Upon hearing the words "Ancient Killing Sea," Chu Feng turned his gaze toward Master Jiudian.
The Ancient Killing Sea, the Ancient Star Sea, and the Ancient Realm Sea were collectively known as the Three Ancient Seas.
The Three Ancient Seas originated from trial grounds dating back to the Ancient Era, and were hailed as the three most dangerous stretches of water in the vast Martial cultivation world.
This was because anyone who could conquer that stretch of sea would be allowed to inscribe their name on the stone stele at its entrance.
Thus, the Three Ancient Seas were a place that all juniors across the entire vast Martial cultivation world dreamed of conquering.
The Ancient Realm Sea had already been conquered by Chu Feng's mother, Jie Ranqing.
As for the Ancient Star Sea, Chu Feng had been there. It was where he had first encountered Jie Tian and where he had met Xiao Yu'er.
The Ancient Killing Sea, however, Chu Feng had never visited.
He had heard, though, that the Ancient Killing Sea was the most dangerous of the three seas.
Almost no one dared to challenge the Ancient Killing Sea.
"The Ancient Killing Sea has indeed undergone changes, but in truth, the changes are not significant. Its danger has not diminished — if anything, it may have intensified," Master Jiudian said.
"Master, what kind of changes has the Ancient Killing Sea undergone?" Chu Feng asked, curiosity evident in his voice.
"Benefactor Chu Feng, how well do you understand the Ancient Killing Sea?" Master Jiudian asked.
"I've only heard that the Ancient Killing Sea is very dangerous. As for the specifics, I haven't really looked into it," Chu Feng said.
"Ahem…" Liu Kuo cleared his throat twice, then spoke up: "The Ancient Killing Sea — its waters are black as ink, and the sky above the ocean is shrouded in thick black fog. That black fog is nothing like ordinary clouds; it rolls and churns ceaselessly, much like surging waves."
"At first glance, it looks as though a black sea in the sky and a black sea below have merged together. It resembles an endless abyss — even a Martial cultivator who beholds that sight would feel genuine terror from the depths of their heart."
"Moreover, the Ancient Killing Sea has no restrictions. Anyone can enter it at any time, from any place."
"But of those who set foot inside, on average, only one in ten thousand survives."
Hearing this, Chu Feng couldn't help but ask, "How can you be certain that those who entered actually died, rather than simply being trapped?"
"Because the bodies of those who failed to return alive are washed back to the shore by the waves."
"The treasures on the dead tend to return with their corpses, but those corpses are a ghastly sight. Most of the flesh is gone, and even the bones have been corroded, their origins devoured."
Chu Feng asked, "Evil spirits?"
"It's difficult to determine."
"In any case, even among those who manage to return alive, most are either crippled or driven mad."
"According to records, those who challenged the Ancient Killing Sea and returned unscathed number fewer than ten."
"Those recorded as returning unscathed in recent years were all members of the Seven Realms Holy Palace. Among them were your blind grandfather, Jie Tianran, and a prodigious talent of the Seven Realms Holy Palace, Jie Mubai."
"Another was your mother, Jie Ranqing."
At this point, Liu Kuo looked at Chu Feng with a faint smile.
Chu Feng couldn't help but smile in turn. "I know my mother went in."
"But since people have returned unscathed, they should know what exactly causes the dangers inside the Ancient Killing Sea."
"Could it be that the Seven Realms Holy Palace sealed off the information and never let it get out?" Chu Feng asked.
"Whether they sealed it off or not, I can't say. At the very least, they haven't done so publicly."
"Because none of those who retreated unscathed ever truly ventured deep into the Ancient Killing Sea. Your mother, the venerable Jie Ranqing, said as much publicly as well," Liu Kuo replied.
"Why didn't they go deeper?" Chu Feng asked.
"They said that after entering the Ancient Killing Sea a certain distance, they would feel an overwhelmingly intense killing intent."
"That killing intent could disrupt one's mind, and the further one pressed forward, the more violent it became."
"The majority lost consciousness at this stage alone. As for why only bare bones and devoured origins remained afterward, no one could say."
"In any case, even managing to leave safely after detecting the danger required tremendous ability," Liu Kuo said.
"Could it be that an ancient race resides within?" Chu Feng asked.
"There is that speculation. But since it is a trial ground, even if an ancient race does live inside, wouldn't they take a neutral stance?" Liu Kuo said.
"True enough."
"This Ancient Killing Sea really is something interesting."
Chu Feng couldn't help but remark on it, and his interest in the Ancient Killing Sea had grown considerably.
"The black fog of the Ancient Killing Sea originally existed deep within the ocean, but now that fog has begun to spread outward. Though the speed is not fast, it continues to expand at a constant rate."
"If this keeps up, the black fog will eventually consume the entire Ancient Killing Sea. No one knows when it will stop."
"That is the change that has occurred in the Ancient Killing Sea."