Free Web NovelChapter 758: Chapter 652: Schemes Exhausted
"It’s your lucky day."
Shen Xuan took a look and then turned to leave, returning to the secret chamber.
Earlier, he had just done a rough sorting.
In Situ Zhong’s storage pouch, there were several rather interesting treasures.
An azure scroll, neither gold nor jade, captured Shen Xuan’s attention.
He took it out and slowly unfurled it in front of him.
As the scroll was opened, spiritual light flickered slightly, and an extremely detailed colossal sea map appeared before his eyes.
The map depicted mountains and seas in intricate detail, imbued with spiritual resonance, clearly the work of a master.
"Is it really the ’Secret Map of the Coastal Routes of the Three Kingdoms’?"
Shen Xuan’s gaze narrowed, showing great interest.
This map covered a vast area, encompassing the long coastlines of the Yan, Song, and Yue kingdoms, and extended into the vast sea beyond.
On the map, more than a dozen important maritime routes were clearly marked with vermillion spiritual lines.
These routes were not straight but cleverly avoided known danger zones marked with dark red skulls, such as whirlpools, sea demon territory, and natural labyrinths.
Obviously, they were relatively safe paths explored by predecessors through blood and experience.
What made Shen Xuan even more excited was that the sea map was densely marked with more than a hundred islands of various sizes.
Beside each island, there was a brief description in fine print:
"Black Reef Island, produces obsidian, inhabited by a group of Tier Three Demon Beasts, Iron-winged Bats. Exercise caution."
"Crescent Bay, ample freshwater supply, temporary replenishment point, frequent low-tier sea beast sightings."
"Shipwreck Gorge, suspected ancient cultivator relics, complex underwater conditions, several True Pill True Masters have disappeared here."
"Storm Cape, incessant thunderstorms year-round, spiritual qi disruption, even True Pill Cultivators should be cautious."
Shen Xuan’s gaze finally settled on the island markers at the far edge of the sea map.
There, far from the mainland, deep into the open sea, a hundred thousand miles away from the coastline.
The annotations nearby were even more vague, merely stating "suspected descendants of ancient Demon Race," "demon beasts rampant, perilous terrain," and other warnings.
"Good stuff!"
A glimmer of light flashed in Shen Xuan’s eyes.
The value of this sea map far exceeded those spiritual objects.
It was not only a navigation guide but also a massive treasure clue map.
The islands marked on it, whether resource points, danger zones, or suspected relics, all signified infinite possibilities.
"Situ Zhong occupied Tiger Island for many years, plundering merchant ships, secretly exploring, relying heavily on this map. Now, it’s my turn to benefit."
Shen Xuan’s lips curved slightly as he rolled up the sea map and put it away.
He had long intended to explore the far-sea island territories.
However, lacking strength, he felt uncertain.
With this map, it would provide an additional retreat in the future.
Whether seeking resources, exploring secret realms, or making a hasty escape, it was considerably convenient.
This unexpected joy greatly lifted Shen Xuan’s spirits.
The vast sea, to him, was already a broad world hiding infinite opportunities.
Aside from the sea map, there were also more than ten jade scrolls of various colors in Situ Zhong’s storage pouch.
Shen Xuan picked them up one by one, sending a thread of Divine Sense into each to carefully peruse their contents.
The first few jade scrolls recorded mostly sinister and bizarre Demon Sect Secret Techniques.
[Blood Evil Soul Refining Curse], refining evil qi with living souls.
[Bone-Corroding Corpse Water Refining Method], corrupting Magical Treasures, corroding tendons and bones.
[Seven Emotions Bewildering Heart Technique], manipulating emotions, leading people astray, seducing minds with evil arts.
Shen Xuan glanced over them, slightly shook his head, and put them aside.
These Demon Sect Secret Techniques were quite powerful but easily stained with karma, harmful to nature, and of little value for cultivation.
When Shen Xuan’s Divine Sense entered the final few azure jade scrolls, his expression slightly tensed.
These jade scrolls contained records of secret transactions.
Situ Zhong was quite cautious, avoiding direct mention of names and using a lot of coded language and aliases in his records.
With a bit of deduction, Shen Xuan could decipher most of the mysteries within.
The contents of the transactions were appalling.
There were various dealings in forbidden spiritual objects, the "accidental" demise of some sect disciples or family heirs, and mysterious shipwrecks. ƒгeewёbnovel.com
A few transaction parties were clearly high-ranking members within the Yueyun Sect.
"As expected."
Tiger Island could establish itself in this sea region for many years, becoming Yueyun Sect’s tacitly acknowledged "black hand," surely backed by someone.
These records were Situ Zhong’s lifeline.
Now, they’re in Shen Xuan’s hands.
If employed correctly, they might yield unexpected effects.
He separately stored these few jade scrolls documenting transactions.
After clearing these, Shen Xuan waved to collect all the remaining miscellaneous items.
"Originally a smart person. Regrettably, harboring inappropriate thoughts, through scheming, he brought about his own demise."
That day.
If he hadn’t replaced Ming Shen True Master.
Ming Shen True Master would have faced unavoidable disaster.
Now.
In a few days, Ming Shen True Master should come searching for Starlight Island.
