Chapter 587: A Turn in the Road

"Is this Zhu Que Imperial City?"

After stepping down from the large ship, Hao Cang looked around, disbelieving.

It looked nothing like any other imperial city!

Because there weren't many grand buildings here.

He He Pingsheng and Hao Cang's spiritual senses surged out, sweeping across the city.

Unfortunately, even such powerful spiritual senses couldn't scan the entire city.

"Maybe every city has its own style," He He Pingsheng replied, then asked, "Did you memorize the map?"

As they talked, the two descended from the massive immortal ship and walked out of the immortal vessel square.

In the Tianhuo Continent, no city allowed cultivators to fly.

As soon as He He Pingsheng and Hao Cang stepped out of the square, they were surrounded by a group of demonic cultivators.

"Elder, need a ride? My speed is super fast!"

"Elder, I know this imperial city inside and out—wherever you want to go, I can take you!"

"Elder, I don't just know this imperial city—I know the entire Zhu Que Imperial Region!"

Each demonic cultivator scrambled to impress He He Pingsheng.

He He Pingsheng pointed to a rabbit-like demonic cultivator beside him and said, "You then…"

The rabbit beamed, bowing deeply: "Elder, please step aboard!"

He He Pingsheng got on the cart, and the rabbit pulled it from the front.

The rabbit ran very fast.

"Elder… where are we going?" After running a while, the rabbit realized he had no destination.

He He Pingsheng chuckled inwardly and said, "It doesn't matter—just take me for a random stroll. You said you know this imperial city well, and even the whole imperial region?"

"Ah!" The rabbit looked embarrassed and laughed nervously, "Hehe… I know a bit of everything, mostly from hearsay, but there are places I've never been!"

"Hmm!" He He Pingsheng nodded. "Tell me—this imperial region has a world-famous secret realm called the Youming Imperial Palace. You know about it, right?"

"Tell me about it!"

"Tell me well, and I won't shortchange you on spirit stones!"

The rabbit visibly relaxed.

It grinned and said, "Elder, you're joking—Youming Imperial Palace is the number one secret realm of our Zhu Que Imperial Region; everyone knows that!"

"Youming Imperial Palace isn't in the imperial city—it's inside the Qishen State south of the imperial city, opening once every thousand years!"

At this, He He Pingsheng frowned.

Once every thousand years?

This damn…

You must be Nascent Soul to enter when it opens.

What if it won't open for another few hundred years? Do I just stay stuck at Nascent Soul for centuries waiting?

"Each opening lasts a full hundred years!"

The rabbit didn't notice He He Pingsheng's expression and continued: "The treasures inside Youming Imperial Palace are countless!"

"There are cultivation methods, primordial sources, all kinds of magic treasures, spirit materials…"

"And reportedly, there's even the legacy of the Youming Emperor!"

"Some say the Youming Emperor was human; others claim he was demonic—no consensus."

"Wait!" He He Pingsheng suddenly raised his hand, cutting him off. "Tell me—when was the last time Youming Imperial Palace opened?"

The rabbit chuckled. "Elder, I actually know this—the last opening was just twelve years ago!"

Pfft…

Hearing this, He He Pingsheng nearly spat blood.

Twelve years ago?

So it just closed twelve years ago—and won't open again for 988 years?

Did I arrive over a hundred years too late?

Dammit.

Looks like I'll have to seek the Huangquan energy on Lei Huang Continent after all.

"Huh…" He He Pingsheng exhaled deeply and turned to Hao Cang. "Hao Cang… did you memorize the map I told you to?"

Hao Cang bowed. "I remember most of it—key details are all locked in."

He He Pingsheng asked, "Besides Youming Imperial Palace, is there any other place with Huangquan energy?"

"No," Hao Cang shook his head. "This item was your top priority, so I paid special attention while memorizing the map—no other location showed any Huangquan energy besides Youming Imperial Palace."

"Of course… I don't know what's inside many secret realms."

"I'm only referring to the ones marked."

"Hmm." He He Pingsheng nodded, his frown deepening.

What now?

Maybe I should find a remote place first, break through to Soul Transformation, then figure out how to cross the Evil Sea and head to Lei Huang Continent.

"Rabbit, take me out of the city."

He He Pingsheng sighed.

He had only one option now: leave the city and fly to a deserted wasteland to undergo the Tribulation.

After breaking through to Soul Transformation, then figure out how to reach Lei Huang Continent?

"Yes!" The rabbit, sensing He He Pingsheng's bad mood, dared not speak further and pulled the cart hard toward Nanmen.

He He Pingsheng frowned. "Wasn't it east gate just now?"

"Why turn toward Nanmen? That adds unnecessary distance."

The rabbit thought a moment. "Isn't Nanmen the way to Youming Imperial Palace?"

"Youming Imperial Palace is south, isn't it?"

He He Pingsheng sneered. "Youming Imperial Palace is closed—why would I go there?"

"It's not closed!" the rabbit said. "I just told you—it opened twelve years ago!"

"????"

He He Pingsheng's mouth dropped open. "You mean… Youming Imperial Palace opened twelve years ago—and it's still open?"

"Yes!" the rabbit said. "It stays open for a full hundred years—only twelve have passed!"

He He Pingsheng nearly vomited.

It's been open twelve years—doesn't that mean it's already opened?

"Why would I go now?"

"Just take me to Dongmen!"

"No no no…" the rabbit panted as he ran. "Elder… you can still enter Youming Imperial Palace!"

"Even though it's open, our secret realms are special—during the entire hundred-year opening, you can enter and exit anytime!"

"Even if you leave and come back later, it's fine!"

"But only one rule: you must be Nascent Soul to enter."

"Otherwise, the guardians at the entrance won't let you in."

He He Pingsheng's mouth hung open. Could this be?

He looked at Hao Cang.

Hao Cang stared back, equally stunned.

Holy hell!

Could this really be?

This secret realm is outrageous.

He He Pingsheng's face lit up with joy.

The realm might hold many treasures, but he didn't care.

He wasn't here for treasure—he only needed the Huangquan energy to make pills for his wife.

As long as I can get in, the rest doesn't matter.