As signs of the Clear River Secret Realm's closure emerged, disappointment spread across the faces of many cultivators scattered throughout the realm.
But no one could halt the inevitable. The secret realm forcefully expelled all cultivators, who converged at the Azurewood Sect's fixed entrance.
The assembled loose cultivators and sect members instinctively separated into two groups. Several loose cultivators lamented bitterly:
"Just a little further... just a little further and I would have obtained that Spirit Medicine..."
Such complaints were common. A three-hundred spirit stone entry fee didn't guarantee everyone would recoup their investment.
Others stood covered in blood, having lost limbs during their expedition. Clutching their wounds painfully, they warily eyed the surrounding crowd.
Behind them, the entrance to the secret realm began to collapse and shrink, emitting terrifying spatial distortions. Zhao Bai watched helplessly as the passage crumbled, even the formation flags meant to stabilize it disintegrating into dust.
The Clear River Secret Realm was finished.
From this point forward, the Azurewood Sect would no longer have access to the secret realm. With their treasured resource trove destroyed, the sect would have to focus its ambitions outward, toward the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range, if it wished to thrive.
"The Secret Realm expedition has concluded. Please depart immediately. If you've acquired any rare Spirit Medicine, register it with the sect disciples who remain. They will arrange for alchemy services."
Upon hearing this announcement, eight Loose Cultivators immediately stepped forward, clearly having secured valuable resources within the Secret Realm.
Of the hundred-plus Loose Cultivators who had entered, only a handful had managed to find anything worthwhile.
Wei Zhong stood among the crowd, observing the mixed emotions of the Loose Cultivators.
It seems some others have made substantial gains, though not necessarily Spirit Medicine. Perhaps spirit beasts, spirit stones, or even items pilfered from other cultivators.
As the first cultivator departed, the remaining Loose Cultivators began their journey home, following the markers they had left on their way in.
Wei Zhong mingled with the crowd, maneuvering a Flying Sword instead of using his favored Cloud Soaring Technique.
He did this because Lu Yibin, clad in white robes, lingered behind after the other sect disciples had left, his gaze fixed on the departing Loose Cultivators as if searching for something specific.
Zhao Bai approached Lu Yibin. "Yibin, what did you find?"
Only then did Lu Yibin avert his gaze, turn, and bow respectfully. "I have fulfilled Master's expectations." He then presented a ring.
Zhao Bai snatched it eagerly, probed its contents, and a look of unrestrained delight spread across his face.
"Excellent, excellent! You completed this mission flawlessly. Think carefully about what reward you desire; the sect will certainly not be stingy."
Wei Zhong bowed even lower. "This disciple has but one request: Master, please refine my remaining five First-Tier Flying Swords into Second-Tier blades."
"Easily done, easily done!" Zhao Bai replied cheerfully.
Forging Second-Tier Flying Swords posed no difficulty for Zhao Bai. His disciple merely sought ordinary, low-grade Second-Tier magic swords, albeit with slight deviations in specifications to integrate them into that paper fan. These minor adjustments required minimal effort.
Remembering the upcoming exploration of the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range, Zhao Bai was pleased that these upgraded magic tools would enhance his disciple's strength.
After Wei Zhong left the Azurewood Sect, a troubled expression lingered on his face, as if replaying his actions in the Secret Realm and fretting over a missed opportunity.
"Fellow cultivator," a Loose Cultivator approached, eyeing Wei Zhong's potential treasures. "Did you acquire anything of value in the Secret Realm? Be it spirit beasts or Spirit Medicine, I offer excellent prices."
My gains were substantial, but you couldn't afford them, Wei Zhong thought wryly.
Feigning disappointment, he replied, "Alas, I fear I'll disappoint you."
With that, Wei Zhong produced a Flame Jam Fruit he had scavenged from the Clear River Secret Realm.
"Fellow Daoist," Wei Zhong said, "I discovered several areas rich in Spirit Medicine within the Secret Realm, but I lacked the skill to harvest them. I only managed to gather these small, red berries containing a trace of spiritual energy. I'm uncertain of their nature. What price would you offer?"
The man's face flashed with disdain as Wei Zhong presented the berries. "These are worthless, Fellow Daoist. You might as well keep them." With a dismissive wave, he turned and left.
Feigning disappointment, Wei Zhong stowed the berries in his Storage Pouch and blended into the departing crowd. He entered Market City, found a secluded corner, and reverted to his Chu Zhong persona.
Riding his Flying Sword back to his small courtyard, Chu Zhong retrieved the Nine-Colored Koi upon entering. There had been no opportunity for it to shine during his Secret Realm expedition.
Though the courtyard was modest in size, it seemed suitable for an ornamental fishpond. If Big Gold could shrink its form, it could keep the Nine-Colored Koi company and help guard the residence.
As for Chu Zhong himself, he naturally retreated to his Grotto-Heaven for cultivation.
After casting Spirit Rain over the surrounding Spirit Fields and magically clearing pests, Chu Zhong returned to his courtyard's cultivation chamber. With a flicker of movement, he transported himself to the Cave Heaven Treasure.
The Grotto-Heaven's scale had expanded significantly after absorbing the spirit ore vein, and the concentration of spiritual energy had increased considerably.
Stepping into the cultivation chamber, Chu Zhong gazed at the three items on the desk, a dilemma etched on his face. Should he immediately begin cultivating the Spring and Autumn Water Refinement Manual?
Wei Zhong's mastery of the Azure Wave Art had already reached the Grandmaster level and was on the verge of breaking through to the grand master realm. Its cultivation speed undoubtedly surpassed that of the yet-to-be-cultivated Spring and Autumn Water Refinement Manual.
With only eight years of lifespan remaining, Wei Zhong needed the Azure Wave Art to continue extending his life. Rashly switching to the Spring and Autumn Water Refinement Manual might jeopardize his ability to maintain his current Late-Stage Qi Refining cultivation base in his desperate pursuit of longevity.
After a moment of contemplation, Wei Zhong made his decision:
There's no need to rush into changing cultivation techniques. I'll continue honing the Azure Wave Art for now.
He resolved to secure at least fifty years of lifespan as a buffer before switching to the Spring and Autumn Water Refinement Manual. With that safety net in place, he could maintain the combat prowess of a Late-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivator for a brief period, sufficient to withstand most threats he currently faced.
Name: Wei Zhong
Cultivation Base: Ninth Layer of Qi Refining (99%)
Cultivation Techniques:
- Azure Wave Art: Grandmaster (24%)
- Body Nourishing Art: Proficient (51%)
Dao Technique: Chronos Dao Technique
Lifespan: 134/142
The Chronos Dao Technique truly differed from ordinary Dao Techniques, lacking a progress bar.
It seemed Bai He's words held some truth: the transmission of the Spring and Autumn Water Refinement Manual was no simple matter.
Recalling the Five Elements, Wei Zhong wondered if there were corresponding manuals like the Alchemy Refinement Art or the Wood Refinement Art. Could it be that even the Chronos Dao Technique was incomplete?
Wei Zhong's mind buzzed with possibilities. But ultimately, these were mere speculations. With a sigh, he set down the Cultivation Jade Slip.
He mentally commanded, "Kryptonite-level boost, twice."
Name: Wei Zhong
Cultivation Base: Seventh Layer of Qi Refining (99%)
Lifespan: 114/142
He activated the Azure Wave Art, drawing in spiritual energy and refining it into internal spiritual power. The barrier to the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining shattered effortlessly.
Cultivation Base: Eighth Layer of Qi Refining (1%)
"Kryptonite-level boost again!"
Cultivation Base: Seventh Layer of Qi Refining (1%)
Lifespan: 104/142
Hmm, maintaining a Late-Stage Qi Refining cultivation base shouldn't diminish my combat prowess too much.
From now on, he would oscillate between the Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Layers of Qi Refining. Once he had accumulated sufficient lifespan, he would cultivate to the peak of the Ninth Layer before transitioning to the Spring and Autumn Water Refinement Manual.
As Wei Zhong immersed himself in cultivation, the Azurewood Sect announced its plans to develop the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range, located in the eastern part of Wild Plains Prefecture.
Shortly thereafter, a vanguard force led by Hall Master Yu Xianglan of the Technique Hall set out. This elite force comprised disciples from the sect's three main halls, including four True Inheritance Disciples: Second True Disciple Lu Yibin, Fourth True Disciple Lin Muxue, Fifth True Disciple Luo Zhigang, and the newly appointed Eighth True Disciple, Luo Mingyan. The Seventh True Disciple, a renowned Pill Refiner, was conspicuously absent from the vanguard.
As for the First, Third, and Sixth True Inheritance Disciples, information about them was scarce, as if deliberately suppressed.
What puzzled Wei Zhong most was how easily the Azurewood Sect had established a foothold in the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range, a place long considered perilous by human cultivators. Within just one year, they had solidified their foundation there. Furthermore, the sect openly displayed the precious cultivation resources transported back from the region to the Loose Cultivators, sparking heated discussions among them.
Later that year, many Loose Cultivators joined the Azurewood Sect to form a second expeditionary force, marching directly toward the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range.