48: Chapter 48 Cultivation Spirit

The Ten Thousand Mountains were a range of mountains with no end in sight, teeming with countless Yao Beasts.

The cultivation resources of the Yunmeng Ruins were almost entirely sourced from the Yao Beasts in the mountains. Every day, Cultivators entered the mountains to hunt, trading the Materials produced by the Yao Beasts with outside Cultivators.

After untold years, the number of Yao Beasts in the Ten Thousand Mountains did not seem to diminish.

At this moment, a dazzling white light bloomed on the mountain, and waves of rich Spiritual Qi spread out from the light, causing the Yao Beasts in the mountains to roar and stampede.

The Cultivators in the Cultivation Market also surged out of the Yunmeng Ruins, rushing excitedly toward the direction of the white light.

Su Xuanheng even saw a Foundation Establishment Cultivator flying out on a sword, moving with astonishing speed, like a streak of light shooting toward the mountains.

"Brother Heng, should we go?" An Ziyao suppressed his excitement and asked in a low voice.

This was a once-in-a-lifetime Opportunity, but they were carrying a large quantity of Spirit Stones, and their primary mission should be to escort these Spirit Stones back to the Su Family.

However, if they returned to the Su Family, whether the Secret Realm would still be open became a question.

Whether to return to the Su Family or head to the Secret Realm depended on Su Xuanheng's decision. An Ziyao was merely a servant of the Su Family and dared not make assumptions.

Su Xuanheng's eyes narrowed slightly, and after hesitating for only half a breath, he made his decision.

"The Opportunity is rare; we must seize this chance. If Father were here, he would surely agree to me venturing out for experience."

Su Xuanheng said with certainty.

"Then what about these Spirit Stones? How about I take the Spirit Stones back, and Brother Heng enters the Secret Realm to venture?"

An Ziyao gritted his teeth, choosing to voluntarily give up this earth-shattering Opportunity.

"No need!" Su Xuanheng shook his head resolutely, his gaze sharp as lightning, staring directly at the soaring white light deep within the Ten Thousand Mountains. His voice was firm and decisive, "When Opportunity is present, how can one be timid? You and I will go together, fight side by side, only then can we carve out a boundless future in this perilous place! How can mere Spirit Stones compare to the chance to contend for the Great Dao?"

"This... Brother Heng, the Secret Realm is unpredictable. What if..."

An Ziyao's heart tightened, his worry deepening. He feared that Brother Heng had been blinded by the current fortune and was stepping into a place of eternal doom.

Upon hearing this, a smile as sharp as a blade curved the corner of Su Xuanheng's mouth. His eyes held no trace of hesitation, only a heaven-burning Battle Intent and an unwavering resolve!

His Aura surged abruptly, and the entire person resembled a sharp sword about to be unsheathed, its edge fully revealed.

"Perilous? When has the path of Cultivation ever been smooth sailing!"

His voice was not loud, yet every word struck the ground like gold and stone, carrying a soul-shaking power.

"The struggle for Opportunity is paved with white bones! If one lacks the courage to even take this step, fearing the enemy like a tiger, being overly cautious, what kind of Cultivation is that? What kind of Dao is one proving!"

Su Xuanheng's words exploded like thunder by An Ziyao's ears.

At this moment, he suddenly saw another side of a Cultivator!

An Ziyao's confusion about the Cultivation World after seeking revenge was pierced by the sharpness Su Xuanheng suddenly displayed.

The Cultivators he saw were no longer just cold and selfish; there was a vitality almost burning within them.

A fearlessness that transcended the fear of life and death!

The bravery to place their own lives into the crucible of heaven and earth for tempering in order to seize a faint Opportunity; a fearlessness to still march forward with heads held high when facing all kinds of dangers and the unknown; a magnificent Aura that viewed hardships and obstacles as a whetstone to prove the Great Dao in their hearts!

This Aura was deeply rooted in the depths of the Dao Heart, the fundamental power driving Cultivators to defy Heaven.

"Fearing the enemy like a tiger, being overly cautious, what kind of Cultivation is that? What kind of Dao is one proving?"

The lingering sound of Su Xuanheng's words still echoed in An Ziyao's ears.

He took a deep breath, and the worry in his eyes instantly ignited, transforming into an equally scorching flame.

With Opportunity present, how could one be deterred by mud and thorns? Contending for the Great Dao was inherently the path of the brave!

"Brother Heng! I will go with you!"

An Ziyao's voice was no longer hesitant, filled with strength and resonance.

"Go!"

Su Xuanheng roared.

The two figures, without any further hesitation, like two arrows loosed from a bowstring, resolutely rushed toward the Ten Thousand Mountains!

... ...

Qingyuan, Su Family.

Luo Qian and Ji Ya quickly arrived at the main hall of the Su Family and bowed in salute to Su Yang, who sat in the main seat.

"We apologize, Family Head. Your subordinates failed to discover Jiang Linyuan's identity."

Luo Qian said apologetically, "This person might have used a false name, or perhaps he never revealed his true name in the Cultivation World. Furthermore, this person has not displayed any techniques so far, making it impossible for your subordinate to verify."

"It's not surprising that information couldn't be found."

Su Yang did not have high expectations for this matter. Cultivators usually concealed their identities when venturing out.

His gaze then fell upon Ji Ya, who was now the second-in-command of the Su Clan Chamber of Commerce.

Ji Ya felt the Family Head's gaze and immediately explained:

"Your subordinate received Immortal Master Luo's order to secretly observe Jiang Linyuan's activities in Qingyuan County. This person originally seemed to want to join the Immortal Treasure Tower but was rejected. Afterward, he moved between several Family powers and finally became a retainer for the Xie Family."

Luo Qian was a Cultivator, and his appearance in Qingyuan County was quite conspicuous.

In contrast, Ji Ya was merely a Mortal, better suited for blending into the crowd for covert observation, as Jiang Linyuan would not constantly pay attention to the surrounding Mortals.

"The Xie Family..."

Su Yang was relatively unfamiliar with this Family.

They were an outside Family with no overt conflict with the various major Families in Qingyuan County. They also followed the rules in business, and their Family strength was considered top-tier in Qingyuan County.

A Late Stage Qi Refining Cultivator becoming a retainer for the Xie Family could indeed add a trump card for the Family.

But in Su Yang's view, the Xie Family had no threatening hostile forces, making the recruitment of a retainer unnecessary.

Could it be that they believed Jiang Linyuan's prediction that the Guangling Border Pass would fall and were preparing for a rainy day?

"Forget it, no need to bother with this person anymore. Just keep an occasional eye on the Xie Family's situation."

Su Yang couldn't figure out Jiang Linyuan's intentions, so he stopped thinking about it.

Several days later.

A shocking piece of news reached Qingyuan County, causing a stir among the Cultivator community.

A Secret Realm had manifested in the Ten Thousand Mountains outside the Yunmeng Ruins!

"The Secret Realm appeared near the Yunmeng Ruins. Could Henger and Ziyao have entered the Secret Realm?"

Qin Jiangmei found Su Yang immediately upon hearing the news, her face full of worry.

Su Yang took her hand and comforted her, "Henger's strength allows him to fight even against a Late Stage Qi Refining Cultivator. Wife, you don't need to worry too much."

Su Xuanheng had cultivated diligently over the years. Not only was he now a Late Stage Qi Refining Cultivator, but he was also a Martial Arts Grandmaster!

His Martial Arts Grandmaster Realm alone could crush all Middle Stage Qi Refining Cultivators. Combined with his own Cultivator techniques, as long as a Foundation Establishment Cultivator didn't make a move, there shouldn't be a problem.

Moreover, he had An Ziyao by his side, whose Fire-element Spells were masterful.

The two had sparred constantly and had excellent coordination. Perhaps they could truly achieve something in the Secret Realm.

"Even if we go to the Yunmeng Ruins now, we won't make it in time for the Secret Realm's opening, but we still need to go support Henger."

Su Yang believed Su Xuanheng could survive leaving the Secret Realm.

But after leaving the Secret Realm, there would still be Robber Cultivators blocking the way. The Su Family had to go and meet up with Su Xuanheng and the other one.

Qin Jiangmei grasped Su Yang's hand, her eyes, which always held tenderness, were now filled with unprecedented seriousness and solemnity.

"Please take your humble wife with you, Husband!"