Chapter 15 — The Secret Behind the Jade

The wind and sand in Sa Hai suddenly were no longer as fierce as before. After absorbing the Ngu Earth Origin Core, Tram Uyen fell into a deep sleep again. This sleep was longer than any before. The jade pendant gradually becomes warm and absorbs light, looking just like a normal piece of jade. But I know, he is going through an important transformation. I don't stop. Still continuing to follow Tram Uyen's last instructions before falling asleep. The destination is the westernmost place of the mainland, a forbidden sea area called "Quy Hu Chi Hai". Legend has it that that place is the end of the world, a place where everything returns to silence. I rode Tieu Hong - now recovered - through mountains and rivers. Without Tram Uyen's guidance and protection, this journey is much more difficult. But I am no longer the old janitor who cleaned up spirit animal feces and was bullied by people. After three years of training in life and death, my body was silently transformed by Tram Uyen's power even though I had no spiritual roots and could not practice immortal dharma. I am much stronger, more agile, and my five senses are sharper than normal people. The most important thing is, I learned how to be independent, learned how to survive in desperate situations. One year later. I finally reached the westernmost tip of the mainland. Ahead is a boundless, endless gray sea. Quy Hu Chi Hai. The sea water is as thick as mud, completely calm, without a single ripple. The sky was full of gray fog, never dissipating, oppressive, making it difficult to breathe. On the shore there was not a blade of grass, only jagged black rocks like bones. The air was filled with a withering aura, as if everything here had reached the end of life. Tieu Hong scratched her claws uneasily, refusing to take another step toward the sea. I patted it, still staring at the dead sea in front of me. The final destination that Tram Uyen left behind - is deep in this Quy Hu Chi Hai. But here... even the boat can't float. How should I go? While I was confused— Whoosh! The jade pendant on his chest - which had been silent for more than a year - suddenly vibrated! A faint but clear stream of thoughts rang out: “It's coming.” It? What's coming? I looked doubtfully toward the sea. Just seeing the far end of that gray sea surface, it seemed... something was moving. Gradually, that thing came closer. Again… a boat? An extremely ancient wooden boat. The boat's hull is mottled, covered with traces of years, with a classic design, without sails or oars. It continued quietly and steadily through the gray ash-colored water, slowly moving towards the shore. The speed is not fast, but it carries a rhythm that is difficult to describe in words. Finally, the boat stopped next to a reef in front of me, without a sound. On the bow of the boat, a figure stood tall. Robe, bamboo hat, hunched back. Can't see the face clearly. Only the old eyes hidden under the brim of the hat - as if understanding everything in the world - fell on me. "Over the sea?" A hoarse, dry voice rang out. I clasped the jade pendant tightly against my chest. Tram Uyen's thoughts calmly rang out: "Get on the boat." I looked at that strange boat, with that mysterious ferryman. Take a deep breath. "Pass." I took off Tieu Hong's reins and patted her neck: "Tieu Hong, you're free. Go home." Tieu Hong rubbed against my hand, neighed as if regretfully, but still turned around and ran in the same direction. I turned around and stepped onto the old, patchy wooden boat. The boat shook slightly. The ferryman said nothing more. The boat quietly turned around and entered the deadly depths of Quy Hu Chi Hai. On both sides of the boat, the thick sea water parted without a sound. Thick gray fog covers all sides,

Only a yellow oil lamp on the bow of the boat emitted a weak light. I stood at the stern of the boat, watching the shore fade into the mist, finally disappearing completely. The jade pendant on the chest is warm. Tram Uyen's thoughts rang out softly, carrying a trace of... vague expectation? “It's almost there.” I don't know how long I drifted in the fog. Time here seems to have no meaning anymore. Finally, the fog ahead gradually became a little thinner. I can vaguely see, behind that layer of mist... is land? Are not. When the boat completely left the fog— The scene before my eyes left me speechless. There is no land. It is a chaotic area of nothingness that cannot be described in words. Countless fragments of stars, broken mountains and rivers, broken galaxies... seemed to be crushed by an invisible hand and thrown haphazardly in the air, floating, slowly rotating. The strips of light were brilliant but shattered, making no sound, just flowing quietly in nothingness. Unimaginable giant skeletons, like mountains, lay across space. Farther away, a giant black hole is spinning and swallowing everything, along with nebula storms erupting destructive energy... This place is the ruins of the world.