Liu Feng, Jian Ming, and the others had only recently emerged from seclusion.

They didn't know much about the situation and changes within the sect.

They hadn't even eaten it yet, not even in death.

Not to mention the various high-end delicacies that followed.

As a result, these people were all tricked into leading the team.

But just because they suffered from information asymmetry doesn't mean they were stupid.

Looking at the fellow disciples in the main hall who had all made tremendous progress, even the most foolish person would know that there must be something fishy going on.

The secret realm may seem like an opportunity, but there must be an even greater opportunity hidden within the sect!

I'm shivering and freezing!

...

Meanwhile, on the disciple's side...

Yun Zheng strode confidently and found Liu Yun, who was planting cabbages.

Watching him sing so passionately, Yun Zheng couldn't help but want to laugh.

Yun Zheng only walked over after Liu Yun finally put away a cabbage.

Liu Yun was taken aback when he saw Yun Zheng, and greeted him somewhat awkwardly, "Oh, Junior Brother Yun is back. How was your harvest in the secret realm this time?"

Yun Zheng solemnly cupped his hands and said with a serious expression, "Junior Brother has just come out of seclusion and has already received such a great gift from Senior Brother Liu Yun. I was just about to thank Senior Brother."

Um?

Hasn't he noticed yet?

Liu Yun quickly stepped forward and put his arm around Yun Zheng's shoulder: "We are brothers, there is no need for thanks. I am relieved that you have returned safely."

Yun Zheng felt somewhat uncomfortable with Liu Yun's enthusiasm.

But he still spoke up, saying, "I want to have a match with my senior brother so you can see what I've gained along the way, and so that my senior brother knows that I haven't let you down."

Liu Yun felt that his face must be covered in a big "囧" (embarrassed/frustrated) expression right now.

Fighting is not allowed.

If we have a competition, won't the secret of my huge improvement be exposed?

Wouldn't that expose the fact that I tricked Junior Brother Yun into going to the secret realm?

How can he avoid his carefully constructed image as a good senior brother?

"Junior Brother Yun, I poured so much emotion into nurturing the cabbage to maturity, and I'm feeling quite sorrowful right now. How can I be in the mood for a duel? Why don't we postpone it for another day?"

Seeing that what he said didn't seem fake, Yun Zheng didn't want to force him and prepared to agree to reschedule.

Unexpectedly, Jing Lei, who was harvesting wheat nearby, overheard their conversation.

After this period of cultivation, Jing Lei's cultivation level has also improved considerably.

Seeing Yun Zheng's expression of having too much energy but nowhere to use it, I immediately became interested.

He skipped ahead and said, "Isn't that a coincidence? If Senior Brother Yun fights with me, Senior Brother Liuyun will also be able to see Senior Brother Yun's improvement."

Damn it!

What a clueless idiot!

Liu Yun rolled his eyes at Jing Lei and said in a gentle tone, "Junior Brother Jing Lei has been busy all day and must be quite tired. It's not really appropriate to make you fight at this time, is it?"

Jing Lei had no idea what Liu Yun meant by blinking at him.

He was a straightforward person and said frankly, "Not tired at all, I'm used to it. I've improved a lot during this period, and I also want to find my fellow disciples to test my skills."

Yun Zheng immediately picked up the conversation: "Since Junior Brother Jing Lei is so interested, then Senior Brother will accompany you."

The two hit it off immediately and, pulling Liu Yun along, flew towards the training ground.

Left with no other choice, Liu Yun had to accompany the two of them.

The news that Jing Lei and Yun Zheng were going to have a duel quickly spread throughout the sect.

Some disciples who happened to have nothing to do went directly to the martial arts arena to watch the excitement.

"I feel that Senior Brother Yun Zheng has a better chance of winning, right? Before he left, he was one level higher than Junior Brother Jing Lei, so he should be able to improve more once he gets to the secret realm."

"Well, although Junior Brother Jing Lei has made good progress, I think he probably can't catch up with Junior Brother Yun Zheng yet."

"I wonder what progress Junior Brother Yun Zheng has made so far?"

“He is more talented than us. He has been away for more than a month this time, so he should have improved more than us.”

"It's estimated that it could even advance to the Nascent Soul stage."

"I remember Senior Brother Jing Lei advanced to the advanced stage of the Golden Core Realm last week?"

"That's right. He's been very successful in growing Xiaomai, and he's gotten a lot of good stuff from his junior uncle. He's made great progress recently."

"Ugh, I'm so angry! My 'sad rice' still isn't planted properly, and I have absolutely no idea how it's supposed to feel sad."

"Isn't my sexy cucumber sexy too? What the hell do you mean by sexy?!"

...

Yun Zheng cupped his hands and said, "Junior Brother Jing Lei, you don't need to hold back. Attack with all your might."

Jing Lei's fighting spirit was fully mobilized, and he said excitedly, "Don't worry, senior brother, I will definitely go all out without holding back."

"Hmm, junior brother, what realm are you at now?"

"High-level Core Formation Realm".

"Oh, okay, I'll suppress my cultivation a bit... Wait! What realm are you in?!"

Yun Zheng's eyes bulged as he stared at Jing Lei in disbelief.

Jing Lei looked at him, puzzled, but still replied, "High-level Core Formation Realm, Senior Brother. You were already close to the peak of the High-level Core Formation Realm before, so you must be at the Nascent Soul Realm now, right?"

Yun Zheng doubted whether he had misheard.

Before leaving home, I had met Jing Lei a few times.

His cultivation level at the time was clearly at the initial stage of Core Formation.

Even if one can reach the initial stage of Core Formation and be ready to advance to the middle stage at any time, it's impossible to skip the middle stage and advance to the high stage in just one month, right?

Upon seeing the two people's reactions, Liu Yun slapped himself in the face.

It's over!

We're about to be exposed!

How should I face Junior Brother Yun Zheng then?

Should I sneak away right now...?

Although Yun Zheng was somewhat shocked by Jing Lei's improvement, he didn't think much of it.

I just felt that he was someone who had been accumulating experience and knowledge for a long time, so I reluctantly accepted it.

But once the two clashed, he became numb.

The flying sword of Jing Lei is also called Jing Lei.

As the name suggests, it truly has the added attribute of lightning.

Not only is it extremely fast, but it has also unlocked the paralysis attribute with the help of the Spirit-Enhancing Sharpening Stone.

Before Yun Zheng could even unleash his flying sword, Jing Lei's attack was already upon him.

Then, his whole body went numb.

Jing Lei withdrew his hand, looking furious, and said, "Senior brother, didn't you say you wouldn't give way to me? Your intention to give way is far too obvious."

Yun Zheng was lucky he didn't spit out a mouthful of blood.

I'm not giving way to anyone!

You fucking killed me in one move!

I'm fucking ready to cry!

Did I not go to the secret realm to improve for a month, but instead went to the Demon Prison to undergo tribulation?

Then you improved your cultivation level while I lowered it, which is why you defeated me in one move?

Right, that must be it, right?

You're still angry? I'm fucking ready to cry!

Senior Brother Liuyun, why are you running?!

Are you hiding something from me?!

The disciples below the stage had already begun to discuss among themselves.

"Holy crap, this isn't cultivation. It doesn't look like he was letting others win; it looks more like Junior Brother Yun was instantly killed in one move."

"If this is acting, Junior Brother Yun's acting skills are superb."

"This trip out... why does it feel like I haven't improved at all? I remember Junior Brother Yun was already at the advanced stage of the Golden Core Realm before leaving the main sect, how come he's still at this level when he comes back?"

Then, when the group saw their fellow disciples who had gone to explore the secret realm together, they seemed to have figured out something.

They couldn't help but look at each other in bewilderment.

It seems that Junior Uncle's improvement for us is much greater than the improvement from going to the secret realm we used to long for.