Nie Kong felt a touch of surprise, yet found himself believing seven or eight parts of what Yu Longyue said. From the knowledge gleaned from Pan Hu's memories, the three continents split from the Illusionary Spirit Continent ten thousand years ago had suffered uneven destruction; the Nether Earth was the most ravaged, followed by the Heavenly Spirit Continent, with the Eastern Continent receiving the lightest impact. Perhaps only the Eastern Continent retained the most complete civilization from the Illusionary Spirit Era.

This much could be glimpsed just by studying the patterns on the jade tablet in his hand.

Yu Longyue smiled again, "Young friend, send your spiritual sense into the tablet, and you will know everything."

"Very well."

Nie Kong nodded, and a trace of dark green aura shot out from between his brows, sinking into the jade tablet. The next instant, the patterns within the tablet flared with light, and a dazzling crimson radiance burst forth. The tablet seemed to contain a peculiar, small space, where countless minute threads darted and weaved through the air. The moment Nie Kong's spiritual sense entered, those threads, as if driven by a powerful impulse, rapidly converged, instantly transforming into four large characters: Shen Kong Zhi Yi!

Reading the title, it seemed to be a book?

Just as this thought flickered through Nie Kong’s mind, the four characters of Shen Kong Zhi Yi dissolved, and the countless thin red threads reappeared, constantly twisting and shifting. Almost every thread condensed into a vivid scarlet character and integrated directly into Nie Kong’s spiritual sense. Instantly, a massive influx of information was methodically presented in his mind. It took several minutes for Nie Kong to absorb it all, after which the characters immediately reverted to their original state. As his spiritual sense withdrew from the tablet, the faint glow emanating from the patterns also dimmed.

Shen Kong Zhi Yi...

Indeed, it was a book recording the strange and unusual occurrences of the "Divine Void Realm"!

A flicker of astonishment crossed Nie Kong's eyes. The books of the "Divine Void Realm" were not recorded on paper, but stored within these jade tablets—one needed only to send their spiritual sense in to learn the knowledge within. This technique was immeasurably more advanced than anything on the Heavenly Spirit Continent.

The knowledge he had gained in that brief span had truly opened his eyes. The jade tablet, named Shen Kong Zhi Yi, contained not only many stories from the era of the Illusionary Spirit Continent but also extensive details regarding the Divine Void Realm, including a precise record of the great upheaval that caused the continental split ten millennia ago. Furthermore, the cultivation system of the Divine Void Realm was vastly different from that of the current Heavenly Spirit Continent and the Nether Earth, though it shared a direct lineage with the former Illusionary Spirit Continent.

Cultivators on the Heavenly Spirit Continent were called Spirit Masters; those on the Nether Earth were Black Spirit Masters. In the Divine Void Realm, they were known as Illusionary Spirit Masters. The residual Illusionary Realms remaining on the Heavenly Spirit Continent today were the masterpieces of these Illusionary Spirit Masters, though even in the Divine Void Realm, few could create them.

After the Illusionary Spirit Continent fractured, certain individuals in the Divine Void Realm continued endeavors to locate the other two landmasses. About a thousand years ago, the author of this Shen Kong Zhi Yi, Lu Donglai, inadvertently discovered a spatial rift in the Divine Void Realm. He speculated it might be a passage to the other two continents. Confident in his powerful cultivation, Lu Donglai made preparations and ventured through.

Lu Donglai’s guess was correct; the spatial rift indeed connected the Heavenly Spirit Continent and the Divine Void Realm. However, just as Lu Donglai emerged from the rift, he died unexpectedly. The account in Shen Kong Zhi Yi abruptly ceased at the moment he found the rift, though the jade tablet survived. It wasn't until a few years ago that it was coincidentally obtained by the Fish Spirit King outside that sea valley.

Understanding the jade tablet's origin, Nie Kong began to grasp the situation. Seeing Yu Ting Lei looking at him expectantly, he tossed the tablet to her, then turned to Yu Longyue and asked, "Your Majesty, you intend to use Qing You's power to enter that sea valley?"

Yu Longyue smiled charmingly, "After obtaining this tablet, I investigated the situation of that sea valley. It closely resembles the trench outside the Abyss of Corruption, but the seawater is far colder, and the pressure is significantly greater—even I would struggle to delve deep. However, that spatial rift must be in the depths of the valley. That Illusionary Spirit Master named Lu Donglai likely perished because he couldn't withstand the cold and pressure within."

Nie Kong nodded, suddenly recalling some information recorded in Shen Kong Zhi Yi, and a jolt went through him. "Your Majesty, are you perhaps planning to travel to the Divine Void Realm through that spatial rift?"

"Precisely." Yu Longyue's gaze grew distant, and after a long pause, she sighed softly. "Our Five Great Spirit Clans have persisted on the Heavenly Spirit Continent for millennia, yet only our Ancestor achieved Spirit Godhood. Subsequent descendants, no matter how they cultivate, struggle to overcome the Spirit Tribulation and break that final barrier. According to Shen Kong Zhi Yi, Spirit Clans also exist in the Divine Void Realm, and many have broken through to Spirit Godhood. Perhaps there, I can find the opportunity for a breakthrough!"

Yu Ting Lei, just withdrawing her spiritual sense from the tablet, was startled by Yu Longyue’s words and cried out anxiously, "Mother..."

Yu Longyue waved her hand and smiled, "Ting Lei, do not worry. Last year, I sent you to search for the 'Underworld Fire Spirit Spring,' but I wasn't set on obtaining it. Firstly, I wasn't fully prepared, and secondly, I wasn't entirely sure if a small amount of that spring water would enable me to traverse the sea valley. Now, Qing You’s sentience is fully developed; with her assistance, entering the sea valley will pose no danger. Moreover, with my cultivation level, even if I enter the Divine Void Realm, as long as I don't encounter a Spirit God, I can guarantee my own safety. Ting Lei, the Divine Void Realm is my last hope."

"..."

Yu Ting Lei fell silent, her eyes dimmed.

Nie Kong could somewhat understand Yu Longyue's feelings. Although Spirit Masters could attain lifespans of several centuries upon reaching the Heavenly Spirit Realm, if they failed to break through to Spirit Godhood, death was inevitable. Rather than waiting here to die, it was better to risk traveling to the Divine Void Realm to seek a chance for breakthrough. Based on the records in Shen Kong Zhi Yi, several Spirit Clan descendants had achieved Spirit Godhood in the history of the Divine Void Realm—this desire must be immense for Yu Longyue. If she could make contact with the Spirit Clans there, success might truly be possible.

In a moment of consideration, Nie Kong hesitated slightly. "Your Majesty, after reaching the depths of that sea valley, will Qing You also accompany you into the Divine Void Realm?"

"That won't be necessary." Yu Longyue smiled sweetly. "The moment I enter the spatial rift, Qing You can depart. With her abilities, no spirit beast in this sea region can threaten her safety. When Qing You returns to the Fish Spirit Clan, Ting Lei will relay the message to you, and you can come here directly to pick her up. Young friend, I won't let Qing You work for nothing. Before I depart for the spatial rift, I will impart all my insights on cultivation from the past few centuries to her; this will surely aid her growth significantly."

"That’s good then."

Nie Kong breathed a sigh of relief. If Yu Longyue had intended to take Qing You into the Divine Void Realm, he truly would have been reluctant. But if it was only to escort her to the entrance of the spatial rift, then there was no issue. Moreover, since Yu Longyue knew his background, she surely wouldn't risk offending Spirit Guard City by forcibly taking Qing You. Once a powerful Fish King like her left, the Fish Spirit Clan's strength would certainly be no match for Spirit Guard City.

"Qing You, what do you think?" After a pause, Nie Kong turned his gaze to Qing You perched on his shoulder.

"I'm willing, but you must teach me right now," Qing You chirped, nodding her little head rapidly like a pecking chicken. Upon hearing that Yu Longyue would share her centuries of cultivation insights with her, the little creature instantly beamed, her eyes brimming with eager anticipation, all reluctance vanished from her face.

Nie Kong couldn't help but smile. Although Qing You's sentience was fully developed, her actual strength hadn't advanced much since leaving the 'Underworld Fire Spirit Spring' space. However, if she could receive the Fish King’s lifelong cultivation enlightenment, her control over her own abilities would certainly leap forward.

Nie Kong had already intended for Qing You to assist the Fish King in entering the sea valley; now that Qing You could also gain such a benefit, he certainly wouldn't object. He playfully squeezed the little creature's elastic cheek and said cheerfully, "Qing You, go over to the Fish King." With a splash, the little creature hopped onto Yu Longyue’s shoulder, grinning widely, "Remember to come and get me when I return!"

"Young friend, my Fish Spirit Clan owes you a favor for this matter." Showing equal affection for the delicate and petite Qing You, Yu Longyue looked at Nie Kong and continued, "After I leave, Ting Lei will be the King of the Fish Spirit Clan. Should you require any assistance in the future, as long as the Fish Spirit Clan is capable, we will exert every effort."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Nie Kong replied, feeling a slight joy in his heart. With the Fish King's promise, as long as his future requests were within the Fish Spirit Clan's capacity, Yu Ting Lei surely wouldn't refuse.

Yu Longyue nodded with a gentle smile, then looked benevolently at Yu Ting Lei. "Ting Lei, there are no outsiders here; you can show Little Brother your true appearance." Nie Kong looked over curiously, only to see Yu Ting Lei remain silent, instead gently taking out a small, azure-blue bead from her bosom. The moment the blue bead left her body, Yu Ting Lei’s form changed rapidly. Several seconds later, a youthful version of Yu Longyue stood before Nie Kong’s eyes—her features exquisitely beautiful, her figure slender and graceful. Apart from her azure-blue long hair, she looked as if she had been molded from the same cast as Yu Longyue. Furthermore, without the blue bead, her apparent age had significantly decreased to around twenty years old, like a flower just beginning to bloom.

"This is the supreme treasure of our Fish Spirit Clan: the Sea God Pearl." Yu Longyue pointed at the bead in her daughter’s hand and smiled. "This pearl not only accelerates the cultivation speed of our Fish Spirit Clan members but also allows for the arbitrary transformation of appearance. Most wondrously, it is integrated with this Sea God Palace; with it, one can conceal their presence at will."

Nie Kong suddenly understood. No wonder no one had greeted Yu Ting Lei and him as they walked through the streets—it turned out she had been concealing her appearance, only revealing herself near the lake’s edge. Before that, only he had been able to see her. The Sea God Pearl was indeed miraculous; he hadn't detected the slightest anomaly for such a long time.

Yu Longyue said, "Young friend, you and Ting Lei should exchange a spiritual communication token so you can keep in touch at any time. Then, have Ting Lei show you around the Sea God Palace thoroughly. I will send you back to the mainland tomorrow morning, as I also plan to visit the Flower Spirit Clan before leaving the Heavenly Spirit Continent."

"Your Majesty, you are also going to the Flower Spirit Clan?"

"..."