The image that appeared above the Black Sea was simply too dazzling to ignore.
But as the image began to grow blurry, Chu Feng could tell that it was moving — drifting deeper into the depths of the sea.
"I understand. It's guiding me," Chu Feng said.
"You mustn't. You can't enter this sea," the Queen replied.
She understood too. The image hadn't appeared without reason — it was shown deliberately for Chu Feng to see.
It was telling him that if he wanted to find Zhao Hong, he had no choice but to enter this sea. Zhao Hong… was somewhere down there in the deep.
Yet this seawater was fearsome beyond measure, brimming with unpredictable power and concealing deadly peril within.
Should Chu Feng fall in, the best outcome would be injury. The worst, death.
The Queen did not want him to take that risk.
"I'll prepare properly before going in. Nothing major will happen."
With those words, Chu Feng began setting up barriers. A protective barrier materialized and clung to his body.
That wasn't all. Chu Feng also released the Thunder Armor, the Thunder Wings, and the Divine Lightning Runes, all at once to bolster his strength.
And then he plunged straight into the Black Sea.
Whoosh—
But the moment he entered the water, the protective barrier surrounding Chu Feng shattered instantly.
In the next instant, an immense pressure surged in from every direction, crushing him in its grip.
In that moment, Chu Feng felt less like he was underwater and more like he had been buried under boulders — not only was breathing difficult, even moving was a tremendous effort.
Rather than struggle, Chu Feng held his position, remaining still within the seawater.
He didn't sink, either. Because the seawater was unique, at this depth, Chu Feng would neither sink on his own nor float upward of his own accord.
If he wanted to move, he had to do it himself.
"Chu Feng! How is it — are you alright?"
Seeing that Chu Feng had gone motionless with his eyes shut tight, the Queen couldn't help but grow worried.
"It's fine. This seawater looks terrifying on the surface, but it's really not that dangerous. Once I've adapted for a moment, I should be able to withstand its power," Chu Feng said.
Though Chu Feng said he was fine, his body was still under tremendous compression. And so… the bead that had fused with his soul began to react.
Outside the Unknown Burial Ground, the three members of the Guardian Formation Clan were all staring at that bead, their faces tense.
"It's only superficial injuries — nothing serious. No need to worry too much," Kong Yuehua said, looking at the bead in the hand of the Guardian Formation Clan's Chief.
"But did you notice — his condition is very similar to the reaction Zhao Hong had when she first stepped into the Unknown Burial Ground," the Chief of the Guardian Formation Clan said.
"Indeed." Kong Shenglian nodded in agreement. "This most likely means that Chu Feng is experiencing what Zhao Hong once experienced. Could it be the same trap?"
"Very possibly," the Chief said.
"There is one difference, though," Kong Yuehua remarked.
"What difference?" Kong Shenglian and the Chief asked in unison.
"Chu Feng's reaction isn't as severe as Zhao Hong's was. That indicates his resistance is stronger than hers," Kong Yuehua said.
"That's no lie. It's most likely the case," Kong Shenglian nodded once more.
The Chief, however, remained silent. If their speculation was correct — that Chu Feng was going through what Zhao Hong had — then the road ahead would not be easy.
Because back then, not long after Zhao Hong's condition had begun, this very bead had shown that she had sustained devastating injuries. And those injuries had persisted to this day.
He was afraid. Afraid that Chu Feng would suffer the same fate.
Meanwhile, Chu Feng had already opened his eyes. He had gradually adapted to the power of the seawater. Though his progress was still slow, he was now able to dive deeper into the depths of the Black Sea.
The seawater was pitch black — an extraordinary kind of black, suffused with a peculiar power.
Even with his Heavenly Eyes active, Chu Feng's visibility didn't exceed ten meters.
All he could hear was the surging of hidden currents around him, roaring in his ears like savage beasts.
And the deeper he dove, the stronger that sense of lethal danger grew.