Proofreader: Papatonks

“In the Nether Sea’s depth, the endless hellhold,

Where lost souls roam, their fate foretold.

Who dares to tread upon our shore,

Shall be condemned to suffer more.

With mortal eyes forever blind,

In the abyss, their souls confined!”

Shuang’er held a black paper covered in squiggles in an elegant room, reading the first line at the top. Murong Xue and Luo Yunchang frowned.

Murong Xue ventured, “These lines are supposed to unravel the Nether Sea map’s secrets?”

“It should, but what do they mean?” Luo Yunchang held her forehead, feeling tired, “The map is covered in black dots that make no sense. The only clue is this verse. It’s been three days already and we still couldn’t find anything.”

Murong Xue shrugged, “If it were that easy, the Gambling Emperor wouldn’t have wagered it. Zhuo Fan was right, if he couldn’t read it, give it to someone else and reap the rewards while they fight. Regardless of who can read it, he would win in the end. It seems insidious experts aren’t local to only mortal domain, the ones in Sacred Domain are each more twisted than the last.”

The other girls nodded.

If there was one difference between Sacred Domain and mortal domain, that was power. The cruel and manipulative mentality was still thriving here as well.

Creak~

The door opened and someone came in, “Shuang’er, did you find anything? It’s fine either way, we about to set off for Devil Mountain.”

“Sorry, big brother Zhuo, we can’t do anything…”

“Don’t let it bother you so much. You had the map for three days while the Gambling Emperor must’ve gotten it decades ago and still couldn’t figure it out. It’d be stranger if you managed to do what an Emperor couldn’t.”

Zhuo Fan didn’t mind it, taking the map and giving it a long look, “Whatever, I never planned on using it anyway. It’s only a means to an end, to find that kid, humph.”

Zhuo Fan folded the map.

Shuang’er jumped just then, “Wait!”

Zhuo Fan froze, “What?”

“I think I got something!”

Shuang’er yanked the map from his stiff hand and stared hard at a black circle in a corner, “Yes, why didn’t I see it sooner? The black spots are just so many that this small area doesn’t stand out at all. This part is actually the Phoenix Constellation!”

Zhuo Fan asked, “What’s that?”

“The Phoenix Constellation is a group of stars in the southeast corner of the night sky, focused on conflicts. A change there is chaos and fighting in the world. But with the star group being so large, how come it’s so small on this map? If you hadn’t folded it making it stand out, I wouldn’t have seen it!”

“You’re saying this map covered in black dots is a star chart?” Zhuo Fan opened the map again and gave it a careful look. He noticed some familiar star groups as well, just that it was hard to single them out with all the dark spots.

“Yes, the map is a depiction of stars but heavily concealed. That’s why none of the other experts could read it. We now know it’s a star chart, but how do we find the Nether Sea’s location?”

Shuang’er mulled it over then jumped, “Big brother Zhuo, didn’t Patriarch give you that treasure? Didn’t he say to use it whenever you’re looking for something or someone?”

“Right, I totally forgot about it! Since it’s a star chart, Sovereign Yun, who is adept in reading stars, his treasure has to help!”

Zhuo Fan took out a black orb.

How was he to use the two of them together though?”

The black orb came with an answer. The map showed a reaction as the orb appeared, giving off gray energy before vanishing.

Zhuo Fan’s eyes bugged out, “Where’d it go?”

Hum~

The black orb flared black and trembled. Suddenly, all of their eyes went black and they fell flat on the floor.

Waking up, they found themselves in a black area filled with stars.

“W-where are we? What are we doing here?” Luo Yunchang cried out.

Zhuo Fan was calm, since he had been here before, “No need to panic, our spirits have gone into the orb. It won’t harm us.”

“Look, the map!”

Shuang’er drew their attention and pointed at the map expanding to the point of covering the entire area.

The small black circles on the map now had stars shooting between them, turning it into an actual map.

Zhuo Fan cheered, “It’s the Sacred Domain’s map, but where’s the Nether Sea?”

“Over there, I think!”

Shuang’er pointed at a bright cluster, “The poem mentioned lost souls. There is were the death star is, always dark and shining only when death is about to take you. Since it’s bright, then that must be the Nether Sea’s location, a place where lost souls are buried.”

Zhuo Fan was thrilled, “Yes, that must be it. To think we’d figure it out in the end where the Nether Sovereign is. It was worth taking the map, ha-ha-ha…”

The girls were beaming as well, with Shuang’er looking worried, “Big brother Zhuo, do you plan to go there?”

“Of course. A Sovereign’s place is a special area anyone in Sacred Domain would drool over.”

“Nether Sea is going to be very dangerous.”

Shuang’er sighed, raising a finger, “Big brother Zhuo, look closer. What do you think this map is?”

Zhuo Fan raised his head and shook as his face grew hard.

With the stars on the map joined together, they drew the map of the Sacred Domain. But on the edge of it, they showed only one character.

[Death.]

“Zhuo Fan, the Nether Sovereign is warning us not to seek out the Nether Sea, or…” Luo Yunchang looked worried as well.

Zhuo Fan paused in thought then smiled, “Well of course a Sovereign’s seat of enlightenment would have some difficulties. Am I just going to miss out on this grand chance at witnessing the Nether Sovereign’s seat of enlightenment?”

“Zhuo Fan!”

“Alright now, let’s go back.”

Luo Yunchang wanted to say more, but Zhuo Fan stopped her. He had them brought back to their bodies and the black orb hummed, releasing the map.

They got up and looked at the map with conflicted emotions. Zhuo Fan picked it up casually and placed it in his ring, but then doubt clouded his mind.

[Why did Sovereign Yun’s treasure react with the Nether Sea map? He also warned me that his treasure can find anyplace and anyone.]

[Qingcheng is the one I wanted to find. As for the place, maybe it’s…]

Zhuo Fan felt like someone was using him.

Knock~

“Ahem, Steward Zhuo, young miss Chu came.”

“I got it, Elder Li.”

Zhuo Fan put away the orb and left. The girls watched him while recalling the Nether Sovereign’s warning and worried again. They even forgot about their jealousy.

Zhuo Fan reached the lounge and saw Chu Qingcheng and put on a smile, “Ha-ha-ha, wifey, it looks like we’re made for each other. Are you ready for a long night with your husband?”

“Miscreant!”

Chu Qingcheng blushed and huffed.

Zhuo Fan said, “Wait, they didn’t agree?”

“Regardless of what, I’m not some thing! Ugh!”

Chu Qingcheng pouted and so they were alone and whispered, “Zhuo Fan, senior aunt Mei said to give the map first, even a copy. As for us, she needs to return to the sect and tell master before…”

Chu Qingcheng looked embarrassed acting all shyly.

Zhuo Fan’s eyes went cold.

[That biddy plans on welching out of the deal. But I’m not one to lose my head in front of a girl and fall for that.]

Zhuo Fan didn’t let his thoughts show, “Alright, I’ll bring it right away.”

Zhuo Fan was gone for moments, bringing a delicate box, “Give it to Mei Sangu. What she wants is in there.”

“Truly?”

“Of course, our happiness is there as well.” Zhuo Fan smiled.

Chu Qingcheng beamed and nodded as she left. But after a step, she paused and pecked his cheek, running away with a flushed face.

Zhuo Fan felt his cheek with a goony smile…