Chapter 461 Within the Secret Realm 5

Only after one of them died did they realize the need for precautions. The remaining cultivators were extremely vigilant, but they would not give up the opportunity here. So, after making sufficient preparations, they continued digging.

Then they realized that encountering the purple snake on their first try was just bad luck.

There was nothing during the second, third, and subsequent excavations, but it wasn't until the ninth excavation that one appeared again.

Later, they discovered that although the exact timing was uncertain, there was only about a 20% chance of being attacked by the purple snake.

This process is repeated.

After the ninetieth or so pieces of ore were mined out, the entire mountain vanished into nothingness.

These cultivators tried various methods but failed to continue digging, so they had no choice but to quickly divide what they had obtained and leave the place together.

·

Not long after, another person arrived.

It was also attacked by the small purple snake, but perhaps because it was already very wary, it was not bitten.

Ultimately, there was about a 30% chance of being attacked, and due to slow hands and feet and interruptions from the attacks, only about seventy pieces were finally dug out.

After that person left, some time later, another group of people arrived.

This time, their strength was insufficient. Although they were greedy for the opportunity, both of them were attacked by the little snake and turned into starlight during the excavation.

Then another group appeared, and the chances of being attacked were the same as before...

This process was repeated, and repeated again.

Each attack was more frequent than the last, and not every time they survived, some even managed to escape after the first attack and then quickly left.

Gradually, the tenth group of people finally arrived.

That is, the last batch.

A tall young man and a gentleman in white.

That is, Wu Dongxiao and Xuan Bing.

·

After Wu Dongxiao finished completing the entire ten-zhang-long exam paper, the pagoda quickly gave him the corresponding score.

The light screen that reappeared then displayed recipes for pills of different levels, rare medicines, and other resources.

Redeem points.

The exam paper is so big that each question has a different point value, but the total score is a full five thousand.

Despite his efforts to learn this subject and even cramming on some obscure material with his Uncle Zhong, Wu Dongxiao's final score was only a little over 4,700.

That's already very high.

However, Wu Dongxiao himself was still a little disappointed—he didn't even get a perfect score on the written test. If his Uncle Zhong knew, he would definitely hit him on the head and say that he was not smart enough to give him a good talking-to.

Then, Wu Dongxiao decisively exchanged the items, mainly rare and precious medicines.

After all, he had identified those pill formulas before, and he knew most of them. These included not only the inheritance he had obtained through his own fortuitous encounters, but also those from Uncle Zhong, Grandmaster Sang, and so on. There were really not many that were worth exchanging for.

After that, Wu Dongxiao left the tower and met up with his senior brother, who had been waiting for him for most of the day.

·

That being said...

Wu Dongxiao and Xuan Bing were also digging rapidly in the mountains.

What makes it most unique is...

Other cultivators at least get attacked once every few digs, but Wu Dongxiao gets attacked every time he digs up a piece.

But it doesn't matter.

Wu Dongxiao and Xuan Bing had a very good understanding and could quickly judge what they needed to do based on their past bad experiences.

So the two of them quickly climbed up a straight route, digging a hole after each section. Wu Dongxiao was in charge of digging, while Xuan Bing kept watch and was responsible for killing the small purple snake.

In the end, the two of them received a considerable sum.

And because they were always going upwards, they were able to dig out a piece of the mountain before it disappeared each time, and that's how they ended up at the top of the mountain in a daze.

Of course, they then have several options to choose from.

The two brothers exchanged glances and handed over the power of choice to Wu Dongxiao.

It wasn't for any other reason, but whenever Wu Dongxiao encountered many crises or moments of turning misfortune into good fortune, his intuition was quite accurate. If he encountered any opportunities, what came from him was often better than what came from Xuan Bing.

Therefore, the two of them didn't need to discuss it further.

Wu Dongxiao stepped forward and quickly chose the one he felt felt best.

·

Afterwards, the two brothers, both disheveled, found a relatively quiet place to maintain their floating posture and took elixirs to regulate their body and mind.

After entering this secret realm, the gains were indeed considerable.

However……

They won't be able to stay peaceful for long.

Just as Wu Dongxiao had recovered most of his strength and Xuan Bing had only managed to recover about 30%, the attackers arrived.

It turns out that there were other disciples who had already obtained some treasures in the mountains, and they had been hiding in the nearby nebula, watching Starlight Peak, ready to rob it at any time.

Seeing that Wu Dongxiao and Xuan Bing had acquired so much ore and had such a miraculous encounter, this man couldn't help but feel greedy. Especially when he discovered that after the two left, Starlight Peak had simply vanished—he became even more jealous, convinced that the two must have obtained the greatest opportunity.

So, while his two fellow disciples were both adjusting their breathing, this man seized the opportunity and immediately made his move!

This caused Wu Dongxiao a lot of trouble—Xuan Bing was at a critical moment, forcing him to fight desperately to protect his senior brother's safety and also to hold off the attacker whose cultivation level was just above his own.

By the time Xuan Bing had recovered enough to fight back, Wu Dongxiao was already covered in wounds.

Enraged, Xuan Bing fought the attacker, who died, and Wu Dongxiao began to heal his wounds...

Of course, after the two recovered, they hadn't run very far before they encountered attacks from star beasts and disciples.

That's just how unlucky I am.

The two brothers had clearly made many friends in the land of sentient beings, but they hadn't encountered a single one of them.

Every single person I encounter has ill intentions.

Wu Dongxiao was numb again.

Xuan Bing could only sigh slightly, and was once again thankful that he had come along this time.

·

While one side is in dire straits, the other side enjoys peace and tranquility.

Wu Shaogan carried Zhong Cai as they wandered through the "universe," where they encountered a dazzling expanse of starlight that resembled a lake.

The two of them immediately stopped in their tracks.

Wu Shaogan looked at that spot, frowned slightly, and said, "I have a premonition."

Zhong Cai nodded, gently resting her chin on Wu Shaogan's shoulder, and whispered, "Me too. I feel like I can't just go straight through, or I'll really drown."

However, there are clearly still opportunities here that should not be overlooked.

Zhong Cai patted Wu Shaogan lightly.

Wu Shaogan tacitly continued forward, but instead of entering, he carefully observed his surroundings.

Two long poles suddenly appeared on the edge of Starlight Lake.

Zhong Cai was a little surprised: "The pole has a hook at the front?"

Wu Shaogan noticed it too and exclaimed, "A fishing rod?"

Zhong Cai couldn't help but laugh: "Could it be that the meaning of this Starlight Lake is that we should fish here?"

Wu Shaogan pondered for a moment and said, "It's not impossible."

There was nothing here originally, but fishing rods suddenly appeared after the two of them arrived, presumably because they really wanted the two of them to try their hand at it.

So Wu Shaogan bent down, picked up one fishing rod, and prepared to hand the other one to Zhong Cai.

However, the fishing rod couldn't be lifted.

Wu Shaogan then squatted down and brought one end of the fishing rod close to Zhong Cai.

Zhong Cai reached out and, sure enough, successfully retrieved the fishing rod.

—Sure enough, the fishing rod was assigned to each disciple.

At the same time, the moment the couple picked up the fishing rod, they both received a mental transmission from it.

They then realized that the lake was actually "Starlight Wanbao Lake".

It only appears in this secret realm, and it doesn't always take the form of a lake—it's just that it's a lake this time.

When the disciples infuse their profound energy into the fishing rod, a bait will automatically appear on the hook. When they cast the rod into the lake, they may catch something—unknown, and they may not even know what it is, but it will almost certainly be a rare item.

Zhong Cai immediately became interested: "Old Wu, this lake is quite proud of itself!"

Wu Shao chuckled dryly as he stood by the lake and said gently, "Be careful, we don't know if we'll catch any aggressive creatures in there."

Zhong Cai nodded and said solemnly, "I will definitely be careful. But if I'm on your back, the thing will come out and head straight for you."

Wu Shaogan couldn't help but find it amusing.

But that's really the case.

Wu Shaogan carried Zhong Cai on his back, intentionally to protect her from danger.

Zhong Cai, on the other hand, was very self-aware—his own fighting ability was far inferior to Lao Wu's, so his goal was simply not to hold him back.

·

After exchanging a few jokes, the couple each raised their fishing rods.

Wu Shaogan used his left hand, flicked the fishing rod, and a yin-yang light appeared on the fishing line—this light quickly merged and soon turned into a peculiar gray.

A gray glow gathered on the fishhook, forming a small, round bait.

Zhong Cai then swung the rod with his right hand, also infusing it with profound energy in that instant, causing it to radiate five-colored light. Upon closer inspection, a faint starlight appeared on the surface of the five-colored light, and a strange, refreshing fragrance lingered around it.

Naturally, when this radiance is incorporated into the fishhook, it transforms into fragrant and colorful bait.

It's quite complicated.

When Zhong Cai saw the two baits, she laughed again.

Wu Shaogan lifted Zhong Cai's right hand upwards, and for some reason, he also squeezed it a couple of times.

Zhong Cai's laughter stopped abruptly.

this……

Old Wu's sudden act of lewdness caught me quite off guard.

But that's okay.

Zhong Cai leaned close to Wu Shaogan's ear and whispered, "After we get back, we can go into seclusion for a few days."

Wu Shaogan's eyes were smiling.

He simply thought A-Cai's bait was cute and wanted to pinch her cheeks, but the position wasn't convenient, so he just did it casually... But since A-Cai was so interested, he was bound to keep her company.

After I get back, I'll go into seclusion for half a month.

·

While the couple were flirting, they also kept an eye on the condition of the fishing rod.

It's quite peculiar that after only a short time, after the two fishing rods were in the water, ripples began to spread across the surface of the lake.

Almost simultaneously, both of their fishing rods reacted.

It looked like something heavy had suddenly gotten caught on the fishing hook, weighing down the entire rod.

The couple still had great chemistry, raising their arms together.

In an instant, the fishhook emerged from the water!

The object hanging on the hook was thus revealed to the two of them.

Zhong Cai stared intently.

What was hanging on his fishing hook was just a small box the size of a palm.

He then looked at his old man's.

A completely black fish was hanging on the hook.

Zhong Cai blurted out: "Yin fish?"

·

Although there are countless strange fish in the world, many of which look extremely similar, even cultivators with extensive knowledge may not be able to distinguish them... but Zhong Cai's knowledge base just happens to include this kind of thing.

After all, this was the only kind of strange fish he knew that could only grow to a foot long, had no scales on its body, and had only two shallow, very thin depressions around its eyes.

Not to mention, there's another characteristic.

Once the yin fish appears, the surrounding temperature will drop.

It wasn't the kind of icy coldness, but a kind of chilling coldness—dry and cold, penetrating to the bone marrow.

·

Wu Shaogan slightly withdrew his strength, pulled the fishing line back in front of him, and took off the jet-black fish.

After looking at it, he agreed, "It is indeed a yin fish."

Seeing how confident his master was, Zhong Cai became even more certain that there would be no problem.

But he was also a little disappointed, so he said with regret, "It's a pity there's only one Yin fish. If there were a Yang fish, it would be most suitable for you, Old Wu, to refine."

For cultivators who practice Yin-attribute techniques, Yin fish are a highly nourishing food.

Wu Shaogan is of yin and yang nature. If you eat yin fish alone, it will cause an imbalance in your body. Therefore, it must be taken with yang fish for the best effect.

The reason he was so certain was naturally because the Yin attribute within him confirmed the identity of the Yin Fish.

Wu Shaogan put away the yin fish and then smiled and said, "A-Cai has always had excellent luck. Maybe after a few casts, she can catch a yang fish for me too? Even if she doesn't catch one, it doesn't matter. The yin fish will be on the shelf, and there will be people willing to pay a high price to come to her."

Zhong Cai chuckled, agreeing with the assessment.

Wu Shaogan then asked, "What is that box that A Cai fished out?"

Zhong Cai was so engrossed in watching the pufferfish that he suddenly became curious about what he had caught.

So he quickly opened the box.

Suddenly, a transparent bottle, seemingly made of glass, appeared, only two inches long.

The bottle contained a wisp of golden airflow.

The gold was very pure and extremely dazzling, yet it remained still, revealing a touch of understated elegance.

But... what is this?

Zhong Cai didn't quite recognize her.

Wu Shaogan suggested, "Try touching the box with your finger?"

Zhong Cai also realized this, and quickly reached out, touching and separating immediately.

The next moment, he showed a look of surprise.

"Lifespan?" Zhong Cai exclaimed in disbelief. "There are even lifespans that can be directly limited?"

Wu Shaogan also showed a rare hint of surprise, and reminded him, "This lifespan... how is it used? Are there any taboos when using it?" He pondered, "It shouldn't be an ordinary lifespan-extending item, right? There are many alchemists on the continents outside the secret realm who can refine longevity pills. If it's just for increasing lifespan, then appearing in this secret realm's lake and being fished out so solemnly seems a bit... not valuable enough?"

Zhong Cai swallowed slightly and said, "This is for cultivators who have reached the Heavenly Realm."

Wu Shaogan's heart skipped a beat, and he couldn't help but say, "Could it be that it can delay the tribulation?"

Zhong Cai took a deep breath and nodded solemnly, saying, "That's the kind."

·

It turns out that once this golden lifespan is absorbed into the body of a cultivator who has reached the Heavenly Realm, his next tribulation will be delayed by a certain number of years.

During this period, cultivators with high spiritual attainment can make more preparations and have a greater chance of success after the tribulation of lightning strikes.

Of course, there are also drawbacks.

If one uses this golden lifespan to delay the tribulation, the next tribulation will arrive sooner after this one.

For example, if a golden lifespan delays this tribulation by 500 years, then the next tribulation will arrive 500 years later—unless you find another golden lifespan, the next tribulation will still arrive on time.

Moreover, even if they fail to survive this tribulation and die directly from the lightning tribulation, they have already lived for several hundred years longer—this is the meaning of "extending lifespan".

Of course, the quality of golden lifespan varies, with some extending lifespan by one or two hundred years, and at most five hundred years.

The Zhong couple were very lucky; the fish that Zhong Cai caught happened to be of the highest quality.

When using this longevity essence, simply place the bottle opening in front of your nostril and breathe gently; the essence will immediately enter your body.

The couple doesn't need it now.

The items are of good quality, and whether they are kept for Master Sang or sold, they are all good.

·

Zhong Cai scratched his face, in a good mood: "Old Wu, look at what's in this lake, it's really full of treasures! We only each caught one fish, and it's already worth this much!"

Wu Shaogan smiled slightly: "Then let's catch more."

Zhong Cai naturally had no objection. He enthusiastically put away the longevity box, poured his profound energy into the fishing rod again, and cast the hook into the lake once more.

The same applies to Wu Shaogan.

This time, the couple looked at the lake with a more serious expression.

Before long, Zhong Cai's fishing rod had taken the bait.

Zhong Cai raised her arm and saw that the fish that was biting the hook tightly was a small fish that was all white!

In just a moment, the couple felt incredibly hot.

Zhong Cai's eyes lit up, and she quickly reeled in the fishing rod, took the fish off the hook, and said happily, "What amazing luck! Everything I said came true! Look, the yang fish has taken the bait too!"

Wu Shao chuckled dryly, "I knew A Cai had the best luck."

Zhong Cai smugly put away the Yang Fish and continued, "Afterwards, we'll stew the Yin and Yang Fish together and let you, Old Wu, have a good feast to improve your strength!"

Wu Shaogan responded without hesitation.

Zhong Cai said even more smugly, "I've caught a yang fish here, Lao Wu, yours hasn't taken the bait yet."

But just as Zhong Cai finished speaking, Wu Shaogan raised his arm and fished out a box.

Zhong Cai: "..."

Wu Shaogan suppressed a laugh.

Zhong Cai snorted: "Then let's open the box!"

Wu Shaogan indeed took down the box and quickly opened it.

Inside was a lotus flower with strange colors, about a hundred petals, each petal a different color.

But what's truly captivating is the lotus seedpod in the center of the flower.

The lotus seedpod is inlaid with eighteen lotus seeds, each one shining with golden light. They don't look like things that grow from lotus flowers, but rather like some kind of elixir created by heaven and earth.

It's absolutely gorgeous.

Moreover, the aroma is also very pleasant.

Neither Zhong Cai nor Wu Shaogan recognized what kind of lotus it was, and it wasn't convenient to pick it for a closer look at the moment... so they simply put it away.

Wu Shaogan said gently, "After we go back, why don't we go to the Temple of the Azure Sky to look for relevant records?"

Zhong Cai agreed. After thinking for a moment, he said, "There seems to be a book in the corner of the temple's bookshelf that specializes in rare and precious treasures. I haven't had a chance to look at quite a few of them yet... It seems that many of them are ancient and lost. Maybe they are in there."

Wu Shaogan also agreed with this.

Without saying another word, the two gathered more bait and began fishing again.

·

Almost without fail, something will "bite" within the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, or at most a full cup of tea.

Zhong Cai and Wu Shaogan, one in front and one behind, made sure every shot hit its mark.

The treasures they caught were all sorts of things.

Although there were no other illusory treasures besides the initial golden lifespan, many resources with Yin-Yang and Five Elements attributes, suitable for Zhong and Wu's cultivation, appeared later.

In fact, quite a few people, including Zhong Cai, made wishes while drawing cards but still didn't get the desired card!

The couple had a very successful year.

·

Both of the new fishing rods were thrown into the water by Mr. and Mrs. Zhong.

Zhong Cai was already a little tired.

It wasn't because fishing was tiring—he was lying on Wu Shaogan's back the whole time, so how could he be tired from just flicking the fishing rod?

He was mainly tired from mental excitement.

Every time something good comes out, he thinks he should stay calm next time, but then the next thing is exactly what he wants even more, and he can't stay calm at all!

When you're too excited, you'll naturally feel tired.

Zhong Cai let out a breath, couldn't help but poke Wu Shaogan's back, and said, "Old Wu, don't you feel tired?"

Wu Shaogan chuckled softly, "With A-Cai by my side, I never feel tired."

At this moment, Zhong Cai had only one thought in her mind—

We lost! We lost!

I lost to Lao Wu!

I should say that love makes even water taste sweet, and with Lao Wu around, I'll never feel tired!

Zhong Cai exhaled again and nuzzled her cheek against Wu Shaogan's neck.

Oh dear, Lao Wu's sweet talk has really improved; he's getting embarrassed...

·

It seems that Starlight Wanbao Lake couldn't stand the couple being so affectionate, so they suddenly did something strange.

Just as something snagged on Zhong Cai's fishing hook once again, Zhong Cai habitually raised her arm—

A colossal object has emerged from the water!

Zhong Cai's pupils contracted violently.

This is absolutely outrageous!

He was fishing so easily, and the thing on the hook seemed to be of average weight. But what he pulled out of the water was a terrifying octopus that looked like a small mountain!

This is not scientific!

He simply couldn't lift such a huge octopus!

Not to mention fishing with a rod!

Zhong Cai gasped, and instinctively, two gleaming meteor hammers appeared in his hand.

Wu Shaogan had already drawn his bowstring. There was no need for the octopus to attack. The moment it emerged from the water, dozens of sharp arrows shot out, covering any part of the octopus's body with a "whoosh" sound!

The octopus let out a piercing scream!

Zhong Cai suddenly realized that this thing was actually only at the seventh level.