At the Qixia Court, an extremely powerful aura suddenly erupted, attracting the attention of a crowd of disciples.
âWhatâs going on?â
âItâs Senior Brother Yang. Heâs come out of seclusion!â
âThatâs right. The trip to the secret realm is about to happen, so he needs to prepare properly.â
â
Ah,
Senior Brother Yang looks even more handsome now!â
âDonât be so infatuated. Do you think someone like him would even spare you a glance?â
Amid the discussions, a tall and imposing figure appeared before everyone. He was handsome, with a cold and stern expression. The white robe he wore added an extra touch of heroic spirit. He was Yang Lin, the chief disciple of the Qixia Court and the young master of the Yang family.
The crowd bowed in unison. âGreetings, Senior Brother!â
Yang Lin responded indifferently, not even glancing at the crowd as he strode away.
Within the crowd, a pretty female disciple seemed curious. âHeâs so arrogant,
huh?
â
In front, a female cultivator turned around with a serious expression. âZhi Xuan, youâve just entered the sect, so you might not know. Senior Brother Yang is not only the chief disciple of the Qixia Court, but also the young master of the Yang family. Moreover, he possesses a natural Green Wood Spirit Physique. Of course he has the right to be arrogant!â
The female disciple named Zhi Xuan appeared naive and clueless. âReally? He sounds impressive!â
Another female cultivator glared at her fiercely. âNonsense! Senior Brother Yang is the
most
impressive!â
âExactly! Senior Brother Yang is the pride of the Qixia Court!â
âIf I hear you say such words again, watch yourself!â
Facing everyoneâs rebukes, Zhi Xuan seemed a bit frightened, her eyes brimming with tears. âIâm sorry... I didnât mean it...â
The female cultivator from earlier sighed. âForget it! Donât say such things in the future! Even though youâve just entered, with your aptitude and strength, you might have a chance to compete for a spot to enter the secret realm. You must do your best, understand?â
Zhi Xuan lowered her head, rubbing her eyes. âYes! I will work hard, Senior Sister!â
Everyoneâs attention was on Yang Lin. Naturally, no one noticed the faint, dark light that flickered in Zhi Xuanâs eyes.
***
At the Meng estate, Meng Chuanâs face was filled with grief and indignation. âOld Ancestor, the Meng family is finished!â
The spirit herbs hidden within the secret realm were not merely wealth, but the roots upon which the Meng familyâs foundation rested. Now that they had been looted clean, it was undoubtedly a fatal blow to the Meng family.
At the height of his fury, all expression drained from Meng Qingâs face. âInvestigate! Whether itâs the person who stole from the secret realm or the one who spread false information, investigate carefully!â
Meng Chuanâs face twisted. âI knew it! It has to be Fu Fatty!â
Meng Qing suddenly roared, âI donât care who he is! Mobilize the entire clan if necessary. We must find him, whatever the price!â
Beside him, Meng Xing was much calmer. âOld Ancestor, even if we can find out, our losses are already irreparable.â
The dead clansmen couldnât come back to life, the lost spirit herbs couldnât grow back, and the Meng familyâs strength had been halved.
Thinking about how their family had been jointly attacked by several families within the relic site, Meng Qingâs face twisted again. âHow loathsome!!! Those people are all responsible! If the Meng family is ruined, they shouldnât think theyâll escape unscathed! Xingâer, how is your cultivation progressing?â
Meng Xing was extremely confident. âIâm at the ninth stage of Spirit Profound. Within the Northern Domain, I am invincible against those below the Soaring Realm!â
Meng Qing stared at him intently. âThatâs good! Show no mercy once you enter the secret realm! If any problems arise, I will bear the responsibility for you. The Meng familyâs foundation is gone, so their foundations shouldnât remain either. Understood?â
Meng Xing hesitated a bit. âOld Ancestor, what about the Fengwu Courtââ
Meng Qing shook his head. âIgnore them for now! Iâve already asked. Fu Fatty is not Zuo Yang. However, if that so-called chief disciple doesnât know his limits and also enters the secret realm, just kill him along with the others!â
âUnderstood!â
***
At the Yang estate, Yang Tong stared at Yang Lin before him. âHave you remembered my words?â
Yang Lin bowed respectfully. âYes!â
Yang Tong nodded. âGood. Donât worry about the Soul-Nourishing Grass matter. As long as that place remains, I can cultivate another one for you. You just need to remember: donât hold back when you enter the secret realm.â
âWhat about the Meng family...â
âCooperate with them! I will go to the Meng family shortly! Since our losses are so great, then no one should think theyâll get off easily!â
Yang Lin bowed again. âUnderstood. I will show no mercy!â
âVery good. You may leave now.â
However, Yang Lin didnât move. âOld Ancestor, Iâve learned about Yang Feiâs matter. If that person also enters the secret realm, I will kill him.â
Yang Tong looked deeply at him. âGood. Originally, I didnât intend to spare his life either.â
***
Outside the cave, Yang Ying returned in less than half an hour, already fully recovered as if nothing had happened.
Murong Yan couldnât help but ask. âYang Guy, where did you go?â
Yang Ying didnât reply. If the Meng family is ruined, they shouldnât think theyâll escape unscathed. Shen Xuan, who was more observant, noticed that the man was somewhat different. Yang Yingâs cultivation seemed to have increased. Still, since Yang Ying clearly didnât want to talk about it, Shen Xuan didnât press further.
Right at that moment, Gu Hanâs aura surged from deep inside the cave. He was now at the fifth stage of Essence Gathering.
Shen Xuan looked surprised. âThis is too fast.â
Soon, he realized that he had spoken too soon. Over the following period, the three thoroughly experienced what it meant for cultivation to advance by leaps and bounds each day, and for breaking through realms to be as easy as eating and drinking.
Every few days, Gu Han would break through to the next minor realm, until his cultivation finally halted at the eighth stage of Essence Gathering. In spite of his Supreme Stage, the accumulated, violent spirit power had been fully refined into his spirit pool.
Gu Han let out a light breath and slowly stood up. As he walked to the outer area, he happened to see the three of them looking dazed.
He was taken aback. âWhatâs wrong?â
Shen Xuan said seriously, âBrother Gu, I believe it now. You really do have the Poison Immunity Physique!â
He could sense that although Gu Han broke through realms extremely quickly, the occasional trace of spirit power that leaked out was extremely pure, not at all affected by the spirit herbsâ impurities. In fact, it was even purer than spirit power cultivated using spirit sources.
Murong Yan stroked her chin, seemingly hesitant. âMaybe after I return, I should also try this method?â
Gu Han thought for a moment. âBetter not! Physiques differ from person to person. You canât generalize it.â
Murong Yan was speechless.
Upon seeing the others chatting and laughing, Yang Ying couldnât hold back anymore. âHavenât you forgotten something?â
â
Hmm?
Forgotten? Now that you mention it, it seems we reallyâoh no!â Shen Xuan was taken aback. Halfway through his sentence, his eyes widened. âTodayâs the day the secret realm opens!â
The moment his words fell, Gu Han was already the first to rush out.