King of Creation
Chapter 230 - 227 Anomaly of the Sword Vein Divine Power

Chapter 230: Chapter 227 Anomaly of the Sword Vein Divine Power

The edges of the treasure map made from beast skin were gray and black, indicating it had some age to it. Unfurled, it measured about three feet square, with mountains, rivers, and forests all depicted very clearly.

In the midst of a large mountain, a small red dot was particularly eye-catching, seemingly marking the spot of the buried treasure. However, the shapes of the mountains on the map were not distinct, and there were no textual annotations, making it very difficult to identify.

Yet a river that ran through the entire map, flowing through several large mountains, was very noticeable and could serve as a reference point.

As Ye Zhen knew, within the Black Dragon Domain, rivers that flowed through several large mountains without drying up were very uncommon. In the Black Dragon Domain, only Black Water, Shenglong River, and Fuhong River matched such characteristics.

But in these three rivers, even the shortest, Black Water, was eighteen thousand miles long and spanned two countries, making it incredibly difficult to pinpoint the location.

However, at the mountain on the map, the river meandered and branched into four tributaries, one of which surprisingly flowed horizontally, giving it a distinctive feature.

Ye Zhen took this as a key characteristic and began to carefully compare it with the military terrain spirit maps.

But even with the military terrain spirit map, identifying the characteristics of these four tributaries was exceedingly difficult.

The reason was that the military terrain spirit map was vast. Comparing each feature was a colossal task.

However, compared to Wang Xingye, who was completely clueless, Ye Zhen would eventually be able to find it after spending some time.Ultimately, Ye Zhen locked onto two locations that were very similar.

One was located in the middle part of Fuhong River, within the Antai Mountain in the western part of Gu’an Kingdom, where Fuhong River divided into four tributaries, one of which flowed horizontally and other minor reference features were strikingly similar as well.

The other location was in the Wild Orchid Mountain within the Phantom Divine Empire’s territory, at the end of the Shenglong River. There too were four tributaries of Shenglong River, with minor reference markers that were slightly different from those at Antai Mountain.

However, since the treasure map was hand-drawn, it was very normal to have some discrepancies.

This trip, Ye Zhen’s main goal was to find an opportunity to break through to the Spirit Transformation Realm in advance. Moreover, as Black Water Kingdom would not instigate war within the next year or two, choosing to recuperate, Ye Zhen had plenty of time.

Plus, according to the map, both mountains that could potentially be the treasure locations were on the way. Even if they were a bit off-course, they weren’t too far away.

If Ye Zhen wanted to reach the Phantom Divine Empire, he had to detour through the Sword Origin Empire and cross Gu’an Kingdom before arriving. The first suspected treasure location, Antai Mountain, was essentially just a small detour away.

"It’s boring to rush on the road anyway. Looking for treasure with the treasure map could relieve the monotony!"

With that in mind, Ye Zhen embarked on his predetermined route toward Gu’an Kingdom.

However, Ye Zhen had underestimated the difficulty of traveling alone. Even with a military terrain spirit map in hand, he often lost his way and took wrong turns.

Even the Ghost-Eyed Jade Lion he used for transport got lost and was surrounded by demon beasts, falling victim to them. In the end, it was the Cloud Winged Tiger that broke through and saved him.

Even while riding the Cloud Winged Tiger Cub, Ye Zhen didn’t dare to fly too high, as the flying demon beasts in the skies were even more terrifying.

Especially after seeing the mighty sweep of over a hundred Lower-grade Earth Level flying monster beasts, the Golden Light Wild Geese, Ye Zhen was frightened to the point of no longer daring to fly openly in the sky on the Cloud Winged Tiger.

If it hadn’t been for Ye Zhen’s quick response and his understanding with the Cloud Winged Tiger Cub, who he immediately commanded to descend vertically to the ground, it’s likely that hadn’t he perished in the fierce elements he would have been killed by a flock of flying monster beasts.

The Sect Leader Guo Qijing had given heedful advice for a reason.

After traveling by himself for five days and taking the wrong route for over three thousand miles, Ye Zhen had no choice but to head to a city harbor in the Sword Origin Empire to catch public transportation.

Public transportation might be slower, but at least it wouldn’t lead to getting lost and was less taxing.

Ye Zhen was unfamiliar with public transportation outside the Black Dragon Domain, but there were three kinds within the Black Dragon Domain.

One kind was the Sea Beast Ship, which could safely travel on the surface of the water, ignoring the underwater demon beasts.

In this world, demon beasts thrived only in two places: in deep mountains and old forests, and the second being rivers and seas.

The larger the body of water, the more powerful the demon beasts it fostered. However, water beasts were not commonly seen.

One reason was that rivers and seas were vast, providing ample sustenance for all living things, meaning the beasts had an abundance of food. Secondly, many beasts living in water could not or were unwilling to leave the surface.

The fact that water beasts don’t come to land doesn’t mean they are harmless to humans. If martial artists venture into their territory, they will face the merciless attacks of these water beasts.

Water beasts are typically more terrifying than those from the mountains and forests. It’s commonly said among martial artists that it is better to enter ten mountains than to set foot on half a step of water.

But the ingenuity of humans is boundless. Some powerful beings have hunted down giant sea beasts, using the bones of these giants to build ships.

Although the giant sea beasts are deceased, their bones still exude an infinite pressure that water beasts dare not approach, thus ensuring safety.

Moreover, because the bones of water beasts have high affinity with Water Element Spiritual Power, Array Masters can forge formations on them to achieve astonishing speeds.

This is the origin of the Sea Beast Ship, which can safely disregard water beasts, and it’s the mode of public transportation Ye Zhen plans to take.

Actually, compared to the Sea Beast Ship, land-based Demon Beast Flying Cars and flying ostriches are faster and more comfortable. However, they weren’t suitable for Ye Zhen.

The reason was simple: Ye Zhen was accompanied by the Cloud Winged Tiger Cub.

Whether it was the Demon Beast pulling the Demon Beast Flying Car or the birds soaring through the sky, their Grade was far lower than that of the Cloud Winged Tiger Cub; if the Cloud Winged Tiger Cub approached, those Demon Beasts would immediately become soft-legged shrimps.

Ye Zhen had no choice but to opt for the Sea Beast Ship.

There were several grades of Sea Beast Ships, and naturally, Ye Zhen was aboard the fastest and the best one.

The Henghai was a Heavenly Level Sea Beast Ship; it was said that the beast bone used to construct the Henghai came from an Ice-Flame Seahorse King that was over five hundred meters long, and its Grade had reached the terrifying Heavenly Level Middle Grade.

A Sea Beast Ship made from the bones of a Heavenly Level water beast could traverse rivers, lakes, and seas with ease. As long as it didn’t venture too deep into the ocean, it was extremely safe.

Moreover, its speed was incredibly fast; chasing the flying pace of a Martial Artist in the Spirit Transformation Realm, it could sprint five hundred li in two hours and, depending on the condition of the waterway, a day and night’s travel could easily cover five thousand li without any issue.

However, perhaps due to the decline in Martial Artists’ strength, nowadays, there were hardly any powerhouses capable of hunting Heavenly Level Sea Beasts. Thus, the Henghai, which was made over a hundred years ago, was very rare.

For nearly a hundred years, there haven’t been any new Heavenly Level Sea Beast Ships launched.

Of course, boarding a Heavenly Level Sea Beast Ship like the Henghai was incredibly expensive; a one-way ticket cost five thousand taels of gold, almost the entire wealth of a small family. Ordinary people simply couldn’t afford it.

But for Ye Zhen, this wasn’t an issue at all.

"Master Zheng, your room number is D on the fifth floor, Master Zheng. Since the Henghai mainly carries freight, guests are prohibited from entering the first, second, and third floors.

Above the third floor, Master Zheng, you are free to go anywhere you like!

Additionally, a Maid has been arranged in your room to attend to Master Zheng’s every need. Whatever you require, she can satisfy. If Master Zheng isn’t pleased, this subordinate can change her for you immediately, and we’ll make sure to satisfy Master Zheng!"

As soon as Ye Zhen boarded the ship, a Steward guided him along, explaining some of the rules aboard the Henghai.

As for why Ye Zhen was referred to as Master Zheng, this was the alias Ye Zhen used when traveling abroad—Zheng Ye!

Ye Zhen, Zheng Ye—simple and convenient.

It must be said, those five thousand taels of gold were spent in a worthwhile manner.

The quarters of the Henghai were the epitome of luxury.

Precious and soft Demon Beast skins served as furnishing, while the lighting was provided by Seven-Colored Luminous Stones, leaving not a trace of smoke or fumes. Upon entering the door, a young and beautiful Maid knelt to the ground, addressing him as her master.

"Lift your head!"

As the Maid obediently lifted her head, the Steward said in a very flattering tone, "Is the Maid to your satisfaction, Master Zheng? If not, I will change her for you right away, ensuring Master Zheng’s contentment!"

"She will do, no need to change!"

"Good, don’t disturb me unless it’s necessary; I’m going to practice my Cultivation!"

The Steward’s ingratiating demeanor paused for a moment as a ten-tael gold ingot flew into his hands, prompting him to leave with a beaming smile.

"You can leave, too. Aside from serving three meals a day, don’t come to disturb me without my summons!"

Ye Zhen’s words were directed at the Maid.

The Steward had made it very clear—this Maid could do anything Ye Zhen wanted. Nonetheless, Ye Zhen had no interest in that.

As Ye Zhen gave his instructions, the beautiful Maid’s expression faltered, and she left the room somewhat disheartened by Ye Zhen’s indisputable tone.

It was rare to encounter a young and wealthy guest who remained unmoved...

After half a day’s stay, the Henghai set sail, its speed astoundingly fast yet remarkably stable. So stable, in fact, that Ye Zhen, who was practicing his Cultivation in his room, felt not the slightest shake.

Because he was unable to form a Spiritual Power Seed, Ye Zhen’s Five Transition Nourishing Essence Technique had already reached its peak, and all he could do each day was to temper his Spiritual Power in preparation for forming the Seed.

If he couldn’t find a Spirit Storage Pill or Jade Spirit Grass and form the Spiritual Power Seed sooner, then Liao Feibai’s method of bitterly Cultivating for five years to condense the Seed would be Ye Zhen’s only choice!

Time flew by, and the Henghai sped across the water’s surface. In the blink of an eye, six or seven days had passed aboard the Fuhong River, covering thirty to forty thousand li in the journey.

However, they were still within the territory of the Sword Origin Empire.

According to the Steward, in three more days, they would leave the Sword Origin Empire and enter Gu’an Kingdom’s boundaries. After traveling for about ten days along the waterways within Gu’an Kingdom, they would be near Antai Mountain, as Ye Zhen had mentioned.

After getting some fresh air on the deck and enjoying the riverside breeze, Ye Zhen was about to return to his room to continue his Cultivation.

Just as he turned, an immensely sharp aura suddenly burst forth from the void, causing all the hairs on Ye Zhen’s body to stand on end.

Instantly on alert, Ye Zhen’s right hand reached for the hilt lightning-fast as a look of shock once again appeared in his eyes.

Hum!

Inside Ye Zhen’s body, the First Sword Vein, which had forged the Half-vein Divine Power, throbbed uncontrollably.

Ye Zhen was greatly startled. He had not activated the Sword Vein Divine Power just then!

(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to read.)