Chapter 227: One Million Spirit Stones

After another ten-plus days passed in Wuxu City.

Xie Yao finally finished screening the remaining four Secret Realms one by one.

However, because people had returned alive from all four Secret Realms, she was somewhat indecisive and needed to discuss it with Ruan Xing.

Ruan Xing, however, did not need to consider; after understanding the basic situation of the four Secret Realms, she directly began a Real-scene Simulation.

Wouldn't she know by trying all four?

Of course, this extravagant act cost her forty thousand points directly.

The benefit was that it helped her rule out three Secret Realms.

There was even an unexpected harvest.

She weighed her words and said to Xie Yao: "Based on my experience, there is no need to look at the last two. The Secret Realms are old but useless; neither has the potential to develop into a Small World. If you wait another few thousand years for them to settle, perhaps it might be possible."

"As for the other two, the Purgatory Secret Realm is still worth a visit, and the Chongshan Secret Realm has some value as well, but it has not generated Small World consciousness. The value I speak of is because this Secret Realm produces many Spirit Mines that can be mined and used to refine Dharma Artifacts, but there are also many dangers inside. You might not have enough manpower to do this. My suggestion is to obtain the Secret Realm core and then sell this Secret Realm to the people of the Immortal Sect."

Purgatory Secret Realm and Chongshan Secret Realm were names given to these two Secret Realms by Demon Cultivators; they were very straightforward.

Inside the Purgatory Secret Realm, there were large stretches of active volcanoes that erupted from time to time, pouring out thick magma that flowed wantonly like rivers. The areas where one could stand were as small and pathetic as pieces on a square chessboard.

Moreover, there were some strange humanoid creatures hiding in the flowing magma; once other creatures stepped onto the land, they would suddenly emerge and attack in a swarm.

After those Demon Cultivators entered, a portion were attacked by these humanoid creatures and lost their lives there, while another portion, after exploring for less than an hour, could not stand the scorching smoke and the steamer-like environment—feeling as if they would be roasted dry if they stayed any longer—and were forced to exit the Secret Realm early.

Ruan Xing only took a rough look when she entered during the simulation; she had a Puppet step onto the land while she herself flew in mid-air, yet those humanoid creatures did not appear.

This made her feel somewhat surprised, because after listening to Xie Yao's description, she had originally assumed those humanoid creatures discovered unknown enemies and generated attacking behavior through gravity, scent, sound, etc., but since they did not attack the Puppet, all her previous guesses had to be discarded.

The difference between a Puppet and a normal person is breathing, blood, temperature, and life.

A Puppet has none of these things.

Ruan Xing felt that these humanoid creatures were likely intelligent, which meant that the Small World of this Purgatory Secret Realm had generated the Element Law of 'life'.

Then it must contain Hongmeng Purple Qi.

After Ruan Xing confirmed this point, she exited the Secret Realm and tried the next one; after all, simulation time could not be wasted.

The Chongshan Secret Realm was filled with mountain ranges and canyons, towering mountains and steep ridges. Several Demon Cultivators fell into a canyon and found many unmined raw ores. They did not suffer attacks from any creatures, but without exception, everyone began to experience blurred vision, vomiting blood, and stiff meridians where Spiritual Power could not circulate. After hurriedly leaving the Secret Realm with some raw ores, these people died of Spiritual Power exhaustion in less than a day, yet the raw ores they brought out had no abnormalities; other Demon Cultivators kept them by their sides day and night without affecting the health of the carriers.

Ruan Xing then guessed that there was a problem with the air inside.

After she entered, she used a Spiritual Power barrier to seal her mouth, nose, and the skin of her entire body, so she was not disturbed by the toxins in the air. After several experiments, she quickly determined that the plants in these places secreted a gas, filling the entire area with a transparent, colorless, and odorless Miasma. Once inhaled or touched by the skin, the poison would irrevocably enter the lungs and viscera. Only a Spiritual Power barrier used by a Cultivator at the Nascent Soul Stage or above could temporarily resist this Miasma.

Because most toxins in the Cultivation world can be neutralized and purified by Spiritual Power, research related to poison in the Cultivation world is actually in a very niche and stagnant state. Any toxin that can ignore Spiritual Power will become a difficult problem that gives everyone a headache.

Ruan Xing felt that if one wanted to mine the raw ores in this Secret Realm on a large scale, besides needing a large number of Nascent Soul Cultivators, one might also need to refine a batch of protective Dharma Artifacts with the primary purpose of isolation.

After listening to Ruan Xing's analysis, Xie Yao was between laughter and tears, saying incredulously: "What kind of joke are you playing with me? I have no manpower to waste because I made a deal with Ruan Xing to attack the Central Province. You want me to sell a Spirit Mine Secret Realm that can refine Dharma Artifacts to the Immortal Sect—isn't that just strengthening their military power and weakening the Demon Cultivators' win rate?"

"What are you rushing for?" Ruan Xing smiled. "How long is it until the attack on the Central Province, and how long does it take to mine ore and refine Dharma Artifacts? How many Nascent Soul Cultivators of the Immortal Sect would be willing to risk entering the Spirit Mine Secret Realm? If they want to specifically refine Dharma Artifacts to guard against the Miasma and then let low-level Cultivators go in to mine, does that not take time?"

"If you add up all this time, and if a few of the Immortal Sect's Nascent Soul Cultivators accidentally die in the Secret Realm, do you think this still counts as a strengthening for them?"

Xie Yao thought about it.

This Envoy had a point...

But she had never told anyone her plan from beginning to end!

How could this Envoy be sure whether she was attacking this year or five or six years later?

The time difference in between sounded small but was actually very large in practice.

Xie Yao narrowed her eyes and asked: "Do you know when I plan to act?"

"This timing is of course controlled by you yourself; how could I possibly know?" Ruan Xing smiled. "However, this timing is better early than late. You must know that the last auction of the Wanbao Tower in Dongzhou is starting soon. It is rumored far and wide—could it be the handiwork of the Hidden Sect?"

"You know I want to find the Hidden Sect," Xie Yao said with a tone of certainty.

"That's not hard to guess, right? Didn't you capture Building Master Mo San of the Wanbao Tower? The Wanbao Tower decided to close precisely because of this. This matter wasn't kept secret; there aren't many people on the Xianyuan Continent who don't know."

"But he won't admit it."

Xie Yao was also somewhat troubled at this moment.

She had already held Mo Cijun in her hands for several months.

Yet there had been absolutely no progress.

Instead, she had startled the snake and stirred up such a large ripple as the closing of the Wanbao Tower.

Could it be that Mo Cijun is really not a member of the Hidden Sect? Xie Yao's heart had already begun to waver.

"Then I will give you another small suggestion," Ruan Xing smiled. "Now that the last auction of the Wanbao Tower has become the biggest hot topic and news on the Xianyuan Continent, even if it might have been unrelated to the Hidden Sect before, now, I'm afraid it will have to be related. You might as well release Building Master Mo San and, while you're at it, negotiate the deal for the Spirit Mine Secret Realm."

Xie Yao sighed: "But he is already dying; he won't live long if I release him."

Ruan Xing raised an eyebrow: "What does that matter? As long as you throw out the Spirit Mine Secret Realm and disrupt their unity, that's enough."

She dared to be certain that the Immortal Sects, who did not know that the Demon Cultivators were about to invade, would fight fiercely over this unmined Spirit Mine Secret Realm.

Even if they knew the entrance to the Secret Realm was in the Northern Territory, they would not hesitate.

Xie Yao also completely abandoned her suspicion of this Envoy; she looked like she didn't care about Mo Cijun's life or death at all, not at all like an Immortal Sect Cultivator.

So, not all Immortal Sect members are hypocrites; there are also true villains.

Xie Yao let out an ambiguous laugh: "You are so proactive—what benefits do you want?"

Of course, because she had previously weakened the strength of the Demon Cultivators, now she had to weaken the Immortal Sect as well!

How can one only strike one side when beating the grass? Of course, one must strike both sides.

She was too familiar with this; it was closely related to her profession in her previous life.

But she didn't say that out loud; instead, she said: "Saint Demon Lord is wise. If the Immortal Sect wants this Secret Realm, how could they not pay a price? Although the ownership of this Secret Realm is yours, I provided the idea, so it shouldn't be excessive to get some benefits, right? I don't want much—one million Low-grade Spirit Stones, is that okay?" She estimated the value of this Spirit Mine Secret Realm to be around four to five million.

However, because the entrance to the Secret Realm was in the Northern Territory, she estimated that no one except the large sects would dare to come, and the final competitors would only be the Xuanbing Sect, the Mysterious Grade Sect, and a few sects from the Central Province. If they reached an agreement, the most they might get in exchange would be three million Spirit Stones.

She opened her mouth and asked for one-third.

But Xie Yao did not care about her greed.

For Xie Yao, this Immortal-Demon War was the last thing in her life in the Cultivation world.

If she succeeds, she will ascend to the Spirit Realm, and everything in the world of Cultivation will have nothing to do with her; no matter how many Spirit Stones there are, they will be of no use.

If she fails, she has already lived for six thousand years, and her life should come to an end.

She agreed, saying: "Fine, I will give you this one million."

Ruan Xing then smiled, "Then many thanks, Saint Demon Lord."

"What about that Purgatory Secret Realm?" Xie Yao asked: "Since we have information about the Secret Realm in advance this time, is preparation needed?"

"No need." Ruan Xing said confidently, "Saint Demon Lord, just wait for the good news that Elder Xizui and I will bring back for you."

She still had a big gift prepared for Xie Yao.

Xie Yao had Chuan Nu wake Mo Cijun up, and after Mo Cijun recovered a bit, he personally discussed the business of the Spirit Mine Secret Realm with him.

Mo Cijun had to agree no matter what.

As long as he still wanted to live to return, he had to agree.

This matter was not considered difficult for him; perhaps because he was unwilling to speak of the Hidden Sect or simply did not know, or perhaps he had sworn some Heavenly Dao Oath that made it difficult to speak of.

But doing business was his old profession.

In any case, he could not refuse.

Ruan Xing withdrew after the matter was done and went with Xizui to prepare to enter the Purgatory Secret Realm.

Although she said no preparation was needed, Ruan Xing still drew some Talismans such as Cooling Talismans and Fire Avoidance Talismans.

She had entered it in a Simulation and had almost developed PTSD regarding steamers and ovens.

It was truly too hot; preparing some Talismans would at least make it more comfortable.

After all, she did not know how many days she would stay in the Secret Realm.

As usual, there were three people.

Ruan Xing, Xizui, and Xie Feng.

After entering the Secret Realm, she reminded the other two not to land on the exposed ground at will, and then began to sweep with her Divine Sense.

On one active volcano after another, black, thick smoke was rising.

Flowing rivers of magma divided the land into small grids.

As far as the eye could see, there was almost no living thing.

"How strange." Ruan Xing frowned and said: "Such a Secret Realm does not meet the standards for survival; how could life develop here?"

Xizui took up the conversation: "Actually, according to the investigation sources of my subordinates, this Secret Realm is the Return to Ruins Land of a Demon Lord. This Demon Lord's experience was somewhat miraculous; he once fell into the heart-earth inflammatory fire, burned through his bones and blood, and still came out alive. Later, when he was ascending to the Return to Ruins Stage, he suffered a Qi deviation and fell into madness, but even so, he still successfully ascended... This Demon Lord did not have his own territory; after he went mad, he was elusive and did as he pleased. At that time, no one in the Northern Territory had the strength to drive him to Wuxu City, so it could only remain like this."

"Later, he disappeared inexplicably, and everyone suspected that he had died."

"Therefore, I cannot confirm whether this source of information is true, nor can I be certain that this Secret Realm is his Return to Ruins Land; it is only inferred based on the currently known information that this Secret Realm is most similar to him."

"Whether a Secret Realm Space can actually develop a Small World consciousness has nothing to do with the owner before the Secret Realm was formed... Forget it, let's start working." Ruan Xing sighed.

The three of them flew in mid-air, moving forward slowly.

Xizui also swept through the volcanoes and magma below with his spiritual sense, even reaching deep underground, but still did not find the humanoid creatures mentioned by the Demon Cultivator sent previously.

But seeing Ruan Xing's serious expression, he did not speak again to disturb her.

However, looking at Xie Feng, he had a look of discomfort, as if he were enduring something.

Xizui opened his mouth to ask, but after thinking about it, he did not speak.

Ruan Xing plowed through the ground and magma inch by inch with her Divine Sense; although she did not find any humanoid creatures, she discovered several strange places.

The entire Secret Realm Space had hundreds of active volcanoes, large and small.

But when her Divine Sense probed into the largest ones, there was a sense of obstruction.

She could not see the cracked ground and the erupting magma at the center.

She was just about to speak and say they should go over there to take a closer look, when she noticed that Xie Feng's complexion was not right.

She stopped and asked: "What's wrong? Did you discover something?"

"It smells terrible; here, it is all things that are not delicious." Xie Feng said with disgust.

Ruan Xing was stunned.

She rarely saw Xie Feng say that any things were not delicious.

In the past, whenever Xie Feng saw things that could be eaten, his eyes would light up; he had truly been starved in the Golden Terrace Secret Realm and cherished food very much.

But "not delicious," "disdain"—she remembered that Xie Feng had only used this evaluation for those Demon Cultivators in Wuxu City.

The characteristic of those Demon Cultivators was that they were all lunatics.

Ruan Xing said in a strange tone: "You can't be telling me that these volcanoes, magma, and scorched rocks are all alive, and all of them are lunatics, right?"

She did not feel any life force at all! Thanks to Yang Hua Luo Jin Zi Gui Ti for the tip~ Thanks to Xun_ for the monthly ticket~ Thanks to Book Friend 151215044218734 for the monthly ticket~ Thanks to Book Friend 20210301109483650 for the monthly ticket~ Thanks to Big Monster HUUUI for the monthly ticket~