Chapter 501: with translation of chapter title

"Qihun Ruolan."

"The sea clan's affairs shouldn't be that simple."

Yunhe, with his escape speed fully open in the air, secretly thought.

However, the sea clan at this time was still an hostile force to human cultivators; the more chaotic their internal affairs, the more advantageous it was for human cultivators.

As for what Qihun Ruolan said—that the two clans could reconcile and live in peace—Yunhe didn't take it to heart at all; after all, how the relationship between the two clans stands, if one person could decide it, then what were all those previous life-and-death fights for? Not to mention whether she could unite the sea clan and achieve her ambition; even after unification, wouldn't such a huge mess need to be cleaned up? And where would the resources needed for cultivation of all those sea clan cultivators come from?

Peace has always been a superficial, false term.

Yunhe believed that the sea clan, which had been silent for so many years, suddenly launched an invasion of the land; internally, it must have been mainly the Qi Lin, Qi Zhou, and Qi Hun clans after thorough investigation and discussion, united with many sea clan tribes big and small; as an elder of the Qi Hun clan, he must certainly be an important figure who voted in that meeting!

However, this is still just Yunhe's speculation; although peace may be hard to obtain, if one were to stir trouble and break that fragile alliance among the sea clan, there should still be a chance. Among the sea clan's three major leading clans, the Qi Lin clan's late Yuan Ying stage great cultivator, Qi Lin Changlan, has perished, but the Qi Lin clan still outwardly claims he is in closed-door cultivation.

But paper can't ultimately contain fire; Yunhe also wanted to know what would happen inside the sea clan when other tribes learned of Qi Lin Changlan's fall. As for sea clan matters, that's all for now; for Yunhe, the most important thing now is to find the purpose of this secret realm trip—"Void Essence".

According to the Jade Slip's instructions, this Vermilion Bird Secret Realm has three major domains, plus some unknown areas that grew through postnatal consumption (such as the underwater secret realm Yunhe visited). The three subdomains correspond respectively to the three renowned techniques of its master, the Nanming Lihuo God—divine fire, alchemy, and weapon forging.

At this moment, Yunhe's location is the place where the Nanming Lihuo God refines elixirs—the Elixir Domain, where the various elixirs stored attract even Yuan Ying stage experts like moths to a flame.

However, Yunhe had no intention of staying here long; if not going from here to the Weapon Domain, he would definitely have to pass through the center of the Elixir Domain—the Elixir Pavilion—and he likely wouldn't want to get involved in that mess. Although it sounds like the Elixir Pavilion hides many precious elixirs, that's not the case; first, the Elixir Pavilion is actually one of the high-grade spiritual treasures refined by the Nanming Lihuo God, and as a spiritual treasure it must possess an innate artifact spirit; after countless years of tempering, Yunhe dare not imagine how high that artifact spirit could have grown.

However, the Jade Slip mentioned that the Elixir Pavilion poses no danger; if time permits, one could give it a try. After all the previous encounters, Yunhe has fully trusted the information on this Jade Slip, and also feels a hint of warmth for this "cheap senior brother" who didn't hesitate to expend his lifespan for him.

——————

Meanwhile, at the center of the Elixir Domain, a huge brown building resembling a gourd stood there, shouting "Kill!"

Outside the gourd-like building, waves of shouting filled the sky as pairs of Yuan Ying stage cultivators dueled in midair, while large numbers of Golden Core stage cultivators paired up on the ground, joining forces to resist the enemy, shouting "Quick! Senior brother, you go in first!"

A youth in yellow Daoist robes loudly shouted at the middle-aged cultivator behind him, whose mouth was bleeding.

This line of four cultivators, all are Jie Dan stage cultivation base, wearing yellow Dao robes, one hand a long sword, one hand a talisman, looks like they should be senior/junior brothers from the same sect, and they were surrounding them fighting, indeed there were nearly ten Jie Dan cultivators, but looking at their attire, there were gray Dao robes, also tiger-skin barbarian skirts, and even nearly transparent long skirts.

The middle-aged cultivator took a deep look at the junior brothers and sisters before him, coughed up a mouthful of fresh blood mixed with organ fragments, obviously seriously injured, and no longer lingering, he headed toward the Dan Pavilion, 'Junior brothers and sisters, Three Talents Sword Formation!'

Seeing the senior brother already entered, the young cultivator sliced apart the incoming treasure with one sword, the three stood back-to-back, for a moment actually blocking nearly ten Jie Dan cultivators, unable to advance half a step, but the fighting among the Jie Dan cultivators on the ground was obviously not important, because no matter how hard they tried, they could only pick up some scraps from the Yuan Ying cultivator's teeth.

A barbarian-like Yuan Ying cultivator threw a heavy punch, sending the Dao-robed elder who had set up the 'Eight Trigrams Mirror' treasure flying several zhang away, then he glanced at the two streaks of rosy light quickly approaching nearby, let out a light 'hum', and fled toward the Dan Pavilion. At this moment he still felt somewhat proud; surviving in the barbarian wilderness, although he lacked the many treasures and elixirs of the great sects, he also had his own opportunity, relying on the 'Fire Barbarian Shaking Heaven Manual' and 'Fire Barbarian Elixir' obtained from below the cliff, he progressed all the way to Jie Dan and Nascent Soul, also defeating many great sect cultivators, making him somewhat proud, looking down on these weak Central Plains cultivators: 'A Man will soon obtain the treasure, A Man will become stronger! Hahahaha'

One could see that while he laughed, his eyes would occasionally glance at the three streaks of light closely pursuing from behind, revealing a hint of mockery.

Elixir. Elixir, A Man likes elixir the most!

As the Dan Pavilion ahead drew nearer, the barbarian man's face showed an infatuated smile.

However, just as he was indulging in the beautiful fantasy of achieving elixir freedom, a sudden commotion erupted behind him: 'What the hell! A Man's.'

One saw the barbarian man just turn his head when a five-colored streak of light, moving at extreme speed, already approached, and in the blink of an eye it was before him, startling him.

This made the barbarian man somewhat annoyed and angry; after all, he was an early-stage Yuan Ying cultivator about to enter mid-stage, yet he was frightened by that detestable Central Plains cultivator, so he immediately halted in midair, preparing to repeat that punch he had swung at the gray-robed elder.

Blocking the road.

But seeing the five-colored streak of light flash past, the barbarian man turned into a meteor and fell toward the buildings below.

The one who arrived was Yunhe, hurrying along, who slapped a Yuan Ying cultivator away with a palm, making Yunhe feel that he was actually so kind, but seeing he wasn't even wearing decent clothes, his storage bag probably didn't contain anything good either. After this little interlude, Yunhe quickly arrived before the Dan Pavilion; the few Yuan Ying cultivators who had originally been chasing the barbarian cultivator now stopped not far away, looking at each other.

Five Elements Sword Ancestor.

How could he also come here? Aren't late-stage Yuan Ying great cultivators all gone to the Implement Realm?

He hasn't even reached late stage yet.

But he's almost as strong as late stage.

Shh, don't speak, we'll just watch and see.

After a few exchanges of glances, they slowly came to a place not far, several tens of zhang from Yunhe, 'Junior Tianbu Sect's Tian Hui Zi, I have long admired your great name.'

Junior, brother of the King of Jinling in the Qing State, Fang Wanshan, I have long admired your great name.

Seeing that the visitors were all human cultivators, Yunhe nodded to each; actually their meaning was obvious: they hoped Yunhe would let them also get a share of this Dan Pavilion's opportunity. Yunhe didn't mind, for with his strength, whatever he wanted, no one present could stop him—this is the confidence brought by strength.

One saw more and more cultivators approaching the Dan Pavilion, yet they dared not get close. The situation seemed to be that Yunhe wasn't entering, so today no one planned to enter; seeing Yunhe approach the Dan Pavilion, the nearby Jie Dan cultivators unconsciously held their breath. In fact, most Golden Core cultivators might know of the three great sub-realms and the Dan Pavilion, but deeper information—such as how to enter the Dan Pavilion, how to obtain the elixirs inside—was beyond their level.

Thus, even before reaching the outskirts of the Dan Pavilion, massive slaughter had already occurred.

Little did they know the real danger was when leaving the Dan Pavilion. One saw Yunhe lightly touch the Dan Pavilion with one hand, and then his whole body vanished from the spot, obviously having entered the Dan Pavilion interior.

Seeing this scene, several Yuan Ying cultivators also followed suit, one after another entering the Dan Pavilion interior.

At this moment, those Jie Dan cultivators who were peeking and probing, seeing that the earlier few Yuan Ying cultivators had already entered the Dan Pavilion, pushed and shoved each other, and another round of open and covert struggle began.

Yunhe opened his eyes in a vast reddish-brown space; the imagined pavilions and towers did not appear, but rather an empty expanse where nothing could be seen and no boundaries could be discerned.

Senior of the Dan Pavilion, junior Yunhe pays his respects!

One saw Yunhe suddenly bow toward a direction and loudly say.

Good, good, good.

A cluster of red phantom gradually solidified, a brownish-red gourd with a white beard appearing in midair, smiling, obviously very pleased with the courteous Yunhe.

Since you know of my existence, you should also understand the Dan Pavilion's rules.

The Dan Pavilion artifact spirit spoke loudly, obviously quite delighted, like a fun little old man who had been lonely for who knows how many ages before finally someone came to play with him: 'We'll play three games; winning a round earns a reward, and if you win all three rounds, I'll tell you a divine lord's secret!'

Some old childlike artifact spirit only became somewhat solemn when mentioning the divine lord's secret, as if it were something tremendous! 'Please, senior, go first.'

Seeing Yunhe had no impatience and was quite courteous, the Dan Pavilion artifact spirit was extremely pleased: 'Good, good, good! I most like juniors like you, hahaha, all these greeting gifts are for you, all for you!'

The laughing old childlike artifact spirit threw out bottle after bottle of elixir from his mouth, 'Thank you, senior.'

Yunhe below opened the bottle's mouth, took a sniff, his eyes instantly lit up, and he stored all the elixir in his storage bag.

Then let's begin! What shall we play? Chess? No, no. Riddles? No, no. This should be saved for last to play slowly.

Yunhe remained silent, just quietly watching the troubled little gourd old man for a while, seeing the little gourd old man still hadn't decided.

Junior has heard that the senior is best at guessing riddles, and also skilled at hide-and-seek; why not let us

Yes! Yes yes yes! I'm also great at hide-and-seek. Eh, no no, I'm the one who chooses what to play, I won't listen to you.

One saw the little gourd old man initially express agreement happily, then immediately show an angry look.

How about this: we won't play the hide-and-seek you mentioned, we'll play the hide-and-seek I mentioned! How about that?

The little gourd old man seemed to have figured out the difference, happily asking Yunhe.

Fine, then I'll do as you say, senior.

Yunhe clasped his hands in greeting, and as he lowered his head, he suppressed the faint upturn of his mouth.

When I say! When I say start, I count ten! Ten numbers! Then you hide; if I find you, you lose.

Let's begin!

Without waiting for Yunhe's reply, the gourd artifact spirit turned its back.

One two, five, seven. All right! Hehe, I'm coming to find you!

The gourd old man only counted four numbers, then he hehe-smiled, turned his head to start looking for Yunhe, but upon turning back, he was slightly stunned—there was no trace of Yunhe. At that moment, Yunhe, who was inside the Five Elements Nurturing Spirit Pearl space, quietly watched the artifact spirit flying about outside. Through the Jade Slip calculated by his senior fellow disciple, he had long known how to deal with the artifact spirit without the Five Elements Nurturing Spirit Pearl; he also still had the 'Heavenly Net Mysterious Color Gourd,' so he chose hide-and-seek as the first game. If it were an ordinary cultivator, they'd probably be stuck at this hide-and-seek level.

Can't find him, can't find him! Nowhere to find him!

Where the heck did this kid go? Why can't I find him?

Here? Here?

Hey! You little brat, I found you! You're here, right?

Looking at the old gourd outside trying to trick him, Yunhe felt no ripple in his heart.

The act is pretty convincing.

Finally, the artifact spirit sat on the ground, its face full of unhappiness.

I admit defeat, come out!

Senior, I accept your concession.

A blue light flashed behind the artifact spirit old man, and Yunhe appeared behind it.

That doesn't count! Actually, I'm best at hiding.

Just as Yunhe finished speaking, the artifact spirit jumped up, speaking loudly, seemingly because it hadn't performed well, appearing quite indignant.

Yunhe looked at the little old man in front of him, smiling without a word. Seeing that Yunhe didn't fawn over him like other cultivators, the artifact spirit little old man felt somewhat unaccustomed, yet still put on an attitude of 'you won't get away without listening to me'.

Artifact spirit senior, I, the junior, can accompany you for another round, but since it's a wager, please go first, senior.

The artifact spirit old man felt that this cultivator before him seemed very polite, but his mind was devious; no cultivator had ever, under its senior-bullying attitude, still come to demand rewards like this. But the rules were set by it; the next game would be Yunhe's turn to choose. If it ended like this, the first game would be over, and it would feel terrible. 'I get it. Hmph, here you go—this time I'll hide! If I win, you return this to me!'

The artifact spirit old man was rather reluctant to give a bottle of elixir to Yunhe.

Having put away the elixir, Yunhe gave a slight nod, turned around and said, 'Senior, we've begun, one two.'

Slow down, slow down, you're counting too fast.

After the count of ten was finished, Yunhe turned to look, and this vast space was completely empty—how was he to find the artifact spirit?

Only see Yunhe walk thirteen steps east, then five steps north, and then step heavily to the northwest.

Hey! Let go!

Only see beneath Yunhe's foot, a tiny pebble made the artifact spirit's sound.

Senior, have you admitted defeat?

Yunhe didn't loosen his foot; instead, he lightly pressed down again.

You hey, oh no, don't press—do you know what respecting your elders is?

Senior.

I know, I know, I admit defeat, I admit defeat.

Only then did Yunhe loosen his foot, saying, 'Please forgive me, senior.'

(End of chapter)