Chapter 394: Returning to Great Zhou, Mao Family Valley

Chapter 394: Returning to Great Zhou, Mao Family Valley

Even though Su Chen was deep within the Mystic Realm, his mind seemed to drift into a vast wilderness.

Su Chen raised his eyes and looked around.

His consciousness remained clear, and everything around him felt so real.

Observing the stones within the Mystic Realm, he seemed to gain insight into a certain state of mind.

In this state, he felt as if he transcended his physical body.

In the blink of an eye, he could accomplish many things in this state of mind.

The most direct benefit was that he could cultivate and temper himself within this mental state.

If he needed a sword, one would appear in his hand.

If he wanted a gust of wind, it would manifest.

At this thought, Su Chen wanted to practice his array techniques.

All kinds of materials were at his disposal within this mental state; with a single thought, they would appear in his hands.

Following his knowledge and understanding, he began to set up a Thorny Array.

However, the result was not ideal.

In this state of mind, all the rules were governed by his thoughts.

Therefore, the array's effectiveness depended on his intentions.

The array's performance was completely unrelated to his expectations.

Su Chen felt that this state of mind was more useful for familiarizing himself with techniques and comprehending certain difficulties.

He wanted to test the power of certain moves, arrays, toxins, and mechanisms, but these things were not suitable for this state of mind.

After realizing this, Su Chen began to cultivate the Heavenly Dao Heart Scripture to break through to the Sixth Stage Perfect Realm.

Having already spent a considerable amount of time in the Sixth Stage Intermediate Realm, Su Chen could easily adapt to the heat of the Mountain Furnace.

Upon reaching the Perfect Realm, it was no longer about adaptation but control.

The heat of the Sixth Stage Mountain Furnace not only had no adverse effects on his body but also continuously aided in tempering his physique.

After a brief moment of reflection, Su Chen felt that time seemed to have passed by quite a bit.

The ever-present heat of the Mountain Furnace seemed to have lessened at this moment.

In the blink of an eye, the heat obeyed his thoughts, becoming fierce or calming as he wished.

Reaching the Sixth Stage Perfect Realm, Su Chen had not expected to achieve this breakthrough here.

Exiting this state of mind, Su Chen realized that his location was still pitch-black.

The light he had seen earlier was also a perception from his state of mind.

At this moment, most people had already left the Mystic Realm.

Just as Qin Wei had said, even the most talented disciples of the Ta He Sect struggled to endure an hour within the Mystic Realm.

Su Chen, however, had been inside for nearly two hours.

"Elder Liu, our Third Battle Team's Su Xing is still inside, please help us," Qin Wei said with a hint of worry on his face.

There was only one entrance to the Mystic Realm, and they had already counted the number of people who entered and exited.

One person was unaccounted for.

"Why didn't you do something earlier?

Tell your disciples to act according to their abilities.

Is it that difficult to know your limits?

If you don't have the skills, don't try to show off."

Elder Liu, as he was called, shot him a disdainful glance and re-entered the Mystic Realm.

Half an hour later, Elder Liu emerged with a slightly pale face.

"I've already reached the lower exit inside, and I didn't see anyone else.

That person must have sneaked out on their own."

"Impossible! I've been watching this place the whole time," Qin Wei said, his brows furrowed.

He had been waiting at the entrance to the Mystic Realm the entire time.

Even if Su Chen had come out, there was no way he could have sneaked out without being noticed.

"Am I, as an elder, lying to you?

If he didn't come out, then he must have already passed the lower exit.

Do you think that's possible?"

After saying this, Elder Liu seemed even more impatient.

"Our Ta He Sect's direct disciples are still quite a distance from the lower exit.

Do you think the members of the Third Battle Team could have passed it?"

Qin Wei was at a loss for words in response to this rebuttal.

Feeling uncomfortable, he held back, unable to come up with a reply.

Indeed, the members of the Third Battle Team were significantly less skilled than the disciples of the Ta He Sect.

Many of the Ta He Sect disciples around them smiled at this.

"Elder Liu, please don't underestimate others so easily.

What if someone else could indeed pass the lower exit?"

Hearing these taunts, Elder Liu also smiled.

He seemed much more amiable towards the disciples of his own sect.

"If he passed the lower exit, then you direct disciples should go back and get punished.

Especially you three, Sheng Yuxian, Ding Zhencai, and Huang He."

"Elder Liu, when I went in earlier, I did see someone hurrying deeper into the Mystic Realm," Sheng Yuxian said with a slightly furrowed brow.

Even quite resilient, he endured the suppression and walked right in."

Upon hearing this, Elder Liu turned his head to look at Qin Wei.

"Commander Qin, can you make it clear to the people under your command in the future?

In the Mystic Realm, rushing forward recklessly, what are they trying to achieve?

Do they want to prove how capable they are, how much they can endure?

Or is it that your Third Battle Team wants to show everyone your depth?"

If that's truly the case, it doesn't matter.

But you can't rush in and then faint inside.

Then let us exhaust our efforts to bring you out.

With this method, among so many disciples here, who can't do it?"

Qin Wei's face turned awkward under Elder Liu's words.

But Elder Liu himself hadn't finished speaking, and his face grew more solemn.

"We can go and rescue him, but from now on, no one from the Ta He Sect, not just this Mystic Realm, but any other training ground, is forbidden from entering!

Also, after returning, write a letter of self-reflection.

At that time, read it aloud in front of everyone.

Reflect carefully on what it means to act within one's capabilities.

This kind of reckless behavior, don't you even think about the trouble you've caused the sect."

Qin Wei's face grew serious upon hearing these punishments.

"Elder Liu, isn't this punishment too severe?"

"Severe? If you think the punishment is too harsh, then come out yourself; don't make us go and rescue you."

The onlookers around them were increasing in number.

It had been a long time since someone had fainted inside, and today was a chance to see how the sect elders scolded someone.

Just as everyone was talking, Su Chen had already reached the entrance of the Mystic Realm.

Those who had been speaking a moment ago were quickly nudged by their companions.

In an instant, the entire area in front of the Mystic Realm's entrance became quiet.

Leaping down from the Mystic Realm's entrance, under the watchful eyes of the surrounding crowd, Su Chen slowly walked to Commander Qin Wei's side.

"Commander, what is this?"

Su Chen's condition was excellent, and compared to Elder Liu, who had just returned from inside, Su Chen's complexion was much better.

He didn't show any signs of weakness at all, unlike what they had imagined.

In fact, not just weakness, many of the Ta He Sect's disciples present believed that Su Chen should have fainted inside.

It seemed that only with the help of an elder's rescue would he have a chance to come out.

But the truth was right before their eyes, and Su Chen was in such a state, as if he had faced no pressure inside the Mystic Realm at all.

"Commander, what's going on? What trouble have I caused?"

Looking at Commander Qin Wei beside him, Su Chen couldn't help but ask.

With so many eyes on him, anyone would feel surprised, and unexpected.

Hearing this, Qin Wei burst into laughter three times.

"Hahaha, it's nothing, everyone just thought you got lost, and it's been so long since you entered."

As he spoke, Qin Wei turned his gaze to Elder Liu beside him.

"Elder Liu, Su Xing managed to come out on his own.

What punishment should be given, do you think it should fall on him?"

Qin Wei's previous embarrassment was now replaced by a sense of triumph.

"Also, Elder Liu, remember to discipline those who were punished.

Who said our Third Battle Team can't get past the lower entrance? Su Xing acted within his capabilities, but it seems everyone has a bias against him."

After leaving these words, Qin Wei left with Su Chen.

As they left, there was no hesitation, and with a swift movement and technique, they departed from the vicinity of the Mystic Realm.

Compared to others, it usually took a while to recover after exiting the Mystic Realm.

Many people couldn't even speak when they first came out,

Their mouths were open, only able to catch their breath.

Even the three most outstanding disciples, Sheng Xianxian, Ding Zhencai, and Huang He, were not in the best condition.

But Su Chen, on the other hand, emerged with a calm demeanor.

Unlike some who were pale or flushed red.

"Elder, did you truly see everything?"

Among the crowd, the disciples of the Ta He Sect still had some disbelief.

Could it be that someone from the younger generation had truly reached the lower entrance?

Elder Liu was silent for a while before responding.

No matter how he recalled his inspection within the Mystic Realm, he couldn't believe he had missed anything.

There weren't many obstacles inside, no hiding places.

Could he have missed a living person?

The only explanation was that Su Chen had passed the lower entrance and ventured deeper into the Mystic Realm.

At this thought, Elder Liu didn't respond but silently left.

The events in the Mystic Realm that day quickly spread among the various battle teams, especially the third, fourth, and fifth teams.

The disciples under their command felt a sense of relief,

As they had always been looked down upon by the Ta He Sect's disciples.

Qin Wei, the Pavilion Master, had also finally started to pay more attention to Su Chen's potential and talent in cultivation.

After returning to the battle team's main camp, Qin Wei spoke to Su Chen again about the day's events.

Su Chen only said that he walked inside and didn't sense any other unusual situations.

His expertise in array formations was kept hidden.

Qin Wei didn't delve deeper into these matters but instead invited Su Chen once more to join the Third Battle Team.

However, he understood that these invitations were somewhat powerless.

As merely a battle team commander, he lacked the strength and resources to nurture a disciple.

The day passed, and Wang Shanlin, the Elder, heard about this and directly sought out Su Chen.

Previously, everyone had only witnessed Su Chen's ability to deal with demons.

After yesterday's experience in the mystic realm, the people from the Ta He Sect were not only curious about Su Chen's journey but also had the idea of recruiting him to their sect.

Su Chen had no intention of leaving Tiangang City and joining another sect.

But surprisingly, Wang Shanlin chose to compromise.

Su Chen didn't need to join the Ta He Sect; he only needed to maintain a good relationship with them.

If the Ta He Sect encountered any troubles, Su Chen could help them now or in the future.

The feeling was somewhat similar to being an honorary disciple of the Ta He Sect.

Furthermore, the Ta He Sect was willing to nurture Su Chen, providing resources and guidance from various experts.

It made sense that such a sect would be powerful.

When recruiting young talents, they no longer insisted on them joining the sect.

As long as they recognized one's potential, they would bet on that person, hoping they would remember their kindness.

They would provide resources and assistance before the individual fully matured.

This was entirely different from recruiting a well-known, powerful individual who had already proven their strength.

For top-tier experts, offering resources might not guarantee their acceptance.

The Ta He Sect had its methods for gaining a foothold in a large kingdom like Jin.

As the weather turned, heavy snow began to fall.

The entire canyon defense line had become much quieter.

Su Chen, now free, found a quieter place to cultivate.

The cultivation method he obtained in the mystic realm would provide him with significant assistance in his cultivation.

He finally took another step forward, entering the Sixth Stage Perfect Realm.

Next was the Fifth Stage Snow Intention Realm.

The heart is like a mountain furnace, and the body is tempered by scorching flames.

But now, it must be covered in snow.

The Fifth Stage Snow Intention Realm requires a warrior to thoroughly master their body.

Unlike before, it's not just about having some control.

In the Snow Intention Realm, one must know their body inside and out.

Every detail of the practiced martial art must be fully integrated.

From the Fifth Stage onwards, even the same martial art will manifest differently.

After reaching the Fifth Stage, every subsequent advancement will be closely tied to one's innate talent.

This is why so many people get stuck at the Fifth Stage Snow Intention Realm in their lifetime.

Even among Fifth Stage cultivators, the disparities in strength become increasingly evident.

The importance of innate talent is further emphasized.

No matter how abundant the resources and experiences, without innate talent, one will noticeably lag after reaching the Fifth Stage.

The disparity between warriors from Jin and Chu kingdoms becomes more pronounced after the Fifth Stage.

With the Sixth Stage Perfect Realm and Su Chen's age, he could already be considered on par with Fu Jianyun, a top genius in Great Zhou.

But in Jin, a Sixth Stage young cultivator is merely considered excellent.

Top talents have already reached the Fifth Stage.

Cultivating here truly affects one's mentality.

Unlike some young cultivators in Great Zhou, who become arrogant and complacent upon reaching the Sixth Stage.

After a few days of secluded cultivation, Elder Wang Shanlin sought out Su Chen again.

This time, he invited Su Chen to explore and train in the wilderness.

All the accompanying individuals were Transcendent Masters, with Su Chen being the only young cultivator.

Their destination was the southeast side of Tiangang City, Mao Family Valley.

Hearing this, Su Chen was taken aback.

He had just come from Tiangang City and was returning there after the start of winter.

"In the southeast of Great Zhou, there are heavenly materials and treasures guarded by a celestial demon.

Every year, when winter begins, we go there to take a look.

One year, after the celestial demon went berserk, it seemed to have disappeared.

Now, we're going to check it out again to see if there's anything to gain."

Upon hearing their words, Su Chen finally realized that the powerful individuals from Great Wei who went to Mao Family Valley every year were them.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end