Chapter 28: The Storm is Coming

After that, another day passed, and the meticulously prepared yet chaotic exploration team officially set out towards the 【Tidal Abyss】, located several dozen miles from Yangyuan City.

As one of the ten most famous dangerous locations in the Ancient Spirit Realm, the peril of the Tidal Abyss is self-evident. Although the city guard had already sealed off the surrounding area under the Prefect’s orders, that was merely an army. With many incredible methods employed by various martial artists and practitioners, it was still possible to sneak in.

The reason for recruiting people from all corners was twofold: first, to gather sufficient strength for exploration, and second, likely to keep the most uncontrollable individuals under the government’s watchful eye.

For those with ulterior motives, joining the government-organized expedition was undoubtedly a significant convenience for entering the Tidal Abyss, and they wouldn’t miss such bait.

As for the further power struggles after each party achieves its goals, that would depend on the preparations and schemes of both sides.

Around 8 AM, the exploration team, including the Priestess and two others, numbering over a hundred people, arrived near the Tidal Abyss area sealed off by the military, accompanied by guards and various government personnel.

The Prefect Wen Fu and Yin Yang Division officials, including Qinxuan, were all present. However, apart from them, Miss Vilyric also unexpectedly saw another group of people, which made sense in context.

This group stood on the innermost side of the blockade at the Tidal Abyss. Although there were only about a hundred of them, they were dressed in gray embroidered robes distinct from the local army’s chain mail. They wore short capes that looked a bit stylish without hindering movement, with sashes and tall boots, brandishing curved sabers adorned with sun symbols. Their demeanor was concise yet extraordinary, clearly indicating their training.

“Indeed, it is the Ling Wei Army…”

Not only did Miss Ling Feng murmur thoughtfully, but many other members of the exploration team also showed visible signs of disturbance—nervousness, excitement, or a hint of guilt as they noticed this group.

Vilyric observed all this from the crowd but was too lazy to expose anyone; finding and dealing with those with malicious intentions was not the Priestess’s job.

Wen Fu, who was in charge of the team, approached a man in an embroidered robe who seemed to be the leader of the Ling Wei Army. After a brief conversation, the latter nodded, casting a scrutinizing or even warning gaze over the entire exploration team, then raised his hand to command his subordinates to move the obstacles aside.

The entrance to the Tidal Abyss finally appeared before everyone.

It was a low-lying basin, filled with hundreds of irregular pits of various sizes. Some were only two or three feet wide, while others extended several dozen feet into the ground. Distinct rippling water patterns flickered and swayed within, and though a jagged stone wall had already dropped over ten feet high, it still seemed bottomless.

Clearly, this trend of falling water levels represented the low tide period spoken of by Murong Yun. Once the underground river receded completely, revealing space to act, the expedition could officially commence.

Vilyric saw the situation clearly; the city defense forces and the Ling Wei Army’s blockade only surrounded the outer slopes encircling the basin, but did not enter the true zone of the Tidal Abyss.

Although she did not fully understand the intent behind this action, it was likely due to some kind of taboo or danger; it was evident that this valley was not a place anyone could come and go freely.

Standing alone on the slope outside the basin, taking advantage of the brief moment of calm before mobilization began in earnest, Vilyric attempted to send a hint of spiritual points downwards.

“…”

Such dense negative energy.

The water inside those numerous pits seemed to contain intense dark and evil energy—let alone drinking it; even normal people touching it or lingering nearby would likely suffer significant effects on their health.

No wonder the military was only defending the outer layer.

“Vilyric? Did you see something?”

Noticing the black-haired girl gazing downward intently, Ling Feng, along with Bai’er, had come to her side without her realizing it, curious to inquire.

Interrupting her probing, the Priestess timely dispersed her spiritual points and shook her head.

“Nothing much. By the way, how long until this low tide is over? The depth down there is quite astonishing. At this rate…”

However, before she could finish her sentence, the underground water in the hundreds of pits below suddenly began to swirl violently.

“Splash… Splash…”

Whirlpools started to rise from the underground river, causing the previously slowly descending water level to be rapidly drawn away, exposing yet deeper internal scenery.

“Eh…”

Vilyric found herself a bit at a loss for words.

To be honest, while the spectacle of over a hundred whirlpools simultaneously retreating was impressive, the rounded edges and the splashing sounds inevitably reminded her of a familiar convenient piece of furniture from Blue Star.

“The low tide has started! Everyone, please gather according to the pre-assigned groups and prepare to enter the Tidal Abyss!”

The Prefect Wen Fu’s loud call echoed in the distance, and the exploration team of over a hundred quickly began to break into smaller groups of around ten people each.

Of course, there weren’t any strict grouping standards; it was merely a simple gathering of those who participated in the recruitment on the same day or who had nearly overlapping times, then unified command by one of the ten examiners.

According to Murong Yun’s description, the Tidal Abyss was filled with dense negative energy and was rampant with demons. Many elusive evil creatures would be drawn in by the intense positive energy, launching attacks on the living.

The more abundant the positive energy, the stronger the attracted demons, so a larger number of people wasn’t necessarily better. Maintaining a scale of a dozen or so, entering from different directions, then gathering at the end was the best choice.

Moreover, looking at it from a more pessimistic perspective, even if some groups faced exceedingly powerful evil creatures, it wouldn’t lead to a total loss for everyone; it was a way to put eggs in different baskets.

In the group where the Priestess was, aside from her, Ling Feng, and Bai’er, there was the young couple who had also coincidentally participated in the recruitment, three other young people seemingly from the same sect, and their captain, Murong Yun.

It was likely a well-thought-out decision by the authorities to have Murong Yun team up with Miss Vilyric, the “Major Master of the Same Life Stage.”

Seeing the black-haired girl approach quickly, the white-clad young man hurriedly bowed respectfully, extending greetings as a sign of junior courtesy.

“Senior Vilyric, the Tidal Abyss is fraught with danger. While your skills are profound, please take care… Our enemies may not only be demons.”

Following his implied gaze, Vilyric discreetly glanced at the various individuals around them and silently understood.

After this trip, the number of people who could return to the surface might not exceed half of the current group.

“Thank you for the reminder; I will be careful.”

Murong Yun nodded and shifted his gaze back to the ever-deepening holes as the water level continued to recede, taking a deep breath.

“Everyone, prepare to enter the abyss.”

   

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