Chapter 275 - 274: Heading West, A Chance Discovery

Do you have a girlfriend?

What do you think about me?

These two questions in a row from Serlina caught Li Jing off guard.

It wasn’t that he didn’t understand.

But he didn’t quite get why she asked them.

Just a moment ago, Serlina was grumpy because of backache, delighted by the spiritual liquid from God Kingdom. Why did it lead to this topic?

Looking at her astonished, Li Jing spoke.

"You’re nice, but maybe we shouldn’t joke about these things."

With his serious answer, Serlina blinked and said.

"I’m actually asking you. It’s not a joke."

She nonchalantly gave a little laugh as she spoke.

"You must understand that among billions of people on Blue Star, only about 2% can reach the Late Six Realm. Putting men aside, even for women who have reached this realm without considering age and nationality, it’s hard to find a compatible partner."

Li Jing was speechless.

What Serlina said pointed out a harsh reality.

Usually, men who choose a spouse don’t demand their partners to have a higher cultivation level than themselves.

However, it’s different for women...

They might not care about the age difference or nationality, but they usually demand their partner to be more excellent and stronger. Otherwise, it could be viewed as living on a woman’s expense.

Even if women are willing to support, men would feel pressured being less capable. Over time, the accumulation of stress could lead to mental changes.

Various factors lead to a situation where the more outstanding and stronger a woman is, the harder it is for her to find a partner.

It’s not about being fussy.

From a rational perspective, it’s because women with excellent conditions simply cannot find suitable partners.

Understanding Serlina’s point, Li Jing finally got it.

She had a fight with him, then benefited from him, and figured he wasn’t bad.

Wait...

What was that?

Li Jing was a bit speechless.

The openness of Western women was not just a stereotypical statement.

Would Eastern women be so forthright if they found someone decent?

Smiling, Li Jing thought he should give a proper reply, and then said.

"I am married and have a wife, so... "

Before he finished, Serlina exclaimed in surprise.

"You’re already married? Aren’t you just twenty-two?"

She sighed regretfully and said,

"What a pity, I quite fancied you."

At her words, Li Jing grinned and waved his hand.

"All right, let’s stop this. We should discuss our issues. We are currently a hundred kilometers west of the ruins. Because you were unconscious, I didn’t go any further. It’s not certain where the alien that escaped from the spatial passage of the ruins is now, so we need to figure out how to find it."

On the topic of business, Serlina responded without dragging the subject,

"The Big Secret Realm is infinitely vast. We only know that the alien is headed westward. So it is challenging to find it. Fortunately, it’s highly probable that its objective is to open an outer exit connected to the spatial passage. It won’t run too far."

Continuing, she said,

"The limit of my Spiritual World’s coverage is twenty kilometers. Within this range, I can clearly detect any living creature that breathes. The alien is humanoid, which is vastly different from humans. Also, its physical stature is approximately two meters like Native Living Beings in the secret realm. So, it will not be too hard to distinguish. We can use a brute force method of carpet searching within a ten-kilometer radius. With a sufficient speed of Sky Control, we can sweep across the area."

Listening to her words made Li Jing raise his eyebrows.

With the limit of Serlina’s Spiritual World coverage being twenty kilometers, it certainly makes things a lot easier. She was indeed as useful as he had thought.

This human-shape scanner was helpful indeed.

From Serlina, Li Jing also learned that the alien who silently escaped from the spatial passage of the ruins is a humanoid approximately two meters tall.

It turns out, the alien was of a Seventh Realm.

As for its species, that remained uncertain.

After all, the entire alien species consisted of various humanoid entities.

The Giants, who closely resemble humans in appearance, has the ability to change their form.

After a moment of silence, Li Jing said.

"Ok. Let’s do as you suggest. Let’s use the brute force method. However, there’s something you need to take note of. In alien civilization, the height directly links to their realm strength. Two meters indicates that it’s a Seventh Realm."

"Seventh Realm?"

Serlina expressed her surprise. She hadn’t expected that the alien she had unintentionally detected outside the spatial passage of the ruins was this powerful.

After a moment of hesitation, she spoke.

"The enemy is of the Seventh Realm, I may not be able to help much. Once we find them, you, who are also of the Seventh Realm, would probably have to deal with them."

Also of the Seventh Realm?

Li Jing frowned.

When have I become of the Seventh Realm?

However, he soon realized what she meant.

Serlina’s spiritual world is exceptional, she may not be able to discern appearances or the nature of the power within others, but her insight is powerful.

It must have been when I used spiritual power to strengthen myself and the spirits within me acted up, thus giving her a clue."

"No problem, I will take care of that Alien Species."

Li Jing replied with a smile.

"Another thing to clarify, I’m not of the Seventh Realm, I’m still in the middle of the Sixth Realm."

Some misunderstandings can be left unexplained, but this point must be cleared up.

Those of the Seventh Realm can’t interfere casually, that’s an international convention.

Li Jing trusts that Serlina will not run off at the mouth, but just in case, it would mean big trouble for Longyu.

Upon hearing Li Jing’s words, Serlina paused, then widened her eyes to look at him.

When he made his move earlier, she clearly sensed the spirit within Li Jing, hence, figured that he was of the Seventh Realm.

Now that Li Jing is claiming he’s not of the Seventh Realm, how is she supposed to accept that?

But when it comes to his cultivation level, Li Jing obviously had no reason to lie to her.

There were no benefits in lying to her...

So.

Where did the spirit within Li Jing come from?

Seeing Serlina’s wide-eyed stare, as if trying to see through him, Li Jing shrugged and told her outright.

"The spirit within me was obtained by luck, not through cultivation. I can’t explain this in detail, I hope you understand."

Serlina nodded at his words.

It’s considered rude and taboo to delve into someone else’s cultivation method, this is a common understanding.

Since he refused to elaborate, she naturally wouldn’t ask again.

However, she became even more curious about Li Jing.

There is no doubt of Li Jing’s strength.

Just a direct collision using body as a weapon was enough to make her almost incapacitated.

He’s only in the middle of the Sixth Realm, while she’s in the late stages of the Sixth Realm...

Serlina didn’t think this transformation could merely be attributed to his spirit.

Fighting through flesh is the weakness of the Orthodox Immortality Path.

Even if one possesses a spirit, one’s body wouldn’t be that strong under normal circumstances.

Li Jing didn’t seem to see the alien from the Seventh Realm as a threat, expressing his confidence that he could handle it.

This shows his absolute confidence in his power, capable of taking down someone from Seventh Realm.

Such a thing is almost unthinkable if it were someone else.

Where would someone in the middle of the Sixth Realm find the confidence to not fear someone from the Seventh Realm?

But Serlina, who had experienced Li Jing’s combat prowess, had no doubt about his ability.

If he’s already so powerful just using his physical body for combat, how terrifying would Li Jing be if he reveals his true proficiency of Orthodox Immortality Path?

At this moment, Serlina looked at Li Jing with a mixture of curiosity and envy.

Let’s not discuss how strong Li Jing actually is for now.

The spirit he possesses.

This is a power only those of the Seventh Realm should possess, something unusual.

Yet, he’s only in the middle of the Sixth Realm and already has it by a stroke of luck, is he favored by the heavens?

After explaining that he is not of the Seventh Realm, Li Jing spoke again.

"Let’s go. The Alien Species from the Spatial Passage has been moving about in the Big Secret Realm for quite some time, and you’ve been unconscious for more than two hours. We wouldn’t know where it is currently or what it’s up to. It’s best to hurry or things could change."

"Okay."

Serlina complied, before adding.

"By the way, if I have to expand my spiritual world to its utmost limit, I need to enter a meditative state. You’ll have to guide me while we fly."

Upon hearing this, Li Jing frowned, he nodded his head and waved his hand, conjuring a house-built spirit weapon by his side.

Serlina was surprised at the sight.

There are many ways to shape weapons out of pure energy, but it was her first time seeing one in the form of a house.

Li Jing showing this ability meant that the house was capable of flight.

Normally speaking, similar means would require the throwing and detonation of condensed objects...

Seeing Li Jing push the door and go in, Serlina followed into the house, looked around, and praised.

"I knew that Eastern Magic System was subtle, but your method is quite extraordinary, able to condense even a house, this is just too convenient."

"Just a little trick."

Li Jing smiled and took out a cushion from the storage space and placed it on the ground.

"Sit down, we are setting off."

Seeing the soft cushion available to sit on instead of the floor, Serlina smilled and answered okay, sat down, closed her eyes, and entered a meditative state.

...

With the help of the breath of fairy spirit within the spiritual power, the efficacy of the magic skill in Li Jing’s hand increased a lot. Spirit Soldier Break has significantly increased in terms of power, speed, and stability.

The speed of riding spirit soldiers alone can now compete with the speed of ordinary Late Six Realm riding a five-level spirit weapon.

Once on the road, Li Jing estimated Serlina’s 20-kilometer sensing radius to walk in a north and south trend, constantly moving horizontally to the west, trying to completely cover the corresponding relic direction to the west.

This way of moving, it must be said, is somewhat inefficient.

But with fast enough Sky Control speed support, the actual search speed is not slow.

...

In a blink of an eye, more than an hour passed.

Li Jing, guided by Serlina’s south and north trends, searched for a very long distance to the west.

During the search, the two didn’t see any signs of Alien Species quietly emerging from the Spatial Passage. Instead, they met many exploration teams sent by various forces. These teams were invariably heading back.

Li Jing didn’t pay any attention to this.

These exploration teams are not like the Heavenly King Group. Without the Linglong Tower leading them, they cannot guarantee progress speed.

Half a month has passed, and time no longer allows them to continue more exploration deep into the Secret Realm.

They kept heading west, and another two hours passed in a blink of an eye.

The sky gradually darkened, but the two still hadn’t found any trace of Alien Species.

Li Jing was very patient.

For this trip, he was prepared to spend quite a lot of time and be persistent in the long run, even preparing for pursuit of emptiness.

For Serlina’s spiritual world, the onset of night had no effect at all, and there was no need to consider stopping for the night.

While continuing to push westward, Serlina suddenly opened her eyes.

Li Jing noticed something and brought a halt to the spirit soldier to look over.

"Did you find something?"

Serlina shook her head, somewhat embarrassed as she twisted her body a little.

"I’m hungry, I can’t concentrate."

"..."

Li Jing.

This sudden hunger is quite provocative.

The Western Magic System couldn’t keep one from feeling hungry, but Serlina, being in the Late Six Realm, certainly had the ability to withstand hunger.

Just six hours ago, she had a barbecue meal at his place.

How is she hungry now?

And is she so hungry that she can’t concentrate?

This seems a bit off!

Glancing at Serlina’s slightly red face, Li Jing felt that instead of being hungry, perhaps she simply couldn’t sit still, or she was simply craving something tasty.

Without thinking much, Li Jing brought the spirit soldier to a halt.

"Let’s take a rest, I’ll prepare something for you to eat."

Serlina’s face brightened, and she quickly nodded.

"Rare opportunity, I want to eat Longyu’s home cooking."

"Ok."

Li Jing responded.

...

Soon, the two landed on a plain.

As soon as they landed, Serlina coughed.

"That’s... you get busy first, I’m going to leave for a while and I’ll be right back."

With that, she moved her feet, went Sky Control, and turned into a bright stream heading in the far west.

Li Jing was about to take out his cooking utensils, and was stunned to see this.

This is...

Why did she run off?

Why?

Li Jing’s brow furrowed.

Did Serlina find something she wanted to keep to herself?

This cannot be!

He didn’t particularly care about her discoveries, they could look together...

Halfway through the thought, Li Jing snapped to a realization.

Serlina didn’t leave because of something else, but seemingly because she had a physiological need...

The ability to purge the body’s impurities, similar to the fasting ritual practiced in Orthodox Immortality Path, isn’t present in all Cultivation Systems.

Both the Western Magic System and the Faith System lack this "function".

One system concentrates Magic Power while the other consolidates Faith Power, either system performs little on the physical body, which explains why both systems result in rather frail physical bodies.

He had overlooked this...

Realizing this, Li Jing reflected silently and looked blankly at the distant sky.

Serlina had truly run far...

That streak of light, she vanished from sight in the blink of an eye.

Even when relieving herself, was there a need to run that far?

What’s next?

Did she worry that he would peep?

Ignoring the fact that he didn’t have such a hobby, his Silent Shadow spell had no effect on Serlina...

Was it necessary?

Shaking his head, Li Jing started cooking with his pots and pans.

Even though he had to stop, he would still prepare a meal for Serlina.

...

Not long into preparing the meal, Serlina, having taken care of her physiological need, returned via Sky Control.

Upon landing, she immediately began to speak.

"Li Jing! I discovered an underground canyon to the southwest, and inside there’s a vast area of palace ruins!"

Upon hearing this, Li Jing paused his cooking and stared at her, brow furrowed.

"Ruins?"

"Yes."

Serlina answered, pointing towards the west.

"They’re about sixty kilometers away, covering a vast area. I didn’t dare to get too close myself, so I observed it in meditation through the Spiritual World. The ruins are quite similar in architectural style to what we observed near the entrance to the Secret Realm, and many structures are well preserved."

Speaking of it, she continued.

"I cannot ascertain the exact scale of the ruins, but I can confirm there are numerous large creatures moving within."

?

Li Jing.

Large creatures moving within the ruins?

Those are definitely giant beasts.

Were the ruins that Serlina discovered actively used by the Alien Civilization?

He glanced in the direction from which Serlina had come, a worried look crossed Li Jing’s face.

The giant beasts moving in the ruins were unlikely to come from the Seventh Realm Alien Species that escaped from the Spatial Passage earlier.

It took quite some time for the Spatial Passage to open and stabilize.

Li Jing recalled the first passage he encountered. It opened several hours after they detected spatial fluctuations and it showed no signs of opening when they first discovered it.

Thus.

The ruins that Serlina discovered are most likely inhabited by giant beasts returning from other Spatial Passages.

There must be an Alien Civilization in control if a multitude of beasts is gathering there.

But are they related to the ones who had been sealed?

The chances are high.

The ruins secretly hidden in the underground canyon are to the west of the entrance to the Secret Realm, just in the same direction where Serlina noticed the Alien Spaces through the Spatial Passage. The world might contain coincidences, but not to this extent.

Withdrawing his gaze, Li Jing said,

"You adjust your condition. After eating, we’ll go and see."

"Okay."

Serlina responded, she sat down and started to meditate, adjusting her state.