The Hidden Dragon Abyss in Sanyue City has always been the venue for the Hidden Dragon Grand Competition. It is a huge secret realm that was refined by gathering the power of many sects. They even specially broke off a large piece of space fragment and placed it inside the Hidden Dragon Abyss.

Although Qianlong Abyss occupies only the central location of Sanyue City, its interior is comparable to a small world. All participating disciples will enter it, while elders and others from other sects can wait inside Sanyue City and observe through the water mirror.

A month before the upcoming Hidden Dragon Competition, Sanyue City was already bustling with activity, and the inns were overflowing with people from various sects.

The elders of all the peaks of the Wandao Sect were leading their disciples to prepare for the upcoming Hidden Dragon Competition, and Ruan Qing'an and Shen Changlin were among them.

...

On the streets of Sanyue City, crowds come and go, and at the end of the bustling streets stands an ancient yet luxurious pavilion-style building, filled with the scent of jewels and precious stones.

After leaving the inn booked by Wandaomen, Ruan Qing'an noticed that there were many people on the street. She frowned slightly and took Shen Changlin's hand.

"Master?!"

"So we don't get separated."

The boy's starry eyes brightened, his smile softened, and the tips of his ears, hidden beneath his black hair, turned slightly red as he murmured, "Mmm..."

The black mist in the sea of ​​consciousness: ...

When you're chopping someone's head off, why aren't you acting like a timid wife?!

Ruan Qing'an's divine sense only swept over him briefly, a hint of a smile in his leaden gray eyes before disappearing again. He said to him, "At the end is the Treasure Pavilion, which is quite famous in the cultivation world."

"Is there anything you want to buy, Master?"

No, I bought it for you.

Ruan Qing'an paused: "The Hidden Dragon Grand Competition takes place in a secret realm. Everyone enters at the same time, just like the sect entry test. Each person undergoes different trials, and the ranking is determined by the order in which they complete them."

"After the rankings are determined, the Hidden Dragon Abyss Secret Realm of the Hidden Dragon Grand Competition will conjure up an arena where you can challenge anyone of any ranking and take their place. The Hidden Dragon Abyss Secret Realm will also give rewards based on the rankings, and these rewards are the accumulation of each sect over tens of millions of years."

"Looking at the gains alone, this opportunity and resources are something that the Myriad Paths Sect cannot give you right now, but opportunities often mean danger."

As Ruan Qing'an led Shen Changlin towards the Treasure Pavilion, he said in a deep voice, "Over the years, quite a few disciples have died in the Hidden Dragon Abyss. You should prepare a set of attack and defense spirit treasures. This will increase your trump cards."

"But these can only be used in the trial realm. On the arena, all external factors are prohibited, and only cultivation is tested."

These were all important experiences, and Shen Changlin listened attentively.

Just then, they arrived at the Treasure Pavilion. A waiter at the entrance bowed and greeted them with a smile: "Welcome to the Treasure Pavilion, gentlemen. May I ask what you two are looking for? What level and type of items do you need? Would you like some recommendations?"

Ruan Qing'an casually said, "Give him a set of spiritual treasures."

Upon hearing this, the waiter glanced at Shen Changlin and immediately realized that the Hidden Dragon Competition was about to be held, and many people were bringing their juniors or disciples to make a selection, which made them very wealthy.

The waiter's smile suddenly became much more genuine, and he quickly ushered the two into the curio cabinet: "You are welcome to look around, or you can wait in a private room. I will have someone bring it to you right away."

"good."

Nguyen Thanh An nodded slightly, and the waiter called for someone to greet him.

Inside the main hall on the first floor of the Treasure Pavilion, there were many items on display: spiritual treasures, resources needed for cultivation, and various rare and precious items.

However, the items on the first floor were nothing to the two people from the Myriad Paths Sect. The real treasures of the Treasure Pavilion were all upstairs, each floor more precious than the last.

Ruan Qing'an also intended to show Shen Changlin some rare resources and treasures, explaining, "You might encounter them in the secret realm. If the opportunity arises, you can try to get one or two, but remember to act within your capabilities."

"Changlin understands, Master."

As Shen Changlin answered, his gaze fell on a display stand on the third floor. It was a bracelet sealed with the finest, transparent ice jade and woven from a spiritual herb that resembled a lily of the valley. However, it was not a lily of the valley, but a top-grade spiritual herb called "Xiangjianhuan".

According to the description posted on the Ice Jade display stand by Duobaoge, this is an extremely rare spiritual herb that only grows in extremely cold places. It blooms once every thousand years. If it is not picked in time and preserved using special methods after it blooms, it will wither instantly and then turn into ashes and disappear.

The picked Xiangjianhuan flowers are light blue, crystal clear, like ice flowers, yet with a soft and delicate touch. They shimmer with light and are exceptionally beautiful.

The bracelet made of Xiangjianhuan is also elegant and beautiful—but the greatest effect of Xiangjianhuan is to purify the mind and suppress the ability to go astray, including this bracelet, which is more beautiful than practical.

When Shen Changlin saw it, he couldn't take his eyes off it.

At this moment, the waiter who had left returned jogged over, accompanied by what seemed to be a steward from the Treasure Pavilion. They approached Ruan Qing'an with great respect, cupping their hands in greeting.

"May I ask if you are Elder Ruan Qing'an of the Myriad Paths Sect?"

"Yes, what is it?"

The steward smiled and said, "It is like this, Elder Ruan. Someone brought an ancient book and left it in my Treasure Pavilion. They specifically instructed that it be handed over to you by the Treasure Pavilion when you come, as an apology."

Hearing this, Ruan Qing'an was slightly taken aback: "Apologize?"

An inexplicable apology...

Ruan Qing'an frowned and ignored the steward's words, but just as she was about to refuse, the steward raised his hand first.

"Elder Ruan, may I speak with you in private?"

"..."

Ruan Qing'an narrowed her eyes slightly before she and the steward went to another deserted corner on the third floor. Seeing her displeased expression, the steward quickly explained, "Elder Ruan, the person who delivered the apology gift specifically gave instructions."

"Let me tell you this: the ancient book records information about innate Dao bodies. Elder Ruan, as you know, innate Dao bodies are extremely rare, and there are very few records of them, often just a brief mention. This ancient book is one of the few that provides a detailed introduction."

"My Duobao Pavilion has also authenticated it, and Duobao Pavilion's reputation would not be compromised for such a small handling fee, much less offend you or the Wandao Sect behind you, which can also prove its authenticity."

Then the steward paused and said, "Elder Ruan, if you'd like, would you please join us in a private room upstairs? What do you think?"

When it came to Shen Changlin, Ruan Qingan also wavered a little.

She has come to realize over the past three years that the problem of her naturally damaged body is difficult to solve. If there are ancient books on this subject, she can study them more effectively.

She hesitated for a moment: "Please wait a moment."

After saying that, Ruan Qing'an turned and walked towards Shen Changlin. Before the young man could ask her a question, she raised her hand first, and her long sword appeared in her hand, with faint sounds of the sword ringing out.

Shen Changlin frowned: "Master, what's wrong?"

"Take this. I will be leaving you for a moment. If you encounter any problems at any time, you can use this knife to make a cut, and I will come to your side. Remember—do not let go."

Ruan Qing'an spoke in a low voice, vaguely uneasy, but the ancient book forced her to take the risk and make full preparations.

Looking into her usually cold eyes, a hidden worry warmed Shen Changlin's heart: "Won't it affect you, Master?"

"I'm fine, you can wait for me at the Treasure Pavilion."

Ruan Qing'an paused, realizing that the boy had grown taller than her at some point. She still stood on tiptoe and gently rubbed Chen Changlin's head, her usually cold voice softening slightly.

"But as long as you hold it, anywhere—"

"I can find you and take you away."

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