Chapter 230: with translation of chapter title

Thousand-silk Zen Heart Seed.

The size of a dragon's eye, its surface densely covered with tiny, neatly arranged patterns, overall a lustrous green, flashing with mysterious light.

However, outside that towering tree, there seemed to be a thin layer of restriction, but compared to the restriction blocking Yunhe and these Jie Dan cultivators, the restriction covering the towering tree wasn't nearly as strong.

But now there is also a problem.

"Although this restriction has a weakness, if it were opened prematurely, one would still have to face the scramble of many cultivators, at most merely seizing a slight advantage."

"But the spiritual plants inside also have restriction protection, so this advantage is almost negligible; in the end, everyone will still have to rely on their own abilities. No wonder the cultivators waiting here are so patient, letting Jiang Ziling of the Wuliu Formation Sect check the restriction's opening time. Some people, like Ning Sisi, must have already obtained some information about the secret realm."

After all, they are all Jie Dan cultivators, each a shrewd person; scheming is almost instinctive.

With that thought, Yunhe gave up the idea of entering through the weakness by opening a gap in the restriction.

"I cannot open the restriction prematurely, but I can make a small move."

Yunhe's eyes flickered; he slightly shifted his position, using his body to block everyone's view.

As long as no one sweeps the area with their divine sense, his small action cannot be detected.

At this moment, with so many Jie Dan cultivators waiting for the restriction to open, no one would casually extend their divine sense.

The people present are naturally hostile and need to be cautious; the temporary calm is only because the restriction hasn't opened yet—if they were to spread their divine sense now, they might inadvertently ignite this fuse.

Yunhe seized this opportunity, taking out the instrument of the 'Sumeru Thousand Illusion Formation'.

He silently made a hand seal, infusing a faint trickle of magical power into the instrument.

He doesn't know how to break formations, but attempting to temporarily neutralize the restriction with a similar formation is still worth a try.

"Indeed, these two formations share the same origin."

He lightly 'cut' a small opening on the restriction, then silently patted his spirit-insect pouch, sending a single scarlet-shadow gold-winged bee inside.

The action was minute; Yunhe didn't dare release many—about ten or so.

Afterward, he ordered the scarlet-shadow gold-winged bee to break the restriction enveloping the 'Thousand-silk Zen Heart Seed,' while the opening he made restored itself.

This way, when the restriction here opens, he will have seized a genuine advantage.

After finishing, Yunhe retracted his magical power, returned expressionlessly to his original spot, and sat down again.

Facing the gazes of Li Yuanfan and Ning Sisi, he merely shook his head.

But when he instinctively lifted his gaze, he discovered a youthful cultivator wearing a dark robe and long hair, looking at him with deep significance.

When Yunhe's gaze fell upon him, the person gave Yunhe a slight nod, as a greeting.

This caused Yunhe to faintly furrow his brow.

"Been discovered?"

Just as other cultivators wouldn't recklessly sweep the area with divine sense, he couldn't possibly cover this place with his divine sense either, so he wasn't certain whether this person had noticed his actions.

However, the other party did nothing out of the ordinary, allowing Yunhe to secretly breathe a sigh of relief.

He suppressed the strange feeling in his heart, closed his eyes, and quietly regulated his breath.

Time.

It flowed in the apparent calm.

One day later.

Just as everyone was still waiting for the restriction to open.

"I am Han Yongzhuo; may I ask your esteemed name?"

A voice suddenly sounded in Yunhe's ears.

Yunhe, who had been resting with closed eyes, opened them and followed the source of the divine sense, only to see the black-robed youth from yesterday who had made him feel a hint of wariness.

He was also smiling at Yunhe; although the other didn't say much, merely introducing himself, Yunhe felt that this person must have seen his 'small move.'

This made his heart sink slightly.

This person is a Late Jie Dan Stage cultivator!

However, Yunhe's expression remained unchanged; he simply sent a mental transmission: 'I am Yunhe.'

Upon hearing this, Han Yongzhuo's smile widened, adding a touch of profound meaning.

"Daoist Yun, you truly have skillful methods."

These words basically confirmed to Yunhe that this person must have seen his actions yesterday, and a sense of helplessness welled up in his heart.

"Still, one cannot underestimate others."

No matter how concealed he was, it's undeniable that some cultivators possess special abilities.

But his thoughts quickly shifted.

"This person didn't break through yesterday."

"Perhaps he doesn't know exactly what I did, merely sensed some clues and is now probing; or maybe he has other intentions."

His thoughts raced, but it didn't affect his exchange with this person; he merely gave a faint smile and countered:

"Oh? How does Daoist Han know that?"

It's impossible to get him to admit it willingly.

Even if the matter were truly exposed, Yunhe is confident he could escape.

It's not that he can face so many Jie Dan cultivators, but rather that few cultivators here could truly unite.

"Daoist, you need not guard against me; if I wanted to expose yesterday's matter, I could have spoken then, but I deliberately waited until today to avoid raising others' suspicions."

If Yunhe had just finished his action yesterday and he contacted Yunhe, even if others couldn't intercept their divine-sense communication, they would inevitably grow suspicious, after all the two don't look like acquaintances.

But after a day's interval, that possibility becomes smaller.

Yunhe had to admit that this person's thoughts were meticulous; no wonder he detected Yunhe's action.

Yet Yunhe still put on an 'I don't know what you're talking about' look, blinking his eyes.

Seeing this, Han Yongzhuo pressed his lips, feeling speechless at Yunhe's caution.

He just won't admit it, even if he dies without saying it, right?

No, Han Yongzhuo felt that even if he revealed it, Yunhe might still not admit it.

He immediately sensed Yunhe's troublesomeness, but still sent a mental message again:

Fellow Daoist Yun, have you found a clue to this seal, or perhaps a way to break it? I, Han, may not know formations, but I have a little beast called the Formation Ear; have you heard of it?

Formation Ear?

Yunhe blinked in surprise.

Recalling the classics collected by the He family, he had once seen information about this beast.

This beast itself has little combat ability, but it has a strong sense for formations and seals; carrying it can ward off enemy-laid formation traps and better detect the presence of formations.

However, he had heard that this beast had vanished from the Upper Cloud Realm; he never expected Han Yongzhuo to possess such a spirit beast.

No wonder Jiang Ziling just let him watch the seal each day, since he had his own method and thus wasn't afraid of changing circumstances.

Yunhe spoke with a meaningless expression, his tone calm:

I don't know what Fellow Daoist Han intends to do?

Han Yongzhuo chuckled, leisurely brushed off his robe, adjusted his stance, found a more comfortable spot, and continued leaning against an ancient tree.

Seeing Yunhe's expression still calm, he realized this person truly could hold his breath, and reluctantly spoke again:

This seal is at least a fourth‑level formation, right? Fellow Daoist, to have found its flaw, you must have mastered the way of formations to profundity, or perhaps you recognize this formation?

Hearing the series of questions, Yunhe smiled.

I, Yun, am also curious where Fellow Daoist Han obtained such a spirit beast; I am very interested.

These words made Han Yongzhuo's expression turn grave, his eyes slightly narrowed as he stared at Yunhe, his voice gaining a hint of heaviness.

What relation does this beast have with Fellow Daoist?

Indeed. Then what connection do I, Yun, have with this seal, and with Fellow Daoist Han? Yunhe spoke quickly this time, his words devoid of any disguise of mockery.

Han Yongzhuo startled.

After giving Yunhe a deep look, he slowly said:

Fellow Daoist Yun, aren't you afraid I, Han, will expose this matter?

Yunhe lightly flicked his sleeves, also leisurely adjusted his clothes and posture, then said:

Please, Fellow Daoist, go ahead.

Han Yongzhuo's face stiffened.

He drew a deep breath, his face becoming expressionless, but a hint of ice cold rose in the depths of his gaze as he pursed his lips and stared at Yunhe for a while.

Seeing this, Yunhe couldn't help but feel a bit more cautious, though while he said that, he clearly didn't want to miss the imminent 'Thousand‑Silk Zen‑Heart Seed'; still, his expression remained normal and unchanged.

Suddenly.

All expression faded from Han Yongzhuo's face as he once again showed a seemingly gentle smile and sent a mental message:

I, Han, was abrupt. But I, Han, have not revealed your matter, Fellow Daoist; I suppose you have seen my sincerity.

Having been given an out, Yunhe didn't truly insist on holding the threat; setting it aside temporarily, he went along and said:

It's all because I, Yun, am narrow‑minded; I also hope Fellow Daoist Han won't blame me.

All at once.

The two went from being on the verge of drawing swords back to a state of mutual friendliness.

They even began to address each other as elder and younger brothers, like old friends long unseen.

One must admit, cultivators are a bunch who can bend and stretch.

Finally, Han Yongzhuo at last spoke his purpose.

Your abilities, Younger Brother Yun, are admirable, Elder Brother. Alas, Elder Brother does not hide it from you—are you interested in the Nascent Soul Supreme Treasure?

Huh?

Hearing this, Yunhe's heartbeat skipped half a beat, his eyes narrowing.

This person actually knows news of the Nascent Soul Supreme Treasure?

Seeing Yunhe finally show a hint of losing composure, Han Yongzhuo then revealed a satisfied smile.

No Golden Core cultivator can resist the allure of the Nascent Soul Supreme Treasure.

No one is exempt.

He swept his gaze around, then said slowly:

Younger Brother Yun, this place is not suited for detailed talk. Once this seal is broken, Elder Brother will wait for you at the entrance to the central area of the secret realm, and we can discuss things properly then.

Although they communicated via divine sense, there was no guarantee their exchange wouldn't be intercepted.

The information about the Nascent Soul Supreme Treasure is too important; being cautious is never wrong.

Although Yunhe's heart was full of curiosity and desire, he still agreed and nodded.

However, from his words it's not hard to infer that the Nascent Soul Supreme Treasure is very likely located in the secret realm's central area, and may likewise be sealed by a restriction similar to this one; otherwise he would not have sought him out.

Compared to the Nascent Soul Supreme Treasure, the things inside this seal are truly trivial.

But the central area of the secret realm is far more dangerous than here, which is also something to consider.

Afterward.

The two then had no further communication, silently waiting together for the seal to open.

But for the two of them, they both knew exactly when the seal would open.

Another day passed.

Boom—

The seal in the oasis emitted a deep, muffled sound; the cultivators sitting cross‑legged all rose, their eyes gleaming as they gazed at the seal, mana surging through their bodies.

Yunhe and his two companions were naturally among them.

"Daoist Friend Li, Daoist Friend Ning, later there will surely be chaos; I, Yun, may not necessarily be able to attend to both of you; when the time comes, each rely on your own abilities."

Hearing this, Li Yuanfan and Ning Sisi's expressions turned grave; obviously they both understood that this time the risk would certainly not be small.

However, as long as they don't go seize the most precious things, they should not need to worry too much.

At such a time.

The so-called 'traveling together' is not necessarily reliable; mutual vigilance is also inevitable.

"Click-click!"

Accompanied by two crisp sounds.

The seal that had shrouded this place finally dissipated, revealing the many treasures hidden within!

Seeing this, the cultivators present immediately sprang into action.

However, it was obvious that a few people acted faster, and Yunhe was among them.

He rushed straight for the 'Thousand-Strand Zen Heart Seed'!

(End of chapter)