Chapter 129: Ancient Secret Realm
"Could it be about the three who got away two years ago? Is there a lead?" Zhang Chi continued.
He was referring to the three Tribulation Cultivators he had killed.
For the past two years, the Cangwu Sect had been searching for them, but of course, they hadn’t found a single trace.
"No. Those three have probably already fled the Demon Abyss, or maybe even died in some accident. Besides, Azure Dragon Master decided last month to temporarily halt the investigation," Chen Ling’er said, shaking her head.
The Azure Dragon Master she mentioned was the Golden Core guardian of Azure Dragon City.
This Golden Core Master had been brave and diligent even back in the Foundation Establishment Realm, voluntarily guarding the Demon Abyss for many years. He later encountered a great opportunity here, achieved his Golden Core in Azure Dragon City, and thus took the title Azure Dragon Master.
Afterward, he showed no intention of leaving, instead applying to become the official guardian of Azure Dragon City.
He then remained for over two hundred years, making him the longest-serving Golden Core guardian in the city’s history. Thus, his title of Azure Dragon Master was truly well-deserved.
"Then what is it?"
Zhang Chi asked again, his curiosity piqued.
"It’s a Secret Realm. Some cultivators near Shifang Immortal City discovered traces of an Ancient Secret Realm. The Ten Great Immortal Sects have taken over the matter now, and they’ve already made significant progress."
"I hear it won’t be long before this Secret Realm sees the light of day again. When that happens, disciples from the great sects like us will have a chance to explore it and find great opportunities..."
Chen Ling’Er had been buying Elixirs from Zhang Chi for a long time and knew him quite well, so she immediately told him everything she knew without reservation.
Although she was so excited that her account was a bit disorganized, Zhang Chi listened for a while and managed to piece together the details.
Half a year ago, a group of Loose Cultivators entered the Demon Abyss to hunt for treasures but were chased by a powerful Demon Beast. While fleeing, one of them accidentally stumbled into an Illusion Array at the edge of a Secret Realm.
Fortunately, the cultivator was carrying a Breaking Charm and was also quite lucky, managing to escape alive.
Later, the cultivator gathered some companions and made thorough preparations to return. However, their attempt yielded no rewards and resulted in heavy casualties. At the same time, news of the place was accidentally leaked and reached the major Immortal Sects.
Consequently, the major Immortal Sects dispatched Golden Core Powerhouses to seal off the Secret Realm.
They quickly investigated and determined that the Secret Realm was most likely a massive Medicinal Garden established by an Ancient Sect.
The Medicinal Garden had been abandoned due to the subsequent expansion of the Demon Abyss. But since it had remained untouched for ages, it was sure to be filled with countless precious Spirit Medicines.
Unfortunately, the outskirts of this Secret Realm weren’t just protected by an Illusion Array; behind it lay a Killing Array and a Protective Array.
These Arrays were all high-level and connected to the Secret Realm itself. Forcibly destroying them would surely cause the realm to collapse.
Therefore, not even the top masters of the major Immortal Sects could force their way in.
Fortunately, the major Immortal Sects were not to be trifled with. They quickly gathered a large number of array experts to study and crack the Arrays, and they have made excellent progress.
Recently, although the Arrays haven’t been completely dismantled, they’ve successfully opened up a few passages.
However, these passages are unstable and cannot withstand strong energy fluctuations. For now, only cultivators below the Golden Core Realm can pass through, and even then, only in limited numbers.
Furthermore, the major Immortal Sects have used this opportunity to learn more about the Secret Realm.
For instance, the Secret Realm is vast. The closer one gets to the center, the more numerous and higher-level the Spirit Medicines are, but it is also far more dangerous.
This is because, for some unknown reason, the Secret Realm is not only home to Spirit Medicine but also many Demon Beasts.
However, its outer regions are relatively safe; even Qi Cultivation Cultivators can manage if they are careful.
On top of that, the major Immortal Sects want to acquire more Spirit Medicine and also want their disciples to gain practical experience.
Therefore, they have already reached a preliminary agreement to organize a joint exploration mission involving all ten sects.
Participants must have a Cultivation below the Golden Core Realm, and there will be a set number of slots for both Foundation Establishment and Qi Cultivation cultivators.
Furthermore, because the exploration is quite dangerous, signing up won’t be difficult; in fact, the Sect will offer generous rewards.
Of course, the specific details haven’t been finalized yet. The information Chen Ling’Er had was essentially inside news.
Getting this news early meant they could make preparations in advance.
"I’ve already decided to do whatever it takes to get a spot on this mission. It’s the only way to ensure I reach Foundation Establishment before I turn thirty. Junior Brother Zhang, will you go with me?" Chen Ling’Er concluded.
She had come over this time for two reasons: she had just run out of Elixirs, and she wanted to tell Zhang Chi about this opportunity.
"Aren’t you afraid of the danger? With your background, I don’t see why you need to risk so much," Zhang Chi said, confused.
"You don’t understand my situation. On the surface, I’m a family cultivator, but a family like ours could be wiped out at any moment—especially since the Chen Family doesn’t even have a Golden Core cultivator anymore."
"That’s why Brother Qi and I are working so hard, hoping to become the family’s next Golden Core Cultivator. And as a woman, if I’m not outstanding enough, I’ll surely be used as a bargaining chip in a marriage alliance."
"But if I’m strong enough, I can control my own destiny. Besides, even setting all that aside, if you want to walk further on the path of Immortal Cultivation, you have to fight for what you want."
Chen Ling’Er shook her head, a rare moment in which she shared her true feelings with Zhang Chi.
Her face was filled with sorrow, a stark contrast to her usual carefree demeanor.
The Brother Qi she mentioned was Chen Bufan, who was ranked seventh among the cultivators of her generation in the family.
"You have a point."
Zhang Chi could understand her reasoning and nodded slightly.
"So, will you join us? I heard the Sect will even reward outstanding disciples with a Foundation Establishment Pill or Core Formation Spiritual Objects!"
"And according to the judgment of the higher-ups in the major Immortal Sects, the Medicinal Garden itself contains Core Formation Spiritual Objects and even more precious herbs."
Chen Ling’Er asked expectantly.
In her view, Zhang Chi wasn’t particularly strong, but he was very reliable. It would be wonderful if he came along.
After all, fellow disciples might turn on each other for Spirit Medicine, so a trustworthy teammate was crucial—far more so than a powerful but unreliable one.
Moreover, she figured that as an Alchemy Master, Zhang Chi must be fairly wealthy and could afford high-quality Magical Artifacts to make up for his lack of combat power. This made him an excellent potential teammate.
"Senior Sister, please wait a moment. A batch of my Elixirs is almost finished, and I need to tend to it. Don’t worry, I’ll be right back, and I’ll give you a definite answer then!"
But instead of making a decision, Zhang Chi used this as an excuse to go to the Inner Garden.
"Alright."
Chen Ling’Er, not knowing his real reason, could only sip her tea and wait patiently.
Meanwhile, in the Inner Garden, Zhang Chi slapped his Storage Bag, and a Tier Two Turtle Shell appeared before him.
He did this because the information from Chen Ling’Er had immediately reminded him of the Beast Hide he had obtained before.
If he wasn’t mistaken, this Medicinal Garden Secret Realm was the very same one located outside the Nascent Soul Cave Mansion.
This meant he would have to move up his own exploration plans; otherwise, someone else would beat him to the Nascent Soul Cave Mansion.
Moreover, with the Sect’s masters opening the Array Restrictions and clearing a path deep into the Demon Abyss, he wouldn’t have to worry about the journey’s safety.
Still, he couldn’t be one hundred percent sure it was the same place. And he didn’t know if dangers beyond his control lurked deep within the Secret Realm.
That was precisely why he had made an excuse to come to the Inner Garden—so he could use his Turtle Shell Divination Skill to find out for sure.