As Nie Kong arrived at the edge of the "Di Xin Hai Yuan" (Abyssal Heart Sea), he realized that the cone-shaped azure aura was actually a seal condensed entirely from divine power.

This seal spanned at least a thousand square kilometers; gathering such immense divine power to construct it must have required a colossal amount.

"Senior, this seal was personally forged by our Sea Clan ancestor, the 'Hai Long Shen Zun' (Sea Dragon Divine Venerable). Only the successive Sea Kings possess the authority to open it."

When mentioning the "Hai Long Shen Zun," Gui Xian became visibly animated, his small face radiating a deep, heartfelt pride. "When the boundary gate opens next year and you, Senior, enter the Tai Zun Spirit Realm, you will surely be granted an audience with the Divine Venerable. I fear I will never have such an opportunity in my lifetime."

With a sigh, Gui Xian’s gaze toward Nie Kong held a trace of envy.

Nie Kong smiled. "Brother Gui, you will surely have your chance as well. You have already passed the Second Spirit Tribulation; once the proper opportunity arises, you are certain to achieve Spirit God status."

"Then I thank you for your auspicious words, Senior."

Gui Xian beamed with pleasure. "Please wait a moment, Senior. The Sea King and the High Divine Minister must already know we have arrived. The seal should open shortly."

Nie Kong nodded, waiting with Tai Yan at ease.

After arriving at this trench, Nie Kong had quietly instructed Tai Yan to draw Gui Xian's attention while he stealthily used the aura of the Fish Dragon Moon to cast a "Blood Shadow Puppet." That puppet was directed toward this very city. Just moments ago, he had specifically sensed around, finding no trace of the Fish Dragon Moon within the city walls.

Therefore, the Fish Dragon Moon could only be where Gui Xian had suggested—inside the Di Xin Hai Yuan.

"Whoosh!"

A slight ripple of air suddenly sounded, and an azure pathway extended out from the seal, reaching right to the feet of Nie Kong and the others. The small cluster of energy at the path's origin wavered slightly. After only a few seconds, an almost transparent archway came into view.

"The seal is open."

Gui Xian clapped his hands and laughed, his joy spilling out unrestrainedly.

As his words faded, the transparent archway rippled gently like water, and then a towering, robust middle-aged man strode out. Following behind him were seven other figures—some male, some female, some young, some aged, some rugged, and some strikingly handsome.

Seeing the eight figures, Gui Xian instantly composed himself, his expression solemn as he bowed deeply and respectfully. "Gui Xian greets the High Divine Minister and the seven Elder Divine Ministers."

"Hmph."

The middle-aged man let out a dismissive snort in acknowledgement, his eyes locking onto Nie Kong and Tai Yan with a look of arrogant disdain. "Are you two the newly advanced Spirit Gods of the Sea Clan?"

Nie Kong’s brow twitched almost imperceptibly upon hearing this. Looking at these figures, he suddenly had the strange sensation that this middle-aged man, who had only passed the First Spirit Tribulation, was the lofty, supreme Spirit God, while he himself was merely a fledgling Illusionary Spirit Master who had just crossed the First Tribulation.

He glanced at Gui Xian, noticing his calm demeanor, suggesting this was routine. Nie Kong couldn't help but shake his head inwardly, suppressing the discomfort. He nodded with a smile. "Indeed. I am Nie Kong, and this is my wife, Tai Yan. You must be the High Divine Minister of the Sea Clan; Brother Gui has mentioned you many times along the way, holding you in the highest regard."

The middle-aged man’s eyebrows shot up at this, clearly displeased.

"Insolent! How dare you show disrespect to the High Divine Minister!" An elder standing behind him immediately darkened his face and shouted furiously at Nie Kong, his rage palpable.

"Hmm?"

Nie Kong hadn't expected the inhabitants of the "Di Xin Hai Yuan" to be so overbearing. His smile turned cold as his gaze swept toward the elder. Beside him, Tai Yan was even more incensed, her delicate face drawn tight. If Nie Kong hadn't yet made a move, she likely would have struck out already.

"High Divine Minister and esteemed Elder Divine Ministers, Senior Nie Kong and his wife have always resided in the fragment belt bordering the Shen Kong Realm. They have never entered the mainland or visited Xian Qin Sea before, so they are unfamiliar with the local customs. I beg your generous pardon, please forgive them," Gui Xian interjected, forcing a smile while frantically signaling Nie Kong.

Nie Kong drew a deep breath, forcing down the rising anger in his chest, yet an intensely bizarre feeling gripped him.

This so-called High Divine Minister had only passed the First Spirit Tribulation. Among the Elder Divine Ministers behind him, only one had passed the Second Spirit Tribulation; the rest were either at the peak of the Ninth Tier or comparable to the High Divine Minister. Yet, Gui Xian had already passed the Second Spirit Tribulation—likely no one across from them could match his strength.

However, he was now bowing and scraping, pleading on Nie Kong's behalf before such individuals.

It was like watching a lion grovel before a pack of lesser beasts—a scene so incongruous it made one feel the world was turned upside down.

"So, they are clansmen from a remote region. No wonder they lack etiquette," the elder sneered, his face etched with disdain. The others beside him, though silent, wore almost identical expressions, akin to well-dressed city dwellers looking down upon two country bumpkins fresh off the bus.

"Forget it, forget it. The unknowing are not to be blamed."

The High Divine Minister waved a hand with an air of magnanimity, but then shifted his tone sharply. "However, the 'Di Xin Hai Yuan' is the sacred ground of the Sea Clan. Every clansman who arrives here must maintain reverence, even those who have ascended to Spirit God status. Do you understand, Nie Kong?"

Nie Kong kept a stiff face. Seeing this, Gui Xian continued to shoot urgent signals his way.

Not wishing to cause Gui Xian further distress, and deciding to wait until he saw the Fish Dragon Moon, Nie Kong softened his expression slightly and squeezed out two words from between gritted teeth: "Understood."

Only then did Gui Xian visibly relax.

"Very good, Nie Kong, Tai Yan, follow me into the palace. His Majesty the Sea King awaits your audience." The High Divine Minister nodded with satisfaction, gave a faint smile, and turned back, the seven Elder Divine Ministers following in his wake.

"Brother Gui, why do the High Divine Minister and these Divine Ministers all behave like that?" Once the figures vanished through the archway, Nie Kong couldn't help but ask in a low voice.

"Hush!"

Gui Xian jumped in alarm and quickly made a silencing gesture.

Nie Kong looked slightly helpless. "Brother Gui, you are a powerhouse who has passed the Second Spirit Tribulation, merely half a step from Spirit God status. Why did you behave like that just now?"

Gui Xian understood what Nie Kong was implying and smiled. "Senior, the High Divine Minister and the Divine Ministers are all descendants of the 'Hai Long Shen Zun' within Xian Qin Sea, charged with assisting the Sea King. Their bloodline is noble and their status esteemed. Naturally, we Sea Clan members must respect them; this has nothing to do with cultivation strength."

Tai Yan huffed indignantly. "Respect is one thing, but is that level of deference truly necessary?"

"Is there anything wrong with that manner of behavior?"

Gui Xian’s expression was one of utter justification. He smiled. "Senior, please hurry inside. Once you are in the Di Xin Hai Yuan, you must absolutely not anger them. Even if you accidentally provoke them, receiving a small punishment shouldn't matter. Do not resist under any circumstances. You all plan to enter the Tai Zun Spirit Realm later."

His voice grew earnest and cautionary towards the end.

Nie Kong suddenly began to grasp the source of this mindset among Gui Xian and the other Sea Clan members. Even having cultivated to the Spirit God realm, the Sea Clan would still live under the shadow and protection of the "Hai Long Shen Zun" upon entering the "Tai Zun Spirit Realm," daring not to offend any of his descendants in the slightest. Over time, this had become completely normalized.

"Thank you, Brother Gui." Regardless of whether Gui Xian's logic was right or wrong, Nie Kong was genuinely grateful for the warning. "Aren't you coming in with us?"

"I will not be going in. The High Divine Minister did not invite me in either."

"..."