So, after discussing, the brother and sister stepped into the void and left.
Two hours later, a graceful red figure flew past on a slender sword.
“Tsk, I’ve been flying for over two days now. How is it that in this secret realm, aside from encountering a few demon beasts in the first half day, I’ve run into nothing at all?”
“Can this really be a secret realm hiding an immortal artifact? It’s too shabby. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have kept flying on my sword—I’d have just taken a spirit boat, simpler and more carefree.”
Hua Yan flew east on her sword in a gloomy mood, pursing her lips.
Although sword kinesis consumed more spiritual power than a spirit boat and didn’t allow for rest, it was faster and more convenient for defense — that was exactly why Hua Yan had chosen to fly by sword as soon as she entered the secret realm.
But now, flying all the way without a single chance to take action, she couldn’t help but feel stifled.
‘Could it be that some bastard has been running ahead of me the whole time, taking all the treasures along the way?’
Once this thought came to mind, the more Hua Yan thought about it, the more reasonable it seemed.
After all, any discerning eye could see that the best treasures in the Scroll Secret Realm were definitely in the central palace area.
And the desert was on the west side of the island. It was likely that someone really had been flying east ahead of her, sweeping up all the demon beasts and treasures along the way.
‘Dammit! Which righteous bastard or rogue cultivator sneaked in dares to snatch Hua Yan’s opportunities all along!’
The red-haired girl, who never let herself be taken advantage of, gritted her teeth, her spiritual power surged again, and she abruptly increased her sword flying speed.
“When I catch up to you, I’ll make you pay!”
/
Inside the secret realm, volcano region. Crimson magma slowly flowed through the mountain’s fissures, casting the entire sky in a dull orange-red.
Scorching waves of heat mixed with the smell of sulfur rushed toward the face, making every breath burn with pain.
On the side of the most active volcanic crater, right next to the erupting magma, a massive cave entrance stood prominently.
The entrance was obscured by heat-distorted air, flickering in and out of sight, exuding an air of mystery.
At that moment, a sturdy figure with purple hair and another with golden hair arrived almost one after another in front of the largest volcanic crater.
“Oh my, isn’t this Brother Li? What a coincidence, meeting you here!”
The golden-haired youth cupped his hands and laughed heartily.
He was Chu Ming, the young sect master of Shenhuo Sect.
“Indeed, quite a coincidence, Chu Ming. I never expected the two of us would find this cave dwelling at the same time.”
Li Chengfeng, the young palace lord of Shenxiao Palace, nodded at him.
“Haha, I’m quite skilled in fire Dao arts, so I followed the path of dense fire spiritual power and found this place. I wonder how Brother Li found it?”
“I just killed the demon beasts on this volcano along the way, and wherever the beasts were stronger and more numerous, I charged in that direction.”
Li Chengfeng crossed his arms and snorted.
“In my experience, in secret realms like this, the stronger the demon beasts gathered, the better the treasures hidden there. And just like that, I found it.”
“As expected of Brother Li, I truly admire you.”
Chu Ming’s eyes lit up, and then he extended a hand in invitation.
“How about this: the two of us explore this cave dwelling together, distribute the treasures according to contribution, and also have a little competition on the side. What do you think?”
“Heh, then you’d better be prepared to lose.”
Li Chengfeng snorted again and, without further words, took the lead and walked into the scorching hot cave.
Chu Ming followed closely, a hint of an amused gleam flashing in his handsome eyes.
/
Inside the secret realm, dense forest region.
Ancient towering trees blocked out the sun, letting only scattered rays of sunlight filter through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
The humid air was filled with a mix of decaying leaves and floral scents.
Occasionally, unknown beast roars came from deep within, startling flocks of birds into flight.
Deep in the dense forest, a small tree no taller than a person stood quietly by the stream.
On its branches hung three pure white spirit fruits, radiating a faint glow.
Under the tree, a massive dark leopard lay crouched, its copper-bell-sized eyes half open, half closed.
On a large tree not far away, a fox-eared girl with bare feet and wearing a short jacket was stealthily lurking, her fox-like eyes fixed tightly on the leopard, calculating when to strike.
Suddenly, as if sensing something, the fox ears on her head twitched slightly.
She turned to look at another large tree and sent a telepathic message:
【This fairy, I was the one who spotted this Moonlight Spirit Fruit first. You lurking here in secret, trying to reap the benefits without effort—isn’t that inappropriate?】
On that tree, a female cultivator dressed in tight black attire was lying on a branch.
Startled by what she heard, she quickly replied via telepathy:
【Daoist Su misunderstands! I was merely passing by, sensed a strong fluctuation of spiritual energy, and came out of curiosity. I have absolutely no intention of competing for the fruit.】
【Oh? You recognize me? May I ask which sect this fairy belongs to? I find your face so unfamiliar.】
Su Feiyao flicked her tail and asked with a smile.
【As the Saintess of Hehuan Sect, your reputation is widespread. It’s natural that I recognize you.】
The black-clad female cultivator quickly replied:
【I am but a rogue cultivator with the Dharma name Zuiyue. Daoist Su may simply call me by my Dharma name.】
【Very well, Fairy Zuiyue.】
Su Feiyao nodded in greeting.
【By the way, Daoist Su, as you can see, there is a Dark Scale Mystic Leopard beside the spirit fruit. Its aura seems close to the Spirit Severing Stage. Dealing with it alone might be difficult for you.】
The black-clad female cultivator added earnestly:
【How about we join forces to deal with it? I won’t contend with you for the spirit fruit; I only hope you can share the demon beast’s core with me. That way, you can save some energy and continue exploring this secret realm.】
【Alright, then we’ll strike together in a moment.】
Su Feiyao agreed with a smile.
【I’ll have to trouble Fairy Zuiyue for her assistance.】
…
/
Meanwhile, similar events were unfolding throughout the secret realm.
The cultivators who had entered began to contact, test, and ally with one another.
Glacier region. In a vast expanse of ice and snow, Shangguan Yu, the saintess of Ice Lotus Pool, frowned slightly as she looked at the black-haired burly man who had suddenly appeared before her, naked from the waist up with muscles rippling all over.
Swamp region. Poisonous miasma filled the area, and swamps grew everywhere.
Qu Linglong, the cardinal of Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, was walking side by side with a short child in a Daoist robe.
They chatted and laughed, seemingly having reached some agreement.
Inside the secret realm, hilly region. Jagged stone forests pierced the sky like swords and halberds.
Gray-white rock pillars were riddled with holes and cracks from years of erosion.
Mountain winds blew through them, emitting low moans.
A few scattered dead trees stubbornly poked out from the rock crevices, their twisted branches casting sinister shadows in the sunlight, making this mountainous area even more desolate and mysterious.
Here, a blue-haired girl with a frown was looking at the person blocking her path.
She was dressed luxuriously, with transparent ear fins behind her ears.
She was Lan Cangyue, the young pavilion master of Tinghai Pavilion:
“Daoist Hui Guan, why are you blocking my way here?”
The person standing before her had a big head and big ears, kind eyebrows and kind eyes, and wore a golden-red kasaya.
He was Hui Guan, the Buddha Son of Compassionate Boat Zen Temple, one of the Three Buddhist Sects.
“Hehehe, I only wish to ask for something from Benefactor Lan.”
Hui Guan held a zen staff and pressed one palm before him, bowing slightly to Lan Cangyue.
“What treasure do you need, Daoist?”
Lan Cangyue frowned, as if puzzled:
“I did find some rare ores here just now. If you are willing to exchange using spirit stones or other items of equivalent value, I could part with them.”
“Ores? No, no, no.”
Hui Guan waved his hand, his smile still genial, that round, harmless face resembling the laughing Buddha enshrined in temples:
“I wish to ask for something else, not such vulgar items.”
“But since Benefactor Lan is so generous, why not hand over your life to me instead? How about that?”