Volume 2: The Appearance of the Nine Provinces Map, Entering the Lingxu Sect Chapter 165: The Tassels Secret Realm

Chen Yu and the other two hundred disciples followed Elder Xia You and the others to the fringe forest that Chen Yu and Chu Yang had agreed upon.

Just as everyone was filled with doubt, Elder Xia You produced a token. The token flashed with a ten-zhang-high beam of light, slashing toward the fringe forest ahead like the edge of a blade.

Under the shocked gazes of Chen Yu and the others, the fringe trees were torn apart to both sides like paper, revealing a hidden path. At this moment, Elder Xia You explained, "This is the Fringe Secret Realm of our Spirit Ruins. You will cultivate here for the next year. Go on in."

Unlike the shock displayed by Chen Yu and the others, disciples like Chu Shu and some Celestial Realm practitioners had heard of this place before. Therefore, upon receiving Elder Xia You's permission, they eagerly walked inside.

After passing through that secret path, the disciples felt as if they had entered another world. The spiritual Qi of heaven and earth here was actually even more concentrated than that within the Spirit Ruins.

Chen Yu looked at this scene in shock, thinking to himself, "Is this the legendary secret realm?"

At this time, Elder Xia You explained further, "The Fringe Secret Realm is five hundred miles in radius, which can only be considered a small secret realm. However, it is more than enough for your cultivation."

With these words, he took the lead and guided them forward.

They soon arrived at a city the size of a small town. This small city appeared so miniature within the Fringe Secret Realm.

Elder Xia You spoke again, "Next, you will cultivate here. Those who will instruct you are the nine peak masters of the Spirit Ruins. Make the most of this opportunity. Furthermore, do not think that once you enter this place, you can afford to slack off. Among you two hundred people, every two individuals will have a ranking challenge. Your rankings will determine the amount of resources you receive. Moreover, do not assume that those at the bottom will escape punishment! As for what that punishment might be, you had all better be prepared."

Just as Elder Xia You's voice faded, a man stepped on a flying sword and arrived from the small city.

"It is Deng Wei, the peak master of our Shangyi Peak," a disciple of Shangyi Peak immediately recognized him.

Deng Wei was a middle-aged man with the scholarly demeanor of a bookworm, his long sideburns flowing gracefully in the wind.

"Elder Xia You, you have arrived," Deng Wei said with a soft smile.

"Mhm, I will leave the rest to you."

"No problem! Safe journey, Elder Xia You." After watching Elder Xia You depart, Deng Wei smiled warmly at the crowd and said, "Greetings, disciples! I am Deng Wei, the peak master of Shangyi Peak. My greatest specialty is the art of talisman-making, and that is what I shall be teaching you next."

Upon hearing this, the disciples experienced mixed feelings—some were delighted, while others felt helpless... After all, not everyone fancied the art of talisman-making.

Of course, the Spirit Ruins had anticipated such a situation long ago, so there was no intention of forcing anyone. Deng Wei stated, "You may choose to learn or choose not to learn. We will not compel anyone. If you have no interest in the art of talisman-making, you may go to the stone forest in the north of the city to observe the sword intents left by our predecessors. Hopefully, you will find it useful."

"Alright, find a place to settle down yourselves. Come to the city square tomorrow morning to find me, and I will lecture on the Dao there."

"Understood, Peak Master Deng."

Just as Chen Yu wanted to find a secluded place to settle down, Chu Shu approached him first and asked, "Chen Yu, have you chosen where to live yet? Would you like to stay together?"

"Not yet..."

Before Chen Yu could finish his sentence, Chu Shu proactively pulled him along and said, "Then let's go together."

Also accompanying them were Zhao Ying, Li Qing, and a few others. What surprised Chen Yu was that Chu Shu seemed very familiar with this place, not at all like someone arriving for the first time.

Seeming to perceive Chen Yu's confusion, Zhao Ying smiled and explained, "Although Junior Brother Chu Shu is an outer disciple, he is also a true inheritance disciple. He was qualified to cultivate in this Fringe Secret Realm a long time ago."

Chen Yu understood, never expecting that Chu Shu's background was far from simple. However, he did not dwell on this matter for long. Instead, he asked, "Does this mean that in this Fringe Secret Realm, we are not the only two hundred disciples here?"

"Hehe... Naturally not. Apart from true inheritance disciples, only disciples who have made outstanding contributions to the sect are qualified to cultivate here. Moreover, ordinary disciples can also cultivate in this secret realm for a period of time by exchanging contribution points."

Chen Yu nodded inwardly. It turned out that what he had seen was merely the tip of the iceberg of the Spirit Ruins.

The group of them arrived at the northern part of the city, heading to a ridge a kilometer away from the stone forest, where a row of stone houses stood. This was the dwelling place Chu Shu had chosen for them.

Chen Yu took a glance and found it quite suitable. Not only was it quiet, but it was also very close to the stone forest mentioned by Peak Master Deng, making it quite convenient.

Each of them picked a stone chamber, tidied it up casually, and settled in.

That evening, the group gathered together and chatted freely.

"Junior Brother Chen Yu, when did you comprehend that Power of Water?" Chu Shu remained quite curious about this.

Seeing that Chu Shu and the others had figured it out, Chen Yu felt no surprise and answered without hiding anything, "Several months ago, I suppose. At the time, I was undergoing trials outside and happened to have an epiphany."

"Tsk tsk... Several months ago? If I remember correctly, you should have been at the First Origin Six Apertures Realm back then." Upon hearing this, the group became even more astonished.

Chen Yu nodded, which was as good as a tacit admission. Of course, it was impossible for him to tell the others the detailed circumstances.

"Junior Brother Chen's talent is progressing rapidly. I imagine it is no less inferior to Junior Brother Chu's," Zhao Ying also remarked. "If you encounter any confusion regarding the Yin-Yang Realm, you can come to me."

Chen Yu smiled and said, "Then I shall thank Senior Brother Zhao in advance."

At this moment, however, Chu Shu remarked, "I'm afraid Senior Brothers won't be of much help here."

"Oh? Why does Junior Brother Chu say that?" Everyone knew that Chu Shu would not speak aimlessly. Since he said so, he must have his reasons.

"Could it be that Junior Brother Chen cultivates a different Daoist technique?" Zhao Ying quickly thought of a possibility.

Seeing that everyone was looking at him, Chen Yu explained, "I cultivate the Hunyuan Scripture!"

"The Hunyuan Scripture? That incomplete Daoist scripture?" Zhao Ying and the others were all shocked. First, Chen Yu had actually succeeded. Second, he seemed to show no side effects. Moreover, he truly appeared very strong. Still, they curiously pursued the question, "Do you feel anything amiss?"

Now it was Chen Yu's turn to be puzzled, and he replied, "It's quite good! There aren't any major issues."

"Ah..."

"Hehe... Alright, let's not meddle too much in Chen Yu's affairs," Chu Shu said as he produced a manual—it was precisely the Yin-Yang Chapter of the Hunyuan Scripture. He continued, "Chen Yu, my father asked me to give this to you."

Chen Yu did not take it immediately, but with a tentative guess, he asked, "Could Junior Brother Chu's father be..."

"You guessed correctly. He is Chu Yang, the peak master of Sky Dome Peak, and also your master," Chu Shu smiled and said.