The Chu Tian Secret Realm had unexpectedly opened ahead of time. Cultivators across the world had originally believed that, due to the exhaustion of spiritual stones, the realm would soon collapse into nothingness. Yet after entering, they discovered no sign of instability at all. Instead, the entire realm remained intact and eerily stable, causing everyone to grow even more cautious—anything abnormal was surely dangerous.
In a marshland somewhere within the secret realm, Chu Mingwei carefully concealed his presence, not moving an inch as he stared toward the center of the swamp.
Not long ago, a rare spirit beast—the Azure Water Feathered Serpent—had narrowly escaped his ambush and hidden itself there. The Azure Water Feathered Serpent was an extremely rare water-attributed spirit beast in the cultivation world, only about a foot long, its body as translucent as jade. The only unusual feature was a pair of jade-colored flesh wings behind its neck, allowing it to fly at low altitude. Naturally endowed with water-type divine abilities, its body could be used in alchemy to refine pills that greatly assisted water cultivators in breaking through realms. Its spirit, even more valuable, could be infused into water-type magical artifacts to enhance their quality.
Chu Mingwei had been randomly teleported to this location upon entering the secret realm, and immediately discovered this serpent. Thinking of his junior brother who was currently at the peak of the Void Realm, he believed that if this serpent were obtained, it would allow him to break through to the Core Formation stage much sooner. More importantly, if the serpent’s spirit were refined into the Water Moon Wheel, then once his junior brother reached Core Formation, he would possess a suitable weapon, and his strength would increase significantly.
With this thought, Chu Mingwei patiently waited beside the swamp.
There was no day or night within the secret realm. The sky was perpetually covered in a thin mist, and cultivators could only track time using a small device known as a “clock instrument.” Chu Mingwei glanced at it—an hour had already passed, yet the Azure Water Feathered Serpent still showed no sign of emerging.
His brows furrowed slightly.
Although he intended to capture it alive, he was more concerned about finding his junior brother as quickly as possible. If he wasted too much time here, danger could arise anywhere within the Chu Tian Secret Realm, and his thoughts inevitably turned to concern.
After a moment of hesitation, Chu Mingwei made his decision.
Even if the beast died, its spiritual essence would dissipate and the alchemical effect would be reduced, but if preserved properly, it could still retain eighty to ninety percent of its value. He could not delay any longer.
Decision made, he activated the Thunder Hazy Mirror in his hand. Blinding light erupted, and thunder energy gathered at once.
Just as he was about to strike, a transmission talisman suddenly broke through the air.
Chu Mingwei raised a hand to accept it, and Xiao Lingyu’s voice came through—reporting that he was safe and detailing his current location.
Joy filled Chu Mingwei’s heart. Eager to reunite with his junior brother as soon as possible, he immediately channeled the Thunder Hazy Mirror and unleashed countless fine bolts of lightning into the swamp.
Elsewhere in the secret realm, Xiao Lingyu stared expressionlessly at Zhu Xier, who was drooling uncontrollably while fixating on him.
His gaze was complicated and difficult to decipher.
Regardless of Zhu Xier’s intentions in approaching him, seeing such a pink little pig staring longingly at him while drooling made it difficult for him to feel any hostility.
Both Kunpeng and Zhu Xier had found him in succession. If this were a coincidence, he would never believe it.
However, just as he felt no hostility from Kunpeng, he also felt none from Zhu Xier. Instead, there was even a strange sense of longing emanating from her.
Xiao Lingyu lowered his eyes slightly.
He did not wish to become enemies with the Illusion Demon Realm. If they bore no ill will, that was naturally ideal—but he also did not want to remain under their constant observation.
He needed a way to completely shake off their tracking.
Old Ghost Head scoffed at his idea.
“The demon race has its own tracking techniques. It’s basically impossible to get rid of them completely. You might as well find a way to control them and keep them nearby. At least that way, they become useful.”
Xiao Lingyu thought for a moment.
“You have a method?”
Old Ghost Head immediately became proud.
“Of course I do! Who do you think I am?”
After a long-winded explanation, Xiao Lingyu finally cut him off.
“Get to the point.”
Old Ghost Head reluctantly explained. The technique was not complicated, but it required the target’s voluntary consent.
Xiao Lingyu frowned.
“How could she possibly agree willingly?”
Old Ghost Head suddenly chuckled.
“If it were Kunpeng, it wouldn’t work. But Zhu Xier? Heaven is helping you this time.”
And so, under Old Ghost Head’s instructions, Xiao Lingyu took out a piece of pastry and waved it in front of Zhu Xier.
The effect was immediate.
Zhu Xier’s eyes locked onto it instantly.
All prior thoughts of reporting Zhu Yurun’s abnormality to the Demon Emperor were completely thrown out of her mind. The only thing left was—
“I want it. I want it so badly.”
Zhu Yurun immediately noticed the intense “resentment” and stepped forward protectively.
“That’s mine. I won’t share it with you.”
To Zhu Yurun, Xiao Lingyu, and Zhu Xier, chaos quickly followed—but in the end, Xiao Lingyu successfully used a “contract technique” on her.
A golden light pierced into Zhu Xier’s forehead, forming a strange mark.
Zhu Xier’s expression shifted instantly from craving to shock.
“What did you do to me?!”
Xiao Lingyu remained calm.
“Just a simple contract. Don’t worry about it.”
When she realized her cultivation was unaffected but her actions were subtly restricted, Zhu Xier’s face darkened.
After confirming that forceful resistance would trigger backlash, she finally gritted her teeth.
“So… what do you want?”
Xiao Lingyu replied calmly.
“I have no intention of opposing the Illusion Demon Realm. I only want to know why you are so interested in me.”
Zhu Xier hesitated, then cautiously answered:
“We mean no harm to you. As for the reason… I cannot tell you.”
Xiao Lingyu nodded.
“Then I trust you.”
He then added, feigning difficulty:
“But I cannot undo the restriction.”
Zhu Xier exploded internally.
“…Then what am I supposed to do?!”
Xiao Lingyu said calmly:
“You’ll have to stay with me for a month.”
Zhu Xier: “……”
A month later, she was still digging in the dirt, completely covered in mud, forced into labor by the very person she had been investigating.
And not far away, Xiao Lingyu sat leisurely, watching.
Old Ghost Head sighed sympathetically.
“You really have no pity for beauty, do you?”
Xiao Lingyu replied flatly:
“Wasn’t it you who taught me that technique?”
Old Ghost Head: “…That’s not what I meant!”
Xiao Lingyu ignored him.
Moments later, his expression suddenly shifted.
He struck out with the Water Moon Wheel—but the attack was halted midair as if caught in invisible restraint.
A figure slowly appeared.
Black robes. Calm expression. Deep, unfathomable eyes.
Xiao Lingyu’s pupils contracted.
This person—he recognized him.
Mo Heng.
Someone he had once barely escaped from with his life.
Mo Heng looked at him indifferently.
“Are you Xiao Lingyu?”
Xiao Lingyu nodded cautiously.
Mo Heng asked again:
“You encountered an ancient demon race in the Wu City ruins?”
Without hesitation, Xiao Lingyu confirmed.
The next moment—
Mo Heng flicked his finger.
A red light shot forward.
Battle erupted instantly.