Chapter Seventeen: The Opening of the Cloud Mist Valley Secret Realm
Before the morning mist had completely dissipated, the huge bulletin board in the central square of the Sword Sect was already surrounded by layers of disciples.
The place was bustling with people, even more lively than the morning market at the foot of the mountain.
The sounds of various discussions, exclamations, and excited conversations mingled together, dispelling the chill of the mountains.
"Look! It's a new message!"
"Cloud Mist Valley! Cloud Mist Valley is about to open!" An outer disciple stood on tiptoe to see the contents, his voice trembling with excitement.
"I've heard that the secret realm is full of spiritual herbs and low-level demonic beasts to hunt, making it perfect for disciples below the Foundation Establishment stage to train!"
"That's right! But there are only a limited number of spots, only one hundred people will be selected, and you have to go through a selection process to get in!"
"The selection competition starts tomorrow. It tests basic spiritual energy control and combat reaction. I need to hurry back and practice!"
Fang Li had just finished a night of cultivation and was about to go to the dining hall for something to eat when she was drawn to this unusual liveliness.
She wasn't one to join in the fun, and was about to walk around when a familiar figure emerged from the crowd and grabbed her arm.
"Senior Sister Fang! Senior Sister Fang!" Xiao Tao's face was flushed, her eyes were shining brightly, and she was so excited that she couldn't speak coherently: "Big news! Huge news! Cloud Mist Valley! The secret realm where new disciples undergo trials! It's about to open!"
Cloud Valley?
Fang Li's heart stirred.
She remembered the name; it seemed that her previous life also began around this time.
That was a low-level secret realm controlled by the Sword Sect, specifically for training new disciples. The risks inside were relatively controllable, but there were also many opportunities, especially several rare first and second-tier spiritual herbs and certain refining materials, which were important ways for many disciples to accumulate resources.
"The announcement said," Xiao Tao caught her breath and continued chattering, "that both outer and inner disciples can sign up! But there are limited spots, supposedly only a hundred! There might be a simple selection process! Senior Sister Fang, let's sign up together! I heard there are several kinds of spiritual herbs that can help with breakthroughs!"
Xiao Tao excitedly planned ahead, as if she could already see herself making great strides in the secret realm and returning with a full harvest.
Fang Li's arm was being shaken by her, and her gaze passed over the throng of people and landed on the huge bulletin board.
The notice clearly stated "Announcement of the Opening of the Cloud Valley Secret Realm" and registration details.
Secret Realm...
Several things flashed through her mind in an instant.
A "ice-patterned grass" hidden by the cold pool in the valley.
Three "Golden Fruits" growing beside an eagle's nest on a cliff.
There was also a small piece of "spiritual herb" buried in some inconspicuous corner.
Some lucky ones might even encounter their own special opportunity within it.
These things might only be considered decent spiritual materials to others, but for her now, they are key items for solidifying her foundation and rapidly improving her cultivation!
The Spirit-Refining Grass is particularly important to her next plan.
In her past life, she was only concerned with chasing after Shen Yunzhou, completely disregarding this opportunity to enter a secret realm that required desperate effort, even feeling it was dangerous, and thus missing a golden chance. Looking back now, she was incredibly foolish.
"Senior Sister Fang? Are you going?" Xiao Tao asked when she didn't answer.
"Go." Fang Li withdrew her gaze and answered decisively without the slightest hesitation.
She would never miss this opportunity.
"Great!" Xiao Tao cheered.
Not far away, Su Wanqing, who had also seen the announcement, was surrounded by several close female disciples from the inner sect.
With a gentle smile on her face, she listened to her companions' longing for the secret realm and their flattery of her, her gaze involuntarily drifting towards Fang Li.
Seeing Fang Li's beautiful yet annoying face, and Xiao Tao who was always hovering around her, a cold glint flashed in Su Wanqing's eyes.
Cloud Valley... The opportunity has arrived.
In secret realms, swords and blades have no eyes; it's perfectly normal for something "accidental" to happen.
She gently squeezed her fingers inside her sleeve, a slight smile curving her lips.
Fang Li, you'd better not go in, or you'll be sorry.
The news spread like wildfire, quickly reaching every corner of the sect.
Xie Chen was reading a book in his cave when he heard the report from the attendant. He put down the book, tapped the table lightly with his fingertips, and smiled thoughtfully.
"Cloud Mist Valley is quite an interesting place."
"The resources may be ordinary, but it's easier to fish when the waters are murky." He muttered to himself, his mind already racing, calculating the various possibilities and potential gains and losses within the secret realm.
Perhaps, this opportunity could be used to observe the little bird that always tries to jump out of the chessboard more closely, and perhaps cause some trouble around her, which would be more interesting, wouldn't it?
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
On the training ground, Ji Qianqiu had just punched an unlucky inner disciple away and was feeling frustrated because he had no way to use his strength.
Hearing the passing disciples excitedly discussing the opening of the secret realm, he suddenly turned his head, his large, copper-bell-sized eyes instantly flashing with a sharp light.
"A secret realm? Is a fight about to break out?!" His voice boomed, making the ears of the disciples beside him ring.
"Alright, alright! My hands are itching for a fight! The monsters inside are definitely more resilient than you weaklings!" He had automatically equated the secret realm trial with a great place to fight without restraint. As for spiritual herbs? What are those? Can you even eat them? Fighting is much more practical!
Meanwhile, at Hantan Square, Shen Yunzhou had just finished his morning exercise and was meticulously wiping his longsword with a snow-white silk handkerchief.
A disciple from the Punishment Hall stood respectfully behind him, reporting on the opening of the secret realm and the sect's arrangement of elders to guard it.
Shen Yunzhou's expression remained indifferent, without the slightest fluctuation.
For him, opening the sect's secret realm was just part of the routine; maintaining order and preventing large-scale riots was his duty.
As for the disciples' struggles and conflicts over opportunities? What does that have to do with him?
His heart was filled with nothing but the way of the sword, and... that figure that had been inexplicably disturbing his mind lately, yet which he found extremely annoying.
He paused slightly as he wiped his sword, and the image of her receiving Xie Chen's medicine box from that day seemed to flash before his eyes again. A surge of irritation welled up in his heart, and the temperature of the surrounding air seemed to drop a few degrees.
He immediately composed himself, cutting off these unnecessary emotions, and continued to focus on the sword in his hand.
The entire Sword Sect was abuzz with excitement over the news of the opening of this secret realm.
Some are eager to try, some are secretly plotting, and some are simply looking forward to it.
Fang Li stood at the edge of the gradually dispersing crowd, listening to Xiao Tao still excitedly planning which pills and talismans to prepare, but her gaze once again fell on the three big characters "Cloud Mist Valley" on the bulletin board.
Her fingers clenched quietly inside her sleeve; she had to go to this secret place.
It's not just about those few things we've already set our sights on, but also about taking a solid step towards a more distant path of cultivation.
This time, she will not miss any opportunity to become stronger.
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