59: Chapter 59

Mu Wanqing pursed her lips tightly and slowly stepped out from behind a rock.

Her delicate oval face now wore a complex expression—shock, resentment, confusion, and, more than anything, an indescribable sense of injustice.

Her gaze fell upon several small, dark purple fruits on the ground.

"Revered Master, why would they go this far?"

Chen Xuan glanced at her and sighed softly. "You were born into a wealthy family, carefree since childhood, never wanting for food or clothing. The only hardship you've ever faced was being noticed by an Elder of the Yin Yang Sect."

"But since you've joined our Dao Seeking Sect, that threat is no longer an issue. These ordinary Cultivators, wanting to climb higher, naturally resort to any means necessary."

"Not to mention killing fellow disciples, abandoning wives and children, and turning against kin—these things are already commonplace. While some of this stems from Sect oppression, this is simply how the Cultivation World is now!"

Mu Wanqing set aside her usual liveliness, replying with a serious "Mm," and listened attentively.

Chen Xuan continued, "Remember this! Those who reach the pinnacle of cultivation make no distinction between good and evil. From now on, always keep your wits about you."

"Thank you for your guidance, Revered Master!" Mu Wanqing said earnestly, performing a solemn bow.

Chen Xuan murmured finally, "I've always believed that the hardest part of cultivating the Dao and achieving Immortal Ascension is maintaining one's humanity throughout the process."

...Elsewhere in the Secret Realm!

Boom!

A deafening explosion rang out as a Yao Beast, the size of a calf, was struck as if by a battering ram and sent crashing into a stone pillar.

The pillar shattered upon impact, sending debris flying.

The Yao Beast twitched a few times, the ferocity in its eyes quickly fading.

Ye Hao slowly exhaled, walked over to a nearby Fourth-grade Spirit Medicine, and gently plucked it.

Fairy Qiyue showed an approving look. "Excellent. At only the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, you can already kill a Foundation Establishment Third Layer Black Cave Fanged Beast. Once you break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm, your achievements will surely be extraordinary."

After speaking, she glanced at the profound and mysterious Chaos Qi surrounding Ye Hao and secretly made a decision.

Ye Hao wiped the sweat from his forehead. "The Cultivation Technique Revered Master gave me is too profound. There's still much I haven't fully comprehended, or I could have killed this beast more easily."

Fairy Qiyue said softly, "On the path of cultivation, you must take one step at a time."

"Let's go. There's an Ancient Palace ahead, likely filled with many Opportunities."

Ancient Palace?

Hearing this, Ye Hao's eyes lit up.

The two continued traveling by wind. Half an incense stick's time later, a majestic Ancient Palace soon came into view. The plaza around the palace was already crowded with various factions.

"Elder Qi Yue, who are these people?"

Ye Hao looked at the many fallen Cultivators on the palace grounds, his expression grave, the thick scent of blood filling his nostrils.

Fairy Qiyue narrowed her eyes slightly and warned, "A Formation. This palace is protected by a Formation. Do not enter lightly."

Ye Hao suddenly understood. No wonder so many Cultivators had perished here—all thanks to the Formation.

"Elder Qi Yue, what should we do now?"

Fairy Qiyue shook her head gently. "I'm not skilled in the Dao of Formations. They're too troublesome and inconvenient."

Does that mean we have to miss the Opportunities here? Ye Hao felt a pang of regret. He wasn't skilled in Formations either and had never studied them.

Unexpectedly, the Woman in White Dress beside him continued, "Fortunately, I have another method."

Ye Hao was slightly taken aback. "What method?"

"Break it with force!"

Although this Formation is incredibly profound, it can only deal with Cultivators below the Nascent Soul Realm. For those above Nascent Soul, it merely acts as a speed bump.

Ye Hao was stunned for a moment, then understood. Though he knew the woman beside him was a Nascent Soul Realm powerhouse, even the Golden Core Realm felt distant to him now, lacking a sense of reality.

"In a moment, I'll use my spiritual power to protect you from the Formation's effects."

Just as the two were about to break the Formation by force, a voice sounded from behind.

"Ye Hao!"

"You beast, you're not dead?"

Ye Hao turned toward the voice, frowning slightly, his hands unconsciously clenching into fists.

Behind him stood nearly a hundred people. At their head was a middle-aged man with a sinister expression, dressed in dark-colored martial attire, a green jade pendant hanging at his waist—Ye Zhong, the Third Steward of the Ye Family.

Beside Ye Zhong stood an old man and a woman, both Foundation Establishment Seventh Layer experts of the Ye Family. It seemed they too had come to the Spirit Void Secret Realm seeking Opportunities!

"Were you the one who sent those people to hunt me down?" Ye Hao demanded sharply.

Ye Zhong sneered. "That's right. At this point, there's no harm in telling you. I thought those people had already sent you to meet your poor Father and Mother. I never expected you'd still be alive."

"What a bunch of useless trash."

The people who hunted Ye Hao that day never returned to the Ye Family. Ye Zhong knew this at the time but quickly put it out of his mind. The Ye Family was busy entertaining distinguished guests from the Central Region Holy Land and didn't pay attention to such a minor matter.

After all, what waves could a person whose immortal bone had been dug out possibly make?

"Good. With those words, when I take my revenge, I won't need to have that last shred of hesitation."

"Revenge?"

Everyone burst into laughter upon hearing this. A waste whose immortal bone had been dug out actually dared to speak of revenge?

Ye Zhong grinned viciously. "At this moment, haven't you realized your situation? Will your last words in life be this joke?"

He waved his hand, and five middle-aged men immediately stepped forward, fanning out to surround Ye Hao.

"Young Lord, don't worry. We'll make it quick."

The five men rushed forward simultaneously.

Ye Zhong reminded from the side, "Leave the woman alive. She's a rare beauty..."

Thud!

Before he could finish, the five men were sent flying instantly, one of them hurtling straight toward him.

Ye Zhong waved his hand, knocking the figure aside. The other four men groaned upon hitting the ground and fell completely silent.

Impossible!

Those five were at the Qi Refining Fifth Layer. How could they lose to this waste?

Before he could speak, he felt a chilling cold surge from his spine straight into his brain. An overwhelming pressure, like a mountain collapsing or a tsunami, emanated from the Woman in White Dress before him, like an invisible giant hand gripping his throat.

Qi Yue said coldly, "How do you want to die?"

The others were left bewildered by this absurd scene.

The old woman beside Ye Zhong hadn't yet noticed his distress, as Fairy Qiyue hadn't acted against the other ants.

This was Ye Hao's grudge. How to deal with these people was naturally up to Ye Hao.

If she simply slaughtered these ants without a word, it wouldn't be appropriate.

"Qi Refining Ninth Layer? Impossible!"

"You, a waste whose immortal bone was dug out, actually recovered to the Qi Refining Ninth Layer?" she exclaimed, her face full of astonishment.

The old man on the other side said sinisterly, "He must have obtained some Opportunity in this Spirit Void Secret Realm."

As he was about to capture Ye Hao, he heard a thud. Ye Zhong beside him had fallen to his knees, trembling as he begged, "I beg for mercy, Senior."

"Hao'er, this wasn't my plan. It was all the current family head, Ye Zhong, wanting to steal your immortal bone for his daughter. Third Uncle even held you when you were little."

Ye Hao remained calm, his tone icy. "At this moment, are you joking?"