Chapter 94: The Celestial Sword, the Lake in the Bowl

In the course of that month, Ji Tianya had come to find Lin Hao. After the two of them had talked and drunk together for a while, Lin Hao also learned that the Chu Tomb Lands, though seemingly vast, were in truth nothing more than a barren stretch left behind on the border between the Eastern Domain and the south. Yet because rumors claimed an immortal was buried there, people from the Eastern Domain often came to investigate. On the other hand, the secret realm opened once every ten years by the three sects contained a wisp of golden spiritual energy, and it was precisely because of this golden spiritual energy that every time the realm opened, young heirs from prominent families would come to try their luck. Ji Tianya had happened to reach the perfection of Qi Condensation at this time as well, and so had come to the Eastern Domain to test his fortune.

As for the violet spiritual energy, although Ji Tianya’s family cultivation art could also refine a heaven-grade foundation, there was still a slight difference between having one more strand and one less.

“According to Ji Tianya, besides the Ji family from the Eastern Domain, the Yin family and the Fang family will also come. The disciples of the three great families all have powerful escorts protecting them. Their goal this time is also that golden spiritual energy, and by then, there will certainly be no shortage of fighting.” Sitting cross-legged in his cave dwelling, Lin Hao showed a thoughtful light in his eyes, murmuring repeatedly: “If only disciples at the Foundation Establishment stage and below could enter, that would be fine. What I fear is that their protectors will also enter. By then, let alone the golden spiritual energy, even the violet spiritual energy won’t be mine.”

From the information Ji Tianya had given him, the Eastern Domain was indeed enormous, with countless sects and aristocratic clans standing there for ten thousand years already. Every power had the legendary cultivators of the Dao-Commanding realm, and some extremely ancient families even had beings that could be called immortals.

When Lin Hao first heard this, his heart also sank. He had never been to the Eastern Domain, but he knew Ji Tianya’s character well enough to believe he would never lie to him over such a matter; it would make no sense. What worried Lin Hao was that the heirs of those families all possessed treasures and were far from ordinary in combat. If, after all the scrambling, he came away empty-handed, that would be somewhat laughable.

“The path of cultivation is itself a defiance of heaven, seizing the transformation of heaven and earth and forging it into oneself... this time, I can only go against the current...” After a long while, determination rose in Lin Hao’s eyes as he muttered to himself. Whether the heirs of those families were formidable or whether they possessed priceless treasures, the path of cultivation was still one of defying heaven; the strong were respected. Lin Hao was not the sort to bow and submit to others, and he quickly made his decision. Besides, the reason he could live so leisurely at present was precisely because of his formidable strength; that was what kept others from daring to provoke him easily.

After a round of consideration, Lin Hao also began to carefully plan this journey...

A deep and lingering bell rang out.

At the sound, Lin Hao no longer sat in meditation. Just as he was about to rise, a woman in a bright red robe with a narrow blade hanging at her waist appeared before his eyes.

She was exquisitely beautiful. Her black hair was tied up with a red cord, leaving only two thin locks at her temples to drift gently. A sheathed slender saber hung at her back, and when her lashes trembled lightly, her beautiful eyes seemed to contain a brilliant starry sky. With one hand resting on the hilt, she looked toward Lin Hao inside the cave dwelling and smiled. “Senior Brother, it’s time to depart.”

After Fang Ling broke through to the seventh layer of spiritual energy, the scar on her face had also healed under the influence of the stream of spirit transforming into a lake. Compared with when Lin Hao had first seen her, she now looked even more lovely.

“Let’s go.” Looking at Fang Ling outside the cave, Lin Hao’s lips curved slightly, and he gave a soft laugh. Glancing toward Ji Tianya’s cave and seeing no one inside, he took Fang Ling by the hand and flew straight toward the main peak.

By now, disciples were also gradually leaving their cave dwellings and hurrying here from the main peak. After Lin Hao and Fang Ling arrived, they stood quietly in one place and waited. More and more people gathered there.

“Lin Hao!”

Soon after, a clear voice sounded. Looking over, the newcomer wore plain white robes and carried a long sword on her back. Her appearance was not breathtaking, but it was still pleasing. It was Zhao Min.

“The secret realm is quite chaotic. How prepared are you?” Lin Hao looked at her and asked with a smile. When Zhao Min met his gaze, a guilty look flashed through her eyes. After a brief pause, she said thoughtfully, “All right. It should not happen again like before.”

“Oh? That’s good then.” Lin Hao nodded and casually responded before saying no more. Zhao Min also did not speak again. Only Fang Ling, blinking her large eyes, looked at Zhao Min with a contemplative expression, who knew what she was thinking.

“Brother Lin!”

Suddenly, a clear voice sounded. Looking over, the newcomer wore a black Daoist robe, had eyes like bright stars, and thin lips, giving him a gentle yet somewhat feminine air.

“Where have you been, Brother Ji? Why have I not seen you this early in the morning?” Lin Hao looked at Ji Tianya somewhat strangely and asked with a smile. Ji Tianya gave a light laugh and answered warmly, “I went for a walk outside the sect. As for Brother Lin, how are your preparations?”

“Fairly acceptable.” Hearing this, Lin Hao answered with a thoughtful expression. Ji Tianya gave no explanation. At this moment, the great hall doors of the main peak also slowly opened.

With a heavy sound, three figures slowly walked out from within. The one in front wore a green robe and had a face full of cool indifference. It was the woman Lin Hao had seen earlier seated at the head inside the hall, one of the sect’s three Foundation Establishment experts: Jian Ru. Following behind her were Sun Changshou and Zhong Ming, the other two Foundation Establishment elders of the Heavenly Mystery Sect.

“There are thirty-eight disciples taking part in this secret realm. Later, you may follow me to the realm entrance. But remember this: there are no companions in the secret realm; all around you are enemies. If you encounter fellow disciples, help them if you can. With that, conduct yourselves well!” Jian Ru looked down at the crowd below, and her cool voice slowly rang out. Just as she finished speaking, Sun Changshou behind her suddenly spoke in a low chant:

“Ancient bell, three tolls—summon the Heaven-Barrier!”

Dong... dong-dong...

As three deep and lingering bell tolls rang out, echoing continuously through this Heavenly Mystery land, the entire main peak of the Heavenly Mystery Sect suddenly trembled. A most ferocious sword intent shot straight up into the sky! As boundless sharpness spread, a beam of white light instantly burst from beneath the main peak and appeared before Jian Ru in an instant. As overwhelming pressure flooded the area, everyone there felt as though they were a lone boat in an endless, raging storm sea, liable to be overturned and destroyed at any moment.

Upon closer inspection, it was an extremely domineering sword. Its shape was unusual, broad and imposing, a heavy sword. Mysterious patterns were carved upon it: on one side were endless mountains and lands, and on the other countless living beings. As a faint white light spread, the sword’s incomparably overbearing intent also radiated forth, as though it could suppress all things in the world.

“This is...” Looking at the domineering weapon before Jian Ru, Lin Hao was overwhelmed beyond words. He had never imagined that merely a sword could give him such a suffocating sense of pressure! Ji Tianya, however, looked calmly at the heavy sword in the distance, an almost imperceptible glint flashing through his eyes...

“Heaven-Barrier!” Jian Ru gazed at the sword before her and softly called its name. At once, the Heaven-Barrier Sword transformed into a huge flying treasure in the void beside the main peak and stood there quietly.

“Elder Sun will remain at the mountain gate. All disciples, follow me!” After sweeping her gaze over the crowd below, Jian Ru’s cool voice issued forth. Her figure flickered, and she stepped directly onto the bow of the Heaven-Barrier Sword and sat cross-legged. Zhong Ming followed closely behind, also sitting cross-legged a zhang to her rear and side. Seeing this, everyone present stepped into the flying artifact formed by the Heaven-Barrier Sword and sat quietly cross-legged.

Once everyone was ready, Jian Ru formed a hand seal and controlled the Heaven-Barrier Sword to fly toward the distance!

The sword flew at astonishing speed. In the blink of an eye, the Heavenly Mystery Sect’s mountain gate behind them had already shrunk to a tiny speck in their vision.

“Only a barren land...” Looking at the mountains and lands flowing beneath the sword, Lin Hao could not help feeling somewhat desolate. If the Chu Tomb Lands were merely a small place, then just how vast would the Eastern Domain, praised by all the world, be...

“Senior Brother, Ling’er will always stay with you.” Fang Ling also noticed the desolation in Lin Hao’s expression. Lightly looping her arm through his, she revealed a reassuring smile.

“Silly girl.” Lin Hao smiled and rubbed Fang Ling’s hair, saying no more. He quietly gazed at the mountains and rivers below, deep in thought. Fang Ling, equally obedient, asked nothing more and stayed silently by his side.

About an hour later, a very magnificent lake appeared in everyone’s eyes, looking more like a not-so-small sea. The entire lake was a blue-green color, and as an eerie force spread from it, an oppressive feeling actually rose in everyone’s hearts.

The outskirts of the lake were not forests or mountains, but instead a ring of stone shaped like a huge bowl, holding the entire lake within it. Outside the bowl was a deep ravine encircling the whole basin, forming a most bizarre scene. At first glance, it inspired confusion; upon closer examination, that endless ravine seemed like an abyss, giving off a dark and frightening feeling. Coupled with the strange force emanating from the blue lake, one could tell at a glance that this place was by no means benevolent.

Jian Ru, seated atop the Heaven-Barrier Sword, did not spare the abyss much of a glance. She directly controlled the sword to descend with everyone to the giant rocks beside the blue lake...

“This is... the secret realm? Why do I feel so uneasy...”

“Strange, I do too. There shouldn’t be something sinister here, should there?”

“Who knows? We should be careful.”

“Be quiet.” As the crowd discussed it, Jian Ru gave a cold reprimand. Her cool voice slowly spread: “This is the Foundation Establishment secret realm jointly controlled by the three sects. Later, once the other two sects arrive, the entrance will be opened for you. Wait quietly here and do not speak further.”

At her words, the others immediately quieted down, looking at one another without daring to say more.

“Brother Ji, why is this place constructed in such a way? Is there some hidden mystery here?” After glancing at the eerie blue sea in front and the endless abyss behind, Lin Hao frowned slightly and asked Ji Tianya in a low voice beside him.

“As far as I know, this place has existed since very early times. It seems it was discovered when the founding ancestors of the three sects were at the peak of their power and joined forces to investigate it! It is said to contain a small world within, where spiritual energy is incredibly abundant and countless heavenly materials and earthly treasures grow. For reasons unknown, however, they cannot be taken out and can only be used inside.” After some slight thought, Ji Tianya replied softly. “Later, the ancestors of the three sects sealed this place with great divine power. Only when the three sects gather together can the entrance to the secret realm be opened with a token, for use by disciples in trial.”

“As for why it is built like this, I do not know. Perhaps it was already like this when the ancestors of the three sects discovered it.” Ji Tianya glanced at the endless abyss below and spoke slowly.

“So that’s how it is...” Lin Hao heard this and was just about to say something when, at that moment, a booming sound of breaking air came from far off in the sky. Looking closely, a gigantic eagle was flying abruptly toward the group! At the same time, from another direction, wind and clouds rolled backward, and a flying vessel also emerged.

“Sister Jian Ru, it’s been a long time. Your brother here has missed you terribly!” Along with a hearty voice, the enormous eagle suddenly landed on the ground. The wind stirred by the beating of its wings whipped dust all around this place.

From within the dust, a tall and muscular man walked out with a roguish smile. Looking closely, a black and fierce eagle totem covered the entire front of his chest, and a simple outer robe draped over his shoulders, leaving exposed the muscles of his chest that seemed to contain immense power. He clearly wore the garb of a virile man, and together with his resolute face and arrogant smile, he gave off an inexplicable sense of dominance.

“Zhao Guangyuan, do you really think this lady cannot cut you down?” Jian Ru coldly eyed the sturdy man before her. As the surging power around her swelled, an incomparably strong pressure spread outward. The Heaven-Barrier Sword in her hand suddenly appeared, and as a flash of cold light erupted, an unmatched, domineering intent burst forth!

“Tsk, tsk, tsk...” Zhao Guangyuan looked at Jian Ru with an expression of regret, shaking his head three times before sneering in disdain. “Little Ru, I’m afraid you’ve already forgotten what happened back then. Why don’t we wait until after this secret realm, and your big brother here can enjoy another night of passion with you, so you can remember it properly?”

“Courting death!” At his words, Jian Ru exploded on the spot. Fury surged within her, and killing intent blazed fiercely in her eyes. With a swing of the Heaven-Barrier Sword in her hand, she slashed down at Zhao Guangyuan at once! A sword light beyond resistance, carrying boundless force, instantly closed in, as though it would kill him with a single strike.

“This is... Foundation Establishment...” Looking at that terrifying sword light, Lin Hao’s pupils suddenly contracted, and his heart shook violently. He had thought the gap between himself and Foundation Establishment was not so great, but only after witnessing a true Foundation Establishment cultivator strike did he realize the difference between them. If he himself were to face that sword light, even if he used every means at his disposal, he would still be unable to withstand it for even an instant. At the moment of contact, he would likely burst apart into endless blood mist.

“These past few years, you don’t seem to have improved much, do you? Could it be your Heavenly Mystery Sect master is already dead?” Looking at the terrifying sword light Jian Ru had unleashed, Zhao Guangyuan’s eyes flashed with disdain. With a light laugh, he raised his hand and pointed.

Boom!

Only a single explosion was heard, and that terrifying sword light was actually shattered by Zhao Guangyuan’s effortless point.

“Physical body at the Golden Core stage!”