Immortality and cultivation begin with full comprehension.

Chapter 653 Meeting Xiao Xuan, Discovering the Truth (Seeking Monthly Tickets)
On the city wall of "Zixiao City", Xiao Yuntian stood with his hands behind his back, his robes fluttering in the wind.

He gazed at the fleeing imperial army, yet his eyes showed no sign of relaxation.

"Your Majesty, this battle is a great victory. The court will probably be unable to launch another attack in the short term."

Beside him, an elderly man in a purple robe bowed and spoke.

"The Zhao royal family will not give up easily."

Xiao Yuntian shook his head slightly: "Although they have retreated, they must have a backup plan."

Sure enough, on the third day after the imperial army withdrew, a piece of news shook the "Luofu Continent".

The retired emperor of the Chang'an Dynasty, Zhao Tianyin, issued an edict summoning all sects in the world to jointly attack Zixiao City. Anyone who kills Xiao Yuntian will be enfeoffed as a king of a different surname and granted ten sacred mountains of his ancestral lineage!

For a time, undercurrents surged across the mainland.

Many reclusive sects and powerful rogue cultivators emerged from the mountains and converged in the south.

"My lord, the situation is dire."

The purple-robed elder's expression was solemn. "Three allied forces from different sects have already appeared a thousand miles away, including the Xuanming Sect, the Blood Fiend Sect, and the Azure Moon Sect, who have each dispatched several Nascent Soul Realm elders!"

Xiao Yuntian sneered: "The Zhao family is trying to use someone else to do their dirty work."

He turned to look at the towering "Star Gazing Tower" in the city and said in a deep voice, "Order the 'Shadow Guards' to proceed according to plan."

That night, nine purple beams of light suddenly appeared in the sky above "Zixiao City" and shot straight into the clouds.

The beams of light intertwined, forming a net that enveloped the entire city. The cultivators within discovered that their magical power had surged by thirty percent within the array!
Meanwhile, a mysterious black-armored unit quietly left the city and disappeared into the night.

Three days later, even more startling news arrived.

The sect leader of the Xuanming Sect was ambushed on the way and his body was never found!
All seven Nascent Soul Grand Elders who accompanied him perished, their deaths mirroring those of the "Heavenly Punishment Guards"!
"It's the 'Purple Cloud Shadow Guard'!"

One cultivator exclaimed in horror, "Rumor has it that the Xiao family has a group of assassins who specialize in assassination. I didn't expect it to be true!"

This immediately startled the other sect reinforcements, causing them to halt and hesitate to continue their southward advance.

No one knows who the "Purple Cloud Shadow Guards" will target next!
The imperial court was shaken.

"Xiao Yuntian... just how many trump cards are you still hiding?"

Zhao Wuji sat in his tent, the teacup he had crushed in his hand turning to dust.

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded outside the tent. A general rushed in, shouting in a panic: "Grand Tutor! Urgent report from the North! The 'Black Abyss Demons' have broken through the northern defenses and captured three states in succession!"

"what?!"

Zhao Wuji suddenly stood up, his face deathly pale.

He suddenly understood the meaning of Xiao Yuntian's words, "Act according to plan."

This is simply a ploy to lure the tiger away from the mountain!

The Xiao family had long been secretly colluding with the Demon Clan!
The imperial army suffered a crushing defeat, the allied forces of the sects hesitated to advance due to the intimidation of the "Purple Cloud Shadow Guards," and the northern border was suddenly invaded by the demon race, plunging the entire "Chang'an Dynasty" into unprecedented chaos.

Zhao Wuji had no choice but to order a withdrawal of troops to reinforce the northern border, otherwise the foundation of the dynasty would be shaken if the demons were to advance unimpeded.

Meanwhile, "Purple Cloud City" has temporarily gained a chance to catch its breath.

Inside the city, Xiao Yuntian stood atop the "Star Gazing Tower," overlooking the entire city with a deep expression.

"My lord, the imperial court has withdrawn its troops, and the northern border is in dire need of attention. They will not be attacking again for some time."

Xiao Han said respectfully.

"not enough."

Xiao Yuntian said calmly, "The Zhao family won't let this go easily; they're just temporarily tied up. We must take advantage of this time to thoroughly strengthen the defenses of 'Purple Cloud City'."

"Fellow Daoist Li, this time we are very grateful for the help of your formation, otherwise the 'Nine Heavens Cloud Movement Wind and Thunder Formation' would not be so stable."

He turned to look at Li Yunjing beside him and nodded slightly: "You deserve the most credit!"

"Lord Xiao, you're too kind. We've each gotten what we needed."

Li Yunjing smiled slightly and cupped his hands in greeting.

Xiao Yuntian nodded: "I promised you that once the situation stabilizes, I will let you enter the 'Purple Cloud Secret Realm'."

"Lord Xiao's word is as good as gold, and I, Li, will do my utmost to assist him."

A hint of anticipation flashed in Li Yunjing's eyes as he smiled and said.

Li Yunjing desperately wanted to go to the "Purple Cloud Secret Realm." If he could actually go in this time, his impression of Xiao Yuntian would change drastically.

"Hahaha!"

Xiao Yuntian laughed heartily and said meaningfully, "My Xiao clan is a family of absolute integrity; we will never go back on our word!"

"Then I wonder if my wife Zhao Qi and friend Su Muqing may also enter and use the spiritual spring to cleanse their aptitude?"

Li Yunjing asked another question.

"This one……"

Xiao Yuntian was taken aback, but seeing Li Yunjing's expectant gaze, he decided to make an exception this time.

"Originally, it wouldn't have been possible! This benefit is only for Grandmaster Li."

“However, Master Li has made great contributions to my ‘Purple Cloud City’, so I will make an exception and allow the two of them to enter the secret realm.”

Xiao Yuntian said, "As for how many opportunities they can obtain, that depends on themselves."

In the days that followed, Li Yunjing worked day and night to assist Xiao Yuntian in repairing and strengthening the protective array of "Zixiao City".

He was an expert in array formations and even had unique insights into ancient array formations. In just half a month, he increased the power of various array formations in the city by 30%.

Xiao Yuntian was extremely satisfied with Li Yunjing's hard work and his trust in him deepened.

At least they acknowledged Li Yunjing's competence and considered him a good partner.

However, not everyone in the city welcomed Li Yunjing.

“Lord of the City, this person’s origins are unknown. If we allow him to enter the ‘Purple Cloud Secret Realm,’ I’m afraid…”

On that day, Mr. Qingming found Xiao Yuntian and whispered a reminder.

"It's alright. If he has ulterior motives, he won't be able to leave the secret realm."

Xiao Yuntian's gaze was deep as he said calmly, "I believe he knows his limits and understands what he can get and what he shouldn't mess with."

The "Purple Cloud Secret Realm" is the foundation of the Xiao Clan!

It is the foundation of everything.

If Li Yunjing truly harbors ill intentions, then he is courting death!
Xiao Xuan, this ancestor, is really in seclusion in the "Purple Cloud Secret Realm." Xiao Yuntian is not bragging!
Without a True Monarch at the Nascent Soul Realm level, how dare he rebel?
Everything is based on strength, and that's what breeds ambition!

Six months later, after everything was ready, Xiao Yuntian fulfilled his promise.

"Fellow Daoist Li, today is the opening day of the 'Purple Cloud Secret Realm'."

Xiao Yuntian stood solemnly before the ancient altar of the City Lord's Mansion.

"Thank you for your kindness, Lord Xiao."

Li Yunjing took a deep breath and nodded.

Beside Li Yunjing, Zhao Qi and Su Muqing also showed eager expressions.

Both women had heard about the benefits of the "Purple Cloud Secret Realm" from Li Yunjing, and knew that if they could really achieve their wishes, it would definitely be a chance to be reborn!

"The secret realm will be open for a limited time, only three days. Please proceed."

Xiao Yuntian raised his hand and waved it, and the runes on the altar lit up one by one. A dazzling purple beam of light shot into the sky, and an ancient portal vaguely appeared in the void.

Without further hesitation, Li Yunjing, Zhao Qi, and Su Muqing leaped into the pillar of light.

The world is spinning!

The scene before them suddenly changed, and Li Yunjing and the other two found themselves in a vast purple world, with spiritual energy so dense that it was almost liquid.

Countless rare medicinal herbs grow here, and even the remains of ancient spirit beasts are scattered on the ground.

This is a purple world!

It stretches endlessly, with no end in sight!

Faintly, Li Yunjing sensed a series of gazes looking at the three of them from all directions!

"This is the 'Purple Cloud Secret Realm'..."

He muttered to himself, a look of shock flashing in his eyes.

"A purple world, brimming with spiritual energy!"

This was almost the first thought of Li Yunjing, Zhao Qi, and Su Muqing.

This place is simply a paradise for monks!

Li Yunjing can guarantee that the concentration of spiritual energy here is comparable to that of the "Shenxiao Peak" of the "Shenxiao Dao Sect"!
Only the main altar at the top of the thousand peaks can approach the level of spiritual energy here!

Even a pig could achieve great things by cultivating here!
They stood on a vast, boundless purple plain, the sky a magnificent purple-gold hue, the clouds flowing like silk, radiating a soft glow.

The surrounding spiritual energy was so dense that it was almost condensed into liquid. With each breath, one could feel the surging spiritual power flowing into the body, causing the meridians to tremble.

"The spiritual energy here is more than a hundred times richer than that outside!"

Zhao Qi exclaimed in amazement, noting that her skin, nourished by the spiritual energy, was faintly glowing with a luminous sheen.

Su Muqing crouched down and gently touched the ground. As soon as her fingertips touched it, wisps of purple spiritual mist wrapped around her. She exclaimed in surprise, "Even the soil contains spiritual power. Every inch of this land is comparable to a top-tier spiritual vein!"

"Be careful. Although there are countless opportunities here, there are bound to be hidden dangers."

Li Yunjing scanned his surroundings and said in a deep voice, "Even if the Xiao family is willing to let us use their treasures, there will be certain tests involved. They're not something you can just pick up for free!"

The three walked forward and soon discovered a garden of medicinal herbs.

The medicinal herbs here are ancient, and many rare varieties that have long been extinct elsewhere grow extremely lushly here.

"Nine-Turned Purple Lingzhi! Ten-Thousand-Year Blood Ginseng! And... Heavens, is that the legendary 'Mysterious Yin Moonflower Grass'?" Zhao Qi's voice trembled with excitement.

If these spiritual herbs were brought back to the outside world, they would be enough to cause countless cultivators to fight over them.

"This place is simply a dreamland!"

Su Muqing also widened her beautiful eyes and muttered to herself.

"Don't you guys feel... someone watching us?"

Li Yunjing did not rush to pick the fruit, but instead looked up into the distance and whispered.

Su Muqing's expression hardened, and following his gaze, she saw several blurry figures flash by in the purple mist in the distance.

"Could it be a guardian from a secret realm?"

she asked in a low voice.

"I don't know, but since Xiao Yuntian dared to let us in, it means that everything here is under his control."

Li Yunjing shook his head: "As long as we follow the rules, there shouldn't be any danger."

"What about the medicinal herbs here?"

Zhao Qi asked with some reluctance.

"Forget it! Lord Xiao didn't say that we could take as many medicinal herbs as we wanted."

Li Yunjing shook his head, "We are guests invited here, not thieves. We have no reason to steal the Xiao family's assets."

Compared to Zhao Qi and Su Muqing, Li Yunjing's performance was undoubtedly better.

He's a man who's seen the world, after all; he wouldn't do anything so shameful!
Following Xiao Yuntian's previous instructions, the three quickly found a spiritual spring.

The spring water was crystal clear, with a faint purple halo floating on its surface, and ancient runes could be faintly seen flickering at the bottom.

"Is this the legendary 'Purple Cloud Spirit Spring'?"

Zhao Qi's eyes were full of anticipation.

"Lord Xiao said that this spring can cleanse the marrow and bones, and improve one's aptitude."

Li Yunjing nodded: "You two go into the spring first, and I will protect you."

Zhao Qi and Su Muqing exchanged a glance, then stepped into the spiritual spring without further hesitation.

In an instant, the spring water boiled, and countless purple spiritual lights surged into the two women's bodies. Their skin began to glow with a crystalline luster, their bones made a slight cracking sound, and impurities in their bodies were expelled little by little.

Just as the two were undergoing the crucial process of marrow cleansing, Li Yunjing suddenly sensed something amiss. He turned around abruptly, his gaze sharp as lightning, and looked towards a purple bamboo forest behind the spiritual spring.

"Who is there?"

He shouted coldly.

The bamboo forest was silent, but Li Yunjing's divine sense detected a faint, almost imperceptible aura.

"Since you're here, why hide your head and tail?"

He gathered spiritual energy in his palm, ready to strike at any moment.

"Hehe... Young friend, there's no need to be nervous."

An aged voice rang out, and then an old man dressed in a purple robe emerged from the depths of the bamboo forest.

His hair and beard were all white, and his face was kind, but his eyes were as deep as the starry sky, as if they could see through everything.

Li Yunjing's pupils contracted, and alarm bells rang in his mind.

This person's aura is unfathomable, far surpassing the Nascent Soul realm!

"Who is your Excellency?"

he asked in a deep voice.

The old man smiled slightly: "I am Xiao Xuan, the ancestor of the Xiao clan, and the guardian of this 'Purple Cloud Secret Realm'."

"Junior Li Yunjing greets Senior Xiao."

Li Yunjing was startled and immediately clasped his hands in a salute.

This is a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator!
Xiao Yuntian did not deceive them!
The Xiao family truly possesses a profound and enduring heritage!

Xiao Xuan waved his hand, his gaze sweeping over Zhao Qi and Su Muqing, who were cleansing their marrow in the spiritual spring, and said indifferently, "The fact that you were able to bring them in shows that Yun Tian trusts you quite a bit."

"Lord Xiao is so generous, I am deeply grateful."

Li Yunjing answered cautiously.

"gratitude?"

Xiao Xuan smiled enigmatically: "Then do you know the true secret of this 'Purple Cloud Secret Realm'?"

Li Yunjing's heart skipped a beat, and he vaguely sensed that things were not so simple.

Xiao Xuan raised his hand and waved it, and the surrounding scenery suddenly changed. The purple world faded away and was replaced by a vast starry sky.

In the center of the starry sky, a huge purple palace floats, exuding an ancient and majestic aura.

"This... is the real 'Purple Cloud Secret Realm'."

Xiao Xuan's voice drifted over, "And everything you saw before was merely the scenery of the outer perimeter of the secret realm."

"Li Yunjing, are you willing... to accept the real test?"

Li Yunjing was shocked. Before he could react, Xiao Xuan's voice rang out again.

Li Yunjing took a deep breath and looked firmly at the purple palace floating in the starry sky.

He knew that the choice made by the Xiao family patriarch would determine the true gains of the three of them in the secret realm.

"Since you have spoken, senior, I will certainly give it a try."

Li Yunjing cupped his hands and said, "I just don't know what this test is for? Why would you, senior, allow an outsider like me to enter and participate in the test?"

"What a courage!"

Xiao Xuan stroked his beard and smiled: "Why? Because I saw an old friend's restriction on you and that girl. That's quite interesting!"

"boom……"

Li Yunjing was greatly shocked. Xiao Xuan could see that there was a restriction set up by a Nascent Soul Realm expert from the Guanghan Palace in his body!

This was the first time his secret had been exposed.

However, Li Yunjing calmed down the next moment.

Xiao Xuan was, after all, a Nascent Soul Realm expert, and was able to see the difference in himself, which was not unexpected.

"Senior has a keen eye."

Li Yunjing suppressed the shock in his heart and looked directly at Xiao Xuan: "I don't know about your connection with the 'Guanghan Palace'."

"Hahaha!"

Xiao Xuan suddenly burst into laughter, a hint of nostalgia in his voice. "Three thousand years have passed, and I never expected to see the mark of the 'Moon Palace' again. Young friend, do you know the true meaning of this restriction?"

Li Yunjing shook his head solemnly.

This restriction was forcibly imposed on him when he accidentally entered the ruins of the "Guanghan Palace" during his training in the East Sea, and a hundred-year agreement was made.

Otherwise, Li Yunjing would be crazy to go to the "far north" to suffer!
He never expected that he would encounter someone who knew about the "Guanghan Palace" on the distant "Luofu Continent"!
"It seems these Nascent Soul Realm monsters are truly powerful!"

Li Yunjing thought to himself.

Xiao Xuan raised his hand and tapped lightly, and a purple light entered Li Yunjing's brow.

Instantly, the restrictions within Li Yunjing's body manifested, condensing into a crystal-clear ice lotus in the void.

"It was definitely her method."

Xiao Xuan sighed softly, "This senior's magical power has become even more refined."

"Do you know that person, senior?"

Li Yunjing's pupils shrank sharply: "May I ask if you, senior, could lift the restrictions on my wife and me?"

"Difficult! Difficult! Difficult!"

A complex look flashed in Xiao Xuan's eyes, and he said "difficult" three times in a row, "This senior is an absolute top-tier existence in the entire 'Tianlan Star'. Even Nascent Soul Realm cultivators are no match for him!"

"what!"

Li Yunjing's expression changed.

"For a Nascent Soul Realm True Monarch to say such a thing, could the one in the 'Moon Palace' be an existence beyond the Nascent Soul Realm?"

"Or perhaps a top-tier existence within the Nascent Soul Realm?"

"Looks like my plan to get help from someone has failed?"

"Do we really have to make a trip to the far north for that senior?"

A thousand thoughts flashed through Li Yunjing's mind.

"An existence surpassing the Nascent Soul stage?"

Li Yunjing's voice trembled slightly. This was the first time he had truly felt the terror behind that restriction. "Senior, are you saying... that person has already..."

"That's right, that senior is at least a Void Refining Realm expert, and may even have touched the threshold of the Body Integration Realm."

Xiao Xuan nodded solemnly.

"My God! How is this possible!"

This answer struck Li Yunjing like a thunderbolt.

On "Tianlan Star", the Nascent Soul True Monarch is already a legend, and the Void Refining Realm only exists in ancient records!
How could such a person remain on this ancient star instead of going to a higher dimension?
This unscientific!

Why would someone of that caliber stay on "Tianlan Star"? And for an existence of that level, what can't they do that they need to go to the "Far North" themselves?
(End of this chapter)