“The main contenders for the Divine Fire within the secret realm are two factions: Songhuo Peak, which specializes in artifact refinement, and Danyin Peak, which specializes in pill refinement.”
“Both sides have stationed a large number of late-stage Qi Refining Disciples near the secret realm, awaiting its opening.”
Relying on his position as acting Peak Master, Gu Ze spent a few spirit stones to obtain reliable information.
It seemed that the leaders of these two peaks had already predicted the emergence of the Divine Fire and were determined to obtain it.
If both peaks are competing for the fire, why would Gong Lixing secretly send Biluo Peak to seize it instead? What is the meaning behind this?
The Divine Fire is of no use to Qingquan, who mainly cultivates water-type techniques. Gu Ze couldn’t figure out what Gong Lixing was after to go to such lengths.
Moreover, the secret realm restricts cultivation level, so if Qingquan did go, he would have to suppress his cultivation to the Qi Refining stage.
Gu Ze secretly guessed that this matter likely involved more than just Qi Refining Disciples. Otherwise, it wouldn’t require the involvement of someone recognized as the strongest Golden Core.
Anyone who needs Qingquan to personally suppress their cultivation to enter the secret realm and “fish for weaker prey” must also be a Golden Core cultivator suppressing their cultivation.
The elders and even the Peak Masters of Songhuo Peak and Danyin Peak!
These people would very likely suppress their cultivation and enter the secret realm to compete for the Divine Fire.
He shared his speculation with Li Xunmiao, and the young woman fell into deep thought.
“Senior Brother, you told me before that our Biluo Peak doesn’t have a good relationship with Danyin Peak, and they cut off our supply of pills.”
“Is it possible that the Sect Master wants Biluo Peak to participate in this to improve relations between the two peaks?”
“For example, Songhuo Peak has a higher chance of winning than Danyin Peak, and is more likely to obtain the Divine Fire.”
“But if our Biluo Peak gets the Divine Fire, we could use it to negotiate with Danyin Peak—maybe even trade it for the restoration of our pill supply.”
Li Xunmiao’s guess was not without merit.
But Gu Ze still felt something was off. The grudge between the two peaks shouldn’t be something that a single Golden Core treasure could resolve.
Besides, Gong Lixing hadn’t acted as a mediator for hundreds of years, letting the two Peak Masters shake hands and make peace. He must have his reasons.
Gu Ze even felt that Gong Lixing was doing the opposite—having Biluo Peak join the struggle for the Divine Fire would only worsen the relationship between the two peaks.
“It still depends on the conditions for obtaining the Divine Fire. With a Golden Core treasure appearing and so many factions involved, getting the Divine Fire and bringing it out of the secret realm won’t be that easy.”
“In fact, as soon as you step out of the secret realm, you might get ambushed by a large group of waiting cultivators, all joining hands to snatch the Divine Fire.”
Li Xunmiao frowned. “Doesn’t our Yunhai Immortal Pavilion forbid internal conflict? How dare they!”
“Laws can’t punish the masses. If it really involves a large number of disciples, at most a few scapegoats would be punished, and the Divine Fire would most likely be gone for good—unless Immortal Qingquan personally intervenes,” Gu Ze said with a sigh.
The responsibility now fell on their shoulders. The root cause was still Qingquan being in seclusion.
However, this had also become an opportunity for them. If Li Xunmiao really got the Golden Core Divine Fire, Gu Ze could get a pretty nice system reward out of it—what a win-win.
Even if they couldn’t keep the Divine Fire later, he could still ask for compensation in front of Gong Lixing.
Hearing Gu Ze talk about the unwritten rules of the Immortal Pavilion, Li Xunmiao didn’t curse the unfairness. Instead, she nodded earnestly, keeping it in mind: “So that’s how it is. I’ve learned something new.”
“?” Gu Ze looked at her in surprise, and a flash of cunning crossed Li Xunmiao’s eyes.
Something’s not right! What exactly is my junior sister learning from me?
“We have plenty of magic treasures in hand now, but it’s a pity I haven’t found you a suitable divine ability yet. Otherwise, your combat power would go up another level.”
Li Xunmiao’s eyes flickered as she asked curiously, “Has Senior Brother already decided what divine ability you want me to learn?”
“Well… If fate allows, you’ll always come across something suitable.” Gu Ze replied perfunctorily.
“Xunmiao understands.” Li Xunmiao chuckled softly. Apparently, her calculating Senior Brother Gu had even made plans for her future divine ability.
If it wasn’t recommended by Gu Ze, she wouldn’t bother learning it~
***
Days and nights passed; three days went by in a flash. Gu Ze and Li Xunmiao registered together for the secret realm exploration in advance.
“Weijin Mountain.”
This place was a volcano about to erupt, cordoned off by a powerful cultivator during the founding of Yunhai Immortal Pavilion. It was sealed off in an independent small dimension, forming a secret realm.
The violent fire-element spiritual energy was completely locked inside, becoming nourishment for all materials in the secret realm, fostering countless fire-resistant spiritual plants and demon.
The secret realm opened once every sixty years. Gu Ze checked Biluo Peak’s records and saw that last time only thirty-nine Qi Refining Disciples from all twenty-four peaks entered.
After all, it’s just a Qi Refining secret realm, and its resources aren’t that precious—most people come hoping for a breakthrough or to try their luck.
But this time, more than three hundred Qi Refining cultivators were preparing to enter, most of them from Songhuo Peak and Danyin Peak.
Such a big commotion was bound to attract attention to the anomaly of the secret realm.
Even disciples from other peaks who heard the news multiplied several times.
Gu Ze glanced toward Songhuo Peak but didn’t spot Lin Tianya’s figure.
The cultivators with the lowest cultivation here were at the same Qi Refining seventh layer as Gu Ze. Maybe Lin Tianya hadn’t broken through yet and wasn’t chosen by the higher-ups of Songhuo Peak.
Or maybe he had, but didn’t want to fight for the opportunities in the secret realm.
Sensing Gu Ze’s gaze, several sharp-eyed disciples from Songhuo Peak looked over as well.
“That outfit… looks like a personal disciple from Biluo Peak. Could it be those two who stirred up so much trouble at Songhuo Peak recently?”
“Thanks to those two, the earth veins shook and our spirit mine output doubled.”
“To come out alive from that deep in the earth veins, that’s a miracle.”
“I heard the Sect Master intervened in secret back then…”
Gu Ze stopped eavesdropping and listened no more.
There really are no secrets among cultivators.
Many events that seem shrouded in mystery can be clarified by high-level cultivators with a bit of deduction.
Hearing the commotion, Li Xunmiao tugged at Gu Ze’s sleeve. Still feeling unsatisfied, she boldly grabbed his hand outright.
“Senior Brother, I feel like a lot of people are watching us.” Li Xunmiao hung her head as if tired, but the corners of her mouth couldn’t help but curl up.
Gu Ze gently held Li Xunmiao’s delicate hand, letting out a soft sigh.
“We already draw enough attention as is, and now you’re being so blatant, openly holding my hand. Aren’t you worried people will misunderstand our relationship?”
Li Xunmiao’s heart leaped with joy. Misunderstand? Wouldn’t that be perfect!
She could barely restrain her smile, but forced herself not to let Gu Ze notice, her voice calm and slightly hoarse: “It’s fine.”
Gu Ze didn’t pull away, letting Li Xunmiao hold his hand.
This actually felt pretty good.
***
At noon, the secret realm opened.
The instant Gu Ze stepped inside, he suddenly felt a powerful gaze on him.
But when he turned around, he’d already been transported onto scorched earth, with nothing behind him.
The land was a patchwork of gray and yellow, dotted with large areas of blackened spots. Toxic miasma seeped from some of the cracks, making them hard to approach.
In the distance was a flat volcanic crater, its glaring magma veins extending downward like the exposed blood vessels of the entire Weijin Mountain.
“Senior Brother?” Li Xunmiao pinched his finger. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. We should act carefully—I have a bad feeling about this.” Gu Ze rubbed his brow, recalling that brief, powerful gaze.
Familiar, yet a little strange—not like anyone he’d encountered recently.
But that person was definitely a formidable cultivator.
Not Lian Yue, not Gong Lixing, and not any of the Biluo Peak elders he’d met.
That person had also followed them into the secret realm.
Not knowing if they were friend or foe, Gu Ze decided to be cautious.
He looked up, his Pixiu True Gold Eyes flashing with golden light.
What seemed like desolate scorched earth to others was filled with treasures in his eyes.
“Junior Sister, pick up that rock.”
“Grab that grass over there.”
“The fruit on that tree—yes, that black, charred one—pick it.”
Li Xunmiao didn’t understand why Gu Ze was only directing her to fetch things and not doing it himself.
Following his directions, she collected all sorts of miscellaneous materials along the way.
But Gu Ze’s expression looked less than pleased.
The things that triggered his Pixiu True Gold Eyes weren’t bad in quality, but none of them counted as Li Xunmiao’s fortuitous encounter—the system didn’t react at all.
Maybe those materials were simply useless to Li Xunmiao and no better than trash.
Suddenly, Gu Ze spotted a dazzling golden light in his field of vision. This was the first time he’d seen such a strong glow since entering the secret realm for about an hour.
He quickened his pace, motioning for Li Xunmiao to follow.
Taking out his Yuehen Dagger and Dragon-Binding Rope, Gu Ze was prepared for a fierce battle with the demon guarding the rare treasure.
But as he got closer, he saw a familiar figure sprawled on the ash-covered ground, searching the tunnel like an anteater.
“Chen Lang?” Gu Ze hadn’t expected to encounter Li Xunmiao’s former defeated opponent here.
The other was totally focused and startled by the sudden appearance of the two.
Seeing these familiar faces, Chen Lang looked like he’d seen a plague god.
As soon as Li Xunmiao frowned, he panicked and jumped back a few steps.
“Today’s not a good day to be out,” he said, sweating bullets.
Because of Bai Yazhi, he’d been punished and put under house arrest at Songhuo Peak.
Recently, the Songhuo Peak Master seemed to be plotting something big and summoned all disciples above Qi Refining seventh layer to the Weijin Mountain secret realm.
Thanks to this, Chen Lang was pardoned and given a chance to atone for his mistakes.
Yet, as soon as he entered the secret realm and found a rare spirit ore, before he could extract it, he ran into these two “plague gods.”
If he didn’t value the spirit ore so much, he’d have bolted already.
They faced off in silence, neither making the first move.
Gu Ze glanced at the crack in the ground—the golden light was bursting out from within.
Apparently, Chen Lang had discovered this opportunity first. He had good talent and luck, but was dragged down by Bai Yazhi.
“Senior Brother Chen, long time no see.” Gu Ze said cheerfully.
A chill ran down Chen Lang’s back. He felt like there was nothing good in that smile and waved his hand quickly: “Don’t—don’t call me Senior Brother, I can’t take it. Just call me Chen Lang.”
“You’ve been watching this crack for so long. There must be some treasure inside that’s hard to get out, right?”
“What, you want to snatch it?” Chen Lang’s expression grew tense.
In the secret realm, first come, first served. If Gu Ze tried to take it, Chen Lang was prepared to fight.
Outside, harming fellow disciples was forbidden, but inside the secret realm, competition was the law.
“Snatch it? Even if I did, what’s the point if I can’t get it out? I don’t know much about spirit ore, but I can tell whatever’s in this crack is extremely fragile—otherwise you wouldn’t be so careful.”
“How about this: you take it out, and I’ll trade you for it with something else.” Gu Ze, sensing the spirit ore’s aura, proposed a deal.
“Trade?” Chen Lang felt this was a losing proposition.
They’d just entered the secret realm. What decent thing could Gu Ze possibly have?
He wasn’t a craftsman or an alchemist, and Chen Lang doubted he even recognized half the materials here.
He was like the kind of guy who trips over treasures while walking.
But then Gu Ze rummaged through his storage pouch and, right in front of him, stacked a small mountain of spirit ore.
Chen Lang’s eyes nearly popped out.
“All of these, in exchange for yours. What do you think?”
“A gentleman’s word is his bond! You’re sure it’s all of these?!”
Chen Lang didn’t hesitate. With a sweep of his storage pouch, he immediately put away all the spirit ore.
Then he cracked his knuckles.
“If I’d known you were this generous, Junior Brother Gu, I wouldn’t have…”
“…Just hurry up and get the thing I want out.” Gu Ze urged.
Li Xunmiao had quietly drawn the Zangtian Sword and said coolly, “You’re not thinking of running off with Senior Brother’s materials, are you?”
“No, no! Please, put the sword away. Just looking at it gives me nightmares.” Chen Lang nearly collapsed.
He sprawled on the ground again, carefully channeling spiritual energy into the crack.
Gu Ze crouched beside him, watching his every move.
As an artifact refiner, Chen Lang excelled at manipulating razor-fine metal threads with extreme precision—far more delicate than Gu Ze’s current abilities.
Even so, it took him nearly half an hour to fully extract the spirit ore from the crack.
It was a perfectly symmetrical hourglass-shaped transparent spirit ore, soft in texture, almost like jelly. A careless squeeze would destroy it instantly.
Seeing the two of them didn’t recognize it, Chen Lang was about to explain, but Gu Ze casually said, “Forget it, it doesn’t seem useful for now. Let’s just put it away.”
With that, Gu Ze picked it up and tossed it into his storage pouch.
Chen Lang’s pupils shrank. “Hey, you can’t just handle it so roughly! It’ll break!”
“Eh, doesn’t matter. If it breaks, it breaks.” Judging by how Chen Lang treated it, this thing must be incredibly rare outside.
But even when Li Xunmiao held it, the system still didn’t react.
Gu Ze looked toward the distant volcanic crater, where smoke and dust were billowing.
There, golden light soared into the sky—surely, that was where the Divine Fire lurked.
Perhaps in this secret realm, only that Golden Core Divine Fire could be recognized by the system as Li Xunmiao’s fortuitous encounter. They would have to take a chance.