East Brook Cottage.
Inside the residence.
Little Li quietly opened his eyes, a few sparks coalescing into tangible flames, gradually calming down.
The Qingyuan Sect disciples surrounding him all felt varying degrees of scorching heat.
But before they could savor this sensation, the warmth faded into nothingness, as if it were merely an illusion.
“Xuan Dan Chuheng.”
Li Mo let out a gentle breath.
Unfortunately.
Last night, that little vial of accumulated Golden Crow bl**d was all used up.
Other rare items were nowhere near as effective; otherwise, he wouldn’t have had to halt his progress after only partially condensing the Xuan Dan.
“Is there anyone in this world whose Xuan Dan is as hard to condense as mine?”
Li Mo sighed.
Truth be told, his advancement speed was enough to make most internal energy warriors cry “freak.”
But look at his consumption!
Just one drop of Golden Crow bl**d could elevate an ordinary internal energy user to new heights.
He drank a whole vial, and still no Xuan Dan!
If he had to rely on good old-fashioned hard work to break through, who knows how long that would take?
“I hope the bl**d Phoenix Secret Realm can bring me some surprises.”
Patting the book in his arms, Li Mo stepped out of his room.
As he walked next door, he paused.
He felt a wave of pressure, exceptionally radiant and noble, like a deity.
“Ice Chunk has improved quite a bit.”
…
In the room.
The True Phoenix Feather hung before Ying Bing’s chest, shimmering slightly, resonating with the mysterious pattern on the girl’s brow. Two internal energies intertwined, sweeping in all directions.
Ying Bing appeared increasingly sacred and untouchable.
“Finally mastered the True Phoenix transformation again.”
She relaxed her dark brows and picked up the feather.
All the way, she had been absorbing the power within the True Phoenix Feather.
This was no ordinary martial art; it could easily be called a divine power.
With the True Phoenix Feather shielding her, the Xiaohuang energy further enhanced her physique, making her two to three times stronger than before when refined by Taiyin power.
Some techniques she had once taken pride in were now within her reach.
If she had some bl**d Phoenix Essence…
Let loose in the Central Continent, she would confidently be the undisputed number one.
The next ranking would be in ten days.
“This time…”
Ying Bing slowly stood up, her entire being wrapped in resplendent phoenix feathers, noble and mysterious. The three thousand strands of black hair danced lightly, exuding a misty glow.
It felt as if the ancient True Phoenix had descended, acting as a goddess.
She would win.
With her Xiaohuang energy swirling around the icy treat at the wall’s edge, she pushed the door open.
“… Did you add special effects?”
Little Li was a bit dazed.
What the heck?
After practicing, Ice Chunk looked like she’d turned on a million-dollar special effect filter!
Li Mo couldn’t come to grips with it for a while.
He was thinking.
Why could Ice Chunk have both strength and looks?
Why was he stuck with just one or the other?
“Ice Cream.”
She delicately placed a SpongeBob Popsicle in his hand.
“Awoo.”
Li Mo initially wanted to munch on Patrick, since he liked watermelon better.
But after taking a lick, he realized something was off.
Hmm?
Why did this ice cream taste so good?
Moreover…
After finishing that lick, he felt a refreshing surge in his dantian, bubbling with joy as if the Xuan Dan was about to coalesce.
“What did you use to make this SpongeBob?”
“Imperial Liquid.”
Ying Bing tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and gently picked up a Patrick.
“……”
Li Mo was momentarily speechless.
“Tasty?”
“……” Little Li wasn’t sure how to respond.
Ying Bing lifted her gaze, looking at him seriously, the morning light casting over her sparkling eyes, making her beauty hard to behold.
She repeated:
“Tasty?”
“…..”
Li Mo’s feelings were complex:
“Delicious, thanks.”
“Mm.”
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With that, Ying Bing got herself a Patrick and gave it a few gentle licks.
How sweet!
The cool and holy girl, with lips like shattered jade, earnestly licking the popsicle was quite the contrast.
Little Li’s heart was in a turmoil.
The two sat in silence, leaning against the hallway while enjoying their popsicles.
After a while.
A careful voice echoed from behind.
“I say, I might have come at the wrong time.”
Old Xiao’s lips twitched:
“But we really should get going.”
A bit later.
The three arrived at the door of East Brook Cottage.
Xue Jing handed out some medicinal pills, some for detoxifying, some for healing.
Yin Huaxuan’s expression was far gloomier than before, but he still fulfilled his duty, briefing everyone on the kinds of strange beasts they might encounter in the secret realm.
Qian Bufan stepped forward, shared some precautions, and encouraged everyone to help one another in the secret realm.
Indeed.
The bl**d Phoenix Secret Realm was no friendly neighborhood.
Not only were there inherent dangers in the realm, but one must often guard against human hearts, which were even scarier.
After all, in the secret realm, no one cared about your background—if you were killed, you were just killed, and tracking down the killer would be extremely difficult.
So, they could only rely on the disciples to help each other out.
Li Mo’s response of “yes” was particularly resounding.
After they were all set to go,
Qian Bufan called forth a battle carriage from his storage artifact, allowing everyone to hop on.
This carriage consumed immense energy but had a strong aura, which could intimidate some petty thieves.
……..
In just ten minutes.
The massive war carriage arrived at the foot of Red Maple Mountain.
At this time, the mountain was bustling with people, quite lively, with the Qingyuan Sect arriving relatively late.
Ying Bing stood upright with her sword, drawing countless glances.
Meanwhile, Li Mo activated his Heavenly Fate Eye, scanning the scene as streams of information flowed before his eyes.
He took notes while feeling a bit perplexed.
Still no one named Han Zhen.
With the secret realm about to open, everyone who should be there should have arrived.
If Han Zhen wanted to enter the secret realm, he should be here by now.
But.
If he hadn’t entered the secret realm, why had Ice Chunk advised him to be cautious of him?
Very strange.
“Ah… the bl**d Phoenix Secret Realm.”
“I hope this time, I can break through to the Jade Liquid realm!”
Xiao Qian clenched his fist, cheering himself on.
“Don’t even mention that bl**d Phoenix Essence; if you can find a few accompanying spirit items, that’d be a huge fortune.”
Qian Xing Wuzun chuckled in his heart.
“Teacher, I will definitely find the Phoenix bl**d Spirit Grass for you!”
Xiao Qian’s eyes shone brightly.
The Phoenix bl**d Spirit Grass was key for the teacher to reform his body; if another rare item were used as a substitute, the effects would differ greatly.
This type of spirit grass only existed in the bl**d Phoenix Secret Realm; if he missed this opportunity, who knew how long it would take to find another.
“Good to have that heart; your strength in the secret realm will only be considered lower tier.”
Qian Xing Wuzun’s tone was complicated; he desired the Phoenix bl**d Spirit Grass yet feared for his disciple’s safety.
After a moment of pondering, he said:
“Try to stick with Li Xiaoyou; it’ll be much safer, and you might also gain a few extra rewards.”
“Mm!”
Xiao Qian nodded vigorously.
He was steadfast and not foolish.
Why not lean on a buddy with skills?
A moment later.
Boom—
That was the sound of the stone gate opening, accompanied by splitting sounds that echoed through the Nine Heavens, like a phoenix’s cry.
The whole mountain seemed to tremble in response.
And at a certain cave resembling a bird’s beak on Red Maple Mountain, a mesmerizing red light was emanating.
Countless people turned their gazes, eyes glinting with fervor.
The secret realm was open!
Everyone had a chance to gain fortunes, to rise and soar, scripting their own legends in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths.
Even Ying Bing’s gaze turned serious.
“Ah…..”
“Looks like it’s time to roll up my sleeves.”
Little Li was stretching his body.
One thought filled his mind.
After all this time collecting investment dividends, it was finally time to get to work.
And, of course, the main event was still Ice Chunk.
He finally activated the Heavenly Fate Eye and gazed at Ying Bing.
