A great adventure in the world of immortal cultivation

Lin Jiankong: The time has come, let’s go.

KP: With that, Lin Jiankong formed a sword gesture with his fingers, and the vast spiritual energy of the Foundation Establishment period instantly surged out, condensing into twenty-seven cyan spiritual swords that hovered beside the group. Seeing this, the experienced inner disciples immediately jumped onto the swords, and the others followed suit. Within a few breaths, they were all stationed on the swords. Then, with a wave of his arm, the spiritual swords carried everyone high into the sky. Under the astonished and admiring gaze of countless outer disciples below, they formed a dragon shape, followed Lin Jiankong, and together they quickly disappeared into the mountains.

Xiao Huohuo: Cool~ Could this be an advanced version of the Broken Dragon Sword Style?

Jeanne: Damn, I want to go out and play too!

Han Buli: Kids, this is not fun. (Sad)

KP: Xiao Huohuo and the others did not feel the expected bumps and dizziness when it was their first time to experience flying with a sword. Lin Jiankong's control over the flying sword had reached perfection, and he even personally broke through the obstacles in front. You just felt like you were walking on flat ground, and you only had to appreciate the scenery of mountains and rivers along the way.

KP: About half an hour later, Lin Jiankong brought you to a valley. The flying swords withdrew, and the twenty-seven people landed on the ground one after another.

Lin Jiankong: When exploring secret realms, be vigilant. I know many of you are here before your first visit and consider yourselves seasoned experts. Unfortunately, every year during the sect's secret realm exploration missions, accidents often happen to you, the seasoned ones.

KP: Faced with this routine lecture, most of the disciples nodded superficially, but didn't take it seriously in their hearts. Sima Wan even snorted in disdain, but due to Lin Jiankong's majesty, he didn't dare to show it too obviously.

KP: After the lecture, Lin Jiankong waved his sleeves and 27 maps were delivered to everyone. Xiao Huohuo, you opened the map and found that it marked the environment and terrain of each block in the secret realm in relatively detailed manner, and marked the danger level with different colors.

Lin Jiankong: Exploration is prohibited in the areas marked in red on the map. Exploration in the areas marked in yellow is restricted to disciples at the sixth level of Qi Refining and above. There are no restrictions in other areas. This exploration will last three days. If anything unexpected happens within the secret realm during this time, you can escape urgently using the internal formations. I hope that after three days, I'll see all of you here.

KP: Having said all that needed to be said, Lin Jiankong didn't linger any longer, ascending into the air. Seconds later, a rapidly swirling pool of emerald green water suddenly appeared beneath their feet. Xiao Huohuo and the others felt a chill spread from their soles to their heads, and they felt as if they were sinking like a stone into the sea. When they touched solid ground again, the valley had vanished, replaced by a desolate, Gobi desert.

Han Buli: I have a life of observation and danger perception.

Han Buli: Observation, 50/50, success.

Danger perception, 37/50, success.

KP: Then, Han Buli observed the environment within the secret realm. The Gobi Desert stretched as far as the eye could see, connecting the sky and the earth. It was extremely desolate. The wind blew yellow sand, obscuring the sky and the sun. But other than that, there was no sign of danger.

KP: Afterwards, under the guidance of an experienced disciple, the group advanced for about half a mile and found dozens of dusty stone houses behind a broken wall. This was the safe area opened up by Chengtian Sect in the secret realm. For the next three days, everyone will use this as a base to start exploring. After the exploration is completed, they will use the magic circle in the center of the base to leave the secret realm.

Han Buli: Now that we have entered the secret realm, can I see the lucky bag that Brother Sima left for me?

KP: Sure. So while everyone was busy tidying up their stone houses, Han Buli secretly took out the red brocade bag from his Qiankun bag. After opening it, he found a black pill and a small note inside.

[Find a way to approach Sima Wan and have her take this pill before nightfall. Once you've done that, open the second brocade pouch.]

Xiao Huohuo: Le, Brother Sima really wants you to go against Sima Wan.

Han Buli: (Desperate) How can I, a socially anxious person with a perfect conversational aptitude, be expected to socialize with an unreasonable person? You might as well just let me kill him with a knife!

Joan of Arc: Just go when Brother Sima asks you to. Why are you complaining so much? You don’t want to go to Chami anymore, right?

Han Buli: Damn!

KP: So, just when Han Buli was having a headache because of the first mission, Fang Yuan came to visit Xiao Huohuo.

Xiao Huohuo: Hmm?

Fang Yuan: Haha, Junior Brother Xiao, what are you still hesitating about? Now that you have entered the secret realm, you must hurry up and find the Resurrection Grass.

Xiao Huohuo: No, buddy, why are you more anxious about my affairs than I am? ...Forget it, I'll ask where the Resurrection Grass is first.

KP: Fang Yuan smiled, took out the map from his arms, and his finger continued to move upwards, finally stopping at the double-red ultra-dangerous area at the top of the map.

Fang Yuan: Here.

Xiao Huohuo:?

-

Well, the transition chapter ends here. The next few chapters will gradually get better and better, and there will be super explosive developments, so please look forward to it!

Chapter 93 Ancient Ruins (Day 44)

KP: Looking at the red area that Fang Yuan pointed at, Xiao Huohuo's face turned slightly ugly.

Xiao Huohuo: No, bro, do I look like a brainless pig? You really think I'm cannon fodder, don't you? (half annoyed)

Han Buli: Lao Xiao, promise me that you will use the Flame Fist on him.

Xiao Huohuo: Hardened, my fists are hardened. I'll confront Fang Yuan and tell him to stop being a riddle teller. I know you invited me into the secret realm to find the Resurrection Grass out of more than just enthusiasm. Just tell me what your purpose is in seeking me out.

KP: Upon hearing this, Fang Yuan smiled.

Fang Yuan: Junior Brother Xiao is indeed a smart man. I invited you to explore the secret realm together because I had something to ask of you. However, I didn't lie to you about the Resurrection Grass. It's in this area. We just happened to be heading to the same destination.

Xiao Huohuo: Is it really such a coincidence?

KP: Fang Yuan shrugged.

Fang Yuan: There is no need for me to lie to you. If I really want to use you, it would be much easier to just use force, right?

Romeo: Use force.

Xiao Huohuo: That seems to be the truth, so what does Lao Fang want me to do?

Fang Yuan: There are a lot of people here, let’s talk while we walk.

Xiao Huohuo: Walking slowly.

Han Buli: Wait a minute, Lao Xiao, before you leave, can you ask the Great Love Immortal Venerable if he has any talismans or magic weapons for transmitting sound, so that we can contact each other at any time and exchange information.

Xiao Huohuo: Oh yeah, so does KP have this kind of thing?

KP: (pinching nose) Are you sure you're just using this thing to communicate? And not to sneak it into someone's room to eavesdrop? Or to set a voice trap for a surprise attack?

Han Buli: Huh? KP, you reminded me... ahem, okay, I promise I won't stuff this thing into anyone else's room, nor will I set a trap or launch a sneak attack. I'm just chatting on the phone with Lao Xiao. (suppressing laughter)

Xiao Huohuo: That’s right, what’s wrong with us good brothers bragging every day? KP, you should have more trust in us!

KP: Damn, you trolls! How did you think my trust in you vanished? ...Never mind, just be lucky and let me see.

Xiao Huohuo: Lucky, 38/50, success.

Xiao Huohuo: Hehe.

KP: So, after listening to Xiao Huohuo's request, Fang Yuan thought for a moment, took out two talismans, one black and one white, from his Qiankun bag, and handed them to Xiao Huohuo.

Fang Yuan: This is a pair of sound transmission talismans. Once activated by injecting spiritual energy, they can last for half an incense stick of time. This should be able to meet Junior Brother Xiao's needs.

Xiao Huohuo: Sure, sure. Thank you very much, Immortal Great Love. I won’t take advantage of you with this sound transmission talisman. I’ll buy it with as many spirit stones as you want!

KP: Fang Yuan smiled and waved his hand.

Fang Yuan: Haha, that's not necessary. Actually, there's not much spiritual energy left in this sound transmission talisman. I estimate it can be used about three times. And the sound transmission is not very stable. If you are unlucky when using it, Junior Brother Xiao, and the sound transmission is intermittent, don't blame me when that happens.

Xiao Huohuo:?

Han Buli:?

Jeanne: I can see that KP is really worried about people bugging them. (laughing)

Romeo: KP, my despicable alien!

KP: (annoyed)

Han Buli: Forget it, after thinking about it carefully, this is enough. After all, it’s free, so the requirements can’t be too high.

Xiao Huohuo: Indeed, let’s do that.

KP: So, after handing the sound transmission talisman to Han Buli, Xiao Huohuo followed Fang Yuan out of the camp. After reuniting with the other three people who had been waiting outside the camp, they did not delay any longer and rushed towards the dangerous area marked on the map.

KP: After the stone house in the camp completely disappeared from sight, Fang Yuan also explained the operation to Xiao Huohuo.

Fang Yuan: Simply put, the destination of our trip is an ancient relic in this secret realm.

Xiao Huohuo: Ancient ruins?

Fang Yuan: That's right. It's said that during the ancient War of Fortune, hundreds of Divine Transformation cultivators battled against extraterritorial demons, burning the entire ancient Xianyuan Continent to ashes. This caused the fall of cultivation civilization, which only began to revive ten thousand years later. The remaining debris drifted into the void, occasionally connecting with the real world, gradually forming the secret realms of today. In other words, these secret realms now contain ancient relics. The natural treasures and magical instruments found in these relics are naturally opportunities that cultivators of our generation cannot miss!

KP: After Fang Yuan finished speaking, the other three also echoed.

Li Shi: Haha, Brother Fang is right. Aren’t cultivators like me just looking for an opportunity? I’m determined to get this relic!

Xiao Hansong: Haha, with Junior Brother Xiao’s help this time, I’m sure I can break through the last level.

Liu Yue: Don’t be too happy too soon, let’s wait and see what happens.

Xiao Huohuo:...No...Brothers and sisters, why do I feel like I'm going to die?

Han Buli: Indeed, the feeling of "the dog is abandoned after the rabbit is dead" is a bit strong... Damn it, why are the two of us who are in the secret realm so miserable!

Romeo: Tonic! Lao Xiao! If you die, who will fill the void left by my brother Niu Xuanzi?

Xiao Huohuo: Damn it!

Joan of Arc: (pinching nose) So, if my stinky little brother is really gone, how should we divide his inheritance?

Han Buli: Well, after all, we are brothers, and I have to take care of his funeral affairs, so I will just take half.

Romeo: I also have a half-hearted opinion. After all, Lao Xiao is dead, and his last wish of defeating Brother Xuan Zi can only be fulfilled by me.

Joan of Arc: I am his sister, an elder sister is like a mother, I have to take half!

Xiao Huohuo: Damn, I’m not dead yet!

KP: Seeing Xiao Huohuo's uneasy expression, Fang Yuan smiled knowingly and reached out to pat your shoulder.

Fang Yuan: Haha, Junior Brother Xiao seems to have some concerns. But there's no need to overthink it. This is just an entry-level secret realm for those in the Qi Refining stage. Even if there are treasures, it's far from enough to risk one's life for. Besides, Elder Lin is still waiting outside the secret realm. If we're missing someone in three days, he'll definitely hold me responsible.

Li Shi: Yes, we are brothers from the same sect. It’s boring if you think like that, Junior Brother Xiao!

Liu Yue: (rolling his eyes slightly) It’s because you were too excited and scared Junior Brother Xiao.

Xiao Hansong: Haha, Junior Sister Liu Yue is right.

Xiao Huohuo: (You'd better use JPG) Haha, fellow seniors, you're worrying too much. I'm just a little worried. After all, it's an ancient relic, and there might be some danger inside.

Fang Yuan: It’s okay. It’s not our first time there, so there won’t be any problem.

Li Shi: Not bad, not bad. We are all experienced. Junior Brother Xiao, just follow us later!

Xiao Huohuo: Emmm...

Joan of Arc: The flag has been set.

KP: So, Fang Yuan, Xiao Huohuo, and the others continued along their route, passing through several dangerous areas and encountering several demonic beasts. These Gobi-dwelling demonic beasts were mostly sandworms and snakes, around the third or fourth level of Qi Refining. The sensible ones, sensing Fang Yuan and his companions' spiritual pressure, avoided them. The less sensible ones were easily killed by Fang Yuan and Li Shi in the front row. Xiao Hansong in the middle then dismembered them, and finally Liu Yue at the end collected them into his Qiankun bag. The entire process was smooth and effortless, without even a second of delay.

Xiao Huohuo: Well, this is called professionalism.

KP: Under the guidance of Fang Yuan's professional team, you marched non-stop for nearly two hours and finally arrived at your destination at noon. This is a circular square spread out on the Gobi plain, convex outside and concave inside, engraved with densely packed mysterious runes. The center of the square seems to be engraved with a magic circle, emitting a faint blue light.

Xiao Huohuo: Okay, okay, the sealed underground prison, right?

KP: That's pretty much it.

Fang Yuan: Okay, everyone, take a breather, and once your spiritual power recovers, we’ll be ready to enter the ruins.

KP: As the core members of the team, everyone naturally had no objection to Fang Yuan's command. They immediately sat cross-legged and began to meditate, adjusting their bodies to the best condition.

Xiao Huohuo: Then let me ask Senior Brother Fang about this relic and what I need to do?

Fang Yuan: This ruin's interior is somewhat similar to a combat arena used for trials. Each time you pass a trial, you'll receive rewards and then face a more difficult trial. When the secret realm opened last year, Li Shi and the others discovered this ruin. After three days of exploration, we successfully reached the fifth floor... perhaps this is also the final floor of this ruin!

Xiao Huohuo: And then?

KP: Speaking of this, Fang Yuan sighed and shook his head slightly.

Fang Yuan: And then we returned empty-handed.

Xiao Huohuo: Are the monsters in this ruins so powerful?

Fang Yuan: It's not that powerful, it's just that the guards in this relic can continuously recover their strength by absorbing the power of the relic. In the first four levels, the four of us could still barely suppress the guards' recovery speed by working together, but in the fifth level, no matter how much damage we caused to the guards, they could recover as before the moment they were injured, so we had no choice but to flee after barely holding on for three rounds.

Han Buli: I understand. The burst damage is not enough. This guard is a pure mechanical monster.

Xiao Huohuo: So Fang Yuan and the others came to me because they wanted me to use the Burning Technique to stack damage and then kill the guard with one punch?

Han Buli: It should be about the same.

KP: Then, seeing the look of enlightenment on Xiao Huohuo's face, Fang Yuan smiled.

Fang Yuan: Haha, I guess Junior Brother Xiao has already guessed why we came to see you.

Xiao Huohuo: Probably. But Brother Fang, you've already reached the tenth level of Qi Refining, and you're still unsure?

Fang Yuan: The tenth level of Qi Refining... No, even if I reach the peak of Qi Refining, I'm afraid there is still no way.

Xiao Huohuo:?

Fang Yuan: If my previous judgment is correct, the explosive power required for this fifth level of trial... is probably at the foundation-building level!