It was the second day of the eruptions, early in the morning. Harry and his friends were back on their raft, once again waiting for the treasures to appear.
The number of cultivators here severely declined. Far fewer members of the Swan Sea Sect were here – of the Outer Disciples, Harry was the only one. Perhaps only half of the Inner Disciples were present, but all four Core Disciples were here, along with most of the Elders. As for the others, the entirety of the New Port Sect was present, along with the Ivory Fist Clan. Some members of the Hopkins Clan were there, along with a smattering of other cultivators and their influences.
After the appearance of the Heaven Grade beast yesterday, it was natural that people were too scared to come back. In the blink of an eye, that Heaven Grade beast wiped out an entire clan of cultivators, and then killed hundreds of others during the fight against Macnair. That was too frightening, and no one wanted to be next.
In past eruptions, it was rare for Magic Beasts to appear, due to all the human cultivators present. There weren't even that many Heaven Grade beasts within the Swan Sea, and there was a miniscule chance of meeting one. But the Beast Surge changed everything. During these times, the number of Magic Beasts was endless, and they were far more aggressive than usual. Safety in numbers no longer applied here.
Harry himself had been torn over his decision to attend. Not only was he worried over the Magic Beasts, he was also scared of Macnair and Theodore Nott, not to mention the Ivory Fist Clan. If they got the opportunity, he knew they'd kill him without a second thought.
For example, if another Heaven Grade beast were to actually appear, it would be up to the Sect Master to defend her disciples. If she was distracted, then in the chaos, it wouldn't be difficult for Macnair to attack him. Or perhaps a beast would be the one to kill him. Not to mention a Heaven Grade Magic Beast, even a middle-level or high-level Earth Grade one would be sufficient.
And on top of all that, the dream he had last night haunted his waking thoughts. He couldn't get the sensation of drowning out of his mind, nor could he shake the feeling it was an ill omen. He was jumpy all day, wary of surroundings. All his instincts were telling him to not go, and stay in the sect.
But in the end… his desire for treasure won out.
'I must have a disease,' Harry thought of himself. 'The see-a-treasure-and-can't-leave-it-alone disease.'
That was how he found himself back on the Swan Sea for the second day, though this time, all from the Swan Sea Sect had split into large groups, each far apart from each other. That was to prevent a Heaven Grade monster from appearing and wiping out their whole sect in one move. But within the groups, everyone stuck close together and kept a vigilant eye towards their surroundings – especially downwards.
"There should be lots of Earth Grade items today," an Elder remarked. "All the Ordinary Grade crystals were shot out yesterday. Only Earth Grade Natural Essences should be left inside that vent. I'd bet they've been dislodged loose now, and they'll start appearing soon."
Not much longer, the water above the Swan's Seamount began bubbling. In response, everybody tensed in anticipation. Then just like yesterday, there was a deep rumbling sound, an outpouring of bubbles, followed by a massive explosion of water.
And in the midst of the wall of water, bright flashes of blue light could be seen. They were like lanterns, beacons of light announcing their presence. They shined as brightly as the twinkling stars did at night, capturing everyone's attention. Before the water even settled down, there was a mad rush of excitement as all the cultivators leapt forwards.
Each shining blue light was an Earth Grade Natural Essence.
Each Natural Essence was the result of years, a decade even, of accumulation of Water Qi. Over time, the dense energies at the bottom of the Swan Sea, somehow attracted into the Swan's Seamount, solidified into a crystal form. These treasures were packed with Water Qi, and as Earth Grade treasures, were extremely precious. Though it was difficult for humans to directly refine Water Qi, there were some cultivation techniques or pills that needed Water Qi. And as a last resort, they could always be sold for great sums of money.
In terms of size, there was practically no difference between Ordinary and Earth Grade Natural Essences. The true difference was in the amount of light they gave off, which was related to the density of Water Qi packed inside. The Ordinary Grade crystals radiated blue light, but it was rather weak. At best, it could illuminate a few inches of its surroundings. But the Earth Grade crystals were much brighter, and could easily light up many meters around.
The instant the treasures appeared, the cultivators went into a frenzy to collect them. This eruption brought out dozens, maybe even a hundred, Natural Essences. It truly did look like treasures dropping out of the sky. As they descended, cultivators sped towards the spots they'd land, clashing with the others who set their sights on the same treasure. All across the sea, small-scale battles broke out for the possession of an Earth Grade Natural Essence.
Harry watched as a disciple of the New Port Sect clashed with a cultivator from one of the local clans. Though the local cultivator reached the Natural Essence first, he was caught unaware and the attacker viciously landed a hit on his body. He crashed into the Swan Sea, and the disciple snatched the Natural Essence away before returning triumphantly to his sect.
The man leapt out of the water, injured but still able to fight. He looked as if he were about to attack the disciple, but then Walden Macnair glanced in his direction, and gave him a glare. Immediately, he became as timid as a mouse and slinked away, not willing to provoke the New Port Sect any further.
He saw many of the New Port Sect disciples get ahold of Natural Essences, along with a number of people from the Swan Sea Sect. Though the Swan Sea Sect's disciples were more restrained, and couldn't wantonly attack cultivators here.
He even saw Alchemists who got ahold of treasures, though the difference was they didn't fight for them. When they set their sights on one, everyone else just avoided it, not wanting to conflict with them.
And as for Harry… he didn't manage to get a single one.
When Ordinary Grade Natural Essences appeared, it was hard to notice one unless it appeared nearby. Even then, it was very easy to miss the crystals among the torrent of water that accompanied it.
But when Earth Grade Natural Essences appeared, it was impossible for Harry to miss them. The problem was, it was the same for everyone else. The moment he saw an Earth Grade treasure, so did a dozen other people, who immediately started fighting over it. He was just in the Body Tempering Realm, and had no way to compete in this area.
On the bright side, when the Earth Grade treasures appeared, everything else was forgotten. As the gathered cultivators squabbled over Earth Grade Natural Essences, Harry was able to pick up quite a few Ordinary Grade treasures without any conflict.
The first eruption occurred and ended without much fanfare. To everyone's relief, no beasts appeared out the waters. Harry grabbed three Natural Essences, while his friends managed to get two Earth Grade treasures between them. Their faces were flush with excitement – each of them could help them significantly with advancement in the Qi Absorption Realm. These Natural Essences were practically a shortcut for months and months of arduous cultivation.
A few hours after the first eruption of the day, the second one occurred. Much like the first, it spat out many glittering Earth Grade treasures, and once again, the Inner Disciples went all out to get Natural Essences. But this time, when the Inner Disciples returned, their expressions weren't so joyous.
"Damn those New Port Sect bastards," somebody muttered.
"The New Port Sect is too hateful," Slade complained. "If they weren't here, most of these treasures would be ours."
"True, true. In that past, everyone was able to get multiple Natural Essences. But this time, the New Port Sect is fighting us and taking them away," another Inner Disciple echoed Slade's thoughts.
Indeed, this time, the treasure hunting wasn't as easy. The disciples of the New Port Sect scattered across the sea before the eruption, and fought against the Swan Sea Sect members while the treasures descended. Unfortunately, they also won most of those fights. And afterwards, they returned to their side, hiding behind Macnair, out of reach.
"The next eruption, we'll get them for sure," the Inner Disciples vowed.
The third eruption came an hour later, and the Inner Disciples returned looking even more sullen. Their expressions were as black as the bottom of a pot.
On the other side of the Swan Sea, the New Port Sect looked on with gloating expressions. In terms of overall power, they were definitely the stronger sect. They were able to get far more Natural Essences, and were clearly taking this chance to vent some of their frustration over losing the competition. Some disciples even went out of their way to interfere with the Swan Sea Sect.
After five eruptions came and went, Harry managed to collect 10 Natural Essences. But when he looked at them, he didn't feel any joy at all. That was because they were all Ordinary Grade treasures.
'10 Natural Essences… this is basically nothing!' he groaned. If they were Earth Grade treasures, then he could probably complete a good portion of Washing Marrow. But they were Ordinary Grade, and at best only good enough for a small fraction. He got the bitter feeling that he risked his life out here for no reason at all.
'If I don't get some better Natural Essences, I'll have to figure something else out. Not to mention, I'm not even close to being done with Metal Qi,' he groaned.
Just like how Wood Qi wasn't found in every tree, and Fire Qi wasn't found in every fire, Water Qi wasn't found in every drop of water. Otherwise, he'd just take a bath in the Swan Sea and be done with the Fifth Minor Accomplishment.
"The next eruption should be happening soon," one of the Elders spoke, allowing his voice to project across the Swan Sea Sect's disciples. "Based on historical records, we know that the period of eruptions rarely last longer than a day and a half, so it should also be the last one. But the last eruption is also the one that brings out the best treasures. Everyone should be prepared."
'Ah, I only have one more chance,' Harry lamented. If he didn't get something good this time, he'd regret it for the rest of his life.
A few minutes later, the water began trembling again. This time though, it was far stronger. If the previous ones were tremors, this one was like an earthquake. An area covering miles and miles of the sea could be seen shaking, and everyone backed up out of caution. A massive vent of air was rushing upwards. Radial waves spread across the Swan Sea, and thousands of bubbles rose and exploded on the surface. The sea rose and tremored, tossing the gathered boats like debris in a storm.
Though Harry already knew what to expect, what happened next still caught him by surprise. A gigantic wave of water, at least twice as large as any before, blasted out the Swan Sea. There was an ear-splitting CRASH, as millions and millions of gallons of water rained across the sea, forming a liquid curtain that split the Swan Sea in two.
But despite all the water, a single brilliant blue light shined through the curtain, catching everyone's attention. The light was as bright as the noonday Sun, absolutely impossible to miss, and its source was a single crystal, a Natural Essence, that was tossed high into the air.
It was small, no larger than an Ordinary Grade Natural Essence, but the light coming off of it was unrivaled. Harry saw hundreds of pairs of eyes widen in shock. There was a moment of stillness, and then chaos broke out as everyone attempted to use their Qi and draw the crystal towards them.
The whole Swan Sea exploded into motion. Simultaneously, hundreds of cultivators exclaimed in surprise and madly charged forwards. Everyone reached out with their Qi to grab at the treasure.
The Natural Essence hung in the air for a split second, then as if guided by an invisible force, started falling straight towards where Harry and his friends were standing.
'It's an Earth Grade treasure! And judging by the brightness – it must be a high-quality treasure! This is my chance!' Harry exclaimed with a touch of desperation.
His horrible luck during the Swan's Seamount's eruptions was driving him crazy. While other people managed to obtain Earth Grade treasures, all he had to show were a few Ordinary Grade Natural Essences. Every second he spent on the Swan Sea was a second of danger, a second when he could be attacked by beasts or other cultivators. He refused to have come this far for no profit at all.
His eyes were red as he stretched both hands out for the shining treasure.
Although everyone else was using their Qi to pull the treasure towards them, it fell towards where Harry was standing. Perhaps it was because everyone's forces cancelled each other out, and he was standing in the right place. Or perhaps it was destiny, or just dumb luck. Or perhaps a higher power sent it directly into his hands. But nonetheless, he caught it perfectly, almost like the crystal was drawn to his outstretched palms, and he turned to look at his friends.
"Hey, look!" he grinned. "I got an Earth Grade treasure! And look how bright this one is!"
But something was wrong. His friends weren't smiling or congratulating him – they looked frightened out of their minds.
"Er… what's wrong?"
"James! You – you can't feel it, cause you're at the Body Tempering Realm. But that's definitely not an Earth Grade treasure!" Shaun exclaimed.
"Right… the brightness, the shocking amount of Qi in it, it's not Earth Grade!" Sam echoed.
'It's not?' Harry stared in bafflement. 'Then it's…'
"It's Heaven Grade! It's definitely a Heaven Grade Natural Essence!" Slade screamed.
"You can count the times they've appeared from the Swan's Seamount on one hand! And it actually landed here!"
The grin on Harry's face froze, and his mouth dropped open. He actually… he actually…
'Oh no, no, no, this was the very thing I was dreading!'
Getting a Heaven Grade treasure was an amazing opportunity, a true stroke of dogshit luck – but only if he had the strength to keep it. Otherwise, getting this treasure was the worst luck in the world, because it was the same as painting a giant target on his back. Right now, with powerful enemies all around, that was the worst possible situation.
Just as the realization settled in, shouting broke out over the Swan Sea.
"JAMES, HAND IT OVER!" he heard a roar in the distance. It was Walden Macnair, and he was leading the entire New Port Sect across the Swan Sea. All the Elders and disciples of his sect had their weapons drawn, and were sailing directly towards Harry with murderous expressions on their faces. Thick killing intent could be felt boiling over the atmosphere.
They were looking for an excuse to attack, and they finally found it.
A Heaven Grade treasure was an incredibly precious treasure, one equivalent to hundreds or more Earth Grade items. It was a treasure even Core Formation Realm cultivators would go crazy to obtain. Refining the Qi in here would allow for rapid advancement even in the Core Formation Realm, where it could decades to advance a single level. The value of this Natural Essence could only be described in a single word – astronomical!
'Oh shit!' Harry panicked. If he had known... if he had known… he would have run as far away as possible from this treasure.
"Let's get back to the sect!" Scott exclaimed. His friends powered the raft using their Qi, while Harry grabbed a paddle and rowed as furiously as he could towards the shore – and also in the direction of the Sect Master. She was flying across the Swan Sea, perched on one of her massive swords.
"Oh James, you shouldn't have grabbed that," Shaun muttered. "Macnair won't rest until he gets his hands on this."
"Then should I toss it away?" Harry asked in panic. He wholeheartedly agreed – if he knew this was a Heaven Grade treasure, he definitely wouldn't have grabbed ahold of it. He would have avoided it all costs.
"No, it's too late now. Even if you threw it away, Macnair's already attacking. And if you threw it away and he got it – that'd be even worse."
At that moment, the Sect Master zoomed over their heads, intercepting Macnair and his sect. A group of Elders were also arriving, ready to hold back the New Port Sect.
"Walden Macnair, how dare you attack my disciples? Is your memory defective?" she yelled. Her massive blades appeared out of thin air, ready to attack Macnair.
"Gwenog, when I was outnumbered, I had no choice but to back down. But today, don't think we'll go down without a fight!"
Among the disciples behind him, 30 of them leapt out and shed their disciple robes, revealing that they were wearing the same clothing as Macnair. They were actually all Elders of the New Port Sect, and at the Core Formation Realm!
"You – you brought your sect's elders?" Gwenog Jones asked in surprise.
"That's right! We were planning to clean up your Swan Sea Sect after the eruptions, but now's as good of a time as any. Hand over that Natural Essence, hand over my Beast Cores, and hand over James! Or else your Swan Sea Sect will perish today!" Macnair threatened.
"You have a big tone," Gwenog Jones sneered. "So what if you brought your Elders? You're outnumbered and outpowered all the same. If it's a fight you want, then you'll get one!"
"Haha, very good! Exactly what I hoped you would say!" Macnair laughed in joy. "If I don't have at least one life or death fight a day, then I just can't relax! To war!"
"To war!" the Elders chanted behind him.
"To war!" yelled the New Port Sect's disciples.
"Elders of the New Port Sect – to war! Kill the Elders of the Swan Sea Sect! And disciples of the New Port Sect, go slaughter the disciples of the Swan Sea Sect!" Macnair roared without hesitation.
"For every head you bring back to the sect, you'll move one place up in the rankings!"
"Kill!" the New Port Sect roared, and the disciples fanned out across the sea, like a dam bursting apart under the pressure of the water behind it. Judging from their quick movements and coordination – how everyone picked their targets and shot directly towards them – how no two people picked the same target – how rapidly their Elders shot towards the Swan Sea Sect's Elders – how coordinated and rehearsed it was – obviously, the New Port Sect planned this out beforehand.
"Macnair, to think you'd actually start a war over losing a single competition! You've disgraced the position of the Tier 2 sects with your petty actions!" Gwenog Jones seethed.
"That's always been my style," Macnair sneered. "Whoever humiliates me will pay the price! You will die, everyone in your sect will die, and most of all, James will die! Kill!"
He roared the last word, and war broke out over the Swan Sea.