"A formation?!"
The Azure-Eyed Cold Toad was highly knowledgeable and immediately recognized this as a formation set by human immortal cultivators.
Moyue halted his momentum in mid-air, turning to face the Azure-Eyed Cold Toad with a wide grin. "Little toad, you cannot escape your tribulation today! Become the nourishment this seat needs to return to the peak!"
Moyue instantly erupted with his full strength, revealing power at the late stage of Tier 3, rivaling an immortal cultivator at the seventh layer of the Golden Core stage.
However, the final two minor realms were exceedingly difficult to recover layer by layer.
Relying solely on himself, Moyue would not necessarily be able to return to his Tier 3 peak without spending twenty or thirty years.
"Late-stage Tier 3! You flood dragon, you schemed against me!" the Azure-Eyed Cold Toad roared in fury.
Meanwhile.
Xu Chuan and Xu Deling dashed out from the nearby woods and entered the grand array.
Moyue had previously sent a voice transmission warning that this Azure-Eyed Cold Toad was far from simple. It appeared to be a mutated variant, likely having obtained an opportunity within the Secret Realm.
The attack from its vertical pupil was comparable to a peak mid-stage Tier 3 demonic beast.
Even Moyue would suffer severe injuries if he accidentally took a direct hit.
Upon seeing humans, the fury in the Azure-Eyed Cold Toad's eyes practically spewed forth. It cursed harshly, "To think you colluded with human immortal cultivators! Do you have no dignity as a demonic beast?!"
"Colluded? What an ugly way to put it. Besides, this seat is not a demonic beast native to this Secret Realm. It's far better than being reared here like livestock for generations," Moyue scoffed.
"An outsider? You, a grand late-stage Tier 3 great demon, actually acknowledge a Foundation Establishment cultivator as your master?!"
"What this seat does is none of your concern! Little toad, today you are dead for sure!"
With that said, Moyue opened his mouth, condensing hundreds of icy spikes.
The spikes were as sharp as sparrow tongues, covered in frost and radiating bone-piercing cold qi. They shot toward the Azure-Eyed Cold Toad like a torrential downpour, whistling through the air with a dense hum like a swarm of bees, causing the surrounding spiritual light to tremble.
Seeing this, the hexagonal ice patterns on the Azure-Eyed Cold Toad's belly suddenly lit up. Soft light overflowed like flowing water, forming a milky-white light screen in the air above its head.
The light screen was as thin as a cicada's wings but seemed impenetrable.
When the icy spikes struck the light screen, a continuous clattering rang out. The spikes shattered upon impact, dissolving into wisps of cold qi, not a single one managing to pierce through.
Seeing this, Moyue swung his dragon body. His azure scales gleamed with a fierce light as he charged directly at the Cold Toad.
When he was about thirty meters away from the Azure-Eyed Cold Toad, Moyue violently whipped his tail.
The tail lashed out like a steel whip, scales glinting with a chilling light as it generated a howling gale, slapping straight toward the toad's flank.
Caught off guard, the Azure-Eyed Cold Toad hastily raised three legs to block. A dull thud echoed as the dragon tail struck its claws. The Cold Toad was actually knocked back two steps, the soft light of the ice patterns on its belly dimming slightly.
"Attack!"
Noticing the opening, Xu Chuan formed a sword seal with his fingers and activated the Hundred Grass Needles. The thirty-six needles merged into a single jade-green spike, elevating the power of this set Dharma tool to its absolute peak.
He then thrust it viciously toward the light screen.
Xu Deling, meanwhile, retrieved three Mountain-shaped Small Seals and tossed them into the air, her hands forming a flurry of hand seals.
The three small seals instantly expanded against the wind, growing to roughly ten meters in size. Each one was carved with artifact patterns embodying the concept of the character for 'mountain', possessing power comparable to the jade-green spike Xu Chuan had condensed.
Xu Chuan had noticed that the milky-white light screen boasted exceptionally high defense against magical arts. Thus, he joined forces with Xu Deling to strike it, providing support for Moyue.
Such defensive methods functioned much like a Dharma tool; it was impossible for the beast to cast it continuously in quick succession.
The incoming jade-green spike and the three ten-meter-tall mountains instantly caused the milky-white light screen to tremble violently.
Seeing this, the Azure-Eyed Cold Toad opened its mouth and formed dozens of sharp icicles, shooting them toward Xu Chuan and Xu Deling.
The two retreated, stepping outside the grand array.
The icicles crashed into the azure light screen of the array, only managing to stir up faint ripples.
After all, this was a peak Tier 2 formation. Even if the Azure-Eyed Cold Toad attacked it with full force, it would take more than a dozen strikes to shatter it.
However, if it used its vertical pupil, one or two hits might be enough.
Xu Chuan and Xu Deling re-entered the grand array and once again controlled their Dharma tools to assail the milky-white light screen, though this time Xu Deling repositioned herself.
Standing together would only make them an easy target for concentrated attacks.
Having received Xu Chuan's advice, Moyue engaged in close combat, relentlessly striking with his dragon claws and tail, only occasionally casting magical arts.
The Azure-Eyed Cold Toad excelled at magical arts, but its water-attribute spells dealt minimal damage to Moyue. Furthermore, Xu Chuan and his granddaughter were slippery as eels, never giving the beast an opportunity to land a crippling blow.
The toad felt utterly infuriated.
In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.
The defensive light screen born from its innate ability finally shattered.
"You forced my hand!" the Azure-Eyed Cold Toad bellowed, a fierce glint flashing through its crystalline blue eyes.
Although it was a Tier 3 demonic beast, the toughness of its body was only slightly superior to a peak Tier 2 demonic beast. If it truly engaged in prolonged close combat, it would undoubtedly fall to a disadvantage.
In a one-on-one fight, it boasted innate defensive abilities, mastery over water and ice magical arts, and a vertical pupil capable of unleashing ultimate attacks far beyond its normal limits.
Even mid-stage Tier 3 demonic beasts dared not provoke it carelessly.
As if its recovery period had passed, the Azure-Eyed Cold Toad's vertical pupil erupted with terrifying power once more.
"Block it! The grand array might not withstand the divine ability of its vertical pupil," Xu Chuan warned.
Xu Chuan immediately deployed the Heavenly Wood Shield, while Xu Deling utilized Three Mountains United to form a towering thirty-meter black mountain.
"Azure Nether Cold Light!"
"Go!"
The black mountain was the first to clash with the toad's Azure Nether Cold Light, but it only held on for a fleeting moment before being blasted away, its surface completely encased in thick ice from the impact.
Next was the Heavenly Wood Shield.
Its defensive capabilities paled in comparison to Xu Deling's Dharma tool. A crack was immediately smashed into it; if left un-repaired, it wouldn't even match an exquisite-grade defensive magical artifact.
Finally, it was Moyue's turn to resist.
Despite his previous expenditures, Moyue channeled all his spiritual power into his tail and forcibly whipped the Azure Nether Cold Light into an explosion!
"No, this Azure Nether Cold Light is strong, but based on what the Cold Toad said earlier, it shouldn't be its trump card!"
Xu Chuan's divine sense swept outward, immediately noticing a glint of cold light emerging in the toad's mouth. He hastily yelled, "Moyue, watch out! It has another trick up its sleeve!"
As he spoke, he frantically directed the Heavenly Wood Shield to intercept.
"Too late!"
A streak of freezing light blasted out from the Azure-Eyed Cold Toad's mouth!
It was actually a flying sword!
The ultimate cold qi carried by the flying sword caused the temperature within the grand array to plummet the moment it appeared.
Even Xu Deling and Xu Chuan, who were stationed at the edge of the formation, could feel the biting chill.
Bang!
Xu Chuan controlled it just in time, allowing the Heavenly Wood Shield to block the strike.
However, the Heavenly Wood Shield was completely pierced through, splitting in half and crashing to the ground.
Moyue dodged hastily like a flash of lightning, but the blade still grazed his dragon horn, leaving a scratch over an inch deep.
"Deling, there's no way that Azure-Eyed Cold Toad has fully refined this magic treasure. Let's pool our strength and use the Tool Control Art to interfere with it!" Xu Chuan commanded via voice transmission.
"Understood, Grandfather!" Xu Deling replied, also recognizing the peril of their situation.
The flying sword was undoubtedly an ancient magic treasure of exceptional quality. Otherwise, it wouldn't have nearly severed Moyue's horn with just a glancing blow.
It should be known that a flood dragon's horns were even harder than its bones.
Moyue was a peak Tier 3 flood dragon; his horns were tough enough to be chosen by a Nascent Soul cultivator as the core material for a natal magic treasure.
Hum—
The moon-white flying sword was about to fly back into the Azure-Eyed Cold Toad's mouth, but it suddenly began to vibrate violently, as if subjected to interference.
Normally, Xu Deling would struggle to influence even a standard Dharma tool wielded by a Foundation Establishment cultivator, but that was only true if the opponent had completely refined the item.
The current situation clearly indicated that the Azure-Eyed Cold Toad hadn't fully refined the blade; it had merely reached the point of being able to wield it.
Xu Chuan suffered a slight backlash from the destruction of his Heavenly Wood Shield, but he immediately executed the Tool Control Art to disrupt the moon-white flying sword.
By now, Moyue had descended into a state of total fury.
He raised his head and unleashed a deafening roar that shook the trees along the shore, causing frost-covered leaves to flutter to the ground.
His body expanded rapidly, surging to over a hundred meters in the blink of an eye. His dark-blue scales looked as though they were forged from dark iron, each one shimmering with an eerie, icy azure hue.
Moyue fully unleashed the power of his demonic core. His aura spiked sharply, and the spiritual pressure of a peak Tier 3 flood dragon swept outward like a tidal wave.
Even the azure light screen of the Six Harmonies Absolute Sealing Formation swayed under the pressure, showing signs of collapsing.
"You're courting death!"
Before his voice could fade, the spiritual light of the demonic core within Moyue's body flared. A faint azure halo leaked out from beneath his scales, gathering entirely in his right claw.
The dragon claw swelled by over three meters. Icy spikes sprouted from its tips as it swung down fiercely toward the Azure-Eyed Cold Toad, carrying a shrill hum that tore through the air.
Faced with this ferocious assault, the Azure-Eyed Cold Toad finally showed terror.
However, having just unleashed the Azure Nether Cold Light, it couldn't cast it again immediately. Its trump card, the flying sword magic treasure, was also disrupted and couldn't be retrieved in time.
Its only option was to activate the hexagonal ice patterns on its belly. The patterns flashed brightly, conjuring the milky-white defensive light screen in front of it once more.
Unfortunately, every time this defensive screen shattered, its subsequent defensive strength would plummet.
With a thunderous crash, the dragon claw struck the light screen. The barrier instantly collapsed, bursting into a cloud of icy mist.
With its momentum undiminished, the claw smashed squarely into the toad's armored back.
A sickening crack echoed.
The Azure-Eyed Cold Toad's blue and white frosty scales ruptured. Blood mixed with frigid air sprayed outwards. It let out a shrill, agonizing shriek as its massive body tumbled into the formation's light screen.
Moyue was unrelenting. His tail whipped out like a steel lash, carrying a piercing howl as it brutally slammed into the toad's flank.
The toad coughed up another mouthful of blood. The ice patterns on its belly went completely dark, and its three azure eyes drooped half-shut. Its body collapsed limply to the ground, its life force flickering weakly like a candle in the wind.
Without the Azure-Eyed Cold Toad's control, the moon-white flying sword drifted into Xu Chuan's grasp.
Moyue showed no mercy, sinking his claws in one final time to rip out its demonic core, ending its life.
In the next moment, Moyue's aura sharply deflated, and he suddenly appeared incredibly aged.
"Let's leave this place first," Xu Chuan instructed.
Worried that the Fire Barbarian Bull Moyue had mentioned would show up, Xu Chuan quickly cleaned up the battlefield. He stored the toad's corpse in his storage ring, erased all traces of their aura, and swiftly departed.
A mere thirty minutes later, a colossal bull standing over six meters tall emerged from the southern forest.
Its physique was as massive as a small hill, with legs as thick as barrels. Its hooves were coated in a thick hide resembling crimson iron, scattering sparks with every step.
A ridge of dark red scales ran from its neck down to its tail. Each scale was the size of a hand, its edges gleaming like molten gold.
Three sharp horns sprouted from its head. The middle horn was the longest, measuring about three feet. It was as sharp as a blade, glowing with a reddish-gold luster and adorned with spiraling flame patterns, as if it had been tempered by a raging inferno.
The shorter horns on the sides curved slightly, their tips equally ablaze with fiery light.
Its forehead was hairless, covered in a pale red membrane. A pair of reddish-gold vertical pupils nested in its eye sockets, the irises as thin as threads. Whenever it scanned its surroundings, it radiated the icy severity of a flood dragon mixed with the brutal savagery of a bull—a single glance was enough to instill terror.
Shaggy auburn mane hung around its neck, intertwined with flickering flames. As the wind blew, the mane swayed, releasing a shower of sparks.
The Fire Barbarian Bull possessed a torso as stout as a war drum, with bulging muscles across its shoulders and back. A long, slender crimson tail swished back and forth as it walked, whipping its own flanks.
"Why is it so quiet?" A sliver of doubt flashed through the Fire Barbarian Bull's eyes.
'Could it be that the flood dragon hasn't arrived yet?'
'Perhaps I should wait around?'
It had clashed with the Azure-Eyed Cold Toad no less than six or seven times over the past century and was well aware of how terrifying the toad's trump card could be. Even with Moyue being a late-stage Tier 3 demon, carelessness would inevitably result in severe injuries.
Of course, a late-stage Tier 3 demonic beast was incredibly formidable in its own right.
Seeing an opportunity to profit from their conflict, the bull had tipped off Moyue, intending to sneak over mid-battle to play the fisherman who profits.
However, it never anticipated the presence of a formation capable of isolating all combat fluctuations.
Coupled with Xu Chuan's innate caution, the bull's scheming was destined to be an exercise in futility.
Only after fleeing over thirty miles away did Xu Chuan, Moyue, and Xu Deling finally locate a secluded cave to rest.
"That damn bull definitely harbored malicious intentions! To think it never mentioned the toad had such a terrifying trump card. We nearly fell for its trap!" Moyue grumbled.
"Head back into the Spirit Beast Pouch and recuperate for now. Once I've finished adjusting my breathing, I'll help you reverse your life force," Xu Chuan said.
"Understood."
Moyue obediently returned to the Spirit Beast Pouch.
Xu Chuan first sealed away the Azure-Eyed Cold Toad's essence soul, essence blood, and demonic core in separate containers to prevent any loss of spiritual nature. Only after securing his spoils did he sit cross-legged to meditate.
Fortunately, their injuries weren't severe. After swallowing some pills, it took him and Xu Deling less than half a day to return to their peak conditions.
Next, Xu Chuan aided Moyue in reversing his life force, restoring him to his prime, while exhausting seventy to eighty percent of his own vitality in the process, reducing himself to an aged appearance.
Thankfully, the spiritual energy within the Secret Realm was incredibly abundant.
Locations rich in wood-attribute spiritual energy were also remarkably easy to find.
Moyue and Xu Deling stood as protectors for him.
Sitting cross-legged on the grassy ground, Xu Chuan formed seals with his hands. The vegetation within a multi-mile radius began to emit specks of verdant light, drawn toward him like moths to a flame.
Endless plant vitality surged into Xu Chuan's body, where he refined it into his own life source.
In less than fifteen minutes, the flora within several miles withered and turned yellow.
Xu Chuan didn't go to extremes. Given the spiritual energy density within the Secret Realm, this level of withering would recover fully in just half a year.
However, this amount of plant vitality wasn't enough, forcing Xu Chuan to relocate to another spot.
He repeated this process three times.
Two or three days later, Xu Chuan was finally restored to his original state.
"Moyue, now it's time to bring you back to your absolute peak!" Xu Chuan declared, looking at his companion.
"The Demonic Spirit Pill is no easy task to refine. Won't time be a little tight? There are still plenty of opportunities left in the Secret Realm," Moyue asked with genuine concern, despite the excitement swelling in his heart.
"Relax, I've already successfully refined a true Demonic Spirit Pill twice before. It's a familiar road to me now. Two or three days is all I need," Xu Chuan assured him.
"You're the one insisting on refining it! It's not like this seat begged you!"
Moyue immediately reverted to his proud and stubborn nature.
Xu Chuan shook his head with an amused chuckle and promptly entered secluded cultivation.
Moyue stood guard over him, while Xu Deling scouted the surroundings, gathering whatever rare spirit grass and materials she could find.
At that exact moment.
Within a mysterious space somewhere in the Secret Realm.
Numerous light screens floated in the air, each projecting different scenes that monitored a selection of the immortal cultivators who had entered.
One such light screen displayed Xu Chuan concocting pills, his movements flowing smoothly like drifting clouds and flowing water.
Standing before the screen was a woman. Her dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, and a pair of jade horns peeked out from her forehead—marking her as the Dragon Girl.
Her attire was elegant and refined. She wore a pale azure shark-silk gown, subtly embroidered with silver scale patterns.
A translucent veil draped over it, adorned with fine pearls that twinkled like stars scattered across her form under the ambient light.
A dark jade belt cinched her waist, the buckle shaped like a dragon's head biting a luminous pearl. The hem of her trailing skirt was stitched with triple-layered wave motifs, and upon closer inspection, tiny dragon silhouettes were woven into the crests.
The twin horns on her brow, milky-white like mutton-fat jade, measured about half a foot long and slanted gracefully toward her temples.
Her brows swooped like distant, ink-painted mountains—slender yet defined, dipping slightly at the ends with a hint of playful spirit. Her eyes resembled deep, starry pools with pale emerald irises. The corners crinkled as she scrutinized the pill-refining process on the screen, a gleam of intense amusement dancing in her gaze, as if watching a fascinating play.
She had a dainty, straight nose and lips like pale pink cherry blossoms, perpetually curled upward in a hidden smile.
Her skin was soft and pale as snow, glowing brilliantly against the dark strands of hair brushing her neck.
Slender yet brimming with vitality, the Dragon Girl leaned against a nearby jade pillar, casually propping her cheek on one hand. Her fingertips idly tapped the empty air. A faint, refreshing scent of ambergris hovered around her.
"A Demonic Spirit Pill. I didn't expect anyone to know how to refine this anymore. He must be making it for that water-attribute flood dragon," she mused.
Moyue's figure flashed onto the display. Under her watchful eye, it seemed he had no secrets left to hide.
"Approaching the end of his lifespan. His cultivation dropped to Tier 2 for some reason, but his absolute peak should be peak Tier 3," she evaluated.
A shallow smile graced her lips. "Even so, for this man to successfully bind him with a Spirit Beast Contract is truly exceptional."
How noble was a peak Tier 3 flood dragon? Even on its deathbed, it would never bow to an insect it had once overlooked.
"How did he manage it?"
Curiosity glinted in the Dragon Girl's eyes.
"He practices the Golden Core volume of the Green Emperor Wood Sovereign Scripture. Although it isn't the core inheritance of my Azure Dragon Sect, it's one of the rare cultivation methods capable of carrying someone straight to the Great Vehicle stage.
"He specializes in the wood attribute, excels in the Dao of Alchemy, and bound an ancient peak Tier 3 flood dragon while only at the Foundation Establishment stage.
"He even comprehended the profundities of the Withered Glory Divine Ability.
"It seems massive karmic cause and effect envelops him, shielding the shifts in his Fate Frame from being perceived.
"Perhaps I should let him attempt the true disciple trials."
Her gaze shifted as she turned her attention to Xu Deling's screen. "Innate Spirit Eyes, comprehending the divine abilities of the Scarlet Emperor Fire Sovereign Scripture, and seemingly talented in the Dao of Artifacts.
"The inheritance concerning the Scarlet Emperor Fire Sovereign Scripture within the Azure Dragon Sect is merely a fragmented scroll ending at the Soul Formation stage. However, she too harbors impressive providence.
"Sharing the same bloodline as the man, she is similarly wrapped in karma, rendering her Fate Frame impossible to decipher.
"If she passes the trials, she can be granted the Dao of Artifacts inheritance, as well as the Vermilion Bird Secret Realm Token.
"If destiny permits, she might just retrieve the complete Scarlet Emperor Fire Sovereign Scripture from the Vermilion Bird Secret Realm."
With a gentle sweep of her sleeve, another light screen hovered directly in front of her.
The person displayed on the screen was none other than Dong Zuo.
"To think he knows a True Demon is suppressed within my Azure Dragon Grotto-heaven. Does he really intend to use demonic energy to break through to the Golden Core?" The Dragon Girl sneered. "No matter the era, there are always fools courting death!"
In the Dragon Girl's eyes, Dong Zuo was completely exposed. He wasn't at the early Foundation Establishment stage at all—he had achieved Foundation Establishment perfection.
He simply wore an ancient, high-grade aura-concealing Dharma tool. Unless one possessed divine sense rivaling a Nascent Soul immortal cultivator, it was impossible to see through his disguise.
At that moment, Dong Zuo held a specialized Dharma tool, evidently searching for the True Demon Seal Land.
To her, Dong Zuo's expedition was a fool's errand. He would merely end up working hard for someone else's benefit.
The Dragon Girl's gaze swept over the screens of several other individuals. Most possessed faint threads of providence, but none warranted anything more than a passing glance.
Only if someone piqued her interest would she consider bestowing an opportunity.
"This one's Fate Frame seems to have shifted. He was destined for a bleak end, but now he holds the momentum to soar into the heavens."
Her lips curved upward slightly. The man she spoke of was Chen Changge.
"Then I shall aid your Golden Core Formation Opportunity."
From the Dragon Girl's perspective, out of all the people who had entered the Secret Realm this time, only two or three would successfully seize major opportunities, but two actually possessed the qualifications to accept the core inheritance.
Ever since the ancestral founder of the Heavenly Azure Sect inherited a portion of the legacy, only one other person had ever been granted the chance, and they had tragically failed.
Now, two had surfaced at the exact same time.
"It seems the grand shift of this world is indeed fast approaching." The Dragon Girl's draconic pupils flickered with an unreadable light.
Three days later.
Xu Chuan successfully concluded his alchemy, producing four Demonic Spirit Pills.
One high-grade, two mid-grade, and one low-grade.
The high-grade pill was naturally devoured by Moyue, while the rest were kept in reserve.
If Moyue fell just short of a breakthrough, he could always swallow the low-grade one as a supplement.
These pills were profoundly precious. It was best to save them, as they might prove highly useful in the future.
After ingesting the pill, Moyue returned to Xu Chuan's Spirit Beast Pouch to focus entirely on refinement. Xu Chuan and Xu Deling then set off toward the location of the Heavenly God Fruit Tree.
Over two days later, the pair finally arrived in the vicinity.
To their surprise, more than twenty people had already gathered here. Members from the seven cities, the three sects, and the Heavenly Azure Sect were all present.
Xu Chuan even spotted Chen Changge among them.
The Chen family possessed both pill recipes and top-tier Grandmaster Alchemists. With their previous stock of Spirit-Nourishing Pills exhausted, Chen Changge had entered the realm hoping to secure a few ingredients to refine new batches and bolster the family's foundational reserves.
Whether distributed to the family's prodigies or traded for other rare resources, they were an excellent asset.
Chen Changge noticed the duo and instantly flew over, cupping his fists with a warm smile. "I knew you would show up, Brother Xu!"
Xu Chuan returned the greeting and asked, "What's the situation here?"
Chen Changge's lips twitched in a wry grin. "What else? We're dividing the spoils, naturally."
"Have the surrounding demonic beasts already been cleared out?"
Chen Changge nodded slightly, a bitter smile on his face. "Brother Xu, you're a bit late to the party."
"Heavenly God Fruits must mature for over sixty years to be used in alchemy. From what I can see, that tree has produced quite a harvest."
"There are thirty-six ready for pill refining," Chen Changge confirmed. "It's a good thing this tree is nearly ten thousand years old; otherwise, it would never bear so many fruits at once."
"Brother Xu, look over there. A sapling has sprouted right next to it. I reckon it will start bearing fruit in another ten or twenty years. It might only produce one or two at first, but that represents true foundational power.
"Unfortunately, it will most likely fall into the hands of the Heavenly Azure Sect's Xi family."
"The Xi family?" Xu Chuan was rather surprised by Chen Changge's certainty.
"The current Grand Elder of the Heavenly Azure Sect is surnamed Xi. Brother Xu, you should know that only a Nascent Soul mighty figure can claim the title of Grand Elder."
Gesturing toward one of the Xi family disciples present, Chen Changge added, "That is a direct descendant of the Xi family, Xi Nantian.
"I've heard the Xi family doesn't assign direct lineage status based on bloodline, but on aptitude.
"Only those with an Earth Spiritual Root or higher—those with a genuine hope of reaching the Golden Core stage—are recognized as direct descendants. Even a child born directly to the Family Head will be relegated to the branch lineage otherwise."
"That's quite novel," Xu Chuan muttered. "Is this Xi family descended from the founding ancestor of the Heavenly Azure Sect?"
"Not at all," Chen Changge replied. "The founding ancestor of the Heavenly Azure Sect was from the Cang family. Though the Cang family has declined slightly compared to its prime, they still consistently produce Golden Core Perfected Persons in every generation. At their peak, they had as many as four or five at once.
"Moreover, they frequently build positive relationships with the sect's most promising talents, establishing an incredibly intricate network of connections.
"If the Xi family wanted to make a move against them, they would have to risk tearing the entire Heavenly Azure Sect apart."
"The Cang family indeed possesses great wisdom," Xu Chuan noted.
"By the way, Daoist Friend Chen, have you managed to secure any of the fruits?" Xu Chuan asked.
Assuming Xu Chuan wanted to acquire a Heavenly God Fruit through him, Chen Changge hesitated for a moment before gritting his teeth. "If I manage to obtain three or more, I will definitely spare one for you, Brother Xu."
Xu Chuan waved his hand dismissively. "You're overthinking it, Daoist Friend Chen. That wasn't my intention."
"Since there's no share of the Heavenly God Fruits for me, I'll go scout out other areas."
Chen Changge was briefly taken aback, but he quickly smiled and cupped his fists. "Then I wish you a bountiful harvest, Brother Xu."
"Thank you."
Xu Chuan and Xu Deling rapidly departed.
A few miles away.
Xu Chuan awakened Moyue, planning to have him scare off the disciples from the sects and the seven great families.
Moyue immediately agreed without a second thought.
Before setting out, however, Xu Chuan applied some coloring to disguise him as a green flood dragon. This way, if Moyue was ever exposed in the outside world, no one would connect him to this incident and cause trouble.
"Xu Chuan, you are truly shamelessly cautious!" Moyue muttered, utterly speechless.
"I'm guessing they'll distribute to individuals first, then divide the rest among the sects. Wait until the Chen family gets their Heavenly God Fruits before making your grand entrance. If anyone tries to sneak off with more fruits out of pure greed, deal with them as you see fit."
"Hehe, understood."
The one distributing the Heavenly God Fruits was Xi Tiannan of the Xi family.
Chen Changge was claiming fruits for the Chen family, which fell under the individual allocation. Having slain a peak Tier 2 demonic beast and contributed significantly to the effort, he was awarded two fruits.
The disciples from the other six families also pitched in, but since their performance was merely average, they received one fruit each.
The remaining twenty-eight fruits were all designated for the Heavenly Azure Sect and the Green Wood Sect.
Among these, the Heavenly Azure Sect claimed fourteen, the Green Wood Sect secured six, and the Jiaocang Sect and Qingcang Sect received four each.
Unfortunately, before they could finalize the distribution...
A heaven-shaking dragon roar erupted! Immediately after, the oppressive spiritual pressure of a peak Tier 3 demonic beast descended, enveloping a radius of tens of miles.
Everyone's faces drained of color.
"It's that flood dragon! It's out patrolling again!"
"Run!"
The crowd instantly scattered in every direction like frightened birds and beasts!
Xi Tiannan and a few others tried to use the chaos to snatch the remaining Heavenly God Fruits, only to be met by countless icy spikes shooting toward them. Their expressions twisted in panic, and they hastily deployed top-grade defensive magical artifacts to block.
However, under such a devastating onslaught, their top-grade defensive magical artifacts shattered in less than a single breath. Every one of them was severely injured.
Terrified out of their wits, they didn't dare linger for another second. They pulled out Hundred Mile Talismans, instantly activated them, and transformed into streaks of escaping light, fleeing far away.
Moyue only notified Xu Chuan once there was not a single immortal cultivator left within a twenty-five-mile radius.
Xu Chuan and Xu Deling strolled leisurely in a courtyard-like manner toward the base of the Heavenly God Fruit Tree.
The corners of Xu Chuan's lips curled upward. "Now they all belong to our Xu family."
Hearing this, Xu Deling covered her mouth and giggled.
Xu Chuan collected the ripe Heavenly God Fruits before shifting his gaze to the young sapling, which stood barely ten feet tall.
"The spiritual energy density here isn't enough to sustain it inside my storage. I suppose I'll have to use spirit soil to make up for it."
He brought out the Ink-colored Potted Plant and addressed the locust tree sapling inside. "Little sapling, I'm borrowing some of your territory. You can't use all this spirit soil anyway."
This potted plant was a special Dharma tool capable of compressing space.
Although the locust tree sapling appeared a mere seven inches tall inside the pot, if transplanted to the outside world, it would likely dwarf even the Heavenly God Fruit sapling.
Xu Chuan had only learned these details after refining the Dharma tool.
Without delay, he began the process of uprooting and transplanting the young tree.
Once finished, he quietly slipped away.
Watching this scene unfold on her light screen, the Dragon Girl couldn't help but chuckle.
"So cautious, yet so unbearably greedy. I wonder what kind of environment could breed such a personality."
Regardless, with Moyue by his side, Xu Chuan was undoubtedly destined to emerge as the ultimate victor in this Secret Realm expedition.
With their two main objectives already accomplished, the remaining half-month would be a breeze for Xu Chuan and his granddaughter.
They merely needed to wander around at their leisure.
Armed with Xu Chuan's Golden Core stage divine sense, they could easily detect and bypass any overly powerful demonic beasts or hostile cultivators long before encountering them.
Of course, if they stumbled upon spirit grass or materials they wanted, they wouldn't hesitate to fight for them.
As for Connate Spirit Objects and the Secret Realm's core inheritance, Xu Chuan figured that would all come down to sheer luck.
Shortly after fleeing the Heavenly God Fruit Tree, Chen Changge stumbled upon a Connate Spirit Object hidden within a mountain cave.
Although it was only of low grade, Chen Changge was no longer the same hesitant man he used to be. Wasting no time, he set up a defensive formation at the cave entrance and immediately entered secluded cultivation.
With his Heavenly Spiritual Root aptitude, his comprehension of a sliver of divine ability power, and this Connate Spirit Object, his chances of Core Formation had skyrocketed to fifty or sixty percent.
"And it's a metal-attribute Connate Spirit Object, the one most compatible with my foundation. I will absolutely step into the Golden Core stage this time!"
Chen Changge sat cross-legged on the ground, initiating the refinement of the Connate Spirit Object to forcefully break through to the Golden Core.
Meanwhile, as Xu Chuan and Xu Deling navigated through a thick forest, they suddenly detected faint spatial fluctuations emanating from an ancient tree.
"What's this?"
Xu Chuan fell deep in thought.
"Spatial ripples don't manifest without a reason. Could there be a hidden secondary space within the Secret Realm?"
He exchanged a glance with Xu Deling.
Xu Deling volunteered, "Grandfather, let me enter first to investigate."
"I'm your grandfather. How could I ever hide behind you? We'll enter together. Who knows, perhaps both of us might be fortunate enough to acquire a legacy from the Heavenly Azure Secret Realm."
Xu Deling gave a subtle nod and walked shoulder-to-shoulder with him toward the anomaly.
The instant they made contact, their figures vanished without a trace.
When they reappeared, they found themselves standing in the center of a spacious, well-lit hall built entirely of bluish-gray stone. Six stone doors surrounded them.
Ancient characters were inscribed above each door.
Xu Chuan had taken the time in the past to study the languages of antiquity.
The characters read: Alchemy, Artifacts, Formations, Talismans, Spells, and Divination.
It was glaringly obvious that this was a testing ground.
Xu Chuan analyzed the situation calmly.
Suddenly, a mechanical voice echoed from the empty space above the hall. The tone was completely devoid of emotion, ringing out like clashing metal and stone. It held no distinction of gender, nor any hint of age.
"This is the disciple trial of the Azure Dragon Sect. The six doors correspond to the six paths of inheritance: Alchemy, Artifacts, Formations, Talismans, Spells, and Divination. Choose one door and enter. Those who pass shall be designated as True Disciple candidates of the Azure Dragon Sect."
"The disciple trial of the ancient Azure Dragon Sect? A True Disciple candidate?" Xu Chuan exclaimed in shock, his brow twitching upward. He immediately cupped his fists toward the empty air above. "May I boldly ask, what exactly entails being a True Disciple candidate? How does one become a full True Disciple, and what benefits are provided?"
"A Foundation Establishment immortal cultivator who passes the corresponding trial shall become a True Disciple candidate, receiving the relevant Azure Dragon Sect inheritance. Only upon successfully executing Divine Ability Core Formation shall they be elevated to a full True Disciple.
"The True Disciple status of the Azure Dragon Sect begins at the Golden Core stage and concludes at the Nascent Soul stage.
"Upon becoming a True Disciple, one will receive a complete inheritance and a True Disciple Token. When the Secret Realm opens, this token can be used to teleport directly into the Azure Dragon Secret Realm.
"A single True Disciple Token allows the bearer to bring up to eight attendants or followers with them."
"Then, can one become a True Disciple simply by relying on these trials?" Xu Chuan pressed.
"Only by passing the trial and achieving Divine Ability Core Formation is it possible."
"Is it permitted to attempt multiple trials?"
"A maximum of three paths."
Xu Chuan asked no more questions, sharing a knowing look with Xu Deling.
Xu Deling understood implicitly. She immediately strode toward the Artifacts door. Condensing a sliver of mana at her fingertip, she channeled it into the stone surface.
The character for 'Artifacts' carved above it instantly bloomed with a faint crimson glow.
Slowly, the heavy stone door glided open on its own. Xu Deling stepped inside without a hint of hesitation.
Then, the door slowly shut behind her.
Xu Chuan took a deep breath and approached the door labeled 'Alchemy'. Once the door parted, he dismissed all other thoughts and strode inside.