238: You risked your life, what does that have to do with me!

The moment the phenomenon appeared, the entire Eastern Region Continent was in a complete uproar. Sects large and small gathered together to hold emergency meetings.

Seven days later.

After traveling day and night, the flying boat slowly hovered at the position where the profound light soared into the sky. It was a canyon covered by dense forests and climbing plants.

A circular light Formation rotated in mid-air, its complex patterns feeling unfamiliar even to Xiao Chen.

"Could it be a Fifth-Level Formation?"

After all, as a Fourth-Level Formation Master, Xiao Chen was proficient in all Formations within the fourth level.

Xiao Chen released his Nascent Soul Peak level Divine Sense, yet he was completely unable to penetrate the hidden world within the Formation.

In the canyon where the Formation was located, one could vaguely see a few ruins and broken walls exposed in the area covered by vegetation.

Outside the canyon, mystic ships of all sizes were gathered densely, and more forces were still on their way.

The circular light Formation continued to release spiritual energy.

"Strange. It looks like the original Sect here was completely destroyed. Why would a Secret Realm appear now?"

"Master might not know, but this should be the hidden Immortal Cave of some ancient powerhouse. Due to the passage of time, the Immortal Cave Restriction has gradually crumbled, causing it to be exposed."

"So that's how it is."

Just then, a deep Soul Sound suddenly rang in his ear: "Young man, you have quite good luck!"

Xiao Chen was startled. He didn't turn his head, but just glanced out of the corner of his eye and knew it was the green-robed man who had been injured that day.

At this moment, the man had changed into a black hooded robe, and his Physique was completely different. Furthermore, his aura was suppressed to the fifth layer of the Nascent Soul Stage.

A data panel suddenly surfaced before his eyes:

Name: Xie Qingtian

Age: 1360

Gender: Male

Cultivation: Nascent Soul Stage Perfection

Rating: /

Physique: None

charm value: 70/100

good-evil value: -50/100

Heh!

Xiao Chen let out a cold laugh.

This good-evil value was 0 that day, but today it had actually become -50. It seemed this old fellow wasn't planning anything good.

"What can I do for you?" Xiao Chen replied using his Soul Sound as well.

"The item this old man gave you for safekeeping seven days ago—is it still on you?"

"No."

A sinister light flashed in Xie Qingtian's eyes, and his cold Soul Sound came again: "Don't even think about fooling me. Hand it over obediently!"

Xiao Chen glanced at him and said indifferently, "You didn't say it was for safekeeping that day. Could it be you want to ask for it back today?"

"Brat, I advise you not to be ungrateful. You can't handle this kind of Opportunity!"

"You old man, you really have no shame! If I hadn't pointed in a random direction to lead those two away, would you even be alive today?"

Insulted by Xiao Chen, Xie Qingtian's aura became chaotic as he said exasperatedly, "You little brat, this is an Opportunity I risked my old life to obtain. Don't push me!"

"You risked your life, but what does that have to do with me? You clearly said that day that you were giving me this Opportunity, which is why I helped you lead the enemies away. Otherwise, I wouldn't have bothered with your business!"

Xie Qingtian's teeth creaked as he ground them, his old face flushing red.

If he weren't injured and afraid that a large commotion would attract pursuers again, with his past style, he would have definitely made the man before him suffer the destruction of his Divine Soul.

Seeing that he wouldn't let it go, Xiao Chen issued a warning: "I came for the Secret Realm and don't want to cause trouble. I also advise you not to act rashly, otherwise, you won't be able to bear the consequences!"

"A mere Golden Core Stage junior dares to be so arrogant before me! Do you know my identity?"

"I don't care who you are! In my eyes, you're just an old earthworm."

Xie Qingtian's expression froze instantly, and the corners of his mouth twitched violently. Having lived for over a thousand years, he had never seen such an arrogant and wild young man.

Moreover, from beginning to end, Xiao Chen's expression, aura, and movements were incredibly calm, showing not the slightest hint of fear toward him.

"Your reliance must be this junior of the Gangli Clan beside you!"

In his view, since Xiao Chen only had a Golden Core Stage cultivation, he was undoubtedly relying on the deterrent power of the Gangli Clan to have the nerve to act tough with him.

Xiao Chen rolled his eyes and simply ignored him. It was a waste of time. If the Secret Realm hadn't opened yet, he wouldn't even want to say another word to him.

"Let me tell you the truth, the Gangli Clan only has a bit of deterrent power in the Central Continent. They have no presence here on my Eastern Region Continent."

"Are you finished? I don't want to talk to you!" Xiao Chen shouted impatiently, and this time he didn't use his Soul Sound.

The voice instantly penetrated the surrounding space for dozens of miles. For a moment, gazes from all the surrounding mystic ships swept over.

On a silver mystic ship in the distance, a calm gaze turned slightly and glanced in Xiao Chen's direction.

Xiao Chen remained calm, acting as if he hadn't seen it.

Xie Qingtian was startled and had to suppress the anger in his heart. If he kept arguing with this kid, his disguise might be exposed.

Thus, his attitude softened immediately as he continued via Soul Sound: "Little friend, how about we make a deal?"

"What deal?"

"I will buy the item in your hand for one million Spirit Stones. How about it?"

"A mere million Spirit Stones? Not interested."

"Damned brat!"

Xie Qingtian cursed inwardly and bit his teeth. "Then five million Spirit Stones, how about that?"

"Don't waste your energy. This item is useful to me. I won't sell it for any amount of Spirit Stones," Xiao Chen said indifferently.

"Unreasonable! You just wait!"

Xie Qingtian's face was gloomy as he threw out a resentful sentence and turned to fly to an inconspicuous corner.

"I'll wait then. Do you think I'm afraid of you?"

The Vajra Holy Emissary seemed to notice the wrong atmosphere between the two, so he walked over and whispered, "This person's cultivation is extremely high. It's better for Master not to have a conflict with him."

"Humph!"

Xiao Chen snorted. Although he knew it was out of good intentions, he still said nonchalantly, "It's fine. Someone like him isn't worthy of my concern."

The Vajra Holy Emissary looked at him in surprise. Although the current Xiao Chen's aura was no different from the former Saint, he always gave him an unfathomable feeling.

Xiao Chen's gaze turned and landed on a silver mystic ship in the distance. A beautiful woman with a graceful figure at the bow caught his eye.

Dressed in a light blue gauze dress, though her beauty wasn't world-shaking, she was like a lonely orchid in a valley—elegant and refined.

Her eyes were like autumn water with a shimmering light; her skin was as delicate as mutton-fat jade, and her Peaks rose and fell in succession.

Her long black hair was tied up with a simple wooden hairpin, revealing her smooth, snowy neck, with a few strands of hair brushing past her cheeks in the breeze.

A data panel slowly surfaced before his eyes:

Name: Xu Qingshu

Age: 1285

Race: Beast Race

Gender: Female

Cultivation: Nascent Soul Stage Perfection

Rating: 5S

Physique: None

charm value: 97/100

affection value: 0/100

Seeing the race column, Xiao Chen was startled. A member of the Yao Race actually dared to sneak into the Human Race's territory and even found a Sect.

One must know that the Human Race and the Yao Race were traditionally opposed; humans killed demons for their cores, and demons could devour humans to attain the Dao.

"System, what is her true form?"