Chapter 77: A Narrow Path Encounter
Fifty disciples stepped into the teleportation array one after the other. Meng Yi Fei himself activated the array, and in the blink of an eye, a burst of white light filled the space before the glow faded into silence. All the disciples had now entered the hidden depths of the Langya Secret Realm.
Meng Yi Fei gazed at the empty array with a spark of hope in his eyes. The secret realm had been opened centuries ago. For hundreds of years, elite disciples from the six great sects had braved its mysteries—but they had only uncovered a small, safe Outer Region.
Beyond that lay the even more mysterious Inner and Core Regions, still cloaked in secrets. Many renowned masters in the world of immortals had once found fortune in this realm. Some discovered miraculous treasures, others uncovered mighty martial artifacts, and a few even inherited ancient legacies. Even Meng Yi Fei had, in his early days, gained a mysterious martial art here that set him on his path.
Now, the younger generation was called upon to seek their own destiny—perhaps to bring unexpected glory to their sect.
A gentle breeze stirred, carrying the scent of blossoms. Li Shuang lifted her eyes. Thick leaves above hid most of the sky, with beams of light seeping through the gaps like scattered arrows of brightness. Squinting slightly, Li Shuang took in her surroundings. Here, indeed, was the Langya Secret Realm.
She looked around. After entering the realm, the disciples had been scattered apart, but all lay within the Outer Region. Checking her Command Token to confirm her position, her first goal shone clearly: the Ice Lake. If she could secure another Lotus Seed, her mission would be complete.
Ice Lake lay at the border between the Inner and Core Regions. Its waters were strange, as if half belonged to one realm and half to the other, and demonic beasts guarded its perimeter. The last time, fortune had favored her, allowing her to seize a Lotus Seed. This time, luck might not smile so easily.
Yet, Li Shuang felt her own strength had grown since that day. With the map of her memory clear, she set off toward Ice Lake. Not long after her first steps, her Heaven and Earth Furnace flickered to life with a subtle glow. Her eyes narrowed in focus.
Even the Outer Region held many treasures. The ones lying in plain sight had long been claimed; only those hidden in the depths remained. Ordinary disciples would find little of value here, but not Li Shuang. Her Heaven and Earth Furnace was attuned to even the faintest stir of spiritual energy.
As she searched among the bushes, she soon discovered a tender sprout nestled in the undergrowth. A soft voice from her Command Token announced,
“[Third-level spiritual herb: Illusory Spirit Grass seedling. It is advised not to pluck the seedling—the location is marked. Upon return, you will earn two sect contribution points.]”
Li Shuang raised an eyebrow. Such seedlings, once removed from the Langya Secret Realm, could not survive and lost all medicinal value. Typically, one would mark their spot and let them grow until a disciple could safely harvest them later. The promise of two contribution points lifted her spirits. After all, this secret realm adventure was to span three long months, and she was only at its dawn.
In the forest, the Heaven and Earth Furnace continued its silent guidance, flashing at spots where spiritual energy pulsed. Li Shuang did not inspect every trace; only where the Furnace glowed brightly did she pause.
After several hours of diligent search, she had gathered a fair share of treasures. Yet a frown crept across her face. After so much time, nothing unusual had happened. Though the Outer Region was relatively safe, it was only so in comparison to the deeper, more perilous zones. In a forest so vast, one would expect the lurking presence of many demonic beasts. But along her path, she had met not one!
[Something is not right here!] she thought. Fortunately, the exit lay ahead. It was time to leave.
Just as she prepared to step out of the forest, a voice suddenly echoed,
“Senior Brother Chang, as expected of you! We took the path you chose and found not a trace of danger! Is this truly the mark of a Child of Fortune?”
Soon, the proud voice of Chang Le An rang out, “Of course! You do not know that my fate shines brightest in the secret realm. I choose only the safest paths. Follow me—there are more treasures to claim ahead.”
Others chimed in:
“We will follow Senior Brother Chang.”
“Our luck is with us—our four of us met early, and our united fortune is far stronger!”
“Perhaps it is Senior Brother Chang’s remarkable fate that has brought us together.”
Amid their praise, a gentle voice urged, “Let us not waste time. We follow Senior Brother Chang; this forest hides many marvels.” And the group eagerly agreed.
Li Shuang sighed softly. [What strange luck is this?] Chang Le An? Ye Zhao Zhao? And two other Spirit Void Peak disciples—how had they gathered so quickly in such a vast Outer Region? Li Shuang knew that in the Thousand Stratagems Sect of the Six Great Righteous Sects, a secret technique allowed disciples to sense each other’s locations. That was why their survival rate in the Langya Secret Realm was higher. But what of these Spirit Void Peak disciples? Was it all due to Chang Le An’s fate? Li Shuang understood all too well how fortune truly worked. Could it be merely coincidence?
Not wishing to mingle with them, she changed her path to slip away quietly. But suddenly, as if sensing her presence, Ye Zhao Zhao strode directly toward her, “Hey, I think I see someone here.”
Frowning, Li Shuang wondered how Ye Zhao Zhao had detected her even though she had masked her aura so well. Deciding not to hide any longer, she stepped forward calmly, “Sister Ye.”
“Senior Sister Li!” Ye Zhao Zhao greeted with a dazzling smile. “What a coincidence!” Yet behind her bright eyes, a glimmer of bitterness and determination stirred. [Coincidence?] was not the truth at all. For Ye Zhao Zhao had struck a bargain with the System—a bargain that would mark Li Shuang’s every move over these three months. She could see Li Shuang’s location at any time, waiting for the perfect moment to unleash the full might of her Nascent Soul and silence her forever.
Ye Zhao Zhao’s body trembled with barely contained excitement. Even a chosen of Heaven, the heroine of the Heavenly Dao, was destined to fall by her own blade—at least, that was what she planned. Now was not the time to strike, but she would watch Li Shuang closely, waiting for her to step beyond the Outer Region.
A hard glint flashed in her eyes as her plan took shape.
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation