Weijin Mountain Secret Realm.
If one were to look down from above the secret realm, they would see two groups of cultivators, each numbering several dozen, gathered on the east and west sides of Fire Mountain.
From all directions, more silhouettes kept converging upon them.
The entry points to the secret realm were actually fixed, but each region only held so many resources, so the rules of the realm wouldn’t allow too many disciples to appear in the same area.
The disciples of Songhuo Peak continued to gather, and before long, someone noticed the presence of Chen Lang.
At his side, there seemed to be two auras not belonging to Songhuo Peak.
“Chen Lang, what are you doing here? Why aren’t you hurrying to join up with the other senior brothers?”
The one speaking had a domineering aura, making no effort to conceal his cultivation—he was a Qi Refinement Perfection cultivator.
Gu Ze’s expression immediately grew serious.
Choosing to make contact with other disciples from Songhuo Peak was actually a risky move.
If they found out he and Li Xunmiao had also come for the Divine Fire, they might very well suppress the two of them and throw them out of the secret realm to prevent any accidents.
However, from Chen Lang’s reaction, it seemed Songhuo Peak hadn’t issued any particularly harsh edicts.
“These two are…?” The man had crisp, gray hair, appeared in his early twenties, and was tall and sturdy.
He wore the attire of a Personal Disciple of the Peak Master from Songhuo Peak, a status no less than Li Xunmiao’s.
Noticing Li Xunmiao’s plain-patterned white robe, the man immediately understood.
“So it’s Junior Sister Li of Biluo Peak and Junior Brother Gu—I’ve heard much about you both.”
He greeted them warmly, unconcerned with the difference in rank, showing no disdain for Gu Ze, and clasped his hands in salute to the two.
These two had caused quite a stir previously at Songhuo Peak and were rather well-known among the Qi Refinement disciples.
Gu Ze raised his hand in response.
It seemed there was no ill intent, but he still couldn’t relax.
Yin Poison Miasma was no joke—if even this personal disciple was affected, then the other disciples of Songhuo Peak must have long been poisoned.
Gu Ze stepped forward half a pace, wearing a bitter smile as he said, “Senior Brother, what kind of treasure in this secret realm has prompted Songhuo Peak to mobilize in such force?”
“Oh?” Gu Ze’s direct question was unexpected, but he didn’t try to gloss it over or conceal anything, instead pointing at the smoking crater of Weijin Mountain and said, “Since you two are already inside the secret realm, there’s no harm in telling you.”
“At the summit of that mountain, a Golden Core Divine Fire is about to emerge. We’re here under orders to collect the Divine Fire. But, you two just happen to appear here—are you also here for the Divine Fire?”
In truth, it was just a casual question. To try to seize a Golden Core Opportunity with only two people was rather wishful thinking.
He only questioned them deliberately to warn them not to harbor any stray thoughts just because they now knew of the Golden Core treasure.
Gu Ze feigned shock: “So it’s a Golden Core Divine Fire about to emerge—no wonder Danyin Peak sent so many cultivators as well.”
“They must be after it too… Senior Brother, please rest assured, we only came here to look for a Foundation Establishment Opportunity.”
“Qingquan Immortal Venerable instructed Xunmiao and me not to always remain in seclusion cultivating bitterly, but to travel and temper ourselves; whether we succeed in Foundation Establishment must depend on our own efforts.”
“But, if we could witness the emergence of the Golden Core Divine Fire, that would be a great opportunity as well.”
“Foundation Establishment, huh.” He stroked his chin, narrowing his eyes as he studied the two.
One at Qi Refinement fourth layer, one at Qi Refinement seventh layer. Already thinking of Foundation Establishment this early?
Well, if he’d managed to prepare a Foundation Establishment Opportunity in advance, he wouldn’t have been stuck at Qi Refinement Perfection for so long.
Seeing the senior brother lost in thought, Gu Ze quickly produced the ice marrow he’d casually tossed in his storage pouch earlier, holding it carefully in his palm.
The gray-haired disciple’s eyes widened, his breathing grew rapid.
“This is… ice marrow? Was it collected here? I’ve never seen ice marrow grown in a volcanic region before.”
Seeing such a strong reaction, Gu Ze could basically confirm he too had been affected by the miasma.
Even the Personal Disciple of the Peak Master had fallen for it.
Clearly, Songhuo Peak’s disciples had no awareness of the poison miasma here, nor any way to counter it.
Gu Ze’s lips curled up slightly as he handed the ice marrow over, speaking solemnly, “Senior Brother, with the Golden Core treasure about to emerge, I have no intention of getting involved in your dispute with Danyin Peak.”
“But our strength is insignificant, and Biluo Peak has long had poor relations with Danyin Peak. I fear we’ll run into their cultivators and a conflict will erupt.”
“Could you allow the two of us to travel together with the disciples of Songhuo Peak? If we can witness the Divine Fire’s emergence up close, that would be a blessing as well.”
He nodded at once, unobtrusively accepting the ice marrow from Gu Ze, and coughed lightly: “We’re all disciples of Immortal Pavilion—helping each other is as it should be. You two just stick with me, I’ll keep you safe.”
Bribery successful.
After a while, Gu Ze noticed the surrounding Songhuo Peak disciples growing in number.
Many were digging up spirit ores like mad or begging others for treasures, eager to stuff their storage pouches to the brim.
Gu Ze also symbolically picked a few spirit herbs, ran about here and there, lingering even at piles of useless rubble for a long time—secretly observing the states of the surrounding cultivators.
“Xunmiao, among these Songhuo Peak disciples, there are five at Qi Refinement Perfection, all in disciple attire. Judging from their conversations, it seems there’s no elder leading the Divine Fire collection this time, and the Peak Master hasn’t suppressed his cultivation to enter the secret realm either.”
Gu Ze and Li Xunmiao hid behind a crescent-shaped boulder. He held her warm hand, detoxifying her while analyzing the situation.
Would the Peak Master really leave such an important Divine Fire to the luck of the Qi Refinement disciples?
If the Peak Master of Danyin Peak led their group, wouldn’t Songhuo Peak be in trouble?
Or did the Songhuo Peak Master have other plans? That was something Gu Ze couldn’t figure out.
Li Xunmiao hardly listened to what Gu Ze was saying. If anyone tried to steal Senior Brother Gu’s Divine Fire, she’d cut them down one by one—ten came, she’d cut down a group!
The girl withdrew her hand and cupped Gu Ze’s face, her voice soft: “Doesn’t this detoxify faster?”
“Stop playing, junior sister, I’m being serious.” Gu Ze grabbed her wrist, pulled Li Xunmiao into his arms, and grinned mischievously: “But then, wouldn’t this be even faster?”
Li Xunmiao didn’t resist, tilting her head to stare up at Gu Ze’s chiseled chin, full of anticipation: “Then, Senior Brother, why not carry Xunmiao like this the whole way? Xunmiao doesn’t mind~”
The atmosphere grew tense.
Li Xunmiao was all smiles, but suddenly sensed something, her waist tensing as she drew the Zangtian Sword, turning to glare coldly into the distance.
“Who’s there?”
“Don’t, don’t! I’m one of you.” From a pile of withered weeds nearby emerged a slovenly middle-aged man, slightly hunched, with a relaxed expression as if he’d just woken up.
He ruffled his messy short hair and ambled toward them.
“I was just passing by, not trying to peek. But, I didn’t expect the two of you to really be like this. Just as my younger brother said—before, I thought he was joking.”
“Hmph, that’s always been how we are,” Li Xunmiao raised her head, “the closest of senior brother and junior sister—where you end and I begin, no one can tell.”
Gu Ze wanted to hurry over and cover Li Xunmiao’s mouth.
He landed beside the middle-aged man, puzzled: “Senior Brother, may I ask who your younger brother is?”
“Oh, I forgot to introduce myself—I’m Lin Tianhai, elder brother of Lin Tianya. Tianya mentioned you two to me, said that the chance to change his fate was all thanks to you both.”
Lin Tianhai straightened, a flash of gratitude in his eyes.
“So that’s how it is. May I ask why Brother Tianya didn’t come to the secret realm this time?”
“Songhuo Peak only sent late-stage Qi Refinement cultivators this time. He’s still in seclusion, probably about to break through soon.”
Gu Ze nodded, asking no further.
Lin Tianhai, at Qi Refinement eighth layer, did indeed somewhat resemble Lin Tianya in appearance.
However, at his side, Li Xunmiao clung tightly to Gu Ze’s sleeve, apparently rather unhappy at Lin Tianhai’s arrival.
Just as Gu Ze finished exchanging pleasantries, he suddenly felt a chill prickle along his skin.
It was just like the feeling he’d had entering the secret realm—someone in the dark was deliberately watching him.
Sensing that powerful aura again, Gu Ze had a faint guess as to the person’s identity, drawing a sharp breath.
The gaze swept past, and the two beside him didn’t seem to notice anything amiss.
Was it a warning, a reminder, or was a hidden expert toying with their prey?
“Senior Brother Lin, seems there aren’t any spirit ores to collect here. My junior sister and I have rested enough, so we should get going.” Gu Ze suggested.
Lin Tianhai yawned, indifferent: “I didn’t come here for ores either, just putting in an appearance for some sect contribution points.”
Gu Ze’s eyes flickered, but in the end he took Li Xunmiao’s hand and left.
Watching the two leave, Lin Tianhai wasn’t in any hurry, placing his hands behind his back as he followed along at a leisurely pace.
By sunset, the flickering firelight still illuminated the scorched land.
When Songhuo Peak began assigning disciples to take turns on night watch, Gu Ze finally noticed something he’d overlooked all this time.
Rare treasures were almost always guarded by powerful beasts.
Although not every treasure was like that, not encountering a single beast all day was exceedingly strange.
Looking toward the crater of Weijin Mountain, it gaped like the bloody maw of a giant beast, billowing smoke flickering in the night, as though chewing wantonly, eager to swallow everything that entered.
Even at night, Songhuo Peak disciples didn’t stop collecting ores. By dawn, Gu Ze could still hear the occasional clang of digging.
Some disciples’ eyes were bloodshot, tying spirit ores too large for their pouches to their backs, staggering under the weight but refusing to put them down.
Gu Ze glanced at them with a touch of pity.
If he intervened now, the gathered cultivators would only think he was betraying Songhuo Peak and suppress him.
All he could do was hope the Golden Core Divine Fire would be collected successfully, purging the miasma.
“Junior Brother Gu, watch out! The beast’s coming your way!” Suddenly, a voice transmission sounded from afar.
Gu Ze looked up to see a crimson Double-headed Fire Serpent slithering his way, flicking its tongues at the surrounding cultivators as if searching for the weakest point to break through.
It moved incredibly fast, managing to escape the encirclement of Songhuo Peak’s disciples.
Gu Ze locked eyes with the serpent as it suddenly reared up—its massive, three-meter-tall form glaring down at the tiny Gu Ze.
One head directed the attack, while the other lunged at Gu Ze.
Gu Ze dodged in a flash, a blue glow appearing in his hand. He struck with his knife, and a huge serpent head crashed to the ground, spraying a pillar of blood skyward.
The crescent blade in his hand cut through iron like mud, not stained by even a drop of blood.
He dodged the spattering serpent blood and was about to cut off the other head when a familiar sword aura swept in from not far away.
Gu Ze quickly retreated to a safe distance outside the gathered crowd.
A slash infused with Nether River energy struck the giant serpent, making it convulse, half its body exploding instantly—dead beyond dead.
Li Xunmiao’s eyes were icy cold. Still unsatisfied, she ran over, split the serpent’s body open, and yanked out its gallbladder.
“Dare to harm Senior Brother Gu? I’ll eat you right up!”
Gu Ze had no idea how Li Xunmiao managed to swallow a serpent gall the size of a watermelon in one gulp, but one way or another, she did.
With their battle over, the Qi Refinement Perfection disciple arrived belatedly.
He looked at the two, lavish in his praise: “Junior Brother Gu, such skill! Junior Sister Li, such… such an appetite.”
But his gaze lingered on the Moonmark Dagger in Gu Ze’s hand, and a flash of greed crossed his eyes.
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.