Chapter 13: The Profound Realm of the Vast Sea

Divine Realm—Watery Heavens of Endless Dream—Palace of Thirty-Three Skies.

Today marked the grand opening of the Mystic Seas Domain. Little Flower Yan had risen early to dress and prepare herself for the journey ahead.

Within the Palace of Thirty-Three Skies, atop the divine platform, the Moon God of Nine Chains sat in a white amber treasure hall, while Lord Lanshu was seated beside him.

The myriad gods and immortals gazed upward, their eyes fixed upon the Moon God of Nine Chains.

Clad in pure, immaculate robes embroidered with flowing patterns of water and clouds, the palace feathers at the waist swayed in the wind, enhancing the otherworldly elegance. Her cloud-like hair, falling to the waist, cascaded luxuriously and beautifully, like a deity untouched by mortal concerns.

The assembly bowed with utmost respect, hands folded in salute, “Greetings, Exalted Moon God of Nine Chains; greetings, Lord Lanshu.”

The Moon God of Nine Chains nodded gently in acknowledgment.

Fairy Frost Ruo rose with arrogance, her expression haughty, but upon seeing Little Flower Yan, her gaze turned vicious.

“How dare she come here! Because of her, I was punished in Day River. A mere flower sprite, unworthy to join us fairies in venturing into the Mystic Seas Domain.”

“I heard it was Lord Lanshu who permitted her.”

“Oh! No wonder—sweet words to beguile the Lord.” Fairy Frost Ruo glared at Little Flower Yan, jealousy twisting her features, fists clenching tightly.

Beside her, Fairy Liu Ying rolled her eyes with disdain, muttering toward Little Flower Yan, “What a case of enemies crossing paths!”

Not long ago, Liu Ying's master—God Phoenix Lan—had told her that Fairy Frost Ruo had falsely accused Little Flower Yan of colluding with demons, nearly costing the flower sprite her life.

Remembering this, Liu Ying felt nothing but disgust toward Frost Ruo.

Little Flower Yan turned her head, whispering, “Best not to provoke her.”

Lord Lanshu cleared his throat softly, his voice gentle as an orchid in a secluded valley, his brows and eyes smiling.

“This time, as the Mystic Seas Domain opens, those who pass its trials will increase their spiritual power. Should anyone succeed in obtaining the Mystic Origin Pearl, I shall take her as my disciple.”

A ripple of excitement stirred among the immortals at the base of the divine platform.

“Is it true? Heavens! That’s wonderful!”

“To become Lord Lanshu’s disciple is a blessing that could take ten thousand lifetimes to attain.”

Lord Lanshu quickly cautioned, “But the Great Dao is simple; may all immortals practice self-discipline.”

The Moon God of Nine Chains glanced down, her eyes as captivating as a cold moon, and at once, the immortals’ chatter ceased.

With a wave of her immortal hand, Lord Lanshu caused a Water Spirit Pearl to appear, hanging at each person’s waist.

“This is the Water Spirit Pearl. Should you encounter danger within the Mystic Seas Domain, crush it to end your trial, forfeiting your qualification to enter.”

At these words, the immortals bowed deeply, memorizing the pearl’s purpose.

Suddenly, within the Palace of Thirty-Three Skies, a gate appeared—vast as a sea of stars, swirling in chaos, time and space shifting, concealing mysteries within.

Little Flower Yan was not yet ready when Liu Ying grabbed her and pulled her into the Mystic Seas Domain.

Mystic Seas Domain.

“Liu Ying.”

Little Flower Yan clung tightly to Liu Ying’s arm, so hard that it hurt.

“If you keep squeezing, my arm will be ruined before we even face any danger,” Liu Ying said, knowing Little Flower Yan was timid and allowing her to hold on.

“Don’t scare yourself, or you’ll frighten yourself to death. If you’re truly afraid, crush the Water Spirit Pearl and return to your Hundred Flowers Hall.”

Fairy Frost Ruo straightened herself, arching an eyebrow, a wicked smile playing at her lips.

“I… certainly will not!” Little Flower Yan retorted, releasing her grip on Liu Ying’s arm.

She was determined to become Lord Lanshu’s disciple and obtain the Mystic Origin Pearl, so that no one would dare belittle her again.

Before them, the entire Mystic Seas Domain was shrouded in chilling mist, cold and eerie.

Suddenly, a strange sound sent a chill down their spines.

“May the gods protect us, and let us pass safely.”

Little Flower Yan pressed her palms together, murmuring prayers for divine protection.

Even Fairy Frost Ruo dared not act recklessly, choosing to follow the group.

At that moment, above the gloomy, oppressive sky of the Mystic Seas Domain, a storm was brewing.

Thunder rumbled faintly behind the clouds, shattering the resolve of the party.

Boom! Crack!

Thunder roared across the darkened heavens, and the long-awaited rain poured down.

Raindrops fell one by one upon the ground, carrying with them a shadow of despair that would not be dispelled.

A guttural roar echoed, and at the front, Fairy Frost Ruo’s vision blurred.

A massive spirit beast, challenging and aggressive, stood directly before her.

Seeing this, Little Flower Yan raised her head, gazing into the rain-soaked, shadowy silence of the Mystic Seas Domain.

She narrowed her eyes in caution, studying the beast, wondering what she should do.

Before she could decide, Fairy Frost Ruo struck the beast fiercely with her spiritual power.

The spirit beast howled in agony, its ferocity unleashed, and it lunged toward Fairy Frost Ruo.

Fairy Frost Ruo scrambled to flee.

Left in the center of the arena, Little Flower Yan and Liu Ying widened their eyes in alarm—of all possible tactics, escape was the best.

If that enormous spirit beast pounced, it would catch them both effortlessly.

This scene sent the party into panic, scattering in every direction to evade the beast’s onslaught, vanishing from sight.

Little Flower Yan, quick-witted, chose to hide on the spot.

She found a pit made of piled leaves and mud and rolled into it without hesitation.

Her spiritual power was too faint to contend with the raging beast, but she had countless ways to survive.

Soon, the rain washed away her scent.

Her small body was hidden beneath dead branches and rotten leaves; unless someone searched deliberately, it would be hard to tell pit from sprite.

Yes, Little Flower Yan knew her methods were crude, but survival mattered most.

Quietly, she watched through the gaps as the spirit beast turned and left, and only then did she breathe a long sigh of relief.

“That was close—so close!”

Carefully, she crawled out from the cover of dead leaves and branches.

Even without a mirror, she knew how disheveled she must look at that moment.

Shaking the mud from her clothes, Little Flower Yan pressed onward, step by uncertain step, deeper into the Mystic Seas Domain.