Chapter 704

The valley before them was somewhat similar to the one Song Qingming had first helped Fire Phoenix enter to search for spiritual herbs in the secret realm years ago; the valley was shrouded in thick fog, obscuring the view and making it impossible to see the scene inside from the outside.

Such places are generally protected by formation barriers, and Song Qingming and Huang Siyuan, who had cultivated for many years and become Golden Core cultivators, naturally spotted the anomaly of the valley at a glance.

After opening the notebook on his person to confirm once more, Song Qingming nodded slightly to Huang Siyuan and led her forward to the entrance of the valley.

As soon as the two arrived in front of the valley, the white fog all around became increasingly dense, and soon it completely obscured the surrounding scenery.

Seeing this, Song Qingming calmly took out five silver formation flags and shot them around the two of them, then cast a spell to whip up a gust of wind that quickly dispersed the mist in front of them.

After walking another few hundred paces forward, a cold, biting wind suddenly struck from the front, the surrounding temperature dropped rapidly, and a somewhat transparent ice wall soon appeared before them.

Seeing this ice wall carrying immense cold energy, Song Qingming, who was walking in front, was immediately overjoyed; after raising a protective barrier to resist the chill around him, he immediately strode to the front of the ice wall.

"That's right, this should be the entrance to the spiritual herb garden. According to the notes left by that senior, there is a Profound Ice Formation guarding this place, and one must have at least a Golden Core cultivation base to open the restriction at the entrance."

"Hmm! This restriction looks quite powerful; there must be some important spiritual items inside the valley, otherwise, such a powerful formation would not have been set up to guard the entrance."

Upon hearing Song Qingming confirm that they had come to the right place, Huang Siyuan's face also revealed an excited expression, full of anticipation for what lay behind the "Profound Ice Formation."

"We'll know what spiritual items are inside once we go in. The method to break this formation is also recorded here. Wait a moment while I see how to break it." After Song Qingming finished speaking, he put away the notebook and walked forward.

Just as Song Qingming was studying the "Profound Ice Formation" before him, Huang Siyuan, who was standing to the side scanning the surroundings, suddenly focused her gaze on a somewhat pitch-black bluestone not far away.

The black marks on this bluestone looked as if they had been scorched by some kind of flame; they were clearly not formed naturally.

"Huh! Husband, it seems some kind of demon beast has been here."

Hearing Huang Siyuan's inquiry, Song Qingming, who was to the side, immediately stopped what he was doing and turned to come to her side.

After seeing the marks on the bluestone before him, a trace of surprise flashed in Song Qingming's eyes, and he nodded to Huang Siyuan beside him: "It looks like it was left not long ago. There are many demon beasts in this secret realm, so it's no surprise that a demon beast broke into this place. We still need to be a bit careful."

After speaking, Song Qingming turned and walked back, beginning to continue studying the "Profound Ice Formation" before him.

After about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, Song Qingming, who now had seven or eight parts of confidence in breaking the formation, took out four formation flags and inserted them around the "Profound Ice Formation," beginning to cast spells to attempt to break the restriction before him.

This "Profound Ice Formation" was a relatively rare ice-attribute restriction, and its power was already equivalent to a general third-tier middle-grade defensive grand formation. If an ordinary Golden Core cultivator encountered it, it would be very difficult to break this restriction in a short time without a cultivation base above the late Golden Core stage.

Although Song Qingming's cultivation had not yet reached the late Golden Core stage, he was already a third-tier formation master with a high level of formation skill. Coupled with the notebook left by Zhao Jibai to help guide him to the weak points of the restriction, breaking this restriction was not that difficult for him.

Under Song Qingming's spellcasting, the surrounding formation flags emitted several rays of spiritual light that merged into the ice wall, quickly blocking the flow of most of the spiritual energy within the ice wall and weakening the power of the restriction.

When the cold energy emanating from the "Profound Ice Formation" had weakened to about half of its original level, Song Qingming stopped casting spells, took out his magic treasure "Mo Bai Sword," and slashed at the ice wall in front of him.

After a loud "bang," a crack gradually appeared on the ice wall.

Seeing that the restriction before him had loosened, Song Qingming smiled slightly, once again poured his magic power into the "Mo Bai Sword" in his hand, and launched another attack on the ice wall.

After more than a dozen sword lights were slashed out, only a sound of shattering was heard, and a large hole five or six feet high was finally chiseled out of the ice wall in front of Song Qingming.

Seeing that the ice hole was large enough for passage, Song Qingming put away the "Mo Bai Sword" in his hand with a satisfied face and led Huang Siyuan inside one after the other.

Just after the two of them had passed through the ice wall, a figure entirely crimson red suddenly appeared outside the ice wall.

This creature carefully looked at the ice hole before it, and after circling around a few times, it finally couldn't help but directly drill into the ice hole, and before long, it arrived in a valley full of flowers and green grass.

Looking at the valley full of spiritual herbs and spiritual medicines, which was extremely bright, this crimson red mouse curiously looked around, and a trace of excitement suddenly flashed in its eyes.

After sniffing the medicinal fragrance coming from the valley, this crimson mouse demon did not rush forward, but turned and ran towards the other side of the mountain wall, wanting to swallow a second-tier spiritual medicine there.

Just as it approached that second-tier spiritual medicine, not knowing what danger it sensed, it suddenly stopped, turned around, and ran quickly towards the hole it had just entered.

But it had only run a few steps when five huge mirrors of different colors suddenly appeared all around, surrounding it in the middle.

The "crimson mouse demon," which had not reacted in time, bumped head-on into the mirror in front and was bounced back.

Seeing that it was suddenly trapped, the "crimson mouse demon" let out an angry cry, and suddenly spat out a ball of crimson flames from its mouth, wanting to force back the bronze mirror in front of it.

However, what it didn't expect was that after its proud flame spell burned for a while, the golden bronze mirror in front of it was not damaged in the slightest under the protection of a green light.

Before the "crimson mouse demon" could launch another attack, five rays of spiritual light suddenly shot out from the surrounding bronze mirrors, locking it directly in mid-air and making it unable to move again.

Before long, Song Qingming and Huang Siyuan, who had entered the valley earlier, suddenly appeared out of thin air within the bronze mirrors, and looking at the "crimson mouse demon" that had already been captured, they couldn't help but reveal a few smiles.

"I thought some powerful demon king was hiding nearby; it turned out to be a Flame Mouse that had just formed its core not long ago. It was truly a wasted worry."

Earlier, when Song Qingming and Huang Siyuan were breaking the formation outside, they had already discovered traces of spells left nearby, knowing that a demon king of no low level had tried to break the restriction and enter the valley here not long ago.

It was just that they couldn't find where this demon king was hiding at the time, so they didn't alert the enemy. After breaking the restriction, Song Qingming specifically left two "Gold Illusion Butterflies" outside to monitor the movement outside before entering the valley.

Sure enough, not long after, they discovered this "Flame Mouse demon" hiding nearby, and only then did the two of them ambush nearby in advance to catch it as it snuck in.

Looking at the "Flame Mouse demon" still struggling before them, Huang Siyuan smiled and shook her head: "This mouse demon has some fortune to be able to advance to the Golden Core realm in the secret realm.

If another thousand years passed without anyone coming in, once its cultivation reached the late Golden Core stage, I'm afraid the restriction outside the valley wouldn't be able to stop it. By then, most of the spiritual herbs in this valley would fall into its belly. Fortunately, we discovered it in time."

"It's just a pity! It won't have that chance now."

As soon as Song Qingming's voice fell, a spiritual light flashed in his hand, and the "Mo Bai Sword" appeared in front of him again, and he walked step by step towards the location of the "Flame Mouse demon."

The "Flame Mouse demon," still struggling desperately, saw Song Qingming holding the flying sword and coming with ill intent, and a trace of fear was immediately revealed in its eyes. But no matter how the "Flame Mouse demon" struggled, it still couldn't break free from the restraint of the "Five Elements Divine Light Mirror."

"I just wanted to steal a few spiritual herbs to eat, I didn't want to disturb you two. I ask the two fellow Daoists to raise your hands high and spare me!"

Just as Song Qingming was about to finish off this demon king with one sword, a light and pleasant voice, just like that of a young woman, suddenly came from its body, causing Song Qingming to stop his steps instantly.

"Huh! It's just a demon king that has just formed its core not long ago, yet it can speak human language. This is truly strange!" Huang Siyuan, who was to the side, also heard this voice and walked forward with some curiosity.

"I accidentally swallowed a kind of spiritual water decades ago. I didn't expect that after my cultivation increased greatly and I formed my core, I would open my spiritual wisdom in advance, and only then did I learn to speak.

I have been cultivating inside here for more than five hundred years and know many places that have high-tier spiritual herbs. If the two fellow Daoists want them, I am willing to take you to find them, only asking that you spare me."

The "Flame Mouse demon" said while carefully looking at Song Qingming and the other, its words full of pleading.

"Hehe! You still dare to play tricks in front of us; you really miscalculated. Whether you are here or not won't hinder us from finding spiritual herbs, and besides, you have many things we need on you, so there's no need for so much trouble."

Facing the pleading of the "Flame Mouse demon" before him, Song Qingming's face remained unmoved, and he still wanted to finish off the other party with one sword.

"Husband, it is not easy for it to have opened its spiritual wisdom in advance; it is a creature with great fortune. I think it's better to give it a chance to live!" Just as Song Qingming was about to continue, Huang Siyuan, who was to the side, suddenly spoke up to stop his actions.

Immediately after, Huang Siyuan came directly in front of the "Flame Mouse demon" and asked it: "Since you have fallen into our hands today, it is impossible for you to retreat unscathed.

Considering that your cultivation was not easy, we can give you a chance to live, it just depends on whether you are willing or not."

"Whatever you want me to do for you, I am willing, please tell me quickly." Hearing that there was a chance to survive, a trace of joy appeared in the eyes of the "Flame Mouse demon." Seeing this, Huang Siyuan continued: "Alright, if you agree, you can sign a bloodline contract with me. In this way, not only can you save your life, but I can also take you out of this place to cultivate outside.

The spiritual energy in this place is limited after all. If you stay here, your cultivation can at most only reach the Golden Core realm; it is impossible to go any further. It would be better to leave with me; in the future, you might even have a chance to break through to the Nascent Soul realm."

"Bloodline contract, are you wanting to take me as a spiritual pet?" Hearing the four words "bloodline contract," the "Flame Mouse demon" suddenly hesitated, and a trace of humiliation appeared in its eyes.

Although it had always lived in this secret realm, the "Flame Mouse demon," which had already opened its spiritual wisdom, obviously also knew some common knowledge of the cultivation world outside and knew what it meant for it to sign a "bloodline contract" with a human cultivator.

"Siyuan, such a demon king that has already opened its spiritual wisdom is not so easy to tame.

I think you shouldn't waste time on it. Let's just kill the demon and take its core; it's easier and saves so much trouble."

Just when the "Flame Mouse demon" was still hesitating, a somewhat cold voice appeared in its ear again, instantly interrupting the thoughts in its heart.

Just when the two of them designed to catch this demon beast, Huang Siyuan had already taken a liking to its relatively cute appearance. After knowing that the other party was a demon beast that had already opened its spiritual wisdom in advance, she had the idea of taking it as a spiritual pet.

Therefore, she had already secretly transmitted her voice to Song Qingming, who was to the side, asking him to cooperate with her in playing the bad guy to see if she could have a chance to subdue this "Flame Mouse demon."

Seeing that Huang Siyuan wanted him to cooperate in subduing this demon, Song Qingming naturally did not object, so he put on a fierce look of wanting to kill the demon and take its core, and walked towards the location of the "Flame Mouse demon" with his flying sword in hand.

Seeing Song Qingming walking over slowly with an unkind look, this "Flame Mouse demon," which had opened its spiritual wisdom, finally chose to compromise with them in order to save its life, and quickly nodded in unwillingness: "Fellow Daoist, wait a moment. I can sign a bloodline contract with her, but you cannot go back on your promise to take me out. I have stayed in here long enough and want to go out and see the outside world.

Also, in the future, if this fellow Daoist is no longer in this world, you cannot restrict my freedom again. If you agree to this, I am willing to sign a contract with her now and cultivate with her."

"Hmph! You are already a fish on the chopping block, yet you dare to make so many demands of us. You really have a lot of nerve; are you not afraid of death?"

Hearing this demon king actually spit out words about Huang Siyuan not being in this world in the future, Song Qingming's face changed and he became unhappy again. He glared fiercely at the "Flame Mouse demon" and couldn't help but want to step forward and disembowel it.

Seeing this, Huang Siyuan, who was to the side, immediately stepped forward to stop him, turned to the "Flame Mouse demon" to the side, and said: "We can definitely do what we promised you. Don't worry, following me in the future will definitely bring you many benefits; I will not treat you unfairly.

If I am no longer here in the future, I can set you free. If you are worried, you can add this sentence when signing the bloodline contract. This way, you have nothing to worry about, right!"

"If that's really the case, then I am willing to acknowledge you as my master and leave this place with you!"

Hearing that Huang Siyuan was willing to agree to its request, the "Flame Mouse demon" felt a little relieved and immediately nodded to agree to Huang Siyuan's request.

In the case of the same cultivation level, the lifespan of a mouse-type demon beast is generally several times that of a human cultivator. Signing a "bloodline contract" with Huang Siyuan does not mean it will be controlled by others for a lifetime.

As long as the master passes away, the "bloodline contract" on the demon beast will automatically expire. Being wronged for a few hundred years is still a chance for it to regain its freedom.

After the "Flame Mouse demon" finished speaking, a spiritual light suddenly flashed on its head, and it took the initiative to take out a drop of essence blood from its body and sent it to Huang Siyuan.

Seeing that the "Flame Mouse demon" finally agreed to sign a "bloodline contract" with her, Huang Siyuan was also very happy in her heart. She hurriedly took out a scroll that had been prepared long ago and began the master-acknowledgment ceremony for it.

A quarter of an hour later, after successfully refining the essence blood offered by the "Flame Mouse demon" into her body, Huang Siyuan had also signed a "bloodline contract" with the other party and taken it as her spiritual pet.

Seeing this, Song Qingming also immediately withdrew his natal magic treasure, the "Five Elements Divine Light Mirror," and lifted the restraint on the "Flame Mouse demon."

The "Flame Mouse demon," which had just regained its freedom, immediately leaped onto Huang Siyuan's shoulder and bowed respectfully to her to express its respect.

"Greetings, Master!"

"Hmm! From now on, you shall be called Chiyan!"

Seeing the cute actions of the "Flame Mouse demon," Huang Siyuan gave it a nice name, tapped its little head lightly, and then took out a bottle of spiritual pills that demon beasts like to swallow from her body and gave it to it.

Seeing Huang Siyuan being so generous, "Chiyan," which had a new name, was also very happy, and its favor for this master of hers suddenly increased by a few points.

Unlike the "Ice Fire Jiao" that Song Qingming hatched himself, "Chiyan," a spiritual beast that had already been born with spiritual wisdom and was subdued halfway, was basically forced to sign a "bloodline contract."

Although such spiritual beasts are also controlled by others because of the "bloodline contract," they have no feelings for their master. If they don't try their best to cultivate a good relationship, they might turn against their master in a critical moment.

Huang Siyuan had just subdued "Chiyan" and naturally understood the importance of this point, so she tried her best to show a bit of ingratiation to this newly acquired spiritual pet.

After subduing this demon king that had followed them into the valley, Song Qingming and Huang Siyuan did not delay any longer, and while continuing to walk forward, they asked "Chiyan" about other things in the secret realm.

"Chiyan" was a native demon king in this "Tianyuan Sect Secret Realm" and had lived in it for four hundred years.

Originally still a bit muddled, it once accidentally drank a mouthful of spiritual spring elsewhere, and unexpectedly awakened its bloodline and opened its spiritual wisdom in advance. Not long after, it, which was only at the late Qi Refining stage, broke through its cultivation and advanced to the Golden Core realm.

"What kind of spiritual water has such an effect?" Hearing "Chiyan" mention the spiritual water it had swallowed, Song Qingming, who was walking in front, also turned his head back with curiosity.

However, "Chiyan," hearing Song Qingming's inquiry, immediately shook its head slightly, indicating that it didn't know either.

As a Golden Core demon king, "Chiyan" had always lived in this secret realm, and most of the things it knew were learned from some notes left behind by cultivators of the "Tianyuan Sect" who had entered the secret realm for training in the past.

It didn't recognize many of the spiritual items in here itself; most of them were like other ordinary low-tier demon beasts outside, distinguishing whether they were useful to it or not through smell.

"Master, I know that place and can take you there, but that place has recently been occupied by a more powerful guy. If we want the spiritual water, we still need to defeat it first."

"A more powerful demon beast, what is its cultivation base?"

"Chiyan" replied with some unwillingness: "That guy is a black bear that has cultivated for thousands of years. It is much stronger than me and has already advanced to the middle Golden Core stage. I have fought with it several times over the years but have not been able to snatch the spiritual water.

That's why I had no choice but to run here to look for spiritual herbs. I didn't expect that after spending several months, I would still be able to get in, only to run into the two masters. This time, I really can be considered to have walked right into a trap."

"That's not necessarily true. Following us, you might have even greater fortune in the future. After I finish the things at hand, I will go find that black bear. This time, I will definitely help you get revenge!" Song Qingming smiled and shook his head at it.

"Hehe! Then I will thank the two masters first." Hearing that Song Qingming was going to help it get revenge, and thinking that it would have a chance to taste the spiritual water again, a trace of joy flashed in the eyes of "Chiyan."

As the few were talking, they had already walked to the depths of the valley. As the surrounding spiritual energy became more and more dense, a large area of herbs emitting various spiritual lights soon appeared before them, stunning Song Qingming and the others who had just arrived here.

In this large spiritual herb garden located in the depths of the valley, at least a thousand spiritual items of various categories were planted, including various spiritual grasses, spiritual herbs, and flower and fruit trees emitting dazzling spiritual light, as well as some varieties that neither Song Qingming nor Huang Siyuan had ever seen before.

Among these spiritual items, most were spiritual herbs of the second tier and above, and there were quite a few whose quality had already broken through to the third tier, which dazzled Song Qingming and the others for a time.

Located in the middle of the spiritual herb garden, a small spiritual gathering formation was also set up, and several relatively special spiritual herbs were planted inside, the aura they emitted seeming to be faintly approaching the fourth tier.

"Wow! There are so many spiritual herbs here; we really have had great luck."

Seeing the spiritual herb garden that appeared before them, "Chiyan," which had been standing on Huang Siyuan's shoulder, jumped down with great joy and ran quickly towards the spiritual herb garden.

However, before it had run very far, a spiritual light suddenly appeared in front, blocking its path.

"You are not allowed to touch these spiritual herbs!"

Hearing the somewhat cold voice of Song Qingming coming from behind, "Chiyan," which had bumped head-on into the "Five Elements Divine Light Mirror," drooped its head and turned back to Huang Siyuan's hand.

"I'll wrong you for a moment first; I will reward you later."

Looking at the somewhat aggrieved "Chiyan" in her hand, Huang Siyuan smiled and stroked it, then threw a pill to it before putting it into a white spiritual beast bag.