Chapter 57: Yan Chi Secret Realm

Chapter 57 – Yan Chi Secret Realm (Requesting Continued Readership)

That morning, numerous disciples gathered early at the sect’s plaza.

Xiao Chen observed the senior sect brothers around him—many were unfamiliar faces. Equally curious eyes studied him in return, their gazes brimming with intrigue.

Elder Liu from the Sect Spirit Medicine Garden had arrived early, so no one spoke, waiting in quiet anticipation.

After a moment, another elder appeared—a stranger to Xiao Chen. “Apologies, Senior Brother Liu. I’m late.”

Elder Liu smiled faintly. “I just arrived myself.”

He then addressed the crowd: “Some newer disciples might not know Elder Fu. Allow me to introduce him.”

“Elder Fu is an honored guest elder of our sect. His sword techniques are peerless, unmatched among cultivators of his realm.”

“He’ll be leading our expedition to the Yan Chi Secret Realm today.”

Xiao Chen joined the others in bowing respectfully. “Honored to meet Elder Fu!”

Elder Fu merely nodded, then flicked his sleeve, releasing a palm-sized boat.

The vessel expanded rapidly, growing to over ten meters in length within three breaths.

The massive ship hovered midair, casting a dark shadow that engulfed half the plaza.

Thud!

Though it landed gently, dust billowed outward.

“Board the ship. We depart now!”

With that, Elder Fu leapt gracefully onto the ship’s bow, five meters above ground.

The disciples rushed up the gangplank, marveling at the vessel’s vastness. Sixty people barely filled the front deck.

As the ship ascended, Xiao Chen noticed a translucent blue barrier shielding them from the howling wind.

Peering over the edge, he saw endless mountains stretching below, their peaks shrouded in mist.

“Senior sect brother, would you like a snack?”

Su Wanning offered him a top-grade roasted sweet potato—golden inside, crisp and fragrant outside.

The Yan Chi Secret Realm lay 1,200 li from the sect. Even with this flying vessel, the journey would take three hours.

Once the elders retreated to the rear cabins, the disciples grew livelier.

Xiao Chen declined. “I’ve already eaten breakfast.”

“Oh… okay.” Su Wanning looked disappointed before taking a bite herself.

Su Yuanpeng eyed her longingly. “Third sister, I overslept and didn’t eat yet.”

Su Wanning smiled. “Don’t worry, second brother. Cultivators can survive three days without food using spiritual energy.”

“Senior sect brother Xiao, we meet again,” Liu Benxin chimed in. “Last time, family matters called me away before I could congratulate you on joining the Inner Sect.”

Xiao Chen waved him off. “You’ll join the Inner Sect soon enough. No need for congratulations.”

Beside Liu Benxin stood a tall, elegant senior sister, smirking. “Xiao Chen, it’s rare to see you these days.”

Su Wanning greeted her first. “Senior Sister Liu, good day.”

Liu Benxin gestured. “This is my eldest sister, Liu Shiqing. She’s also a disciple of Azure Water Peak.”

Truthfully, since joining Azure Water Peak, Xiao Chen hadn’t met all the disciples. Unlike Steward Chen, Elder Qi rarely held gatherings, so many faces remained unfamiliar.

To avoid awkwardness, Xiao Chen complimented, “Ah, Senior Sister Liu. I’ve long heard of your grace. Today, I finally see why they say you’re like a lotus rising from water.”

Su Wanning interjected playfully. “And what about me?”

He glanced at her. “Junior sister, you’re… energetic and spirited.”

Su Wanning blinked, puzzled. The words sounded positive, yet oddly backhanded.

“Xiao Chen, which pool will you target?” Liu Shiqing asked. “The outskirts or the Fire Crystal mines? If you’re heading deep, we could partner up.”

Xiao Chen admitted, “I know little about the Yan Chi Secret Realm. Might I ask for your guidance?”

“I’ll explain!” Su Wanning volunteered. “The Yan Chi Secret Realm is rumored to be an ancient sect’s legacy. Even now, it’s guarded by powerful formations.”

“Its key feature? The Forbidden Realm prohibits cultivators above the Lian Qi stage from entering.”

“When activated, it lasts ten days. But too many entrants shorten its duration.”

No wonder only sixty could enter.

Liu Shiqing added, “The realm has two zones—outer hot springs for body tempering, and inner Fire Crystal mines guarded by spirit beasts. Killing them lets us harvest the crystals.”

Xiao Chen had heard of the hot springs’ benefits—soaking in them could purge hidden injuries and strengthen one’s physique using unique spiritual energy.

He asked, “What exactly is Fire Crystal?”

The group exchanged surprised glances, then recalled Xiao Chen’s solitary cultivator background.

Liu Benxin coughed. “Fire Crystal is a specialty of Li Zhou. Only found deep in the southwest volcanic ranges.”

“It contains pure fire spiritual energy, easily absorbed by cultivators. Solitary cultivators often call it fire spirit stone.”

“Actually, for cultivators, Fire Crystal surpasses even spirit stones in potency.”

Xiao Chen nodded in understanding.

Still, he hedged, “Thank you for the offer, Senior Sister. But I’ll first test my resistance to the fire energy in the outer zone before deciding.”

That was partly true.

Another reason? Alone, he could deploy his Xuan Fire Raven to hunt the spirit beasts more efficiently.

Liu Shiqing agreed. “Fair. I planned to assess the spirit beasts’ numbers before committing deeper anyway.”

The Liu siblings then sought other partners, eager to form teams.

After they left, Su Yuanpeng whispered, “Xiao Chen, I advise against the inner zone. Each guardian beast rivals late-stage Lian Qi cultivators—and they hunt in packs.”

He gestured toward the Liu siblings who were recruiting people nearby, then pointed at the group gathered around the Song brothers in the distance.

"With the limited number of Fire Crystals", he continued, "if so many people go together, how many could each person even get?"

"Besides, you've only just joined the Inner Sect. Why risk injury by joining them? If you're invaded by the fiery energy, it'll be a terrible loss."

"I'm looking forward to you breaking through to Foundation Building Stage 9. Then we can have a proper match and go all out."

His eyes sparkled with excitement as he mentioned the duel.

Xiao Chen nodded gratefully. "Thank you for the advice, Senior Sect Brother Su."

Su Yuanpeng had no idea about Xiao Chen's current strength. Protected by the Golden Core's Radiance, even countless first-tier spirit beasts posed no threat. Xiao Chen accepted the goodwill but inwardly mused that by the time he reached Foundation Building Stage 9, ten Su Yuanpengs combined wouldn't last a minute against him. It was best to avoid that duel altogether.

As Xiao Chen pondered how to politely decline, Elder Liu emerged from the cabin.

"We're about to reach the forbidden realm", Elder Liu announced, his voice amplified by a thread of mana to ensure clarity for all disciples. "Let me emphasize a few things."

"First, I'll distribute maps marking the safe zones within the forbidden realm. Based on past experience, disciples below the Eighth Layer of Qi Cultivation or those who've joined the Inner Sect less than three years should avoid leaving these areas."

"Second, the Flame Pools vary in potency. The deeper you go, the stronger the fiery energy—and the greater the risk. Once submerged, gauge your limits. Don't force your body to endure, or you'll risk burning your meridians."

"Third, this expedition lasts ten days. Elder Fu and I will wait outside. Support one another, and remember to keep track of time, especially those seeking Fire Crystals. Don't miss the deadline."

After distributing the maps, Elder Liu recounted past tragedies—disciples injured or killed due to recklessness—to drive home the dangers.

Xiao Chen listened intently, gaining a clearer understanding of the Yan Pond secret realm.

When Elder Liu asked if anyone had questions, Song Zhongwen stepped forward. "Elder, may I ask why the map doesn't mark the location of Fire Spirit Crystals? A senior sect brother once ventured deep to find one and broke through directly to Foundation Building Stage 9."

The crowd leaned in, eager. Many had yet to reach Stage 9, and an item capable of instant breakthroughs was invaluable.

Elder Liu sighed. "You heard of his breakthrough, but do you remember his fate?"

Song Shengying answered, "He suffered half his meridians burned beyond repair. Though he survived, he lost all hope of Foundation Building."

"Exactly", Elder Liu said. "Fire Spirit Crystals appear only in the deepest, most volatile zones. Only three disciples in history have retrieved them and returned alive. You're all promising cultivators—don't throw your futures away."

Elder Fu stepped out, his gaze icy. "Abandon such thoughts now. Don't bring disaster upon yourselves."

With a flick of his hand, he activated the flying vessel.

The Yan Pond secret realm loomed ahead—a colossal volcano rising among its kin. The vessel pierced orange-red smoke, landing smoothly on an artificial platform. Below, dark red magma flowed, while an archway shimmered on the platform's far side, revealing a glimpse of the realm within.

Elder Fu lowered a plank, dragging four bound prisoners behind him. Their bloodied torsos bore signs of brutal torture. Xiao Chen recognized one as the man who'd sold him the Flying Sword in the Black Market. The Lihuo Sect had acted swiftly.

"These are Quanzhou bandits", Elder Liu declared. "They murdered three outer disciples and five servant disciples. Today, they serve a final purpose."

Elder Fu shoved the first prisoner into the archway. A scream erupted as flames consumed him, leaving only ashes.

"The realm isn't fully open yet", Elder Fu noted. "We'll wait."

After the archway stabilized, Elder Fu tossed another prisoner through. This time, the man's skin reddened but didn't ignite. A golden light flared behind him, propelling him into a crevice below, followed by another scream.

"Watch your step inside", Elder Liu warned, eyeing Song Zhongwen. "Especially during spirit beast hunts."

Elder Fu demonstrated twice more, each prisoner vanishing into the crevice with a scream. The last, trembling violently, wept with relief when spared.

"Enough", Elder Liu said. "They've learned their lesson."

As the final prisoner thanked them, Elder Fu kicked him off the platform. Silence followed—no scream, no echo.

Elder Fu measured the archway with a disk-shaped artifact. "The realm is stable. Enter safely."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end