Tian Shu Wu Wang Lu

Since the incident in the bamboo forest, no one in the outer sect dared to provoke Lin Ye easily anymore. Those disciples who used to bully him because they thought he was easy to bully now avoid him whenever they see him from afar, and even speak loudly with caution.

Lin Ye didn't care about this at all. He remained as low-key and simple as ever, practicing his martial arts and completing sect missions on time every day. In his spare time, he would spar with Lu Chenyuan and help Su Nianxi take care of the courtyard. He lived a peaceful and down-to-earth life.

Xingjin became increasingly attached to him, often taking naps on his shoulder. However, if he sensed even the slightest hostility, his little body would immediately tense up, and the golden lines on his forehead would glow, ready to protect his master at any moment.

That day, Lin Ye had just returned from the alchemy workshop after handing over the animal materials when he saw a large crowd gathered at the outer gate's notice board, discussing the matter.

Upon closer inspection, he discovered that the sect had issued a notice regarding the outer sect secret realm trial. All disciples at the second level of the Star Guiding Realm were eligible to participate. The secret realm was filled with spiritual herbs and minerals, and there was even a chance to obtain ancient scrolls and fragments of magical artifacts. Disciples who ranked highly could be directly noticed by inner sect elders and promoted exceptionally.

Lu Chenyuan squeezed through the crowd and ran excitedly to Lin Ye: "Big brother, the secret realm trial! Let's sign up too!"

Lin Ye looked at the announcement, his eyes flickering slightly.

His current cultivation level appears to be at the third level of Star Dust Infusion, but in reality, with the secret assistance of Star Ash, his foundation is far deeper than others of the same level. He only needs a suitable opportunity to completely break through.

This trial in the secret realm is undoubtedly the best opportunity.

More importantly, he vaguely sensed that Zhao Hu and others were among the names on the trial list.

It seems some people don't learn their lesson even after being beaten.

Seeing his silence, Lu Chenyuan quickly said, "Big brother, no matter what happens, I'll be with you!"

Lin Ye turned his head to look at his determined brother beside him, then patted the obedient Xing Jin on the shoulder, a faint roguish smile curving his lips.

"Sign up."

His tone was calm, but a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

Since some people are still not giving up and want to find another opportunity for revenge in the secret realm, he doesn't mind playing the fool again to take advantage of the tiger.

This time, however, he will not give up so easily.

The opening of the secret realm is imminent, and a drama of concealing strength and testing, of forbearance and humiliation, is about to unfold within it.

The surrounding area was filled with outer disciples participating in the trial, all of them looking excited and nervous.

The sect elders stood on the high platform and solemnly read out the trial rules: the secret realm is limited to three days, and intentional killing is prohibited, but the plundering of resources and sparring will not be interfered with. The final ranking will be determined by the number of spiritual material tokens collected, and the participants will meet at the exit immediately after the trial ends.

Lin Ye, dressed in simple outer sect attire, stood in a corner of the crowd, still concealing his star power, appearing completely ordinary.

Lu Chenyuan followed closely beside them, his eyes tense, always on guard. Su Nianxi, whose cultivation was still shallow, was unable to participate, so she came early to see the two off, repeatedly reminding them to be careful.

Xingjin rested on Linye's shoulder, dozing with his eyes half-closed, but in reality, he was listening to everything around him, paying attention to any unusual movements.

On the other side of the crowd, Zhao Hu clutched his wrist, which was not yet fully healed, and stared intently at Lin Ye with a sinister look in his eyes. Several followers surrounded him, whispering among themselves, their eyes filled with malicious schemes.

The humiliation he suffered in the bamboo forest that day was etched in his memory. Knowing that he was no match for Lin Ye in a direct confrontation, he planned to take advantage of the complex terrain of the secret realm, join forces with others to ambush Lin Ye, and be determined to cripple him, reclaim the resources, and avenge his previous defeat.

Lin Ye caught a glimpse of this scene out of the corner of his eye, a barely perceptible cold smile playing on his lips. He didn't make a sound, but simply patted Lu Chenyuan's arm to reassure him. This composure—a deep understanding of human nature, a strategy of politeness before action, and a refusal to fight unprepared battles—was precisely the professionalism and on-the-spot wisdom he had honed during his time as a food delivery driver.

With the elder's command, the entrance to the secret realm shone brightly, and the disciples participating in the trial poured in. Lin Ye, leading Lu Chenyuan, followed the flow of people and slowly stepped into the secret realm.

The moment you step into the secret realm, a rich stellar energy rushes towards you. Ancient trees tower around you, vines intertwine, and spiritual herbs and plants rarely seen in the outside world are everywhere. Occasionally, low-level spiritual beasts wander among them. It is indeed a place with opportunities for cultivation.

"Brother, should we gather the spiritual materials around us first, or go deeper into the area?" Lu Chenyuan asked, looking around.

"Let's gather basic spiritual materials on the outskirts first, no need to rush deeper," Lin Ye said in a deep voice, bending down to pick the Spirit Gathering Grass at his feet while keeping an eye on the surroundings. "The depths of the secret realm are fraught with danger, and there are also people with ill intentions watching us. Taking it easy is the best strategy."

The two worked together seamlessly. Lin Ye identified spiritual materials and avoided dangers, while Lu Chenyuan was responsible for picking and storing them. Xing Jin would occasionally raise his eyes and let out a soft hum towards the shadows, scaring away all the low-level spiritual beasts hiding there. Their efficiency far exceeded that of the other disciples.

In less than half a day, their storage bags were filled with most of the spiritual materials, a very fruitful harvest.

Just as they turned into a secluded valley, a whooshing sound suddenly came from behind them, and several star-force attacks came straight at Lin Ye's back, extremely ruthless.

"Big brother, be careful!" Lu Chenyuan's expression changed drastically. He immediately stood in front of Lin Ye and used all his star power to defend himself.

Lin Ye's eyes turned cold, already on guard. He pulled Lu Chenyuan aside to avoid the attack, which slammed into the ground, creating several craters.

Immediately afterwards, Zhao Hu, accompanied by four henchmen, rushed out from behind the dense forest and surrounded the two men, their faces full of ferocious smiles.

"Lin Ye, you didn't expect this, did you? Today is your death day!" Zhao Hu glared venomously at Lin Ye, the throbbing pain in his wrist intensifying his hatred. "Within the secret realm, no one is watching. Even if I cripple you, no one will know!"

His henchmen behind him shouted, "Hand over all the spiritual materials obediently, then cripple your cultivation, and maybe we'll spare your life!"

"Go? Where to?" Zhao Hu laughed wildly, waving his hand to signal his men to swarm and attack. "Neither of you will escape today!"

The five of them attacked together, their star power surging, completely blocking the two's escape route.

Lin Ye remained calm, deliberately feigning panic as he pulled Lu Chenyuan back repeatedly, seemingly forced into a corner, yet his eyes remained clear.

He secretly gave Xingjin on his shoulder a look, and Xingjin instantly understood. The golden pattern on Xingjin's forehead flashed slightly, and the invisible star power quietly spread out, instantly locking the meridians of Zhao Hu and the other four, suppressing the circulation of their star power, just like in the bamboo forest that day, making their movements slow and stiff.

"Now."

Lin Ye murmured softly, his aura suddenly changed dramatically, and the restrained star power burst forth, the powerful aura of the three layers of star dust entering his body swept across the entire area.

One second he looked flustered, the next his eyes were sharp as knives, and his tall figure exuded an overwhelming aura.

He held back, his figure moving like lightning as he charged towards Zhao Hu. Zhao Hu felt his star power stagnate, his movements stiff and awkward. He had no time to dodge before Lin Ye grabbed him by the neck and slammed him to the ground.

"You..." Zhao Hu was shocked. He never expected that Lin Ye's strength would increase even more in just a few days.

The other four rushed at him, but Lin Ye kicked Zhao Hu away, turned around to face them, and attacked quickly and ruthlessly, each punch aimed at vital points.

Lu Chenyuan followed closely behind, and under Lin Ye's cover, he used the moves he had learned to cooperate with Lin Ye in counterattacking.

In a short while, all five were knocked to the ground, their star power dissipated, and they were powerless to resist. They looked at Lin Ye with fear on their faces as if they were seeing a demon.

Lin Ye looked down at them, his fingertips tracing the corner of his lips, his roguish air carrying a chilling undertone: "I told you, don't mess with me, and especially don't touch my people, but you wouldn't listen. Did you really think I wouldn't dare to touch you in this secret realm?"

Zhao Hu trembled all over, repeatedly begging for mercy: "Lin Ye, I was wrong, I'll never dare to do it again. You can have all the spiritual materials, please let me go!"

"Let you go?" Lin Ye sneered, his eyes indifferent. "When you led your men to ambush me, trying to cut off my path of cultivation, why didn't you think of this day?"

He raised his hand and gathered star power, crippling part of Zhao Hu's and the leader's cultivation, rendering them incapable of bullying others. As for the remaining followers, he also punished them all and confiscated all their trial materials.

"Get out of the secret realm. If you dare to harass us again, we'll cripple all your cultivation."

Zhao Hu and his men felt as if they had been granted a pardon, and fled the valley in a panic, never daring to harbor the slightest thought of revenge again.

With the crisis averted, Lu Chenyuan breathed a sigh of relief, his eyes filled with admiration as he looked at Lin Ye: "Big brother, you're amazing!"

Lin Ye withdrew his star power, reverting to his usual low-key demeanor. He patted Lu Chenyuan on the shoulder and gave him half of the collected spiritual materials: "We should also venture deeper into the secret realm. The real opportunities lie within."

Xingjin nuzzled Lin Ye's cheek, the golden markings on his forehead shimmering as if celebrating for him.

After a short rest, the two humans and the fox set off into the depths of the secret realm, picking rare spiritual herbs and taming spirit beast tokens along the way. They encountered many opportunities along the way, but even greater opportunities and dangers lurking deep within the secret realm were slowly approaching.