Chapter 1367
Ancient Secret Realm, Teleportation Array
"Ancient secret realm, I wonder where this place you mentioned is, and whether it has anything special about it?"
The so-called ancient secret realms refer to the immortal abodes created by powerful cultivators in ancient times. Similar relics can be found in many places across the five continents and four seas of the "Huayang Realm".
Back when Song Qingming was still in the Nascent Soul stage, he once followed Chen Qingxuan to explore the ancient immortal abode in the "Falling Star Sea".
Furthermore, they obtained many spiritual items and a high-level array manual.
Later, his array formation skills improved so quickly, thanks in no small part to this ancient cultivator's array formation manual.
However, most of these immortal abodes and secret realms have been discovered by others over the past tens of thousands of years, and few have been preserved intact.
Moreover, for a Nascent Soul cultivator like "Yu Zhenzi" who has already ruled over a region, very few restrictive formations can withstand his supernatural powers.
Even if they did find an ancient secret realm, they could lead their disciples to explore it themselves; there was no need to share it with other Nascent Soul cultivators.
After all, since "Yu Zhenzi" had taken the initiative to invite Song Qingming to cooperate in treasure hunting, he would definitely have to give up some of the profits to him.
There must be a special reason why the other party chose to do this; it's not as simple as he just said on the surface.
Upon hearing what "Yu Zhenzi" said, Song Qingming did not show excessive excitement on his face, and immediately asked the other party a question.
Seeing Song Qingming being so cautious, "Yu Zhenzi" quickly nodded to him.
"Fellow Daoist Song is right. The place I'm talking about is indeed somewhat special. It took me a lot of effort to finally pinpoint its location."
That ancient secret realm is located in the Northern Underworld Continent, and it is not so easy to enter.
Fellow Daoist, you should now understand why I sought your cooperation!
"Northern Underworld Immortal Continent!"
"So, the place you're looking for, fellow cultivator, is somehow connected to demonic cultivators."
Having reached the Nascent Soul stage, Song Qingming and "Yu Zhenzi" are both at the pinnacle of the cultivation world, with the freedom to go anywhere in the world.
However, there are also several dangerous places in the "Huayang Realm" that these Nascent Soul cultivators are unwilling to approach easily.
Of these places, the one that poses the greatest threat to Nascent Soul cultivators is...
Aside from the Dragon Abyss Sea, which Song Qingming and "Fire Phoenix" ventured to in previous years, the "Northern Underworld Immortal Continent," teeming with demons, is the most feared.
Except for the southern part of "Beiming Immortal Continent" which is controlled by the demon race, 70% of its northern territory is the territory of demons.
It contains countless high-level demonic cultivators, as well as great demons at the Nascent Soul stage.
Back then, Song Qingming, who was in the late Nascent Soul stage, and Yang Kaishan and others went to "Northern Underworld Immortal Continent" to search for treasure.
Even when being chased by the demon race, they only dared to detour eastward to escape, and dared not risk venturing deep into the demon-controlled lands to the north.
With great difficulty, they finally escaped back to "Zhongyuan Immortal Continent".
Compared to the unpredictable true dragons of the "Dragon Abyss Sea," the "Northern Underworld Immortal Continent," teeming with demons, is an even more dreadful and dangerous place.
Even a Nascent Soul stage expert like Yu Zhenzi would risk death if he ventured deep inside and was besieged by numerous demons.
In addition, the other party was so cautious in wanting to cooperate with me.
Song Qingming didn't need to guess; he knew perfectly well that the ancient secret realm the other party was looking for was most likely within the territory of the demonic cultivators.
Upon hearing this, "Yu Zhenzi" nodded slightly.
"What Fellow Daoist Song said is correct. That place is under the control of demons. If too many people go there, it will easily alert those demonic cultivators."
At that time, not only will they be in great danger, but they will also indirectly expose the location of the ancient secret realm.
It was precisely because of this consideration that I did not act rashly and wanted to invite fellow Daoists to accompany me.
If it's just the two of us acting, the chances of success should be quite high.
"If you are willing to cooperate, we can share the treasures equally after entering the secret realm. I only need the right to choose one spiritual item first."
To be honest, according to the notes, that secret realm was established by a famous ancient alchemy sect.
If you and I can find one or two high-level spiritual pills inside, we will definitely have a chance to advance smoothly to the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm.
The spatial node in the outer sea hasn't completely disappeared yet. When that time comes, Fellow Daoist Song and I can still plan together to sneak into the upper realm.
Yu Zhenzi's cultivation has reached the third level of the Nascent Soul stage, and he is not far from breaking through to the middle stage of the Nascent Soul stage.
The reason he didn't choose to enter the spatial node with "Granny Jin Yue" and "Master Lü Yang" back then was because his own cultivation level was insufficient.
Seeing that "Yu Zhenzi" was eager to win him over for cooperation, Song Qingming was already somewhat tempted, but his expression remained very calm.
"There is still one thing I don't understand, and I would like to ask you about it."
Since you are willing to share the treasure with me, why didn't you invite Fellow Daoist Lü Yang and Senior Jin Yue to come along?
With their cultivation and supernatural abilities, if they were willing to help you, fellow Daoist, your chances of success would surely be much higher.
"Haha, how could I not have considered what Fellow Daoist Song said?"
However, when I obtained this manuscript, I didn't have time to decipher its contents before Fellow Daoist Lü Yang and his companion had already decided to enter the spatial node.
Although I took the initiative to invite you, you two fellow Daoists were never interested in going treasure hunting with me, so the matter was delayed.
Over the years, I have been searching for suitable partners.
Fellow Daoist Song is not only of equal cultivation to mine, but also proficient in the art of formations, making him a good partner for me.
If even you, fellow Daoist, are unwilling to help, then I will have no choice but to try my luck at the Haoran Pavilion with Wuyouzi.
Seeing that Song Qingming still seemed to have some doubts, "Yu Zhenzi" did not hide anything and directly explained why he chose to cooperate with the other party.
There aren't many Nascent Soul cultivators in the "Huayang Realm," and since they are scattered across the five continents and four seas, most of them aren't very close to each other.
The only suitable partners that "Yu Zhenzi" could find were those close to "Lei Yuanhai".
"Master Lü Yang" and "Grandma Jin Yue" are both mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivators. Their lifespans are already limited, and for the past few hundred years they have been single-mindedly planning to smuggle themselves into the spatial node.
For the two of them, even if they could find some high-level spiritual items, it would be of no use if they couldn't help them break through to the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm.
He had no intention of accompanying "Yu Zhenzi" on his adventure to the Northern Underworld Immortal Continent.
However, the relationship between Wuyouzi, another Nascent Soul cultivator in Lei Yuanhai, and Yuzhenzi was not actually that good.
After "Master Lü Yang" left Huayang Realm, the two strongest sects in Lei Yuanhai became "Seven Mysterious Palace" and "Haoran Pavilion".
Over the years, the two factions' vassals have frequently clashed over territory.
Even if Yu Zhenzi took the initiative to visit, it would probably be difficult to persuade the other party.
Compared to that, "Yu Zhenzi's" invitation to Song Qingming to cooperate is probably more trustworthy.
Secondly, Song Qingming's high-level array mastery of arrays is a great help in exploring the ancient secret realm of "Beiming Immortal Continent".
The fact that "Yu Zhenzi" took the initiative to invite him was probably partly due to this reason.
Seeing that the other party had already said this much, Song Qingming had basically figured out "Yu Zhenzi's" confidence, and a look of understanding quickly appeared on his face.
"It is rare for you to think so highly of me, so I, Song, will accept your offer and agree to cooperate with you."
However, I still have some matters to attend to when I return, and I need to prepare for this matter.
"Fellow Daoist Song, please rest assured, there is no rush. I also need to make some preparations here."
"Since you've agreed, let's set a date and set off together."
".
Seeing that Song Qingming readily agreed, "Yu Zhenzi" was immediately excited and set a departure time with him on the spot.
After the two made their agreement, "Yu Zhenzi" personally escorted Song Qingming out of the mountain gate.
When they parted, he didn't forget to hand Song Qingming a congratulatory gift, claiming that he wanted to make up for the debt that Song Qingming owed for holding the God Transformation Celebration back then.
Having already advanced to the Nascent Soul realm for nearly three hundred years, Song Qingming was naturally embarrassed to accept "Yu Zhenzi's" congratulatory gift.
However, the other party was too enthusiastic, and in the end, Song Qingming had no choice but to take out a spiritual item from his person to exchange with them before accepting the jade box they gave him.
After leaving the Seven Mysteries Palace, Song Qingming opened the congratulatory gift given by Yu Zhenzi and found that the jade box contained a very rare silver spirit pearl.
This pearl bears some resemblance to the deep-sea moon clam that "Wuyouzi" gave him back then, and it is also a high-level spiritual object that can help Nascent Soul cultivators improve their cultivation.
Upon seeing the valuable "gift" in his hand, Song Qingming could also sense it.
Yu Zhenzi's magnanimity this time suggests he attaches great importance to their upcoming trip to the Northern Underworld Immortal Continent.
After all, if their cultivation level reaches a certain point, they will not have the opportunity to break through to the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm if they cannot find those high-level spiritual items that are truly useful to them.
The reason Song Qingming agreed was that he was also unwilling to let go of this opportunity to search for spiritual objects.
Even knowing how dangerous the "Northern Underworld Immortal Continent" was, he did not choose to back down.
Song Qingming's cultivation has now reached the third level of the Nascent Soul realm, just one step away from the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm.
If this trip yields some results, and if there's a way to exchange some spiritual water with Ao Xing, the chances of breaking through to the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm within the next few hundred years will be quite high.
".
After passing through the "Void Beyond the Boundary" and arriving beyond the Nine Heavens, Song Qingming successfully traversed millions of miles in just a few days and reached the vicinity of the "Floating Cloud Mountains".
Only when he returned to the sect and saw that Song Qingming had indeed successfully brought back the high-grade "Mysterious Void Stone" did Bai Yuxian and the others breathe a sigh of relief.
With sufficient materials available, Long Ziyun quickly brought over the array diagram for constructing a large teleportation array. The two sides immediately reached an agreement and began construction.
With the full cooperation of the "Four Seas Business Alliance", the "Free and Unfettered Sect" successfully built a teleportation array on "Golden Feather Mountain" in less than ten years.
Meanwhile, the teleportation array on the other side, located in the southern part of the Eastern Phoenix Kingdom, was also successfully completed not long afterward.
Once the teleportation arrays on both sides are successfully connected, the cultivation world of "Donghuang Kingdom" and "Floating Cloud Mountain Range" will officially have a shortcut connecting them.
In the past, to reach the "Eastern Phoenix Kingdom," one had to cross the Illusionary Sea Desert, which would take even a Golden Core cultivator at least half a year.
Now that there is a large "teleportation array" connecting the two places, cultivators can arrive at their destination instantly.
Even low-level cultivators at the Qi Refining or Foundation Establishment stages can easily traverse hundreds of thousands of miles as long as they can afford the spirit stones.
After the "teleportation arrays" of the two places were connected, it became much more convenient for cultivators in the Floating Cloud Mountains to travel.
In the nearby East Sea and Tianhai cultivation worlds, most people who wanted to travel to the "East Phoenix Kingdom" abandoned their original long journey and chose to take the teleportation array to the "Floating Cloud Mountains".
Many cultivators from the "Eastern Phoenix Kingdom" who were already curious about the Floating Cloud Mountains also came to this place to travel via the teleportation array.
In just a few years, the number of high-level cultivators moving around the "Floating Cloud Mountains" has nearly doubled.
This also brought a continuous and considerable income to the Xiaoyao Sect and the Four Seas Merchant Alliance, who established the "Teleportation Array".
To protect the two teleportation arrays, Sect Leader Bai Yuxian dispatched six Nascent Soul elders from the sect to each end of the arrays.
The "Four Seas Business Alliance," which cooperates with it, as well as many vassal sects under the "Free and Unfettered Sect," also take turns sending cultivators to guard the teleportation array.
On Jinyu Mountain alone, there are five Nascent Soul cultivators and thirty Golden Core cultivators stationed there year-round.
Furthermore, Song Qingming personally set up a high-grade level four protective array on the mountain, which was sufficient to resist any attack from those below the Nascent Soul stage.
Not long after the "teleportation array" was built, Song Qingming, who was in his cave, soon received a message from "Lei Yuanhai".
After more than a decade of preparation, "Yu Zhenzi" had finished his business and sent a message to Song Qingming to depart for Beiming Immortal Continent.
Upon receiving the message, Song Qingming immediately went to the stone chamber deep within the cave and met Qu Bai, who was diligently forging a magical artifact.
Upon seeing Song Qingming arrive, "Qu Bai" immediately cast a spell to send a forged shield in front of him.
“I’ve added some Xuan Kong Stones to this Xuan Guang Shield. Try it and see if it can stop a typical spatial rift.”
After tossing the shield to Song Qingming, "Qu Bai" immediately activated the Sacred Star Disc in his hand, drawing a spatial rift in the air in front of the opponent.
Upon seeing this, Song Qingming immediately cast a spell to control the "Mystic Light Shield," directly blocking the spatial rift that was right next to him.
Faced with the approaching spatial rift, the "Mystic Light Shield" that collided with it suddenly burst forth with dazzling spiritual light. The two sides fought for a while before the rift suddenly disappeared.
When the "Mystic Light Shield" returned to Song Qingming's hands, he saw that it was undamaged with only a slight mark on it, which made him quite satisfied.
Since becoming a Nascent Soul Ancestor, in recent centuries, many cultivators from the "Free and Unfettered Sect" have come to offer their treasures.
This defensive spiritual treasure that "Qu Bai" just finished refining was made from a level-five spiritual wood that was presented by a sect in Nanzhou a few years ago.
In terms of defensive magic alone, although it is slightly inferior to Song Qingming's natal magic weapon "Five Elements Divine Light Mirror", it is still a very good defensive spiritual treasure.
Qu Bai, who was standing opposite Song Qingming, remained completely calm after witnessing what had just happened.
"Although the Xuan Kong Stone has some use, it needs to be combined with higher-level materials to enhance its power in order to fight against spatial storms."
Otherwise, with just this magical treasure, I wouldn't be able to hold out for long once I enter the spatial passage.
"High-level space materials are indeed hard to find, but don't worry, Brother Qu, I've already asked Xuan Yi and the others to inquire about them."
"As long as we have information about high-level materials, we'll find them sooner or later; there's no need to rush."
Seeing that "Qu Bai" seemed somewhat dissatisfied with the power of the magical treasure before him, Song Qingming quickly spoke up to reassure him.
Although the high-level materials needed for "Qu Bai" are not easy to find, there is still plenty of time for the two to search slowly before they reach the smuggling space node.
As long as it can be melted and reinforced before smuggling into the space node, that will be fine.
After returning the "Mystic Light Shield" to Qu Bai, Song Qingming finally spoke to him and asked:
"Brother Qu, I'm about to head out to the Northern Underworld Immortal Continent. Do you want to stay in the cave or come with me?"
"The Northern Underworld Immortal Continent is not a safe place. I'd better go with you!"
The Xuanbing Jade Silkworm has already fallen asleep; just ask Xiao Jin to look after it for a while.
However, the Mystic Light Shield is still missing a few runes that haven't been forged properly. Wait another half month, and it should be ready.
In recent years, Qu Bai has been quite busy. This time, Song Qingming originally wanted to say goodbye to him and prepare to go to Beiming Immortal Continent by himself.
Seeing that the other party was willing to take the time to travel with him, Song Qingming nodded slightly, turned around and left the stone chamber.
".
After returning to the main hall of the cave, Song Qingming took out a communication talisman and informed Song Qingyu, Huang Siyuan, and the others that he would be leaving in half a month.
Not long after, Song Qingyu and Li Xuanyi arrived at the "Huixian Pavilion" together and met Song Qingming, who was already waiting there.
"Seventh Brother, why are you suddenly going to the Northern Underworld Immortal Continent? Is it because of the search for demonic cultivators?"
"Husband, the Northern Underworld Immortal Continent is not like other places. It's too dangerous for you to go alone. Why don't you discuss this matter with Senior Chen first?"
".
A few years ago, a powerful demonic cultivator appeared near Jade Profound Island. Li Xuanyi personally went to the Eastern Phoenix Kingdom to lead a team to investigate the matter.
After searching for a while, the group found the demonic cultivator's trail and discovered that he also possessed a very powerful demonic treasure.
After a fierce battle, and with the loss of several cultivators, the enemy finally escaped and fled towards the direction of Beiming Prefecture.
Upon suddenly hearing that Song Qingming was going to "Beiming Immortal Continent", Li Xuanyi thought that Song Qingming wanted to personally track down the escaped demon.
Knowing all too well that the place was dangerous, a hint of worry inevitably appeared on her face.
Seeing this, Song Qingming quickly spoke up to comfort the two of them.
Explaining that he was only looking for a spiritual object nearby, and not specifically searching for any demon, eased Li Xuanyi's expression somewhat.
Although they were slightly worried, the two knew that once Song Qingming made a decision, it would be difficult to change it, so they didn't say anything more.
After hearing Song Qingming's words of advice, Song Qingyu quickly nodded and took her leave, leaving Li Xuanyi and Song Qingming some time to talk alone.
Before long, another figure arrived at the pavilion. It was Huang Siyuan, who had just put down her alchemy work and rushed over.
Bai Yuxian had already gone into seclusion to try to break through to the Nascent Soul stage, and did not receive a message from Song Qingming this time.
In recent years, thanks to the strong support of the sect for various high-grade materials and spiritual herbs, Huang Siyuan has been extremely busy with alchemy.
His alchemy skills have also improved by leaps and bounds. The success rate of his fourth-grade high-quality spiritual pills can now be maintained at 40% to 50%, which is approaching the bottleneck of a fifth-grade alchemist.
Not only Huang Siyuan herself, but also the "Alchemy Pavilion" under her management has cultivated many high-level talents.
Currently, the "Xiaoyao Sect" has as many as seven or eight alchemists of level four or above. Even the Song family, which is far away in Wei Kingdom, has cultivated a low-grade level four alchemist.
However, the sect currently lacks high-level texts on alchemy, and Huang Siyuan still lacks some opportunities to break through to the fifth level of her alchemy skills.
Over the years, Song Qingming has also been trying to find a high-level alchemy manual to pass on to Huang Siyuan, so as to help her improve her alchemy skills.
However, alchemy lineages of level five or above are extremely rare in the entire "Eastern Phoenix Immortal Continent".
Aside from the two Nascent Soul factions, "Tianyu Sect" and "Dangmo Palace," only the "Danyuan Valley," renowned for its alchemy, still retains the high-level inheritance of a Level 5 alchemist.
A few years ago, Li Xuanyi personally visited Danyuan Valley, wanting to exchange some high-quality spiritual items for a fifth-level alchemist's inheritance.
When the other party learned of Li Xuanyi's purpose, although they did not directly refuse, they made all sorts of excuses and refused to grant her request.
In the end, Li Xuanyi returned empty-handed, only bringing back a high-level pill formula that she had traded with the other party.
Song Qingming wasn't too surprised that Dan Yuan Valley would refuse Li Xuanyi's request, since it involved the core inheritance of their sect.
Once Dan Yuan Valley chooses to hand over this inheritance, Huang Siyuan's breakthrough to the fifth-level alchemist will inevitably have a certain impact on the alchemy market in Donghuang Kingdom, which she controls.
However, due to the pressure from Song Qingming, the Nascent Soul Ancestor, the other party dared not refuse outright.
Otherwise, if any other Nascent Soul sect had made such an impolite request, Dan Yuan Valley would have immediately expelled the visitors from the mountain.
Besides "Dan Yuan Valley", "Tian Yu Sect" and "Dang Mo Palace" are both Nascent Soul cultivators who are on par with "Xiao Yao Sect".
If Song Qingming wants to make a deal with the other party, he must also offer a core inheritance of the same level, which is something that the "Xiaoyao Sect" is currently finding difficult to persuade the other party to do.
Upon learning that Song Qingming was going to "Beiming Immortal Continent", Huang Siyuan put aside her work and personally cooked a table of food and wine for him.
After they had eaten and drunk their fill, they returned to Huang Siyuan's cave with satisfaction.
With half a month to go, Song Qingming decided to stay here and spend some quality time with his two Daoist partners.
In recent years, the group has spent most of their time in seclusion cultivating, and Song Qingming has not had much time to spend with them.
Now that they were finally able to gather together, Li Xuanyi naturally didn't waste any of their time and took the initiative to pull Huang Siyuan aside to ask her some questions about cultivation.
Above the bed in the cave, several figures mingled within the gauze curtains, occasionally punctuated by bursts of laughter and discussion.
The three put aside their many worries and forgot about the time that was passing by outside.
".
Two months later, Song Qingming returned to his cave dwelling and set off with "Qu Bai," who had already refined the spiritual treasure.
The two rode the jade shuttle through the "mountain-protecting formation" and headed directly east. (End of Chapter)