Chapter 70: Shangli Secret Realm.
Chapter 70: Shangli Secret Realm
After escaping the Ghost Market, Bu Xingjin looked up at the sky and was startled to realize that half a day had already passed in the real world, and the sky was bright. And now, the time left before Gu Jiuge's blood curse could be unleashed was very short.
Without further ado, Bu Xingjin made a decisive move and bid farewell to Gu Jiuge. Baili Xuan, Xie Qingchen, and Yun Luo, along with Gu Jiuge, rushed non-stop to remove the Blood Curse. After all, this curse required more than just removal; it also required a considerable amount of careful recovery.
Moreover, the soon-to-be-opened Shangli Secret Realm was shrouded in mystery, and numerous preparations were urgently needed before entering. Bu Xingjin, on his part, happened to run into an old friend. He secretly considered that following Gu Jiuge and the others would not only be of no help, but would also waste precious time. After some discussion, the group decided to part ways, agreeing that if they happened to meet again in the Shangli Secret Realm, they would keep each other's eyes and ears open.
After both parties waved goodbye, Bu Xingjin led Qing Yan into Shangli City, eager to take him to taste the signature delicacy of the Zhenxianlou that had made him dream and salivate - Jiuji Xianzhen.
At that time, the warm sun was high in the sky, and the golden light was shining everywhere. Because the highly anticipated Shangli Secret Realm was about to open, the Shangli City was bustling with people, and the crowds were surging like the tide. The streets and alleys were full of pedestrians.
Bu Xingjin and Qing Yan walked forward, but were repeatedly separated by the torrent of people. Bu Xingjin had no choice but to hold Qing Yan's wrist tightly. After a lot of effort, he finally made his way through the bustling and noisy crowd.
The glittering golden plaque atop the Zhenxian Building cast a dazzling halo of light under the pouring sunlight. The waiter spotted Bu Xingjin from afar, his face instantly filled with a welcoming smile. He led the two of them into the elegant and quiet private room upstairs with unwavering familiarity.
"How long have you been in Shangli City? Why did you end up in the Ghost Market? Are you looking for something strange and bizarre? Did you come to Shangli City this time for the Shangli Secret Realm?"
As soon as he sat down steadily, Bu Xingjin swiftly ordered the Nine Extreme Immortal Treasures and carefully paired them with a few side dishes that he had tasted quite good before. Then, with a smile on his face and his eyes full of curiosity and eagerness, he stared at Qing Yan closely and blurted out a series of questions like a machine gun.
He didn't know why, but from the moment he met Qing Yan, his heart felt like a deer running around, and he was overwhelmed with an irrepressible excitement. He had a lot of questions in his mind, but he was too embarrassed to pour them all out at once. After careful consideration, he picked out the questions he wanted to know the answers to the most.
"I just arrived and was looking for something. Luckily, I found it in the ghost market."
"Just as I was about to leave the ghost market, I saw the Rebirth Pawn Shop. I went in for a while and then you guys showed up."
"There is a sword in the Shangli Secret Realm that I accidentally lost before. I came here this time to go in and retrieve it."
Qing Yan looked calm and responded to Bu Xingjin's questions one by one in an orderly manner.
Did the sword fall into the secret realm? Go into the Shangli Secret Realm to look for it? Bu Xingjin felt that something seemed amiss, but he didn't think too much about it and accepted Qing Yan's words.
"Your cultivation..." Bu Xingjin hesitated and said softly, "I heard that the Shangli Secret Realm only allows cultivators below the Spiritual Severing Stage to enter. Your cultivation is probably far beyond this level. I can't even sense the depth of your realm."
"The friend I know is Gu Jiuge, the one you gave the Pure Lotus to save. He has three Shangli Orders. Anyone holding these orders can enter even if they are at the Spirit Severing Stage. It's a pity that those three Shangli Orders have already been given away."
"No problem, I have my own arrangements."
Upon hearing Bu Xingjin's concerns, Qing Yan's expression did not change. It was obvious that he knew the rules of this secret realm well and did not care at all.
"Okay, that's good."
There was a gentle knock on the door of the private room, and the waiter walked in empty-handed. He went straight to the purple-red eight-immortals table in the middle of the room, and calmly took out the wine and food from the storage bag one by one and arranged them neatly.
"The dishes are ready, please enjoy your meal, sir."
The waiter smiled and walked out.
"Try it now. I've eaten this Nine Extremes Immortal Treasure several times."
"This Nine Extremes Immortal Treasure is a combination of nine dishes carefully crafted together. Take the Rising Tide in the Blue Sea for example, it has to be cooled with thousand-year-old black ice before eating, and that's how refreshing it tastes." Bu Xingjin said as he picked up a piece of crystal clear spirit fish meat that looked like beautiful jade with chopsticks and gently placed it into Qing Yan's bowl. The ice crystals that were accidentally brought up fell down and landed on Qing Yan's cuffs. In the blink of an eye, they turned into light blue mist and slowly drifted away.
Qing Yan picked up the jade chopsticks, and the tip of the chopsticks paused slightly above the first "Blue Sea Rising" of Jiuji Xianzhen. He looked up at the surging sea of clouds outside the window and said calmly, "Three hundred meters to the east, someone is following us."
Bu Xingjin swept his spiritual sense and found that they were from the Liu family. The scene of his previous encounter with them on Broken Dragon Cliff instantly emerged in his mind.
"Don't worry about it. I accidentally offended the Liu family, one of the eight major families in Shangli City. I guess they sent people to follow me."
Bu Xingjin remained calm and made up this sentence, which was completely inconsistent with the facts.
"Yeah." Qing Yan didn't ask any more questions. Since Bu Xingjin said not to pay attention to it, he did as he was told.
…
Three days passed in a flash. Bu Xingjin took Qingyan to every street and alley in Shangli City. The place they visited most was still Zhenxian Tower. During this time, Bu Xingjin also took the time to open the system panel and found that he had reached another level.
He gave all the rewards he received to Zhenxianlou. When it came to the next few meals, he really had nothing to pay for the meals, and it was Qingyan who readily took out the spirit stones to help him out.
The days of eating and drinking passed by so quickly, until the light from the open portal of Shangli Secret Realm shone into Shangli City, and Bu Xingjin remembered that it was time for Shangli Secret Realm to open.
By the time they arrived at Broken Dragon Cliff, there were no people left at the entrance to the secret realm. Everyone was rushing in to get a chance.
"Qing Yan, can you really get in?"
Standing at the entrance to the Shangli Secret Realm, Bu Xingjin couldn't help but confirm it again.
When Bu Xingjin first met Qing Yan in the Ghost Market, he had keenly sensed that Qing Yan's cultivation was unfathomable, probably far beyond the Spirit Severing Stage. Under such circumstances, he should not be able to enter the Shangli Secret Realm.
"That's all right. I have my own way." Qing Yan looked calm and composed, his gaze as tranquil as water as he gazed at the slowly opening door to the secret realm, as if everything in the world was under his control. He gently waved his long sleeves, and a breeze quietly swept past, picking up a few fallen leaves on the ground and swirling them leisurely in the air.
Bu Xingjin was about to ask more when he saw a heavy, ancient jade pendant suddenly appear in Qing Yan's palm. Runes flickered on and off, emitting a mysterious and distant aura. Strangely, this aura matched the aura surrounding the Shangli Secret Realm. Qing Yan flicked his wrist and tossed the jade pendant into the air. It spun rapidly, and in an instant, it emitted a soft, warm light that sank directly into the mysterious world beyond the secret realm.
In an instant, the door to the secret realm shone brightly, extremely bright and dazzling, and a dazzling light slowly projected over.
Bu Xingjin's eyes widened in shock, his face filled with astonishment: "What...what kind of treasure is this? In this way, you can get in?"
Qing Yan raised the corners of his mouth slightly, revealing a faint smile. He raised his hand to recall the jade pendant and put it steadily into his sleeve: "It's just something I got by chance in my early years, and it just happens to have some connection with this secret realm." After speaking, he took the lead and walked towards the door in big strides, facing the brilliant light.
Bu Xingjin was full of curiosity, but he also knew that this was not the right time to ask further questions, so he hurried to catch up with Qing Yan.
As soon as you step into the secret realm, it's like stepping into another magical world. Surrounded by wispy clouds and a ethereal aura, a winding stone path snakes beneath your feet. On either side, exotic flowers and plants vie for beauty, their vibrant colors ablaze with life. Rich, intoxicating fragrance wafts through the air, leaving you feeling relaxed and refreshed. In the distance, mountains cascade and undulate, and occasionally, a magical bird flutters through the forested peaks, its clear, melodious call echoing through the valley.
"This place is truly amazing!" Bu Xingjin couldn't help but exclaim in admiration. His eyes widened and he stared straight ahead. His steps unconsciously slowed down, his mind full of the thought of taking in this dreamlike beauty.
Qing Yan seemed to have foreseen this, his expression calm and unperturbed. He only gently reminded: "Don't be greedy for the scenery along the way. In the secret realm, opportunities and dangers always coexist. It is better to be cautious."
"Okay, I'll do as you say. I'll help you find your sword."
Bu Xingjin came back to his senses, nodded quickly and followed Qing Yan closely.
The two walked slowly along the stone path, a peaceful journey without encountering any danger. But as they walked, a foggy forest suddenly appeared in front of them. The fog was so thick that it seemed to be a substance, pressing down darkly, making it impossible to see the road ahead.
"This..." Bu Xingjin looked hesitant and looked at Qing Yan, "Do you want to go in?"
Qing Yan frowned slightly, his eyes looking through the mist, as if he was searching for something: "Let's go in and take a look."
After saying that, he took out a night-shining pearl from his bosom. The night-shining pearl shone brightly, dispelling some of the fog. Then the two of them stepped into the forest cautiously.
As soon as they entered the forest, they heard a sinister whistling sound coming from all directions, as if countless vengeful spirits were wailing. Bu Xingjin's heart tightened, and he subconsciously gripped the Blood River Knife. Qing Yan's expression was grim, and he glanced around vigilantly.
Suddenly, a massive shadow lunged at him from the side, moving at breakneck speed and stirring up a gust of wind. Bu Xingjin was unable to react and was blown back by the gust of wind. Qing Yan, however, flashed before the shadow, instantly appearing before him. He raised his hand and unleashed a sharp sword, slashing at it.
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