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Novel: [The Primordial Law]
Volume 5: [Seeking Immortality in the Eastern Sea]
Volume 5 (Pinyin): [Dong Hai xun xian]
Chapter 28 (465): [The Whistleblower Clan]
(28th of Volume 5)
Translator: Shadow Knight AK
Editor: Shadow Knight AK
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The harbor buzzed with excitement and lively discussion.
"Once an Inheritor reaches the Ninth Heaven, they've entered an entirely different realm. They're practically above the law, their combat power is terrifying. Unless a Giant of the Immortal Realm intervenes, who can stop them?" Yin Shi Yi exclaimed, his eyes shining with anticipation for the future.
After all, he was also an Inheritor, possessing the battle intent of the God of the Jiu Li, though his cultivation realm remained insufficient.
A young member of the Chi Li Tribe felt lost and pained, "Even our Clan Chief would likely have to flee before such a young hero."
"That's just how it is! Inheritors are superior in every aspect - physical body, spiritual artifacts, Dao techniques, and the quality of their Spiritual Qi. It's nearly impossible for a Martial-Mystic Cultivator at the peak of the Ninth Heaven in the Dao Seed Realm to contend with them."
"A Martial-Mystic Cultivator at the peak of the Ninth Heaven might never break through to the Immortal Realm. But for an Inheritor at the Ninth Heaven, achieving Immortal Realm is merely a matter of time."
"Liu Fengshu is already a monstrous talent, yet he still struggled against an Inheritor at the Ninth Heaven."
"The gap between Inheritors and non- Inheritors is as vast as the chasm between different levels of existence."
Yet most Martial-Mystic Cultivators of the Jiu Li Tribe weren't discouraged.
Instead, they felt more confident than ever, their eyes fixed on a glorious future.
For the younger generation of the Jiu Li Tribe had produced several Heaven's Chosen of Inheritors caliber - a veritable explosion of talent, brimming with vitality.
In just a few years, or perhaps a decade, these prodigies would rise to the heights of Qiongji Daozi, Huoxin, and Zhenxin.
An unprecedented golden age was dawning!
...
On a reef two hundred li from the Sea Market of Moon Dragon Island, Tang Zhan stood ramrod straight atop the jagged rock, his twin swords strapped to his back. The moonlight revealed the plate-like patterns of his armor.
"Who was that person who helped us escape?" he asked, "Their combat prowess was terrifying - to hold off both Huoxin and Zhenxin alone, fighting two against one!"
Li Weiyi sat nearby on another reef, its peak rising ten meters above the water. He circulated his Spiritual Qi, healing the burns on his arms.
"I only know his surname is Liu," he replied, "He's quite mysterious."
After a moment's thought, he added, "But he seems like a decent person!"
"He's here!" Tang Zhan announced.
Liu Ye's youthful, upright figure glided across the waves, appearing instantly on the sea surface below them.
His gaze settled on Li Weiyi, "You're a few days late."
Li Weiyi had already reverted to his original appearance, "It's a long journey! Thank you for your help earlier. What should I call you?"
"Sentinel Spirit Army, Liu Ye," Liu Ye replied.
Li Weiyi's eyes narrowed, unfamiliar with the term "Sentinel Spirit Army."
"I'll take my leave now!" Tang Zhan declared.
Sensing the two had urgent matters to discuss - matters that seemed to involve significant secrets - he decided not to intrude and prepared to return to report.
Liu Ye turned to Tang Zhan, "Tang Zhan, You don't need to leave."
Tang Zhan's Spiritual Qi began to circulate within him, "How do you know my name?"
"Someone recommended you to us as the Divine Hidden One of the Tang Court's current Jiazi. You and Li Weiyi are the only two individuals in the Lingxiao Realm who can join the Sentinel Spirit Army without undergoing trials. Of course, that depends on your consent," Liu Ye explained.
Li Weiyi, his arm injuries fully healed, pondered thoughtfully.
"So the Sentinel Spirit Army wants to save me?"
"The Sentinel Spirit Army has taken an interest in you," Liu Ye clarified.
Tang Zhan remained wary, "Who recommended me? And what exactly is this Sentinel Spirit Army?"
Standing on the sea, Liu Ye asked calmly, "What do you believe is the greatest threat to the Lingxiao Realm?"
"The Western Monster Race," Tang Zhan replied.
"By 'Western Monster Race,' you mean the Far Western Ashlands west of the Lingxiao Realm, correct?" Liu Ye asked, "Yes, the Flying Phoenix is indeed powerful, but it cannot act with impunity."
"If it dares to destroy a Human Clan Living Realm not protected by a Martial-Mystic Dao Heavenly Emperor, the Human Clan will naturally send a Martial-Mystic Dao Heavenly Emperor to deal with it and seek justice."
"In the perilous environment of Yingzhou, shrouded by the Nether Realm of the Dead, every Living Realm must be protected. Even the Human Clan's Martial-Mystic Dao Heavenly Emperor cannot arbitrarily attack the Demon Clan's weaker Living Realms."
"The Demon Clan and the Human Clan are rivals and enemies, yet they must cooperate when facing the Netherworld."
Li Weiyi grasped the underlying meaning.
"You're saying the greatest threat to the Lingxiao Realm comes from the Nether Realm of the Dead?"
Liu Ye nodded: "Not just the Lingxiao Realm, but the greatest threat to all Living Realms is the Nether Realm of the Dead. A true uprising of the Netherworld's Deac Spirit armies would be ten or a hundred times more terrifying than what the Lingxiao Realm experienced. In a single night, they could devour an entire Living Realm."
"The great calamity that swept across Yingzhou a thousand years ago was even more unimaginable."
"Precisely. That's why some high-ranking members of the Human Clan established the Sentinel Spirit Army."
"What is a Sentinel Spirit?" Li Weiyi asked.
Liu Ye explained, "They venture deep into the Netherworld to gather intelligence, monitor the movements of Dead Spirits, provide early warnings, and sound the alarm for the Human Clan. They also monitor the Demon Clan, Ricefolk, and other races, and must immediately sound the alarm if any large-scale anomalies occur."
"Disaster whistleblowers," Li Weiyi said.
"The Whistleblower Clan," Tang Zhan mused, "Intriguing."
"This is extremely dangerous work," Liu Ye explained, "but someone must do it. Without them, we'll be completely unaware when the Dead Spirit armies in the Netherworld mobilize on a large scale, leaving us slow to react. Sometimes, knowing even a day earlier can make all the difference."
"If it's so dangerous, what's the reward?" Tang Zhan asked.
Liu Ye replied, "If you seek advancement and wealth, look elsewhere. If you fear death, do not enter this gate."
"Then what's the difference between this and being a fool?" Tang Zhan countered.
Liu Ye said, "A clan that consists only of clever individuals living for personal gain, with no one willing to make sacrifices or bear responsibility, is not far from extinction. We need fools - those willing to stand guard in the most dangerous and brutal places, unnoticed and uncelebrated."
"The reason you two don't need to undergo the standard assessment is because we've investigated your past deeds. We know what kind of people you are and are confident you'll join the Sentinel Spirit Army."
"Why do I get the feeling you're trying to manipulate me with lofty ideals?" Tang Zhan asked.
Liu Ye said, "I'm merely your inviter. Whether you join or not is your decision. Even if I bound you with ropes, it wouldn't change your mind."
Li Weiyi chuckled: "Just one question: how can you prove you're truly a member of the Sentinel Spirit Army?"
"If you have the courage, follow me."
Liu Ye suppressed his aura and headed toward Moon Dragon Island.
Tang Zhan telepathically asked Li Weiyi, "How much do you know about him?"
"He seems like a decent person, just a bit too straightforward," Li Weiyi replied, "Should we observe him a bit longer before deciding?"
Tang Zhan, ever bold, declared, "Let's go."
The Sentinel Spirit Army had established a garrison on Moon Dragon Island.
The trio walked through a dense forest clinging to the northern cliffs.
Under the night sky, the area was pitch-black and isolated, as if they were stepping into another world.
As they passed a glowing lake, Li Weiyi noticed Dead-Soul Spiritual Beasts chained along the shore - some resembling flood dragons, others like peacocks, all radiating immense power and heavy Yin Qi.
Liu Ye, leading the way, explained, "These were captured by the Void Ruin Sentinel Lord and are used as our mounts."
"Is there any connection between the Void Ruin Sentinel Lord and the Cave Void Ghost City?" Tang Zhan asked.
Liu Ye replied, "The Void Ruin Sentinel Lord oversees all affairs of the Cave Void Camp. Their most crucial task is monitoring the Cave Void Ghost City. Of course, that's the responsibility of the Sentinel Lord and the older Sentinel Spirits. We don't need to venture into such dangerous places."
"I have a feeling we could enter the depths of the Netherworld from here," Li Weiyi said, his unease growing with each step.
A chilling wind swept through the area, a stark contrast to the sweltering heat of Moon Dragon Island's Sea Market.
Ahead, a graceful and handsome figure appeared on the path, clad in a cloud-patterned white robe.
He looked no older than thirty and was walking toward them.
It was Song Yulou, the Clan Head of the Song Clan from the West Sea Royal Manor.
Their eyes met, and both Li Weiyi and Song Yulou froze in surprise.
Song Yulou's expression turned thoughtful before quickly returning to its usual composure.
"I knew the Sentinel Spirit Army wouldn't let a promising talent like you slip through their fingers. You're practically their ideal candidate."
"So Clan Head Song is a Sentinel Spirit of the Sentinel Spirit Army," Li Weiyi remarked.
Song Yulou's eyebrows arched toward his temples, his beauty unmatched by few. He shook his head slightly and sighed.
"I wasn't originally qualified! But the Cursed Monster within me can only be dispelled by the Sentinel Spirit Army. They reluctantly accepted me."
"What's a Cursed Monster?" Li Weiyi asked, knowing full well what it was.
Fallen Spirit Cursed Abominations, Malevolent Demons, and Fierce Insects were collectively known as the four great threats to human survival.
In terms of danger, Cursed Monsters ranked second.
But the phrase "a Cursed Monster within one's body" utterly baffled Li Weiyi.
Cursed Monsters dwelled deep within the Netherworld, encountered only in forbidden zones, mysterious and perilous.
Song Yulou explained, "The Cursed Monster is implanted within the body, while the Mind Spiritual Curse is cast externally. When combined, the curse and the monster activate the Six Thoughts Heart Spiritual Curse, allowing control over a person."
Li Weiyi immediately thought of Yu'er.
Even though the Twin Rice Rice Sect's Cultivation Headquarters had been destroyed, Yu Yaozi had yet to recover.
Could she also have a Cursed Monster within her?
Tang Wanzhou, after being affected by the Mind Spiritual Curse, had recovered swiftly.
Li Weiyi pressed Song Yulou for more details, demanding to know exactly what these Cursed Monsters were.
"The Cursed Monster within me is a centipede-like creature attached to my Soul Spirit," Song Yulou replied, "It's not a true insect, but rather a phantom entity, sharing properties with the Soul Spirit - invisible and intangible. The Sentinel Spirit Army, having dealt with the Netherworld's Strange phenomena for years, possesses methods to manifest and eradicate it."
Song Yulou bid farewell and departed, returning to the Sea Market on Moon Dragon Island.
Liu Ye said, "Princess Yun Chang of the Song Clan is a Sentinel Spirit of the older generation. She brought Song Yulou here for treatment."
"Brother Liu, we haven't even joined the Sentinel Spirit Army yet. Please don't tell us so many secrets," Li Weiyi cautioned.
Tang Zhan added, "I feel like we already know too much... Now I understand. Was the person who recommended me some old fogey from the Tang Court Hidden Sect?"
Li Weiyi shared the same suspicion.
Joining the Sentinel Spirit Army would undoubtedly require spending most of their time in the Netherworld, making it impossible for Martial-Mystic Cultivators responsible for the Living Realm's complex affairs to participate.
The reason they had been targeted was clear: both were Divine Hidden Ones from Hidden Sects.
Even if they vanished from public view for years, no one would notice.
Princess Yun Chang, who supposedly spent her days in secluded cultivation and rarely appeared in public, was likely not actually in seclusion but rather exploring the depths of the Netherworld.
Outside the dense forest, an aged voice called out, "You two should be grateful for being recommended! Even Immortal Realm cultivators like Song Yulou would beg for such a great opportunity. What's wrong with you? Are you complaining?"
Li Weiyi found the voice strangely familiar.
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END OF CHAPTER
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