Chapter 437: Arrival

Peach Valley Secret Realm.

This secret realm lies within a valley, its cliffs towering tens of light-years high, perpetually swept by annihilation winds that reduce even Nascent Soul experts to ash.

Only two entrances lead into the valley: the eastern gate, "Peach Source Fortress," held by the Boundless Mountain, and the western end, "Peach Blossom Source," controlled by the Green Emperor Palace.

Thus, Peach Valley has become the battleground for disciples of the Boundless Mountain and the Green Emperor Palace.

Even core disciples have perished here.

On this day.

A flash of light, and a black dragon and a white ape appeared.

"Is this 'Peach Source Fortress'?"

Fang Xing gazed at the pitch-black citadel before him, his dragon face marked with solemnity.

"Correct. This Peach Source Fortress was forged by several great elders of our Boundless Mountain—a war artifact capable of holding out against a Heavenly Immortal for a moment… ordinary Nascent Soul experts die the moment they enter."

The white ape Wu Qi spoke casually.

At that moment, a streak of light shot in from outside, revealing a figure—it was Song Zhong!

"Master!"

Song Zhong bowed respectfully, then was casually absorbed by Fang Xing into a space artifact.

This space artifact had been exchanged by Fang Xing using merit points from the Boundless Mountain; it resembled the "Ultimate Demon Palace," with a small inner void capable of storing living beings.

"What is this…?"

Wu Qi asked, puzzled.

"A human pet I've taken in."

Fang Xing spoke directly: "I'm planning to use him to lure out a demonic prince from the Green Emperor Palace…"

"But your human pet is already Nascent Soul—he can't even enter Peach Valley Secret Realm!"

The white ape looked confused.

"No need to bring him in. Just hide him outside."

Fang Xing shrugged.

Lately, he had been diligently practicing the "Severing Karmic Ties" technique.

This technique could be cast not only on oneself but also on others.

Once Song Zhong was "shielded," the karmic thread would still be ninety-nine percent intact, still pointing back to him.

After all, he was the true killer of Fu Shan's younger brother!

When I enter Peach Valley Secret Realm, and that demonic prince arrives—would he not enter the valley?

No!

He'll feel even safer, since no Nascent Soul cultivators are allowed inside—perfectly secure!

"Tsk tsk… you're ruthless. I like it."

Wu Qi clicked his tongue: "Last time Kun Yuanzi died in Peach Valley—if we can get revenge, the big bosses upstairs will be delighted. Maybe even take us as disciples…"

Being taken as a disciple by a Heavenly Immortal or Heavenly Demon was the dream of many core members!

Though they claimed to have a chance to reach Heavenly Immortal or Heavenly Demon status, the odds were vanishingly slim.

Out of hundreds of core members, perhaps one might become a Heavenly Immortal or Heavenly Demon.

Only imperial heirs had a better chance of becoming Demon Emperors.

Those reaching the height of Shi Guang were exceedingly rare; becoming a Heavenly Demon's disciple was already enough to satisfy.

"Hah… I don't have that ambition. Just getting more peaches is enough."

Fang Xing laughed.

…

Fang Xing and Wu Qi, both core members of the Boundless Mountain, merely checked the fortress briefly before being allowed entry.

After passing through layer upon layer of barriers, they entered the Peach Valley Secret Realm.

Inside, lush greenery stretched everywhere, mist swirling around, mountains and lakes faintly visible.

More astonishingly, the air carried the scent of peach blossoms.

Fang Xing flapped his wings and landed at the edge of a jade-green lake.

Beside the lake grew a peach orchard, many branches heavy with ripe fruit.

"Tsk tsk… the peaches of Peach Valley Secret Realm are the tastiest."

Wu Qi plucked one, bit into it: "Sweet… try it? These white peaches have no effect—just good flavor. Compared to green-red peaches, they're nowhere near as good…"

Whooosh!

Fang Xing opened his mouth, and a whirlwind surged forth, forming a vortex.

Dozens of white peaches were sucked in like a dragon drinking water, vanishing into his mouth, barely filling it.

Crunch! Crunch!

His sharp teeth crushed them, releasing sweet, juicy pulp that burst between his lips—he brightened instantly: "Not bad at all…"

"Hah, these are just ordinary produce—everywhere in Peach Valley."

"Nine trillion li ahead lies the core zone… scattered among it are a few peach trees, one of which is a celestial root—immensely powerful. We can't even approach its trunk… but according to the agreement, this celestial root occasionally hurls out green-red peaches for us and the Green Emperor Palace to fight over…"

"Hurls out?"

Fang Xing grew interested.

"Of course. You don't think a celestial root capable of producing green-red peaches hasn't become a spirit yet? That peach tree is the only one in Peach Valley to break its limits, unaffected by cultivation level… legend says its power is terrifying—though it can't move, within its range, it possesses the strength of a Nascent Soul overlord…"

A flicker of fear crossed the white ape's face: "When this realm was discovered, the tree spirit signed a pact with our Boundless Mountain and the Green Emperor Palace's great elders—not to harm ordinary cultivators, and to occasionally drop peaches when they ripen… but the tree spirit is cruel. It deliberately drops peaches only when we and the Green Emperor Palace demons meet, just to provoke bloody fights for its amusement…"

"Amusement?"

Fang Xing smiled, feeling slightly exasperated.

To a Nascent Soul overlord, even the battles between core members and demonic princes were mere entertainment in their endless, dull lives. "Then… let's go!"

He grabbed the white ape, his consciousness sinking into the Grand Void Layer, then ascending to the Illusory Void Layer.

From this higher-dimensional perspective, he saw the entire "Peach Valley Secret Realm"—vast beyond measure.

More crucially, at its center stood an indescribably massive peach tree.

Its trunk stretched millions of li high, blotting out the sun…

And within its canopy's range, even instantaneous teleportation was impossible!

"No wonder it's a Nascent Soul overlord."

Fang Xing made no provocation, instead teleporting beyond the tree's coverage.

Shhh! Shhh!

Two figures appeared, gazing at the towering peach tree.

"Here we are—the core zone… only by reaching the tree's base can you possibly find green-red peaches… though you're also most likely to encounter Green Emperor Palace demons."

Wu Qi said: "When the fight starts, I'll lead the assault, you cover me… if things turn bad, remember to drag me away."

"Mm."

Fang Xing nodded, and the ape and dragon entered beneath the tree's canopy.

The sky instantly darkened—the canopy blocked all sunlight.

The mist thickened drastically; even Fang Xing's divine sense could barely pierce ten li.

"Huh?"

Suddenly, Fang Xing gasped, flicking his tail.

Whooosh!

A gust of wind scattered the mist, revealing a single green peach.

Roughly fist-sized, its skin was sky-blue jade, marked with intricate patterns.

Merely smelling it brought clarity and vigor.

Without hesitation, Fang Xing shoved the green peach into his mouth.

A flavor utterly unlike the white peach surged forth—he couldn't help swallowing, and the peach vanished.

In its place, warmth spread through his dragon body, his internal energy subtly refined.

"No wonder it costs a thousand merit points—definitely worth it."

Fang Xing was surprised; such a marvel was a life-altering treasure for ordinary bloodlines and even human cultivators.

Even the most common demonic bloodlines, after consuming one, could match royal-blood foundations during their mortal stage!

Even after reaching Nascent Soul, consuming ten or eight more could further refine their energy to mid-grade, solidifying their foundation.

"Hah, black dragon, lucky you—just arrived and you get a green peach… When I first came, I wandered here for a month without finding anything, then fought a few Green Emperor Palace demons and stumbled upon a red peach…"

Wu Qi sighed deeply.

"So… to get a red peach, you've got to cause trouble."

Fang Xing now understood the tree spirit's cruel amusement.

"Exactly. When we meet Green Emperor Palace demons and fight, we'll be close to finding a red peach."

Wu Qi spoke with equal wistfulness.

Fang Xing's thoughts shifted to a distant pillar.

Though separated by countless of li, the pillar still stood imposingly, like half a colossal wall.

On its ancient, gnarled surface, even a sharply defined face seemed to gaze down upon everything…

…

As Fang Xing and the two demons explored the Peach Valley Secret Realm.

Near the entrance to the Peach Blossom Source.

Prince Fu Shan of the Qingdi Palace's Shexi Division also entered the Peach Valley Secret Realm.

In his hand, he held a faint, mysterious thread.

"Thread of cause and effect... pointing toward the core of the Peach Valley Secret Realm... Song Zhong has already formed a Nascent Soul—he could not enter... moreover, a mere elder of the Seven Kill Demon Palace has no right to enter the Peach Valley Secret Realm... so... is this the true mastermind behind it all?"

Fu Shan sensed a hint of danger.

As a Gao Jie cultivator, he always had that intuitive, mysterious premonition.

If this were the outside world, he would have long since returned to Qingdi Palace—or even summoned its powerful cultivators for aid.

But within the Peach Valley Secret Realm, he did not believe himself inferior to any Foundation Establishment cultivator!

Moreover…

"Young Master."

A serpent-man flew over, his expression deeply reverent: "We've confirmed it—Qiong Bai has been active near Tianpumen City; he appeared just yesterday… Yun Futo is in seclusion, but Ao Xin is missing—possibly within some secret realm."

"Among the core members of Wuji Mountain, the only one who could stand against me is Qiong Bai alone…"

Fu Shan immediately relaxed.

In truth, Qiong Bai held the status of an Imperial Heir within Wuji Mountain, wielding overwhelming dominance over the other princes—even capable of killing them!

In other words, even if Fu Shan encountered Yun Futo or Ao Xin, he might not win, but he could always escape—he would certainly not perish!

Only Qiong Bai could trap him, making escape impossible!

Upon hearing the confirmed news of Qiong Bai, his eyes sharpened instantly; he transformed into a streak of light and shot toward the core of the Peach Valley…

(End of Chapter)