Volume 3: Deep Blue Sea
A group of several people walked through the wilderness, stepping over scattered corpses, and heading towards the distant, colorful horizon. Although the vibrant horizon seemed just within reach, they walked for over three hours before finally approaching their destination. The sky was bathed in perfect sunlight, the sun hanging high, casting a warm and soothing ambiance.
Finally, they set foot on the edge of the Flower Valley, and it was undeniable that this was indeed the fabled Flower Valley. The continuously rising terrain had formed a vast, gently sloping depression here. Standing on the slightly elevated edge of the Flower Valley, the onlookers could hardly discern where the valley’s end lay, as if this place marked the boundary of the entire world. Within the Flower Valley, all sorrows and darkness seemed to burst into a radiant display of breathtaking light. The valley was a spectacle of vivid colors, overwhelming the senses like the blossoming of spring, with grass growing tall and birds fluttering about.
“There are no corpses in the Flower Valley.” Meng Muyu’s low voice resonated as everyone’s gaze followed the gentle slope, easily noticing this phenomenon. The vast expanse of insect corpses seemed to have vanished, with all insects halting at this point. Some, barely clinging to life, awaited their demise, while others engaged in savage battles with other creatures, frenzied and ruthless. However, all insects came to a halt at the edge of the valley, refusing to venture even a step inside.
What lurked within the Flower Valley? What compelled the giant, irrational insects to instinctively halt their steps? Gazing at the vibrant and serene scene below, people couldn’t fathom that beneath such tranquil beauty, there existed a threat feared even by these giant insects.
As Shu Xun and the others approached the edge of the Flower Valley, they attracted a barrage of attacks from numerous giant insects. These insects seemed to lose their sanity when nearing the valley, entering a state of frenzied slaughter at the mere presence of other living beings. This heightened aggression made their attacks more potent, but simultaneously, in their frenzied state, they exposed their vulnerabilities, even fatal weaknesses. Therefore, Shu Xun’s group encountered no insurmountable difficulties on their journey.
Having deduced the weaknesses of most insects from the corpses along the way and armed with their own formidable skills, Shu Xun’s team, bolstered by the later addition of Nuan Dong of the Phantom Clan, became an unstoppable force.
Approaching the edge of the Flower Valley, the moment the group stood at the boundary, all insects in the vicinity suddenly became agitated. In the next instant, they crazily surged toward Shu Xun and the others’ location. Although the overall strength of the team was not lacking, the evolutionary giant insects in this world, combined with their sheer numbers, were enough to overwhelm them. While Shu Xun and the others wouldn’t be injured in the short term, it was clearly not a wise choice to continue the consumption of energy. Ahead lay the picturesque Flower Valley, where even the giant insects dared not tread, while behind, for some unknown reason, massive insects had all entered the valley. The group found themselves at a loss, not knowing how to decide.
“Enter the Flower Valley.” Shu Xun’s calm and composed voice echoed clearly in everyone’s ears. At the same time, there was a flash of light on Ye Qian’s shoulder, and the white-clothed youth, unruffled and unflustered, was already airborne, wielding a spiritual sword. With a sweeping motion, countless insect bodies neatly severed, causing a brief pause in their onslaught. Glancing at the still-frenzied tide of giant insects, the group, without hesitation, swiftly turned around and leaped down into the valley.
In the moment Shu Xun and the others entered the valley, all giant insects seemed to be under some kind of restriction, halting their attacks. Even though Shu Xun’s group was just a few steps away, not a single giant insect dared to step into the forbidden zone. The giant insects lingered at the edge of the valley. After a brief moment, they once again plunged into their mindless killing spree, no longer caring about Shu Xun and the others, as if their memory only lasted for a few seconds, forgetting Shu Xun and his companions entirely.
Shu Xun still held the spiritual sword, having descended lightly onto a green grass leaf after the recent leap. However, at this moment, the ethereal young man’s hair was neatly cut in the middle, standing out conspicuously on an almost perfect figure. People discreetly averted their gaze, finally understanding why Shu Xun had been living in beast form since his beard was forcibly removed. After all, Shu Xun cared about his appearance, which explained his vehement arguments over shedding fur.
Ling Yang, with wide curious eyes, looked at Shu Xun for a while but couldn’t figure out how he did it. So, he tugged on Meng Muyu’s ear, pointing towards Shu Xun. “Is this a unique skill of creatures in your world? Can you fly even without wings? I’ve been curious for a long time, and the bamboo raft and the small fishing rod are also quite special!”
Remembering his previous confused inquiry about the operating principle of the bamboo raft, he helplessly shrugged. “We can’t fly. This guy is quite special. I can’t explain it in detail. You can ask if you get a chance but don’t expect too much. I haven’t really understood it.”
Ling Yang’s blue eyes turned around, contemplating something. Nonetheless, he patted Meng Muyu’s head reassuringly. “I understand now. There are distinctions of strength in your world too. Don’t worry, I won’t bully you.”
Meng Muyu raised an eyebrow, reaching for Ling Yang’s tail tip, then carried the struggling fish over to Shu Xun, placing it on his shoulder. “This fish is for you! Whether grilled or stewed, it’s up to you.”
Ling Yang, with his petite body, looked at Meng Muyu, who seemed disdainful and coldly huffed with crossed arms. “Believe it or not, I’ll give you a tail whip, and you won’t want to eat fish for the rest of your life!”
Meng Muyu, nonchalant, replied, “Then you’re going out of your way. I don’t like fish. It doesn’t matter if I don’t eat it for the rest of my life.”
Shu Xun smiled gently, reaching out to pat Ling Yang’s small head, consoling him, “It’s okay. I like eating fish. I love all kinds of fish. Eating it for a lifetime is no problem.”
Ling Yang: “…” Something seemed off about this consolation. Why did it sound strange?
Ye Qian’s icy gaze swept over Ling Yang, who sat on Shu Xun’s shoulder, and expressionlessly pondered whether to grill or stew him.
As it was the time when the sunlight was at its brightest, the group had no intention of setting up camp for the day. Moreover, having just arrived in an unfamiliar environment, they couldn’t feel at ease without confirming potential threats.
The slope of the Flower Valley was extremely gentle, especially at the bottom, where the terrain became flat. In this flat Flower Valley, a variety of colorful flowers and plants adorned the landscape. The moist and fertile soil nurtured the valley, creating a lively and vibrant scene. Unlike the majestic and imposing giant tree forests before, this vast Flower Valley, although equally full of vitality, exuded a sense of playfulness and tranquility.
The group had been in the Flower Valley for some time, yet they hadn’t encountered any attacks or sensed any threats. Naturally, they instinctively moved deeper into the Flower Valley. Stepping on the soft green grass, the air was filled with the subtle and pervasive fragrances of various flowers. A gentle breeze swept by, and within the Flower Valley, a picturesque and serene scene unfolded—silent, tranquil.
Shu Xun and his companions couldn’t help but unconsciously ease their breaths. In the surroundings, besides the sound of the wind rustling through the grass, there was no other noise. In this utter stillness, no living being made a sound. It seemed as if, apart from the flowers and plants, there was no other life in this valley.
After walking for a while, Lie Yang couldn’t help but speak. “When we were at the edge of the valley, it seemed like something was flying in the valley. How come we can’t see anything now that we’re inside?”
Nuan Dong’s gaze swept across the floral sea, softly responding, “I also can’t sense the presence of any advanced life forms. But it’s a bit strange, hard to explain.”
The usually inconspicuous Gray suddenly spoke, “Fake fake fake fake… pretending…”
Everyone’s gaze shifted to Gray, only to see him stop in his tracks. He bent down in front of a lush purple flower, lightly tapping a petal with his finger. In an instant, a purple radiance spread, and a purple butterfly gracefully danced into the air, flying towards the distance and quickly disappearing into the sea of flowers. Gray changed direction again, gently touching a nearby yellow flower. The petals instantly radiated an orange-yellow light, and more than a dozen shining orange-yellow glow beetles scattered into the air, quickly flying away and vanishing into the flower bed.
The group couldn’t help but lower their heads to study the nearest flowers. Some tried lightly tapping with their fingers, and indeed, similar radiance blossomed on some flowers. Various insects then took flight, each with a faint glow. Upon landing on the flowers and grass, they seamlessly merged, perfectly blending with the surroundings. Even when observed closely, it was challenging for the group to notice their presence, demonstrating such a flawless art of camouflage that not even Nuan Dong, a member of the Phantom Clan, had detected.
Lie Yang extended his palm and gave a playful pat on Gray’s shoulder, wearing a confident smile that seemed even warmer than the sunlight. “Impressive! I’m sure even Shu Xun didn’t notice. Truly worthy of being the Dead Leaf Butterfly—the talent for disguise is truly unparalleled!”
Gray suddenly felt embarrassed, scratching his head with reddened ear tips, and stammered, “I-I-I-I… only only only have this… this advantage…”
Lie Yang facepalmed, accustomed to Gray becoming more nervous and stuttering in such situations.
“You cook fish very well,” came Shu Xun’s comment, a sentiment echoed by the poker-faced affirmation from Nuan Dong.
“Agile agility, not dragging mud, and there’s room for improvement. Good logical thinking and strong judgment,” Meng Muyu praised with a fair evaluation.
“Not much talk,” added Ling Yang, the usually chatty mermaid, hands crossed over his chest. He continued, “How delicious is the fish you make?”
Almost burying his head in the praise from everyone, Gray was bewildered for a few seconds before scratching his head. “I-it’s… just normal…”
Ling Yang secretly breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Shu Xun. “So, we don’t need to eat fish for a while, right?”
Shu Xun smiled gently. “Actually, the fish I make is delicious too.”
Ling Yang: “…” He quietly moved himself to the side and carefully hugged his tail.
As the group walked and observed, the Flower Valley stretched widely. They walked for a long time, but the scenery remained unchanged, and no dangers were encountered. Until dusk approached, the group continued to move through the sea of flowers. The endless floral sea, reaching waist height, felt like a colorful soft quilt. The feeling of being deeply immersed in it was challenging to express in words, especially when the golden sunset spread, casting a hazy veil over the entire world. The evening breeze felt like someone gently brushing with tenderness and affection against their faces.
The warmth of the setting sun filled the entire Flower Valley, making time seem to linger in this moment.
“Is that an open space?” Big Bliss, flying in the sky, was the first to notice the change ahead. Amidst the lush flowers and grass, there was a small open area where only low grass grew, appearing quite abrupt. As they approached, the group found obvious signs of human activity. It looked like a makeshift campsite that had experienced the wear and tear of many years. In the center of the clearing stood a rudimentary hearth, its traces of a fire long gone, wiped away by wind and rain. Apart from that, most areas were covered with green grass, making it challenging to see or deduce any other traces, let alone know who was there and where they had gone.
“Let’s set up camp here. It seems that those who came here before us, just like us, entered the Flower Valley at the same time, chose the same direction, and then arrived here at dusk to set up camp.” Meng Muyu examined the surroundings, finding nothing but flowers and grass, everything looking so ordinary.
The group halted their activities, and as the setting sun gradually submerged into the horizon, the warm golden glow diminished. However, miraculously, the Flower Valley did not darken; instead, it lit up with a soft, iridescent light. Multicolored orbs gently swayed in the heart of the flowers and grass, creating a spectacular display that transformed the entire valley into a sea of colors. Various insects, having shed their disguises, danced through the flower sea, resembling diverse fish in a colorful underwater world, frolicking joyfully.
Shu Xun and the others silently put down their tasks, gazing at the surrounding sea of colors and the carefree creatures within it. The various colored orbs on the sea floor created a beautiful ocean bed, illuminating the underwater world and lighting up a realm of its own.
In the dark world, the iridescent sea formed by the flower sea appeared like a gentle ribbon, entwining the periphery of the central continent, nurturing the cold mountains and rocks, warming a realm.
It seemed that no matter where, no matter when, this world never plunged into darkness. There were always some unimaginable creatures lighting up this world, like the luminescent tears of the Spirit Tides Clan at the bottom of the deep sea, the three-leaved green grass above Xuanqiu City, or the green orbs floating in the vast jungle-like stars. Though seemingly small, they converged into a bright palette, ensuring that this world remained radiant. Whether the world was dark or not, they never lost their radiance, conveying a message, perhaps to themselves or to the world: Don’t be afraid; even at the end, I’m always here, I’m doing well. Don’t believe me? Look with your own eyes; I’m still beautiful, still magnificent, still like a dream.
The orbs at the heart of the flowers slowly detached as the sunlight completely disappeared, drifting gently into the Flower Valley. The colorful radiance in the valley became even more abundant, overflowing and filling the vast expanse of the flower-filled valley.
After a long time, Lie Yang regained his senses and asked in a soft voice, “Is this valley really causing all the giant insects to stop because of danger? Why haven’t we felt any threat along the way, only tranquility and beauty? What made the mindless giant insects stop by the Flower Valley?”
The group looked back in the direction they came from, and the black continent composed of countless gray-black corpses was no longer visible. Everything they could see now was a dreamlike, colorful ocean. Now that they were deep within the flower sea, what kind of shock would it be to stand at the edge of the flower sea? What about those giant insects? In this ink-stained and obscured night, were they lying by the side of the Flower Valley, gazing at it without consciousness, controlled by invaders? What were they looking at in this pitch-black night? And why did all the insects die with their heads turned towards the Flower Valley?
Amid the silence, Ling Yang’s voice, carrying a hint of despair, suddenly echoed. “I seem to have seen this place in the Spirit Tides Ruins! The legendary Rainbow Sea, also known as the Nest of Colors, is the birthplace of all insects in this world. However, the Nest of Colors has always been guarded by the Earth Tribe, so very few have witnessed it, and its existence remains mostly mythical. What if, what if the controlled insects actually have remnants of consciousness? What if they are aware of the invaders? What if they know that their forced evolution will lead to irreversible consequences for this world?”
A hush fell over the group. If Ling Yang’s speculation was correct, if the controlled insects indeed retained some form of consciousness, then all the contradictions they encountered along the way would be explained. Those insects, forced into evolution, chose to magnify their flaws and fatal weaknesses so they could be more easily killed. They harbored a deep hatred for the invaders, hence the intense desire to attack outsiders. They engaged in mutual slaughter but refused to consume the corpses of evolved giant insects, preferring to starve rather than continue evolving. Once they detected a higher-evolved counterpart, they would relentlessly attack, fearing that other creatures wouldn’t be able to handle them. They were numerous, highly aggressive, and mentally fragile, yet retained the most basic consciousness—their instinct to guard, to protect the “Deep Blue Sea,” and the flower sea where they were born.
Because of the residual shred of consciousness, they instinctively ventured deep into the mainland, continually approaching the Nest of Colors. However, they halted at the edge of the flower sea, ultimately dying at its border. Perhaps they understood that their bodies were no longer entirely under their control, their consciousness couldn’t remain clear at all times, and their instinct for slaughter had become ingrained. They feared losing control after entering the Flower Sea, so forcibly restraining themselves at the border became their final obsession and commitment. Even in death, they gazed towards the direction of home, seemingly telling the Nest of Colors and this world that, whether they were ugly or beautiful, their protective hearts had never wavered in the slightest.
