Chapter 444: Nangong Mili: A Surprising Encounter

“Hmm!?”

Lu Changsheng felt a sudden pause in his heart.

Cultivators have heightened senses, and rarely do they have random feelings of foreboding.

Having broken through to Golden Core Formation, awakening the Taiyi Divine Soul, his perception was sharp. Such an inexplicable sense of unease shouldn’t arise without reason.

Through this vague feeling, Lu Changsheng faintly sensed a strange yet familiar feeling from the other person.

“Familiarity?”

Lu Changsheng was certain he’d never seen or met this person before.

So, it’s likely this person was in disguise.

“Peach Blossom Gu, activate!”

Remembering a similar sensation when he met Meng Xiaochan in Nine Heavens Immortal City, Lu Changsheng withdrew his gaze and inquired to Peach Blossom Gu.

“Buzz”

In that instant, Peach Blossom Gu sent a mental message indicating a strong peach blossom fate between him and the other person.

“Nangong Mili!?”

Using this fate connection, Lu Changsheng immediately realized the person’s identity.

It was the same woman he’d once shot in the soul, with hips like a millstone.

And he also recognized the source of this familiarity.

It was tied to the Mysterious Pearl he’d given her and the bit of Golden Core Dao Rhythm he’d nurtured for her.

“Why is this woman always engaging in such risky ventures?”

A trace of displeasure arose in Lu Changsheng’s heart.

She has a daughter now, yet instead of spending time with her, she keeps running to Jiang Kingdom’s cultivation world.

You were involved in the Nine Heavens Immortal City incident, and now you’re here in the Heavenly Yuan Secret Realm too?

Is danger what you’re drawn to?

“But meeting her now might be good; it’s time to settle our entanglements.”

“Going to Jin Kingdom with her to see Yaoyao will be much more convenient.”

Lu Changsheng’s expression remained calm as he pondered.

He planned to visit the Jin Kingdom’s cultivation world after Hong Lian emerged.

However, he didn’t know much about Jin Kingdom.

Reuniting with his daughter might not be easy.

If Nangong Mili accompanies him, things will be much easier.

As for whether she’d agree, Lu Changsheng was confident in his charm.

“Lu Changsheng?”

Lu Changsheng’s perception wasn’t wrong. This handsome young man was indeed Nangong Mili disguised using the Mysterious Pearl.

Upon seeing Lu Changsheng, she felt both surprised and puzzled.

“After searching far and wide, I never expected to find him here. This saves me a trip.”

Without casting another glance at Lu Changsheng, Nangong Mili calmly found a place to sit cross-legged.

Originally, she had intended to check on Lu Changsheng after the secret realm exploration.

Seeing him now gave her the idea to abduct him later.

Time passed gradually.

More people arrived at the Great Hall.

The Beast Taming Xu Family, Five Elements Wang Family, Shangguan Family, Danxia Mountain, and Phantom Sound Gate forces all arrived as well.

Lu Changsheng felt a slight surprise when he saw the five people from the Beast Taming Xu Family.

Xu Ruoyin was among them.

“She’s here too.”

Lu Changsheng was surprised.

But upon reconsideration, it made sense. The Beast Taming Xu Family had a quota for the secret realm, and Xu Ruoyin, being a Xu Family genius, securing a spot was quite normal.

He nodded towards Xu Ruoyin in acknowledgment but didn’t go over to chat.

Other than Xu Ruoyin, he didn’t recognize many others.

However, he did have some impression of a lady with delicate features, veiled in white from Phantom Sound Gate. If he recalled correctly, she was called ‘Qin Fairy’, a disciple of the Phantom Sound Gate leader.

“Qin Fairy.”

The name made Lu Changsheng chuckle.

He remembered that a few months ago, his daughter, Lu Wangshu, made a name for herself in Hongye Valley Marketplace and was titled ‘Talisman Fairy’ by some.

Later, she complained to him, saying such titles were too common.

In the Jiang Kingdom’s cultivation world, titles like Talisman Fairy, Qin Fairy, Sword Fairy, Flower Fairy, and so on weren’t just a few; they were many.

Once the Beast Taming Xu Family, Danxia Mountain, and Phantom Sound Gate forces had all gathered, a group of 30 disciples in Sunset Glow Sect attire entered the palace.

These disciples all had Foundation Establishment cultivation and an impressive aura.

“It seems nothing major will happen in this secret realm; any issues here would severely damage the Four Great Immortal Sects.”

Watching this scene, Lu Changsheng mused to himself.

While the Four Great Immortal Sects had abundant Foundation Establishment cultivators,

Foundation Establishment cultivators were still a valuable resource, pillars of the sects.

Moreover, these Foundation Establishment cultivators were clearly not ordinary; they were elite disciples of their respective sects.

After the Sunset Glow Sect arrived, the Azure Cloud Sect, Spirit Control Sect, and Heavenly Sword Sect soon followed.

This was the first time Lu Changsheng saw such a large-scale gathering.

The Great Hall now held nearly 300 Foundation Establishment cultivators!

“If a Demonic Dao Venerable attacked and wiped out this group, the entire cultivation world of Jiang Kingdom would be half crippled.”

Lu Changsheng thought, eyeing the cultivators in the hall, curious about how many Demonic Dao cultivators might be hidden among them.

He didn’t believe Nangong Mili was the only Demonic Dao Golden Core here.

Just then, a ripple appeared across the crack in the distance.

A white-haired, ethereal-looking old man walked out.

Next followed a woman with sharp eyebrows like painted mountains, exquisite features like blooming snow lotus, her high ponytail giving her a cold and aloof demeanor. She carried a Magical Sword exuding a chilling air.

“Greetings, True Person Lingfeng!”

“Greetings, Chu Qingyi!”

People recognized them immediately, showing respectful expressions and bowing deeply.

Even those who didn’t recognize them understood these two were Golden Core Real Persons of the Four Great Immortal Sects and offered respectful bows.

“Haha, since everyone is here, let’s not waste time. Please line up and enter the secret realm in order.”

The ethereal-looking True Person Lingfeng smiled kindly at the crowd, his tone gentle and warm.

After speaking, he cast a spell at the crack before him.

A cascade of light flowed from the crack, causing the ground to tremble slightly. A massive formation appeared, interwoven with a layer of white spirit light.

“What kind of formation is this?”

Lu Changsheng knew something about Formation Techniques but hadn’t specialized in them, so he couldn’t identify this one.

A few others discreetly observed the formation with solemn expressions.

Soon after, people began entering the formation one by one, entering the secret realm through the crack.

“Buzz!”

Suddenly, as a gaunt old man stepped onto the array, demonic energy surged forth.

“Demon Cultivator!”

“Daring Demon Cultivator!”

Cries of alarm echoed as the demonic energy appeared.

“Buzz—”

Instantly, the elderly, kind-looking Lingfeng’s eyes widened with ferocity. Like a lion awakening, his entire being exuded a terrifying spiritual pressure as the palace’s formations activated and suppressed the gaunt old man.

Simultaneously, the cold and aloof Qingyi unsheathed her sword, releasing a brilliant sword light.

“Swoosh!”

The gaunt elder was obliterated by the sword light.

“This….”

“Is this the power of a Golden Core Real Person!”

“How terrifying!”

The crowd was in an uproar, their expressions turning respectful and awestruck as they looked at True Person Lingfeng and Chu Qingyi.

Especially the male cultivators, who looked at Qingyi with admiration, attraction, and infatuation.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk, a fake core cultivator trying to fish in troubled waters,”

Lu Changsheng observed the scene with a calm expression.

He thought to himself, this False Core ancestor should have stayed in his lane instead of getting involved in such matters.

Though he could understand their actions somewhat.

The Fake Core cultivator was likely nearing the end of his lifespan.

The Heavenly Yuan Secret Realm was rumored to be extraordinary, potentially holding a chance to convert a false core into a True Core, so he came to try his luck.

“But, unfortunately, he didn’t even get inside.”

Lu Changsheng sighed inwardly and glanced at the handsome young man disguised as Nangong Mili.

He hoped the Mysterious Pearl would protect her from detection.

If she were detected, it would cause significant trouble, and intervening would be difficult.

“Hmph, as expected, there are Demonic Dao traitors among us.”

True Person Lingfeng snorted coldly.

His stern face softened into a gentle expression as he addressed the others, saying, “No need to worry, continue as planned.”

The crowd resumed lining up, continuing to enter the secret realm.

Lu Changsheng breathed a slight sigh of relief when he saw Nangong Mili pass through.

But as it was nearly his turn, the woman in green robes ahead of him began to exude a faint hint of demonic energy.

“Hmm!?”

Sensing danger, Lu Changsheng immediately retreated to the back of the crowd.

“Boom!”

In that instant, the palace’s formations activated, unleashing a terrifying spiritual pressure toward the woman in green.

Qingyi moved swiftly, her sword reflecting a cold light like snowfall in June.

The woman’s face changed, and demonic energy surged around her, forming a black and red demonic armor.

But in a flash, Qingyi’s azure sword light, vast and overwhelming, severed the armor as though it were nonexistent, splitting her completely in two.

The woman’s split body immediately turned into a black-red cloud of blood, swirling towards the others nearby.

“Demonic Dao traitor, dare to act shamelessly!”

True Person Lingfeng scolded coldly, summoning a chessboard-like formation in his hand. The board’s array patterns illuminated the hall and enveloped the blood cloud.

“Buzz!”

The blood cloud was instantly paralyzed, revealing a middle-aged man with a pale, menacing face.

The man’s left arm was withered and dried, leaving an empty sleeve.

“This is a technique for absorbing tribulation?”

Lu Changsheng’s pupils contracted slightly as he recognized the method.

Its principles were similar to the Avatar Talisman.

When facing an unavoidable disaster, one could use another object to take the hit.

In Demonic Dao techniques, this often meant using their limbs or internal organs.

“Go!”

The sinister-looking man knew there was no way he could fight within the palace.

He immediately pulled out an ancient Jade Talisman, creating an invisible protective aura around him as he tried to flee.

However, this palace was made from special materials and covered in formation patterns. Even though he was a Golden Core Real Person, he couldn’t force his way out.

Meanwhile,

“Swish, swish, swish—”

Qingyi’s sword slashed out brilliant sword lights, attacking the sinister man. The entire palace filled with her freezing sword intent, cold and sharp like winter’s chill.

“Slash!”

The sword lights shattered the protective aura around the man’s body, leaving his body riddled with bleeding wounds. Weak and pale, he could only flee through the entrance.

This entrance also had a restrictive formation.

However, the talisman he just used had the power to break formations, allowing him to forcefully break through and disappear outside.

“The tunnel outside spans several miles; escaping won’t be easy. Plus, there are likely ambushes waiting outside.”

Watching this, Lu Changsheng felt that the Four Great Immortal Sects had set up a perfect trap.

Even if a Golden Core Real Person entered, they’d have no escape.

Moreover, it seemed that the old man in white and Qingyi hadn’t used their full strength.

They were likely worried that their opponent, out of desperation, might self-destruct his Golden Core if pushed too hard. So they left him a slim chance of escape.

After all, even if his strength was average and his Golden Core was of low quality, self-destruction in these close quarters would still cause considerable harm.

“That was a Golden Core Real Person, yet he couldn’t even defend himself.”

“Fairy Qingyi’s High-Tier Golden Core is beyond compare!”

“What? Fairy Qingyi formed a High-Tier Golden Core? No wonder…”

The crowd murmured quietly, discussing Qingyi.

Earlier, her killing of the False Core cultivator seemed unsurprising to everyone.

But now, witnessing a Demonic Dao Golden Core being completely overpowered by the pair, it left many astonished.

After the commotion subsided, True Person Lingfeng spoke again, urging them to continue. Lu Changsheng stepped forward and passed through the formation into the secret realm.

In an instant, the world transformed.

“So, this is the Heavenly Yuan Secret Realm?”

Lu Changsheng stood on a vast, fragrant grassland, surrounded by lush greenery and towering ancient trees in the distance.

The other cultivators were waiting nearby.

Aside from these people, there were two Golden Core Real Persons stationed here.

Lu Changsheng recognized one of them.

It was the Spirit Control Sect’s Tiger Roar Cultivator, whom he encountered years ago in the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range.

“Looks like the Four Great Immortal Sects have gathered everyone they could spare for this expedition.”

Lu Changsheng thought as he surveyed the secret realm.

It resembled the outside world, but there were no sun or moon in the sky.

The spiritual energy was thick, yet there was no vital energy flowing.

“This secret realm resembles Sumeru Cave Heaven, but the lack of vital energy makes it feel barren.”

Earlier, Xiao Xiyue had mentioned the general situation of the Heavenly Yuan Secret Realm to him.

He knew that the Four Great Immortal Sects had emptied this secret realm long ago.

Now, with vital energy cut off, the realm lacked life, giving it a desolate air.

“Even with vital energy cut off, the spiritual energy is still so dense. This realm must have once had a Fourth-Tier spiritual vein.”

Lu Changsheng observed the spiritual energy swirling in the realm, deep in thought.

It was hard to imagine how lush this realm must have been before it was developed.

He stopped his musings and found a place to sit and rest.

Some time passed, and everyone finally entered the secret realm, including True Person Lingfeng and Chu Qingyi.

However, Lu Changsheng keenly noticed that three people were missing compared to before, likely demonic cultivators captured upon entering.

“Everyone, follow me.”

True Person Lingfeng said gently, leading the group deeper into the secret realm.

The secret realm was vast.

It contained not only lush forests but also expansive grasslands, dark mountain ranges, and sprawling ruins.

“Is this really just a secret realm? This feels like a small world.”

Lu Changsheng marveled inwardly.

This was his first time entering a dungeon-like secret realm,

Even if it had been depleted of resources and only the shell remained, it still left him impressed.

After half an hour of travel,

Lu Changsheng saw a towering stone stele standing like a small mountain ahead.

The stele was grand and majestic, seemingly made of stone but appearing as though forged from metal, exuding an ancient, time-worn aura.

Standing before the stele, one felt both insignificant and oppressed by its immense weight.

“Everyone, this celestial stele is the supreme opportunity within the Heavenly Yuan Secret Realm.”

“By meditating here, you can gain insights into the Dao, or perhaps even receive a technique inheritance!”

True Person Lingfeng’s voice was warm and kind as he said, “Everyone who has come here is either the future hope of Jiang Kingdom’s cultivation world or one of its current pillars.”

“Our Four Great Immortal Sects have shared this opportunity with you in hopes that we can all move forward together, making Jiang Kingdom’s cultivation world more prosperous. So, treasure this chance.”

“If any of you gain a technique inheritance from the celestial stele, you must transcribe a copy for us.”

“We Four Great Immortal Sects won’t take advantage of you; we’ll provide corresponding resources based on the value of the inheritance.”

True Person Lingfeng, clad in white, spoke gently, his face calm and kind as he addressed the cultivators.

But the crowd had already witnessed this Golden Core Real Person’s fierce side.

“Thank you, Real Person!”

“Rest assured, Real Person!”

“We will definitely work hand in hand with the supreme sects!”

“My family owes everything to the supreme sects; I will do my best to repay!”

“Without the supreme sects, there would be no Wang Family; we’re willing to give everything to the supreme sects!”

Many clan cultivators immediately voiced their loyalty.

As for the disciples of the Four Great Immortal Sects, they were already familiar with such protocols, merely offering respectful bows in response.