Chapter 114: Chapter 112: Celestial Dew, Deep Ravine, Dragon Head

Fang Cheng took a seat.

Lu Wei’s beautiful eyes sized him up, and she spoke with a languid expression, "I hear you killed the Island Lord of Mist Island in front of a group of Inner Sect Disciples."

Fang Cheng gave a wry smile, surprised. "Has word of this matter already reached the Elder’s ears so quickly?"

Lu Wei shot him a charmingly coquettish glare and smiled. "An Outer Disciple crossing realms to slay a Life Talisman Loose Cultivator... that’s a major event that would cause a sensation in any sect. Even the Inner Sect Elders have heard of your name by now!"

Her voice was crisp and pleasant, tinged with a mature charm that was captivating to the ear.

"I didn’t expect your cultivation to advance so quickly after not seeing you for so long."

Lu Wei sighed with emotion, then advised, "But the tallest tree in the forest is the first to be toppled by the wind. It would be best for you to keep a low profile for a while. Your mother-in-law may be domineering and formidable, but she can’t necessarily protect you from everything."

"This disciple will remember." Fang Cheng accepted the advice humbly.

Lu Wei’s beautiful eyes shifted, and she chuckled softly. "Once you become a True Disciple of the sect, if you can remain as low-key and reserved as you are now, then your path to the Great Dao will be promising. Back in his youth, Gao Chong’s fame was even greater than yours, and didn’t he still end up with a miserable fate?"

"The Elder is right," Fang Cheng nodded, in complete agreement.

Gao Chong was undeniably strong. Not only was he exceptionally talented, but he also had the personal guidance of a Supreme Elder. He should have had a boundless future. Who would have thought he’d be ambushed by Ren Yan, his path to the Dao severed?

’Thinking about it now, Ren Yan was probably plotting against Gao Chong for a long time!’

’If he hadn’t miscalculated and overlooked someone like me among the Yinluo Sect’s current Outer Disciples—someone whose strength far exceeds their cultivation realm—his plan would have likely succeeded long ago.’

Lu Wei fell silent for a moment, seemingly lost in recollection, before continuing, "Before I condensed my Life Talisman, I once traveled to Netherworld Valley. At the time, I discovered the ruins of an ancient sect, but unfortunately, the opportune moment had not yet arrived, so I couldn’t enter."

Fang Cheng’s expression remained calm, but he had a faint inkling that Lu Wei’s thank-you gift was related to this.

Lu Wei continued, "Later, after returning to the sect, I looked through the ancient records and learned the origin of that ancient sect. Have you ever heard of the Myriad Phenomena Immortal Sect?"

Fang Cheng frowned and shook his head. "I have not."

Lu Wei said, "This sect was a major power active thirty thousand years ago. Later, a disaster befell them from within. The sect declined and was eventually annihilated."

"Within Netherworld Valley lies a dilapidated Secret Realm belonging to this sect. After thirty thousand years, it can still draw upon the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Mechanism from the void to sustain itself. This shows just how profound the sect’s foundation was."

A curious look appeared on Fang Cheng’s face. "Is that Secret Realm dangerous?"

Lu Wei shook her head. "Inside the Secret Realm, there is an ancient stone tablet left behind by a Cultivator of the Myriad Phenomena Immortal Sect. It says that the Secret Realm will manifest once every three thousand years to await a fated person to receive its inheritance."

Fang Cheng was puzzled. "If it appears every three thousand years, shouldn’t this Secret Realm be well-known?"

Lu Wei smiled. "The Myriad Phenomena Immortal Sect’s Secret Realm is hidden within the Endless Void, drifting along with the turbulent currents. Its place of manifestation is not fixed. It just so happens to have appeared in Netherworld Valley this time."

She paused, then added, "Later, I looked through the records and deduced that when the sect was destroyed, it must have left behind many similar opportunities. There seem to be legends of this sect’s Secret Realms appearing in other countries outside of Yun Country as well."

"This Secret Realm in Netherworld Valley is the Hidden Dragon Pagoda of the Myriad Phenomena Immortal Sect. According to the records, there should be a type of Spiritual Object inside the tower: Myriad Manifestations Celestial Dew!"

The moment Fang Cheng heard the words "Myriad Manifestations Celestial Dew," his expression changed, his heart surging with emotion.

When he was promoted to an Outer Disciple, the jade slips distributed by the sect contained records of this very item.

Myriad Manifestations Celestial Dew was one of the rarest Spiritual Objects in the world for condensing a Life Talisman!

Not only could it increase a Cultivator’s success rate in condensing a Life Talisman, but it could also reshape their Dao Foundation, elevate their cultivation talent, and lay the foundation for breaking through to the Life Soul realm in the future.

’Now that I think about it, Myriad Manifestations Celestial Dew also contains the words "Myriad Manifestations." Perhaps its origin is indeed the Myriad Phenomena Immortal Sect.’

Only then did Fang Cheng realize just how precious Lu Wei’s thank-you gift was.

He then heard Lu Wei say, "Unfortunately, I later had another opportunity and successfully condensed my Life Talisman, so I put that Secret Realm out of my mind. By my calculations, it’s about to manifest. You should memorize the Secret Realm’s exact location, go there early to wait, and find as much Celestial Dew as you can inside."

Fang Cheng’s expression turned serious. "Thank you, Elder."

Lu Wei smiled. "There’s no need to be so polite. Come closer."

Fang Cheng glanced around the Cave Mansion. ’In such a private setting, she still needs me to lean in?’

He was momentarily taken aback, then did as he was told and moved closer to the beautiful elder.

Lu Wei leaned close to his ear, deliberately lowering her voice, her breath as fragrant as an orchid. "The Secret Realm’s location is in Netherworld Valley, at..."

Fang Cheng focused his mind and memorized the location.

After she finished speaking, Lu Wei contentedly rose and sat up straight again. Her waist was slender and supple, even more toned than a young girl’s. It seemed unable to support her full upper body, and as she straightened up, her ample bosom, tightly wrapped in a bandeau, bounced. The ripples spread, ceasing only after a moment—a stunning sight in itself.

She, however, seemed completely unaware, her smile and words gentle.

Fang Cheng returned to his seat, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Elder, this disciple has one more audacious request."

Lu Wei gave a soft, charming smile. "Go on."

Fang Cheng said, "This disciple would like a Two Realms Flower Seed."

Upon hearing this, a strange light flashed in Lu Wei’s beautiful eyes. She said gently, "That is rather unfortunate. I only have one Two Realms Flower Seed myself, and I am currently cultivating a new flower with it, so I can’t give it to you for now. Come back and ask me again in a while."

For a moment, Fang Cheng couldn’t tell if the gorgeous elder was telling the truth.

...

...

...

「Xiaocang Island.」

Cangwu Mountain, Cyan Demon Cliff.

After discussing it, Fang Cheng and his wife decided to first consult Madam Ye before heading to Netherworld Valley to explore.

The two arrived at Star-picking Platform. After listening to Fang Cheng’s account, Madam Ye pondered for a moment, then said slowly, "I know Lu Wei’s character well enough. She’s likely not lying. That Myriad Manifestations Celestial Dew is indeed a sacred item for reshaping one’s Dao Foundation. Back then, the Myriad Phenomena Immortal Sect relied on this item to cultivate a large number of outstanding disciples and become a titan of the Mystic Sects."

She looked at her daughter and son-in-law, then suddenly sighed softly. "Fine. I’ll take you to Netherworld Valley."

Fang Cheng and Ye Yan were, of course, overjoyed.

Immediately, Madam Ye summoned a magnificent, aquamarine Jade Boat and flew out of Xiaocang Island with the two of them, heading north of the Abyssal Marsh.

Netherworld Valley was located three thousand li north of the Abyssal Marsh, a peculiar landscape composed of dozens of incredibly deep canyons.

The Spirit Veins in this valley were scattered and the terrain was complex. Since ancient times, it had been a gathering place for Loose Cultivators, a motley assortment of characters.

Netherworld Valley, along with Divine Pillar Mountain and the Jiujiang Association, were known as the three major gathering places for Loose Cultivators near the Abyssal Marsh.

Along the way, Madam Ye gave the pair a brief introduction to Netherworld Valley.

In truth, the valley was only home to a few hundred Sensing Realm Loose Cultivators, scattered among the various caves, large and small.

Any Loose Cultivator who managed to condense a Life Talisman would have left Netherworld Valley long ago.

Near Netherworld Valley were three great Life Talisman Families, each controlling a Tier Two Spiritual Vein. However, their power was not even comparable to that of the Li Family in the Abyssal Marsh.

Looking across all of Yun Country, nearly all cultivation resources—such as Spirit Veins, Spiritual Ores, and Celestial and Earthly Spiritual Objects—were monopolized by the three great sects: the Yinluo Sect, the Flame God Palace, and Taihao Mountain.

When it came to power and wealth, these three were second to none!

Following them were the numerous great families and clans that were vassals to these three sects.

And last of all were the powerful local families scattered throughout the land...

The three of them left the Abyssal Marsh, passed by Cloud Whale Mountain, and continued north for three thousand li. Ahead, they saw several canyons crisscrossing the land, extremely deep and perilous. Within them, dangerous cliffs towered, and the scenery was desolate, cold, and grim.

Madam Ye produced a Second-Order Concealment Talisman, which transformed into a mass of black Demon Fog and enveloped the Jade Boat.

A moment later, the Demon Fog dispersed with the wind, and the Jade Boat had vanished from sight.

The Jade Boat descended into the winding canyons, delving deeper and deeper. It was the first time both Fang Cheng and Ye Yan had come here, and they curiously observed their surroundings.

On the steep and precipitous cliff faces, they could occasionally see Cave Mansions that had been carved out by Cultivators.

Some people had built palaces and manors on the cliff tops, which shimmered with the light of various restrictive formations.

Others had built suspended pavilions halfway up the cliffs, draped with green vines and dotted with exotic flowers.

Following the location given by Lu Wei, Fang Cheng continuously guided Madam Ye. Along the way, they encountered several Netherworld Valley Cultivators, but none detected their presence.

Soon, the three of them arrived at their destination.

On both sides of the canyon, the cliff faces were covered with purple grass and crimson vines. A hundred flowers were in full bloom, their petals drifting down on the wind, filling the air with a fresh fragrance.

Below the cliffs was a wide stream with clear, turquoise water, so transparent one could see the bottom. The green water gurgled softly.

The stream’s bright surface was like a mirror, reflecting the mountainside. Patches of white clouds drifted by, occasionally passing through the flower shadows on the stream bed.

This place was called Purple Flower Cliff and Brocade Cloud Stream. It was the most scenic spot in Netherworld Valley, a stark contrast to the desolate and grim style of the rest of the valley.

Back then, Lu Wei had come to travel here in search of exotic flowers.

At this moment, Brocade Cloud Stream was silent and deserted. The three of them disembarked from the Flying Boat and went to the water’s edge.

Fang Cheng performed the Secret Technique taught to him by Lu Wei, activated the Spell, and scanned his surroundings. He saw a flash of light disappear on a vine-covered cliff face not far away.

Fang Cheng immediately flew over and pushed aside the vines. There, on the stone of the cliff face, was the faint imprint of a flower!

"This is indeed the place!"

He recognized Elder Lu Wei’s mark, then changed the Spell and lightly tapped the imprint.

With a muffled THUD, a nearby boulder the size of a small hut shuddered.

Fang Cheng walked over, placed his hand on the boulder, and with a slight exertion of force, pushed it aside.

Behind the boulder was a pitch-black cave.

Madam Ye walked straight forward, swept the area with her Divine Sense, and said, "There’s no danger. Let’s go in and have a look."

The three entered the cave. Madam Ye took out a Treasure Bead, which instantly illuminated the cave in a brilliant white light.

Meanwhile, Fang Cheng moved the boulder back into place from behind, sealing the entrance.

The trio followed the passage for several dozen zhang before the space suddenly opened up, revealing a natural cavern before them.

In the center of the cavern, a broken Dragon Head statue lay toppled on the ground.

The Dragon Head statue was lifelike and several zhang large, as if someone had truly petrified an azure dragon and then broken its body into several pieces.

The entrance to the Secret Realm Lu Wei had spoken of was inside this Dragon Head’s mouth!

...