Even a martial artist at the Spirit Conduit realm cannot traverse the insidious Dark Magnetic Miasma!

Shi Yan's heart seized with shock, his eyes wide with astonishment as he stared fixedly at Ye Changfeng, then at Lin Yaqi beside him, leaving him momentarily stunned.

Fu Shenchuan weighed the Spiritual Void Pill in his hand, his expression turning cautious for the first time, as if the pill had suddenly become unexpectedly heavy.

Lin Yaqi remained entirely unconcerned, gazing around casually, seemingly paying little mind to their conversation.

Ye Changfeng merely smiled, his grin as roguish as ever, though a different shade of meaning slowly crept into his eyes.

"You really came from within the Dark Magnetic Miasma?"

Xia Shenchuan remained silent for a long moment before suddenly asking again, the expression on his face growing heavier still.

Ye Changfeng nodded with a smile.

"How could you cross the Dark Magnetic Miasma?" Xia Shenchuan found it hard to believe. For a place that even Spirit Conduit experts could not pass, by what means had he managed it?

"Hehe, that’s not something I can discuss freely," Ye Changfeng replied lightly, a playful smile on his lips. "Our Master has some unusual tricks up his sleeve. Most people would find it nearly impossible to survive in the Dark Magnetic Miasma, but we are somewhat special. Furthermore, the Old Ghost has resided there for ages, so naturally, we fear none of the anomalies within."

"Your Master resides in the Dark Magnetic Miasma year-round?" Xia Shenchuan couldn't help but exclaim in shock.

Lin Yaqi wore an expression of disdain, clearly finding Xia Shenchuan's reaction overly dramatic.

"Yes," Ye Changfeng confirmed with a nod. "Our Old Ghost Master indeed lives there, and most of the time, we two are there as well."

Shi Yan frowned deeply, suddenly suspecting this young man had ulterior motives for approaching him.

"Why did you come to the Endless Sea?" Fu Shenchuan pressed again.

"I got bored down there, so I came up for a casual stroll," Ye Changfeng replied casually. Seeing everyone exchange looks of suspicion, he chuckled awkwardly and added, "Also, I came to the Endless Sea to look for something."

"Look for something?" Shi Yan narrowed his eyes coldly. "What are you looking for?"

"Hehe." Ye Changfeng simply smiled without answering, clearly unwilling to elaborate.

Shi Yan let out a cold, helpless snort, momentarily unsure what else to inquire about.

"So, do you want the Spiritual Void Pill or not?" Ye Changfeng sounded impatient. "If you don't want it, I'm leaving. This thing isn't cheap, and I’m quite reluctant to part with it."

Fu Shenchuan suddenly clenched his fist, appearing determined not to let go even if it meant death, gritting his teeth fiercely. "I want the item. Tell me, what are your conditions?"

"Conditions?" Ye Changfeng hesitated, his gaze strange. After a pause, he smiled. "We won't discuss conditions now. Wait until Xia Qinghou recovers; I’ll talk to him then. Telling you is useless; you don't understand, and you can't make the final decision."

Xia Shenchuan was furious, his face turning ugly.

"I'm just being honest," Ye Changfeng stated, unconcerned. He immediately smiled at Shi Yan, waving his hand. "Alright, I won't disturb you further. I’ll find you after the council meeting on Sun Island concludes. I only came to deliver this Spiritual Void Pill to the head of the Xia family; I have no other business."

Under the astonished gazes of Shi Yan and Xia Shenchuan, he snatched Lin Yaqi by the arm, ignoring whether she consented or not, and dragged her away.

Once clear of the group, Lin Yaqi’s eyes narrowed into crescent moons, and she looked at him adorably. "Xiao Bai, why are you giving the Spiritual Void Pill to that old man? That old man is only at the Celestial Position realm. How much value does he have? You know how precious the Spiritual Void Pill is. If the Old Ghost finds out you gave it away so easily, you’ll be in deep trouble."

Ye Changfeng snorted. "Do you think I’m willing? The Old Ghost specifically instructed that this pill be given to the Head of the Xia family. Perhaps this Spiritual Void Pill was refined by the Old Ghost especially for Xia Qinghou."

Lin Yaqi blinked, shaking her head in disbelief. "How is that possible? According to you, that Xia Qinghou is only at the Spirit Unification First Heaven realm and often suffers from madness. Why would the Old Ghost go to such trouble for him?"

"Xia Qinghou once ventured into the Dark Magnetic Miasma and is one of the few masters from the Endless Sea who returned unharmed. The Old Ghost must have seen him while he was in the Miasma back then. Otherwise, why would Xia Shenchuan be so clear about the Dark Magnetic Miasma? It must be something Xia Qinghou told him," Ye Changfeng said seriously.

"He went into the Dark Magnetic Miasma?" Lin Yaqi’s eyes lit up as if she suddenly understood, letting out a soft gasp. "Could it be that Xia Qinghou’s frequent lapses in sanity are because he was influenced by that... that place?"

"You’ve finally caught on," Ye Changfeng chuckled.

"No wonder," Lin Yaqi nodded knowingly. "No wonder the Old Ghost is willing to give him a Spiritual Void Pill. If this old man is cured by the pill, he might turn misfortune into blessing and directly leap to a new realm."

"To survive that place and remain alive in that condition for so long—this old man isn't simple. He has probably gained immense benefits already. Once the Spiritual Void Pill restores his soul, he will at least reach Spirit Unification Second Heaven, perhaps even comprehending some divine ability. What the Old Ghost truly wants is his experience there."

"I see now."

"Who exactly are those two?" After Ye Changfeng and Lin Yaqi departed, Xia Xinyan frowned, looking questioningly at Shi Yan. "Have you truly only just met them?"

"Yes." Shi Yan gave a wry smile. "I truly hadn't anticipated that their origins were so mysterious—that they weren't even from the Endless Sea."

"I have never heard of anyone who could reside long-term in the Dark Magnetic Miasma. What a marvel," Fu Shenchuan murmured, holding the Spiritual Void Pill, his eyes gleaming with strange light. "It seems this Spiritual Void Pill must indeed possess some special efficacy. Perhaps it can truly cure your great-grandfather's strange ailment."

Xia Xinyan’s spirits lifted. "If Great-Grandfather recovers, our Xia family wouldn't be in this state."

"That is certainly true." Fu Shenchuan's expression was proud. "Before your great-grandfather fell ill, figures like Gu Xiao and Wu Qin in the Endless Sea showed him deference. Among the Five Great Sea Regions, those who could defeat your great-grandfather were few and far between!"

"Why did Great-Grandfather become like that?" Xia Xinyan asked with concern. "If our Xia family's Reincarnation Martial Soul is prone to the danger of qi deviation with every breakthrough, will I also have to face this ordeal in the future?"

"It's not as severe as you imagine," Fu Shenchuan shook his head. "While our Xia family's Reincarnation Martial Soul is indeed more susceptible to qi deviation, it’s not as dire as you think. Among the ancestors of our Xia family, a condition like your great-grandfather's, remaining mentally confused for decades, has never occurred before."

"Then why is Great-Grandfather like this?"

"It might be related to the Dark Magnetic Miasma," Fu Shenchuan replied gravely, though his tone suggested uncertainty. He spoke frankly, unafraid of Shi Yan’s presence. "Fifty years ago, your great-grandfather, having just entered the Spirit Unification realm, was immensely bold and rashly entered the Dark Magnetic Miasma to explore. He stayed imprisoned there for nine years before returning. Not long after his return, he became like this. Before entering the Miasma, he was perfectly normal. I believe something happened in that Dark Magnetic Miasma to cause this change."

Shi Yan looked astonished.

"Do you think these two might know about Great-Grandfather's condition?" Fu Xinyan asked subtly, immediately realizing the possibility.

"Perhaps," Xia Shenchuan admitted, still unsure. "But I have decided to give the Spiritual Void Pill to him. Your great-grandfather’s conscious time shortens daily. If this continues, he might never be fully lucid again. We must try, even if it feels like treating a dead horse."

Xia Xinyan sighed softly and said no more. "Shi Yan, you came to find me. Was there something you needed?" After speaking, Xia Shenchuan realized Shi Yan had an objective for his visit and inquired.

"Those ten islands we acquired from the Gu family and the Heavenly Pool Holy Land—for the time being, let your Xia family members stay there, but everyone should come to Snow Dragon Island. If our strength is gathered together, we can look out for each other." Shi Yan stated without hesitation.

This was the matter he needed to discuss with Xia Shenchuan.

Currently, the Demons in the Galo Sea Region were gathering strength, poised to strike in any direction at any moment.

The area where the Fu family resided, located between the Yuanluo Sea Region and the Black Water Sea Region, was relatively small; the Demons might overlook it. However, if they attacked, the Xia family alone would struggle to resist.

Concentrating their forces would enhance security, especially since Snow Dragon Island was currently saturated with rich spiritual energy, perfect for martial artist cultivation. The Xia family’s arrival would aid their future development.

"Snow Dragon Island..." Xia Shenchuan pondered briefly, then decided firmly. "Very well. I will arrange this as soon as I return."

"If possible, send the message now. The sooner the better," Shi Yan urged.

Fu Shenchuan agreed it was wise. "Then I shall send the message immediately."

Shi Yan smiled slightly and winked at Xia Xinyan. "Shall we take a stroll?"

Xia Xinyan’s delicate cheeks flushed inexplicably. She glanced furtively at her grandfather; seeing that Xia Shenchuan showed no reaction, she nodded lightly and left with Shi Yan.

On the coast of Sun Island, a gentle sea breeze blew. On a massive slab of blue stone, Shi Yan and Xia Xinyan sat side by side.

Beneath the cool moonlight, they faced the sea, enjoying a moment of tranquility reserved just for them.

Shi Yan subtly reached out and took Xia Xinyan’s small hand, chuckling.

Xia Xinyan’s face turned red, and she shot him an annoyed look. She struggled a few times, but seeing that she couldn't break free, she ceased her useless effort and murmured softly, "Time flies; another three years have passed."

"Indeed. To be honest, we haven't had many opportunities to meet over these past few years. It's often just a brief encounter before we are separated again, unable to reunite for a long time," Shi Yan sighed wistfully. "I’ve been in the Endless Sea for five or six cycles now. My cultivation has progressed significantly, but our relationship seems stuck in place. Shouldn't we change that?"

Shi Yan’s intense gaze fell upon her graceful figure, his eyes fiery and suggestive.

Xia Xinyan’s fair neck flushed crimson, her beautiful eyes showing a mix of shyness and exasperation as she chided softly, "You! Why are your thoughts always filled with such things?"

"Because I desire you..."

Shi Yan laughed wickedly, pulling suddenly and forcefully, drawing her delicate body towards him, wrapping his arm around her waist.