Chapter 40: News of the Secret Realm Opening
Though still nascent, the intelligence network built by Lin Feng and Zhao Xiaoyi had already begun, like a quietly unfurling spiderweb, to capture the subtle currents flowing through the sect for Ye Li. Just as Ye Li was about to "go" to her appointment in the miasma rain forest, a piece of news officially released by the Merit Hall was like a boulder dropped into the middle of a lake, instantly causing a huge sensation throughout the Xuanyun Sect's outer and inner sects!
"Sect Order: The 'Cloud and Mist Secret Realm', which opens once every ten years, will appear in one month! All inner disciples and outstanding outer disciples are welcome to sign up and participate!"
Before the announcement of the jade disk, the disciples attracted by the news gathered in three layers, and the place was bustling with noise. Everyone's face was a mixture of excitement, excitement, desire and nervousness.
"The Secret Realm of Clouds and Mist! It's finally open again!"
"Ten years! I've waited for ten whole years! This time I must seize the opportunity!"
"I heard that there are spiritual herbs everywhere in it, and even some magic techniques and treasures left behind by our ancestors!"
"It's also very dangerous. The fog inside never dissipates all year round, which limits spiritual awareness. There are also all kinds of strange monsters..."
"What are you afraid of? Fortune and wealth are found in danger! This is a chance to change your destiny!"
The clamor threatened to lift the roof of the Merit Hall. The Cloud and Mist Secret Realm, an independent, small world controlled by the Xuanyun Sect, is said to have been formed from a fragment of a shattered continent in ancient times. Its rich spiritual energy nurtures a vast array of rare herbs and medicinal herbs, yet also conceals numerous unknown dangers and opportunities. Due to its unstable nature, it can only be opened once every ten years, and only admits disciples below the Spiritual Sea Realm.
For countless disciples stuck in the Qiling and Condensing Veins stages, this is undoubtedly the perfect opportunity to leap forward! Once they gain something, whether it's used for their own cultivation or turned in to the sect in exchange for contributions, it's enough to make their cultivation soar!
On the high platform, the disciple in charge of the announcement summoned up all his spiritual energy, suppressed the noise of the crowd, and began to read out the specific rules:
"The secret realm will be open for a month! The entrance is located in the Cloud Valley!"
"Once you enter the secret realm, life and death are determined by fate! The sect will not be held responsible for any casualties among its disciples!"
"What you gain from the secret realm belongs to you personally. If you wish to hand it over to the sect, you can exchange it for a huge amount of contribution points based on its value!"
"Killing fellow disciples is strictly prohibited. Once discovered, severe punishment will be imposed! However, surveillance is difficult within the secret realm, so you'd better be on your own!"
"Registration starts today and closes in three days! Participants must be well prepared!"
After the rules were read out, the crowd became excited again and rushed to the registration point.
The news soon reached Ye Li's ears through Zhao Xiaoyi.
"The Secret Realm of Clouds and Mist?" Ye Li's eyes flickered slightly. This was a pleasant surprise. Secret realms often contained rare resources difficult to find outside, perhaps offering an opportunity to rapidly improve one's strength or even repair the fragments of the Samsara Mirror. Furthermore, the complex environment of secret realms made them the perfect place to settle grudges or evade conspiracies... For example, perhaps the killing spree in the miasma rain forest could be brought to the secret realm to resolve, thus concealing it from the public eye.
She decided to participate without any hesitation.
Soon, Lin Feng sent more detailed jade slips about the Cloud and Mist Secret Realm through his channels. It was obvious that he had sorted and analyzed them overnight:
"The secret realm's interior is shrouded in thick fog year-round, greatly limiting the range of spiritual awareness (estimated to be no more than ten feet for the Condensed Veins Realm). The terrain is complex, with many swamps, mazes, and ancient forests. There are very few known safe areas."
"Known resource points: Bihantan (possibly containing cold-attribute spiritual herbs), Chiyangpo (fire-attribute minerals and spiritual plants), Fengxiao Gorge (suspected to contain wind-attribute monsters and materials), Ruins of the Ancient City (highly dangerous, rumored to contain the remains of ancient cave dwellings, but many restrictions)..."
"Main dangers: Mist Mantis (excels at stealth and sneak attacks), Heart-Confusing Demon Flower (expels hallucinogenic pollen), Swamp Viper, and...disciples from other sects (especially wary of ill-connected factions like Zhan Kuangfeng and Tiansha Sect)."
"Disciples over the years have summarized their experience: We recommend going in a team, but absolute trust is required; detoxification pills, miasma-repelling pills, and mind-clearing talismans are essential; magical instruments or talismans to guide the way are also required; do not be greedy, and act within your means..."
This information is far more detailed than the rough introduction released by the sect. It is obvious that Lin Feng compiled and analyzed the fragments of information that have been passed down over the past ten years. It is extremely valuable.
Ye Li read it carefully, and her opinion of Lin Feng rose a little higher. This person's talent in intelligence analysis and compilation was indeed outstanding.
Just as the sect was buzzing with excitement about the secret realm, Ye Li went to the Merit Hall and signed up to explore the secret realm. Afterwards, she once again came to the "Strange Object Pavilion" in the Wanxiang Hall.
The white-haired old man seemed to have known she would come. He smiled and squinted his eyes and said, "Girl, the secret realm is about to open. Want to come and exchange for some goodies?"
Ye Li nodded and said directly: "I need a means to resist hallucinations and poisons, and...something good that can harm people." She did not hide her needs.
The old man chuckled and pulled out a few items from under the counter. "'Pure Spirit Jade Pendant', second-grade mid-grade, can effectively resist mental illusions, 500 contribution points. 'Hundred Poisons Elimination Pills', three pills, can cure all poisons, the effect lasts for six hours, 300 contribution points per bottle. As for the Yin-Yang..."
He lowered his voice and took out a small, inconspicuous black gourd. "'Bewitching Miasma', a one-time magical weapon. When activated, it releases a colorless, odorless, poisonous miasma. Those below the Condensation Veins Realm will faint instantly upon hearing it. Even those at the Condensation Veins Realm will become drowsy and their movements slowed. 800 Contribution Points."
He then took out a stack of talismans as thin as cicada wings: "'Invisible Needle Talisman'. When activated, it shoots out three invisible poisonous energy needles, specifically designed to destroy the body's protective spiritual energy. Very insidious. One hundred and fifty contribution points each."
The price was staggering, but the effect was well worth it. Ye Li, now wealthy and powerful, bought the Qingling Jade Pendant, a bottle of Baidu Piyi Pill, and two Shadowless Needle Talismans without hesitation. While the Misting God Miasma was useful, it was too expensive, and she had other options.
After leaving Qiwuxuan, she went to replenish a large amount of materials for making talismans and liquid medicine. In the secret realm, replenishment was difficult, so she had to bring enough with her.
After returning to Yundan Peak, Ye Li began the final sprint before retreat.
She first used her newly purchased materials, combined with ancient texts and her own understanding, to attempt to create a talisman more suitable for secret environments—the "Mist-Breaking Talisman." This talisman can temporarily dispel dense fog within a certain range. While not as effective as specialized instruments, it is inexpensive and can be produced in large quantities.
After several failures, he successfully drew ten fog-breaking talismans with decent effects.
Then, she began to refine large quantities of "Cold Marrow Quenching Liquid" and "Boiling Blood Burning Spirit Liquid", and further purified and concentrated some of the quenching liquid to make "Ice Marrow Venom", which was more effective but more dangerous to use. She smeared it on the dagger and special steel needles, which could kill people instantly.
She also specially made a scabbard for the strengthened dagger. The inner wall of the scabbard was engraved with miniature breath-concealing runes to better hide the sharpness and coldness of the dagger.
Finally, she began to experiment with making a simple array disk—a "small-scale warning array disk." Due to limited materials, the effect could only cover a few feet in radius, but it could emit a slight vibration to warn of the intrusion of an unfamiliar aura, providing a warning while resting in the secret realm. It was better than nothing.
Just as she was busy preparing, Su Wanyun came to visit.
"Sister Yeli, do you know about the secret realm?" Su Wanyun's face was filled with worry and anticipation. "This secret realm is fraught with danger. Would you... like to travel together? That way we can look after each other."
Ye Li looked at Su Wanyun's sincere eyes, pondered for a moment, and then slowly shook his head: "Senior Sister Wanyun, I'm afraid I can't go with you to this secret realm."
A hint of disappointment flashed across Su Wanyun's eyes.
Ye Li explained, "I'm afraid we'll be surrounded by powerful enemies and face dangers on every side. If you go with me, you'll be in trouble. Besides..." She paused, "I'm used to being alone, so some of my tactics are not suitable for public display."
Upon hearing this, Su Wanyun understood her concerns. Although she was disappointed, she no longer forced her and said softly, "I understand. Then be careful, sister! If you encounter danger in the secret realm, you can send a signal. If I am nearby, I will definitely come to help!" She handed Ye Li an exquisite Hundred Flowers Signal Talisman.
"Thank you, senior sister." Ye Li took the signal token and felt a little warm in her heart.
After Su Wanyun left, Han Li and Chen Mo also approached, expressing their interest in teaming up, but were both declined by Ye Li for similar reasons. Han Li, unfazed, expressed his understanding and even shoved a few bottles of seemingly unreliable pills labeled "powerful" and "special effects." Chen Mo simply nodded, saying "be cautious," and left.
Clearly, everyone understood that the Cloud Mist Secret Realm presented both great opportunities and deadly dangers. Teaming up could increase the chances of survival, but it could also lead to faster demise due to uneven distribution of resources or backstabbing.
Ye Li believes more in her own strength and preparation.
The day before the registration deadline, Lin Feng sent a final intelligence summary, highlighting that Zhan Kuangfeng, Gao Sheng, Shi Feng, and others had also registered, and that they appeared to have had contact with several disciples of the Tiansha Sect (the Tiansha Sect and the Xuanyun Sect had always had a bad relationship). He also listed a few disciples with good reputations among the outer sects who might be worth temporary cooperation or trade.
Ye Li kept all this information in mind.
Everything was ready. The necessary talismans, potions, and array plates were all ready, and the contribution points had been spent.
She stood in the courtyard, taking one last look at the supplies in her storage ring: pills, talismans, potions, venom, a dagger, a warning array, a Qingling jade pendant, and the mysterious animal hide and ore she could never fathom...
His eyes were calm and sharp as a knife.
The mysterious realm of clouds and mist is both a dangerous place and a hunting ground.
She raised her head and looked towards the Cloud Valley.
A month later, the secret realm opened.
By then, all grudges may have been settled.
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