Ye Qin steered the Huang Tian Hou Chen Sword into the mountain pass, plunging hundreds of feet deep into the heart of the mass of eight colossal blue whirlpools. These strange vortices, each spanning several li, contained immense power, swallowing Ye Qin and the subsequent Golden Core cultivators who dared to rush in. The turbulent currents swept them away to an unknown destination.

The crushing pressure nearly deformed Ye Qin’s water-attribute protective shield, rapidly draining his magical energy. This was what a Golden Core cultivator endured; any ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator caught in such a torrent would likely be instantly pulverized.

He wasn't sure how long he drifted, beginning to regret his rash decision to charge into the pass, when suddenly, the intense pressure eased. He had been violently ejected from the blue currents.

Scanning his surroundings, he found himself within a subterranean oceanic cavern.

The water in the underwater cave was dim and deep blue. The floor of the cavern was adorned with shimmering corals, sea anemones, and various seaweeds, emitting a faint, multicolored glow. Strange, brightly patterned little fish darted back and forth, and the starfish scattered on the floor pulsed with a weak luminescence, allowing him to barely make out his situation.

Ye Qin took in his surroundings and quickly calmed himself.

Visibility was poor here, and he couldn't gauge the true size of this cavern. He detected no immediate threat from dangerous sea beasts, so there was no need to panic about immediate danger.

However, several hundred feet away, a cluster of pale cyan light shimmered, seemingly the illumination of a magic artifact.

Ye Qin guided the Huang Tian Hou Chen Sword with one hand while clutching the Shui Bei Ling Zhu (Water Shell Spirit Pearl) in the other, maintaining a cautious watch as he swam toward it. In this underwater domain, possessing a top-tier water-attribute magic treasure was undoubtedly a significant combat advantage, increasing his fighting strength by at least ten percent over what it would be elsewhere.

As Ye Qin approached the cyan glow, he realized it emanated from a Golden Core cultivator belonging to the Heavenly Dao Alliance.

"Fellow Daoist Ye, it's you!"

The young cultivator, also gripping a green sword artifact defensively, was visibly surprised and relieved to see Ye Qin.

"Fellow Daoist Pan, you were swept here by the whirlpools too?!"

Ye Qin paused briefly before recalling the cultivator. This was Pan Shuang, a Golden Core expert from the Ning Hua Palace, whom Zhou Yao had previously saved once. However, he hadn't left any strong impression on Ye Qin.

"Yes. That last whirlpool was so bizarre; I have no idea where we are now. But running into Brother Ye is fortunate; it’s certainly better than being alone down here! There are certainly no shortage of ferocious beasts lurking in the depths of the East Sea floor."

Pan Shuang forced a bitter smile.

Ye Qin said nothing.

In this completely unfamiliar underwater environment, survival depended half on strength and half, at times, on sheer luck. Overthinking was pointless; the only course was to proceed cautiously and react to unfolding circumstances.

The two explored the cavern for a long time.

Gradually, they encountered dozens more Golden Core cultivators who had ended up in the same cavern, including familiar faces like Zhou Yao, Liao Xiaozhang, and Jin Zhongshan.

All the Golden Core cultivators were utterly bewildered upon arriving at this strange location, having no idea where they were. They naturally gathered together first before cautiously exploring the vicinity, searching for an exit.

This cavern was vast, estimated to span roughly ten li.

Yet, after a thorough search, they discovered only one narrow opening that led out of the subterranean sea cave, guiding them deeper into the seabed.

The scores of Golden Core cultivators congregated near this exit but did not immediately venture out.

The cavern itself was relatively safe, with no sea beasts sighted. However, outside the entrance, they could observe low-tier beasts, Tier Three or Four, swimming by. While low-tier, their presence confirmed that the outer waters were perilous. Once they left, they risked encountering swarms of beasts or even high-tier monsters at any moment.

"Groups of sea beasts frequently roam the depths of the East Sea. Having too many cultivators gathered here is actually imprudent. In my view, it would be safest if small groups of three to five acquaintances split up to act more independently. This allows for greater safety and flexibility in movement. What do the rest of you Daoists think?"

An elderly cultivator from the Heavenly Dao Alliance, clad in a green robe, spoke calmly. His temples were white, and his face bore the marks of deep experience, suggesting he was quite old when he achieved the Golden Core stage.

"Fellow Daoist Jiang is knowledgeable and often ventures into the deep East Sea, having even traversed the Crimson Sea alone. Naturally, we will heed Daoist Jiang’s arrangements."

Other cultivators immediately chimed in with agreement and light laughter.

Before venturing out, the assembled Golden Core cultivators debated strategies for dealing with the external sea beasts.

Ye Qin surveyed the group, musing to himself that it appeared all the Golden Core cultivators had been drawn here by the blue vortexes. Unless something unexpected occurred, the Earth Clan strongmen should also be present in this cavern.

What puzzled Ye Qin was the absence of cultivators like Yan Hao, Yu Weifeng, Shi Hanyang, Li Peijun, and Xu Zhen. Nor was there any sign of the Earth Clan strongmen.

The high-ranking Earth Clan strongmen had arrived at this subterranean cavern first and should have long since departed.

As for Yan Hao, Yu Weifeng, and the others who entered the vortex later, they had likely already exited this cavern to pursue the high-ranking Earth Clan forces.

Ye Qin had entered the mountain pass slightly later, leaving only these few dozen Golden Core cultivators behind.

As Ye Qin was thinking, he suddenly noticed several furtive, shifting glances occasionally landing on the Shui Bei Ling Zhu in his hand, tinged with envy.

No one had anticipated being chased after the Earth Clan strongmen all the way to the seabed. Consequently, many Golden Core cultivators hadn't prepared specific water-attribute artifacts. Only a select few possessed high-tier or superior ice-attribute artifacts or treasures.

The Shui Bei Ling Zhu in Ye Qin's hand was undeniably an excellent water-attribute magic treasure, perhaps even serving as a treasury guardian for a minor cultivation sect in the Central Lands. It was natural that this treasure drew attention.

Ye Qin glanced subtly toward the source of those gazes, identifying several Golden Core cultivators from the Demonic Heaven Alliance. Judging by their flickering eyes, they were likely contemplating seizing the Shui Bei Ling Zhu. However, they likely lacked the courage to act in a place teeming with Heavenly Dao Alliance cultivators.

Ye Qin sneered inwardly.

He betrayed no change in expression on his face, turning his attention back to listen as Jiang Ling spoke eloquently.

This Jiang Ling was a fourth-layer Golden Core cultivator of the Heavenly Dao Alliance, possessing deep seniority and considerable prestige among the gathered Golden Core experts. He was slightly inferior in standing compared to Demonic Heaven Alliance cultivators like Li Peijun and Xu Zhen.

However, in the current absence of Li Peijun, Xu Zhen, Yan Hao, and Yu Weifeng, Jiang Ling naturally assumed the mantle of leadership among the assembled Golden Core experts.

"Brother Jiang, you are well-traveled. Do you know what this place actually is? Where does the exit lead? We cannot simply wander aimlessly on this seabed! We pursued those Earth Clan strongmen here; what purpose do they have for coming to these deep East Sea trenches?"

A cultivator asked worriedly.

Jiang Ling pondered for a moment, seemingly lost in thought. After a long pause, he slowly spoke, "I have a few conjectures, though I cannot be certain of their accuracy. Fellow Daoists, have any of you ever heard the ancient legends of the Earth Clan?"

"The legends of the Earth Clan? What are those?"

More than half of the Golden Core cultivators present looked utterly confused. Although the East Sea was populous with Earth Clan members, they were weak and completely suppressed by the cultivators. These Golden Core experts barely paid heed to the major Earth Clan tribes, thus showing no interest in learning about their history or legends.

"The most famous Earth Clan legend is likely the Secret Realm legend. Brother Jiang, are you referring to the Earth Clan Secret Realm?"

A Golden Core cultivator suddenly seemed to recall something, his heart jolting, his eyes shining with realization.

"Precisely. Before arriving here, I wasn't entirely sure, but after examining the environment, I suspect this is a passage leading to a Secret Realm. In ancient times, the Earth Clan flourished immensely, becoming the most dominant power in the East Sea, precisely because of the Secret Realm. Fellow Daoists likely know that all major Earth Clan tribes have a custom of worshipping tribal sacred objects. But you may not know that almost all the sacred objects they revere were obtained from that Secret Realm. Every major tribe's sacred object is linked to it. However, finding this Secret Realm is extremely difficult because its passage is not fixed. Only the Grand Shaman of the Earth Clan’s Witch Tribe possesses the unique method to locate where the passage to the Secret Realm lies, and when it opens."

Jiang Ling nodded. "In the East Sea cultivation world, a very small number of Immortals know of this Secret Realm's existence, and some cultivators have even accidentally entered it. Thus, records pertaining to it have circulated within the cultivation community."

The assembled Golden Core cultivators showed astonishment.

Ye Qin was also taken aback. He knew something was unusual here but couldn't pinpoint what it was. He hadn't expected this place to be a gateway to an Earth Clan Secret Realm. Of course, Ye Qin had never heard of the Earth Clan Secret Realm before, so he felt no corresponding sense of joy, excitement, or awe.

What concerned him most was the Earth Clan sacred objects. If this truly led to the Secret Realm, finding an Earth Clan sacred object here seemed almost certain.

"The Earth Clan has three major Secret Realms: the Seven Star Secret Realm, the Ancient Crow Secret Realm, and the Langya Secret Realm. Does anyone know which one this leads to?"

"It looks like this is probably the Langya Secret Realm, which opens every five hundred years. This is the smallest of the three Earth Clan Secret Realms, and consequently, one of the safer ones compared to the other two. If this were the Seven Star or Ancient Crow Secret Realms, more than half of the Golden Core cultivators would likely perish upon entry; few would walk out alive, unlike the relative safety we currently experience."

Jiang Ling gave a wry smile.

Hearing this, the assembled Golden Core cultivators burst into expressions of ecstatic joy.

"Don't celebrate too soon. Although the Langya Secret Realm is the smallest, it is still incredibly perilous. Since ancient times, the various Earth Clan tribes have sacrificed countless strongmen to enter the Secret Realm and retrieve sacred objects. Over the last ten thousand years, as the Earth Clan has been suppressed by our cultivation world, their power has waned, and fewer strongmen can enter the realm to retrieve relics. Consequently, the demonic beasts within the Secret Realm have become increasingly ferocious."

Jiang Ling’s expression was one of bitterness; he held little optimism for the journey ahead. (To be continued)