FVN Chapter 20: Entering
Chapter 20: Entering
Li Wu and Qi Yu, being the two with the lowest cultivation levels, followed at the back of the group, which suited Li Wu's wishes.
Looking at the swamp and withered plants on the ground, Li Wu thought to himself:
"It's unlikely that there are any thunder-related spiritual creatures here."
Just then, a pool of water appeared ahead, and in the center of the pool stood a towering ancient tree with gnarled branches and roots, its bark resembling snake scales.
More than a dozen bright red fruits, about the size of a fist and shaped like snake heads, grew on the branches.
"It's a snake-scale fruit tree."
A middle-aged cultivator said happily:
"This snake-scale fruit tree bears fruit in three years and matures in three years. The [Snake Head Fruit] it produces is a spiritual object of the Qi Refining level, which can be used to refine various pills. It is a rare spiritual tree."
Having said that, he leaped to the front of the line, turned around, and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture:
"Fellow Daoists, my family has scriptures on the cultivation of this snake-scale fruit tree. Please give me this tree."
Everyone looked at each other, and no one objected. He Jingyu then spoke up:
"Then Fellow Daoist Chen shall take the spirit tree, and the spirit fruits shall be distributed among the others."
Li Wu got one.
Li Wumei happily put away the spirit fruit; things that are free are always good.
Just then, a white light suddenly appeared not far away.
"This is?"
He Jingyu frowned slightly and said in a deep voice, "It's a Foundation Establishment level treasure."
His tone was solemn, and his eyes were burning with desire. His main purpose in entering the secret realm was to find a Foundation Establishment level spiritual item.
Whether it's the inheritance of cultivation techniques, the various arts of immortality, or elixirs, even spiritual plants or magical artifacts, as long as they can leave some blessings for the family, that's fine.
So, He Jingyu turned to everyone, cupped his hands, and said:
"Gentlemen, the reason I ventured into this secret realm was to seek a Foundation Establishment spiritual item. Now that it has appeared, I cannot miss it."
The others remained silent upon hearing this, though they all knew the truth in their hearts.
All the good things in this secret realm have already been reserved in advance by those aristocratic families and immortal sects.
They are just a minor clan or sect in the Qi Refining realm, and they are no match for us. It would be better to pick up some Qi Refining level spiritual items to increase our spirit stone income.
Seeing that no one spoke, He Jingyu sighed and said in a deep voice:
"Take care, everyone!"
Having said that, he turned and flew towards the direction of the white light.
Li Wu frowned slightly and chased after them.
He didn't come into the secret realm for these ordinary spiritual items.
"Hey, Brother Li, wait for me!"
Qi Yu was only at the first level of Qi Refining, so his speed was very slow, and he could only chase and shout at the same time.
…………
The three chased each other to a river valley.
At this moment, there was not a trace of water in the valley, revealing the dry ground and the entrance to a cave.
There was a scattering of spiritual light outside the cave, which meant that the protective formation of the cave had been forcibly broken.
"The formation has been broken; we're too late," Qi Yu sighed, shaking his head.
Li Wu glanced around and saw that the spiritual essence of the formation still lingered around the cave. He shook his head and said:
"We're not too late. The formation was just broken, and they just went in. The items are still inside."
"Are you going in to rob it?"
Qi Yu looked surprised, turned to look at the two serious-looking people, and hesitated before saying:
"The people living in this cave are probably from those aristocratic families and immortal sects. If we encounter them, we probably wouldn't be a match for them."
He Jingyu looked at the two of them and said in a deep voice:
"This matter is dangerous; my two fellow Daoists need not risk their lives with me."
Li Wu waved his hand:
"They are all just seeking their own path."
He didn't say anything grand or impressive, but it was precisely these honest words that made He Jingyu very happy.
"Very well, young friend Li, you are quite right. We are all just pursuing our own paths."
Seeing that He Jingyu and Li Wudu were preparing to enter the cave, Qi Yu shook his head and said:
"Elder He, Brother Li, I am only at the first level of Qi Refining, so I will not risk going in with you."
Qi Yu was quite self-aware, knowing that he was weak and not good at fighting, so he always had to assess the situation carefully and avoid taking risks.
Li Wu nodded and said:
"Alright, you stay outside and meet us."
After the two entered the cave, Qi Yu found a secluded corner to hide.
A white jade tortoise crawled out of his sleeve, and he whispered:
"Quickly use your bloodline technique to conceal my presence."
"Turtle~"
The white jade turtle cried out.
Qi Yu's aura was instantly concealed, making him appear like an ordinary weed.
"Alas, I am not good at fighting, but I wonder how many spiritual treasures I can obtain in this secret realm with just this concealment technique."
…………
"I'll go first, you follow behind me."
He Jingyu patted his storage bag, summoned an umbrella-shaped shield, and cast a spell that floated on his body, while holding several talismans in his hand.
Li Wu followed behind, not daring to be careless, holding his halberd tightly in his hand, constantly vigilant about the surroundings.
The cave is a hidden paradise.
After walking for a while, the two saw a large pool ahead, with the corpse of a python monster floating on the surface.
Judging from his injuries, he appeared to have died from a sword piercing his abdomen.
As for the jade box on the stone platform in the pool, it was shattered on the ground, and the inheritance inside must have been taken away.
But He Jingyu still didn't let go of any possibility. Searching through a pile of dust, he actually found a jade slip.
After reading it, he said:
"This is 'Notes on Alchemy,' which records three or four kinds of pills at the Qi Refining level."
After reading it, he shook his head, handed it to Li Wu, and said:
"I have all the pills listed above at home, here you go."
Li Wu accepted it without hesitation.
With this alchemical manual, he can now try his hand at alchemy.
After putting the jade slip into their storage bags, the two continued to venture deeper into the cave. The further they went, the more traces of their battle became.
The walls were covered with traces of sword energy, ashes from fire, and so on.
Suddenly, a large vermilion gate appeared in front of them, and several people were standing inside. They were the cultivators who had entered the cave earlier.
They heard a noise behind them and saw a man slowly turn around, holding a sword in his hand. He saw Li Wu and He Jingyu.
His gaze lingered on He Jingyu's face for only a moment before shifting to Li Wu.
Silvery-white lightning? Could it be a cultivator of the [Divine Lightning] path?
Qi Chengheng was puzzled and pondered:
"When did lightning-attribute cultivators appear in Yue Kingdom? Could they be pawns placed by that True Immortal?"
"If that's the case, it might be difficult to make a move."
After thinking for a moment, a kind smile appeared on his face, and he said:
"You two have come at the right time. Please join us in unlocking this secret seal."
Although the people around Qi Chengheng were puzzled as to why he would invite two unfamiliar people in, they did not ask.
Looking at the people inside the door, all of them were cultivators in the mid-to-late stages of Qi Refining, and there was even a sword cultivator in the late stage of Qi Refining. His alarm bells immediately went off, and he transmitted his voice:
"What do we do now?"
Having cultivated for decades and witnessed many grand occasions, He Jingyu maintained a calm expression and replied telepathically:
"Since they've invited us, we should naturally go in and find out what's going on."