Chapter 362: Secret Place Stirs, Broadening Horizons

When the Fourth Heaven and Earth Dao Yin sounded, all motion ceased. Everyone froze, listening in silence. The Dao Yin was vast and boundless, echoing across the heavens and earth, its resonance unimpeded even by the secrecy of the Secret Realm. Only when the sound finally faded into stillness did the people snap back to awareness, stirring in quiet agitation.

"The Fourth Heaven and Earth Dao Yin? So soon?"

"I can feel the Qi concentration within the Secret Realm rising!"

"The Fourth Dao Yin means the external Heaven and Earth Rules are evolving toward full maturity!"

…

The inhabitants of the Secret Realm murmured among themselves.

At the ancient Xiao Miao atop Xuan Kong Shan, several powerful spiritual presences communicated in quiet exchange.

"The Fourth Dao Yin has sounded. The external Heaven and Earth Rules will soon be stable enough to accommodate us."

"Not enough. The Fourth Dao Yin merely signifies that the rules now allow Zhu Ji Qi to move freely. But if we wish to advance further—beyond even the Golden Elixir tribulation—this is still far from sufficient. We must wait for the Fifth Dao Yin."

"Patience. The Fourth Dao Yin came sooner than expected. The Fifth should not be far behind."

"Besides, with the Fourth Dao Yin now ringing, the external Heaven and Earth Rules have clearly reached a mature and stable state. As recorded in the ancient scriptures, certain celestial opportunities are also nearing emergence. Perhaps it is time to send our disciples out into the world for trials."

"True. Our Secret Realm exists only as a subordinate layer within the primary world. Its rules are inherently incomplete. Without venturing out, our disciples’ foundations will never be firm."

"Then let them go forth and train. Only by anchoring ourselves in the primary world can Xuan Kong Shan truly grow and thrive."

"And what of that rogue from Wu Jian Lou? The last time, they did uncover the location of the one who dared defy our authority. We might as well retrieve him—perhaps even convert him."

"Excellent. That youth is clearly one of the great Qi Yuners of this era. If he were to embrace our path, it would strengthen our sect’s depth and power."

Not long after, a Buddhist Edict shot from the peak’s Xiao Miao, descending swiftly. It landed in Xuan Yi’s hands at the Majestic Hall halfway down the mountain.

Xuan Yi read the edict, his expression hardening instantly. He immediately ordered the Buddhist Bell in the bell tower to be rung.

The deep, resonant tones rolled out, heavy and solemn. All the monks within the Secret Realm heard it. Their bodies trembled, then they rushed toward the Da Xiong Bao Dian without delay.

As the bell rang, the head of Wu Jian Lou stood atop their wooden tower, gazing upward at the massive floating mountain hovering at the center of the Secret Realm.

"Master," said You Chang Lao, appearing beside him, also staring at the immense mountain. "Why has Xuan Kong Shan rung the Buddhist Bell?"

The Wu Jian Lou Zhu Lou spoke slowly, "What else could it be? The Fourth Heaven and Earth Dao Yin has sounded. The external Heaven and Earth Rules are evolving further. Xuan Kong Shan is finally preparing to act."

"You mean... they’re about to emerge?" You Chang Lao gasped.

"Whether or not, we’ll know in a few days."

"What should we do, then?"

"Here beneath their shadow, what can we do? We can only wait and see if this compassionate Buddhist Holy Land has any use for us—those of us who dwell in darkness."

The Wu Jian Lou Zhu Lou’s tone carried quiet resignation.

You Chang Lao fell silent. He knew the truth: in the face of Xuan Kong Shan’s absolute dominance and unfathomable depth, Wu Jian Lou was no better than ants in their eyes. To crush them, Xuan Kong Shan would require no more effort than swatting a fly.

Thus, no matter how many schemes they harbored, under such overwhelming power, they could only keep them buried deep—never daring to reveal even a hint.

"By the way," the Wu Jian Lou Zhu Lou suddenly asked, "You were out gathering intelligence recently. You said the outside world has changed drastically?"

"Yes," You Chang Lao replied. "The changes are immense—far beyond what our ancestors recorded. Especially after Qi Lu Fu Su, the cultivation world has exploded. There are now cultivators of strength beyond imagination—far surpassing anything we could have dreamed of."

He recalled the terrifying encounter with the Old Doctor and the dread Demon Cultivator. Even now, his heart still trembled at the memory. Despite his own formidable strength, he had been utterly helpless before them. Only thanks to the unique treasure the master had bestowed upon him had he even managed to escape.

"Excellent," the Wu Jian Lou Zhu Lou nodded. "The stronger the outside world becomes, the better. Then Xuan Kong Shan will have no choice but to rely on us. And that… will be our only chance to break free from their control."

The Wu Jian Lou Zhu Lou gazed at the colossal mountain in the sky, and the golden and azure splendor of the temple barely visible on its peak.

Almost all resources within the Secret Realm were tightly held by Xuan Kong Shan. Their existence was precarious, let alone cultivation. This life—endless struggle for survival—was one Wu Jian Lou could no longer endure.

Yet for a thousand years, their ancestors had found no way out. The initial array of the Secret Realm was under Xuan Kong Shan’s control. Only those monks deeply versed in Buddhist Law could open it. Without permission, no one could even find a path.

Generations had tried in secret. Countless efforts had been made, but all had failed. Not even one disciple of Wu Jian Lou had ever touched the floating mountain above—despite its proximity. After all, even someone as mighty as Xian Tian Jing Wan Man couldn’t fly through the air unaided.

But if the outside world truly was as You Chang Lao described—full of powerful beings—then Xuan Kong Shan could no longer dominate alone. That might be their one chance.

While Xuan Kong Shan began its preparations, the other great Secret Realms also responded in their own ways to the Fourth Dao Yin.

Yun Shui Mi Jing.

This Secret Place differed greatly from Xuan Kong Shan. It was a realm of lakes and islands, shrouded in mist, where water vapor wove through the layered clouds. Giant flying birds occasionally soared through the skies, majestic and ethereal—like a dreamland.

On the largest island in the central lake, dozens of massive flying birds descended from all directions, each carrying one or two figures on their backs.

"Senior Brother," asked a beautiful girl with bright eyes and fair skin, alighting from her white bird. "Why has the Ancestor Master summoned us? What’s going on?"

"I don’t know," the Senior Brother shook his head.

"Could it be related to the previous Heaven and Earth Dao Yin?" asked a young man.

"I don’t know. We’ll find out when the Ancestor Masters appear."

As the disciples of Yun Shui Mi Jing speculated, suddenly, several gentle, elusive spiritual presences emerged from the distance.

Three elders in plain white robes descended from the air. The disciples instantly stiffened, bowing in unison: "We greet the Ancestor Masters!"

"Rise," said the lead elder, voice calm. "I have a task to assign to you."

All disciples stood at attention, listening intently.

"The Fourth Dao Yin has sounded. The external Heaven and Earth Rules are stabilizing. After consultation with my fellow Ancestor Masters, we believe it’s time for you to go out and test yourselves…"

Similar decisions unfolded in two other Secret Places.

In the wake of the Fourth Heaven and Earth Dao Yin, the four Secret Realms had made a startlingly unified choice: send their disciples into the outside world to train.

It was both a trial for the disciples and a preparation for the day their sects would truly emerge.

Outside, the world seethed with change—but Lu Qing remained untouched by it.

After taking the medicine, Wei Zihao and the others improved significantly the next day, regaining nearly full mobility. Lu Qing and Wei Xinghe wasted no time, rushing back to Jiu Li Village and settling them in the Wei Family Bie Yuan.

Two days later, after the Demon Cultivator had absorbed his severed hand’s Demon Qi and restored his spirit, he finally broke the Seal Spell binding Wei Zihao and the others.

Though the seal was lifted, the cost was severe. The spell had drained too much Life-Sustaining Qi. Their foundations were damaged, and their lifespans each diminished—unequally.

Wei Zihao suffered the worst. In his pursuit of Wei Xinghe, he had overused the seal, exhausting his life force. After its removal, a single strand of white hair appeared in his temples.

When Wei Fu Ren learned the truth, she wept bitterly.

Wei Zian was furious, blaming himself for not being present at Zhou Fu Cheng’s side to kill the demon.

Yet Wei Zihao, after surviving the ordeal, had become remarkably calm. Far from blaming fate, he comforted his mother and brother, saying he was lucky to be alive. Losing a little time from his life was nothing compared to the fate of those who had been tortured to death in the sect.

Wei Shanhai and Wei Xinghe were deeply satisfied. Though Wei Zihao had nearly died, the trial had tempered his spirit—proving once again that hardship could be a blessing in disguise.

As for his lost lifespan, if he trained diligently, there might still be hope to recover it—if he ever reached the Xian Tian Jing realm.

With everything settled, Lu Qing returned to his quiet life.

Besides essential cultivation, he spent his days tending to his fields, fishing, or guiding Xiao Yan’s cultivation.

After her breakthrough, Lu Qing selected a suitable Qi Ingestion Method for her and taught it to her, urging her to practice daily, cultivating Spirit Force.

As for spells—Lu Qing had no intention of teaching them yet. Xiao Yan was still young, her character unstable. Too early a grasp of magic could easily trap her in obsession, turning her focus to the wrong things.

For now, her path was clear: lay a solid foundation.

So Lu Qing only taught her the Qi Ingestion Method, and each day she practiced, refining her inner force.

In these tranquil days, Lu Qing occasionally communicated with the Demon Cultivator through his spirit, asking about the Tian Yuan Da Shi Jie.

The Demon Cultivator, bound by Spirit Soul Enslavement, answered every question without hesitation or concealment.

So, though Lu Qing appeared idle, his understanding of cultivation grew ever deeper.

"One moment," Lu Qing said one day, casually asking the Demon Cultivator while mentally conversing. "Do you know how to use Merit Light?"

He hadn’t expected much. After all, the two sides were sworn enemies. He couldn’t imagine a Demon Cultivator knowing anything about Merit Light.

But the Demon Cultivator replied with surprising clarity.

"Your servant knows a few things about Merit Light, Master."

"In the Tian Yuan Da Shi Jie, sects abound. Among them, several powerful Buddhist sects exist. The monks and we Demon Cultivators have long been enemies, often clashing. I once killed several high-ranking Buddhist cultivators and obtained some of their combat techniques. Among them was knowledge of Merit Light."

Lu Qing was stunned. He had searched far and wide for a way to use Merit Light—and now, it came from a Demon Cultivator?

It was absurd. Yet here it was.

"Tell me," Lu Qing pressed. "What methods do you know?"

"Yes, Master," the Demon Cultivator said respectfully. "But Master, I was once a Demon General, trained in the authentic Mo Dao Gong Fa passed down by the Demon Lord. My Demon Qi naturally repels Buddhist energies. So after acquiring those techniques, I never practiced them. I merely studied them briefly before discarding them. And with my True Spirit soul having been reborn many times, much of my memory is lost. So now, I only remember two methods for using Merit Light. If you wish, I can pass them on. However, I cannot use them myself, so I don’t know if they’re truly effective."

"Never mind. Send them over."

Through the Spirit Soul Enslavement mark, Lu Qing could sense no deception. He gave a simple command.

After all, he had the Ability to analyze and comprehend techniques instantly. He could tell truth from falsehood at a glance.

"Yes, Master."

Immediately, the information flowed into Lu Qing’s mind through the spirit bond.

At the same time, his Ability triggered a prompt.

【Combat Technique Heritage discovered. Download Simulation?】

Without hesitation, Lu Qing selected "Download Simulation."

【Downloading... 1%, 2%, 3%... 98%, 99%, 100%.】

【Download complete. Begin Simulation?】

He chose "Begin Simulation."

【Simulating... 1%, 2%, 3%... 99%, 100%.】

【Simulation complete. Begin Learning?】

Lu Qing selected "Learn."

In an instant, a flood of insights surged from deep within his mind.

Lu Qing had long grown accustomed to such sensations. He closed his eyes and absorbed them quietly.

After a while, when he opened them again, his eyes sparkled with astonishment.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end