Chapter 122: The Yin-Yang Grotto-Heaven

A lonely island in the sea.

Shi Yan and Xia Xinyan each ate a grilled fish, and their spirits improved significantly. Xia Xinyan, in particular, looked much more radiant after satiating her hunger.

Once Shi Yan had eaten his fill, he pondered for a moment before taking a small bottle from his pack. He walked alone to the water’s edge, poured out a gray powder, mixed it with seawater, and applied it to his face, rubbing it in thoroughly. Shortly after, he returned to Xia Xinyan’s side.

Xia Xinyan’s eyes lit up. She gave a soft snort and said indifferently, "Playing mystery, are you? Is this your true face?"

Back at the Shi family, to avoid revealing his identity during the Martial Arts Tournament, Shi Jian had hired a disguise artist to alter his appearance. Now that he was in the Endless Sea—and with the Beiming, Ling, and Mo families having met their ends one after another—there was no longer any need to keep the disguise, so he had restored his original features.

Without the disguise, Shi Yan’s appearance had changed considerably. His dark, sallow skin had lightened, his thick, coarse eyebrows were now more refined and angled sharply toward his temples like swords, and his jawline was well-defined. He looked less rugged and unrefined, and instead possessed a sharp, cold intensity, carrying a unique, arrogant, and unbridled aura. Shi Yan was not what one would call a handsome man, but he had a distinct temperament that gave the impression of firm resolve and daring sharpness.

Xia Xinyan stared at him for a few moments before adding, "Your current appearance is the only one that suits your arrogance and shamelessness."

Shi Yan was stunned, caught between laughter and tears. "Are you complimenting me or insulting me?"

"What do you think?"

Shaking his head, Shi Yan decided not to tangle with her on this topic. His expression gradually darkened as he suddenly asked, "Who exactly is the Demon Emperor Bo Xun?"

The mere thought of this terrifying figure made Shi Yan shiver. To be able to tear through space and snatch away the Sky Realm expert, the Shura King Xiao Hanyi—such an earth-shattering powerhouse had deeply shocked him.

"Bo Xun is one of the two great Demon Emperors of the Fourth Demon Domain." Xia Xinyan’s expression soured as well when she heard Shi Yan mention that formidable entity. "In the Fourth Demon Domain, there are two Demon Emperors: Bo Xun and Chi Yan. Both possess heaven-defying abilities, unfathomable demonic arts, and boundless power. It is said that both have one foot already stepped into the True God Realm."

"Demons cultivate martial arts too? Do they have the same ranking system as we do?" Shi Yan asked, surprised.

"Of course." Xia Xinyan nodded, explaining, "It isn't just the demons; even the denizens of the Seven-Layer Underworld cultivate martial arts. However, whether it is the demons or the Underworld beings, the power they gather is different from ours. Demons reside in the Demon Domain and absorb the demonic energy of heaven and earth, while the Underworld beings reside in the Seven-Layer Underworld and absorb the underworld energy. Demonic energy and underworld energy are just different forms of energy in the world, just like the vital energy we use here. Beyond the demons and Underworld beings, there are other exotic races in the Endless Sea who cultivate different types of worldly power. Yet, regardless of whether it is demonic energy, underworld energy, or vital energy, they are all forms of natural energy. As far as the path of a martial artist is concerned, the realms are largely similar..."

Xia Xinyan spoke at length, imparting common knowledge about the Endless Sea to Shi Yan and explaining the differences between the demons, the Underworld beings, and the God Domain and Divine Grace Continent where they originated.

"Demon Emperor Bo Xun..." Shi Yan said with a heavy face, "Why did he target Uncle Xiao?"

"Back then, the head of the Yang family, Yang Qingdi, led experts from the Shi family into the Fourth Demon Domain and killed a Demon Lord. Surely Lord Xiao told you about this?"

"Yes."

"That Demon Lord was a subordinate of Demon Emperor Bo Xun. In the Fourth Demon Domain, there are four Demon Lords in total; two pledged allegiance to Demon Emperor Chi Yan, while the other two were loyal supporters of Demon Emperor Bo Xun. Since Yang Qingdi killed a Demon Lord under Bo Xun, Bo Xun naturally had to retaliate against the Yang family."

"Bo Xun has one foot in the True God Realm. Even if he wanted to act, he should have gone after the head of the Yang family. Why target Uncle Xiao?" Shi Yan was deeply confused.

"Who said Bo Xun acted personally?" Xia Xinyan glanced at him and said coolly, "That giant bone hand was merely one of Bo Xun’s three Bone Dharma Bodies. Although the Bone Dharma Body carries Bo Xun’s life essence, it is not his true form. Bo Xun’s true self has always remained in the Ten Thousand Demon Cave of the Fourth Demon Domain and rarely ventures out. If it had really been the true body of Demon Emperor Bo Xun, do you think you and I would have been able to escape?"

"What?" Shi Yan looked horrified. "You mean that giant bone hand was just... one hand of one of his three Bone Dharma Bodies?"

"Correct."

Shi Yan felt a chill in his heart. If just a hand from one of his Bone Dharma Bodies could cause such a commotion in the Endless Sea—tearing through space and snatching Xiao Hanyi away—what kind of supernatural powers must the real Demon Emperor Bo Xun possess?

Xia Xinyan seemed to sense his shock and didn't rush to speak, simply watching him with interest. After a long while, Shi Yan’s eyes grew firm. He said softly, "Truly formidable. I really hope that one day I can battle Demon Emperor Bo Xun."

Xia Xinyan was stunned, a strange glimmer appearing in her beautiful eyes. "You are only at the first level of the Hundred Tribulations Realm, and you dare to speak wildly of fighting Bo Xun? Even in a hundred years, you wouldn't be a match for one of his Bone Dharma Bodies. The people of the Yang family really are arrogant and conceited, unaware of their own limitations."

Shi Yan smiled. "I am still young. I have plenty of time to catch up. One day, perhaps I too will be able to dominate the firmament and tear the void with a single hand."

Xia Xinyan fell silent. After a long moment, she nodded slightly, saying nothing more, though her perception of Shi Yan had shifted. Most martial artists, having witnessed the heaven-defying power of Demon Emperor Bo Xun, would likely be haunted by the experience forever. Forget about fighting him; they would likely be hindered by that shadow during their cultivation, never able to escape it for the rest of their lives.

Shi Yan, however, had a mind as tough as iron. Far from being afraid, he seemed to have been ignited with boundless fighting spirit, exuding a wild ambition to vie with Demon Emperor Bo Xun. With such a temperament, provided his luck and talent kept pace, he would surely not be someone destined to remain in a shallow pond.

"Will Uncle Xiao be alright?" Shi Yan sighed suddenly, his expression dim. "Uncle Xiao took great care of me in the Merchant Union. I really don't want anything to happen to him. Ah, it is hateful that my strength is insufficient now, otherwise I would certainly storm the Fourth Demon Domain and snatch Uncle Xiao back from Bo Xun’s hands."

"I do not know." Xia Xinyan shook her head. "Even if it was only one of Bo Xun’s Bone Dharma Bodies, I fear it is not something Lord Xiao can handle. I only hope that Lord Xiao is blessed by fortune and survives this ordeal."

Shi Yan looked dejected and helpless. He shook his head and sighed softly, "If something happens to Uncle Xiao, one day, I will surely avenge him and slaughter that Demon Emperor Bo Xun."

Xia Xinyan’s expression changed; she was increasingly alarmed by Shi Yan's arrogance. In the vast, boundless Endless Sea, where experts are as numerous as the stars in the sky, no one would dare claim they could slaughter Bo Xun. This fellow was only at the Hundred Tribulations Realm, having just crossed the threshold of a martial artist, and yet, knowing the terrifying ferocity of the Demon Emperor, he still dared to utter such wild words. Could he truly be a madman?

Shi Yan offered no explanation. He did not feel his words were arrogant. The reason was simple: the mysterious Martial Soul within his body already contained infinite possibilities. As long as he continued to kill, he could naturally absorb enough negative energy to transform into a strange power that would nourish his Martial Soul and essence. He only needed to kill thousands, and it would be worth decades of bitter cultivation for an ordinary person. With the unique nature of his mysterious Martial Soul, one day, he would be able to face Demon Emperor Bo Xun directly. Of course, he would never tell this to anyone else.

For the next two days, Shi Yan and Xia Xinyan remained on the isolated island, surviving on fish blood and meat. The vast sea was endless, and with no winged beasts to ride or large ships to take, leaving blindly would be less wise than staying put. Xia Xinyan agreed with this, and for two days, apart from gathering to consume fish, they spent the rest of their time cultivating, never interfering with one another.

Another day passed.

While cultivating on the beach, Shi Yan’s spiritual energy extended outward. He suddenly sensed something solid and, overcome with joy, immediately stood up and shouted to Xia Xinyan, "A ship!"

On the other side of the island, Xia Xinyan hurried over, and together with Shi Yan, they gazed toward the east.

A quarter of an hour later, a massive iron ship slowly came into view. In the sea breeze, the banners on the iron ship fluttered, exuding a magnificent aura.

"Ahhhhhhh!"

Shi Yan screamed at the top of his lungs, his piercing cry shattering the silence of the sky like a wailing ghost. Xia Xinyan frowned, covering her ears, cursing him under her breath and glaring at him resentfully.

The massive iron ship seemed to hear the call and slowly began to steer in their direction. Shi Yan continued to wave his arms and howl.

"Eh?" He suddenly exclaimed, a playful look appearing on his face. He chuckled, "Xinyan, that ship is quite interesting."

On the massive iron ship hung various banners, each embroidered with vivid, explicit depictions of sexual acts—an old man pushing a cart, the Goddess of Mercy sitting on a lotus, a flower inserted from behind—a wide variety of styles. As the sea breeze blew, the banners fluttered, and the lifelike figures on them seemed to come alive, as if diligently performing their acts.

Xia Xinyan’s face flushed red, then she suddenly realized something and cried out, "People from the Yin-Yang Cave!"

Without another word, Xia Xinyan hurriedly touched the green ring on her finger, took out a packet of medicinal powder, and rushed to smear it on her face. In just a few minutes, she seemed like a different person. Her beauty, which could topple nations, completely vanished; her face became dark and sallow, covered in pockmarks, turning her into a somewhat ugly young woman.

"What are you doing?" Shi Yan asked, stunned.

"The people of the Yin-Yang Cave are extremely indulgent in matters of the flesh; they are the most peculiar power in the Endless Sea. Their disciples cultivate through 'plucking and nourishing' techniques. Beautiful men and women are all targets for them. My strength hasn't recovered; if I show my true face, I fear I would be a lamb walking into a tiger’s den." After finishing, she felt slightly relieved and said coldly.

"Ah!" Shi Yan exclaimed, pulling a long face. "Doesn't that mean a man of my peerless temperament and heroic bearing is going to suffer?"

"Well, the male disciples of the Yin-Yang Cave are also known to favor men," Xia Xinyan said with a hint of dark satisfaction, her tone indifferent.

"They also favor men?" Now, the color truly drained from Shi Yan’s face.