Chapter 8 Just Friends 08
Ren Yi's reshaping of his spiritual root went very smoothly, but at the same time, the search for the missing person was not going smoothly at all. Whether it was the Xiao family, who were openly pursuing the person, or the Bai family, who were secretly looking for the corpse, they all came up empty-handed.
The communication jade gave no response, and the paper cranes carrying messages would only circle back to their starting point.
If the soul lamp hadn't still been lit, Xiao Hanzhou would have almost thought that Ren Yi had met with misfortune.
He guessed that Ren Yi might have entered some kind of secret realm.
Within the secret realm, communication with the outside world is impossible. The time spent there can range from a few months to three to five years. Xiao Hanzhou, while traveling, had also experienced unexpected encounters within the secret realm, sometimes without time to warn others. Although the secret realm presents perilous situations, each encounter yields something of value. Xiao Hanzhou was willing to consider these opportunities as blessings from heaven. However, he was unaware that the person waiting for him would be so anxious.
He thought that before entering the secret realm next time, he should at least send a message to A-Yi.
There was a knock on the door. Xiao Hanzhou disliked being disturbed when he was alone. He frowned subconsciously upon hearing the knock, but worried that something important might be happening, he still said in a deep voice, "Come in."
But when he saw the person who pushed the door open and entered, the coldness between his brows immediately relaxed. Although there was a look of surprise on his face, his tone was extremely gentle, "Jinliu, what brings you here?"
Bai Jinliu laughed and said, "I noticed you haven't come out all day, and I'm a little worried."
After he finished speaking, it was as if he had just noticed the telepathic message on the table, and his expression immediately turned worried, "There's still no news from Young Master Ren?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Hanzhou's brows, which had just relaxed, immediately furrowed again. Although he didn't speak, the answer was obvious to everyone.
Bai Jin showed a somewhat bewildered expression, which quickly turned into self-blame, "Perhaps it's because I'm here that Young Master Ren..."
“A-Yi isn’t the kind of person who’s narrow-minded.” Xiao Hanzhou immediately interrupted him, realizing that his tone had been too stiff, he quickly softened his tone again and comforted him, “He probably entered some kind of secret realm. His soul lamp is still there, so he probably didn’t encounter any danger.”
It's unclear whether the last sentence was spoken to Bai Jinliu or to himself.
Bai Jinliu's half-closed eyes flickered, and he gently echoed Xiao Hanzhou, adding a few more words, "Young Master Ren left too early, I didn't even have time to thank him," and then said, "After Young Master Ren comes out of the secret realm, I must go and see him in person."
After exchanging a few more words, Bai Jinliu observed the expression on Xiao Hanzhou's face and, before Xiao Hanzhou could lose his patience, suggested leaving.
But as soon as he stepped out of the room, the gentle expression on his face vanished, replaced by an expression that was both a smile and a mockery.
Bai Jinliu looked up in a certain direction, where the Xiao clan members kept their soul lamps.
Xiao Hanzhou then brazenly placed that person's soul lamp inside, placing it alongside his own.
What did he think it was? Was it "brother"?
The mockery on Bai Jinliu's face flashed for only a moment before disappearing completely, but the smile was utterly genuine.
Her slender white fingers touched her dantian, and spiritual energy flowed into the crystal-clear golden core. At the same time, a soul lamp in a distant house seemed to sense something and swayed.
Bai Jinliu sighed inwardly. It was a pity that this soul lamp was connected to the soul, but ultimately it was linked to cultivation level. Now it was not reflecting the original person's soul.
Bai Jinliu really wanted to know whether, in the very end, that bright, flamboyant, and clear-cut person had ever regretted anything.
Unfortunately, to get the answer now, one would probably have to cross the Bridge of Helplessness.
Three years later.
Xizhou, Xuanqing Sect.
Ren Yi had just returned to his sect when he learned that people from the Eastern Continent were coming.
This news was not surprising; Ren Yi had anticipated it when he left the sect this time.
About two years ago, the Endless Sea—the vast ocean that separates the East and West Continents—suddenly underwent a strange change. This was a major event. Putting aside the seal at the deepest part of the Endless Sea, just the fact that one or two of the high-level demonic beasts that used to roam the sea were disturbed by this commotion and ran ashore would be enough to cause headaches.
Those small sects whose main bases were adjacent to the Endless Sea panicked and sought help from the large sects they were close to. Many of the top experts in these small sects were only at the early stage of Golden Core, and some sects were even entirely at the Foundation Establishment stage. If a sea monster really came ashore, they could easily face the annihilation of their sect.
The major sects are not afraid of these demonic beasts, but they are afraid that the seal in the Endless Sea will malfunction, since it contains a demonic dragon that almost destroyed the world back then.
The leaders of the major sects in Xizhou immediately gathered together and held an emergency discussion for several months before finally deciding to wait and see (Ren Yi...).
They observed for almost half a year. Indeed, some sea monsters were startled by the commotion in the Endless Sea and ran ashore. However, because the major sects had made preparations in advance and had deployed a considerable number of troops to guard the coast, no major casualties were caused. To everyone's relief, the commotion was not due to a problem with the underwater seal, but rather the emergence of a secret realm at sea.
The emergence of a new secret realm means countless opportunities, which is certainly a good thing.
Moreover, this secret realm has caused such a commotion as soon as it appeared, so it must not be an ordinary secret realm. All the major sects are now eager to make their move.
However, there is still a problem: this new secret realm is located in the Endless Sea—meaning it does not belong to the Western Continent.
For cultivators, secret realms are invaluable opportunities. Leaving aside the spiritual herbs and elixirs within, there's also the possibility of obtaining the inheritance of a powerful figure. Not only ordinary rogue cultivators, but even disciples and elders of major sects are extremely envious of them.
The number of people who can enter the secret realm is limited. Where there is profit, there will naturally be struggle. The Western Continent has experienced several vicious and bloody battles before entering the secret realm, in which countless talented cultivators have perished.
It wasn't until a particular battle became so brutal that the next generation of cultivators destined to inherit the Dao lineage of each sect perished that the various sects finally couldn't bear to watch any longer. Several top sects took the lead and finally established an order for entering the secret realm. Because this order was relatively fair, with quotas available for large sects, small sects, and independent cultivators alike, it was maintained. Even if there were any conflicts afterward, they were confined to the respective groups, and there were no tragedies like those of earlier years.
But now, this secret realm is on the endless sea, so it's no longer a matter within the Western Continent.
The cultivation world has been peaceful for many years, and nowadays, when something happens, everyone prefers to resolve it through negotiation, and this time is no exception.
Due to the impact of the appearance of the secret realm, a relatively safe passage suddenly appeared on the endless sea that was originally difficult to cross. This gave more opportunities for exchanges between the East and West continents. The two sides talked back and forth for half a year and finally settled the allocation of the quota for this secret realm.
However, before the final decision was made, the two continents decided to hold a grand competition, aiming to gain a deeper understanding of each other before entering the secret realm, so as to cooperate and watch over each other in the secret realm... This was the official explanation, of course, but after entering the secret realm, sometimes even disciples from the same sect would scheme against each other behind their backs. Where was the "mutual support and assistance"? Everyone knew the real reason. After all, this was the cultivation world where the strong were respected. This was just a slightly more subtle way to test each other's strength.
After negotiations among all parties, the venue for the competition was decided to be the Xuanqing Sect in Xizhou.
Ren Yi is going to this secret realm.
The reasons for the formation of secret realms are varied. Some are creations of nature, some are fragments of small worlds, and some are spaces created by powerful beings. Among the last type, there is a particularly special existence: the tombs of powerful beings, which often contain the inheritance of powerful beings.
Ren Yi had also taken advantage of the Xuanqing Sect's mission to drive away demonic beasts to visit the coast of the Endless Sea several times during this period, and had come into close contact with this secret realm. If he was not mistaken, this secret realm was the last type - the tomb of a powerful being, which was also his destination.
It is known that Ren Yi is looking for his own disguise, and this secret realm is also a mausoleum.
Yes, that's exactly what I thought.
...He was going to visit his own grave with a group of people.
Ren Yijiu...feelings mixed.
Ren Yi received the news so quickly, and Yan Shuoyun certainly played a part in it.
After informing Ren Yi of the upcoming arrival of people from Dongzhou, Yan Shuoyun smiled and continued, "Xizhou is indeed a dangerous place. They are new to the area and unfamiliar with the people and places, so it is common for them to encounter some accidents."
Upon hearing this, Ren Yi looked up in slight surprise. Could it be that these words didn't mean what he thought they meant?
Yan Shuoyun remained as open and smiling as ever, showing no sign of the murderous intent he had just uttered.
Ren Yi confirmed that he had not misheard.
He paused for a moment before speaking with difficulty, “Brother Yan, there’s no need for that. I have no enemies in the Eastern Continent. My previous injuries… were just due to some accidents.”
The smile in Yan Shuoyun's eyes hadn't faded, and his voice rose slightly, "An unexpected surprise?"
Ren Yi affirmed, "Yes, it was an accident."
Yan Shuoyun raised an eyebrow, seemingly unsure whether he believed her or not, but said meaningfully, "If we're not careful, even an 'accident' can happen a second time."
Ren Yi: "..."
I always felt that Yan Shuoyun's words had a hidden meaning.
Regardless, it warms one's heart to know that someone cares about one's past wounds and wants to avenge them.
After his initial shock, Ren Yi laughed. "Thank you for your concern, Brother Yan. But my life and cultivation are hard-won. Please rest assured, Brother Yan, the Spirit Shaping Pill is still missing one ingredient. Until then, I will not allow myself to get into trouble."
Yan Shuoyun was taken aback by the laughter, and after hearing these words, he was even more at a loss for words.
Only after everyone had left did he raise his hand to touch his forehead and suddenly sigh. This was truly... impossible to ask any further questions about.
Ren Yi had already prepared himself for the possibility of encountering Xiao Hanzhou when he learned that people from Dongzhou were coming.
After all, how could such a momentous event leave out the chosen one? But he never expected to meet the other party so early.
The task of receiving guests from the Eastern Continent was handled by the sect's disciples; Ren Yi, as a guest elder, didn't need to do such menial work. However, on this day, he had just returned to the sect when he heard a voice, "A-Yi?!"
Ren Yi was all too familiar with that voice and instantly recognized the person who had spoken—it was the Chosen One.
In that instant, Xiao Hanzhou, who was originally some distance away, had closed in and reached out to grab Ren Yi's wrist.
That was, after all, the location of his pulse point, and Ren Yi instinctively avoided it.
This action startled both of them.
Ren Yi realized that his reaction was problematic and secretly thought to himself that it was fortunate that he was not in the plot at the moment.
He had been resting too much during this period, and he was completely out of sorts for the mission.
But then Ren Yi thought about it again, and realized that he didn't have any missions to complete at the moment.
Xiao Hanzhou should already be in love with his true love. If he continues to pester her like before, it will only be annoying. After all, she is the chosen one. If his favorability is lowered, it will not be good for Ren Yi's actions in this world.
After figuring it out, Ren Yi felt relieved and gave the newcomer a friendly expression that was somewhat close but definitely not intimate, "Han Zhou, it's been a long time."
This behavior definitely falls within the category of "friends".
Xiao Hanzhou was stunned.
His hand, which had just been dodged, clenched into a fist instinctively, and a growing unease made him frown slightly. He didn't know what was wrong, but he had a vague feeling—
This shouldn't be the case.
He and A-Yi shouldn't be like this.
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