Chapter Five: Cape of Death

Qijie Star, Cape of Death — Seabed

A glowing white orb of light moved rapidly across the ocean floor. Behind it swarmed various types of deep-sea creatures—fish, shrimp, crabs, and other unidentifiable entities. From time to time, the orb emitted small, dazzling, multicolored spheres of light. Whenever these small spheres struck the swarming creatures, they would explode, unleashing light that entangled the beasts and forced them to halt their pursuit. However, within ten minutes, the creatures would invariably adapt to the radiance and resume their chase.

Inside the orb was Zhang Sanfeng, who had leaped into the sea. Both of his hands were adorned with rings on every finger. Each ring possessed a unique function—all of them masterpieces crafted by Tang Yi, which Zhang Sanfeng had brought from the cultivation realm. In fact, Zhang Sanfeng’s spatial ring contained a vast stockpile of rings with various capabilities; in Tang Yi’s words, it was better to be safe than sorry. It wasn't just Zhang Sanfeng; everyone close to Tang Yi possessed an abundance of these rings. Naturally, the rings owned by Hua Ruoxue were the most numerous, highest in quality, and most versatile of all.

"Phew, thank goodness for these items Tang Yi prepared, otherwise I truly would have ended up in a fish's belly. Heh heh, the time is right. Goodbye—no, may we never meet again, you freakish fish!" Zhang Sanfeng activated the inter-phase function. As he entered a different phase, the pursuing creatures lost their target and descended into chaos. Before long, they began to slaughter one another. Two days later, a massive number of carcasses surfaced at the Cape of Death. The immortals lurking nearby reaped a windfall; the creatures of the Cape of Death were mutated species, exceptionally rare and precious materials for artifact refining and alchemy. Normally, immortals rarely managed to hunt these creatures because they traveled in swarms and were seldom found alone, making even their corpses highly valuable. The sudden appearance of tens of thousands of carcasses was an event unprecedented since the discovery of Qijie Star. It nearly led to a brawl among the immortals, but fortunately, there were enough corpses for everyone to share.

Qijie Star, Southeast Continent —

"Achoo!" "Achoo!" "Achoo!"

Outside a small hut by the sea, a young man lounged on a beach chair, sneezing incessantly.

"Third Young Master, you’re sneezing non-stop again today. Is this a good omen or a bad one?" A young girl emerged from the hut and asked the youth on the chair.

"Sigh, it’s too strange. I’ve never experienced this in all my years. I can't tell if it’s auspicious or ominous," the youth said nonchalantly, rubbing the underside of his nose with his right index finger.

"Third Young Master, why are you always so indifferent? If you only displayed a better attitude, Master would surely keep you at the Main Star. With your abilities, you could achieve great things there," the girl said, smoothing her long hair.

"Xiao Yun, are you getting tired of staying here with me? Do you want to return to the Main Star?" The youth looked back at her, then turned his attention back to a small trinket he was fiddling with. "Haven't I told you? If you want to return, you may do so at any time. Father wouldn't object."

"That's not it, Third Young Master. I just feel it's unfair to you," the girl said anxiously.

"Heh, what’s unfair about it? Isn't it wonderful here? The wind is gentle, the sun is bright, the water is clear, and the sand is white. It’s peaceful. Such a great place. Hmm, when they return, you handle them for me. I’m going to sleep a little longer." The youth’s ears twitched; he finished his sentence and closed his eyes.

"Always like this, hmph!" The girl stomped her foot in frustration and turned to walk toward a group of people approaching from afar.

"Sister Yun," "Sister Yun," the two leaders of the group greeted her with cupped hands.

"Chief Yang, Chief Chen, how was the recruitment this time?" the girl asked, nodding at them.

"The number of ascendants has been dwindling in recent years. The number we recruited this time is about average. Our two teams managed to bring in thirty people from four different locations," Chief Yang replied.

"I see. The Third Young Master is resting. You should take the recruits to the station to rest first. The transport ship from the Main Star should arrive in a few days to take them there," the girl said with a nod.

Chief Yang and Chief Chen exchanged glances, cupped their hands in farewell, and led the group toward the station.

As the girl returned to the hut, she was halfway there when the youth suddenly snapped his eyes open and shot into the air. He watched the calm surface of the sea with a tense expression.

Just as the girl was about to ask what was wrong, the calm sea suddenly parted. A flash of light burst through the surface and soared into the sky.

"Hahaha, finally back on land! Hahaha... Oh, excuse me, I didn't startle you, did I?" Zhang Sanfeng dispelled his energy shield. Seeing the youth in the air and the girl on the beach, both with their mouths agape, he landed on the sand and said sheepishly.

"Oh, no worries, no worries. I thought a sea monster had appeared. Hmm, that happens here sometimes." The youth landed back on the sand and said to Zhang Sanfeng, "Fellow Immortal, guests are welcome. Come inside and have some tea."

"That would be welcome; I am quite thirsty," Zhang Sanfeng replied, walking toward the youth without ceremony.

"Good. I can see you are a straightforward person. Please!" The youth called out to the girl in the distance, "Xiao Yun, hurry back and brew some tea. Use the good stuff."

"Understood!" The girl noticed the youth’s expression was exceptionally bright. *It’s rare to see the Third Young Master this happy. This must be a good sign!* she thought to herself.

Inside the hut, Zhang Sanfeng and the youth sat at a tea table as guest and host, while the girl sat at the tea-brewing station, preparing the water.

Zhang Sanfeng scanned the interior of the hut and said to the youth, "I can see you are a man of refined taste. I expect this tea will be excellent."

"Heh, you are too kind, Fellow Immortal. I am Guan Zhiheng. May I ask your name?" the youth replied.

"I am hardly anyone of note. My name is Zhang Sanfeng. I only ascended a few days ago," Zhang Sanfeng said, finding Guan Zhiheng to be a pleasant person.

"Oh, no wonder. Wait—Fellow Immortal Zhang, don't tell me you ascended directly into the sea?" Guan Zhiheng asked.

"Not quite. I ascended in the northwest continent, but due to some complications, I was hunted down and had to leap into the ocean to escape," Zhang Sanfeng said, taking a sip of tea. "Ah, excellent tea!"

"Leaped into the sea? Heavens, you didn't come through the Cape of Death, did you?" Guan Zhiheng couldn't help but consider the most impossible possibility.

"The Cape of Death? The name is quite fitting. Most people wouldn't survive it. Heh..."

The looks in the eyes of Guan Zhiheng and the girl shifted instantly. Zhang Sanfeng had actually traversed the Cape of Death. Most importantly, he was an immortal who had just ascended; to possess such strength already meant that he was destined to reach the level of an Immortal Emperor or even an Immortal Venerable—perhaps even godhood was within his reach.

"Zhang... Master Zhang, please take me as your disciple!" Guan Zhiheng suddenly exclaimed.