Everywhere in the secret realm is filled with opportunities.
Wen Jiayin is currently stuck at the twelfth level of Qi Refining, and maybe she’ll find a chance to break through in the secret realm.
Plus, this is the first secret realm she’s encountered since arriving in the world of the book, so she’s eager to see what it’s like.
So when Xin Yun asked if Wen Jiayin wanted to go, Wen Jiayin didn’t hesitate at all.
“Master, I want to go!”
“Alright, if you want to go, I’ll prepare something else for you.” Xin Yun had been wanting to make something for a while now, and all the materials were ready.
The only reason she hadn’t made it before was because there hadn’t been a need.
“Still more stuff? Is it another protective magic tool?” Over the years, Master had made her all sorts of defensive and offensive magic tools: the hairpin on her head, the bead bracelet on her wrist, the pendant on her clothes, even her special disciple’s robe—any one of them would be fought over if taken outside.
Wen Jiayin felt like her Master was just short of arming her to the teeth.
“This one’s a bit different.” Xin Yun didn’t explain much, just said, “Take this with you when you go out, then I’ll be at ease.”
“I already have enough on me! With all this, I feel like I could walk sideways through a demonic cultivator’s territory!” Wen Jiayin joked playfully.
Actually, it wasn’t really a joke.
Her robe could block three attacks from anyone below the Tribulation Crossing stage.
Each bead on her bracelet had a strand of her Master’s sword energy sealed inside.
The jade hairpin held a chill that could freeze anyone below Nascent Soul to death.
The pendant supposedly contained a bolt of heavenly lightning, which her badass Master had casually collected during her own tribulation.
Wen Jiayin almost felt sorry for that bolt of lightning.
It was like a living provocation.
Maybe her Master had tempted fate too many times, which was why she’d ended up with such a rough destiny? But with all these things combined, their power was terrifying.
Just dropping her from the sky would be enough to flatten a demonic sect’s headquarters.
Wen Jiayin really thought Master didn’t need to pile anything else on her—she was more than set!
No, it wasn’t enough.
It was precisely because these things had failed to help at the most critical moment that Xin Yun wanted to make something even more reliable.
The sorrow in Xin Yun’s eyes was something Wen Jiayin couldn’t understand.
Only those still trapped in the past could understand that pain.
That’s why Xin Yun was so cautious, afraid that even the slightest mistake would lead to repeating the tragedies of her previous life.
“A secret realm is different from the ordinary world.
It’s a separate little space, either man-made or naturally formed, with its own set of rules and powers, almost completely cut off from the outside.
That’s why even cultivators at the Tribulation Crossing stage have to play by its rules.
I won’t be able to sense your situation from outside, but the rules in these secret realms aren’t perfect, so there are still loopholes to exploit.”
Got it! Wen Jiayin understood instantly—her Master wanted to find a loophole in the rules, so she could monitor what was happening inside the secret realm from outside.
“But… this is just a little secret realm for Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment disciples to train in, isn’t that overkill?” As soon as Wen Jiayin finished speaking, her Master flicked her lightly on the forehead.
“Don’t underestimate your reputation outside.
The demonic cultivators are getting restless.
They can’t hurt people like me, so you’re their best target, understand? The other peak masters’ disciples going with you are just as loaded with magic tools.” After the flick, Xin Yun even rubbed Wen Jiayin’s forehead for her.
“Oh, got it.” Wen Jiayin believed her, thinking everyone else was as thoroughly protected by their elders as she was—until Li Youxi made a snide comment, and she realized that “a lot” for others and “a lot” for her were two completely different things.
“I’ll give you that thing tomorrow morning.
As for the secret realm, our sect’s disciples have been there many times and collected a lot of information.
I asked the sect leader for a copy, and it’ll be delivered soon.
Study it well these next few days.
Of course, what’s recorded is only what’s been discovered—what hasn’t been found is your real opportunity.” As Xin Yun finished speaking, the “carrier pigeon” sent by the sect leader arrived.
The “carrier pigeon” turned into a piece of paper in Xin Yun’s hand.
Wen Jiayin thought the secret realm info would just be some written descriptions from the disciples, but to her surprise, it was actually a map! The terrain was drawn in great detail, with all the spirit herbs and beasts clearly marked!
“Master… isn’t this a bit too detailed?” Wen Jiayin said, holding the map.
“If it’s like this, can’t we just follow the map once we’re inside?”
Xin Yun looked a little helpless.
“This secret realm opens pretty often.
Outer sect disciples who never have a shot at reaching the Golden Core stage want to earn some spirit stones, so older disciples started selling maps to the new ones.
As this became more common, the maps got more and more detailed, until they ended up like this.”
“Hmm…” There were pros and cons to this.
The good part was you didn’t have to wander around blindly.
The bad part was that the real treasures would be fought over by more people.
But honestly, she wasn’t interested in any of the marked treasures.
Over the years, her Master had insisted on giving her medicinal baths, and any random herb from those was more valuable than what was on this map.
Wen Jiayin focused on a spot marked “Mist, Spirit-Seeking Grass, Uncertain.” Spirit-Seeking Grass wasn’t that rare, and the notes said many people had explored the misty area and only found Spirit-Seeking Grass.
But this plant liked places with dense spiritual energy, and the mist didn’t have any more spiritual energy than outside, so the area was marked “Uncertain.”
Maybe she should try her luck there? Noticing Wen Jiayin’s gaze, Xin Yun said, “That place is definitely worth checking out.”
“Master, you know about it too?”
“I went into this secret realm when I was young and came across that misty area, but something unexpected happened so I didn’t go in.
Still, I have a feeling there’s something inside.” Xin Yun explained, “Otherwise, there wouldn’t be much reason for you to go to this little place.”
“Master! I’m going to study this!” Wen Jiayin never doubted her protagonist’s sixth sense—if Master said there was something good, there definitely was! She’d talk it over with Chang’an too, since she was probably going as well.
Xin Yun smiled gently and nodded at her.
Wen Jiayin bounced away, even thoughtfully closing the door for her Master.
She had no idea that after she left, her Master was about to do something crazy and dangerous.
————————
“Drip… drip…”
Night fell.
Xin Yun’s room, protected by multiple barriers, was completely dark.
Only the faint sound of liquid dripping onto the floor could be heard.
“You’re insane, truly insane!” The heart demon raged, circling around Xin Yun.
“Your soul is already damaged and weak, and you still split off a part? Hahaha… You want to hand your body over to me that badly? I’m almost touched.”
“Yeah, that’s right! Just this once, huh? I almost forgot—Ayin’s foundation was completely destroyed, and the root of all future disasters started here.
Otherwise, with her talent, she wouldn’t have died at the hands of that Carefree True Lord, let alone have her soul scattered, soul scattered! Hahaha…”
“What’s the point of searching inch by inch with the soul lamp? You won’t find anything, because there’s nothing left!” The heart demon’s sharp, twisted laughter stabbed at her heart, knowing exactly how to provoke Xin Yun.
“Cough…” The smell of blood filled the room.
Bent over and coughing, she braced herself on the table.
The back that never bowed before now looked so fragile.
The heart demon’s words completely enraged her, and Xin Yun struck out, scattering it despite her injuries.
But this time was different—the heart demon’s shadow didn’t disappear right away.
“Your heart isn’t calm anymore.
You can’t suppress me completely.”
“If you really had the ability, you wouldn’t just be barking here.” Her voice was still cold, but now tinged with exhaustion.
“Maybe I really can’t do anything to you, but sooner or later, you’ll wear yourself out.
All I have to do is wait and watch until that day comes.” The heart demon’s voice faded from Xin Yun’s ears.
Xin Yun closed her eyes, enduring the burning pain deep in her soul—a wound left by a fragment of an immortal artifact, one that could never heal.
Every time she pushed her soul too hard, it would tear open the old injury.
She gripped the jade pendant in her hand. At least the thing was finished.
“Ayin, this time, Master won’t let anyone hurt you!”
