the map to Lu Jie, Lin Jing then asked:
"Is this all there is on this sea map?"
"Do you have a more complete sea map?"
Lu Jie then nodded and said:
"There might indeed be a more complete sea map..."
"On our Golden Deer Island, there is an injured elderly cultivator who, because he was seriously injured while hunting sea beasts, never recovered."
"Therefore, he has expressed a desire to trade the sea map he holds for two Supreme Grade Rejuvenation Pills."
"I heard from my father that his sea map should be more comprehensive than the ones we have."
"But given that the island’s environment isn’t suitable and that it’s not possible to grow Spirit Plants here, Rejuvenation Pills are extremely rare Elixir Medicine, so even though he offers the sea map, no one would trade with him."
Lin Jing listened and nodded slightly:
"Aside from the nearby islands, do you know about any other sea regions?"
Lu Jie shook his head and replied:
"I was born on Golden Deer Island, and the furthest I’ve been is just the nearby islands; without a sea map, I cannot venture elsewhere."
"Maybe my father might know something."
...
...
Following Lu Jie, after just a few hours of flying, the two arrived at Golden Deer Island.
The fog here was strange.
In the sea, visibility was only a kilometer.
But on the island, there was no fog at all.
Lu Jie had lived here for many years and was already familiar with everyone on the island.
Two people came onto the island, and immediately a few people approached and greeted Lu Jie.
At the same time, they were also very curious about Lin Jing.
After all,
not many people could come to Golden Deer Island.
After greeting the others, Lu Jie briefly introduced Lin Jing and immediately led him deeper into the island.
Once they knew of Lin Jing’s cultivation, they immediately showed a lot of respect.
After all, the area of Golden Deer Sect was not large, and the cultivation resources were pitifully scarce, so any cultivator with higher cultivation would try to leave.
Those who could stay here were at most at the Golden Core cultivation level.
Lin Jing did not pay much attention to these individuals.
Lin Jing could not stay long on the island and needed to quickly find the center of the Water Element Realm and the Teleportation Array to leave.
Upon arriving on the island, Lin Jing met Lu Jie’s father, a middle-aged cultivator at the peak of the Golden Core stage.
After talking with Lu Jie’s father, Lin Jing did indeed gain some insights, but not many.
However,
from his conversation, Lin Jing learned
that the injured cultivator Lu Jie had mentioned also really had a sea map, and that map was the most complete one in the entire Golden Deer Island.
So,
Lin Jing did not hesitate, and after saying goodbye to Lu Jie’s family, he went straight to the injured old cultivator.
As soon as he arrived, Lin Jing stated his purpose.
The old cultivator was seriously injured, and when he learned of Lin Jing’s purpose, his eyes lit up, clearly excited.
"Senior..."
"Do you really have a Supreme Grade Rejuvenation Pill?"
Lin Jing did not dilly-dally, and took out a Jade Vial from his Space Ring and tossed it to the old cultivator.
"This is a Supreme Grade Rejuvenation Pill, you can check it out."
The old cultivator took the Jade Vial and hurriedly opened it.
Instantly, the fragrance of elixir filled the air.
After verifying the Elixir Medicine, the old cultivator quickly took out the sea map.
"Senior!"
"This is my sea map."
"This map records many locations, even the largest island to the north, Seaheart Island, is on it."
Upon hearing this, Lin Jing did not show excitement but instead asked the old man:
"How can I be sure this map is genuine?"
The old cultivator hastened to speak:
"Senior!"
"This map is definitely genuine, I swear on my Soul Spirit."
After saying this, the old cultivator made a solemn oath right there.
"I swear on my Soul Spirit, this map is absolutely genuine. If I have deceived you, Senior, may I die struck by thunder, my soul scattered to the winds."
Lin Jing watched the old cultivator, then took the sea map from his hands.
After receiving the sea map, Lin Jing immediately opened it and began to examine it.
While examining it, Lin Jing also compared it with his own complete map of the Five Elements Ruins, specifically the map of the Water Element Realm.
Though the old cultivator’s map was not very comprehensive,
it was more detailed.
Every recorded island was marked with names.
Even Seaheart Island in the map was marked.
After comparison, Lin Jing was certain that this map was indeed genuine.
Then,
Lin Jing said directly to the old cultivator:
"All right..."
"our transaction is complete, the Rejuvenation Pill is yours now."
After speaking, Lin Jing left the old cultivator’s place.
Now with the sea map, the next step was to head to Seaheart Island.
Next,
Lin Jing did not delay any longer but found a shop on the island, bought a Compass, and then left the island.
To head to Seaheart Island without a Compass would still be difficult to discern directions. 𝒏𝒐𝒗𝒑𝒖𝒃.𝙘𝒐𝒎
Lin Jing definitely needed to prepare one.
Then, Lin Jing left Golden Deer Island, summoned his Flying Boat, adjusted its position, and steered towards Seaheart Island.
