Not long after, they arrived at a hidden chamber.
A short, gaunt old man sat cross-legged inside.
A table was placed before the elder, on which were arranged the tools of divination: tortoise shells, a bowl of rice, old copper coins, talisman paper, and the like.
As soon as Lü Yugang entered the chamber, he asked immediately, "Master Ba, have you determined the location where the Nine-Life Immortal Coffin will emerge?"
"So it's Master Ba of the Four Directions Trading House," Ye Yunfei examined the old man and thought inwardly.
In his past life, Ye Yunfei had already met this Master Ba, who was skilled in techniques of deduction.
He was also one of Lü Yugang's trusted confidants, acting as a strategic advisor.
He participated in many of the trading house's decisions.
"I have a preliminary idea," Master Ba said. "Based on my deductions these past few days, and also from discussions with several colleagues in the same field, we all believe the most likely location for the Nine-Life Immortal Coffin's emergence this time is the Cangmang Sea, and probably on Cangmang Island at its center."
"The Cangmang Sea?" Lü Yugang and Lü Dandan both frowned involuntarily.
It was widely known that there were three forbidden grounds in the Eastern Barrens: the Cangmang Sea, the Yinwind Valley, and the Ancient Desolate Ruined City.
If one were to add a fourth, it would be the Northern Frost Ancient Mining Area.
However, since ancient times, forces from various major factions had entered the Northern Frost Ancient Mining Area to excavate minerals, so in the minds of Eastern Barrens martial artists, its danger level was somewhat diminished.
The Cangmang Sea was a mysterious ocean, home to all kinds of perils.
Especially at its center was a massive island known as Cangmang Island, filled with danger, every step fraught with hazard. Even the top masters of the Eastern Barrens were unwilling to venture deep into that island!
"That's right. This time, the Nine-Life Immortal Coffin is highly likely to emerge within the Cangmang Sea," Master Ba nodded.
"Moreover, from what I've learned, many people are already heading for the Cangmang Sea. Chief Manager Lü, if you wish to see the Nine-Life Immortal Coffin, you should depart now," Master Ba added.
"Master Ba, will you come with me?" Lü Yugang thought for a moment and asked.
"The Nine-Life Immortal Coffin emerges once every few hundred years, and it might contain Imperial Fate or even Immortal Fate. Who wouldn't want to see it? Of course I want to go," Master Ba said softly.
"Good, Master Ba, let's depart immediately," Lü Yugang said.
He then looked at Lü Dandan. "Dandan, the Cangmang Sea is too dangerous..." he began, intending to dissuade her.
"No!" Lü Dandan immediately said. "Father, the Nine-Life Immortal Coffin is a legend of our Eastern Barrens. Every martial artist in the Eastern Barrens longs to catch a glimpse of it, to explore its secrets. I am no exception; I want to see it!"
"Well... alright then," Lü Yugang hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "But once we enter the Cangmang Sea, you must stay close to me."
"Alright!" Lü Dandan was overjoyed.
"Young Master Su..." Lü Yugang looked towards Ye Yunfei.
"Naturally, I must also go," Ye Yunfei said with a faint smile.
In fact, Ye Yunfei had long intended to make a trip to the Cangmang Sea!
"Those spirits of the sea should be doing alright. I'll see them again soon," he thought to himself.
"Very well, we set off at once," Lü Yugang said.
Moments later, an airship soared into the sky from the Four Directions Trading House. Besides Lü Yugang, Master Ba, Ye Yunfei, and Lü Dandan, there were over a hundred people from the trading house, including more than a dozen experts.
According to Lü Yugang, entering the Cangmang Sea this time would be fraught with danger. Moreover, once the Nine-Life Immortal Coffin was found, there would inevitably be conflict among the various major forces and experts, so it was wise to bring more manpower.
"Young Master Su is truly no simple man," Master Ba suddenly looked at Ye Yunfei and spoke out within the airship.
"Of course Young Master Su isn't simple. He is ranked first on the Eastern Barrens Prodigy List, a young hero whose fame has long spread throughout the Eastern Barrens," Lü Yugang laughed.
"Young Master Su's origins are also anything but simple," Master Ba's tone carried a hint of deeper meaning.
Ye Yunfei smiled faintly. This Master Ba practiced divination arts, had studied the laws of space and time, and must also have some exposure to the laws of Samsara. He had probably sensed something unusual, hence this remark. However, Ye Yunfei believed that with Master Ba's level of cultivation, it was impossible for him to discern his true origins.
Three days later.
They finally arrived before a vast expanse of ocean.
This sea was extremely vast, stretching as far as the eye could see without boundaries. The azure waters reflected the pure white sky, appearing calm and peaceful.
However, this sea possessed an eerie stillness. The sea surface was perfectly motionless, without a single ripple, as if a gigantic mirror had been overturned.
The Four Directions Trading House's airship hovered by the shore. Lü Yugang led everyone out of the airship and arrived at the seaside.
Many people had already gathered by the shore, gazing out at this unnervingly placid sea.
"Young Master Su, this is a mysterious sea region," Lü Yugang explained to Ye Yunfei. "It has dreadful restrictions against flight. One cannot rely on Spiritual Power to fly here, and any flight-type treasures are useless. To enter the sea, one must travel by boat. Moreover, one can only use the mysterious boats that exist within the sea itself."
"Yes, I know," Ye Yunfei answered, examining the Cangmang Sea before him.
In fact, Ye Yunfei had once entered this Cangmang Sea and possessed some understanding of this mysterious sea region!
He had even encountered a mysterious race of beings here in his past!
"Every so often, a batch of mysterious boats automatically drifts to the shore," Master Ba said. "We'll wait here. If a boat comes ashore, we'll seize it to enter the Cangmang Sea. The Nine-Life Immortal Coffin is most likely to emerge at Cangmang Island in the center of the sea! Let's wait here."
"We can only wait. Only by securing those boats can we enter this Cangmang Sea," Lü Yugang nodded.
Roaring... One after another, airships rumbled forth and descended by the seashore.
"Chief Manager, look, the Zhao Family has arrived," a Four Directions Trading House expert whispered beside Lü Yugang.
Several airships rumbled to a halt by the shore. Figures emerged from each vessel, among them an elder who was none other than the Zhao Family Ancestor.
"Feng Wei!" Lü Yugang's face suddenly darkened as he spotted a black-robed elder standing beside the Zhao Family Ancestor—it was precisely the Great Elder of the Four Directions Trading House, Feng Wei!
"Feng Wei, how dare you still show your face!" Lü Yugang, furious, took a step forward, his sharp gaze fixed on Great Elder Feng Wei.
"Heh heh... Chief Manager Lü, what impressive airs. This isn't your Four Directions Trading House territory. If you can come, why can't others?" The Zhao Family Ancestor sneered.
"He is a traitor to our Four Directions Trading House, currently our number one wanted enemy! Old Zhao, why are you with him? Do you intend to protect him? This is a severe provocation against our Four Directions Trading House. Consider the consequences carefully!" Lü Yugang raged.
"Chief Manager Lü, don't try to show off your authority in front of me. Who I associate with is none of your concern," the Zhao Family Ancestor said coldly.
"He's the Su Fei from Ziwei Sect!" Suddenly, Feng Wei spotted Ye Yunfei standing nearby and immediately shouted.
"Su Fei!" The Zhao Family Ancestor's gaze immediately shifted towards Ye Yunfei.
Rumble... An extremely terrifying energy of Soul Power surged across the distance, crashing headlong towards Ye Yunfei's Soul Sea.
"Hmph!" Lü Yugang snorted coldly and released a stream of Soul Power to shield the area before Ye Yunfei's head.
At that moment, another group of people arrived, rumbling to a halt by the shore.
The Beast Taming Sect had arrived.
Every member of the Beast Taming Sect was accompanied by a companion demon beast, each emitting roars that caused the heavens and earth to tremble faintly.
"So you are Su Fei of Ziwei Sect? Many of our Beast Taming Sect members died because of you. We'll settle that debt today," the Sect Master of the Beast Taming Sect, having just arrived, fixed his authoritative gaze on Ye Yunfei and sternly rebuked.
Boom... He then materialized a giant hand that continuously enlarged, reaching out to grab Ye Yunfei.
"With me here, no one will harm Young Master Su," Lü Yugang extended his hand as a barrier, deflecting the Beast Taming Sect Master's giant hand.
"Hmph! Lü Yugang, this kid is a trouble magnet. He has offended several of our major forces simultaneously. You cannot protect him," a cold snort was heard from afar. A gaunt old man was seen leading a large contingent of people, rumbling towards them.
The Cangyan Sacred Sect's forces had arrived!
"Everyone be careful, these factions have ill intentions," Lü Yugang sent a sound transmission to his group as a warning.
"Gentlemen, it seems you hold neither the Four Directions Trading House nor Lü Yugang in any regard. Good, I'll remember this," Lü Yugang sneered.
He was the Chief Manager of the Four Directions Trading House, not only wielding great authority but also possessing strength ranked among the top masters of the Eastern Barrens. With such status and position, no one dared to provoke him wherever he went. Yet now he was being treated like this, which enraged him.
"Hahaha... Lü Yugang, don't use the Four Directions Trading House as your shield! Do you really think the Four Directions Trading House belongs solely to you? Lü Yugang, your autocratic rule and overbearing methods disqualify you from being the Chief Manager of the Four Directions Trading House. Just wait—I will surely sweep you, this 'black sheep', out the door! Everyone, I urge you to leave Lü Yugang immediately and follow me. I will return to the Four Directions Trading House sooner or later and become Chief Manager. At that time, I will surely favor you, and the compensation I give you will be ten times better than what Lü Yugang provides!" Feng Wei fixed his gaze on the Four Directions Trading House experts behind Lü Yugang and proclaimed.
"Feng Wei, you traitor! I will personally execute you with my own hands!" Lü Yugang flew into a rage.
"Set your housekeeping matters aside for now. Lü Yugang, hand over Su Fei immediately! Otherwise, we will have no choice but to take action," the Cangyan Sacred Sect's Great Elder coldly shouted.
The Zhao Family Ancestor and the Beast Taming Sect Master also stepped forward, releasing billowing waves of energy pressure that crushed towards Ye Yunfei's direction.
"You old fossils, provoking me repeatedly will have grave consequences," Ye Yunfei said coldly.