Chapter 124: Leaving the Secret Realm and Causing a Sensation
Taichu Secret Realm, deep in the Bone Mountain.
Ye Li and Qin Yixuan didn't leave immediately. The deaths of the three Nascent Soul-stage "Dark Eye" members temporarily resolved the imminent crisis, but it also meant their position could be completely exposed. No one could guarantee whether the other side had more powerful masters on their way.
"We need to leave here as soon as possible, but before leaving, we must ensure that we are in perfect condition, and... we cannot leave any clues." Ye Li's eyes swept across the area where the battle had just taken place. Except for some residual energy, the three men in black robes had completely turned into nothingness. Even the pure shadow energy could not be left behind, and was completely wiped out by the sword intent of reincarnation.
Qin Yixuan nodded in agreement. Although her injuries weren't serious, she'd exhausted herself protecting Ye Li, and she needed time to recover. Ye Li had just broken through to the Divine Power Realm, and while her realm was stable, she still needed to become more familiar with her newfound powers, especially the Six Paths of Samsara Sword.
The two found a more hidden crack in the Bone Mountain that still had the interference of a natural chaotic magnetic field. They set up many restrictions again and began to seize the time to consolidate and restore.
Ye Li sat cross-legged, contemplating her inner world. Within her dantian, the chaotic, ice-blue seed of the divine power talisman slowly spun. Strands of divine power flowed through her body, resonating with the ice, the imprisonment, and even the faintest traces of the law of reincarnation between heaven and earth. She carefully comprehended the essential difference between the Divine Power Realm and the Yuan Dan Realm. It wasn't just an increase in power, but a leap in her understanding and application of the Dao.
The Yuandan realm focuses more on accumulating and controlling one's own spiritual energy, drawing upon the power of heaven and earth. Meanwhile, the Shentong realm is about initially condensing one's own understanding of the laws into "divine power seeds," enabling one to more directly activate and even alter the surrounding laws and environment on a small scale, unleashing "divine powers" imbued with the power of the laws!
The profound mysteries of the Six Paths of Samsara Sword flowed through her mind. This magical power, derived from the Samsara Mirror, possessed immense power, but also consumed a terrifying amount of energy, particularly the immense demands placed on her spiritual energy. With her current early stage of magical power cultivation, even with her full strength, she likely wouldn't be able to sustain more than a few strikes. Furthermore, the power of Samsara involved cause and effect, requiring extreme caution when wielding it, lest it lead to disaster.
"It seems that in addition to improving my cultivation, I must also temper my soul," Ye Li realized. She began to experiment with using her supernatural powers, combining the "Emperor's Scripture of the Netherworld" and the "Ice Emperor's Sealing Heaven Art," to deduce a combat method more suitable for her current realm, better integrating extreme cold, confinement, and the realm of reincarnation.
A few days passed quickly during meditation.
When Ye Li opened her eyes again, the divine light in them was restrained, and her aura was harmonious and majestic. She had completely solidified her cultivation in the realm of supernatural powers, and her control over her own power had reached a new level. Qin Yixuan had also returned to her peak state, and even found a blessing in disguise. In the process of protecting Ye Li's breakthrough, her control over her own divine essence had also improved a little.
"It's time to leave." Ye Li stood up, his gaze piercing the Bone Mountain, looking towards the looming altar deep within the secret realm. Although he was curious about the altar and the chaotic light ball, especially their connection to the origin of Goddess Qin Yixuan, with powerful enemies surrounding him, it was definitely not the time to explore.
The two of them no longer hesitated, restrained their breath, chose a location opposite to the altar, and judged that it might be the direction of the exit based on the fluctuations in the secret realm, and sneaked in quietly.
Along the way, they encountered several waves of other geniuses. Some were battling guardian monsters for a specific ancient herb, some were contemplating within the ruins of a certain site, and still others were like frightened birds, cautiously avoiding others. All of them appeared rather bewildered, and it was clear that this month in the Primordial Secret Realm had not been an easy journey.
Ye Li and Qin Yixuan ignored the others and continued on their way. With their current strength, as long as they didn't provoke anyone, there were few who could threaten them in this secret realm.
A few days later, a powerful spatial fluctuation and a faint clamor were heard ahead. A vast, shimmering light gate, like a curtain of water, appeared at the end of the field of vision. There, at the very end, was the exit to the secret realm!
Dozens of geniuses had gathered near the exit, each possessing an extraordinary aura, though most wore fatigued expressions, and many even bore injuries. They gathered in groups of three or five, chatting in low voices, their gazes occasionally glancing toward the lighted exit. Their expressions expressed a mixture of relief at leaving the perilous area, yet also a hint of worry about what lay beyond the secret realm.
When Ye Li and Qin Yixuan arrived together, the exit area, which had been a bit noisy, suddenly became quiet.
Everyone's eyes were focused on them.
Shock, disbelief, awe, jealousy, inquiry...all kinds of complex emotions were revealed in the eyes of those geniuses without any concealment.
"It's them! The two prides of the Northern Territory!"
"They're still alive?! Weren't there rumors that they were being targeted by the Dark Eyes?"
"Wait... their aura... hiss... Divine Power Realm?! That Ye Li, has broken through to the Divine Power Realm?!"
"How is that possible?! She was only in the middle stage of Yuan Dan before entering the secret realm! It's only been a month!"
"Qin Yixuan's aura has become even more unfathomable... What kind of heaven-defying opportunity did they obtain in the secret realm?"
Discussions surged like a tide, everyone stunned by the overwhelming aura of the Divine Power Realm emanating from Ye Li. To reach the Divine Power Realm directly from the middle stage of the Yuan Dan realm in just one month—this was an unheard-of cultivation speed! Even the descendants of the imperial clans and sacred places in Zhongzhou could never achieve this!
Xuanyuan Potian, the Young Master of Xinggong, the Holy Son of Wan Yao Valley, and other top geniuses all looked at Ye Li with solemnity and fear. They could clearly sense that not only had Ye Li achieved a breakthrough, but the elusive and heart-pounding state of mind emanating from him was putting immense pressure on them.
Xuanyuan Potian was particularly affected. He had been defeated by Ye Li, believing it was a close call, and that he would avenge his defeat once he achieved a breakthrough in his magical powers. However, Ye Li had actually surpassed him in the magical power realm. The gap between them hadn't narrowed, but had likely widened!
Ye Li and Qin Yixuan ignored the surrounding discussions and gazes, walking straight to a relatively empty area near the exit, waiting for the secret realm to open. Their temperaments, one as cold as ice, the other as gentle as water, formed a world of their own when standing together, making people afraid to approach them easily.
Soon, the exit light gate stabilized. The voices of the three powerful beings from the outside world who presided over the secret realm came through the light gate:
"The time has come, all survivors, leave the secret realm immediately!"
One after another, figures rushed into the light gate impatiently.
Ye Li and Qin Yixuan looked at each other and nodded, then stepped into the light gate side by side.
A familiar sense of spatial transformation came over them. The next moment, they appeared in the square in the center of Tiandi City!
The dazzling sunshine, the noisy voices, the rich and peaceful spiritual energy of heaven and earth... formed a sharp contrast with the dead silence and chaos in the secret realm.
The square was already packed with people! Besides the elders and disciples from various factions who had come to greet their respective prodigies, there were even more cultivators who had heard the news and rushed over to catch a glimpse of this year's prodigies, especially the legendary "Two Prideful Ones of the Northern Territory"!
When Ye Li and Qin Yixuan appeared in the square, the entire square was silent for a moment, and then broke out into an uproar that was far more enthusiastic and lasting than that at the exit of the secret realm!
"They're out! They're out!"
"Northern Territory Ice Phoenix Yeli! Mysterious Lady Qin Yixuan!"
"Oh my god! The supernatural realm! That Ye Li is really in the supernatural realm!"
"In just one month, he broke through several levels and reached the level of supernatural power! What kind of monster is this?!"
"It seems the rumors in the secret realm are true! Not only did they obtain a great opportunity, but they also killed the magical cultivator of 'Dark Eyes'!"
The sound surged to the sky, and countless eyes were fixed on them like spotlights. On the stone tablet recording the battle records, Ye Li and Qin Yixuan's names were placed at the top, with words like "Suspected of Killing a Divine Power" and "Cultivation Breakthrough to the Divine Power Realm" written below them, sparking countless exclamations and heated discussions.
On the high platform, Lay Buddhist Muyun and Master Shuijing looked down at their apprentice, whose demeanor had surpassed that of the past, with smiles of uncontrollable satisfaction and pride on their faces. Even the powerful men from the top factions looked at Ye Li with amazement and curiosity.
"This girl... is truly remarkable." The white-bearded ancestor of the ancient Jiang family stroked his beard and sighed. "Although the Taichu Secret Realm only has opportunities, to break through to the Divine Ability Realm within a month, her foundation, understanding, and luck are all indispensable. I'm afraid the Northern Territory will prosper because of her."
The Star Palace Master's gaze was profound. "Even more remarkable is that she seems to have comprehended an extremely powerful principle... It seems that the landscape of the younger generation in the Spirit World is about to be rewritten."
An elder of the Xuanyuan Imperial Clan had a rather unhappy expression on his face. Although Xuanyuan Potian had also made considerable gains and reached the peak of Yuandan, it was undoubtedly much dimmer than Ye Li's magical realm.
Ye Li and Qin Yixuan ignored the hustle and bustle around them and walked straight towards the area where Xuanyun Sect and Bishui Pavilion were located.
"Master."
"Pavilion Master."
The two men bowed to Mr. Muyun and Mr. Shuijing respectively.
"Good! Good! I'm glad you're back!" Mr. Muyun looked at Ye Li, feeling the deep aura in her that even he himself couldn't quite fathom, and excitedly said "good" again and again. Mr. Shuijing also smiled broadly, nodding slightly to Qin Yixuan, his eyes full of approval.
After a brief greeting, Ye Li secretly sent a message to Master Mu Yun, briefly explaining her encounter with the "Dark Eyes" in the secret realm and her breakthrough and counterattack. Of course, she did not mention the core secret of the Samsara Mirror, but only said that it was a mysterious inheritance from the secret realm.
Upon hearing this, Lay Buddhist Mu Yun's expression darkened. He had heard of the mysterious organization known as "Dark Eyes." Their actions were secretive and ruthless, and he hadn't expected them to even reach out to the Tianjiao Society and target his apprentice and Qin Yixuan.
"This matter is of no small importance. We'll discuss it in detail when we get back," said Mu Yun Jushi in a deep voice, a fierce glint in his eyes. No matter who the other party was, if they dared to touch his disciples from Yundan Peak, they would be prepared to pay the price!
Afterwards, the Tianjiao Association's Council announced the final rankings and rewards for this secret realm trial. Ye Li and Qin Yixuan, thanks to their outstanding performance (especially Ye Li's breakthrough to the Divine Ability Realm and his suspected slaying of a Divine Ability), unsurprisingly tied for first place, receiving the most generous rewards, including a vast amount of top-tier cultivation resources, several precious rubbings of Divine Ability secrets, and a chance to cultivate in Zhongzhou's "Myriad Laws Source Pool"!
This reward once again attracted countless envious glances. The Myriad Laws Source Pond was a sacred place of enlightenment that even many veteran Divine Ability Realm cultivators dreamed of.
After the award ceremony, all parties began to withdraw.
The names and deeds of Ye Li and Qin Yixuan spread throughout Zhongzhou at an astonishing speed, like a whirlwind, and spread to other areas of the Thousand Realms Spirit Realm!
The names of the "Two Prideful Ones of the Northern Territory" resounded throughout the spirit world! Ye Li, in particular, had reached the Divine Ability Realm at the age of less than twenty, setting a record (officially) for being the youngest person to reach the Divine Ability Realm in the history of the spirit world. She was hailed as the "Number One Pride of All Time," and her fame was unparalleled!
Countless factions began to reassess the status and potential of the Northern Territory's Xuanyun Sect and Bishui Pavilion. Many young cultivators viewed Ye Li and Qin Yixuan as their idols and role models. Of course, even more factions developed a keen interest in the "secret treasures" and "mysterious inheritances" they had obtained, and countless eyes were secretly watching.
Ye Li knew all of this, but didn't care. Strength was the foundation for dealing with any crisis.
After returning to Xuanyun Sect’s temporary base in Zhongzhou, Ye Li immediately contacted Lin Feng through Youge’s special channel.
In the secret room, Lin Feng looked at the Pavilion Master in front of him, whose aura was profound and had already entered the realm of supernatural powers. He was so excited that he could hardly contain himself and bowed. "Congratulations to the Pavilion Master for his great progress in cultivation and his fame in the spiritual world!"
"It's just an empty title." Ye Li waved his hand, his expression serious. "I'll give you two tasks."
"Please give your orders, Pavilion Master!"
"First, mobilize all resources to fully investigate the Dark Pupil organization. I want to know their base, members, the mastermind behind them, and... what exactly their so-called Eclipse Plan is!"
"Secondly," Ye Li's eyes were sharp. "With the momentum of Yixuan and I becoming famous, it's time for Youge to officially infiltrate Zhongzhou. Select capable and reliable people, bring resources, and quietly enter Zhongzhou through various channels, such as chambers of commerce, intelligence stations, or even by relying on certain small and medium-sized forces. Establish a stronghold and weave a network. Remember, in the early stages, focus on lurking and gathering intelligence. Do not expose your connection with Xuanyun Sect or me."
Lin Feng's mind trembled, and he immediately understood Ye Li's grand plan. He was using his personal reputation to establish a stronghold for Youge in the heart of the spirit world! He suppressed his excitement and replied in a deep voice, "I understand! I will definitely live up to your trust!"
As Lin Feng took command and departed, an invisible network, leveraging the storm stirred by the "Northern Territory Twins," quietly spread across the bustling and complex land of Zhongzhou. Ye Li knew that individual power was ultimately limited. To confront "Dark Eyes" and the possible past-life enemies behind them, uncover the truth behind her parents' disappearance, and even confront the mysterious "Eclipse Plan," she needed to forge her own network of influence.
Leaving the secret realm, they are no longer simply gifted disciples, but have officially stepped onto the turbulent stage of the spiritual world, becoming key figures in the political landscape. The road ahead is destined to be turbulent, but Ye Li is prepared. Her cultivation in the Divine Power Realm, the depth of the Samsara Mirror, the hidden developments of the Nether Pavilion, and her companions who share her life and death, all provide her with the confidence to face all the challenges ahead.
A bigger storm may have just begun brewing.
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