Rebirth

Early the next morning, the five of them arrived at the center of the relic hall.

The high platform at the center was clearly the teleportation array leading to the second level of the Heavenly Treasure Secret Realm.

Under Chen Yuan's lead, the five of them stood in position, and the array activated instantly.

The five of them felt a distortion of space around them, and the next moment, they were placed in a brand new world.

Unlike the landscape of the first level, which was a mix of swamps and valleys.

The second level of the Secret Realm was a boundless primeval forest.

Towering ancient trees rose from the ground, their canopies blocking out the sky, with vines twisting like coiled Dragons.

The purity of the Spiritual Qi was even better than the first level.

"Is this the second level? The Spiritual Qi is so dense, but it also feels so dangerous."

Ye Baixi looked around curiously, subconsciously moving closer to Chen Yuan.

"According to the scattered records in ancient books, the second level is called the 'Eternal Forest Sea'. It has more relics and greater Opportunities, but it is home to many Vicious Beasts that have long been extinct in the outside world, and there may even be ancient remnants."

Qin Shuhan sensed the aura around her. Having just achieved a Breakthrough to the Soul Transformation Stage, her spiritual perception was sharper, and she could clearly perceive several heart-palpitating auras coming from the depths of the dense forest.

"Let's proceed with caution."

Chen Yuan spread out his Divine Sense, covering several miles, and took the lead, flying in one direction.

The four women followed closely behind.

After flying for about half an hour, they noticed a strange phenomenon.

Many Cultivators, whether alone or in small groups, were all speeding toward the south.

Chen Yuan's heart stirred, and he quietly extended his Divine Sense, capturing the scattered words carried on the wind.

"...Quick! I heard a dao lord relic was discovered in the south!"

"A dao lord relic?! For real? That's an Immortal Cave left behind by a great expert who surpassed the Soul Transformation Stage!"

"It's absolutely true! It was discovered by a Direct Disciple of the Xuantian Sect named Lin Heng!"

"The Xuantian Sect? Then is there any share for us Loose Cultivators?"

"Who knows? Let's go try our luck."

"I heard that Mu Shimiao from their Heaven Ranking also went, intending to occupy that relic!"

"Mu Shimiao? The one at the Late Stage Soul Transformation? Tsk tsk, that Lin Heng is in for it. I heard that Mu Shimiao's Dao Companion, Yue Zheng Xingzhi, used to be Lin Heng's fiancée..."

"Whatever, let's fish in troubled waters; maybe we can snag some benefits!"

As the fragmented information came together, Chen Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly, and he subconsciously looked at Lin Xue.

"Brother Chen, what's wrong?" Lin Xue's beautiful eyes were filled with confusion.

"It's nothing. Through my Divine Sense, I captured that a dao lord relic has appeared in the south. This crowd is just going to join the fun, hoping to try their luck."

"Another dao lord relic? Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Shen Nianchu said, eager to try.

Qin Shuhan's gaze darkened. She had also heard the discussions and furrowed her brows.

She knew Mu Shimiao; he was ranked fifteenth on the Heaven Ranking, possessed immense strength, and was overbearing.

The incident where Yue Zheng Xingzhi brought an Elder to break off their engagement had previously caused quite a stir within the Xuantian Sect.

"Let's go!" Chen Yuan hesitated no longer. He took the four women and accelerated, blending into the crowd as they flew toward the south.

Crossing a dense primeval jungle, the scene ahead suddenly opened up.

A mountain, not very tall but exuding an aura of vicissitude, appeared before them.

At the foot of the mountain, a cave entrance, clearly just forcibly broken open, was exposed.

Dense Spiritual Qi and ancient Dao charm permeated from the cave. Above the entrance, three blurry ancient characters were vaguely visible—'Qingyun Cave'.

At this moment, many Cultivators gathered outside the entrance to watch the spectacle.

A man in a green robe with a resolute face was covered in blood, his clothes tattered. Holding a long spear, he was struggling to defend against the attacks of a Xuantian Sect Personal Disciple.

This person was none other than Lin Xue's brother, Lin Heng.

The other Personal Disciple, with a cultivation at the Early Stage Soul Transformation, had ruthless Moves and a mocking expression. Each strike contained the majestic spiritual power of the Soul Transformation Stage, forcing Lin Heng to retreat step by step, his web between thumb and index finger splitting, blood flowing down the spear shaft.

Many Cultivators outside the cave were discussing, "This Lin Heng has some skill; mere Late Nascent Soul stage, yet he can withstand so many Moves."

Inside the cave, Lin Heng jammed his spear diagonally into the ground, bracing himself against the shaft to stand up with difficulty.

He spat out a mouthful of blood and cursed: "I discovered this relic first; it should rightfully belong to me."

"Heh." That Soul Transformation Initial Stage Disciple sneered, "If you know what's good for you, get out! This Qingyun Cave Mansion is not something trash like you can touch!"

Lin Heng gritted his teeth: "I discovered this relic! On what grounds do you forcibly occupy it!"

"On what grounds?" A haughty voice rang out from the side.

A young man wearing luxurious robes, with an average face and sinister eyes, walked over, embracing a charmingly beautiful woman. It was Mu Shimiao and Yue Zheng Xingzhi.

Lin Heng was stunned; he didn't expect to see Mu Shimiao here.

Mu Shimiao swept a contemptuous glance at Lin Heng, as if looking at an ant: "Just because I, Mu Shimiao, have taken a liking to it. Lin Heng, for the sake of being fellow sect members, I will spare your life. Don't humiliate yourself further."

Yue Zheng Xingzhi, in his arms, looked at Lin Heng with playful eyes, then turned her head away, snuggling into Mu Shimiao's arms, and said softly: "Brother Shimiao, why waste your breath on him?"

"Pfft!"

Lin Heng's heart was in turmoil, and he was struck in the chest by a palm from the Soul Transformation Initial Stage Disciple. He immediately spat out a mouthful of blood, flew backward, and fell heavily to the ground, his spear flying out of his hand.

Outside the cave, Lin Xue's heart shattered at this sight, and tears instantly welled up. She shook Chen Yuan's arm vigorously, "Brother Chen, I beg you, please save my brother!"

Chen Yuan patted the back of her hand and looked calmly at the scene, but his gaze gradually turned cold.

Fellow sect members killing each other, and it even involved his brother-in-law!

Just as Chen Yuan was about to make a Move, he keenly captured that a jade pendant on Lin Heng's right pinky finger was emitting a faint light.

Wisps of invisible energy were converging into Lin Heng's Dantian.

Chen Yuan suddenly withdrew his step, leaving Lin Xue looking anxious and confused.

"Brother, why did you stop?" Ye Baixi was also confused, but she believed that her brother had his reasons for choosing not to intervene.

Chen Yuan did not explain, but instead said to himself: "Tea, although it absorbs the essence of heaven and earth, it also endures the suffering of the world—exposed to wind, sun, and rain, stir-fried in an iron pot, and steeped in boiling water—only then does it finally develop its own fragrance."

"Brother, what does this mean?"

Not just Ye Baixi, but at this moment, Qin Shuhan, Shen Nianchu, and Lin Xue all looked at him in unison.

Chen Yuan continued: "Are people not the same? Without experiencing desperate straits and utter despair, how can one break from the cocoon and achieve Rebirth?"

After he finished speaking, gasps of surprise suddenly erupted.

The four women looked in the direction of the sound and saw Lin Heng enveloped in golden light. The injuries on his body were recovering at a speed visible to the naked eye. As the golden light dissipated, his aura had reached the Perfected Nascent Soul Stage.

Suddenly, Lin Heng disappeared from where he stood. The speed was so fast that even Mu Shimiao was slightly taken aback for a moment.

Before that Soul Transformation Initial Stage Disciple could react, a cold glint flashed and vanished. With a "pfft" sound, the spear tip pierced through his shoulder.