Chapter Seventy-Seven: The Art of Infiltration

Night deepened as midnight arrived. The Stone Flame Secret Realm was finally sealed. All cultivators who remained within were forcibly expelled, landing on the open ground at the realm’s entrance.

Countless divine senses swept forth in an instant. Representatives from various factions surged forward. Yet, as they gathered around, they were left dumbfounded. Among the crowd transported out from the secret realm, Xu Zhe was nowhere to be found.

A Nascent Soul expert personally investigated each individual, and the result shocked everyone—Xu Zhe was truly absent.

The news spread rapidly across the Spirit Web.

Qu Hongxiu, having received Chu Xiaotong’s message early, departed with Ji Dali and others. Later, upon seeing the news online, she laughed so hard her voice turned into a pig’s squeal.

The next day, cultivators across the Four Continents were abuzz with discussion. Many had anticipated a great battle, some watching for movement from Southern Sky Continent, as Chu Xiaotong led the Vermilion Bird Army in a forceful incursion into Eastern Qian Continent, violating the Four Continents Council’s rules.

The crucial point was that she had slain one hundred thousand troops from the Cold Crow Army and the Azure Cavalry. Just as they were about to cross the Eastern Qian border, all activity suddenly ceased.

When word spread that Xu Zhe had not been transported out of the secret realm, people realized Chu Xiaotong and her forces had already returned to the border battlefield of Southern Sky.

This meant Chu Xiaotong had learned ahead of everyone that Xu Zhe was safe.

Thus, the question arose: How had Xu Zhe managed to slip away from the secret realm, undetected, under such heavy siege?

Many speculated that he had used a teleportation array set up by one of the major factions.

Over the following days, rumors flourished, with endless debate about which faction had provided the teleportation array to aid Xu Zhe’s escape.

Under pressure from Eastern Qian and Northern Lands, the Four Continents Council issued dozens of summons to Chu Xiaotong, initiating a tribunal over her slaughter of the Cold Crow Army and Azure Cavalry, demanding her attendance.

Yet Chu Xiaotong paid no heed. She led ten million Vermilion Bird soldiers on an expedition to the border battlefield, pressing all the way to the Monster Domain.

The Council erupted in fury. Though some members supported Chu Xiaotong, they could not withstand the alliance of Northern Lands and Eastern Qian. Ultimately, the Council passed an edict, delivered directly to the battlefield.

The edict required Chu Xiaotong to attend the tribunal within ten days, or else she would be stripped of her command and accused of attempting to invade Eastern Qian. Southern Sky would bear full responsibility, with terms for financial restitution and territorial concessions soon to be announced.

The news shocked cultivators across the Four Continents once more.

Many sensed impending doom.

A storm was brewing.

…

Three days later.

Outside an unremarkable ancient city in Western Kun Continent.

A solitary figure strolled along at a leisurely pace—it was Xu Zhe.

He wore black, his appearance no longer strikingly handsome, having used a secret art to alter his face completely, even changing his aura.

After leaving the secret realm that night, Xu Zhe departed Eastern Qian through a secret passage connected to Tianjiao Valley, concealing his identity and entering closed-door cultivation within the valley.

He consumed the immense heart core of the Immortal Tree, spending two full days to refine it completely.

His Wood Spirit Root was elevated to the highest grade, as robust as his Earth Spirit Root.

He also used a trace of Void Wind Blade he’d refined to separate the wood aura, condensing it into a pellet form.

This meant he now possessed dual Core Formation, nearly doubling his strength.

During this time, Chu Xiaotong contacted him again, admonishing him to remain hidden.

But she brought good news as well.

“Little Zhe, my master actually has a Primordial Fire Spirit Vein. Years ago, he excavated it from the outskirts of a forbidden zone in Southern Sky, treasured it ever since, and never dared refine it. But I’ve managed to steal it from his vault.”

“Little Zhe, here comes the second good news: the Primordial Water Spirit Vein is in Northern Lands, under the control of my friend Li Xiaoxiao’s master. Li Xiaoxiao and I have already conspired to steal it from him in a few days.”

“Oh, and Li Xiaoxiao wanted me to pass you a message: though you once rejected her, she doesn’t mind. Whenever you grow tired of striving, you can always seek her out.”

Xu Zhe paused at the time.

Who was Li Xiaoxiao?

Ah yes, Chu Xiaotong’s close friend—a very young girl.

As for whether he ever rejected her, Xu Zhe truly couldn’t recall.

He’d turned down too many girls!

He casually let the thought pass, then reconsidered Chu Xiaotong’s two pieces of good news.

Enormous! Two massive pieces of good news!

He instantly felt Chu Xiaotong was cheating fate.

He himself had only found the Primordial Earth Spirit Vein so far, but Chu Xiaotong, in just a day or two, had secured two veins—water and fire.

This put Xu Zhe in excellent spirits. With the Primordial Water and Fire Spirit Veins, his two roots could be elevated further, leaving only the Metal Spirit Root.

Based on his assessment, the west corresponds to metal; the Primordial Metal Spirit Vein was most likely in Western Kun.

So, after finishing his cultivation, Xu Zhe journeyed to Western Kun, arriving at this ancient city near Tianjiao Valley.

Under cover of secret arts, Xu Zhe appeared as a nondescript young man, his aura altered, his cultivation seemingly only at the Foundation Establishment stage.

He entered the city smoothly, casually chatting with locals, seeking information about the Primordial Metal Spirit Vein.

But he found nothing.

This suggested the vein had yet to be discovered. Xu Zhe changed tactics, asking about places rich in metal aura.

Even if he couldn’t find the Primordial Metal Spirit Vein, any comparable earthly treasure would suffice to strengthen his root.

His inquiries revealed two places in Western Kun fit the criteria.

One was the Sacred Yao Pool, the other, Burial Immortal Valley—one of the seven forbidden zones.

The Sacred Yao Pool was saturated with metal aura, explaining why most disciples there were sword cultivators.

But Burial Immortal Valley, among the seven forbidden zones, had even denser metal aura, forming golden mist that perpetually enveloped the valley.

…

Over the years, almost no one who entered Burial Immortal Valley emerged unscathed.

Most vanished without a trace; a few managed to flee from the periphery, bleeding, maimed, their bodies ravaged.

They claimed that upon entering, their spiritual energy began to drain, followed by corrosion of their flesh, forcing them to escape.

Even Nascent Soul and stronger cultivators, unwilling to believe in the valley’s dangers, had ventured in together, convinced of hidden treasures—but none survived.

Eventually, Burial Immortal Valley was deemed a forbidden zone, nearly abandoned by all.

Yet Xu Zhe found these clues intriguing.

From their experiences and injuries, Xu Zhe could deduce that the valley held not pure metal aura, but a toxic mist infused with metal essence, known as Yuan Yang Gold Mist.

This substance had once existed in the Vast Heaven Domain, deadly to all but the most advanced cultivators; later, body cultivators used it to temper their flesh, with remarkable results.

After several millennia, Yuan Yang Gold Mist vanished from the Vast Heaven Domain, extinct.

“The Azure Sky Domain truly is fascinating. Its years of decline have accumulated powerful hidden resources. Pity my physical cultivation isn’t quite there yet—once I become a Tyrant Body, I’ll use the Yuan Yang Gold Mist for tempering…”

Xu Zhe smiled at the thought. “Just imagining it makes me happy.”

Thus, he could eliminate Burial Immortal Valley as an option.

Though it contained immense metal aura and treasures, the mist couldn’t be used to elevate his spirit root; so, he would have to try the Sacred Yao Pool.

“Sacred Yao Pool… sigh.”

Xu Zhe felt a headache coming.

Based on his knowledge of Lin Keyi, she was self-disciplined and perfection-seeking, focused on self-improvement, but not adept at inspiring others. This suggested she might not be suited to lead a group.

Through his interactions with Yao Pool disciples, Xu Zhe had learned much about its environment.

They admitted only female disciples—a cluster of women, most with dubious intentions.

Though not particularly intelligent, they seemed fond of scheming and intrigue; if Lin Keyi were an empress, Yao Pool would be a palace drama.

Even pure-hearted girls eventually succumbed to the atmosphere.

Just thinking about it made Xu Zhe’s scalp tingle.

“This will be a tough journey. If the Sacred Yao Pool does have the Primordial Metal Spirit Vein, how can a straightforward, honest man like me—utterly lacking in guile—extract the vein from such a dangerous place?”

For the first time since awakening, Xu Zhe wore an anxious, troubled expression.

He realized another problem.

He was a man, and the Sacred Yao Pool was exclusively female. How could he infiltrate it convincingly?

Waiting online for answers—quite urgent!

…

[Second update delivered. A new week is dawning, so please vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Many books are launching tonight, but not mine—just hoping to let you freeload a few more days.]