Chapter 317 Like a Dream

Snow infant jade ginseng, nine twisted heart iron, thousand-year-old pure void spirit flower with thirty-six petals, and lightning yuan crystal that contained origin aeth power…

Lin Xun couldn’t help trembling at the thought of the riches he found along the way. All were treasures seen only in ancient times.

They were considered rare in any part of the empire and perhaps could only be found in the treasury of the imperial family.

However, the azure turtle threw those items at Lin Xun like they were rubbish.

Lin Xun couldn’t help feeling elated. These are all treasures that the azure turtle has abandoned. I wonder how rare and valuable are the treasures that he picked up…

Lin Xun’s thoughts were drifting from place to place. As the saying went, money and wealth could tempt people’s hearts. Lin Xun felt the same way when faced with so many treasures.

It was normal. Even Heaven Ascension cultivators would react the same way as Lin Xun.

The azure turtle suddenly halted and said solemnly, “We can’t advance anymore. Ahead is the second level of the ruins. It is filled with terrifying divine power. You would instantly be blasted into smithereens if you got any closer!”

Lin Xun suddenly snapped awake from his mesmerized state and saw that the seawater was no longer a pure, blue hue. Instead, it was filled with a chilling aura.

After only one glance, Lin Xun felt his hair stand on end and the feeling of terror flooded his body.

He felt that the aura alone could obliterate him from the world.

The azure turtle turned around and headed back.

Lin Xun caught up and asked, “Elder, why would the ruins have a second level?”

“From what I know, the areas of the ancient ruins are huge. It can be considered a world of its own. It is full of restrictions and dangers. There’s not only a second floor but a third, fourth and fifth…”

“As for how many levels there are, I don’t know. I am only certain that only cultivators at the Life Death Stage King can enter the second level of the ruins.”

Lin Xun’s heart rose and fell like the waves when he realized that the ancient ruins were much bigger than he had thought!

If there are already so many treasures on the first level then what short of astounding treasures would be concealed in the second?

The higher the level, the more valuable the treasures!

Lin Xun’s heart blazed up. If he wasn’t too weak, he wanted to investigate the other levels and see what sort of other secrets were hidden in the ancient ruins.

Lin Xun soon calmed his emotions.

As the azure turtle had said, the ruins were full of dangers and restrictions, and even a Life Death Stage King would only be qualified to explore the second level. It was evident how dangerous the deeper levels were!

“Why don’t you go?” asked Lin Xun.

“Although my strength is top-class, I don’t dare to put my life at risk. The second level of the ruins…”

The azure turtle sighed bitterly, “...is not something I should stick my nose into. Once entered, there is only a slim chance of surviving. I can’t help but give up on it.”

Lin Xun nodded. He knew that the azure turtle liked to brag and tended to exaggerate, but his fear of the second level was real. Lin Xun was certain of it.

Soon, Lin Xun came to the turbulent waters of the sea under the azure turtle’s guidance.

“This is—”

Lin Xun was immediately drawn to a familiar vortex that was rotating in the distance and setting off countless terrifying waves

He had no doubt that the tearing force could crush everything it touched!

When Lin Xun was in the river on the periphery of the Yellow Dragon City, his carelessness was what caused him to be swept away by the vortex and brought to the ancient ruins in the Spirit Burial Sea.

“That‘s a space vortex.”

Bitter hatred flashed in the azure turtle’s eyes. “Although the vortex is at the bottom of the sea, its depths are connected to the turbulent flow of space. No cultivator swept into the vortex can survive!”

“Unfortunately, it’s also the only exit from the ancient ruins. Otherwise, how would I have been trapped here for thousands of years?” The azure turtle’s voice was full of resentment.

“Elder, are you sure that I can return to where I came from if I successfully pass through it?” Lin Xun asked.

”It’s impossible to say. The mystery of the turbulent flow of space is so profound that even I can’t completely understand it. But I am certain that you will have to pass through it to leave here.”

The azure turtle’s eyes blazed as he stared at Lin Xun. “Junior, I have treated you well. Now, will you bring me out of here?”

“Of course.”

“Great!” The azure turtle threw his head back and laughed.

However, just as Lin Xun was ready to act, the azure turtle stopped him. “Hold on.”

Lin Xun froze and glanced at the azure turtle, unsure of what he was planning to do.

He saw the azure turtle floating there in a daze. His face was a complicated mix of expressions— reluctance, bewilderment and hope. He suddenly asked, “Do you have any alcohol on you?”

“Yes.”

Lin Xun often kept some alcohol in his Xumi Ring. It wasn’t for himself, but he had developed a habit of buying alcohol for Xue Jin when he was in Haze City.

“Once we enter the space vortex, you and I may be separated. How about we take this opportunity and have a drink?” The azure turtle looked at Lin Xun, his eyes alight with hope.

He had been trapped for thousands of years and had never talked to anyone during that period. He felt extremely lonely so he couldn’t help feeling emotional when he was about to leave.

”Good idea!” Lin Xun brought out a jar of alcohol and drank with the azure turtle.

After the azure turtle drank the wine, perhaps because he truly considered Lin Xun as a close friend, he told him something that he had suppressed for a long, long time.

Or perhaps, it was more like a vent for his loneliness. No one would understand if they hadn’t been trapped for thousands of years.

Lin Xun smiled, drank and patiently listened.

It turned out that the azure turtle came from a place called Jade Light Island in the Spirit Burial Sea. He called himself the Great Azure Turtle King and he ruled Jade Light Island.

It was only because he wanted to improve his cultivation that he strayed into the ancient ruins and became trapped for a thousand years. But now, he finally saw a glimmer of hope.

Lin Xun was most surprised to learn that the azure turtle was over 2,600 years old. However, he had just passed the juvenile stage and could at most be considered at the maturing stage of the azure turtle clan. He still had a long way to reach adulthood.

In other words, the azure turtle was no different from a teenager of the human race.

A flash of realization struck Lin Xun. No wonder this guy speaks in an old-fashioned manner, but is proud and vain and likes to be praised. He is indeed no different from a kid.

However, knowing that he had lived for over 2,000 years, Lin Xun felt a little awkward treating him like a kid!

Only when they finished the alcohol did the azure turtle say emotionally, “Little Brother Lin Xun, when you reach the Heaven Ascension Stage you will understand that the world is bigger than you think. The Ziyao Empire is just a little piece of land compared to the entire world. When you want to wander the world, come find me on Jade Light Island and I will show you what a true immortal clan is like!”

After drinking to his heart’s content, the azure turtle changed the way he treated Lin Xun. He viewed him as a close friend and wasn’t as cold as before.

His words were indeed from the bottom of his heart.

Lin Xun’s emotions were also swirling in his heart. He had never imagined that he would come to a sea territory tens of thousands of miles from the Ziyao Empire by coincidence and meet an azure turtle rune beast.

Lin Xun finally understood what was meant by the world being unpredictable. He couldn’t help but feel elated and pleased about his encounter with the azure turtle.

”Big Brother Azure Turtle, don’t worry, I will come to visit you after I solve my troubles,” Lin Xun readily agreed.

The azure turtle threw his head back and laughed skywards. Then, he and Lin Xun dove toward the underwater vortex in the distance.

Rumble—

The vortex rapidly rotated and the waves produced a terrifying, devouring, and tearing force that instantly swept in Lin Xun and the azure turtle.

Just before Lin Xun slipped into unconsciousness, he saw the azure turtle transforming into a tall and handsome, azure-robed youngster!

It turns out that guy has reached the point in his cultivation where he could transform into a human!

Just as such a thought flashed across Lin Xun’s mind, his vision darkened and he felt as though a giant invisible hand was dragging him into the turbulent flow of space.

……

The sound of rushing water awakened Lin Xun.

His eyes sprang open and he saw that he was still underwater, but he knew that he was no longer in the ancient ruins.

He shook his head and took a deep breath. He pushed himself upwards and reached the river surface in the blink of an eye.

The sky was dark as ink, and stars were twinkling brightly. Rolling hills extended endlessly on both sides of the river, and the cries of birds and beasts rang from time to time.

Lin Xun silently observed for a moment before he was certain that he had returned to the empire. He was precisely on the great river on the periphery of the Yellow Dragon City!

He sat down on a random boulder in a daze. He looked bewildered and began to suspect whether everything he had experienced was nothing but a bizarre dream.

However, when he noticed all kinds of treasures in the Xumi ring, he snapped awake. It’s not a dream. It really happened!

It’s the mysterious space vortex at the bottom of the river that brought about everything!

It’s like a mysterious passage with unbelievable teleportation powers.

“Take care,” Lin Xun murmured as the figure of the azure turtle appeared in his mind.

Swoosh!

Without further hesitation, Lin Xun navigated through the night. Now that he had safely returned, he needed to make good use of his time to hurry to the Forbidden City!