Beside an unnamed great river, Su Zhengji sat cross-legged on a boulder, his expression icy as he scrutinized the topographic map in his hand.
As a high-ranking member of the Shadow Assassination Hall, he was likely one of the strongest cultivators to enter this secret realm. However, he entered as a Dao protector and his cultivation was still restricted to the Feather Transformation Realm. Normally, such matters wouldn't require his personal involvement.
Of course, for the profit-driven Shadow Assassination Hall, this was quite common, especially since this deal was almost equivalent to Su Zhengji's grey income over the past century.
Making money is never embarrassing!
After pondering for a moment, Su Zhengji took out a copper mirror with a red base and gold inscriptions of dragons and phoenixes from his bosom. Infusing it with mana, the mirror's surface lit up with a hazy glow, and countless specks of light emerged.
"…What's going on? We've only been here for a short time, and we've already lost nearly a hundred people?"
Su Zhengji couldn't believe it and checked several times to confirm he wasn't mistaken. His face darkened as he lifted his cold gaze to survey the surroundings.
Not far away, over a hundred disciples in black sat in groups, concentrating on cultivating and regulating their breath. These were the disciples of the Shadow Assassination Hall who had rushed to meet with Elder Su.
The Shadow Assassination Hall had its secrets for maintaining communication with fellow disciples in strange environments with different Dao laws, but it was most effective within a certain distance. Thus, Su Zhengji had only managed to gather this many people so far.
The personnel who entered the secret realm were all elites. Once gathered, they could unleash a massacre and recklessly harvest the disciples of other Dao Lineages, while also plundering the opportunities within this world.
Su Zhengji's original plan was to quickly gather a sufficient number of people, find and capture a few key targets, and then consider other business. However, things didn't go as he wished. They had just arrived, and already a large number of disciples were lost?
Either they encountered a powerful enemy's assassination, given the Shadow Assassination Hall's notorious reputation; or they died to the secret realm's traps and restrictions; or perhaps they were targeted by some deadly creatures within this world.
In any case, the Shadow Assassination Hall wasn't having good luck this time, truly a bad start.
Taking a deep breath, Su Zhengji made his calculations, called his subordinates, chose a direction, and swiftly flew away with a flash of light.
***
At the summit of a mountain range.
Qing Muling sat beside a campfire, attentively preparing a recently hunted spirit beast. On the large roasting rack made of rock heart copper, dozens of meat pieces glistened with oil, emitting a tantalizing aroma under the brilliant light.
This was a beast resembling a mountain pig, ten meters long and absurdly plump. It looked docile and harmless but possessed the strength of the Heavenly Mandate Realm and was alarmingly fast.
At that time, Qing Muling was collecting a Nine-Leaf Blood Ginseng King of saintly grade when the creature charged out to attack him, nearly catching him off guard.
"The meat of this creature is quite delicious. Who knows how many rare herbs it has consumed to become so plump. It's time for a hearty feast." Qing Muling mumbled to himself. Given the size and strength of this mountain pig, it must have lived for a long time. In a world where spiritual energy was abundant and rare herbs and plants were everywhere, it was the perfect environment for its growth.
A piece of meat melted in his mouth, tender and flavorful, turning into a warm current of pure energy that flowed into his organs and limbs, bringing a comfortable warmth throughout his body.
He wondered if the creature had any companions. There should be a pig den nearby, right? Eating one mountain pig was almost equivalent to thirty years of arduous cultivation. Such a delicacy was rare outside.
Savoring the taste, Qing Muling looked around, his divine sense spreading out like ripples on water, covering everything within a three-hundred-li radius.
His range of perception could normally reach over a thousand li, but the different Dao laws in this secret realm severely limited his innate abilities. Even so, Qing Muling still had a significant advantage over other cultivators from different forces.
After some searching, he found many ancient herbs and rare plants that had long disappeared from the outside world, but there was no sign of a pig den, which left him slightly disappointed.
If it's not on the surface, then it must be underground?
Qing Muling made up his mind, his divine sense flowing silently into the depths of the earth, probing further. Considering the size of the mountain pig, its underground lair and tunnels must also be substantial, impossible to hide.
However, moments later, he still hadn't found what he was looking for, though he did discover some rare types of spiritual ores.
"This is strange…"
Qing Muling pondered in confusion, wondering if the mountain pig had come from somewhere else. Perhaps he would have to search further afield later.
The secret realm of the Ancient Mysterious Dao Sovereign was actually a world he had created with his supreme divine powers. After eons of growth and expansion, it had become a vast and majestic universe with towering mountains, rivers, abyssal oceans, primeval forests, and plains, encompassing all kinds of terrains.
Despite having fallen for an unimaginably long time, causing this world to shrink considerably, it was still beyond the imagination of ordinary cultivators.
Therefore, to traverse every corner of this secret realm and plunder all its opportunities within a mere hundred days was indeed a tall order, even for millions of cultivators working together. They could only hope to understand a small part of the secret realm.
Of course, from Qing Muling's perspective, there was no rush. He would just wait for his senior sisters to find him.
The resonance of the spiritual mechanism and Dao Rhyme within him was weak, but he could still use it to deduce the approximate distance and direction of his senior sisters. As long as there were no accidents along the way, it shouldn't take too long for them to arrive.
Qing Muling set aside his thoughts and focused on enjoying the delicious roasted meat in front of him. He sprinkled layer upon layer of carefully prepared seasonings and added various tasty mushrooms and wild fruits he had found along the way. These were all ancient spiritual herbs, and their flavors were incredibly satisfying.
"…Hmm?"
Qing Muling's eyes narrowed slightly, his handsome brows twitching as he sensed a figure entering his alert range, ethereal and elusive, stopping and starting as it approached at an unbelievable speed.
After a brief moment of surprise, Qing Muling calmed down. The Great Void was vast and boundless, filled with extraordinary individuals and mysterious powerhouses. Such occurrences were not unusual.
"What a fine mood you're in, young man!"
A few breaths later, a clear and melodious voice like the sound of falling pearls on jade rang out.
Qing Muling looked up to see a serene and beautiful woman approaching at an unhurried pace, stopping about a three meters away. She wore an exquisite dark cyan dress that highlighted her voluptuous and undulating figure.
The woman's face was delicate and graceful, her cheeks blooming like peach blossoms in February, yet she exuded a pure and untainted aura, untouched by worldly smoke and fire. Her bright eyes and white teeth, her straight nose, and her full, glossy lips all shone with a subtle charm. Below her slender neck, her breasts were full and round, and her hair was elegantly coiled up, adorned with golden hairpins that sparkled brilliantly.
"A Buddhist lay practitioner?"
Qing Muling recognized her identity at a glance. Although the woman was dressed in extravagant finery, the faint golden Buddha light behind her was unmistakable. Even though she only displayed the power of the Feather Transformation Realm, her true cultivation level was likely not inferior to Yu Lingzhou or Yueyi Heavenly Lord, perhaps even surpassing them. Her foundation and talent were so extraordinary that she undoubtedly came from the Supreme Buddhist Dao Lineage.
The woman nodded slightly and smiled, "You may call me by my name: Miao Xin. Young man, I see that you possess profound fortune and an indescribable noble destiny, along with a considerable Buddha-nature. Why not join my sect and enjoy the boundless purity and bliss?"
Qing Muling returned to his task of tending the roasting meat, replying indifferently, "Is this how the core high ranks of the Great Buddha Temple go about poaching talents? It would seem rather degrading if word got out."
Miao Xin moved closer and sat gracefully by the fire, still smiling, "Ordinary talents are not worth my personal recruitment, but you, young man, are truly exceptional. With your destiny and foundation, not only could you be my sole direct disciple, but you could also be the next head of the Great Buddha Temple, if you so desire."
"That's a pity, then, because I'm not interested, nor do I have any inclination to become a monk. I'm a thorough secularist, fond of beauty, wine, and fine food. Moreover, I already have a Dao companion, so I cannot follow you to become a monk and chant sutras every day."
Miao Xin's smile did not fade, "No matter, the Buddhist sect also has the lineage of Great Joy and Ultimate Bliss, with countless exquisite goddess bodhisattvas. If you join my sect and learn the supreme Dharma, you can have your pick of the beauties in the Buddhist realm, which won't disappoint you compared to the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace."
Qing Muling looked surprised, "So you know who I am?"
Miao Xin nodded lightly, "The only male disciple of the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace. Unless someone is hopelessly foolish, who wouldn't pay attention? Although they've used countless methods to conceal your secrets, many things can be concluded without evidence."
"Whatever the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace can offer you, the Great Buddha Temple can provide as well. So I don't see any reason for you to refuse!"
Qing Muling spoke calmly, "You're mistaken. My nature is not suited to becoming a Buddha or an ancestor. I'm just an unprincipled commoner. Even if I followed you to the Buddhist sect, you would soon regret your decision today."
"Why do you say that?"
"It's simple. I'm a complete scoundrel and lecher. Any beauty I set my eyes on, I must shamelessly and unscrupulously obtain,"
Qing Muling revealed a perfectly timed lascivious expression, "Just like now, I think you're also a rare beauty. Rather than being my master, it would be more appropriate for you to be my Dao companion. What do you think?"
Considering Miao Xin's cultivation, Qing Muling didn't think he could defeat her, and even if he tried to flee, he probably wouldn't be able to outrun her.
After some thought, he decided to provoke her with words, hoping to anger her into killing him, so he could escape unscathed. After all, he had three life-saving jade talismans on him and had nothing to fear.
Once a life-saving jade talisman was activated, it would automatically return the cultivator to the entrance of the secret realm. Then, he could decide whether to leave or continue exploring the secret realm, depending on the situation.
By then, Qing Muling could naturally get rid of her without worrying about being forcibly taken away.
However, Miao Xin showed no signs of anger. Instead, she tilted her head slightly, her eyes reflecting serious contemplation.
She wouldn't really agree, would she? After all, she was one of the most powerful figures in Buddhism!
Qing Muling's heart hung in suspense. His intention was merely to provoke her with words and incite her to kill him. After all, when had such a high and mighty figure ever been teased like this?
Unexpectedly, she seemed genuinely interested, leaving him in a difficult position.
But the course of events did not shift with his wishes.
Moments later, Miao Xin nodded gracefully, "Your proposal is not bad. Although I am well-versed in the various methods and scriptures of the Great Joy and Ultimate Bliss lineage, I have never considered taking a Dao companion. Since you have specifically suggested it, it means that our karmic connection is not shallow. Becoming Dao companions and joining our cultivation is indeed the right thing to do. Come with me. After we return and complete the official enthronement ceremony, you will get what you desire!"
Qing Muling: "…"
Just as he was at a loss for words, a distant, ethereal, and cold yet gentle voice came:"Is the friendship of many tens of thousands of years between the Great Buddha Temple and our Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace going to be destroyed because of your personal desires? Miao Xin Buddha Lord, your actions are rather unkind!"
Qing Muling breathed a sigh of relief. At the critical moment, his second senior sister, Cheng Yulan, finally arrived, followed by Yu Binghua.
With the help of his two senior sisters, they might still not be able to handle the opponent, but escaping unscathed should not be difficult. After all, Miao Xin could only use power up to the peak of the Feather Transformation Realm.
Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan