"The Clear River Secret Realm, which opens only once every ten years, will reopen in two years. The Azurewood Sect will offer numerous entry slots, limited to cultivators at the Qi Refining stage."
Wei Zhong learned that the Azurewood Sect managed this celestial secret realm, brimming with spirit medicines and treasures, including the three crucial ingredients required for refining Foundation Establishment Pills.
However, the sect's announcement suggested that they had already scoured the realm for its most valuable resources.
After purchasing more detailed information about the secret realm from an intelligence broker, Wei Zhong discovered that the Azurewood Sect had maintained this realm for centuries, and its bountiful yields were the very foundation of the sect's regional dominance.
"Most of the demon beasts within have been thoroughly purged by the Azurewood Sect, so there's little fear of demonic incursions. Even if any remain, they're merely insignificant stragglers.
As a secret realm, it does contain a few hazardous areas that the Azurewood Sect hasn't managed to secure. However, by strictly following the recommended routes from the intelligence or simply bypassing them, navigation should be relatively safe.
The only real danger lies in encountering fellow Daoists vying for the treasures within the realm."
After pondering for a moment, Wei Zhong resolved to participate.
While his cultivation base wasn't at the peak of Qi Refining, it was undoubtedly elite-tier. As long as he avoided conflicts with large groups of cultivators, he was confident he could escape even stronger opponents without difficulty.
More importantly, it would be a waste to miss such a relatively safe secret realm.
Finding the spirit medicines needed for a Foundation Establishment Pill would be ideal, eliminating the need to cultivate connections with Luo Mingyan.
With so many secrets to hide, it's best to keep my distance from these sect factions.
Even before the Secret Realm entry qualifications went on sale, Market City was already buzzing with anticipation. Countless shops were peddling magic tools, Medicinal Pills, talismans, and other goods. Merchants knew that cultivators eager to explore the Secret Realm desperately needed to enhance their strength.
As the Azurewood Sect had warned, resources within the Secret Realm would be scarce. Without improved power, how could one possibly compete with other Fellow Daoists?
"Spring Return Pill, Spring Return Pill! Top-grade Spring Return Pills! Take one, and your injuries will instantly heal—the perfect companion for cultivators battling and exploring the Secret Realm!"
"Spirit-Seeking Art—the essential technique for locating spiritual treasures in the Secret Realm! Don't miss out on valuable treasures; master this art now!"
Wei Zhong's interest was piqued. He approached to check the price: one hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones.
Truly exorbitant! Even for a First-Tier High-Grade technique, this price is outrageous.
Wei Zhong recalled purchasing an entire compendium of spiritual arts for only fifty spirit stones. While those techniques were of lower grade and many were incomplete, they had still provided him with significant assistance.
Nevertheless, seeing the surging crowd, Wei Zhong casually tossed a handful of spirit stones to the shop assistant and took a jade slip containing the technique.
Outside the shop, a male cultivator scoffed at the throng of cultivators eagerly purchasing the Spirit-Seeking Art. "Fools!" he sneered. "With only two years left until the Secret Realm opens, this technique will likely only lead them to weeds and wildflowers."
Wei Zhong remained impassive, brushing past him.
"Senior Brother Yuan," Junior Sister Yun said, tugging at his sleeve, "this shop belongs to True Disciple Zhuang of the sect. It's best not to speak carelessly here."
She tugged again. "Besides, this might even be the sect's scheme. Have you noticed the endless stream of supplies? When did our sect amass such a stockpile?"
Senior Brother Yuan's expression shifted. "Junior Sister Yun is right. Let's hurry and find a Spirit-Seeking Rat instead. This time in the Secret Realm, I'm determined to gather all the Spirit Medicine needed to refine Foundation Establishment Pills."
Before he finished speaking, the two had already hurried away hand in hand.
Wei Zhong stepped out from the side, watching the retreating figures clad in Azurewood Sect uniforms.
Blue-and-white uniforms—Inner Sect disciples. In the end, the Azurewood Sect will profit the most from the Secret Realm's opening. They sell access to the Secret Realm itself, then capitalize on cultivators' desperation to strengthen themselves by hawking Medicinal Pills, Techniques, and other protective items.
As a modern man from his previous life, Wei Zhong was intimately familiar with this scheme. He suspected the sect's profits from these sales would surpass all the gains they reaped directly from the Secret Realm itself.
"A Spirit-Seeking Rat? That would certainly be worth buying, but the price must be astronomical by now."
As Wei Zhong approached the spirit beast shop, he heard a familiar voice erupt in protest.
"Five hundred spirit stones? You might as well rob me!"
The male disciple's voice bordered on hysteria. Spirit-Seeking Rats were only First-Tier demon beasts, and even though Wild Plains Prefecture lacked many such creatures, their price had always remained stable between two and three hundred spirit stones.
Now, the price had more than doubled.
"Junior Brother, these are extraordinary times," the shopkeeper replied smoothly. "The sect elders set this price. You're free to purchase it, but we certainly won't force you."
Ji Wenpeng nearly spat blood in frustration. "Fine, I'll just rent one."
"The rental fee is one hundred low-grade spirit stones, plus a five hundred low-grade spirit stone deposit."
"Why would an Inner Sect Disciple need to pay a deposit?"
"These are special circumstances, Junior Brother. We ask for your understanding."
Ji Wenpeng gripped his storage pouch tightly, his face pale. He had already spent nearly all his spirit stones enhancing his cultivation.
The three hundred spirit stones he had intended to use for the Spirit Rat were borrowed from his senior brothers. Little did he know that the price had skyrocketed so absurdly, requiring double that amount.
Now, even renting one required a five hundred spirit stone deposit—something he had never heard of for Inner Sect Disciples before.
Wei Zhong watched from the side, barely suppressing a laugh.
The Azurewood Sect is truly ruthless, slaughtering even their own disciples at a time like this.
Still, the price of the Spirit Rat was excessive. I'd be better off saving up my spirit stones to buy a high-quality magic tool.
Wei Zhong turned and walked away.
Behind him, he heard the two disciples conversing:
"Senior Brother, I have some spirit stones left."
"Ah, Junior Sister, I couldn't possibly accept yours..."
Their voices gradually faded into the distance.
Wei Zhong knew his greatest advantage lay in his exceptional cultivation speed for techniques and martial arts. While he could master the Beast Taming Art to a high level in just two years, spirit beasts had inherent limitations. It would be far more worthwhile to diligently practice the Spirit-Seeking Art.
He exchanged his spirit stones at the Spirit Artifact Pavilion for a high-grade First-Tier magic sword and shield before calling it a day.
Returning home in his Chu Zhong guise, Wei Zhong took a flask of spirit wine to visit Ning Cankun, only to discover that the steward in charge of the Spirit Field had been replaced.
After making some inquiries, Wei Zhong learned that Ning Cankun had concluded his current assignment and was now focused on secluded cultivation to prepare for the Secret Realm event two years hence.
Wei Zhong left the spirit wine with the new steward.
On his way back, Wei Zhong recalled that Ning Cankun had also reached the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining, but lacking a Foundation Establishment Pill, he dared not attempt the breakthrough to Foundation Establishment. With his lifespan likely dwindling, Ning Cankun was staking everything on this Secret Realm opportunity.
Perhaps they might even encounter each other there. Of course, Wei Zhong would enter disguised as an anonymous Loose Cultivator.
Upon returning to his courtyard, Wei Zhong immersed himself in cultivation.
His sole focus now was to perfect his magical power and then master his techniques, especially the Spirit-Seeking Art. Resources in the Secret Realm would be scarce, and this technique would be crucial for securing spirit medicines ahead of other cultivators.
Three months later, the Azurewood Sect held a grand ceremony for Luo Mingyan, its Eighth True Disciple. To Wei Zhong's surprise, Luo Mingyan didn't join the Pill Hall as expected, but instead became a disciple of Hall Master Yu of the Technique Hall.
Simultaneously, entry slots for the Secret Realm went on sale, immediately sparking a frenzied scramble among high-level Qi Refining cultivators.