Chapter 1213: Farewell, Dean

The Village Chief also asked Ye Liuyun: "Will there still be people coming after this?"

From Ye Liuyun and his companions they learned how to make tools and some cultivation methods, which proved greatly beneficial. Of course they hope more people will come later.

Ye Liuyun could not easily dampen his hopes, so he said, "That's not certain; perhaps others will come for different tasks!"

"Great! I look forward to seeing you again in the future!" the Village Chief said enthusiastically.

After bidding farewell to the giants, Ye Liuyun rode the Evil Dragon and flew toward the Secret Realm's entrance.

Within this Secret Realm the Evil Dragon is the overlord; no ferocious beasts dare to provoke them. At the sight of their silhouettes, they immediately flee.

Thus Ye Liuyun encountered no further threats and smoothly returned to the Secret Realm's entrance.

Then he reined in the Evil Dragon and stepped out.

Outside the Secret Realm's entrance, Li Qingyun and the Elder had been waiting for about a month, worrying each day whether he would emerge.

When Ye Liuyun suddenly appeared before them, the two instantly became excited.

"How did it go? Was the mission completed?" Li Qingyun asked anxiously.

"Completed! There were fourteen Evil Dragons inside, and I captured them all!" Ye Liuyun told Li Qingyun with a smile.

So that the Academy's Elder won't send others to exterminate the Evil Dragons later.

"Really?" the Elder who guards the Secret Realm also found it unbelievable.

"May I see what the Evil Dragon's Yuan Dan looks like?" the Elder asked curiously.

Ye Liuyun glanced at Li Qingyun. Li Qingyun also nodded to indicate it was fine.

Only then did he take out the Evil Dragon's Yuan Dan.

The Evil Dragon's Yuan Dan was already beyond ordinary comprehension.

Its diameter alone measured over five zhang, nearly filling the entire courtyard.

"My heavens! The Yuan Dan alone is that huge; how massive must the Evil Dragon be?" the Elder exclaimed.

The Yuan Dan was a golden, crystal‑clear sphere, emanating faint strands of Demon Qi.

After the demonstration, Ye Liuyun immediately stored the Yuan Dan and discussed the Secret Realm's situation with them.

They had only just learned the interior's condition now.

No one who entered before had ever emerged; Ye Liuyun was the first to come out, and the only one to complete the mission.

"So it was the Giant Kingdom!" Li Qingyun and the Elder finally realized.

"What about the Evil Dragon corpses?" the Elder asked Ye Liuyun.

Ye Liuyun, fearing others might target the Evil Dragons, told them they had been poisoned, to avoid revealing his Nine Nether Prelude.

"The bodies were corroded by toxic gas!" Ye Liuyun fabricated.

"What a pity! The dragons' bodies are full of treasures!" the Elder shook his head regretfully.

"There's no other way; without poison we can't handle them—their size is too great. Even if they haven't cultivated, I couldn't move them!" Ye Liuyun explained.

"Haha, understandable! In any case, completing the mission is what matters!"

Li Qingyun also guessed Ye Liuyun might not be telling the whole truth, so he steered the conversation elsewhere.

"Seeing you come out alive puts my mind at ease! Keep the Evil Dragon's Yuan Dan; after entering the Hidden Dragon Pool you can give it directly to the Azure Dragon. Let's go, first fetch the Token for entering the Hidden Dragon Pool, then return to recuperate."

Li Qingyun immediately escorted Ye Liuyun away.

On the road, Ye Liuyun curiously asked Li Qingyun: "After this mission is done, what if others later want to enter the Hidden Dragon Pool again?"

Li Qingyun heard this and laughed.

"Haha, you underestimate the Academy! It has plenty of such dangerous missions; you don't need to worry about them. Besides, you won't get another chance to go in. Two trips to the Hidden Dragon Pool are enough; more won't help much!"

"I see!" Ye Liuyun realized his worries were unnecessary.

After giving Ye Liuyun the Token for the Hidden Dragon Pool, Li Qingyun let him rest first and, when ready, re‑enter the Hidden Dragon Pool.

After all, this opportunity isn't something ordinary people can enjoy.

Ye Liuyun still hoped in his heart to meet the Dean again and receive his guidance.

So while resting, he kept pondering how his cultivation and strength would change after reaching the Earth Sovereign Realm.

Last time he was in the Zao Hua Realm, and the Dean demonstrated the use of Zao Hua Realm True Essence to him.

Now he faces the breakthrough to the Life-Death Realm. He still doesn't know what changes to True Essence the Life-Death Realm will bring.

To avoid appearing ignorant, he began asking others what differences in True Essence occur upon reaching the Life-Death Realm.

Only after gaining some understanding did he rush to the Hidden Dragon Pool.

Upon arriving at the Hidden Dragon Pool, he indeed met the Dean, Xu Changqing.

"Dean Xu!"

Ye Liuyun proactively greeted the Dean.

He didn't know him last time; now that he does, he naturally takes the initiative.

"You kid, your skill isn't small at all! I didn't help you for nothing!" Xu Changqing said with a smile.

"Thanks to the Dean for the Matter of the Mo Yun Sect!" Ye Liuyun hurriedly expressed gratitude.

"Thanks for what? I was just afraid Li the Mad would cause trouble later. Whether I stand up for you or not, you can handle it yourself. I'm merely representing the Academy!" Xu Changqing waved his hand, unconcerned.

Ye Liuyun understood that the Dean's statement meant he should never forget the Academy, and once powerful, not become an enemy of it.

"A drop of kindness deserves a spring of repayment!" Ye Liuyun replied immediately.

Xu Changqing nodded satisfactorily, looking very optimistic about Ye Liuyun.

"Let's get to business! You're about to break through to the Life-Death Realm; are you ready?" Xu Changqing asked.

"I've been studying the Life-Death Realm these past days; I'm not sure if I've got it right, so I ask the Dean for guidance!"

Ye Liuyun then voiced his understanding of the Life-Death Realm.

"The so‑called Life-Death Realm actually refers to True Essence that lives on endlessly, cycles back, and never ceases."

Xu Changqing nodded in satisfaction: "Not bad, this is the essence of the life-and-death realm. It's not about making people experience life and death! Of course, once you cultivate to the life-and-death realm, your lifespan will greatly increase; in that sense, it can also be considered breaking through life and death!"

"I stand corrected!" Ye Liuyun hadn't noticed that point before.

Afterwards, Xu Changqing had Ye Liuyun demonstrate his current True Essence.

Ye Liuyun's Mysterious Origin, when displayed, also earned Xu Changqing's praise.

"Not bad, very solid, the foundation is well laid!"

"Go in! The new realm still requires you to slowly comprehend it yourself. I don't have anything to demonstrate for this realm. Once you advance, you will naturally feel what endless vitality feels like."

"Yes, thank you, Dean!" Ye Liuyun bowed to the Dean in thanks.

After bidding farewell to the Dean, he also headed straight for the Hidden Dragon Pool.