48: Third Life: How Am I the Villain? (Thirteen)

Thinking of Ye Feng, Xu Yuan felt a stir in his heart and took the Opportunity to ask Qin Zhantian: "Revered Master, regarding Ye Feng's whereabouts, have there been any new clues over these past three months?"

Upon hearing this, the joy on Qin Zhantian's face faded slightly. He shook his head, frowned, and said: "It is strange to say. Since he escaped from Black Miasma Mountain using the Void-escape Talisman, he has completely vanished into thin air."

"The Sect has mobilized all its forces, issued a high reward, and practically turned the surrounding regions upside down, yet no reliable traces have been found."

"Even the experts most skilled in tracking and divination cannot capture even a trace of his aura, as if... his heavenly secrets have been completely obscured by some power."

Qin Zhantian pondered for a moment, his tone carrying a bit of uncertainty: "Perhaps... he has truly left the territory covered by the Overlord Blade Sect and gone to more distant or remote regions."

"After all, the transmission distance and direction of the Void-escape Talisman are random and unpredictable."

Xu Yuan frowned.

This result was both unexpected and reasonable.

If Ye Feng truly was a Child of Luck, it would be strange if he were easily found after having his Opportunity plundered by him once.

It seems that actively searching for him is unlikely in the short term; he can only wait for him to "surface" again on his own.

"Disciple understands."

Xu Yuan temporarily put this matter aside. Since he couldn't find Ye Feng for the time being, he could only see if he could obtain information about the Perfect Dao Foundation through other channels.

"The Perfect Dao Foundation is held in the hands of the Upper Sects..."

Xu Yuan's thoughts shifted, and he couldn't help but think of the Xu Family Genius, Xu Xingchen, whom he had sent to the Upper Sects in his previous life...

Qin Zhantian suddenly spoke up, bringing up another matter: "Yuan'er, you have now reached the Perfection of the Qi Condensation Stage, and the next step is to prepare for Foundation Establishment."

"However, Foundation Establishment is not a simple accumulation of spiritual power; it requires the tempering of one's state of mind and actual combat."

"Coincidentally, the 'Blackwater Secret Realm' will open in three months. You shall lead the team there."

"Blackwater Secret Realm?"

A look of confusion appeared on Xu Yuan's face, clearly not knowing about this place.

Seeing that Xu Yuan seemed puzzled, Qin Zhantian patiently explained: "Your cultivation has advanced rapidly recently, so perhaps you haven't paid much attention to external affairs."

"This Blackwater Secret Realm is a small Secret Realm jointly controlled by our Overlord Blade Sect, the Azure Wood Sect, Black Iron Mountain, and seven or eight other surrounding Sects. It only opens stably once every five or six years."

"The Secret Realm has its own rules, rejecting Cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage and above, so it has always been a place for Disciples of the Qi Condensation Stage from various Sects to undergo trials and seek Opportunities."

Qin Zhantian paused, his tone becoming more serious: "Although there are some low-level Yao Beasts and natural dangers within, what is more worthy of attention are the special spiritual plants, mineral resources, and some Immortal Cave ruins that may have been left behind by Seniors who passed away inside. These are all good gains for Qi Condensation Disciples."

"However, for you, who are about to undergo Foundation Establishment, the most precious thing, and the one most worth fighting for," Qin Zhantian looked at Xu Yuan with burning eyes, "is a type of Heaven And Earth Treasure called the 'Black Water Spirit Lotus', as well as an accompanying special crystal called 'Kwei Water Essence'!"

"Oh?" Xu Yuan appropriately showed interest, "What is special about this item? Could it be better than the Foundation Establishment Pill?"

"The effects are different, but it is even rarer!" Qin Zhantian's tone carried a hint of longing, "The Foundation Establishment Pill can stably increase the probability of Foundation Establishment and is a precious pill for breaking through Bottlenecks. But this 'Black Water Spirit Lotus' and its accompanying essence do not directly increase the probability; rather, they... nourish and strengthen the Dao Foundation!"

"Nourish and strengthen the Dao Foundation?" Xu Yuan felt a stir in his heart; this was indeed what he needed most right now!

"Correct!" Qin Zhantian affirmed, "If you can refine this item before Foundation Establishment, the pure water essence and a trace of Innate Dao Rhyme of water contained within it can greatly nourish the Cultivator's Physical Body and Meridians, purifying the Qi, making the Dao Foundation more stable and pure when it condenses!"

"It even... has the chance to allow the Dao Foundation to contain a trace of the flexibility and changeability of water, giving it greater potential!"

"Especially for the 'Ten Thousand Blades Facing the Origin' Dao Foundation you intend to condense, hardness leads to brittleness."

"If you can have such a Heaven And Earth Treasure containing the supreme softness of water to harmonize it, combining hardness and softness, it might allow the Dao Foundation you condense to be more perfect and powerful, far surpassing that of previous generations of Seniors!"

After listening, a bright light erupted in Xu Yuan's eyes!

In this life, relying on the Overlord Blade Sect, the information he could access was indeed much more than in his previous life.

He hadn't even heard of such Heaven And Earth Treasures that could strengthen the Dao Foundation in his previous life.

He must go to this Blackwater Secret Realm!

"So that's how it is! Many thanks, Revered Master, for clearing up my confusion!" Xu Yuan bowed solemnly, "This item is of vital importance to this Disciple; I will definitely do my best to compete for it!"

"Good! It is good to have such determination!" Qin Zhantian said with gratification, "However, you must know that there is more than just our Overlord Blade Sect coveting such treasures."

"When the Secret Realm opens, the Genius Disciples of the surrounding Sects will all swarm in, and the competition will inevitably be extremely intense, and even... filled with bloodshed."

"Disciple understands." Xu Yuan's expression was calm, but a cold sharpness flashed deep in his eyes, "In the struggle for Opportunities, one relies on their own means."

"Disciple... will absolutely not be soft-hearted."

It was just the right Opportunity to test the results of his three months of integrating thousands of basic blade techniques, and to see just how powerful the 'Heavenly Tribulation Blade' had become after further consolidation and strengthening!

"It is good that you have such realization." Qin Zhantian nodded, "Go down and prepare well. I will have someone send the Secret Realm map and intelligence on possible opponents to your Immortal Cave later. The Sect will also equip you with a few capable assistants."

"Yes! Disciple takes his leave!"

Xu Yuan returned to his Daozi Hall.

He did not wait long before a message came from outside the hall, stating that Zhao Zheng was requesting an audience.

"Let him in."

Xu Yuan said indifferently.

Soon, Zhao Zheng, dressed in the attire of an inner Sect elite Disciple, his aura even more restrained than it had been three months ago, strode in.

He held a Jade Slip and a Storage Pouch in his hands, with a respectful look on his face.

"Greetings, Daozi Highness!"

Zhao Zheng bowed, his attitude even more submissive than before.

Previously, he had witnessed the 'Ten Thousand Blades Resonating' phenomenon triggered by Xu Yuan and was completely won over by him.

"Senior Brother Zhao, no need for formalities." Xu Yuan raised his hand slightly, "Did Revered Master ask you to bring the relevant intelligence about the Secret Realm?"

"Exactly."

Zhao Zheng stepped forward and presented the Jade Slip and Storage Pouch.

"The Jade Slip contains the latest map of the Blackwater Secret Realm mastered by the Sect, known dangerous areas, and several locations where the Black Water Spirit Lotus might appear."

"The Storage Pouch contains some Medicinal Pills for healing and recovering Qi prepared by the Sect for Your Highness, as well as some Talismans for dealing with special situations."

Xu Yuan took them and first scanned the Jade Slip with his Divine Sense. A large amount of information instantly flooded into his mind, forming a detailed map of the Secret Realm and various precautions.

"Thank you for your trouble, Senior Brother Zhao."

Xu Yuan nodded and then looked at Zhao Zheng.

"For this Secret Realm trip, Senior Brother Zhao will surely be going as well, right?"