“Damn!”
Yang Xiong roared.
He had come to participate in the Shenxiao Secret Realm with a mission: seize the Mystic Realm Core, then use the improved Soul Search Technique to extract the Martial Arts Manuals from within the core.
Of course, the one he called Zhao Ge was Zhao Zi’ang, who had carefully planned for this day.
But since each person could only enter the secret realm once, he could only send Yang Xiong.
Relying on his memories from the first time, he knew how to avoid the illusions using the Mnemonic Chant.
That was why Yang Xiong was able to act as he pleased inside the secret realm.
As for the Soul Search Technique—
It was because Zhao Zi’ang had somehow learned that the Shenxiao Secret Realm’s core possessed self-awareness, almost like a person.
Naturally, it was possible to use the Soul Search Technique to extract its memories.
Yang Xiong panted heavily, sweat streaming down his forehead as he stared intently at the small Flag before him.
The flag’s face was triangular, glaringly yellow, embroidered with a few crooked Jin Wen he couldn’t decipher.
This thing was actually the Mystic Realm Core?
Cursing under his breath, he lunged fiercely, but the Flag slipped away like a slick eel.
The flagpole even wobbled on purpose, like a little brat grinning at him, and said, “Come catch me, dummy!”
Yang Xiong stamped his feet in fury and chased after it again, swinging his arms until they ached, but he still couldn’t even touch its edge.
“I don’t believe I can’t catch this damned little flag!”
He growled, bracing himself, and charged at the fluttering little yellow Flag once more!
This time, he went all in, hurling himself at it like a stone.
Just as he was about to touch it, the little yellow Flag that had been toying with him suddenly froze.
The flag’s face turned sharply, as if strongly attracted by something else, completely ignoring Yang Xiong as he pounced.
A great chance!
Yang Xiong was overjoyed, not caring why the Flag was distracted. Seizing the moment, he shot out his arm like lightning!
“Hahaha! Got you! I finally caught you!”
His rough, calloused hand clamped tightly around the warm flagpole. Yang Xiong couldn’t help but burst out laughing, his face full of triumph.
“Let’s see you act all smug now! Think you can escape me? Behave yourself!”
He grinned viciously, raising his left hand and swiftly forming a strange Qi Jue, a dark light flickering at his fingertips.
“Hurry up! Spit out all the good stuff you’ve got!”
However, the little Flag he’d caught suddenly began to tremble violently, the golden runes on its face flaring with blinding light!
Buzz—!
An unstoppable, overwhelming force exploded from the flag!
Blazing golden light burst forth. Yang Xiong felt an immense, irresistible force slam into his chest!
“Ugh—!”
It was like a giant invisible hand had smacked him away. He flew backwards, tumbling across the ground several times before coming to a stop.
“Cough… cough, cough…”
Clutching his stifled chest, Yang Xiong pushed himself up. It didn’t actually hurt much, but that force was so powerful it had flung him several meters.
He spat, glaring hatefully at the Flag still floating in the distance, golden light still swirling around it.
“Hmph! I knew you had no offensive power, only that bounce-back trick! Otherwise, I wouldn’t have dared come!”
The golden Flag seemed not to hear his complaint, or perhaps simply didn’t care.
Its tip swiveled slightly, as if making a final confirmation of whatever had caught its attention, then—“whoosh”—it turned into a streak of light, shooting unhesitatingly into the depths of the cave, vanishing around the corner in a flash, leaving only the fading golden glow and a dumbstruck Yang Xiong.
……
At the same time, Xu Qianlan couldn’t sit still any longer and stood up.
She no longer cared about Yun Yan’s reputation—she just wanted to rescue Jiang Che as soon as possible.
“Zongzhu! Hurry and open the secret realm, get everyone out!”
Yun Yan, hearing this, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
He was already trying his best to contact the Mystic Realm Core, but there was simply no response.
But he wasn’t about to lose face in front of everyone.
Besides, this was an artifact left by the founder. Even if the secret realm had no real offensive power, its properties were very unusual.
It had lasted tens of thousands of years without disappearing. With their current strength, it would probably take at least two people to tear open even a small gap.
“First Seat Xu, please be patient. The trial isn’t over yet. Let’s wait, just a bit longer.”
“Yes, we can’t let one person hold up everyone’s trial. If that’s unacceptable, then the child can only be eliminated!” said Feng Ze.
Xu Qianlan felt bitterness she couldn’t speak. Jiang Che was completely innocent—he never should have been here!
Even Luo Yan smiled and said, “That’s right, First Seat Xu. This is a test, a stroke of fate. How could we interfere?
Frankly, this secret realm is quite something. Yun Zongzhu, can the Holy Demon Sect borrow it sometime?”
Just then, a Disciple suddenly cried out.
“What is that?”
Xu Qianlan immediately looked over. Inside the Crystal Ball, Little White had already stood up.
At that moment, Little White seemed to sense something odd with Jiang Che. It gently nuzzled him with its head, but got no response.
It suddenly lifted its head and stared ahead, rising to its feet with a low growl!
As if it had sensed something.
“Roar!!!”
A deep roar once more!
The little Flag that had been entangled with Yang Xiong flew over at that moment, facing off with Little White.
Neither gave way to the other!
After a moment, Little White seemed to understand something and cautiously stepped back several paces.
Golden light flowed across the Flag, streaming one after another into Jiang Che’s body.
His previously shattered state of mind was actually slowly healing and stabilizing in that golden light.
Outside the secret realm, Luo Yan couldn’t help but exclaim, “Yun Zongzhu! Your secret realm is too miraculous—it can directly repair a broken state of mind?”
Yun Yan forced an awkward smile. “Yes.”
But he was just as surprised inside—this was his first time seeing it happen.
He’d always controlled the secret realm himself, but today, it seemed to have a will of its own.
Yun Yan stroked his white beard, carefully watching the scene.
Could it be because of Jiang Che?
Xu Qianlan let out a breath of relief upon seeing this. She really couldn’t imagine what she’d do if something happened to Jiang Che.
Once Jiang Che’s condition gradually stabilized, leaning against Little White with steady breaths, Little White nuzzled Jiang Che again.
At that moment, the small Flag floating in mid-air trembled slightly.
The golden light on its face split into dozens of tiny streams, each one weaving precisely into the foreheads of the boys and girls lying or standing around—everyone except Jiang Che and a few others.
On the high platform, Luo Yan had been watching the Crystal Ball intently. Seeing this, he stroked his chin with one hand.
A flash of understanding and envy crossed his eyes as he clicked his tongue.
“So that’s how they transmit suitable Martial Arts Manuals to those kids, eh? Tsk, tsk, only the Shenxiao Sect could manage such a feat!
And those without golden light—that means… they failed this trial and can’t enter the Shenxiao Sect, right?”
Yun Yan nodded.
He gave a small nod, his tone calm: “Yes, something like that. It means their path, at least for now, doesn’t lie within the Dao Lineage of my Shenxiao Sect.”
As he spoke, his gaze lingered ever-so-briefly on Jiang Che.
The boy had already received Inheritance here before; logically, the Mystic Realm Core wouldn’t give him anything more this time.
Sure enough, none of the golden light was directed at Jiang Che.
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.