Chapter 1380 - 714: Be Extra Cautious

"The Secret Realm will open in five days."

Gu Sheng made the decision.

"We will enter at the first opportunity to gain the upper hand."

Situ Qingfeng smiled.

"Just as I hoped. I have some understanding of the internal structure of the Secret Realm and can guide you to avoid most of the traps."

"Then, in these few days..."

Ye Jianjia looked outside the courtyard worriedly.

"Keep a low profile and observe the movements of all parties."

Gu Sheng said in a deep voice.

"Especially pay attention to Shen Qingyun and the Sun and Moon Sect’s movements."

After discussing for a moment, Gu Sheng and Ye Jianjia transformed back into the appearance of ordinary Martial Artists and quietly left the small courtyard, mingling with the crowd on the outskirts of the village.

Situ Qingfeng stood under an ancient tree outside the village, moonlight filtering through the leaves to cast mottled shadows on his face.

He moved his fingertip slightly, and an invisible sound wave penetrated the night, accurately reaching Gu Sheng’s ear.

"Gu, may I have a word with you?"

Situ Qingfeng’s voice sounded by Gu Sheng’s ear, using a technique of crafting sounds into lines, undetectable by others.

Gu Sheng raised his brow slightly, glancing at Ye Jianjia who was organizing her belongings beside him, and said softly.

"I’ll step out for a moment."

Ye Jianjia waved her hand without lifting her head.

"Go, but don’t wander too far. This place is full of mixed characters."

Gu Sheng nodded, his figure disappearing like a phantom from the spot, reaching Situ Qingfeng’s side with a few leaps.

"Situ, what brings you to call on me late at night?"

Gu Sheng got straight to the point, his gaze piercing as he stared at the other.

Situ Qingfeng did not immediately answer but retrieved an ancient Jade Talisman from his bosom, lightly tracing his finger across it. A soundproofing barrier instantly formed. After completing this, he spoke in a deep voice.

"This concerns the core of the Secret Realm, and caution is necessary."

Gu Sheng’s eyes showed surprise.

"Oh? I would like to hear more."

"Inside the Secret Realm is the Daoist Rhythm left by my late mother."

Situ Qingfeng’s voice was low and hoarse, his eyes filled with pain.

"It can suppress the cultivation of entrants to the Spirit Martial Realm."

Gu Sheng’s pupils shrank suddenly.

"Spirit Martial Realm? This is..."

"When my mother died in battle, I was only at the Spirit Martial Realm."

Situ Qingfeng let out a bitter smile.

"The restriction she left behind was perhaps to protect me."

Gu Sheng’s face grew as serious as iron.

"To set such a restriction, your mother must have been at least at the Peak of the Venerable Realm in her lifetime."

Situ Qingfeng did not deny it, just nodded lightly.

"This secret is known only to the two of us at the moment."

The night wind rustled the leaves.

Gu Sheng remained silent for a moment, then suddenly asked.

"Why tell me this?"

"Because we need collaboration."

Light flashed in Situ Qingfeng’s eyes.

"Shen Qingyun, seventh level of the Heavenly Martial Realm, hired by the Lu Family, is lying in wait for us here."

"Seventh level of the Heavenly Martial Realm?"

Gu Sheng frowned tightly.

"Against such power, even together we stand no chance."

"Indeed, outside the Secret Realm."

Situ Qingfeng’s lips curled into a cold smile.

"But inside the Secret Realm, everyone’s cultivation will be suppressed to the Spirit Martial Realm. This is our sole chance for a counterattack."

Thought flickered in Gu Sheng’s eyes as his fingers rubbed unconsciously against the hilt of his sword.

"Have you considered the consequences of killing a disciple from the Inner Courtyard of the Great Wilderness Holy Academy?"

"Naturally."

Situ Qingfeng’s voice was icy cold.

"Therefore, the action must be secret, leaving no trace."

The two shared a look for a moment before Gu Sheng finally nodded slowly.

"Alright, I agree to collaborate. However, if the situation becomes unmanageable, I will withdraw immediately."

"As it should be."

Situ Qingfeng took out a talisman glowing with a silvery light from his bosom.

"This is a Directional Transmission Talisman, allowing instant escape from danger. The last time we collaborated, my lack of foresight nearly got you killed. This time, I won’t let you down."

Gu Sheng accepted the talisman, feeling the space power contained within it, and nodded slightly.

"Thank you."

"Prepare for the secret realm’s opening in five days."

Situ Qingfeng said, then waved to remove the soundproofing barrier, his figure dissipating into the night like smoke.

Gu Sheng stood where he was, gazing in the direction in which Situ Qingfeng vanished, his expression changing. After a moment, he turned and returned to his quarters.

"How did the talk go?"

Ye Jianjia, having organized her belongings, was meditating on a mat and opened one eye to ask upon Gu Sheng’s return.

Sitting across from her, Gu Sheng said softly.

"It was about some clues regarding the Secret Realm."

Ye Jianjia pursed her lips.

"What kind of clues are so secretive that they require a private conversation?"

"Situ Qingfeng doesn’t trust you."

Gu Sheng spoke candidly.

"But it doesn’t matter; we need to prepare for the Secret Realm’s opening in five days."

Ye Jianjia scrutinized Gu Sheng for a while, her intuition telling her that things were not as simple as they seemed, but she ultimately just shrugged.

"Do as you please. I don’t have much fondness for that guy anyway."

Gu Sheng smiled and said nothing more. Both of them sat down to meditate and cultivate.

As the day of the Secret Realm’s opening approached, the spiritual energy around the village became increasingly dense. Martial Artists from all directions flocked here, and within a few days, tens of thousands had gathered around the village.

Some came for the chance in the Secret Realm, while many more were attracted by the rare opportunity of this cultivation paradise.

"This level of spiritual energy is three parts stronger than our sect’s cultivation chamber."

Ye Jianjia said with a face full of delight.

Gu Sheng nodded.

"Indeed, it’s rare."

The two spent three hundred high-grade Spirit Stones to purchase temporary accommodation rights to a simple stone house from a Loose Cultivator. The interior was minimally furnished, with only two stone beds and a mat, but it was quiet.

"Finally, a place to settle down."

Ye Jianjia stretched lazily.

"Sleeping outdoors these days has nearly left my bones falling apart."

Gu Sheng didn’t respond, directly moving to sit cross-legged in front of the mat, closing his eyes in meditation.

Seeing this, Ye Jianjia also stopped speaking, silently moving to the other stone bed to begin her cultivation.