Chapter 1725: Three Disasters, Five Forbidden Zones

“I’m not sure what happened to me either. I’m certain I have gone to Dong Ji and remained there for a very long time. I’m certain that I have explored many mysterious places and witnessed many magical sights. However, those memories gradually grew blurry and disappeared after I left Dong Ji. I am unable to preserve them no matter what method I tried including recording them on paper or storing the memory inside a jade slip or Strange Artifact. The words and the record would disappear on its own. It is incredibly strange.”

Old Man Turtle hummed. “To date, most of my memories regarding Dong Ji are gone. All I have left are some blurry impressions.”

Feng Qingyou pondered. “Maybe your memories are affected by some sort of mysterious power that originated from Dong Ji?”

“I think so too.”

Old Man Turtle nodded. “Perhaps those memories will return when I return to Dong Ji once more. Therefore, you do not need to worry that I would drag your feet.”

“Luckily, I still remember how to go to Dong Ji despite losing my memories regarding Dong Ji. I can accelerate your journey there.”

Ye Qing hurriedly thanked him. “That would be much appreciated, senior. Thank you.”

Old Man Turtle waved it off. “You’re welcome. Please address me as elder from now on. Senior is too estranged an appellation, don’t you think?”

“Of course...” Both Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou nodded. “We look forward to working with you, elder.”

“Grandpa Turtle, warrior Ye, miss Feng...” It was at this moment Sang Shou walked over to them. “The meal is ready.”

Old Man Turtle beckoned them to follow him. “Come! Let’s enjoy a drink before we go. Li’l Sang’s ‘Endlessly Long Sky’ is one-of-a-kind. You must taste it.”

“Haha... We’ll happily accept the offer.”

The duo did not turn down the offer. It wasn’t like a meal would delay them for long.

It was morning by the time they finished the feast. Ye Qing, Feng Qingyou and Old Man Turtle immediately departed for Dong Ji after bidding Sang Shou goodbye.

“Of all the dangerous and mysterious places in the Eastern Sea, the Three Disasters and Five Forbidden Zones are the ones you must watch out for the most.”

Inside the Cloud Boat, Old Man Turtle was teaching Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou the things they needed to pay attention to while crossing the Eastern Sea. “The Three Disasters are the Sea Illuminating Blood Moon, Sea Burning Rain of Fire, and Spirit Tide of Stars.”

“Some nights, the moon in the sky would turn bloody red for some reason, and every animal and Stranger within its range would go mad and attack all living creatures around them. That is the Sea Illuminating Blood Moon.”

“The Sea Burning Rain of Fire is exactly what it sounds like. A rain of fire would occasionally pour down from above, and it is a strange flame that could not be extinguished by water or wind. It burned swiftly after landing on the sea and would only grow in size as time passed. There are few things this fire could not burn into ash.”

“The Spirit Tide of Stars is an unusual astronomical phenomenon. When the conditions are right, stars would appear throughout the sky during daytime. When this happens, the entire Eastern Sea would be beset by an enormous tide that lasts for months at a time. Even a Sage may succumb to the tide, so you must be careful.”

Ye Qing asked, “And what are these Five Forbidden Zones?”

“The Five Forbidden Zones refer to five extremely dangerous locations in the Eastern Sea. Those who enter it are most likely not going to walk out of it alive. Hence, they are labeled as forbidden zones to all living creatures.”

Old Man Turtle explained, “The Five Forbidden Zones are the Sea of Lost Bearings, the Soul Demon Island, the Endless Eye of the Sea, the Ghastly Abyss of the Lost, and the Land of Endless Day.”

“The Sea of Lost Bearings is exactly what it sounds like. The moment you enter this sea region, you will lose your bearings for no reason and become unable to determine east or west, north or south. Without a special method, you will definitely lose your way and become permanently trapped in this sea region.”

“The Soul Demon Island is an anomalous moving island. It can appear anywhere without warning, and all those who saw the island would hear an unusual cry. Anyone below the Sage-stage would become seduced and drawn toward the island. They will die if they enter the island. There are no exceptions.”

“Even a Sage may be seduced by the demonic voice if their willpower isn’t strong. That is why they call it the Soul Demon’s Call.”

“I’ve heard of the Soul Demon Island and Soul Demon’s Call.”

It was at this moment Feng Qingyou spoke up, “It is said that those who managed to resist the Soul Demon’s Call would receive the Soul Demon Island’s boon. If the victim is below the Sage-stage, then their cultivation level would definitely jump a level. If the victim is at the Sage-stage, they would not jump a level, but they would be able to save years or even a decade of hard work.”

Old Man Turtle shot Feng Qingyou a surprised look. “You know a lot, lass!”

Ye Qing rubbed his nose smilingly. “So, the Soul Demon Island is really a good place?”

“A good place?” Old Man Turtle shook his head. “Alas, there is no such thing as a free lunch, much less a free gift.”

Ye Qing raised his eyebrows. “Is there a catch?”

Old Man Turtle confirmed, “Indeed, there is. It is true that the Soul Demon’s Call could increase your cultivation level, but if you accept its gift of power, then every year during certain times, you will hear the Soul Demon’s Call no matter where you are.”

“If you can resist it, then your cultivation level will keep growing. However, the bewitching power of the Soul Demon’s Call would also grow stronger each time it happened. Eventually, you will succumb to the Soul Demon’s call, enter the Soul Demon Island, and be consumed by it.”

Feng Qingyou nodded in acknowledgement. “I did not know about that. Thank you for enlightening me, elder.”

Old Man Turtle smiled. “It’s not your fault. Very few people know about this, and it is a piece of knowledge that is circulated in the Eastern Sea only.”

Ye Qing paid him a compliment, “You are incredibly knowledgeable, senior.”

Old Man Turtle replied indifferently, “When you live to my age, you’ll naturally know a lot.”

The Hetu Spirit Turtle’s bloodline did not just grant him great power. It also granted him a long lifespan.

Ye Qing continued, “We’re aware of the Land of Endless Day, so we can skip it. What about the Endless Eye of the Sea and the Ghastly Abyss of the Lost?”

The Land of Endless Day was exactly what it sounded like. It was a land where the sun shone forever, and night never came.

Legend had it that one of the four Divine Trees, the Fusang Tree, grew here, and the Golden Crow, a divine bird, also resided here. It was said to be the land where the sun first rose, which was why it was forever daytime in the Land of Endless Day.

“The Endless Eye of the Sea refers to a gigantic maelstrom in the Eastern Sea. It is shaped like a human eye and spans over tens of thousands of kilometers. That is why they call it the Endless Eye of the Sea.”

Old Man Turtle explained, “The Endless Eye of the Sea is incredibly powerful. Anything that enters its range would almost certainly be dragged to the maelstrom and be consumed by it.”

“But of course, considering our strength, we should be safe so long as we do not enter the center of the Endless Eye of the Sea.”

“The Ghastly Abyss of the Lost refers to a mysterious oceanic abyss that cuts across the Eastern Sea from the north all the way to the south. There is no sea water in this abyss, only thick, all-encompassing fog.”

“The fog is anomalous. Anyone or anything that enters the fog will not only lose their bearings, but also sink endlessly toward its bottomless abyss. They may possess immense power, but they will ultimately sink to its depths and become forever trapped in the abyss, never to escape.”