Chapter 9 - The Insane Speed of the Hongmeng Space!

“Senior Brother, why don’t you rest in the cave and recover your spiritual energy? I’ll stand guard at the entrance to make sure no passing cultivators disturb you. Once you’ve recovered, we can switch,” Fu Qu suggested.

“When did you become so cautious? This isn’t like you at all,” Xiao Yu teased.

“I learned it from you, alright? When travelling outside, it’s better to be careful. After what happened at Tianyao Gorge, I’m growing up too!” Fu Qu crossed her arms indignantly.

“Growing up? Where exactly have you grown? Let me take a closer look,” Xiao Yu said playfully as he circled her. His gaze briefly fell to her upper body, and he laughed. “No changes at all. Well, maybe one thing got bigger—but your brain is still the same.”

“Ugh! You’re so annoying! Stop teasing me!” Fu Qu pouted, her face turning crimson.

“Alright, alright, don’t get mad. I’m just joking. I’ll head into the cave first, so stand guard out here, and shout if anything happens,” Xiao Yu said with a smile before walking into the cave.

Fu Qu nodded, then stood at the entrance. She retrieved eight array flags from her storage pouch and planted them around the cave. If anyone attacked, the array would serve as a layer of protection.

Inside the cave, Xiao Yu sat cross-legged on a stone and commanded the system in his mind.

“System, I want to enter the

Hongmeng Space.

”

Host, the Hongmeng Space exists within your mind. Simply close your eyes and focus your thoughts to enter or exit at will

, the system explained.

“Alright, let’s give it a try.”

Xiao Yu nodded, closed his eyes, and activated his thoughts. A sensation of his body being pulled away washed over him.

When he opened his eyes again, the cave had disappeared. Instead, he found himself surrounded by a dazzling, otherworldly space.

“So, this is the

Hongmeng Space

?” Xiao Yu murmured in awe.

He stood at the centre of the void, his surroundings shimmering with vibrant hues and chaotic patterns. There was no ground beneath his feet, no sky above his head—only endless emptiness, devoid of directions like north, south, east, or west. It was a space that defied comprehension, as though it had existed before the universe itself had formed.

“What a mysterious world,” Xiao Yu whispered in wonder.

His amazement faded quickly as he focused on the task at hand. Retrieving three Qi-Gathering Pills, he swallowed them in one go and resumed a cross-legged posture, beginning to refine the pill’s medicinal power.

In the

Hongmeng Space,

time flowed ten times faster than in the outside world. This meant that Xiao Yu’s recovery speed was ten times greater as well. The spiritual energy he had lost earlier was replenishing at an astonishing rate.

Within the span of a single incense stick’s time, Xiao Yu opened his eyes and stood up, brimming with energy.

“I’ve fully recovered already? This

Hongmeng Space

is absurdly powerful!” Xiao Yu exclaimed excitedly.

Remembering that Fu Qu was waiting outside, Xiao Yu wasted no time. He exited the

Hongmeng Space

and reappeared in the cave. Stepping out, he offered to switch places with her.

Fu Qu, lacking the assistance of the

Hongmeng Space,

took significantly longer to recover. She sat in meditation, consuming one pill after another. It wasn’t until the following morning that she emerged from the cave, her energy fully restored.

“Senior Brother, I’m ready now,” Fu Qu announced as she approached Xiao Yu.

Xiao Yu nodded and gazed into her eyes seriously. “Junior Sister, there’s no one else here besides us. Be honest—how do I usually treat you?”

“Senior Brother, you’ve always treated me wonderfully. Why are you asking this out of nowhere?” Fu Qu replied, confused.

“There’s something very important I need to tell you. I’ve thought long and hard about this, but you must promise to keep it a secret, even from Master. Can you do that?” Xiao Yu said solemnly, his eyes fixed on hers.

“What is it? Tell me first,” Fu Qu asked, still puzzled.

“A year ago, while I was travelling outside, I came across a high-grade magical artefact. It’s incredibly valuable, and I didn’t want to use it unless absolutely necessary. But the situation earlier was too dangerous, so I had no choice. You must keep this a secret for me,” Xiao Yu explained.

In truth, the

Seal of Mountains and Rivers

had come from the system. However, to hide the system’s existence, Xiao Yu concocted a more believable story.

“You mean that jade seal you used to smash that Wu guy is a high-grade artifact?” Fu Qu exclaimed, her eyes widening in disbelief. She had already suspected it when she saw its power, but hearing it confirmed left her amazed.

“Yes, it’s my greatest trump card. If Master asks about it in the future, you need to help me keep it a secret,” Xiao Yu said seriously.

There was no way the events at Tianyao Gorge could be concealed forever. However, as long as the

Seal of Mountains and Rivers

remained a secret, the system would remain safe.

“Don’t worry, I’ll keep the secret,” Fu Qu promised. “But if my father asks how we managed to kill a Golden Core cultivator, what should I say?”

“Just tell him that although Wu was in the Golden Core stage, his immortal root was damaged, so his strength wasn’t that high. The two of us worked together, and with the help of

One Leaf Obscures the Eye,

we managed to defeat him,” Xiao Yu replied confidently.

With an artifact like

One Leaf Obscures the Eye,

it was plausible for two Foundation Establishment cultivators to defeat a weakened Golden Core opponent. Hansu Zhenren would have no reason to doubt their story.

“Got it. I’ll remember,” Fu Qu said with a nod. She trusted Xiao Yu completely and didn’t question his words.