398: Chapter 398 Information on Divine-Rank Magical Treasures

"Revered Master, why are there so many Sand-Devouring Rats in this place?"

"The number of soul-fixing crystals is also far too low..."

"Revered Master, just how much longer do we have to travel before reaching somewhere else? It's all the same scenery as far as the eye can see; it's truly exhausting."

After a day of rest and travel, Chen Xuan's group had gradually adapted to the Great Dao suppression of this world.

He was now at the second layer of the Mahayana Realm cultivation base, so the pressure he felt was naturally lighter than that on Dongfang Li and the other two. Yet even so, it still felt like moving while wearing clothes soaked in water, a lingering sense of heavy sluggishness permeating his body.

If he were to actually fight someone, he estimated he could only exert the strength of an ordinary first-layer Mahayana Cultivator.

Looking at his still enthusiastic and talkative Eldest Disciple, Chen Xuan spoke calmly, "Spirit Immortal, fall back and rest for a while; let Wanqing take the lead."

"Huh?"

Mu Wanqing's almond-shaped eyes widened, and she complained with puffed-out cheeks, "Revered Master, according to the agreed rules, it's not time to switch for another three hours. How can you be so biased?"

Chen Xuan reached out and pressed down on her head, smiling slightly. "I am clearly showing you extra favor."

"The cultivation bases of these Sand-Devouring Rats are mostly around the Nascent Soul Realm, making them perfect for your practice. Such opportunities for actual combat are hard to come by."

"Revered Master, do you really think I'm that easy to fool?"

The young girl ducked, breaking free from his large hand, and trotted over to Yun Xuanxuan's side, taking her arm.

"Anyway, it's not time yet, so I'm not switching to lead the way."

Seeing this, Gu Yunshen smiled and said, "Peak Master Chen's Disciple certainly has a lively personality. To have already broken through to the Nascent Soul Realm at such a young age is truly rare."

Chen Xuan nodded slightly and replied casually, "Compared to Pavilion Master Dong's Disciple, she is still lacking a bit."

No sooner had he spoken than a rustling sound of shifting sand came from the dunes ahead, followed by four or five dark shadows suddenly lunging toward the group.

Xiao Lingxian, who was leading the way, flicked her finger, and a ball of fire shot out, splitting into three in mid-air. After several shrill cries, the mangled remains of Sand-Devouring Rats crashed to the ground one after another.

Yu Qingyan pressed her fingers together, and two beams of spiritual light shot out, repelling the other two Sand-Devouring Rats.

Nearby, a young man with a face as fair as jade controlled a human-sized Mantis mechanical beast. With a flash, he closed in and cleanly took the lives of the remaining two Sand-Devouring Rats.

He efficiently cut open the rat carcasses, and two lustrous soul-fixing crystals slowly floated into his hand.

Dongfang Li looked at the soul-fixing crystals and couldn't help but murmur, "It's truly strange. Logically, soul-fixing crystals are extremely difficult to form. They require a sentient being to have an unyielding obsession at the moment of death, with a Divine Soul as tough as steel—not falling, not straying, and not collapsing. After the Physical Body decays, the remnant soul must still guard the spot, undergoing day and night tempering by spiritual energy. Only then is there a one-in-a-thousand chance of them condensing."

"But these beasts, if they can produce soul-fixing crystals, shouldn't be devoid of intelligence, yet they always come to their deaths based on instinct. It's truly illogical."

"The world is vast; there is nothing too strange to exist."

Pavilion Master Shen interjected with a smile, "Just like why this world has Great Dao suppression, or why we still haven't found that guixu immortal ferry boat."

"If we were to investigate the root of everything, even an extra thousand years of Lifespan wouldn't be enough."

Chen Xuan also agreed, "Miss Dongfang even knows such secrets; you are indeed well-informed."

He himself had always lacked knowledge of these strange items and rumors, which was the benefit of forming an alliance.

There was always someone who knew their stuff!

Previously, in the Spirit Void Secret Realm of the Lesser Exquisite Grotto-Heaven, he could rely on Qi Yue to act as a partial guide. Now that they were in the Spirit Realm, Qi Yue's knowledge was no longer sufficient.

Even Qin Tianxing was only useful within the borders of the Flame Continent.

Much knowledge and many secrets were simply inaccessible until one reached a certain Realm, which was similar to the social circle barriers of his previous life.

It was like the commoners at the foot of a mountain who might think that being the emperor just meant eating several large plates of steamed buns at every meal and using a golden shoulder pole for work.

Being praised like this, Dongfang Li suddenly felt a bit embarrassed.

Her knowledge was actually something she had specifically memorized by scouring ancient texts back then to curry favor with Fairy Yu Chan.

"It's just something I heard people chatting about in my spare time," she said softly.

The few of them continued their journey while chatting.

Just then, Chen Xuan felt a sudden stir in his heart; a mysterious sensation came from his robe—the Chaos Void Jade was reacting!

Why did it have to be at this time?

Chen Xuan's gaze swept over everyone inconspicuously. Under such public scrutiny, how could he slip away to eavesdrop on information? Could it be that he would have to miss this group chat for nothing?

Just then, Dongfang Li said softly, "We've been traveling for a day; why don't we rest for a moment?"

"I'll go scout around. This desert is vast and unchanging; we must keep an eye on our surroundings."

Gu Yunshen and Pavilion Master Shen exchanged a glance and nodded. "That's fine."

"If we encounter other factions, we can also exchange information."

Chen Xuan's heart stirred, and he quickly followed up, "In that case, Miss Dongfang can scout ahead, and I'll try my luck to the left to see if I can find any clues."

Pavilion Master Shen thought for a moment and said, "Then I'll go check the right."

With the plan decided, Chen Xuan and Yun Xuanxuan flickered away, covering over ten miles before landing beneath a slope.

"Revered Master, are we not going further?"

Yun Xuanxuan looked around and said doubtfully, "There doesn't seem to be any unusual activity nearby."

Chen Xuan didn't explain much. He raised his hand to set up a barrier to conceal their presence and said solemnly, "Protect me here. If there is any movement, alert me immediately!"

"Yes, Revered Master!" Yun Xuanxuan bowed respectfully and stood by his side with her hands down.

Chen Xuan took out a Black Jade Fragment from his robe and slowly closed his eyes. As his mind sank into it, the familiar Chaos Space came into view once again.

Inside the space, Number Eight, Number Seven, Number Five, and Number Two were all present, but Number Four was nowhere to be seen.

That old schemer actually didn't come?

He remembered that the Cultivators of the Demon Abyss Pavilion had also entered this Secret Realm. There might be a chance to meet them later, so he would have to pay more attention then.

Before Chen Xuan could think further, Number Seven spoke up first, "Number Eight, do you have something important to tell us this time?"

It turned out that this contact had been initiated by Number Eight.

Hearing this, the others turned their gazes toward Number Eight.

Number Eight chuckled and said slowly, "Everyone present must already be within the Secret Realm in the waters of the Heavenly Tribulation Continent, right?"

"What if we are?"

Number Five, having a straightforward personality, countered directly, "And what if we aren't?"

"If you are, then I must congratulate you all." Number Eight's voice still held a hint of a smile. "A heaven-sent Opportunity is right before you; it's truly enviable."

"Opportunity?"

Chen Xuan's heart stirred as his gaze swept over the others. Although he couldn't see their expressions, he could vaguely sense that everyone was on guard and hadn't fully relaxed.

"Just say what you have to say; there's no need to be cryptic," Number Five urged impatiently.

"Very well, I'll keep it short so as not to waste your time."

Number Eight held up two fingers and said solemnly, "I have summoned you all here to share two pieces of news."

"First, there is a god-rank magic treasure hidden within this Secret Realm, and I have already discovered its exact location."

"Second, there has been some unusual activity on the border of the Demon Race Continent recently. It seems two Yao Race powerhouses wanted to take this Opportunity to interfere. However, Great Love Immortal Venerable has already stepped in to suppress them, so you need not worry about this."