Chapter 401: 403 Sea-calming Bell
People strove for cultivation, thirsting for power endlessly, whether it was the God and Mortals or the Dragon Shepherds, they all wanted to climb to the rooftop of this world and then look down upon the countless struggling beings beneath their feet.
But it seemed there would always be existences to gaze up at, mysterious, ancient, and powerful, endlessly searched for, yet boundless.
Whether the White Phoenix was more powerful, or the Mountain Immortal Ghost that had obliterated Guangshan’s Purple Sect Forest was mightier, Zhu Minglang didn’t have an answer in his heart, in any case, these were realms he had yet to touch.
The continents he had seen were merely the tip of the iceberg of this world.
Similarly, the known species of life were probably just a small part of the vast Spiritual Realm.
There was yet a broader universe, and even more unparalleled sovereigns!
…
…
The thunderstorm lasted all day, tides surged, covering some of the dry shallows around Man City.
Zhu Minglang stepped out of his courtyard, Little Glow Spirit flashing its large eyes with a pitiful light, looking somewhat reluctant to part.
“I’ll be back in a few days, Teacher Duan Lan will take good care of you. Don’t be lazy while I’m away, and practice diligently,” Zhu Minglang instructed.
Without transforming into dragons, they couldn’t form a Spirit Contract, nor could they be taken into the Spirit Realm.
That was the slight inconvenience of nurturing a Juvenile Spirit; going on a long trip meant having to find someone to take care of them.
By Duan Lan’s side was an Azure Flood Dragon, Little Wild Jiao looking up at the Azure Flood Dragon just as Big Black Tooth had done in the past.
It was perfect since the Azure Flood Dragon could also teach Little Wild Jiao some Jiao techniques.
“I’ll take good care of them, you can rest assured,” Duan Lan said with a reserved smile.
…
Zhu Minglang headed to the Flying Dragon Stone Tower, where he saw a launch platform designed to help Dragon Beasts more quickly sense the wind blowing from the sea and to utilize this air current to reach high altitudes more effortlessly.
Great Tutor Lin Zhao was already waiting atop the Flying Dragon Stone Tower, along with Han Wen and the slightly plump academy patrol from before.
The plump academy patrol summoned a Wind Wing Dragon, and several of them rode it towards the far reaches of the Neon Sea.
It was the same route Zhu Minglang had taken while meandering with the Heavenly Slaughter Dragon, heading towards the deepest part of the ocean, passing numerous islands and nations.
Only when he reached the border where the emerald sea met the dangling azure sky did Zhu Minglang recognize the cluster of Coral Islands where he had once rescued these people.
There were many Coral Islands, like clusters of flowers dotted across the vast plains in spring. Seen from above, no matter how large their surface area, they appeared as vividly blossoming flowers.
The Wind Wing Dragon was enduring, stopping only once at a small island with woods to replenish some food and water before continuing to carry everyone to this emerald Absolute Sea.
In the midst of the emerald Absolute Sea were not only countless colorful Coral Islands but also the semblance of terrestrial grasslands in the form of seaweed shadow islands.
These seaweed shadow islands were actually below the sea level, not completely submerged; one could see many coral giants growing on them, and at night, when the stars scattered the sky, these corals would cast enchanting and dreamlike reflections, rendering the sea area like a mythological fairyland.
After a night’s rest, everyone was refreshed and set out again early the next morning.
This time they didn’t fly, but instead traveled at a gentle pace aboard a Sea Dragon Turtle Beast, heading deeper into the verdant Absolute Sea.
“Are you worried about the Absolute Sea Hawk Emperor?” Zhu Minglang asked.
Lin Zhao nodded.
Last time, they had been too careless and entered the Demon Island Rainforest from the air, which led to them being targeted by the Absolute Sea Hawk Emperor with its powerful tracking ability.
Although last time they only had Lin Zhao, a Dragon King Level powerhouse, this time they had the Heavenly Slaughter Dragon with them. Still, they would avoid confrontation if possible before finding the Sea-calming Bell, since they weren’t there for revenge against the Absolute Sea Hawk Emperor.
Zhu Minglang started to smell a weird scent as soon as they landed on the island from a very strange mountain range on the Magic Island.
The scent wasn’t unpleasant, in fact, it had an exotic fragrance, but a deep breath of it suddenly made one feel dizzy and disoriented!
“Put this on.” Lin Zhao was well prepared, as he handed everyone a necklace made of strung grass beads.
“The entire Magic Island is covered with an exotic tree that absorbs sunlight. The gas produced by the leaves fills the whole island. Only creatures that have lived here for a long time can breathe normally. Outsiders can hardly last a time without getting affected. These grass beads around your neck can dispel that suppressive exotic gas,” Han Wen explained earnestly to Zhu Minglang.
“Indeed, and people with high cultivation bases are affected just the same,” the slightly chubby patroller added.
Zhu Minglang already felt a certain danger.
If people with high cultivation bases were also affected, would they not suffocate to death if trapped on this island?
…
They followed a secluded path onto the island, which meant they had a long trek ahead of them on foot.
As the grass beads were limited, to ensure the dragon beasts didn’t inhale the exotic scent during battle, they couldn’t overtly summon too many dragons to escort them.
Moreover, the suppression by the exotic fragrance was not related to the level of one’s cultivation base.
While walking on the Demon Island, it was more convenient to summon some dragons with weaker auras to follow them.
Every time, they had to recall the dragons back into the Spirit Realm.
The journey was smooth, as Lin Zhao had obviously prepared well for this expedition.
Before long, they were deeply ensnared in the middle of the Demon Island rainforest. Not daring to fly rashly, Zhu Minglang now had no idea where he was.
Indeed, the Demon Island had many peculiar plants, and those emitting the exotic scent were extremely enchanting in appearance, with tree trunks, branches, and leaves all displaying different colors.
In nature, brightly colored creatures often carry potent poisons.
It was the same with plants. Every time Zhu Minglang approached one of these strange trees, he would feel dizzy and breathless, as if he were in a high-altitude area or feeling weak after strenuous exercise.
“The Sea-calming Bell is within that forest of exotic trees, where an Azure Bronze Demon Tree stands tall. In fact, the Sea-calming Bell is hung on this Azure Bronze Demon Tree,” Great Instructor Lin Zhao said.
“Hung there?” Zhu Minglang was rather puzzled.
If it was an ancient artifact, it should be related to the ancients. How could it be inexplicably hanging in such a primeval forest on a Magic Island?
“We’re not clear on the specifics either, but it seems that the exotic fragrance emanating from the entire island is also related to this Sea-calming Bell,” Lin Zhao explained.