68: Chapter 68 Nascent Soul Sect

The four of them chatted as they walked.

Once Qin Zhi started talking, she couldn't stop. She probably felt that although Yun Ming's strength was terrifying, he was easygoing, so she gradually let go of her initial restraint and began to talk incessantly about their Cangxuan Immortal Sect and the situation in this area.

"Senior Yun, we really haven't heard of that Great Qian you asked about before," Qin Zhi said seriously. "However, the East Xuan Region is so large, with numerous Sects and countless countries; it's normal not to have heard of it. If you want to inquire, you can go to some large markets or immortal cities. Many Cultivators pass through there, and news travels fast."

Yun Ming nodded and asked again, "Then have you ever heard of the Xuanhuang Pill Mansion?"

The three of them, including Qin Zhi, were all taken aback.

"Xuanhuang Pill Mansion?" Zhou Ruo's eyes widened. "Of course we've heard of it! That's a famous Alchemy Sect in the East Xuan Region. It's said that the mansion master is a Soul Transformation Stage super powerhouse! Although our Cangxuan Immortal Sect isn't weak, we're far from being compared to the Xuanhuang Pill Mansion."

Yun Ming's heart sank slightly.

Xuanhuang Pill Mansion—he had read about it in the chronicles of the xuanhuang continent left by Daoist Lord Wanfa. It was an East Xuan Region Alchemy Sect with a Soul Transformation mansion master, dozens of Nascent Souls, and hundreds of Golden Cores, with influence spreading across dozens of provinces in the East Xuan Region.

Yun Ming had never heard of these Sects before. He worried that Great Qian might not be in this region, though he didn't rule out the possibility that he was simply ill-informed.

He suppressed his thoughts and said casually, "Your Cangxuan Immortal Sect isn't bad either, right? I heard you say there are three Nascent Soul True Lords, over a dozen Golden Cores, and thousands of Foundation Establishment—that's a prominent Sect anywhere."

Qin Zhi smiled somewhat sheepishly. "Senior Yun, you flatter us. Compared to those truly top-tier Sects, our foundation is nothing. Look at this Imperial Sovereigns Legacy Abode—our Cangxuan Immortal Sect treats it like a treasure, only allowing Inner Sect Disciples in for training, and even then, in batches and limited numbers. But those top Sects? They have their own Small Worlds specifically for Disciples to practice in, which are larger and more stable than this Secret Realm."

As she spoke, her eyes were full of envy.

Zhou Ruo also nodded. "Exactly. I heard from my Senior Sister that the Xuanhuang Pill Mansion has a dedicated Medicinal Garden Secret Realm filled with rare Spirit Medicines. Disciples can enter and harvest as they please—provided they pass an assessment, of course. Just thinking about that kind of life is wonderful."

Yun Ming couldn't help but chuckle.

He looked around; the scenery of this Secret Realm was indeed different from Daoist Lord Wanfa's blessed land. Although it was also a fragmented Small World, its Spiritual Qi was thin and its Laws were chaotic. It was clearly just a broken space left over from an ancient war, picked up by the Cangxuan Immortal Sect to use as a training ground.

Think of the Daoist Lord's blessed land—that was a true private Secret Realm, with Spiritual Qi so dense it was viscous, forming its own world.

Unfortunately, it was gone.

He withdrew his thoughts and continued forward with the three of them.

After about an hour of walking and stopping, a massive Light Gate finally appeared ahead.

The Light Gate towered into the clouds, dazzling and bright, occupying nearly half the sky. The frame was carved from an unknown white jade, covered in complex formation patterns that slowly flowed with blinding spiritual light. Through the Light Gate, the mountains and sky of the outside world were faintly visible.

Yun Ming looked up at the Light Gate and couldn't help but shake his head.

As expected of a major Sect.

He had never seen a Spatial Portal of this scale in the Sunset Glow Sect. It was said that setting up such a gate required a massive amount of Spirit Stones and the combined efforts of several Formation Great Masters, along with regular maintenance. The fact that the Cangxuan Immortal Sect could establish a permanent portal here showed their deep foundation.

"Senior Yun, we've arrived." Qin Zhi stopped and turned to look at Yun Ming, her expression somewhat complicated.

Zhou Ruo and Fang Mo also stopped.

The three of them glanced at each other, and finally, Zhou Ruo plucked up the courage to take out three Storage Pouches from her robe and held them out to Yun Ming with both hands.

"Senior Yun, this... please be sure to accept it."

Yun Ming raised an eyebrow. "Didn't we agree I wouldn't take anything?"

"No, no, no, Senior, you must accept it!" Zhou Ruo said anxiously. "You escorted us all the way and saved our lives. If you don't even accept this small token of our gratitude, we... we'll feel truly uneasy!"

Qin Zhi also said, "Senior, please accept it. Although it's not much, it's a small token of our appreciation. If you don't take it, we'll feel unsettled instead."

Fang Mo nodded vigorously from the side.

Yun Ming looked at their serious expressions and the three Storage Pouches held high, and couldn't help but chuckle.

He knew what they were thinking.

Along the way, he had acted approachable, like an easygoing older brother. But in the end, he was a Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivator who had killed a Golden Core Great Yao with a single punch. In their eyes, such strength was no different from a monster's. They respected him and feared him, yet dared not offend him, so they could only seek peace of mind in this way.

"Alright then." Yun Ming reached out and took the three Storage Pouches, putting them into his naxu ring without looking. "Then, thank you."

The three of them breathed a collective sigh of relief, looks of burden lifted appearing on their faces.

"Senior Yun, shall we part ways here?" Qin Zhi asked tentatively.

Yun Ming nodded. "Go ahead."

The three of them bowed, then turned and walked quickly toward the Light Gate.

Yun Ming watched them pass through the Light Gate and disappear into the light of the outside world.

He didn't move.

After waiting for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, estimating they were far enough away, he raised his hand, pinched a hand seal, and activated the Fuli Heaven-Concealing Record.

Although he was standing right there, he seemed to merge with the air. Even if one closed their eyes and used Divine Sense to investigate, the place would seem empty, as if nothing were there.

Yun Ming nodded in satisfaction and stepped into the Light Gate.

The moment he passed through the portal, he felt several Divine Senses sweep over him—they were the Cangxuan Immortal Sect Elders guarding the Secret Realm. Those Divine Senses passed over him without pausing, as if he were just a harmless mountain breeze.

He calmly walked out of the Light Gate and into the sunlight of the outside world.

Behind him, the massive Light Gate remained brilliant, with two white-haired old men sitting cross-legged on either side, eyes closed as they rested.

Yun Ming didn't look back and drifted away along the mountain path.

The Cangxuan Immortal Sect's market was not far from the Secret Realm entrance, about a half-hour walk.

Following the path Qin Zhi and the others had pointed out, Yun Ming passed through a forest, crossed a small hill, and the view suddenly opened up.

It was a small town.

It wasn't large, with about a few hundred households. Bluestone streets crisscrossed, lined with various shops—some selling Medicinal Pills, some selling Magical Artifacts, some selling Talismans, and some selling Materials for Spiritual Plants and Yao Beasts. People came and went on the streets, mostly young Qi Refining Stage Cultivators, with the occasional Foundation Establishment Stage figure hurrying by.

In the center of the town stood a high tower, built entirely of bluestone and seven stories tall. A large Bronze Mirror hung at the top, rotating slowly, its light scanning the entire town.

Yun Ming recognized it at a glance as a Surveillance Formation.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, and his Divine Sense quietly reached out, scanning the high tower—

On the seventh floor at the top, a grey-robed old man sat cross-legged. Foundation Establishment Late Stage.

From the seventh floor down, each floor was guarded by several Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

And at the base of the tower, deep underground, there was a faint aura. That aura was obscure and profound, far beyond what a Foundation Establishment could compare to—

Golden Core Stage.

The Golden Core True Person presiding over the market.

Yun Ming withdrew his Divine Sense and entered the town quietly.

He wasn't in a hurry to wander around; instead, he followed what Qin Zhi and the others had said and headed straight for the east end of the town.

There was a three-story pavilion with upturned eaves and painted rafters. A plaque hung over the entrance with three gold-leafed characters:

"Bao Dan Pavilion"

Yun Ming looked up, then stepped inside.

Before he could see the interior clearly, a burst of music reached his ears.

"Accidentally Entering the Heavenly Family..."