Chapter 249

The monsters were still waiting anxiously outside the cave, but the aura coming from inside was truly strange, nothing like the fluctuations Ye Qin usually sent.

It was like a vast river rushing toward them, like myriad stars piercing the heavens, and within it came a surge of vibrant life, as if all things were reviving, filled with an unfathomably mysterious Dao rhythm.

That feeling could not be described in words, only feeling profoundly mysterious; although the monsters did not know what Ye Qin was doing in the cave, their intuition told them the master must be undertaking something great.

The Northeast Tiger stroked its chin, saying, "Master, could you be refining some divine elixir? This aura seems like the kind given off when making pills."

Beside it, the weasel shook its head, saying, "No, in my view the master should be refining weapons; such fluctuations—could the master be practicing some divine sharp instrument?"

The brown bear pondered for a moment, saying, "If it were weapon refining, it wouldn't be like that either; the master's divine weapons are always blazing with sharpness—when have they ever been so restrained?"

Just as the monsters were guessing and discussing, the fox, with keen eyes, spotted that touch of emerald appearing at the cave mouth and shouted loudly, "Master has come out!"

The monsters hurriedly gathered around; the Northeast Tiger, with deep cultivation, was the first to sense something wrong with Ye Qin.

Logically, after Ye Qin's recent breakthrough, his spiritual aura should be surging like a sea, rich beyond compare, yet it felt no fluctuation of spiritual power at all, as if his spiritual power had been completely exhausted.

The Northeast Tiger's beast pupils instantly contracted to pinpricks, becoming extremely tense: "Master, what's wrong with you? Why can't I sense your spiritual power? Could something have gone wrong in your cultivation?"

After it said that, the other monsters also noticed Ye Qin's abnormality; their original joy was replaced by worry.

Ye Qin had just opened up the secret realm, consuming a great deal of spiritual power, so the situation was actually normal, but the monsters did not know the reason and almost thought something had gone wrong in his cultivation.

In the monsters' hearts, Ye Qin's status was supremely exalted; if he truly encountered something, to them it would be no different from the heavens collapsing.

Seeing the monsters' concerned expressions, Ye Qin felt a warm current pass through his heart and spoke to soothe them: "You need not worry; my cultivation has encountered no problem."

The Northeast Tiger and the others stood frozen, saying, "If there's no problem, how could your spiritual aura be exhausted to this extent? Master, don't joke—tell us what's happening, and we can help think of a solution."

It's no wonder the monsters misunderstood; the spiritual power consumed in opening the secret realm was truly enormous, and Ye Qin's current spiritual aura is even less than that of a fledgling monster just starting cultivation.

That is because the master opened up the secret realm.

The monsters looked at each other, a hint of doubt crossing their faces, and almost in unison said, "Secret realm?"

Could it be the kind of secret realm we saw in books!

Ye Qin offered no explanation, picking the Northeast Tiger, weasel, old turtle, brown bear, and a few other great monsters, saying, "You, follow me."

The few monsters named, filled with doubts, followed closely behind Ye Qin into the cave; the dim cave emitted a faint glow, as if it were a passage connecting to another world.

The deeper they went, the more obvious the strange aura became; they had never felt such a peculiar fluctuation, sharing the same source as Ye Qin, yet upon closer inspection it felt somewhat different.

For a moment, the monsters' hearts pounded like drums, they dared not even breathe; after they made out the scene deep in the cave, all the monsters opened their mouths wide and stood frozen.

All that could be seen was a cylindrical column of light floating in midair, emitting a soft halo, with various colored light points drifting within, somewhat like a teleportation array or something similar.

"What is this? It feels so beautiful."

"The fluctuations emanating from within feel very strange."

The monsters chattered with mixed opinions, their expressions filled with doubt and curiosity.

"Stand below."

In response to Ye Qin's command, all the monsters obeyed unconditionally, none asking for reasons.

The Northeast Tiger and the others arrived beneath the light column; in the next second the world spun, and when they opened their eyes again, the dark cave had vanished, replaced by another strange world.

Calling it a world isn't quite accurate, because this place is really too small; looking around, there's nothing at all, except for the few dozen square meters of land under their feet, the surroundings are filled with a gray mist.

Although the place is cramped, the spiritual energy is unprecedentedly abundant; a warm feeling rushes over, as if the body were soaked in a hot spring, making the Northeastern Tiger extremely comfortable, its eyes narrowing, and the other demons are much the same.

All the demons felt extraordinarily novel, 'Master, where is this?'

'The spiritual energy here is more than sufficient, even richer than that of Longyuan Mountain.'

'How strange, we never knew there was another cave heaven inside the mountain cave; there's actually such a good place.'

The demons' reaction was as Ye Qin expected; his expression carried a touch of profundity, 'This is the secret realm I have opened up as your master.'

Ye Qin explained his idea of the cave heaven blessed land, and the other animals suddenly looked enlightened, 'I see, this way we can cultivate here in the future!'

'Not only that, but we can also use the trait of the cave heaven blessed land being connected to travel from Longyuan Mountain to other famous mountains and rivers; however, it's one‑way—we can go there, but they cannot come to Longyuan Mountain.'

'That's not bad either; we can gather in the secret realm.'

Seeing the Northeastern Tiger's faces full of excited enthusiasm, Ye Qin also felt infected.

'Good, this cave heaven blessed land is not only a place for future cultivation, but also a refuge; it stands independent between heaven and earth, forming its own world, and is the greatest escape route I give to the demon race.'

'This secret realm has just taken shape; the place is small and cannot yet accommodate all the demons, but if we continue to open it up and expand this land in the future, it will surely be able to hold everyone.'

Hearing this, the other demons also understood Ye Qin's painstaking effort, feeling a sourness in their hearts; Ye Qin had considered everything for them, leaving nothing out, fearing things would go to the worst possible extent, even having prepared a retreat.

The Northeastern Tiger and other great demons were even more moved; they glanced at each other, tears seeming to glisten, and all knelt on the ground, bowing their heads in worship.

'Master, your great kindness and virtue to us will never be forgotten in our lifetimes; we will surely spare no effort to repay you.'

Even if Ye Qin ordered them to die immediately, these demons would probably have no complaints.

However, this secret realm is still only an embryonic form, unable to accommodate too many demons; after all, the place is just this big, so only the Northeastern Tiger and others with the highest cultivation level can cultivate here.

Only after gradual development in the future will it be able to accommodate other demons; when the news spread outside, it caused an uproar among many demons, the whole Longyuan Mountain demon populace was as if injected with chicken blood, all redoubling their efforts in cultivation, hoping to obtain a quota to enter the secret realm.

Because the great turtle is the oldest in seniority and also possesses profound learning, handling demon affairs justly and strictly without favoritism, Ye Qin entrusted him with managing the quota of demons allowed to cultivate in the secret realm.

He still has more important matters to accomplish, planning to try to connect Hua Mountain and Changbai Mountain.

Hua Mountain and Changbai Mountain are somewhat distant from Longyuan Mountain; geographically, linking them together is difficult, but if we use the secret realm's small world as a bridge, it becomes feasible.

According to Daoist views, heaven, earth, water, and even humans are all divided by the same qi; an immortal realm is also 'formed by condensed qi', they mutually sense each other, forming a three‑dimensional network that crisscrosses.

Now, under the development of the Monkey King and the Golden Eagle, Hua Mountain and Changbai Mountain have produced spiritual energy similar to that of Longyuan Mountain; it can be said they share the same source, which is the bond between them.

If we take this as a base point and develop it, we can open a new entrance, thereby connecting Hua Mountain and Changbai Mountain as well.

Originally Ye Qin intended to send a clone, but to be more certain of success in one go, he decided to go himself.

Taking into account that the Monkey King is still on his way back to Hua Mountain and will need some time, Ye Qin plans to first go to Changbai Mountain to have a look.

Changbai Mountain.

A silver heavenly dragon stretches across the sky, mighty and resplendent with silver light; over the vast sea of clouds, a scarlet red ball slowly rises, making the mountain streams' white mist appear even more vast.

And in a mountain valley, one sees many Changbai Mountain spirits: some sitting cross‑legged, some shaking their heads and swaying, some standing up like humans, and some making chirping sounds in their mouths, unknown what they are saying.

In short, everything is full of strangeness.

Speaking of the most miraculous, it must be that golden eagle; its stature is huge, its feathers all over like armor, with golden feathers interspersed, making it look even more spirited and vigorous.

At this moment the golden eagle's eyes are tightly shut, a golden halo glows around its body, and the wind and snow between heaven and earth suddenly intensify, turning into boundless blades that fiercely stab at the golden eagle's position.

Though the snowflakes appear gentle and harmless, they can now split the air in two, and the space between heaven and earth is filled with a killing aura.

The eagle's sharp eyes suddenly open, a large expanse of golden light condenses together, forming an impregnable defensive shield that blocks the countless wind and snow transformed into a rain of pear blossoms.

"Who is it!"

The golden eagle never expected that other living beings would take advantage of its meditation to sneak attack it; could it be those humans who refused to give up earlier?

Surveying the endless white snow all around, there is no trace of humans, and the golden eagle's doubt grows deeper; moreover, this method does not seem something humans could produce.

A faint golden light gathers in the eagle's eyes; those snowflakes instantly melt into a puddle of snow water falling to the ground. Now the golden eagle's aura bursts forth, its wings folded behind its back, saying, "Trivial tricks, dare to show off your skills before an expert?"

A low voice comes from the vast snowy expanse: "Not bad, you've made great progress compared to before."

Hearing the familiar voice, the golden eagle starts, somewhat incredulous, and says, "Master?"

As its words fade, a pale green light appears amidst the wind and snow; the moment Ye Qin appears, the wind and snow suddenly cease, a thread of golden light pours down from the horizon, as if the celestial palace of the Nine Heavens has descended.

The surrounding animals sense an aura stronger than the golden eagle's, they crouch on the ground trembling; although they have never seen such a being before, their beastly instincts tell them that the creature before them is even more powerful.

If the golden eagle is a river, then Ye Qin is a boundless sea, utterly unfathomable.

Seeing Ye Qin's figure appear, the golden eagle cannot help muttering, "I must not be hallucinating, actually seeing my master."

Ye Qin's jade-green pupils flicker with a smile, "This is no hallucination."

The golden eagle almost forgot to maintain its form from joy, astonished and saying, "Master, how did you suddenly come?"

In fact it has only been a little over a month since it left Longyuan Mountain, but to the golden eagle it feels like an eternity; seeing Ye Qin again is like seeing long-lost kin, its heart deeply moved.

"Master has come this time for an important matter: to establish here an entrance connecting to the cave-heaven blessed land, linking Changbai Mountain and the secret realm together."

The golden eagle tilts its head, showing some doubt, "Cave-heaven blessed land?"

After hearing Ye Qin's explanation, it finally shows an expression of sudden realization, "Oh, that's how it is; if the entrance is completed, then I could enter the secret realm to cultivate, and incidentally meet my fellow brothers."

Ye Qin nods, "Exactly."

The golden eagle looks even more eager than Ye Qin, "What are we waiting for? Master, hurry up— is there anything I can help with?"

Ye Qin releases his divine sense, sensing the spot where Changbai Mountain's spiritual energy is thickest; it happens to be a coincidence that he chose as the secret realm's entrance the very place where the previous anomaly erupted.

"Master, why did you choose this place as the entrance?"

Catching sight of the golden eagle's strange expression, Ye Qin asks, "What's wrong?"

"You must have sensed the different spiritual power here, Master; this valley is exactly where the previous anomaly appeared, and I together with the Monkey King also found here an object suspected to be related to extraterrestrial civilization, sharing the same source as the golden meteorite discovered before."

Ye Qin shows an expression of understanding, "No wonder the aura here is so strange."

The golden eagle nods, "When the Monkey King left, it took that thing with it, saying it would bring it back to Longyuan Mountain for Master to study; had I known Master would come to Changbai Mountain, I would have had it leave the thing behind."

"No problem."

Ye Qin releases his mental power, completely covering this valley; the remnant aura of that object is slight, almost dissipated, and choosing this place has no effect.

These things can be studied later; the urgent task is to build the entrance.

"You just stand guard for me."

The golden eagle nods, and with Ye Qin's order it stands like a loyal guardian amidst the icy snow.

The formerly tranquil valley again welcomes new movement; under the flying heavy snow, countless green lights flicker, intertwining like specks of a galaxy, nurturing an unprecedented vigor, as if coming from another realm.

Compared to Changbai Mountain's year-round snow, Longyuan Village, under the influence of mountain spiritual energy, is almost perpetually spring, undisturbed by outsiders, like a secluded paradise.

Time treats the villagers here especially kindly; on their faces one can hardly see the traces of wind and frost.

Take the village chief for example; although he is already seventy, he looks only about fifty, his physique in every way comparable to a young fellow, giving off the air of growing younger with age, let alone the other villagers.

But the biggest change among them is certainly Hu Xiaocao; no one would have thought that the once yellow-haired, thin little girl would grow into the present graceful and elegant figure.

In the Mountain God's temple, the village chief watches the young woman offering incense ahead; her skin is snow-white, her features like a painting, even without makeup she resembles a lotus rising from clear water, naturally unadorned, like a night-blooming cereus blossoming in a secluded valley, giving off a sense of cool aloofness.

This woman is none other than Hu Xiaocao, who has just graduated from college.

The village chief looks at Hu Xiaocao with a satisfied expression, "Girl, now that you've graduated from college, do you have any ideas, what work do you plan to do in the future?"

Hu Xiaocao can be said to be a golden phoenix flown out of the mountain hollow; her grades are outstanding, she receives scholarships every year, and with her diligent work-and-study habit she can later pay her own tuition, needing no villager support, truly a source of pride.

Moreover, during her internship, because of her outstanding performance, big companies extended olive branches offering good conditions, all of which Hu Xiaocao refused one by one.

Those around her find Hu Xiaocao's behavior utterly puzzling; she explains that she has more important things to do.

Her classmates and teachers also don't understand; what could be more important than finding a good job, after all they all know Hu Xiaocao's background—she comes from a mountain village, her family is not well-off.

Although they have tried to persuade her, Hu Xiaocao has made up her mind and no one can change it.

At this moment, hearing the village chief's question, Hu Xiaocao solemnly says, "Village chief, I want to establish a sect in Longyuan Village!"

The village chief looks confused, not grasping her meaning for a moment, then asks again, "What do you mean you want to do?"

Hu Xiaocao says word by word, "I want to found the first sect of the Earth's human race!"

The villagers haven't read much, so their knowledge level is low; after hearing Hu Xiaocao's explanation, the village chief finally understands what "establishing a sect" means.

"Girl, you mean you want to build a cultivation force, letting everyone cultivate together, right?"

Hu Xiaocao nods.

"Village chief, you should also know that the animals on the mountain are cultivating alongside the Mountain God, more and more of them mastering great power, like Tiger Immortal and Yellow Immortal, who have become demons thanks to the Mountain God; if so, shouldn't we also follow their example?"

Hu Xiaocao's bearing is transcendent, yet her gaze is brilliant, with a unique confidence and splendor, "If I too could establish a sect, I could naturally do more for the Mountain God."

"The Mountain God needs a human cultivator as its spokesperson; I, I will not shirk the duty!"

This matter is something Hu Xiaocao has pondered deeply; she has long had this idea, but back then she was still studying, naturally putting her studies first.

Now that she has graduated from college, she can completely let loose and do what she wants; naturally the matter of founding a sect should be put on the agenda. End of chapter.