Immortal and Martial Dual Cultivation Chapter 2379 Epilogue 4 : Door of the Epoch, Part One

Scattered across the immense Starry Heavens of the Great Thousand Realms lay seven forbidden seas.

These included the Ash Gray Sea, Death Sea, Black Sea, Blood Sea, Illusory Sea, Bitter Sea, and Bone Sea. Every one possessed distinct traits, rendering them off-limits to common folk.

Yet, truth be told, numerous local powers thrived within these seven mighty forbidden seas.

The Ash Gray Sea, for instance, sheltered Demonic Dao groups of all scales alongside hordes of primordial Demonic Beasts. Deep in its heart, the elusive Demon Blood Vultures lurked in spots unknown to most.

Still, amid the seven forbidden seas, just a single supreme ruler reigned: the Pirate Alliance.

Among the Great Thousand Realms’ eight supreme powers, the Pirate Alliance stood out as the most enigmatic. Much like the Heavenly Fragrance, its true nature remained a profound enigma to all.

Unlike the Heavenly Fragrance’s veil of utter secrecy, though, every cultivator venturing into the outer domains inevitably crossed paths with the Pirate Alliance.

Several sects and clans had even clashed fiercely with the Pirate Alliance.

Resembling the Heavenly Alliance, it maintained a footprint across the endless expanse of the Great Thousand Realms. Yet, it harbored none of the Heavenly Alliance’s grand aspirations.

During shifts in dynastic rule across the Central Great Realms or even the dawn of new epochs, its influence scarcely registered.

Even so, the Pirate Alliance’s formidable aura commanded universal respect, curbing any reckless moves.

Right now, the Pirate Alliance’s top leaders convened at their stronghold within the Ash Gray Sea. Besides the Alliance Chief and the assembled Doyens, a surprising “youth” was present too.

Merely labeled a youth because the Doyens and Alliance Chief were outrageously ancient.

“Xiao Suo, we’re truly sorry for halting your vessel. Please don’t proceed to the Heavenly Alliance,” declared the Pirate Alliance’s Alliance Chief. His white beard contrasted sharply with his rugged, coarse features. Likely, he had once been a wild pirate lord roaming the waves in his prime.

Shock rippled through Xiao Suo. The Pirate Alliance seldom placed curbs on its captains.

Though dubbed an alliance, it never tightly controlled the pirate crews under its banner.

No hierarchical bonds tied them together.

Should a pirate ship face assault or encirclement, the Pirate Alliance stayed silent, entrusting fate to the crew’s mettle.

Thus, Xiao Suo found it baffling that the Pirate Alliance had intercepted him and dragged him here, just as he aimed for the Heavenly Alliance to aid Xiao Chen amid the epoch’s turmoil.

Xiao Suo scanned the room, then locked eyes with the Pirate Alliance’s Alliance Chief. “You must provide a reason, no?” he demanded.

“We wish for the Black Cutlass Pirate Group to inherit the Pirate Alliance’s sacred mission and venture to the Mythological Seaway!” the aged white-bearded Alliance Chief revealed calmly, face unchanging.

The Mythological Seaway!

Startlement surged through Xiao Suo, his heart thumping wildly with thrill.

Long before encountering Xiao Chen, tales of the Mythological Seaway had reached Xiao Suo’s ears. Indeed, no pirate escaped hearing its legend.

This was the supreme path every pirate yearned to conquer.

Legends claimed traversing the Mythological Seaway breached worldly bounds, leading to the opulent Golden Sea brimming with riches.

“Is this the Mythological Seaway to the Golden Sea, where any captain’s wildest dreams come true upon arrival?” Xiao Suo blurted out, excitement bubbling over uncontrollably.

The white-bearded Alliance Chief shared glances with the Doyens, a sly grin playing on their lips.

“Countless souls believe so... But no Golden Sea exists, let alone one granting every wish. The Mythological Seaway truly ends at the enigmatic Great Beyond Sea, shrouded in deepest mystery.”

[TL Note: The “great beyond” referred to here can also be translated as paramita, nirvana, or paradise. It is the Buddhist concept of surpassing life and death.]

“Great Beyond?”

“We simply call this sea the Great Beyond. Sail beyond the world’s edge, and you enter the great beyond.”

“What task awaits me there?”

“Seek the Door of the Epoch. From the Pirate Alliance’s founding, we’ve hunted this door endlessly. It holds the epoch’s deepest secrets. Across endless epochs, our pursuit endures. For this Martial Epoch, we’ve selected you to navigate the Mythological Seaway.”

The Alliance Chief, with his white beard, gazed at Xiao Suo and spoke with a touch of sorrow, “The Mythological Seaway emerges only amid epochal shifts. It’s far from the romantic, effortless voyage you envision. Nothing but endless isolation and peril lies ahead. Throughout history, no voyager who ventured there has ever made it back.”

Hearing this, Xiao Suo felt a jolt of shock. The fabled Mythological Seaway turned out to be a one-way path.

“Take some time to consider it. Should you agree, we’ll hand over the sea chart and assist in finishing the Scarlet Blood Warship. Regarding your Big Brother Xiao Chen, should he face any insurmountable crisis, the Pirate Alliance will lend our utmost support just once.”

The white-bearded Alliance Chief promptly dispelled Xiao Suo’s concerns.

Yet Xiao Suo hesitated to decide right away. After pondering, he replied, “I must consult with my crew first.”

“Three days is all you get. After that, we’ll select someone else.”

With a heavy heart, Xiao Suo departed, his face etched with seriousness. He couldn’t commit on the spot.

For a pirate-hearted man like him, the Mythological Seaway’s allure proved irresistible—even knowing it as a path of no return—perhaps fatally so.

Still, Xiao Suo wasn’t sailing alone on the Scarlet Blood Warship. He might plunge into the Mythological Seaway without a second thought, but his crew might feel differently.

Luo Nan, Fei`er, Senior Tang, the Iron Hand Yama, and Xiao Suo—the key figures of the Black Cutlass Pirate Group—convened together.

Xiao Suo then relayed the white-bearded Alliance Chief’s offer to them, falling silent afterward as he awaited their responses.

“The Mythological Seaway?”

The Iron Hand Yama’s eyes gleamed with excitement. As a pirate more seasoned than Xiao Suo, his fixation on the Mythological Seaway burned even fiercer.

“Back when I was a mere lowly crewman, I first heard the legends of the Mythological Seaway. It’s been my dream ever since. Captain, if you’re heading there, count me in without a doubt.”

The Iron Hand Yama pledged his support instantly, no hesitation.

“Good brother!”

Joy surged through Xiao Suo. He advanced, and they clashed fists firmly.

“I’ve got no qualms. Ever since this old fellow boarded this pirate vessel... leaving never crossed my mind.” Senior Tang gave a helpless smile, his chuckle ringing with ease.

Prior to joining, he’d served as a Beast Taming Abode Elder. But over time, he’d grown accustomed to this crew’s company.

Compared to the scheming politics of a sect, the pirate ship’s direct camaraderie let him embrace each day with true freedom.

“The Mythological Seaway holds no appeal for me. But if you all went without me, Fei`er and Senior Brother would fret endlessly.” Fei`er shared her thoughts with a gentle smile.

“Hahahaha!”

This band of sea-faring comrades, forged in countless brushes with death, erupted in hearty laughter.

They’d braved endless tempests side by side. Whatever their pasts, they shared one identity now.

“Thank you, everyone.”

Deep emotion welled in Xiao Suo. With brothers like these, he could face death without a single regret.

---

Three days later:

On the vast Ash Gray Sea, terrifying waves roared skyward. Fierce gales, thunder, and torrential downpours raged. Demonic clouds roiled overhead as swells mounted higher with every crash, painting an apocalyptic vista.

“Boom!”

A crimson warship cleaved through the tumult, surging forward atop the towering crests.

Mountain-like waves loomed, yet before the Scarlet Blood Warship, they resembled mere child’s play. It shattered them effortlessly, harnessing the winds to press on.

Beneath the fluttering Scarlet Blood War Banner, Xiao Suo clutched the sea chart—a treasure coveted by pirates everywhere.

This chart pinpointed the Mythological Seaway’s entrance to the Great Beyond Sea.

A somber look crossed Xiao Suo’s face as he recalled his exchange with the white-bearded Alliance Chief prior to the Scarlet Blood Warship’s departure.

After you leave, you could vanish for a decade, a century, or forever. Are you truly certain?

Rest assured. Having chosen this path, I, Xiao Suo, harbor no regrets!