Chapter 222: Luotian Secret Realm (Part 1)

Beyond Cloud Realm.

In a certain place, amidst an endless sea of clouds.

Suddenly, a huge vine as thick as twenty or thirty zhang and stretching nearly a thousand zhang long appeared out of nowhere, its surface glowing with a dark green halo.

It seemed like a heaven-climbing vine that had grown all the way down from the world above the clouds.

On the huge vine grew many smaller branches and leaf blades as large as houses, a vivid green.

But for the cultivators who had long been stationed here, the vine's appearance was not particularly surprising.

Once the vine fully unfurled, they each cast arts and escaped on streaks of light, landing upon it.

That day, a five-colored escape light sped over, and when it came not far from the huge vine, it suddenly descended.

After the light retracted, a tall, handsome cultivator in a green robe appeared—none other than Yunhe, who had come all the way.

He gazed at the not‑far‑off giant vine, his expression involuntarily showing a hint of surprise; only after a long look did he slowly come to his senses.

"Is this the entrance to the Luotian Secret Realm?"

He took out the Luotian Token; see, its originally curled form had fully unfurled, and the faint green glow it emitted pointed toward the not‑far‑off towering vine.

"It seems that even without obtaining the Luotian Secret Realm's entrance coordinates from Fairy Qingling, the Luotian Token will guide its bearer toward the realm."

After glancing at the vine again, he did not rush over but instead sat cross‑legged in the clouds here to regulate his breath.

After several days of travel, plus the forging of the Qingyao Armor, his internal mana was less than half; it was best to adjust his condition first before proceeding, and at the same time he could observe the cultivators arriving one after another.

As the thought rose, he seemed to feel something.

He lifted his gaze.

He saw a black streak of light speeding from far to near; when it approached the giant vine, the black mist dissipated, revealing a youthful‑looking cultivator with a full head of white hair and a gloomy smile at the corner of his mouth.

Scanning his surroundings, when he saw the distant giant vine his eyes brightened slightly; his sleeves curled inward, turning once more into black light, and he drifted down lightly onto the vine.

"Mid Golden Core Stage."

Sensing the opponent's cultivation base, Yunhe secretly let out a breath of relief.

Thus his judgment was correct; after the Luotian Gourd Vine was half‑destroyed, its attraction to Yuan Ying cultivators should have greatly diminished.

Even if the realm truly contained a Nascent Soul supreme treasure, after existing for so many years in the Upper Cloud Realm, such treasures would likely have been mostly taken already.

Even if any remained, finding them would surely be extremely difficult.

Moreover.

How many Yuan Ying cultivators would waste their time, willingly taking risks to help juniors seize a Nascent Soul supreme treasure?

There are.

But there certainly won't be many.

Afterward, Yunhe both regulated his breath to restore mana and silently observed.

In just three or four days, a considerable number of Golden Core cultivators arrived one after another.

Most of them were Mid Golden Core cultivators, with a few Late Golden Core and an extremely small number of Early Golden Core cultivators.

"About enough."

Yunhe could no longer hold back.

After restoring his mana, he also left the sea of clouds and flew toward that giant vine.

The closer he got, the more he sensed the vine's immense size; aside from some seemingly insignificant side tendrils and countless tiny leaves, there were eight relatively large leaves, and the cultivators staying on those leaves were the most numerous.

"Fortunately, I had previously consulted Fairy Qingling about the situation."

These eight giant leaves of the vine actually correspond to the eight places inside the Luotian Secret Realm, each with its own characteristics and the treasures and resources it produces.

In fact, a powerful expert once made a reasonable speculation.

The reason the realm contains eight completely different regions is to satisfy the extremely harsh growing conditions of the Luotian Gourd Vine.

More importantly, the gourds that finally form on the Luotian Gourd Vine are closely linked to these eight major regions.

That is to say, although the gourds produced by the Luotian Gourd Vine differ each time the Luotian Secret Realm opens every five hundred years, if all the gourds throughout history were gathered and classified, there would be only eight types.

Thus this speculation has almost gained the approval and agreement of all cultivators.

The only thing that leaves cultivators entering the Luotian Secret Realm feeling helpless is that they have yet to find, for each leaf, the corresponding region inside the realm.

Which leaf one chooses, and thus which region one ends up in, depends entirely on personal luck.

And five hundred years, while not long by some measures, not short either, is practically the lifetime of most Golden Core cultivators.

Thus even if some powers' "elders" entered the realm and struggled to keep records, hoping to note places that could yield precious treasures, the sheer amount that could happen in those five hundred years means that almost all such "records" ultimately come to nothing.

This leaves many powers feeling helpless, yet it also creates opportunities for numerous loose cultivators.

When Yunhe descended onto a leaf, it did not attract much attention.

After all, there were no fewer than forty Golden Core cultivators present.

However, from the positions some cultivators occupied, he could still read quite a bit.

For example, several Golden Core cultivators were clearly on close terms, sitting cross‑legged together; although most people sat alone in meditation, some kept moving their lips, as if transmitting sound.

And what most caught Yunhe's eye, making him unable to look away, were the very few cultivators who had practically no one else around them.

On the third leaf of the vine stood a youth with delicate features and a striking head of red hair; in one hand he grasped a piece of wood that looked somewhat special, and in the other he held a carving‑tool‑like implement, idly carving away.

"A Yuan Ying old monster!"

Yunhe's heart gave a slight jolt.

The other party made no effort to conceal his cultivation base or aura.

Precisely for that reason, no other cultivator was on his leaf; everyone kept their distance from him.

It seemed he had noticed Yunhe's sweeping glance.

The red‑haired youth glanced sideways at Yunhe; upon seeing his appearance, he revealed a gentle smile and even gave Yunhe a slight nod.

Although it was clearly a friendly gesture, Yunhe inexplicably felt a chill run down his spine.

"Regarding that Yuan Ying old monster, Yunhe felt a vague sense of familiarity, but no matter how hard he tried, he could not recall who this person was." No Chinese.

Translate: Regarding this Yuan Ying old monster, Yunhe faintly felt somewhat familiar, but no matter how he racked his brains he could not figure out this person's identity.

Contains Chinese inside quotes? It has "Yuan Ying old monster" etc. No Chinese characters. It has parentheses with English. Good.

"Yunhe" fine.

"faintly felt" fine.

"seemed somewhat familiar" fine.

"but no matter how he racked his brains he could not figure out this person's identity" fine.

Make sure it's one line.

"After all, this was still the first time he had truly seen a Yuan Ying cultivator." fine.

Translate: After all, this was still his first time truly seeing a Yuan Ying Cultivator.

Use "Yuan Ying Cultivator" from glossary.

"Yunhe made a vague bow." fine.

Translate: Yunhe performed a slight bow.

"Yunhe made a vague salute." fine.

"Besides him, on the first vine leaf, two cultivators—one old and one young—also occupied a leaf." fine.

Translate: Besides this person, on the first vine leaf, two cultivators, one old and one young, also occupied a leaf.

"on the first vine leaf, two cultivators, one old and one young, also occupied a leaf" fine.

"That old man had a full head of gray hair, wore a grayish long beard, dressed in a plain gray-white long robe, and sat behind another young man with his eyes closed, nurturing his spirit." fine.

Translate: That old man had a full head of gray hair, wore a grayish long beard, dressed in a plain gray-white long robe, and sat behind another young man with eyes closed, nurturing his spirit.

"full head of gray hair, wore a grayish long beard, dressed in a plain gray-white long robe, sat behind another young man with eyes closed, nurturing his spirit" fine.

"The young man seated before him looked even younger than the red-haired youth on the third leaf, with a small stature, snow-white skin, delicate features, wearing an extremely luxurious robe; at a glance one could see the robe was extraordinary, likely a defensive-type treasure." fine.

Translate: The young man seated before him looked even younger than the red-haired youth on the third leaf, with a small stature, snow-white skin, delicate features, and wore an extremely luxurious robe; at a glance one could see the robe was extraordinary, likely a defensive-type treasure.

"small stature, snow-white skin, delicate features, wore an extremely luxurious robe; at a glance one could see the robe was extraordinary, likely a defensive-type treasure" fine.

"However, Yunhe's gaze lingered briefly on an emblem of converging sun, moon, and star on his robe." fine.

Translate: However, Yunhe's gaze lingered briefly on the emblem of converging sun, moon, and star on his robe.

"emblem of converging sun, moon, and star" fine.

"These two are cultivators of the Cloud Upper Hall!" fine.

Translate: These two are cultivators of the Cloud Upper Hall!

"The young man's cultivation base was not concealed; he was at Golden Core mid-stage, while the old man Yunhe guessed was likely a Yuan Ying cultivator." fine.

Translate: That young man's cultivation base was not concealed; it was Golden Core Mid-stage, while Yunhe guessed the old man was likely a Yuan Ying Cultivator!

"Use "Cultivation Base" from the glossary; translate mid-stage Golden Core as Golden Core Mid-stage; translate Yuan Ying cultivator as Yuan Ying Cultivator." fine.

"He wasn't sure if it was an illusion, but Yunhe felt that the Yuan Ying cultivator seemed more like the young man's servant—though calling him a servant was an exaggeration, at least he was his protector on the Dao." fine.

Translate: But who knows if it's an illusion; Yunhe always felt that Yuan Ying Cultivator was more like that young man's servant—no, saying servant is a bit exaggerated, but at least he is his protector on the Dao!

"servant—no, saying servant is a bit exaggerated, but at least he is his protector on the Dao!" fine.

"We'll use "Yuan Ying Cultivator"; the term meaning protector on the Dao." fine.

"\"As expected of the Cloud Upper Hall, actually letting a Yuan Ying old monster protect the Dao—this young man must be one of the Three Great Holy Sons of the Cloud Upper Hall, right! \"" Need to ensure quotes are straight quotes? We used double quotes inside? We have outer double quotes? Actually we started with double quote then inner double quotes? Let's write: 【122】 "As expected of the Cloud Upper Hall, actually letting a Yuan Ying old monster protect the Dao—this young man must be one of the Three Great Holy Sons of the Cloud Upper Hall, right?" That's fine, no Chinese.

Translate: "As expected of the Cloud Upper Hall, actually letting a Yuan Ying old monster protect the Dao—this young man must be one of the Three Great Holy Sons of the Cloud Upper Hall, right?"

We need to keep quotes. Use single quotes as in source? The source uses 【】. We'll keep as «»? We'll just keep the same style: 【】. We'll translate inside.

"As expected of the Cloud Upper Hall, actually letting a Yuan Ying old monster protect the Dao—this young man must be one of the Three Great Holy Sons of the Cloud Upper Hall, right?" fine.

"Yunhe silently cursed to himself." fine.

Translate: Yunhe muttered to himself.

"The Cloud Upper Hall has three late-stage Yuan Ying cultivators as the Sun, Moon, Star hall masters, and their appointed successors are the Sun, Moon, Star Three Great Holy Sons." fine.

Translate: The Cloud Upper Hall has three Yuan Ying Late-stage Hall Masters of the "Sun Moon Star", and their personally appointed successors are precisely the "Sun Moon Star" Three Great Holy Sons.

"We need to keep quotes around Sun, Moon, Star. Use the same bracket style as in the source." fine.

Thus: The Cloud Upper Hall has 「Sun Moon Star」 three Yuan Ying Late-stage Hall Masters, and their personally appointed successors are precisely the 「Sun Moon Star」 Three Great Holy Sons.

"Without such an identity, how could a Yuan Ying cultivator willingly protect the Dao?" fine.

Translate: Without such an identity, how could a Yuan Ying Cultivator willingly protect the Dao?

"This means there are at least two Yuan Ying old monsters." fine.

Translate: This means there are at least two Yuan Ying old monsters.

"\"Fortunately, in the eight realms, as long as one doesn't actively seek death, encountering them is also difficult. \"" fine.

Translate: "Fortunately, in the Eight Earthly Realms, as long as one does not actively seek death, encountering them is also difficult."

We need to keep quotes.

"The special means of entering the Luo Tian Secret Realm is also why Yunhe decided to take the risk." fine.

Translate: "The Rotian Secret Realm's special means of entry is also why Yunhe decided to take the risk."

"As Yunhe's gaze swept over, he soon spotted another person, also one of the few acquaintances present." fine.

Translate: As Yunhe's gaze swept over, he soon saw another person, also one of the few acquaintances present.

"Descendant of the Woodcutter of Suspended Mirror Lake, Mu Haitang!" fine.

Translate: "Descendant of the Hanging Mirror Lake Woodcutter, Mu Haitang!"

"She naturally also noticed Yunhe; their gazes met in the air, but they merely nodded at each other without any further communication." fine.

Translate: And she naturally also noticed Yunhe; their gazes met in the air, but they merely nodded and did not engage in any communication.

"As for Mu Haitang, Yunhe actually still rather appreciates her." fine.

Translate: As for Mu Haitang, Yunhe actually still rather admires her.

"Leaving other things aside, at least each time she traded with him, she performed fairly well, making the transactions relatively smooth." fine.

Translate: Besides that, at least whenever she traded with him, she performed fairly well, making the transaction process relatively smooth.

"Moreover, her cultivation base and combat abilities are also quite impressive; facing the pursuit of four Golden Core mid-stage cultivators, she handles them with ease—although those four have their own grudges, this still demonstrates her capability." fine.

Translate: Moreover, her cultivation base and combat ability are also quite impressive; facing the pursuit of four Golden Core Mid-stage cultivators, she handles it with ease, and although those four have their own petty squabbles, it also demonstrates her ability.

"We need to keep the term for mid-stage Golden Core as Golden Core Mid-stage." fine.

"However, the other party's hidden "great secret" made Yunhe instinctively choose to keep his distance." Note we have double quotes inside double quotes? We need to avoid confusion but it's okay as long as no Chinese. We have hidden "great secret". That's English quotes. fine.

Translate: However, the "great secret" hidden on her person made Yunhe instinctively choose to keep his distance.

"And Mu Haitang is actually similar." fine.

Translate: And Mu Haitang is actually much the same.

"Regarding the fact that Yunhe could probe her own secret, she harbored a certain wariness toward him." fine.

Translate: Regarding the fact that her secret could be discovered by Yunhe, she harbors a certain wariness toward him.

"Actually." fine.

Translate: Actually.

"Not only toward Mu Haitang, but toward all the Golden Core cultivators present, Yunhe harbored a certain degree of wariness." fine.

Translate: Not only toward Mu Haitang, but toward all Golden Core cultivators present, Yunhe harbors a certain degree of wariness.

【191】

Translate: To obtain a "Rotian Order", either one's own strength is outstanding, or one has a powerful background, or one possesses favorable opportunities—but no matter which, they are not easy to provoke.

No one can know whether among these people there are a few who hide their strength like a pig pretending to eat a tiger.

Translate: No one can know whether among these people there exist a few who hide their strength like a pig pretending to eat a tiger.

Moreover, could there be some Yuan Ying old monsters with peculiar quirks hidden among them?

Translate: Moreover, could there be some Yuan Ying old monsters with peculiar tastes hiding among them?

In short, for this foray into the secret realm, Yunhe must be extra cautious—if he can avoid acting, he absolutely will not act.

Translate: In short, for entering this secret realm, Yunhe must be careful, careful, and careful again; if he can avoid acting, he will absolutely not act.

Even if, in the eyes of many in the future, he will be seen as one who hides his strength like a pig pretending to eat a tiger.

Translate: Even if, in the eyes of many in the future, he will also be that existence of a pig pretending to eat a tiger.

Just as Yunhe was silently observing, another streak of light swiftly approached from afar.

Translate: Just as Yunhe was silently observing, a stream of light swiftly approached from afar.

Originally he wasn't paying much attention, but upon seeing the arrival and the other's delighted gaze, Yunhe couldn't help but stare for a moment.

Translate: Originally he didn't pay much attention, but upon seeing the arriver and also noticing their delighted gaze directed at him, Yunhe couldn't help but be stunned for a moment.

"Fellow Daoist Yun!"

Translate: "Yun Dao Friend!"

A voice somewhat aged sounded in his ear.

Translate: A voice tinged with a hint of hoarseness sounded in his ear.

Immediately thereafter, an old Daoist wearing a Daoist robe, with three long whiskers and holding a whisk, descended beside him, his eyes filled with delight.

Translate: Immediately thereafter, an old Daoist wearing a Daoist robe, with three long whiskers, holding a horsetail whisk, landed beside him, his eyes filled with delight.

"Fellow Daoist Li?"

Translate: "Li Dao Friend?"

The visitor turned out to be the old Daoist Li Yuanfan, who had once explored the Ancient Alchemist Master's secret realm together with him.

Translate: The arriver was actually the old Daoist Li Yuanfan, who together with him had once stormed the Ancient Alchemist Master Secret Realm.

This was somewhat beyond Yunhe's expectations.

Translate: This was somewhat beyond Yunhe's expectations.

Although Li Yuanfan was also surprised, he still landed directly beside him.

Translate: Li Yuanfan, although also surprised, still landed directly beside him.

"I didn't expect Fellow Daoist Yun's cultivation base to have already broken through to Golden Core mid-stage; I can only congratulate you here, may your immortal path advance further, and I hope you won't mind my belated congratulations."

Translate: "I never expected Yun Dao Friend's cultivation base to have already broken through to Golden Core Mid-stage; I can only congratulate Dao Friend here, may your immortal path advance another step, and I hope Dao Friend does not mind my belated congratulations."

Saying this, Li Yuanfan flicked his whisk and performed a bow.

Translate: Saying this, Li Yuanfan flicked his horsetail whisk and performed a salute.

Facing the old Daoist's congratulations, Yunhe merely smiled and waved his hand, saying:

Translate: Facing the old Daoist's congratulations, Yunhe merely smiled and waved his hand, saying:

"I didn't expect Fellow Daoist Li to come here."

Translate: "I didn't expect Li Dao Friend to come here."

【245】

Translate: Li Yuanfan stroked his beard, shook his head, and said: "To be honest, I never expected that helping a Foundation Establishment family exorcise evil would actually earn me a 'Rotian Order'."

line: Regarding this, Yunhe pressed his lips, not knowing whether to say congratulations or something else. No Luo Tian.

Translate: Regarding this, Yunhe pursed his lips, also unsure whether to say congratulations or what.

line: But Li Yuanfan, an early-stage Golden Core old Daoist, is absolutely among the lowest-level cultivators in this Luo Tian Secret Realm. That's fine.

Translate: But Li Yuanfan, a Golden Core Early-stage old Daoist, is absolutely among the lowest-level cultivators in this "Rotian Secret Realm".

Seeing Yunhe's meaning, Li Yuanfan was rather open-minded; after flicking his whisk again, he seemed to have a bit of a godman's air.

Translate: Seems he understood Yunhe's meaning; Li Yuanfan was rather open-minded, after another flick of his horsetail whisk, he took on somewhat the air of a godman.

【257】

Translate: "I happen to know a bit of divination technique, so after obtaining this order, I divined for myself."

line: "Oh? What hexagram is it?" Yunhe raised his eyebrows slightly. No change.

Translate: "Oh? What hexagram?" Yunhe raised his eyebrows slightly.

line: The old Daoist then grinned, showing a mouthful of slightly yellowed teeth, and said with a touch of self-satisfaction: fine.

Translate: Then the old Daoist grinned, showing a mouth of slightly yellowish teeth, and said with a touch of self-satisfaction:

line: "Moderately auspicious." fine.

Translate: "Medium auspicious."

line: Saying this, he cautiously approached Yunhe and continued: fine.

Translate: Saying this, he carefully approached Yunhe and continued:

line: "Originally I was still guessing, but after seeing Fellow Daoist Yun, I understood. My 'auspicious' comes from you, Fellow Daoist." fine.

Translate: "Originally I was still guessing, but upon seeing Yun Dao Friend you, I understood. My 'auspicious' comes from you, Dao Friend."

line: Upon hearing this, Yunhe's mouth twitched. fine.

Translate: Upon hearing this, Yunhe's mouth corner twitched.

line: You really dare to say that. fine.

Translate: You really dare to say that.

line: He then shook his head and said nothing more. fine.

Translate: Immediately he shook his head and said no more.

Afterwards.

Soon after, some more cultivators arrived, but the vast majority were Golden Core cultivators.

And three days later.

The originally calm giant vine trembled a few times, then began to slowly contract, and its leaves also gradually curled.

Noticing the movement, the cultivators on the leaves all wore solemn expressions and rose to their feet.

Luotian Secret Realm was finally about to open.

(End of chapter)