78: Chapter 78: Searching for Su Li at Night

Northern Wilderness, the entrance to the Tianyuan Secret Realm.

This place had originally been a desolate and barren land, but right now it was as bustling as a market fair.

Flags of various colors fluttered in the wind, tents of all sizes stretched endlessly, and Cultivators bustled about, their bargaining, greetings, and arguments blending into a noisy chorus.

When Xiao Yuan arrived with the Tianjian Sect group, he was also startled by the scene.

"Goodness, did they summon the Cultivators of the entire Northern Region?"

Yun Feiyang chuckled and explained, "The Six Sects, the Four Kingdoms, and the Yinluo Sect—just these forces alone amount to over a thousand people. Add in the recruited Loose Cultivators, and there are easily two to three thousand in total."

He pointed at the distant tents and introduced them one by one:

"Over there is the Wanfa Sect encampment. Further beyond are Spirit Beast Mountain, Xuanyin Hall, and Medicine King Valley. Our Tianjian Sect is on the left, and Jade Maiden Palace is on the right."

Xiao Yuan looked in the direction he pointed and indeed saw flags embroidered with the emblems of each sect.

"What about the Four Kingdoms?" he asked.

Yun Feiyang pointed even further away: "Over there—Qing Country, Wuyuan Country, Beichu Country, and Jing Country, which we just left."

Xiao Yuan narrowed his eyes and indeed saw the flag of Jing Country.

However, the atmosphere around that camp was noticeably quieter than elsewhere—after all, although the affair with Prince Rongs Mansion had been suppressed, news had leaked out to some extent.

"On the far side," Yun Feiyang lowered his voice, a hint of wariness flashing in his eyes, "is the Yinluo Sect encampment."

Xiao Yuan followed his gaze.

A sea of black tents stood isolated, with no one daring to draw near. Occasionally, a few figures in black robes moved in and out, emanating a chilly, gloomy aura.

"The Yinluo Sect sent people this time as well?" Xiao Yuan asked.

Yun Feiyang nodded: "Six Foundation Establishment, thirty Qi Refining, plus fifty recruited Loose Cultivators. Same configuration as our Six Sects."

He paused before adding, "However, their people are generally stronger than ours. After all, practicing Demonic Techniques allows for rapid progress."

Xiao Yuan nodded thoughtfully.

Just then, Lin Qingxue walked over and said to Xiao Yuan, "Fellow Daoist Xiao, your lodging has been arranged. Our Tianjian Sect's Loose Cultivator group is over in the eastern section. You'll be staying close to us Foundation Establishment Disciples so it's easier to look out for one another."

Xiao Yuan cupped his hands in respect: "Thank you, Senior Sister Lin."

Lin Qingxue waved her hand with a laugh: "Don't mention it, we've gone through life and death together, after all."

As they were talking, a sudden commotion came from the distance.

Xiao Yuan looked up to see a group of white-robed Cultivators walking over. Leading them were several female Cultivators in the Foundation Establishment Stage, possessing graceful figures and an otherworldly demeanor.

"The Jade Maiden Palace people have arrived," Yun Feiyang said.

Xiao Yuan swept his gaze over the group, suddenly freezing on someone in the crowd.

Su Li!

Dressed in black, she stood in the back row with a cold expression. Though her skin was much fairer than when she was at the ore vein, her aloof, unapproachable aura hadn't changed at all.

Xiao Yuan felt a flash of joy, but he quickly suppressed it. Currently, it was inconvenient for him to meet people from Jade Maiden Palace.

After all, as a Disciple of Jade Maiden Palace, being in the Tianjian Sect camp instead of the Jade Maiden Palace camp could easily be seen as betraying his sect.

He quietly took a step back and hid himself. Seeing this, Yun Feiyang and the others understood tacitly, silently shielding Xiao Yuan behind them.

Xiao Yuan quietly observed the Jade Maiden Palace group, and at that moment, he spotted another familiar figure.

Chen Yin!

He was also wearing the robes of a Jade Maiden Palace Disciple, standing in the front row and chatting with a nearby Cultivator, a smug smile on his face.

Xiao Yuan frowned.

How did this guy end up here too?

But thinking about it, it made sense—although Chen Yin's grandfather was a Half-step Golden Core, he wasn't a true Golden Core Elder and couldn't procure a foundation establishment pill for him. Coming to gamble his chances in the Tianyuan Secret Realm made logical sense.

Just...

He looked toward Su Li, feeling a subtle trace of worry in his heart.

Why did this girl come running here without saying a word to him? Didn't he tell her that he would figure out a way regarding the foundation establishment pill?!

Last time he went to see Su Li, she refused to see him. Given her situation back then, she was afraid of dragging him down, especially with Sun Rui and Sun Yue watching like hawks.

It was very likely that anyone in contact with Su Li would face retaliation from that grandfather-grandson duo.

Su Li probably came here wanting to achieve a Breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Stage as quickly as possible, giving herself a bit more confidence when facing that duo.

At the thought of Sun Rui and Sun Yue, the killing intent in Xiao Yuan's heart became difficult to suppress.

As Xiao Yuan was thinking, his eyes caught another familiar figure.

Su Ruotong!

Dressed in white with a gentle demeanor, her cultivation had already reached the Peak of Early Foundation Establishment. Standing in the front row of the Jade Maiden Palace squad, she was speaking softly with someone beside her.

Xiao Yuan frowned slightly.

He hadn't expected Su Ruotong to come as well!

However, with her Aptitude and background, she shouldn't lack a foundation establishment pill. Coming to the Tianyuan Secret Realm was likely for the Heaven And Earth Treasures inside.

Moreover, what surprised Xiao Yuan even more was that besides Su Ruotong, Ye Qingcen had actually come too.

The woman was currently by Su Ruotong's side, chatting with her. From their intimacy, their relationship seemed quite good.

Speaking of which, the two could be considered fellow Disciples under the same sect, both being Disciples of the Dan Peak Revered Master, so it was reasonable that they were close.

Still, logically speaking, Ye Qingcen was the Disciple of a Golden Core Elder, and her Revered Master was even the leader of a Peak. As long as her cultivation reached the level, her Revered Master securing a foundation establishment pill for her wouldn't be an issue. Why did she need to take this risk?!

Unable to figure it out, Xiao Yuan stopped dwelling on it. If he ran into her, he would protect her if he could! After all, they had technically consummated their relationship.

As night fell, the camp outside the Tianyuan Secret Realm gradually quieted down.

The lights in the tents of various sects dimmed one by one, with only patrolling Disciples passing by occasionally.

Xiao Yuan sat cross-legged inside his tent. Once midnight passed, he quietly got up.

Circulating the Great Turtle Breathing Technique with full force, his breath was restrained to the extreme, as if merging into the night.

Silent and unnoticed, he slipped out of the Tianjian Sect camp and moved toward Jade Maiden Palace.

Avoiding several patrol waves along the way, it was as effortless as strolling through his own backyard.

"This concealment ability is truly useful," Xiao Yuan felt delighted in his heart. "As long as I don't run into a Golden Core, nobody can discover me."

The Jade Maiden Palace camp was situated on a small hillside, with dozens of tents arranged in an orderly fashion.

Xiao Yuan swept out with his perception and quickly pinpointed Su Li's location—she was staying alone in a small tent.

Xiao Yuan crept behind the tent, gently lifted a corner, and flashed inside.

A small lamp was lit inside the tent. Su Li was sitting cross-legged on the couch, eyes closed as she Cultivated. Dressed in black outfit with her long hair simply tied up, her cold face carried a hint of faint fatigue.

Hearing the noise, she snapped her eyes open, her hand already resting on her sword hilt!

"It's me."

Xiao Yuan spoke in a low voice while releasing his disguise.

Su Li was stunned.

Her eyes widened as she stared at the person she longed for day and night, freezing completely in place.

"Xiao... Xiao Yuan?"

"Mm."

The next second, Su Li leaped down from the couch and threw herself into Xiao Yuan's arms!

She held him tightly with astonishing force, as though afraid he would run away.