Chapter 257: Bound to the Birth System, Becoming a Winner in Life Chapter 258 Cultivators Must Strengthen Themselves (28)

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Protagonist:

Shen Yao

"Disciple understands."

A chorus of assurances echoed from inside the flying boat. Shen Yao looked at the people dressed in pink-and-white robes, wondering how many of them would return safely this time.

Even the least dangerous Spirit Plant Secret Realm could still bring danger.

Where there are people, there is conflict. Several types of spiritual herbs exceptionally precious in the Cultivation World grow in the core area of this West Mountain Secret Realm.

However, these spiritual herbs are produced in the center of the secret realm. Her group generally moves around the outside and does not actively appear to participate, so they will most likely not bring trouble upon themselves.

"But there's no guarantee someone won't deliberately cause trouble. There are quite a few cultivators entering this time, and if someone with ill intentions takes the opportunity to seize them by force, we can only surrender."

Huang Ying wore a bitter expression. After all, they were not skilled in fighting. Against a cultivator with overwhelming combat power, life or death was merely a matter of a single thought from the other party.

Shen Yao reached out and patted Huang Ying's shoulder. "Try to let the disciples avoid conflict."

"Besides, one can exit the West Mountain Secret Realm at any time. Preserving one's life comes first."

Those not cut out for it would waste their effort no matter how much they tried. All Shen Yao could do was urge the big shots to stay sober. There are many secret realms, but only one life. Cherish life and stay away from danger.

Huang Ying smiled. "Junior Sister Shen has a broad mind and is a rare person who can let things go."

From Huang Ying's own perspective, Shen Yao's carefree attitude during this time in Yunxia Valley was not an act.

She truly did not want to compete, unlike most cultivators in the Cultivation World.

"In life, people seek different things," Shen Yao said. She was not very obsessed with longevity, perhaps because she had never been driven to a dead end. "Senior Sister Huang's state of mind is no worse than mine."

Not just anyone can be an elder of Yunxia Valley. Huang Ying has reached today with unremarkable spirit roots, thanks in no small part to her own abilities.

You have to know that the smaller the sect, the more matters there are. Don't let Huang Ying's casual tone when speaking to her fool you; the various hardships behind the words were endured by her alone. Without a resilient state of mind, she simply could not have made it.

The two exchanged compliments. After the flying boat left the range of Yunxia Valley, just as Huang Ying had said, it took less than half a day to reach the West Mountain Secret Realm.

For Shen Yao, this short-distance journey was a novel experience. You have to know that when she was in the Cultivation World, she mostly experienced drawn-out campaigns lasting a month or two.

When the flying boat landed smoothly, everyone arrived at the temporary camp without incident. A large group of cultivators had already gathered around.

They were all disciples of the major sects of the Eastern Cultivation World; there were no loose cultivators.

According to Huang Ying, the West Mountain Secret Realm had originally been under the control of the Five Great Sects. Now that the secret realm is open, naturally the sect disciples should explore and harvest first.

After this batch of disciples all come out, the West Mountain Secret Realm will officially open to the outside. Any cultivator of the Eastern Cultivation World can go there.

"However, the West Mountain Secret Realm opens once every fifty years, and the opening period is only three months. Enough spiritual herbs must be left for the secret realm to recover, so the time truly available for exploration is only two months."

Of those two months, the first half-month still belongs to the major sects.

Based on the output of the West Mountain Secret Realm, by the time loose cultivators enter, the spiritual objects in the core of the secret realm probably won't be left at all.

But so what? Cultivators of the Cultivation World must also follow the rules. With the prestige of the Five Great Sects weighing down, who dares to recklessly rush in?

Yunxia Valley is backed by Jade Maiden Palace, which is how they got this exploration quota. Calculating it, they are the beneficiaries, so naturally they won't speak up for the loose cultivators outside.

……

Yunxia Valley's temporary residence was right next to Jade Maiden Palace. Facing the Jade Maiden Palace cultivators dressed in white, cold and aloof, the Yunxia Valley disciples had no presence at all.

Shen Yao and Huang Ying did meet a Jade Maiden Palace Uncle Master, a Nascent Soul Big Shot, whose face was cold as frost and whose demeanor was otherworldly, as if he wanted to become an immortal.

Huang Ying explained in private that Jade Maiden Palace, because they cultivate the Heart of Ice Art, has a cold appearance throughout the palace, but they are very decent people, do not bully the weak, and even speak up for Yunxia Valley.

Jade Maiden Palace takes eighty percent of the paper-making sales within Yunxia Valley. It is not an exaggeration to say they are the providers of food and clothing.

Therefore, Huang Ying respects the people of Jade Maiden Palace, even if they seem difficult to get along with.

Shen Yao:... Got it, Big Shot Golden Thigh.

They stayed at the temporary camp for two days, and disciples from other sects arrived one after another.

Shen Yao saw people from Guiyun Sect among them, including her eldest son Ren Yangjue.

A Golden Core cultivator strutting about appeared among a group of Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining cultivators, simply more eye-catching than a light bulb in the night.

But Ren Yangjue didn't care. He came out this time to broaden his horizons.

The West Mountain Secret Realm has restrictions. With his Golden Core cultivation realm, he fundamentally cannot enter.

Shen Yao:...

Shen Yao rubbed her head, looking at her silly eldest son who was like a husky, and she only felt a headache.

They were all educated and raised together. How could he be so different from the first two children? Could it be a gene mutation?

All sorts of strange ideas popped into her head. Shen Yao told Ren Yangjue she would enter, and while at it, she didn't forget to ask what Ren Yangjue had learned after being in Guiyun Sect for so long.

It sounded like a parent asking questions, except Ren Yangjue was already an adult.

He scratched his head. Ren Yangjue said his cultivation talent was very high. After entering Guiyun Sect, the sect cultivated him greatly. Now he not only has a master with Spirit Transformation cultivation realm, but also a grandmaster with Mahayana cultivation realm. If he performs well, a Patriarch with Unity of the Way cultivation realm could personally guide him.

"But these are not what the child wants. My son currently cultivates spiritual objects in Guiyun Sect and already has many insights..."

Blah blah blah, blah blah blah.

Shen Yao watched her eldest son get more excited the more he spoke, thinking he had truly embarked on the path of farming and would never return. He had a good Fire Spirit Root but was doing the work of a Wood Spirit Root. She didn't know whether to praise Ren Yangjue's persistence or complain about Guiyun Sect's weakness.

"Mother, these are the various spiritual plants and related seeds my son has grown."

The storage bag was delivered to Shen Yao. Ren Yangjue felt it was necessary to show off a bit.

If you don't try, you truly won't know. Who would have thought his talent in farming was so strong? Perhaps he could walk a unique path.

Throughout history, cultivators seeking Ascension have relied on their own spirit root quality. Just as Fire Spirit Roots are more suitable for Artifact Refinement, at most they try Alchemy.

Ren Yangjue had completely walked a new route, and somehow he had made some progress. At least some changes in himself couldn't be faked. Otherwise, Guiyun Sect wouldn't waste Ren Yangjue's talent even if they were beaten to death.

However, Ren Yangjue did not discuss these in detail with Shen Yao. After all, the temporary camp was full of outsiders. They were not the highest-cultivation group here. If someone didn't observe martial virtue and secretly used shenfu to eavesdrop on their conversation, it would be no benefit to Ren Yangjue.

Shen Yao accepted the storage bag Ren Yangjue handed over. Based on the principle of mutual benefit and exchange, she gave him some specialty products of Yunxia Valley that she had grown.

Most are finished products; things like seeds and seedlings make up very little.

Unlike the Guiyun Sect with its big family and great business, Yunxia Valley is a small gate small household — we can't give away the very tools we rely on to eat.

Ren Yangjue: ……

Ren Yangjue puffed his cheeks, feeling his birth mother was truly cold-hearted toward him.

"Inside there are several bolts of fine Long Xiao Gauze, inscribed with arrays, usable for refining magical robes."

Long Xiao Gauze is precious; Yunxia Valley produces a fixed amount each year, most of which goes to the Jade Maiden Palace, the rest scattered among the Four Great Sects and some stores.

That Shen Yao could have a few bolts was only due to Elder privileges plus the Sect Master's deliberate favor; otherwise she wouldn't have been able to touch it at all.

Ren Yangjue instantly grinned, scanning the Long Xiao Gauze in his storage bag with his Shenfu, revealing a mouthful of bright, gleaming white teeth in delight.

Take back my earlier words — Mother still dotes on him, more than Eldest Young Master and Second Young Master.

……

"Junior Sister Shen"

Huang Ying found Shen Yao one evening and reminded her to gather at the Secret Realm Entrance at noon tomorrow.

Shen Yao thought she would have to wait two more days; she didn't expect the speed to be this fast.

Huang Ying looked up at the surroundings and casually laid down a layer of forbidden restriction, explaining in a low voice.

"Word is another secret realm appeared; some sects originally coming here were diverted there," the implication being this place wasn't very important, so naturally they didn't need to be too punctual.

Anyway, just harvest and secure the treasures in the core area; everything outside can be abandoned.

Not important?

Fewer people entering means, correspondingly, they can gather more spiritual plants.

Who would complain about too many spirit stones? A secret realm opening once every fifty years may most likely not produce peerless treasures, but ordinary spirit herbs in large quantities can still fetch a price.

Away from home, save where you can, earn where you can.

Shen Yao felt that relying on her space cheat, no matter how much she collected into the space she needn't worry about exposure — simply a natural procurement channel tailor-made for her.

Decided: if there's a chance later, she'll enter more of this kind of secret realm.

Anyway, Shen Yao doesn't hope to get rich overnight; she only seeks a steady trickle, letting her idle space once again fill with useful supplies.

After meditating and resting one night, Shen Yao went out the next day wearing Yunxia Valley attire, strolling to the outside of the temporary camp.

Huang Ying was instructing the fifteen disciples who had come; the Steward Hall people were not under Huang Ying's jurisdiction, so Shen Yao didn't see the three figures.

"Forget it, never mind them — their abilities are stronger than mine; if something really happens," she would be powerless.

Words realistic and cold-blooded; Huang Ying clutched a wooden plaque covered in symbols, the key to opening the secret realm.

Once the secret realm manifests, they can enter by virtue of the wooden plaque.

"Inside the secret realm, man-made disaster is far more terrifying than natural disaster; Junior Sister Shen, if you run into Jade Maiden Palace disciples, you may speak up and seek help."

Jade Maiden Palace people have stronger combat power, and among them there is incense-bond affection, making them more reliable than other sects.

Hearing this, Shen Yao gave an "Mm" and nodded, "Senior Sister Huang too.

As long as the green mountains remain, there's no fear of lacking firewood. It's just a secret realm — staying alive is most important."

Absolutely don't get foolish ideas, because unwilling to let go of this and unable to put down that, you directly lose your life.

Shen Yao feels money is external to the body; as long as a person lives long there's always hope.

Huang Ying chuckled lightly, teasing that Shen Yao would actually say such words. After all, upon first entering the cultivation world, all cultivators receive the education of contending with heaven for fate.

The word "contend" runs through almost the entire life journey of a cultivator.

In her youth, Huang Ying could be said to have spared no effort for cultivation.

But insufficient spiritual roots and aptitude were like a high mountain she could never cross, ruthlessly shattering Huang Ying's grand dreams.

Later on, Huang Ying still pursued her own Dao, only no longer with blazing brilliance.

The two stood at the doorway, gazes fixed on distant layered mountain peaks; occasionally a few crisp bird cries rang out — yet they were some cultivators' mounts.

After all, demon beasts also have brains; seeing so many cultivators here, even the most ferocious demon beast would want to preserve its life.

Time passed bit by bit, and soon the agreed-upon noon arrived.

The three Steward Hall disciples who had left had already returned; a party of twenty, led by Huang Ying, came to the position where they should appear.

Rumble—

Thunderous roars came from between the distant mountain forests; at the same time, on ground that should have been empty, undulations like water ripples suddenly appeared.

Shen Yao tilted her head slightly, sensing the spiritual power continuously rising in the air, understanding the water ripples should be the secret realm entrance, and that with the secret realm's appearance, spiritual energy would overflow in all directions.

The elders of the Five Great Sects at the very front stepped forward, forming hand seals, fixing the fluctuating secret realm entrance at the fastest speed.

The ground trembled, as if a heavy stone block had been slammed down onto it.

Only a shout of "Enter quickly" was heard, and Shen Yao's whole person was flung forward uncontrollably.

Shen Yao: ……?!!!

By the time she reacted again, Shen Yao was already standing inside the secret realm.

She took a deep breath, feeling spiritual energy flying toward her from all directions, Shen Yao's face full of utter agony.

First time because spiritual energy was too abundant, causing her body to be unable to bear it; meridians all over her body stretched painfully, forcing her to take alchemy pills for recovery.

Once her body normalized, Shen Yao gently exhaled, feeling she had truly suffered a huge loss this time.

Such dense spiritual energy — if she didn't know this was a spirit plant secret realm, she would suspect a mineral vein was buried underground.

Only a spirit stone mineral vein can compare with a secret realm; even without lifting a hand to pick spiritual plants, simply doing closed-door cultivation here would yield rich harvests.

It's just that this cultivation is temporarily unrelated to Shen Yao; her dantian cannot store too much spiritual power, so even though this spiritual energy is ample, to Shen Yao it's all useless.

Sighing as if with emotion, Shen Yao buried her head and began picking the spirit grass around her.

Not to mention, the spirit plants in a spirit plant secret realm truly exceed imagination in quantity.

Everywhere the eye sees are spiritual plants ready for picking, some even overripe beyond overripe.

Shen Yao was not courteous either; she took out storage bags from her space and collected all these spirit grasses in a categorized manner, conveniently sending each bag back to her space as soon as it was packed full.

As for the storage bag she herself carried outside, she would occasionally put some inside it as well; otherwise, when she left the secret realm empty-handed, that would arouse suspicion.

All the way, picking picking picking, digging digging digging.

Shen Yao, without realizing it, had already stayed safely in the secret realm for several days.

As for other people, she hadn't encountered a single one, but her free storage bags had been loaded full, several of them.

The spiritual plants in the Spirit Plant Secret Realm were truly too many; they simply could not be harvested completely.

When Shen Yao harvested, she was still quite restrained; things like seedlings or immature spirit grasses, she directly skipped over, leaving them for the people behind.

Otherwise her storage bags could have filled up several more, even if only with the lowest-grade spirit grasses.