Chapter 41: Preparation before the Secret Realm

News of the opening of the Cloud Mist Secret Realm swept through the Xuanyun Sect like a storm, drawing everyone's attention. Prices of various secret realm-related goods in the market skyrocketed. The Merit Hall's task board was crowded with disciples discussing the matter, and the air was filled with a tense and exciting atmosphere.

Ye Li's courtyard, however, felt like a tranquil spot in the eye of the storm. She declined all team-up invitations, focusing solely on final preparations. For her, the secret realm wasn't just a treasure trove of resources; it was also a perfect stage for settling grudges and testing her own strength.

The jade slip of information Lin Feng had sent her was nearby. It detailed the registration information for Zhan Kuangfeng, Gao Sheng, Shi Feng, and others, as well as any traces of their interactions with Tiansha Sect disciples. This confirmed her suspicions that the killing spree in the miasma rain forest had likely been moved to the secret realm, and that multiple parties might even be colluding, making it even more sinister.

"Okay, let's solve it all at once to avoid trouble in the future." A cold light flashed in Ye Li's eyes, and he memorized the contents of the jade slip in his heart.

She first examined her attack methods. The enhanced dagger's cold gleam was subdued, and the "Ice Marrow Venom" smeared on the blade was colorless and odorless, yet it exuded a deadly chill. Two "Invisible Needle Talismans" and ten "Mysterious Ice Explosion Talismans (Simplified Version)" were powerful tools for long-range sneak attacks and area control. The ten newly drawn "Mist-Breaking Talismans" were crucial for navigating the unique environment of the secret realm.

As for defense, she wore the "Pure Spirit Jade Pendant" close to her body, its subtle cooling effect constantly protecting her consciousness. Three "Hundred Poisons Repellent Pills" and several bottles of the improved "Cold Marrow Quenching" were sufficient to combat most poisonous miasma and injuries. She had also soaked her inner disciple robes in a special medicinal solution, granting them a certain degree of resistance to poison and dust.

Among the auxiliary items, the early warning array, though crude, could potentially save lives in a critical moment. Numerous blank talisman paper, cinnabar, monster blood, and various medicinal herbs filled the corners of the storage ring, ready for emergencies. The Hundred Flowers Signal Talisman given by Su Wanyun was also carefully stored. While he had no intention of actively seeking help, he might have other uses for it.

Finally, her gaze fell on the storage ring she'd found in the abandoned mines of West Mountain. Besides spirit stones and miscellaneous items, the ring contained three exceptionally high-quality "Ice Heart Pills" and the mysterious animal hide, representing the greatest uncertainty in her journey to this secret realm.

The Ice Heart Pill can instantly restore a large amount of spiritual power and soul power, and greatly improve the control of ice energy in a short period of time. It is a trump card for saving life and counterattack. And that animal skin...

Ye Li took it out again and stroked it carefully. The material was neither leather nor silk, but incredibly tough. The patterns on it were blurry, yet they somehow evoked a sense of mystery. The fragment of the Samsara Mirror still yearned for it. She tried to channel a trace of extremely cold spiritual energy into the hide, but it showed no reaction. She then tried dripping blood, but it also failed to penetrate.

"Perhaps it requires a specific environment or energy to activate?" Ye Li pondered for a moment, carefully putting the hide away. The secret realm had a unique environment, and perhaps a clue could be found there.

After preparing her supplies, she began to adjust her state. For several days, she stopped drawing talismans and refining elixirs, instead focusing on practicing the "Youhuan Emperor Sutra" and tempering her body.

The optimized spirit gathering array gathered a vast amount of spiritual energy into the quiet room. She sat cross-legged within it, the icy blue spiritual energy within her body flowing like a joyful stream, surging along her increasingly broad and resilient meridians, constantly impacting the seemingly fragile yet incomparably strong barrier of her realm. The spiritual energy vortex within her dantian spun faster and faster, becoming increasingly condensed.

Immersed in the enhanced Cold Marrow Quenching, the excruciating pain returned, but she had long since grown accustomed to it. The drug's power was like countless tiny ice hammers, repeatedly hammering at every inch of her bones and every muscle, squeezing out impurities and leaving her body more transparent and able to withstand greater force.

She could feel her strength, speed, reflexes, and even the intensity of her soul steadily advancing towards a critical point. Although she hadn't yet broken through to the Condensed Veins stage, her actual combat power had already far surpassed that of an average early-stage Condensed Veins cultivator.

During this time, Zhao Xiaoyi quietly sent another message, saying that Zhan Kuangfeng seemed to be purchasing a large number of detoxification pills and miasma-repelling talismans, further confirming that their target was also the secret realm. Lin Feng analyzed that Gao Sheng and others would likely take advantage of the chaotic opening of the secret realm entrance or exploit the unique environment within. He suggested that Ye Li avoid the crowds and advance quickly.

Ye Li accepted his suggestion.

The day before departure, Mr. Muyun rarely sent someone to summon Ye Li to the cave on the top of the mountain.

"The secret realm is about to be opened, but do you know how dangerous it is?" Mr. Muyun still looked gentle and brewed tea slowly.

"Disciple knows." Ye Li answered respectfully.

"Yes," Monk Muyun nodded, handing her a cup of hot tea imbued with spiritual energy. "The secret realm of clouds and mist, where the mist locks away spiritual consciousness, hides dangers in its subtlest form. The monsters and strange plants within are secondary. What we must be most vigilant against is the evil in people's hearts. The friendship between fellow disciples can sometimes be as thin as paper in the face of great opportunities."

"Disciple understands."

Lay Buddhist Mu Yun glanced at her, as if about to say something, but in the end he simply pulled out a pale yellow, seemingly unremarkable wooden talisman from his sleeve and handed it to Ye Li: "This is the 'Thick Earth Escape Talisman', a second-grade, top-grade one. Once activated, you can instantly escape underground, traveling several miles. However, it consumes a large amount of spiritual energy and can only be used once a day. In a critical moment, it might save your life. Take it."

Ye Li was slightly startled. A second-grade, top-grade escape talisman was incredibly valuable, and in short supply! She hadn't expected this seemingly indifferent master to gift her with such a life-saving gift.

"Thank you for your generous gift, Master!" She solemnly took the wooden talisman and could feel the condensed earth energy contained in it.

"Come back alive." Mr. Muyun waved his hand, indicating that she could leave.

Holding the warm wooden talisman, Ye Li felt a wave of emotion in his heart. This master seemed to be more than he seemed.

After returning to the courtyard, she carefully put away the Thick Earth Escape Talisman, which was her real life-saving trump card.

As night fell, she took one last inventory of her storage ring. All her supplies were sorted and neatly arranged to ensure they could be accessed immediately.

She sat quietly in the courtyard, gazing up at the starry sky, her mind once again going over the map of the secret realm, the dangerous areas, the resource points, the possible enemies she might encounter, and the strategies for dealing with them. She replayed every detail over and over again.

She knew this journey into the secret realm was destined to be turbulent. Between the siege by Zhan Kuangfeng, the potential threat from the Tiansha Sect, the dangers of the secret realm itself, and the other disciples coveting its resources... every step was a thrill.

But there was no fear in her heart, only an extremely calm fighting spirit and a hint of excitement.

Pressure is the best catalyst.

The next morning, when the rising sun shone over Yundan Peak, Ye Li pushed open the gate.

She changed into a neat outfit, tied up her long hair simply, and had a faint layer of cold mist on her face (slightly adjusted with the "Breath Concealment Technique"), making her look cool and capable.

Outside the courtyard, Zhao Xiaoyi and Lin Feng had already been waiting there, their eyes filled with tension and anticipation.

"Senior Sister, be careful!" Zhao Xiaoyi handed over a water bag filled with spiritual spring water.

Lin Feng just nodded solemnly, saying nothing.

Ye Li took the water bag, nodded slightly to the two of them, and without saying anything, turned around and turned into a green shadow, rushing towards the gathering point in the sect square.

At this moment, the vast sect square was already packed with people. Hundreds of qualified inner and outer disciples gathered there, chatting in groups of three or five. The air was filled with a variety of emotions: excitement, anxiety, ambition, murderous intent...

Ye Li's arrival attracted considerable attention. Her reputation for being the top performer in the assessment, her feud with Zhan Kuangfeng, and her unique style had already made her a focal point. Sensing gazes that ranged from curiosity to jealousy to veiled hostility, she remained expressionless, finding a quiet corner and standing there, eyes closed, as if the surrounding clamor had no bearing on her.

Not far away, Zhan Kuangfeng's group stood out. Gao Sheng, Shi Feng, and the others were prominently among them. They, too, had spotted Ye Li, their gazes grim and sneered with malicious intent, seemingly making no effort to conceal their hostility. Beside Gao Sheng stood several disciples with stern auras and slightly different attire. Their eyes held a defiant air; they must be from the Tiansha Sect.

Elsewhere, Su Wanyun, accompanied by several female disciples from Baihua Peak, cast a concerned glance at Ye Li. Han Li waved at her nonchalantly, while Chen Mo merely glanced at her.

Ye Li ignored all the gazes, her mind as calm as water. She was waiting, waiting for the moment when the secret realm would open.

When the sun rose completely, casting a golden glow on the square, several powerful auras descended from the sky!

Sect leader Ye Tian did not come in person. The ones who presided over the opening of the secret realm were the Grand Elder Ye Xiao of the Law Enforcement Hall and several elders with profound auras.

Night Owl's icy gaze swept across the room, his voice like the clash of cold iron: "The time has come! Open the secret realm!"

As he finished speaking, several elders took action at the same time, injecting tremendous spiritual power into the huge teleportation array that had already been set up in the center of the square!

Buzz——!

A dazzling white light shot up into the sky, and the space fluctuated violently, forming a twisting, rotating gate of light! The gate was shrouded in mist, making it difficult to see clearly, emitting an ancient and vast aura!

"The secret realm has been opened! It will last for one month! Take care of yourselves! Go in!" Elder Night Owl shouted sternly.

The disciples, who had been unable to wait any longer, immediately rushed towards the light gate like a tide!

Ye Li suddenly opened her eyes, a gleam of light in them, but she didn't rush to the front, instead observing calmly. She saw Gao Sheng, Shi Feng and others surrounding the Tiansha Sect disciples and rushing into the light gate with the crowd.

Only when most of the disciples had entered did she move, gliding out like a ghost and silently disappearing into the misty light gate!

A strong feeling of spatial pulling came over me, and the scenery in front of me changed rapidly.

After a brief moment of dizziness, my feet stepped on the solid but wet ground.

A thick, impenetrable fog instantly enveloped me, carrying the scent of rotting vegetation and mud. My vision was severely obstructed, and I could only clearly see a few feet around me. My spiritual consciousness was indeed like being stuck in a quagmire, being greatly suppressed around my body!

We’ve arrived at the secret realm of clouds and mist!

New dangers and opportunities have already begun.

Ye Li took a deep breath of the cold and moist air, tightened his grip on the dagger in his hand, and his figure quickly disappeared into the thick fog.

The hunt begins.

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