Chapter 215 Cultivation Path A (Part 9) Path A's combat stats are maxed out...

Time flies, and the seasons change. Before they knew it, two years had passed since Song Ce fell into the underground meteorite cave and entered a meditative state.

In the two years that followed, apart from the Third Elder Cong Yun Zhenren, almost everyone in the Yuheng Sect had forgotten about the single-spiritual-root genius who had died unexpectedly before he could even grow up.

To appease Cong Yun, who had suddenly lost his disciple, the sect leader specially selected a kind-hearted disciple with dual spiritual roots from among the newly admitted disciples and bestowed upon him the title of disciple, as a sign of his high regard for him. Although Cong Yun outwardly accepted the new disciple, he rarely personally instructed him as he had instructed Song Ce, and most of the time simply had this new disciple cultivate with the other inner disciples.

Unbeknownst to Cong Yun, deep within the underground meteorite cave, Song Ce was sitting cross-legged on a blue stone beside the Earth Spirit Spring. With each breath, a rich spiritual energy slowly swirled around him, hinting at a potential breakthrough.

"Snap—"

After an unknown amount of time, the young man in blue robes, who had been in meditation, trembled slightly and then slowly opened his eyes.

Just then, a drop of water dripping from the cave ceiling landed right on the tip of his nose, and the cool touch instantly cleared his muddled consciousness.

Within his dantian, the barrier hindering his cultivation progress cracked open with a thin fissure, and then began to falter. Song Ce quickly calmed his mind and guided the surging spiritual energy within his body to fully assault this final barrier.

"Click, click, click—"

As more and more cracks appeared, finally... the barrier shattered completely with a soft sound!

A surge of powerful spiritual energy rushed into his dantian like a flood bursting its banks, and Song Ce felt his meridians tremble slightly. He slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air and raised his hand to look at his palm.

"Mid-stage Nascent Soul..." Song Ce murmured softly, stretching his somewhat stiff body and feeling the unprecedented abundance of spiritual energy within him. He couldn't help but smile slightly.

It's time to get out.

Song Ce subconsciously looked at the exit of the underground meteorite cave and was surprised to find that the once barren cave was now filled with all sorts of rare and exotic plants.

"Thankfully, the storage bag is still there."

Song Ce directly collected some uncommon medicinal herbs and spiritual plants, and then took some of the Earth Spirit Spring water. After confirming that nothing was missed, he cast a cleansing spell on himself and randomly took out a set of ordinary clothes from his storage bag to change into.

After resting, he found his way back and leaped into the air, disappearing from the spot.

After Song Ce escaped from the underground meteorite cave, he did not rush back to the Yuheng Sect, but went straight to a small town called Yulun.

Jade City is a peaceful and prosperous city for ordinary people. Although it is not large, it is located under the jurisdiction of the Xuan Tian Sect, the top of the three sects, and is also a transportation hub. Therefore, not only ordinary people, but also many cultivators are willing to stay here and live their peaceful lives.

"Have you heard? A secret realm in the northern part of Yulun City is about to open!"

"Fellow Daoist, are you referring to the Moon Gazing Cliff Secret Realm, which only opens once every hundred years?"

"That's right! Ten days ago, the Xuantian Sect sent disciples to set up a barrier at Wangyue Cliff. It's said that there are many treasures in this secret realm!"

"Is that so? I wonder if we rogue cultivators may go and get a share of the spoils?"

"I doubt it will work. I've heard that this secret realm is extremely dangerous, containing not only high-level demonic beasts but also intricate killing formations left behind by powerful figures throughout history!"

"In that case, those of us who have reached the Foundation Establishment stage should stay out of it and just watch the show!"

"That's right!"

Song Ce found a seat by the window, casually ordered a pot of spiritual tea, and silently listened to the conversation of the cultivators at the next table. He was now in the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm, and he was determined to save the girl named A Yao from his original body's memories. After a moment of contemplation, he decided to first go to the entrance of the Moon Gazing Cliff secret realm to investigate the situation.

After all, this is where the two of them first met.

After paying for his tea and leaving the teahouse, Song Ce followed the flow of people westward. The closer he got to the gates of Yulun City, the denser the auras of the cultivators became. He found a quiet alley, took out a bamboo hat that could conceal his face, put it on, and then used his spiritual power to hide his cultivation level, transforming himself into an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator and blending into the crowd.

At this time, a temporary market had already been set up outside the city gate, with stalls filled with all kinds of talismans, pills, and magical artifacts. Several cultivators were arguing over a map made of animal hide. When Song Ce took a closer look, he realized that it was a simplified topographical map of the Moon Gazing Cliff Secret Realm.

"Your map is too vague. How can anyone know which area is actually safe?"

A female cultivator in green pursed her lips, pointing her finger at the black mist marker in the center of the map. "There's a 'Forbidden' character written here. Could it be that there are forbidden areas within the secret realm?"

“Exactly!” The blue-robed male cultivator beside her echoed, “Besides, the Moon Gazing Cliff Secret Realm only appears once every hundred years, how do we know if your topographical map is real or fake?”

"Yes, if we spend such a large sum of money and end up with a fake image, where will we go to find you? Why don't you give us a discount this time?"

The black-robed man selling maps chuckled coldly upon hearing this, and promptly put the map away. "If you don't believe me, why waste your time on me? The more dangerous the place, the more likely it is to hide treasure. I already said, one thousand high-grade spirit stones, not a single one less!"

Upon hearing this, the cultivators exchanged glances, and finally gritted their teeth, took out spirit stones, and bought the simple topographical map.

Song Ce watched the group of people hurry away with maps in their hands, his eyes flickering slightly. He left the temporary market and headed north.

The closer Song Ce got to Moon Gazing Cliff, the more restless the spiritual energy in the world became, faintly pointing towards the bottom of the cliff. Halfway there, a jarring argument suddenly broke out ahead.

"How dare a mere few Foundation Establishment disciples block my path?"

Not far away, a woman in blue, her pretty face slightly flushed, held a long sword in her hand and glared angrily at the Xuantian Sect disciple who was blocking her way.

It's Mu Qingdai!

Her spiritual energy is now mixed and there are signs of her falling into demonic possession. It seems that in just two short years, she has accumulated quite a few secrets.

The young cultivators from the Xuantian Sect, their faces grim, reached out to block Mu Qingdai's path and said expressionlessly, "Fairy, the spiritual energy within you is impure. You are not a true cultivator of our lineage, and according to the rules, you are not allowed to enter."

Mu Qingdai's face darkened, and her longsword hummed in her palm: "Looking for death?" Behind her were two black-clad cultivators, their spiritual swords extended half an inch from their waists, ready to attack at any moment.

Upon hearing this, the two disciples behind the young cultivator immediately stepped forward, "What do you want to do? Are you going to attack?"

"roll!"

Mu Qingdai narrowed her eyes, raised her hand and unleashed two sharp sword energies, heading straight for the faces of the two disciples!

Just then, a gentle yet immense spiritual force blocked the Xuan Tian Sect disciples. Mu Qingdai was unable to dodge in time and watched helplessly as the two sword energies pierced her body, causing a metallic taste to rise in her throat.

"Who...is it!?"

Seeing Mu Qingdai's sinister expression, Song Ce smiled faintly and calmly asked, "In broad daylight, you openly attacked several Foundation Establishment cultivators. What is the reason for such bullying?"

The bamboo hat he was wearing now concealed his face, so unless someone's cultivation level was three realms higher than his, no one could see his true face beneath it.

"You're asking for it!"

Enraged, Mu Qingdai conjured a dark sword shadow on her spirit sword, which shot straight toward Song Ce's chest.

Seeing this, Song Ce slowly raised his hand and easily grasped the sword shadow in his palm. With a forceful movement, he directly shattered Mu Qingdai's sword shadow and spirit sword into countless fragments.

Mu Qingdai staggered back a few steps, suddenly spitting out a mouthful of blood, a flash of fear crossing her eyes.

Who is this person? Who exactly is he? He not only easily destroyed her protective spirit sword, but also used the sword energy fluctuations to backfire on her. If she hadn't used the technique left to her by her master to deflect the force in time, she would probably be seriously injured by now.

The cultivation level of the person before her was definitely above hers! Perhaps even at least one realm higher!

"Who exactly are you?"

Mu Qingdai stared warily at the blurry figure in front of her. For some reason, this person gave her an inexplicable sense of familiarity, but she couldn't remember where she had seen him before.

Song Ce glanced at Mu Qingdai's pale face and said calmly, "It was just a matter of standing up for what was right. Why do you need to ask so many questions, fellow Daoist?"

Mu Qingdai gripped her blood-stained sleeve tightly. Since she defected from the Jade Balance Sect and joined her master, it had been a long time since anyone had been able to force her into such a humiliating situation. The two black-clad cultivators behind her tried to step forward, but she stopped them with a raised hand.

This person's cultivation is unfathomable; if they were to attack, they would have absolutely no chance of winning. It's best to swallow this anger for now and be careful not to ruin the master's important plans.

"You ruined my plans today, and I will surely get my revenge in the future!" A resentful glint flashed in Mu Qingdai's eyes as she gritted her teeth and uttered these harsh words before turning around and leaving with her subordinates without hesitation.

The young cultivators led by Xuantian Sect hurriedly stepped forward and cupped their hands in thanks: "This junior disciple of Xuantian Sect, Lin Tingyu, thanks you for your help, senior! May I ask your esteemed name?"

"It was nothing, no need for such formalities."

Song Ce nodded slightly, not revealing his identity. His gaze fell upon the distant, mist-shrouded mountains, and he asked in a low voice, "Do you know when the Moon Gazing Cliff Secret Realm will open?"

Seeing that the other party was unwilling to say more, Lin Tingyu did not dare to press further, for fear of offending this senior benefactor with profound cultivation: "Replying to senior, the secret realm will open in half a month. At that time, all major forces will gather here to jointly enter this secret realm to explore for treasures."

Song Ce's eyes flickered slightly. Since there were still half a month left, he could use this time to make careful preparations.

"Um."

Song Ce nodded and turned to leave. Lin Tingyu saw this and quickly stepped forward, saying respectfully, "Senior, before the opening of the Wangyue Cliff Secret Realm, the area is not peaceful in Yulun City due to the mixed crowd. If you are coming alone, please be careful."

As the head of the three upper sects, the Xuantian Sect produces disciples who are straightforward and upright.

Song Ce paused slightly, turned his head to look at Lin Tingyu, who had a sincere expression on his face, and replied lightly, "Thank you for the reminder."

Lin Tingyu stared at the figure that vanished into thin air, secretly marveling. Just now, when that senior intervened to save him, even the aftershocks sent shivers down his spine, suggesting that this person was at least a Nascent Soul cultivator or higher.

If the opportunity arises in the future, I will do my best to win him over!

Meanwhile, Xiao Ruochun and the others who had entered the Yunfengling Secret Realm with Song Ce were waiting respectfully in the Xizi Palace, listening to the sect leader Xuan Mengzi give them their tasks.

"The four of you are all outstanding members of the younger generation of our Jade Balance Sect. Now that the Moon Gazing Cliff Secret Realm is about to open, I, the sect leader, order you to go there immediately to find a spiritual herb called the Chaos Golden Lotus. Remember, no matter what means you use, you must bring it back to the sect intact! Do you understand?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ruochun and the other three quickly responded in unison, "Yes! Your disciples obey!"

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Author's Note: Added an extra 300 words, utterly exhausted. Fifth time at Prince Gong's Mansion, fourth time at Jingshan Park, nth time at Beihai Park [crying][crying]