Chapter 769: Improving natal magic treasure, secret realm opens

Hearing the voice, Song Song Qingming and the shop owner hurriedly turned around and found that three more people were walking toward the stall at this time.

The three, like Song Song Qingming, were all Core Formation cultivators. The one speaking in front was a black-robed woman with a somewhat charming face, whose cultivation had already reached the seventh layer of Core Formation. Every move she made while walking faintly exuded a charm that made people's hearts beat faster.

Song Song Qingming just glanced at the other party, and an inexplicable agitation immediately arose in his heart. Feeling that something was wrong, he immediately operated the "Soul-Devouring Art" in his body, slowly calming the agitation in his heart.

And the shop owner beside him, who only had Foundation Establishment cultivation, was staring blankly at the black-robed woman with a pair of eyes, and a trace of obsession gradually began to appear on his face.

"What a profound charm technique!"

After practicing for so many years, Song Song Qingming had encountered some cultivators who were good at practicing the charm path outside, but the black-robed woman's proficiency in this path was clearly stronger than anyone Song Song Qingming had met before.

Fortunately, after practicing the "Soul-Devouring Art" for many years, Song Song Qingming's spiritual sense had long exceeded that of ordinary cultivators of the same level. Faced with the black-robed woman's very confident charm technique, although he was affected a little, he soon recovered with a clear face.

"I have already offered to buy these formation disks. This thing is not a rare item. If you want a second-tier top-quality magic formation, fellow Daoist, you can go to other shops to take a look. I think it should not be difficult to find."

After Song Song Qingming turned his eyes away, he responded to the other party, his voice carrying a trace of spiritual power that shook off the woman's charm technique. The shopkeeper standing beside him then woke up.

Knowing that the black-robed woman had just used a charm technique on him, the shopkeeper was also a bit unhappy looking at the other party and directly explained:

"This Senior, Wind-Thunder Island forbids cultivators from fighting. I hope you don't make things difficult for this little one. This shop has already sold everything to this Senior just now. If you want it, you can discuss it with him yourself."

Usually, these formation disks had been placed on the stall for half a month without anyone looking at them much. Today, it was really strange that there were actually Core Formation cultivators who wanted to compete for them.

It was just that these two were both Core Formation cultivators whose cultivation he couldn't see through, and the shop owner didn't want to offend them easily, so he could only try his best to distance himself and let them discuss it themselves.

Hearing Song Song Qingming's refusal, a burst of surprise instantly appeared on the black-robed woman's face.

She was not surprised because Song Song Qingming refused her, but because she saw Song Song Qingming break her charm technique so quickly, which made the black-robed woman find it hard to believe for a while, and she couldn't help but frown slightly.

Not only the black-robed woman, but an old man with a hunched back and a woman in white robes standing not far behind her also had looks of surprise on their faces, and the look in their eyes when they looked at Song Song Qingming also carried a few more meaningful intentions.

Knowing that the shopkeeper had no opinion on this transaction, Song Song Qingming put away the formation disks in his hand, ignored the black-robed woman, and turned to leave the stall.

After Song Song Qingming left, the woman in white robes standing on the side walked toward the black-robed woman with a smile and asked, "Is there any problem with the formation disks just now? Why did Senior Sister suddenly want this thing?"

"That formation disk is mixed with some high-tier mysterious crystals. If this thing is refined into a natal magic treasure, it can enhance the magic treasure's ability to resist fire-attribute spells."

"The person just now should also be a high-tier formation master, which is why he saw the mystery inside the formation disk."

"This is not a very valuable thing, it's just a pity that I was a step late and let him pick up this bargain."

Just after the black-robed woman finished speaking, the hunched old man on the side looked at the direction Song Song Qingming left, with a hint of curiosity, "This person's spiritual sense is not below mine. I didn't expect him to be a high-tier formation master. This Wind-Thunder Island is really full of hidden talents; it's more interesting than when I came last time."

"Oh! This person's spiritual sense is actually not below Elder Qi's? No wonder he could break my charm technique so quickly. It was indeed a bit rash just now. I need to be careful next time I meet this person."

The hunched old man, known as Elder Qi, was a cultivator who had already reached the peak of Core Formation, and not long ago, he had even tried to break through to the Nascent Soul stage once. His spiritual sense was far beyond that of ordinary Core Formation cultivators.

Hearing the hunched old man praise Song Song Qingming's spiritual sense as not being below his, although the black-robed woman had expected it, a hint of surprise still appeared on her face.

"Since it's not an important thing, I think that's it. I've been out for so long today and am a bit tired. Let's go back first!"

After the woman in white robes finished speaking, she turned and left the spot. The hunched old man and the woman in black robes did not say much and soon followed behind the woman in white robes.

When the three were talking just now, they were all using private sound transmission. The shop owner standing on the side didn't hear what they were discussing.

It was just that when the three left, the woman in white robes walking in front clearly had a lower cultivation than the other two, but the other two maintained a hint of respect when following behind her, which made him curious and take a few more looks.

After buying those formation disks, Song Song Qingming, who was still a bit worried that the few might be watching him, had no intention to continue strolling and quickly returned to the tent where he lived.

When buying the formation disks just now, Song Song Qingming also saw that the three were not simple; they didn't look like ordinary rogue cultivators from outside.

Especially the hunched old man, whose cultivation had already reached the peak of Core Formation, and whose strength was something even Song Song Qingming couldn't see through. If it weren't for the fact that this formation disk was somewhat important to him, Song Song Qingming wouldn't have wanted to cause extra trouble and provoke them.

However, fortunately, "Wind-Thunder Island" forbade cultivators from fighting, so Song Song Qingming was not worried about them coming to his door to make things difficult for him for a while.

It was just that he was afraid that these few had already targeted him. When he entered the secret realm later, if Song Song Qingming were unlucky enough to bump into them, it might bring him some not-so-small trouble.

However, since it was like this, Song Song Qingming did not regret his decision about what happened just now.

After returning to his residence, Song Song Qingming directly took out one of the formation disks he had just bought.

After examining it carefully for a moment, Song Song Qingming's spiritual power moved, and a burst of pill fire instantly erupted to start melting the formation disk in front of him.

Although there was no earth fire specifically used for refining tools, the quality of the formation disk in Song Song Qingming's hand was only second-tier top-quality. Relying on his own pill fire, Song Song Qingming was also able to melt it directly.

After spending a whole day, through the continuous quenching of his natal pill fire, Song Song Qingming finally succeeded in completely melting the formation disk in his hand into a mass of flowing liquid.

Then Song Song Qingming cast a spell to search inside, and soon he found a mass of white crystal blocks that had shrunk together.

Feeling a trace of special cold air coming from the white crystal blocks, a hint of joy appeared on Song Song Qingming's face.

"Sure enough, I didn't see it wrong. There really are high-tier mysterious crystals inside!"

Before, Song Song Qingming spent thousands of spirit stones to buy these few formation disks, but it was not because he really wanted to study these formation disks as he said.

The thing that interested him was actually the white mysterious crystals hidden inside the formation disks, the value of which was much higher than the original formation disks.

These white mysterious crystals were a rare refining material in the cultivation world, born only in the deep sea, which was why they were so rare.

The reason why they were refined into this formation disk was mostly because the refiner had a low cultivation and did not know the origin of this thing.

Song Song Qingming could see the difference in this formation disk because he had seen these white mysterious crystals in a classic book before, and he happened to be a high-tier formation master, so his understanding of formation disks was much stronger than that of ordinary cultivators.

At that time, the black-robed woman suddenly wanted to take a formation disk from Song Song Qingming's hand, which was also because of this reason. It was just that Song Song Qingming was lucky enough to discover the secret inside the formation disk a step ahead of her.

After melting out the white mysterious crystals, Song Song Qingming immediately took out two middle-grade spirit stones from his body and began to restore his own spiritual power.

Because of the help of the remnant map, Song Song Qingming only spent half an incense stick of time, and the spiritual power in his body soon returned to a full state.

Immediately after, Song Song Qingming cast a spell to summon his natal magic treasure, the "Five Elements Divine Light Mirror," and then began to fuse the white mysterious crystals into the "Five Elements Divine Light Mirror."

Although Song Song Qingming did not specialize in refining techniques and was only a second-tier low-quality refiner until now, melting materials to improve his natal magic treasure was a relatively simple refining method, and it was not too difficult for him.

After spending nearly three days, Song Song Qingming finally instantly refined all the white mysterious crystals into his natal magic treasure. At this time, a layer of faint white light also appeared on the "Five Elements Divine Light Mirror."

To test the effect of the white mysterious crystals, Song Song Qingming directly summoned the "Ice-Fire Python" and commanded it to spit a fierce flame at the "Five Elements Divine Light Mirror" in front of him.

The "Ice-Fire Python" was already a late-stage Foundation Establishment demon beast, and its combat ability was not much different from those peak Foundation Establishment demon beasts. The flame it spat out was not something that ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators could face head-on.

But this time, before the flame could get close, a burst of cold air erupted in front of the "Five Elements Divine Light Mirror," directly freezing the flame in front of him in mid-air.

"Finally, my hard work for so long was not in vain."

Seeing the power displayed by the "Five Elements Divine Light Mirror" in the face of the flame, which was no worse than ordinary ice-attribute magic treasures, Song Song Qingming, who had been continuously melting the magic treasure without stopping for days, finally showed a hint of satisfaction on his face.

His natal magic treasure had successfully refined the white mysterious crystals. If he encountered an opponent practicing fire-attribute cultivation techniques in the future, he could be considered to have some means of restraint.

After muttering to himself, Song Song Qingming put away the "Five Elements Divine Light Mirror" in front of him and then took out a sound-transmission talisman and sent it out.

Not long after, a few figures walked into the tent, which were Du Du Fangling and the other two who hadn't been seen for days. Seeing Song Song Qingming, the three hurriedly stepped forward and bowed.

"We haven't seen Senior summon us for the past few days, and we were just about to come and notify you. We didn't expect to receive your message just at this time; it's really a coincidence."

"I was in seclusion before and forgot the time. How is the situation outside? When will the secret realm open? Has the time been set?"

Hearing Song Song Qingming ask about the opening time of the secret realm outside, Du Du Fangling hurriedly explained, "Yesterday, disciples from major sects such as Tianxu Sect, Shenhuo Sect, Luofeng Valley, and Yujian Sect have all arrived."

"It is estimated that the cultivators from other sects should have almost all arrived. There is a rumor on the island that the secret realm will open in these two days."

"I dare to ask, Senior, are you also going to enter the inner hall to compete for spiritual items this time?"

The "Wind-Thunder Island" ancient secret realm was somewhat similar to the "Taiyuehu" secret realm that Song Song Qingming had entered years ago, and it was also divided into two layers, inner and outer.

It was just that whether it was the inner hall or the outer hall, they were public secrets here, unlike the "Taiyuehu" secret realm where ordinary cultivators who entered could basically only search for spiritual items in the outer valley, and only a small number of disciples sent by major sects knew of the existence of the inner valley.

Like most secret realms, the "Wind-Thunder Island" ancient secret realm was also very dangerous inside, and cultivators could easily lose their lives inside if they were not careful.

Generally, Foundation Establishment cultivators like Du Du Fangling could only move in the outer hall, which was slightly safer, after entering the secret realm. If they wanted to enter the inner hall without a Core Formation cultivator leading them, they would only be throwing their lives away if they went in with their strength.

Du Du Fangling asking this must be to see if Song Song Qingming, a Core Formation cultivator, was willing to take them into the inner hall to search for treasures.

Understanding the other party's thoughts, Song Song Qingming first nodded to admit that he would enter the inner hall, and then explained to them, "I do want to go to the inner hall to take a look this time, but I am alone and weak, and I am afraid it will be difficult to compete with those major sect disciples for spiritual items."

"It is not easy for you to have reached this step in your cultivation. It is too dangerous to enter the inner hall with me. I think you should not go to the inner hall rashly."

"Of course, this is just my personal opinion for you. You have to decide for yourselves what to do."

"Coming here this time can be considered a stroke of fate with you. I have some cultivation techniques and pills here that are useful for your future cultivation. Take them first! Consider it a reward for your hard work in helping me inquire about news these past few days."

After Song Song Qingming finished speaking, he took out a cyan jade bottle and a few volumes of cultivation techniques that could be practiced in the Foundation Establishment stage from his body and handed them to Du Du Fangling and the other two.

Seeing that Song Song Qingming did not intend to take them with him, a look of disappointment appeared on Du Du Fangling's face, but the next moment, seeing the spiritual items Song Song Qingming took out, a hint of spiritual light flashed on the faces of the three.

"Senior is right. It was us who were a bit presumptuous. Your pointers to our cultivation these days have already been a great help to us. We absolutely dare not accept these spiritual items."

"These little things are of no use to me. You take them, and maybe they will be helpful to your future path. It is good to make the best use of everything. Don't be formal with me."

Seeing Du Du Fangling and the other two still wanting to be formal with him, Song Song Qingming did not entangle with them too much. After waving his hand to signal them to accept the spiritual items, he took the initiative to send them out of the tent.

In the past few days, in order to improve his natal magic treasure before the secret realm opened, Song Song Qingming had not stopped for a moment for several consecutive days, always quenching the magic treasure in the tent.

Fortunately, with the help of the remnant map, the time he spent quenching the magic treasure was several times shorter than that of ordinary people, otherwise Song Song Qingming would not have been able to refine the white mysterious crystals into the "Five Elements Divine Light Mirror" so quickly.

After sending Du Du Fangling and the other two away, Song Song Qingming also left the tent and walked alone toward the west side of the sea island.

Looking at the blue sky outside against the sea breeze on the island, Song Song Qingming felt much more refreshed, sweeping away the fatigue of quenching the magic treasure for days.

High-tier cultivator streaks of light flashed across the sky from time to time. Just as Du Du Fangling and the other two said, there were many more cultivators on the island these days, and it was much livelier than before Song Song Qingming went into seclusion.

As the ancient secret realm was about to open, the cultivators on the entire "Wind-Thunder Island" all had a few more looks of excitement on their faces.

After walking around the sea island, Song Song Qingming, feeling that his state had recovered a lot, had just walked not far back when a big man in red robes at the fifth layer of Core Formation took the initiative to walk toward him.

"This fellow Daoist, I am Zhao Zhao Tianji. Greetings. Seeing that you have always been alone, have you not found a partner to travel with yet?"

Hearing the other party wanting to invite him to join, Song Song Qingming decisively cupped his hands and shook his head, "Thank you for your kindness, Fellow Daoist Zhao, but I am a rogue cultivator and am used to being alone, so I have no intention of traveling with others."

"Haha! Fellow Daoist should be coming to Wind-Thunder Island for the first time. Although this island forbids cultivators from attacking each other, it won't be like this once you enter the secret realm."

"If you only search for spiritual items in the outer hall, it's fine, but once you enter the inner hall, if you are alone and bump into those unreasonable major sect disciples, it will be dangerous."

"I have already agreed with a few rogue cultivator fellow Daoists to travel together. Your cultivation is so profound, why not travel with us? Even if you can't find anything good, there will be more protection between each other, and you won't be bullied by those major sect disciples."

Seeing that the other party was still unwilling to give up on him, Song Song Qingming could only say modestly, "Fellow Daoist Zhao doesn't know, I am from the East Sea cultivation world and heard that there is a secret realm appearing here, so I came to broaden my horizons."

"I am not familiar with this secret realm and have no intention of taking risks in the inner hall. I really have let down your kindness, Fellow Daoist."

Hearing that Song Song Qingming had no intention of going to the inner hall, Zhao Zhao Tianji's face showed great disappointment, and he nodded with a smile, "Oh! So that's it. Then I was a bit abrupt. I hope you don't blame me! I and a few fellow Daoists live in the cave dwellings on the back mountain. If you have any intention of going to the inner hall at any time, you can come to find us."

"Thank you for your kindness, Fellow Daoist!" Song Song Qingming cupped his hands slightly at the other party and then returned directly to where he lived.

After Song Song Qingming left, two streaks of light suddenly flew in from not far away, and soon a man and a woman arrived beside Zhao Zhao Tianji.

"Fellow Daoist Zhao, did he refuse just now?"

A purple-robed woman among the two saw the disappointment on Zhao Zhao Tianji's face and guessed what had just happened, taking the initiative to ask.

Zhao Zhao Tianji sighed and nodded, "This person's cultivation is high, but he doesn't seem to have any intention of entering the inner hall. Let's look for others!"

"I said before, after he arrived on the island, he didn't dare to ask for a cave dwelling and has been living in the tents on the west side with those juniors. He must be a cowardly person." The purple-robed woman looked at the direction Song Song Qingming left, with a look of disdain on her face.

Another white-haired old man standing on the side heard this and hurriedly stroked the beard at the corner of his mouth and smiled:

"Fellow Daoist Li, don't be angry. Now that it is still one or two days before the secret realm opens, let's look carefully on the island, and we will always find suitable people to travel with."

"This person's cultivation is so high, it is also possible that he looks down on us, which is why he refused. Next, let's look for those whose cultivation is not much different, and don't bother with these late-stage Core Formation cultivators."

"Humph! So what if he is a late-stage Core Formation cultivator? If this guy only wanders in the outer hall, it's fine to say. If he really dares to enter the inner hall alone, he will have a good look then."

"Haha, Fellow Daoist Li is right. Let's not waste time here and hurry to find other fellow Daoists!"

After the three chatted for a while, they soon turned into streaks of light and left the spot together.

It was just that they didn't know that not far from where they were talking just now, a transparent butterfly lying in the grass and merging with it was quietly watching everything that had just happened.

Until the three had left for a while, this transparent butterfly spread its wings and flew out of the grass, then followed the direction Song Song Qingming left, and soon landed on his shoulder as he walked back to his residence.

Song Song Qingming stretched out a finger, placed it on the "Golden Illusion Butterfly," and used his spiritual sense to explore it. Before long, a smile appeared on his face, and he put away the spiritual insect on his body. After two days at noon, Song Song Qingming was meditating in the tent when he suddenly heard a commotion outside the tent and hurriedly got up to check outside.

Song Song Qingming, who walked out of the tent, saw streaks of light flying quickly across the sky, all rushing toward the east side of the island, all of them scrambling with a hint of excitement on their faces.

"Is this... the secret realm has already opened?"

Before Song Song Qingming could ask clearly what had happened, Du Du Fangling and the other three ran over from the side and said loudly to Song Song Qingming, "Senior Song, someone just notified that the secret realm is about to open. Let's hurry over!"

"Hmm! Wait a moment, I will take you there together!"

Confirming that the ancient secret realm was about to open, Song Song Qingming nodded with a smile, then returned to the tent to pack up, took out the "Phantom Boat," and followed the cultivator team with Du Du Fangling and the others to a beach on the south side of the sea island.

By the time Song Song Qingming and the others arrived here, at least a thousand cultivators had already gathered on the beach, standing densely together, and many cultivators were still rushing over from all directions in mid-air.

The crowd on the beach formed a large circle on the outside, and their eyes were all focused on a small magic formation located in the center of the circle.

"Is this the entrance to the secret realm?" ===== CHAPTER 770 =====

"Is this the entrance to the secret realm?" (End of chapter)