Chapter 40 040 The Secret Realm Has Arrived
Song Chi returned to the Scarlet Rose Pavilion and took a bath. As he leaned against the window watching the snow, a figure in green parted the bamboo branches and slowly approached him.
When Venerable Yun Huai saw Song Chi arrive, he looked at him with an expression that seemed to say, "You almost killed me."
But in reality, there was no hatred.
He couldn't help but smile. This child is truly unique!
Then he asked, "Are you still going to practice that Wood Spirit Root Immortal Technique?" He had naturally overheard the conversation between Senior Brother Yunhai Songtang and Song Chi, who was lying in ambush nearby. Senior Brother probably let him hear it on purpose.
He thought that, given Song Chi's shock and guilt, he probably wouldn't be able to practice this immortal technique anymore.
Senior brother's tactic of retreating to advance is likely to succeed.
Who knows?
"You have to practice!" The words "Crunch crisply" popped out of that brat's mouth.
Nie Yunhuai almost laughed so hard she had to lean against the wall! How did she manage to do something so extraordinary?
"Alright. These are some notes I have on the orthodox path of the Wood Spirit Root; they might be useful to you."
Nie Yunhuai didn't hold back and gave Song Chi a copy of his manuscript on his thoughts about wood spirit roots.
"Next, I'm going to venture into an ancient sound cultivator's tomb. This journey is fraught with peril, and there may be no chance of me returning."
He thought that Song Chi would say something nice at this point, at least something to move him, and then stop him from venturing into the secret realm.
But this brat laughed and said, "Junior Uncle, you'll be fine. You're very lucky."
What do you mean by "very lucky"? It sounds like you're insulting him!
Nie Yunhuai was speechless and unconsciously stared intently at Song Chi. "You little girl, do you really have no heart?"
"That's impossible! My heart is pounding, more excited than anyone else's."
Nie Yunhuai: "..." Never mind, I won't argue with her.
"Alright, just wait for your junior uncle to return with a full load!" Nie Yunhuai was about to take flight.
"Junior Uncle, wait a moment." Song Chi called out to him.
Then this brat turned her back and cast a complex spell. It looked like a kind of incantation.
Immediately, a pentagram appeared, its surface completely black.
"Wow!"
The brat exclaimed in surprise, then suddenly seemed to realize something.
She jumped up and shoved one of her sachets into his hands. “Junior Uncle, whether you believe it or not, I am your lucky star on this trip. You must take this sachet with you when you eat, drink, and sleep. And when you go to the immortal’s tomb, you must not leave it by your side for even a moment.”
Nie Yunhuai: "..." Taking the sachet, he inexplicably began to believe it.
But she still smiled and said, "Have you ever thought about what it means to give a man a sachet?"
As he said this, he deliberately broke the seal, letting the boys hiding outside hear him.
"Your junior uncle has never been married, nor has he ever had anyone he loved. Although we are from different generations, there are countless master-disciple romances in the cultivation world. I am still just your junior uncle, so people won't gossip about me behind my back..."
"Let's go, let's go!" Before she could finish speaking, Song Chi pushed her out the door.
Nie Yunhuai deliberately looked at the sachet with great tenderness in front of the boys hiding in the shadows, and then carefully hid it in his chest.
In the shadows, at least two people were grinding their teeth to powder. The Ye family member's face was almost contorted in agony, his eyes gleaming like a ravenous wolf.
Nie Yunhuai immediately left in a moment of pleasure.
Mo Shubai, hidden in the shadows, witnessed this scene and could only shake his head speechlessly. This junior uncle still took pleasure in tormenting people.
However, he was relieved that his master was willing to let Song Chi go.
It seems that the battle between Junior Uncle and Master has finally reduced Master's prejudice against Wood Spirit Root Immortal Techniques.
As for this Wood Spirit Root Immortal Technique, Mo Shubai pondered for a moment before returning to Listening Spring Pavilion. In fact, no one who cultivates sound is unaware of the Wood Spirit Root Immortal Technique. However, this technique has a drawback: it is only effective among disciples below the Golden Core stage. Once a Golden Core cultivator awakens their divine sense, they are less susceptible to interference from sound.
Therefore, among the sound cultivators who follow the orthodox path of the wood spirit root, there has only been one junior uncle who does not believe in evil from ancient times to the present.
Although Junior Uncle's cultivation level has improved, he is still almost completely overwhelmed by Master in their battle. While it's partly due to Master's higher cultivation and techniques, even if Master and Junior Uncle were of equal cultivation, Junior Uncle's combat strength would likely still be much weaker.
Therefore, this Wood Spirit Root Immortal Technique still has significant problems…
As for Song Chi, he already knew it was her the moment he heard the zither music at Yulu Garden. He simply protected her all the way from then on.
That way, she won't suffer any loss.
Unexpectedly, Rong Zhan noticed something. This man was quite mischievous and insisted on finding out who his 'favorite' was. That's how Song Chi was exposed to the public.
Originally, Mo Shubai would have quietly caught Song Chi and brought him back to the sect after that night. He was also worried that if his master found out, he might expel Song Chi from the sect.
Fortunately, this whole ordeal was resolved with ease.
The next ten years or so should be peaceful. The Golden Core Immortal Spirit Secret Realm has recently shown some signs of loosening and may erupt earlier than expected, but even if it does, it should still take seven or eight years, or ten years or so.
This would make it easier for Song Chi to become stronger... Mo Shubai guessed that Song Chi's eagerness to become stronger, even to the point of sneaking into a brothel to learn the secret technique of the Wood Spirit Root, was probably in preparation for the Golden Core Realm.
This guy already had a life on his hands in that secret realm... He's someone who dares to venture out and take risks.
I wonder how she will fare in this Golden Core Secret Realm.
Before heading to the immortal's tomb, Nie Yunhuai rushed back to Changge City. There, on the outskirts of the city, he secretly and stealthily murdered Steward Wang in the mountains.
His eyes were cold as he looked at the corpse.
Offend him, and you'll die. That's Nie Yunhuai's personality—he's vengeful and never holds a grudge.
If he weren't in such a hurry to reach the tomb, he might have slowly tortured the man to death. He could derive some pleasure from it. Of course, unless necessary, he wasn't such a cruel person, or, as Song Chi quipped, a pervert.
Hmm, that brat will secretly call him a pervert!
Nie Yunhuai pinched the sachet on his chest and smiled. He hoped this girl was truly his lucky star; sometimes he actually believed in these divination and metaphysical practices.
Song Chi's promise to his master that he didn't have to learn the Wood Spirit Root Immortal Technique was true, and his promise to his junior uncle that he would continue to learn the Wood Spirit Root Immortal Technique was also true.
The only temporary way to increase her power is through the Wood Spirit Root. Once she goes to the secret realm and obtains the Spirit Fruit with Song Yun, everything will be fine.
She's such a lazy person, yet she's been working so hard for so long, all for the sake of a peaceful and happy ending.
As long as everything goes smoothly, she promises to be a good disciple of her master after forming her golden core. Whether it's a metal or water spiritual root, it doesn't matter; she just needs to choose a righteous path. Whether she touches wood spiritual root immortal techniques or not is irrelevant to her.
But we still need to work hard.
Next, she studied her junior uncle's manuscripts while simultaneously practicing the Wood Spirit Root Immortal Technique. She discovered that although her junior uncle wasn't very reliable, he was probably one of the few, no, the only great master in the cultivation world with a scientific research spirit. He would meticulously document the reasoning behind everything he did.
Unlike other big shots who are mysterious and unfathomable, they won't just give you a vague answer.
"Enlightenment is a pipe dream. You can't understand it if you don't have a clue! Junior Uncle's approach is the best."
With the help of this manuscript, coupled with the month and a half of trials at Jade Dew Garden that felt like a tribulation, Song Chi made a minor breakthrough in his cultivation of the Wood Spirit Root Immortal Technique.
There were simply no suitable subjects for her experiment. As a result, Xi Ya and the others came to find her during their training breaks, and they laughed when they heard her say this.
"Aren't we ready-made?"
They immediately expressed their desire to test just how powerful her psychedelic version of the Wood Spirit Root spell really was.
Because they knew beforehand that she was going to target them, they were extremely wary. It took her quite a couple of songs to finally win them over.
The most difficult challenge was naturally with Xi Ya. She possessed unwavering resolve and a stable temperament, unmoved by external influences. However, it seems there was a problem with her alchemy, and she ultimately collapsed on the floor, silently shedding tears.
Cheng Yao's situation is a bit easier. She used to be someone who could do anything casually, but now she might have developed a desire to improve her skills in the Linglong Sect's techniques. However, her dancing is still only barely passable, which is why she cried so bitterly this time.
Dai Jia is the easiest. She's good at everything, except she's too infatuated with girls.
Before long, she hugged the pillar and shyly called out to the immortal master.
When Song Chiqin's music stopped, she was still not awake. Cheng Yao and Xi Ya wiped away their tears and couldn't help but laugh. Dai Jia belatedly woke up, still muttering "Immortal Master," and immediately blushed deeply.
Then she raised her eyebrows. "I refuse to believe that you wouldn't be attracted to such a handsome man as Immortal Master Mo Shubai."
Song Chi and the other two just smiled and looked at her.
Dai Jia looked around, probably completely heartbroken. "You three are utterly heartless!"
After the three of them left, Song Chi felt that the pace of the conquest was still not fast enough. So every day, he would pick up his zither and go to various scenic spots and historical sites within the sect, especially quiet places, to play a tune or a flute.
This worked quite well. It successfully reconciled several couples who had been arguing fiercely, and couples who hadn't confessed their feelings to each other finally understood their love with blushing and heart-pounding moments. Of course, some things escalated a little, causing the couples to get together. Finally, to the chagrin of her shrill piano music, the female disciple slapped the male disciple, ending the affair... Although she later followed this couple, their relationship seemed to improve.
In short, two years had passed by the time she had searched everywhere for test subjects and felt somewhat confident about the Wood Spirit Root Immortal Technique.
On this day, the autumn leaves in the forest were ablaze with color, and it was time for the sect to accept disciples once again.
Song Chi didn't pay attention to any of that. He just happened to be at the messenger's office sending a letter and also received a letter from Song Yun. So he took a quick look at the appearance of the new disciple.
Looking back to when I first started cultivating, fifteen years have already passed. In later generations, this would be a truly long time. In the cultivation world, it's just so-so.
At her current age, she's still incredibly young and fresh in the cultivation world.
She didn't look at it much, taking the letter and glancing back as she went. Song Yun said he had now achieved minor success in the art of poison pills, and indicated that he might already be somewhat powerful. The phrase "somewhat powerful" was quite mystical; given Song Yun's personality, for him to say something like that, the effects of his poison pills must be astonishing.
That gave the siblings an extra layer of protection for their survival in the secret realm.
As for Wen Xiujin, this love-struck fool, if he really is no different from the character in the book, Song Chi thinks it's best to just keep deceiving him.
She flew back to Scarlet Rose Pavilion, and hadn't even landed yet.
Suddenly, from east to west, a magnificent burst of color dyed the azure autumn sky, as if the light of the sky had broken through the clouds, silently and instantly coloring the entire sky.
Then a mysterious breeze blew by.
The next moment, a silent spiritual explosion erupted in the east. Like a boulder falling into water, the spiritual energy surged upwards with a bang, and the clouds in the east churned wildly like a raging sea.
That is—!
The secret realm, that Golden Core Secret Realm! Unless it was the commotion within the secret realm, Song Chi couldn't imagine what kind of spiritual explosion could possess such earth-shattering power.
The Golden Core Secret Realm in the book does indeed take place in the Crescent Lake in the Southeast Lewei Forest.
Song Chi immediately saw his master and senior brother fly out of the Cloud Sea Pine Hall, and their expressions changed drastically after glancing at the horizon.
"That secret realm has arrived so early!"
"Not good! This spirit explosion seems to be about to go all out."
The two immediately teleported to the sect leader's council hall.
"We have arrived at the secret realm. Prepare yourselves quickly," Mo Shubai reminded Song Chi in a coded message.
Master only glanced at her, a hint of hesitation in his eyes. He was probably reluctant to let her go to the secret realm for training, after all, such immortal realms were extremely dangerous. Song Chi could tell that Master was the most soft-hearted person.
But she was determined to venture into this secret realm, even if it meant braving dragon's dens and tiger's lair.
She just didn't know how the disciples would be selected this time. She remembered Qi Zhenmo reminding her twelve years ago that she absolutely had to pass the apprenticeship test.
Now, exactly twelve years have passed, and the secret realm has arrived.
At that moment, Song Chi felt a chill run down her spine. "This Qi Zhenmo... he really is a fortune teller!" she murmured to herself.
Then he quickly went back to pack his things, and finished packing in just 15 minutes.
Then they heard the sect's stewards relaying orders from all directions.
"All Foundation Establishment disciples who have passed the apprenticeship test, proceed immediately to the Hall of Respect for Teachers. Bring your identity tokens and hurry there. Those who do not arrive within half a quarter of an hour will be considered to have missed this opportunity in the secret realm!"
Song Chi: "..." As expected, this was the only option. And Qi Zhenmo, are you really not Heaven's favorite son? How could you predict so accurately?
Her mind was in turmoil. She took a deep breath to calm her racing thoughts, then resolutely leaped into the air. This time, she was determined to complete her mission and survive.
When Song Chi arrived at the foot of Jingshitang Mountain, he saw that the red flying boats had already gathered high up. The elders were on high alert.
Disciples flocked in from all directions, each bearing the air of Zhong Rong.
Dai Jia and her two companions were a little slow to find her. They saw the goosebumps on Dai Jia's cheeks rise and fall repeatedly. They could also hear her gasping for breath and muttering to herself.
"It's alright, it's alright. I learned that you even went to brothels to train in order to cultivate the Wood Spirit Root Immortal Technique. I've been risking my life to cultivate swordsmanship these past two years and have already made some progress. Otherwise, how could someone without strength survive in such a secret realm?"
Cheng Yao and Xi Ya both wore resolute expressions. They were both very diligent in their cultivation, especially Cheng Yao, who had found her goal. When Song Chi saw her, her body was almost entirely covered in bruises from dance practice. Xi Ya was even more dedicated; she was a natural-born dancer and her fist techniques and instantaneous movement methods were second to none.
In terms of combat strength, she and Dai Jia are still the strongest among the four.
Soon, several venerable figures and the sect leader emerged from the Hall of Respect for Teachers.
Along with them, a pure white jade tripod landed in front of the Respect for Teachers Hall.
"All disciples, present your jade tokens!" came the sect leader's command.
There were probably a thousand disciples who arrived by now. Some were out on missions, and others were friends who felt sorry for them. After all, they had missed the only great opportunity of their lives.
But at this moment, there was no time to worry about others. All the disciples flicked their tokens with spiritual energy, only to be swept away by the several Venerables above. After the clanging sound of the tokens colliding, they all fell into the white jade cauldron where immortal mist was rising.
"This time, the Golden Core Immortal Spirit Secret Realm will still only have two hundred slots. When the secret realm opens, the ancestor will appear in the Respect for Master Hall and use the Ruyi True Cauldron to select the people who will go to the secret realm."
“All disciples who have received the token should board the ship immediately.”
The solemn voice of Master Xuanwei explained the selection method for this disciple. It seems that the Ruyi True Cauldron is likely another test of destiny.
The book does indeed have a final test of luck, selecting 200 people from 400 Foundation Establishment disciples. The original owner passed the test. However, during this secret realm, the original owner spent the entire time running for their life, and was then saved by Su Yu again. They also witnessed Mo Feiyun risking everything to save the female lead, Cui Xue Ruo. These are only mentioned briefly; the rest of the plot naturally revolves around the main characters.
Putting those aside for now, Song Chi stared intently at the cauldron. She was actually quite afraid of the luck test. After all, it was purely a matter of fate; there was no other way.
It's so frustrating that it's impossible to find a direction even when you're trying your best. Therefore, many people actually show this kind of frantic tension.
Then, a series of popping sounds rang out, and jade tablets shot out from the cauldron, falling towards the disciples like celestial maidens scattering flowers.
"I got it! I actually got the Grandmaster's approval!" Some disciples with less talent choked up as they held the token.
It was the elders at higher levels who reminded us.
"Disciples who have received the token, board the ship immediately."
"Time is of the essence, let's set off immediately!"
Song Chi and her three companions were a step too slow in obtaining their identity tokens. At that moment, not only Song Chi, but even Xi Ya broke out in a cold sweat.
Only after holding the tokens in their hands did the four of them let out a deep breath. Then, without further ado, they leaped onto the flying boat.
As expected, Ye Qingyu and his group of talented disciples were favored by their master. They had already reached the bow of the ship!
Ye Qingyu gave him a sharp look, signaling him to come closer.
Song Chi couldn't be bothered with him. She would absolutely not be joining the main group in this secret realm. No, wait, later on, when the demonic beast army erupted, they would indeed have to rush into the main group's celestial palace to survive.
The celestial palace remained riddled with traps, and of the ten disciples who survived, only one in ten remained. It was a deadly trap.
This time, Song Chi was mentally prepared for a one-way trip into the secret realm. It was simply too dangerous.
But as long as we get through this, everything will be alright! Song Chi cheered himself up.
Once again, Venerable Xueqiao and Venerable Yuheng were in charge, leading their disciples to tear open a golden scroll, revealing a huge vortex of surging spiritual energy.
Even so, Song Chi noticed that the sect leader, Master Xuanwei, always had a calm expression, but also showed an expression of extreme heartache.
Even Master and Venerable Yuheng's faces twitched, showing just how precious this immortal scroll was.
Last time, the secret realm was nearby, and the Azure Sword Sect had the advantage of location, which gave them a huge benefit. This time, they can only suffer losses and have to bleed money.
After all, such a secret realm is absolutely not to be missed!
However, when the flying boat started, Song Chi still received a glare from her master. That expression clearly showed that he didn't want her to go to the secret realm. But since this was a personal opportunity, even as her master, he couldn't very well stop her, so he could only sigh and give up.
Of course, Mo Shubai was still in the group this time, responsible for disciplining the disciples.
This teleportation scroll was clearly ten thousand times better than the teleportation arrays of the major immortal cities, and there was no dizziness at all during the process. Moreover, the speed was extremely fast; one could only feel the spiritual energy flowing backward on both sides, and then in no more than half an hour, one would arrive at the location of the secret realm.
The southeastern region is near the Lewei Forest in the northeast, by the Half Moon Lake.
By this time, all seven major powers had arrived. Other sects, like the Azure Sword Sect, were tearing open the sky from various places, sending their flying boats surging in.
Unlike last time when the Immortal Spirit Secret Realm caught the entire cultivation world off guard, with some sects even failing to catch up, this time everyone was on high alert. As a result, by the time Song Chi and his group were about an incense stick's time later, all the sects on the entire continent had gathered.
The number of people this time was similar to the last time, with seventy to eighty thousand people heading to the secret realm.
During the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Song Chi was more anxious than anyone else. He scanned the room for all sorts of gazes, but fortunately, Wen Xiujin was relatively easy to find. After all, he was from the Jade Ruins Holy Sect, one of the four great immortal sects, and was among the group of genius disciples.
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Author's Note: [Three-colored cat emoji][Three-colored cat emoji] I won't really steal Wen's opportunity, this is just foreshadowing later. [Please] Please be gentle.
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