Chapter 415

After settling things with her cousin, Lin Meng privately transferred him five hundred thousand as study fees.

Xu Yixiao is a smart person; he probably wouldn't waste money, but Lin Meng still kept an eye out.

Fortunately, this kid is motivated, didn't pay lip service; the day after receiving the money he contacted a well-connected classmate from his university, and that afternoon he eagerly ran off to attend class.

Seeing her nephew finally enlightened and obediently going for further study, his aunt and uncle felt even more grateful to Lin Meng.

Following his sister's lead, Xu Yixiao proved to have made the right choice.

No matter whether he has a future ahead, Lin Cuihua feels relieved and at ease.

Lin Meng closed herself off for several more days, frantically consuming Yellow Dragon Pills and absorbing spirit stones, finally raising her cultivation from early Foundation Establishment to mid Foundation Establishment.

"It's really slow to cultivate here—not being in a world of immortals where spiritual energy is thin."

Lin Meng complained while clearing away the spirit stone chunks she had drained.

At this consumption rate, Ye Fan's supply probably wouldn't be enough for her to harvest.

No, we need to let Ye Fan fully open the supply of cola and spirit rice; the more spirit stones the better, and we must continue stockpiling pills.

These two things are currently the top priority.

Once she builds the immortals' university, she'll also need to set up a Spirit Gathering Array covering the whole school, which will consume tens of thousands of spirit stones.

After calculating that, she now feels dreadfully poor.

Lin Meng sighed and left the training chamber.

The slow cultivation speed can't be helped; we'll just grind slowly.

If the cultivators of the Tian Gang Continent knew Lin Meng's worries, they would surely gnash their teeth at her.

Because on the Tian Gang Continent, it would probably be hard to find a second person who, like Lin Meng, could raise her cultivation from early Foundation Establishment to mid Foundation Establishment in less than two weeks.

Such a cultivation speed is nothing short of monstrous.

Moreover, Lin Meng is doing this in a world completely devoid of spiritual energy, where she can only cultivate relying on external objects.

Lin Meng is figuring out cultivation on her own, without a guide or control group, essentially reinventing the wheel; it's understandable that she would unilaterally complain about her slow progress.

After resting for a day, Lin Meng felt refreshed and invigorated.

Even a slight increase in cultivation gives her a feeling of being completely renewed; if she successfully forms her Golden Core and truly enters the Golden Core realm, wouldn't she just take off right where she stands?

Meanwhile, on the Tian Gang Continent.

Ye Fan had been pulled into the secret realm via the purple jade for two days already.

Before setting out he made thorough preparations, even going so far as to shamelessly visit the Supreme Elder to pick up a few life-saving talismans, but once he actually entered the secret realm Ye Fan realized how naïve he had been.

He had thought that with his late Foundation Establishment cultivation, at least self-defense wouldn't be an issue here.

But over these two days he repeatedly encountered waves of cultivators who had also come to the secret realm, realizing he was merely a small fry.

Among them, those at late Foundation Establishment could only barely scrape by; many were perfected Foundation Establishment cultivators, and there were even quite a few Golden Core cultivators.

Had it not been for the fact that Ye Fan is just a nobody and alone, he would likely have already been strangled by those people.

Only because his strength is too weak to stir up any waves did he escape harm.

In their eyes, Ye Fan, a lone low‑level rogue cultivator who came in by himself, would eventually die in the secret realm even if they didn't lift a finger.

At this moment Ye Fan was hiding in a lofty tree; advanced talismans that concealed his presence and masked his aura helped him hide his form and breath very well.

Not far from the tree, a group of three was hidden; farther away stood a spirit fruit tree whose fruit was about to ripen.

Ye Fan gazed longingly at the bright red fruit; there were three in total on the tree—one for him, one for the Immortal Sister, and the remaining one to be exchanged with the sect for cultivation resources.

Although he had already made up his mind, those three below were also determined to get it.

Moreover, once the spirit fruit ripens, it will surely attract spirit beasts.

In this situation Ye Fan could only wait for an opportunity, hoping to snatch it secretly when they were off guard.

Since the spirit fruit still had time before ripening, Ye Fan couldn't cultivate here, so he thought of contacting the Immortal Sister.

These past two days, whenever he had a moment he tried to reach the Immortal Sister, but got no response.

It seems a restriction exists in this secret realm; the spirit treasury space can be used, but it cannot connect to the Immortal Sister.

"Immortal Sister, Immortal Sister?"

Ye Fan continued to call out to Lin Meng in his heart cautiously, and this time he actually got a reply quickly.

Hearing Ye Fan's voice sounded off, Lin Meng worried and promptly responded.

"What's wrong, Ye Fan? Have you run into some trouble?"

Ye Fan hadn't expected to reach Lin Meng so quickly this time; he immediately focused his spirit to converse with her.

"Immortal Sister, I've finally managed to contact you; I'm currently in a secret realm where there may be some kind of restriction interfering with our communication."

Upon hearing this, Lin Meng didn't dare be careless; she hurried back to her room and quickly flashed into the second space.

"Don't rush, speak slowly—how dangerous is this secret realm? Are you safe right now?"

Seeing the Immortal Sister's first reaction upon hearing about the secret realm was concern for his safety, Ye Fan felt a surge of emotion.

"Immortal Sister, don't worry—I'm quite safe now; although this secret realm is very dangerous and many Golden Core cultivators entered with me, I have plenty of life‑saving treasures, and before coming I also asked the Supreme Elder for a few life‑saving talismans, so safety is no problem."

"I'm currently lurking in the dark, watching a spirit fruit tree that's about to ripen; however, three cultivators are already guarding the visible area, and there may be spirit beasts lying in wait unseen, so my chances aren't high."

Ye Fan gave a brief report, and upon hearing it Lin Meng grew tense as well.

Although Ye Fan said there was no problem, places like this secret realm always see people go in and not come out; a little carelessness means death inside.

She remembered that Ye Fan's cultivation was about the same as hers, and the survival rate in the secret realm isn't high.

"Ye Fan, no matter what, your own life comes first—don't throw it away for heavenly treasures."

"Although one seeks wealth amid danger, you still need to be alive; otherwise, no amount of heavenly treasures helps."

"When you lack full certainty, you must not act rashly; even if the spirit fruit is excellent, you still need to weigh the pros and cons."

Ye Fan heard these words and responded seriously:

"Immortal Sister, rest assured, I know."

However, this spirit fruit tree is not ordinary; it is an Ascending Spirit Fruit, the best auxiliary heavenly treasure for Foundation Establishment cultivators when they attempt to reach the Golden Core stage.

With it, when forming a Golden Core, not only can the risk be reduced to a minimum, but the resulting Golden Core will also be stronger than an ordinary person's; that's why I really want to try it.

Lin Meng was stunned upon hearing this; after she reacted, it's definitely false that her heart wouldn't be moved.

She was worried that she would have no assistance when forming her Golden Core, which could lead to complications.

If what Ye Fan says is true, then this Ascending Spirit Fruit is indeed the most suitable heavenly treasure for her right now.

Ye Fan should also be about to attempt the Golden Core stage, which is why he is determined to obtain this Ascending Spirit Fruit.