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Chapter 223: A Kindred Spirit?
🕑 Added 2024-10-14 10:36:41 +0000 UTCThe Immortal Herb Secret Realm was a place meant for Saint cultivators below the Fifth Heaven to train.
Those above the Fifth Heaven had a hard time entering.
In fact, in the vast expanse of Chiming Territory, there were many higher-level secret realms, some of which were opening around the same time.
But Qin Chuan chose the Immortal Herb Secret Realm.
Mainly because of... cultivation!
Qin Zi’s current cultivation level was only at the Third Heaven of the Saint realm. He might have recently broken through to the Fourth Heaven, but if he were to cause trouble in secret realms meant for Seventh or Eighth Heaven Saints, or even Emperor-level secret realms, his cultivation wouldn’t match.
When Qin Zi eventually came to Chiming Territory, if he only had a Fifth or Sixth Heaven cultivation level and others noticed, they would surely wonder, Hey, why is this dog’s cultivation dropping instead of rising? He would be exposed!
In short, everything had to be grounded in reality.
"Rumble!"
After a long wait, the entire mountain range began to shake. Then, a massive portal of light slowly manifested in the air.
Instantly.
An ancient and desolate aura emanated from the light gate. Through the portal, one could vaguely see the ruins of a shattered world.
"Go!"
"Let’s hurry inside!"
Excited voices rang out, and countless figures rose into the sky like a swarm of locusts, entering the gate one after another.
"Buzz, buzz, buzz!"
As they passed through the portal, ripples spread out in the air, like countless raindrops falling on a calm lake.
No danger occurred.
Qin Chuan also stepped through the gate.
It was a bleak, yellowed world. The ground was cracked and broken, and the horizon seemed forever bathed in a blood-red hue, as if the sky itself had been stained.
Dust swirled in the air, carrying the scent of blood. The atmosphere was oppressive and filled with killing intent.
"Isn’t this called the Immortal Herb Secret Realm? Why does it look so barren? There’s not even a single blade of grass!"
Someone asked, seemingly confused.
Immediately, someone nearby snorted and replied:
"Just because it’s called the Immortal Herb Secret Realm, do you really think there’d be herbs everywhere? If there were that many immortal herbs, do you think they’d let people like us in to pick them?"
"Ah?"
The questioner was dumbfounded, clearly disappointed. If immortal herbs were that rare, the competition would surely be fierce.
Someone else chimed in, "I’ve heard that the herbs grow in unexpected places, like deep within ravines, cracks, or even underwater or beneath lava."
"Uh..."
Those who didn’t know the details were left with their mouths agape.
The knowledgeable person laughed and added:
"But here’s the thing—these herbs were all planted by our human predecessors. Their roots are protected by formations, so you can’t just dig them up. Once an herb is picked, after some years, it grows back."
"In other words, if your family has found herbs here before and told you where to look, it’s much easier to find them again."
Many people were left speechless, feeling dejected. "So, it still comes down to having connections?"
"Heh, where in this world does it not come down to connections? Some people are just born winners."
The knowledgeable man sneered.
"Look, the geniuses from the Five Great Powers are spreading out. They’re carrying maps and seem to know exactly where they’re headed!"
Suddenly, someone cried out.
Everyone looked over and saw that the young talents from the Five Great Powers had indeed transformed into streaks of light, scattering in different directions.
"Damned privileged brats!"
"With so few immortal herbs to go around, they’re going to snatch them all!"
"This can’t go on! Brother Wu, why don’t we take action? After all, why should only they have all the benefits? Are the rest of us not worthy?"
"Heh, Brother Ximen, you jest. Such things are not to be trifled with—it could lead to our deaths."
Brother Wu laughed and politely declined. But as he brushed past Brother Ximen, he whispered:
"Let’s talk somewhere private."
Immediately, Brother Ximen’s spirit lifted!
There was hope!
After circling around a bit, the two of them met in secret behind a small hill, becoming comrades in a covert alliance.
There were many groups like Brother Wu and Brother Ximen.
They were all ambitious.
Since they were here in the Immortal Herb Secret Realm, they couldn’t just watch the big powers walk away with all the herbs, could they?
They needed herbs too!
Everyone should get a share!
As for Qin Chuan, he wasn’t in a hurry. Using his Everchanging Mask, he hid his cultivation aura and deceived the gate.
But his true cultivation remained at the Quasi-Emperor level!
Once he unleashed his Quasi-Emperor divine sense, he could cover the entire secret realm. When that happened, none of these people would be able to escape.
However... he had to wait for the portal to close first.
He had already done his research.
Once the portal closed, it would remain sealed for half a month. During that time, the secret realm would be completely cut off, with no way to send messages out or for outside experts to enter.
When that happened, he would be free to do as he pleased!
"Hey, brother! You seem calm and collected, full of confidence. You must be quite strong. Why don’t we team up?"
At that moment, a chubby, slightly sleazy-looking youth in yellow robes walked up to Qin Chuan, winking suggestively.
"What do you mean?"
Qin Chuan asked with a smile.
The chubby youth in the yellow robes glanced toward a white-dressed girl in the sky, squinting his eyes.
"See that? She’s a direct descendant of the Dong Emperor’s Yue Family. She definitely knows where to find immortal herbs. And I’ve noticed a lot of shady characters have their eyes on her."
"These guys see her as weak and want to steal the herbs from her. We can’t just let them eat the meat while we drink the soup. So, we should follow her and... you know, strike when the time is right!"
Hearing this, Qin Chuan’s expression turned a bit strange.
Even though he understood what the guy meant, if you only listened to the tone, it was easy to misunderstand.
"You go ahead. I’m waiting for someone."
Qin Chuan politely declined, continuing to watch the massive gate overhead.
"You’re waiting for someone? What’s his name? Maybe I know him."
The chubby youth seemed quite friendly and talkative.
"I’m waiting for Godot."
Qin Chuan replied nonchalantly.
"Godot?"
The chubby youth frowned. The name sounded odd, and he had never heard of anyone by that name.
"Well, I’ll leave you to it then. The portal won’t close for a few more hours, so I’d better hurry."
"After all, that young lady is so beautiful. I can’t let those brutes get the herb—only I should have it."
With that, the chubby youth’s eyes gleamed with excitement as he ran off, like a toad chasing after a swan, practically drooling.
Qin Chuan’s face stiffened.
He suddenly realized that he had truly misunderstood. The chubby youth wasn’t just being sleazy—he was in a completely different league of brazenness.
"Heh, interesting guy. He’s got decent talent and vitality, but he’s shameless. If Qin Zi ran into him, they might make a good team, sinking to the same low level together..."
After a while, Qin Chuan chuckled and shook his head.
He was, after all, from an older generation. While their ages might not differ much, they were worlds apart in terms of experience and perspective.
So, he stayed put, continuing to wait.
Suddenly!
Qin Chuan noticed something unusual. Apart from him, there were others near the portal, seemingly lingering nearby while pretending to wander around.
In fact, there were about a dozen of them.
Upon closer inspection, he sensed that each of these individuals had a hidden strength within them. It seemed they were using some kind of powerful seal to suppress their cultivation and sneak into the realm.
Qin Chuan blinked, then let out a soft laugh. "Have I... stumbled upon some kindred spirits?"
At that moment, one of the dozen individuals, a young man in black robes, subtly approached Qin Chuan.
"Hard work pays off..."
As the man passed by Qin Chuan, he muttered softly under his breath.
Qin Chuan froze for a moment.
Was this guy mistaking him for a comrade? Or perhaps an agent sent by their organization?
Was this a secret code?
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