CHAPTER 541: CHAPTER 503: CAN YOU BEAR THE RESPONSIBILITY?

As they chatted and walked, they suddenly found themselves within sight of the Wenda Sect.

Above, the vortex portal to enter and exit the sect was operational, with people occasionally passing through it.

Originally, the mountains below the vortex were home to Hua Hualang and even demon beasts seeking immortality from the Wenda Sect.

Nowadays, this area has been occupied by various aristocratic families who have built manors and roads throughout.

Especially upon entering the sect, the ninety-nine peaks of the Wenda Sect now have flags of various families raised—and between the mountain paths of each peak, tea houses and stalls for trading have been established.

This Wenda Sect no longer resembles a sect’s sacred ground, but rather a populous trading town.

"Now all sect disciples have moved into the secret realm, but each time one enters the realm, they are randomly teleported to a new location—how do we enter the secret realm and find Elder Xue?"

Tian Lin’s gaze roamed over Gourd Peak—originally it housed libraries for disciples, but now they have all been dismantled.

Gourd Peak has been altered beyond recognition, not only are familiar buildings gone, but also no familiar faces can be seen.

"The sect initially invited the elders from the Goddess Sect, Shuiyun Sect, and Xiangxi Sect to enter the secret realm. Besides the purpose of subduing some evil spirits within the realm, they aimed to build transmission arrays connecting inside and outside.

Now that the secret realm has an established sacred ground, one can teleport directly to the Wenda Sect within the realm from the various peaks’ transmission arrays."

Elders from the Goddess Sect and other sects came to help establish the transmission array, eliminate evil spirits, and set up a foothold for the Wenda Sect in the secret realm, creating an escape route for various sects.

Moreover, according to Shang Yu, this concerns the secret of leaving this world to another grand world.

Tian Lin did not know where Shang Yu heard it from, that the secret realm of the Wenda Sect could lead to another grand world—but for now, it seems Ju Yunhai is unaware of this news.

"If that’s the case, Brother Ju, please wait here while I go with Sister Mei to find the transmission array into the secret realm."

Ju Yunhai nodded, as he had many matters to attend to.

Besides, earlier he provoked Tang Chuchu, and knowing Tang Chuchu’s nature, she would never let things go easily. He still had to think of ways to clean up the aftermath.

Seeing Ju Yunhai leave, Tian Lin flew toward Gourd Peak with Fairy Mei.

Other places might change, but the transmission array at Gourd Peak would not. However, now guarding the transmission array at Gourd Peak was a new young man.

The young man did not recognize Tian Lin and Fairy Mei, but after seeing their identification tokens, he politely let them pass.

Nowadays, the transmission array has clearly been modified, though the procedure for entering and exiting remains unchanged.

It was still incense burning, followed by a dazzling light emanating from the grand array, and they suddenly found themselves in a pitch-black world.

The sisters of Cui’er were entering the secret realm for the first time, having only heard of its terrifying aspects. Now inside, they indeed felt the distinct difference from the outside world.

Here, there was no sunlight, the place was cold and chilly. Cui’er couldn’t help but say: "At least there is no buzzing of flying locusts here, but without the locusts, there’s no sun. How can plants perform photosynthesis?"

Photosynthesis was a term she learned from Tian Lin’s book, during the time Tian Lin was ’preaching’ at the Wenda Sect, she attended his classes frequently.

"Elder Xue asking us to return, isn’t it because of your Seasonal Dao?"

Fairy Mei suddenly asked, somewhat gleefully looking at Tian Lin.

Tian Lin’s other reputation hadn’t spread, but his farming skills were well-known across major sects.

By logic, farming was not considered a true skill.

Yet, it was a disaster year, not unlike a calm season. So, what was once mocked now became desirable.

"Even though the secret realm has no sun, it has an environment suitable for other plants’ growth. As long as edible parts can be found from these plants and cultivated to increase yield, they could potentially replace rice and flour as mortals’ staple food—"

Seeing him speak eloquently as if about to hold a lecture, Fairy Mei, uninterested in farming, frowned and said:

"Let’s first find Elder Xue. Since you enjoy farming so much, the sect might as well let you focus solely on this matter."

She clearly did not want to continue the conversation, her gaze shifted ahead toward distant glimmers of fire, and she said: "There are newly built forts everywhere now, but I wonder which of them belong to our own Gourd Peak?"

Strictly speaking, she was not a disciple of Gourd Peak.

But Elder Zhang recently took her as an apprentice, mainly to trade with Elder Mei—thus, she didn’t have deep feelings for Elder Zhang, nor for her original peak.

Contrarily, though she wasn’t a disciple of the Wenda Sect, her experiences of being Tian Lin’s sword holder for a long time in Wenda Sect, plus Elder Xue’s numerous accommodations due to Elder Mei’s influence.

Compared to other peaks, she felt closer to Gourd Peak.

"I think, we don’t need to search ourselves, someone should find us."

No sooner had Tian Lin spoken than two white figures appeared.

These white figures were both men, one holding a flying sword, the other gripping a soul banner, both possessing Mid-stage Golden Core cultivation.

The disciple with the soul banner landed a few feet away from Tian Lin and the others, saluting: "Disciple Qing Xue of Hidden Sword Peak greets Brother Tian and Sister Mei."

Fairy Mei asked him: "Do you recognize the two of us?"

Qing Xue smiled and said: "Brother and sister’s names, who in the Wenda Sect does not know, who isn’t aware?"

Of course, he wouldn’t mention how both Fairy Mei and Tian Lin once confronted Elder Wu at the Life and Death Platform. At that time, many disciples came to watch.

Fairy Mei defeated Elder Wu, albeit with the help of the Divine Lady Tree, but it was impressive enough.

And Tian Lin was more direct, efficiently putting Elder Wu to death. Apart from Tang Family and other major aristocratic family disciples who disdain Tian Lin, the lower disciples held a genuine admiration for Tian Lin and Fairy Mei.

"No need for flattery, we’re here to find Elder Xue, where is he now?"

"Elder Xue is in Gourd City, fortunately, it’s not far from here, just to the east—"

Before Qing Xue finished speaking, the disciple holding the soul banner suddenly interrupted: "Brother Qing, why are you revealing everything? Don’t forget this is the secret realm, teeming with evil spirits that can disguise and seduce minds."

The disciple Qing Xue was clearly taken aback, but couldn’t help replying: "The demons in this area have long been cleared, and by logic, it’s impossible for evil spirits to infiltrate. Especially since everyone knows Brother Tian and Sister Mei would soon return, they surely aren’t impersonated by evil spirits."

The disciple with the soul banner sneered: "Surely not doesn’t mean definitely not. If he indeed turns out to be an evil spirit and we bring them into the sect, can you bear the responsibility for that sin?"