The moment Chen Ping swam out of Deep Blue City, the surrounding seawater became noticeably darker.

The city’s blue-green light gradually faded behind him, replaced by a murky, dark hue, like a thin layer of ink spreading in water.

The water carried an atmosphere completely different from that of Deep Blue City—a dull, lifeless stillness, as if something had suppressed it, lacking vitality and energy, and filled with decay and gloom.

Lan Yuan followed beside him, with Qian Hai and Shen Liu close behind.

The three had changed into new water scale armor, which was a deeper color than before, with a light blue luster flowing across the plates, like flowing shadows in the water.

Lan Yuan’s gaze swept across the gradually darkening sea ahead, his voice carrying a hint of solemnity: “That area ahead is the polluted region.”

We call it the ‘Abyss Current.’ This area used to be one of Deep Blue City’s most important hunting grounds, teeming with sea beasts and rich in spiritual materials—one of the lifelines upon which Deep Blue City had depended for survival for tens of thousands of years. But now…”