CHAPTER 397: CHAPTER 392: GIANT FOREST SECRET REALM! EARTH VEIN PURPLE LOTUS!_1

"The Secret Realm you are about to enter for the trial is the freshly discovered Giant Forest Secret Realm by the Sect," said the elder.

"The highest limit of the Secret Realm is the Divinity Transformation Level," he continued.

"Internal fighting amongst Sect members is forbidden within the Secret Realm. Twenty-four Law Enforcement Elders will accompany you into the Secret Realm," the elder stated.

"The treasures obtained from the Giant Forest Secret Realm, the Lingbao Sect has the right of first selection on the foremost treasure, in exchange for generous Sect contributions," elaborated the elder.

As an orthodox Sect, the Lingbao Sect prohibits its members from killing each other, with violators subjected to severe, unforgiving punishments. The twenty-four Law Enforcement Elders were responsible for supervising and protecting the Lingbao Sect Cultivators, preventing accidents.

Jia Ren looked towards the old man explaining the rules. He had an air of twilight about him, the spitting image of senility. He couldn’t help but think of the Elder whose lifespan was nearing its end; it must be him.

Elder Jin Guang seemed to sense something, lifting his eyes to glance at Jia Ren.

This youth has the vitality of a dragon, a strong body, and his cultivation of Body Refining Techniques is not shallow. Indeed, a promising seedling.

If I were a hundred years younger, I might have the inclination to take him as a disciple.

But with my lifespan drawing to a close, I no longer have the mind to teach disciples.

"This is the Giant Forest Secret Realm Token. If you encounter any danger in the Secret Realm that is beyond your capabilities, crushing this Secret Realm Token will quickly bring you back to the Sect," explained Elder Jin Guang. He opened his Spirit Storing Bag, and more than six hundred black Command Tokens adorned with tree patterns flew out, landing in the hands of each Lingbao Sect Cultivator.

With the Law Enforcement Elders and tokens allowing them to leave the Secret Realm at any time, their safety was largely assured, as long as they didn’t court death.

"Let the trial begin!"

HUM!

A large Teleportation Array suddenly appeared in the Northern District, its origin a mystery. Its light enveloped the Lingbao Sect Cultivators present. In the blink of an eye, everyone vanished from where they stood.

When Jia Ren came to his senses, he found himself not within the Lingbao Sect, but in a vast, expansive forest. Seeing the scenery, he finally understood why this place was called the Giant Forest Secret Realm. All that met his gaze were towering trees that seemed to stretch towards the heavens, connecting earth to sky. Looking around, the tree canopies were so vast they could blot out the sun. Even the common weeds grew tall enough to engulf a person. In such a place, one could not help but feel as insignificant as an insect.

Jia Ren stored the Giant Forest Secret Realm Token in his sleeve, ensuring it was readily accessible. This item could not only save my life but also functioned like a Teleportation Talisman. Without it, long-distance teleportation would certainly cause strong discomfort. This treasure is worth studying closely.

Jia Ren released his spiritual sense to survey the area, but he could not find any of the other six hundred Lingbao Sect disciples. The Giant Forest Secret Realm is vast. It’s like six hundred drops of ink dispersed into a river, leaving no trace.

"Insect External Incarnation!"

Light flared continuously from Jia Ren’s body. Facing the uncertain circumstances of the Giant Forest Secret Realm, he first summoned his Insect External Incarnation, then entered his Mountain and Sea Pearl to cultivate in safety.

The Insect External Incarnation, finally ’freed,’ moved its body agilely. Nineteen years ago, it had begun to cultivate the Heavenly Treasure Primordial Spirit Technique alongside its original self. Aided by the power of its Life-bound Magic Treasure, the Mountain and Sea Pearl, its cultivation speed was incredibly fast. Coupled with high-quality Break Infant Pills and the Mysterious Nascent Spirit Formation, it had smoothly reached the Nascent Soul Early Stage.

My only regret is that within the highly guarded Lingbao Sect, there was no opportunity to set up a trap version of the Mysterious Nascent Spirit Formation to kill the Heart-devouring Illusion Bizarre.

Since the Insect External Incarnation can’t use the Mysterious Nascent Spirit Formation, it can be handed over to the Xuan Beast Avatar. It won’t be too late to set up a trap specifically for the Heart-devouring Illusion Bizarre then.

"Demon-Spotting Talisman!"

The Insect External Incarnation took out a Demon-Spotting Talisman and activated it, assessing if there were any traces of Magical Beasts nearby. In an instant, its vision transformed into a sea of Magical Beast auras; energies of various colored beasts could be detected in all directions. Most were harmless white auras, indicating weaker Magical Beasts, but there was no shortage of those with yellow or red auras, signifying stronger ones.

The Giant Forest Secret Realm was unlike the Mysterious Realm, where countless years of hunting by Cultivators had greatly reduced the number of Magical Beasts; those not adept at concealing their presence were nearly extinct. In this land, without the predators known as Cultivators, the Magical Beasts had been well preserved. But all of that ends today.

"Silver Moon Yaksha!"

Over a hundred Silver Moon Yakshas were summoned. Zhang Pengpeng, at their forefront, had reached the Nascent Soul Late Stage Peak.

The Puppet Demon Insects advanced slowly, and their rank was somewhat low. Consequently, their Corpse Control Technique couldn’t guarantee dominance over Divinity Transformation Stage Golden Body Moon Corpses. Reluctantly, Jia Ren could only halt the Silver Moon Yakshas’ advancement at the Fourth Rank Late Stage Peak, opting to increase their numbers instead of further enhancing their individual quality.

More than half of the over one hundred Silver Moon Yakshas had reached the Fourth Rank Late Stage Peak. Since his Magical Treasures could not be further refined past the Late Divinity Transformation Stage, the surplus refining power could not be wasted and was instead channeled to the Silver Moon Yakshas. If all the Silver Moon Yakshas reach the peak of the Fourth Rank, I’ll need to consider crafting puppets and focus on enhancing their rank instead.

"Xuan Gui Shield!"

"Bewildering Spirit Bead!"

The Xuan Gui Shield protected the incarnation, while the Bewildering Spirit Bead isolated its presence from detection, keeping it hidden. Protected by these treasures, a deep sense of security enveloped it.

If a Magical Beast wishes to attack me, it would first have to break through the Yin Moon Devil Corpse Great Array formed by over a hundred Silver Moon Yakshas, then find my hidden self among the throng. Only by breaking through the dual safeguards of the Xuan Gui Shield and the Mountain and Sea Pearl could it potentially harm me. I would have ample time to react and use the Giant Forest Secret Realm Token to leave the Secret Realm.

"Treasure-seeking Mouse!"

The Treasure-seeking Mouse was naturally gifted in treasure hunting. Unless treasures were specifically concealed, none could escape its detection within its range. That is the secret to my ability to triumph in the Secret Realm Trials.

Upon entering the Giant Forest Secret Realm, the Treasure-seeking Mouse became excited and chirped loudly. Its head swiveled in all directions, frantically spinning. In every direction, it could sense treasures, so numerous that it was ecstatic. In its entire life as a mouse, it had never seen such a treasure land. For a moment, it didn’t know which treasure to seek first.

The Insect External Incarnation understood the Treasure-seeking Mouse’s thoughts and couldn’t help but chuckle. "Go ahead."

A secret realm untouched by cultivators is indeed a treasure trove. No wonder the Lingbao Sect cultivators are so thrilled to hunt for treasures in secret realms. Even if they have to turn over half the loot, the profit is substantial.

The Treasure-seeking Mouse moved as fast as a startled rabbit and vanished in a flash.

Still, the Treasure-seeking Mouse is only Third Rank, slightly lacking in strength. The Insect External Incarnation hurried after it, fearing the creature might court death and suddenly perish.

Before long, the mouse placed a black-red fruit before the incarnation and cried out towards a giant tree laden with similar fruits. The spirit tree was an unidentified fruit-bearing species of the Third Rank, its branches heavy with black-red fruits. A Third Rank spirit tree is a treasure for Golden Core Stage cultivators, but it’s nothing special to me. The Treasure-seeking Mouse had endured a rather miserable life with its previous master. Even after its atavistic awakening, its mindset hasn’t fully adjusted.

"Set your sights higher. Focus on finding what you consider the most precious treasures," the Insect External Incarnation reminded the Treasure-seeking Mouse.

Habits need to be gradually shifted toward seeking the most valuable treasures. If it wastes time searching for ’trash,’ I might be outshone by some chosen one blessed with exceptional luck, possibly not even securing second place.

The Treasure-seeking Mouse, extremely perceptive, nodded solemnly and started running towards the west.

WHOOSH!

Green vines suddenly came to life, lashing out at the Treasure-seeking Mouse. The little fellow ran so fast that by the time the vines whipped down, it had already disappeared.

Dare to make a move on my treasure mouse? Courting death!

Dozens of Silver Moon Yakshas took action instantly, dismembering the demonic tree and retrieving its core.

The Insect External Incarnation grew silver wings and quickly caught up with the Treasure-seeking Mouse, passing through the vast jungle to arrive before a gigantic tree. The huge tree emitted the aura of a Fourth Rank peak entity. Its trunk bore a massive tree-face resembling that of a withered old man. The tree-face stared at the Treasure-seeking Mouse, and its branches seemed to stir to life. Over twenty branches lashed out, aiming to strike the Treasure-seeking Mouse.

"Shield!"

The Xuan Gui Shield suddenly flew out, positioning itself before the Treasure-seeking Mouse, its shell emanating a rich black light. After switching to the Heavenly Treasure Primordial Spirit Technique, the Xuan Gui Shield operates even more smoothly, its radiance much denser than before.

BOOM!

The branches shattered upon impact with the shield, its retaliatory force breaking them and sending leaves scattering. The futile attack not only failed but also caused the tree to injure itself on the Xuan Gui Shield.

"SQUEAK, SQUEAK!"

The Treasure-seeking Mouse chirped enthusiastically, stretching out its little paw to point ahead.

Actually, I don’t need its reminder; I’ve already spotted the treasure. It was a purple lotus rooted beneath the earth’s veins, seemingly feeding on their energy as it grew.

"Earth Vein Purple Lotus?!"

The Insect External Incarnation gazed at the purple lotus in the distance, quickly recognizing it. This was a rare Heavenly Earth Elixir. Unlike the Five-Colored Lotus, which aided in breaking through minor realms, the Earth Vein Purple Lotus was far more precious. It could help cultivators break through major realms up to and including the Divinity Transformation Stage, ranking it as one of the rarest Heavenly Earth Elixirs. A mature Earth Vein Purple Lotus was valuable enough to help create another Divinity Transformation Stage cultivator.

To think I’d make such an astonishing discovery so soon after entering the Giant Forest Secret Realm. The only disappointment is that this Heavenly Earth Elixir isn’t mature yet, and its maturation time is uncertain.

Transplant it? Heavenly Earth Elixirs are different from ordinary spiritual herbs; they cannot be transplanted and can only thrive in places where the earth’s veins are vigorous. Once harvested, the root system of a Heavenly Earth Elixir will die, making replanting impossible. An immature Earth Vein Purple Lotus has greatly reduced efficacy, merely enhancing the probability of a breakthrough—a significant drop in value. I would never resort to harvesting it prematurely unless absolutely necessary.

If I could stay in the Giant Forest Secret Realm for an extended period, it wouldn’t be an issue. However, if my time is too short to wait for the elixir to mature...

"Wait a minute!"

I almost forgot the Kuruo Huasheng Jue!

The Kuruo Huasheng Jue is a cultivation technique that plunders the essence of plants to nourish spiritual medicine for rapid growth. Using this technique could accelerate its growth, perhaps allowing it to mature before the trial ends. I need to find a suitable beast, cultivate the Kuruo Huasheng Jue in it, and refine it into a Xuan Beast Avatar. This avatar could then be used to catalyze the elixir, helping it grow rapidly. By then, I would have a mature Earth Vein Purple Lotus at my disposal.

This raises another issue. If I obtain the Earth Vein Purple Lotus in the Giant Forest Secret Realm and move it into the Mountain and Sea Pearl, can I conceal it from the Lingbao Sect’s inspection? If I can keep it secret, I’ll have a Heavenly Earth Elixir. Once my cultivation reaches the Late Nascent Soul Stage, I can use the elixir to become a Divinity Transformation Stage cultivator. If the plan fails, all my efforts will be for naught. The painstakingly nurtured Earth Vein Purple Lotus would most likely have to be handed over to the Sect in exchange for Sect contributions.

Since the Giant Forest Secret Realm belongs to the Lingbao Sect, the sect naturally has a claim to half of its findings, plus the right of first selection for the foremost treasure. Although other rewards are desirable, and the Treasure Light Body Refining Technique is a cultivation technique I long for, surely someone else in the Lingbao Sect will eventually obtain it. Worst case, I could bide my time for a few centuries; I would eventually obtain it. But a rare Heavenly Earth Elixir like the Earth Vein Purple Lotus, once missed, might never present another opportunity.