Chapter 923: Five Grotto-Heavens!

Outside the secret realm.

As time ticked by bit by bit.

The spatial fluctuations grew increasingly violent, as if at any moment they would cause the secret realm to collapse entirely!

The surrounding atmosphere gradually became oppressive and heavy.

At this moment, even with his uncle's assurance, Jiang Chen's heart still rose of its own accord.

But just as this tension climbed to its peak.

A gentle voice suddenly rang out in his mind: "He's out..."

Jiang Chen's heart jolted. He abruptly raised his head and looked toward the deep-blue vortex ahead.

Where his gaze reached, a foot stepped out of the vortex.

Then, a youth with a resolute face emerged.

Coiled on his right shoulder was a small cat, gray and white, with an innocent expression and a pair of "wise" eyes!

Having already been told everything by Jiang Beixuan, Jiang Chen's face instantly showed understanding, and he recognized the other's identity.

It was none other than "Mao Xuan," the secret realm's guardian!

"Strange..."

Jiang Chen raised a brow, feeling somewhat puzzled.

Clearly, according to what everyone had said, this Mao Xuan was supposed to be a being of the Holy Realm.

So why, in his perception, did it only possess a mere Innate cultivation base?

Could it be that the other party had deliberately concealed their cultivation base?

For a moment, all sorts of thoughts surged through Jiang Chen's mind.

At this point, Jiang Yan first gave a slight cupped-fist salute to the crowd as a greeting, then turned and came before Jiang Daoxuan, bowing and saying: "Greetings, Clan Chief, my lord!"

Jiang Daoxuan nodded and glanced at Mao Xuan.

With just that one glance, Mao Xuan seemed to have witnessed some great horror; its legs clamped tight, and its body trembled uncontrollably.

Panic filled its pupils. It hurriedly bowed its head on Jiang Yan's shoulder, mustering all its courage, and bowed toward Jiang Daoxuan: "M-Mao Xuan greets you, Senior!"

Facing this terrifying human who bore the might of an Emperor, it dared not show the slightest disrespect!

After all, the other party could obliterate it with a single breath; for the sake of its little life, it was better to behave obediently.

However, as the words fell.

Jiang Daoxuan's expression was plain, revealing neither joy nor anger.

Seeing this, Mao Xuan's mood could not help but grow uneasy.

The whole scene also fell utterly silent—so quiet one could hear a pin drop.

Fortunately, this atmosphere lasted only a few breaths' time.

Under everyone's gaze, Jiang Daoxuan slowly said: "The secret realm has destroyed itself. Mao Xuan, you should have perished here, yet you encountered Yan'er's aid and defied the heavens to change your fate, seizing that one thread of life the Dao of Heaven and Earth left for all living beings. Your destiny has been altered—do you know what you should do from now on?"

Mao Xuan's heart gave a start, and its gaze gradually grew complicated.

What the other party said was true.

If not for Jiang Yan, this foolish boy, it would likely have long since perished along with the secret realm.

How could it still be bouncing about here, alive and well?

Thinking of this, Mao Xuan raised its head and pledged to Jiang Daoxuan: "Please rest assured, Senior. My life was continued by him; from this day forth, I shall do all in my power, acknowledge him as my master, and assist him..."

Although it craved freedom and disliked being bound.

Its creed as a cat was: repay every grievance, repay every kindness!

It could, for the sake of a single promise, abandon the world outside and guard the legacy within the secret realm, enduring countless ages without regret.

So it could, to repay this foolish boy's kindness, stay by his side for a lifetime!