“These things—aren’t you even a little tempted?” Zhu Siyao finally couldn’t hold back and asked Jiang Huai.
Along the way, they had passed through many areas where scattered Spirit Grass and ores lay unattended.
Though not exactly rare treasures, these were all mid-to-high grade immortal materials that were hard to find outside.
Even if they couldn’t use them, there were Spirit Stones lying everywhere—wealth, after all.
Jiang Huai only glanced casually before waving his hand, saying, “Our primary goal entering this Secret Realm is to gain experience and insight. These common immortal materials aren’t worth lingering over.”
“Our target is the central region.”
In truth, the elites of top powers like Cang Jing and Cang Ling of the Ximo Yellow Dragon Clan or the aloof prodigy of the Northern Plains White Dragon Clan also had lofty goals and wouldn’t waste time on these peripheral resources.
This Secret Realm was a fragment of a small world embedded into the Five Provinces World, shattered from an ancient war.
True opportunities were often hidden in the most dangerous core areas.
Jiang Huai noticed the environment grew hotter the closer they got to the center.
Eventually, a vast range of lava mountains came into view—rivers of crimson molten rock flowing slowly, the air thick with sulfur and scorching heat, warping the very space.
On the outskirts of this molten mountain range, a familiar figure in white swordman’s robes was carefully collecting fire-attribute immortal materials growing in the crevices.
Noticing someone approaching, the figure raised their head warily.
Upon recognizing Jiang Huai, their face immediately lit up with joy as they exclaimed, “Master!”
Hearing this, Jiang Huai approached with Zhu Siyao.
Xiao Yue was clearly delighted to see Jiang Huai.
Though a core disciple of the Wenxuan Sect and Wu Zhaohua’s direct disciple, Xiao Yue’s background was somewhat modest compared to her master.
Seeing these good fire-attribute materials, she had been gathering some to exchange for Spirit Stones or contribute to the Sect, thus busy on the perimeter of the Secret Realm’s center.
She wore the same white robes as Wu Zhaohua, carrying a sword at her waist.
Her bright eyes shone with curiosity as she stepped forward and asked, “Master! Why haven’t you returned to the Sect in so long?”
Without Master around, seeing a Master who was younger than herself made Xiao Yue feel much more at ease, to the point she even forgot to show the usual respect, as if they were peers.
Jiang Huai looked at her with some helplessness and countered, “Zhaohua… didn’t she tell you?”
Though Wu Zhaohua was a few centuries older, after living together all those years, he had grown used to calling her ‘Zhaohua.’
He had called her that for many years now.
Xiao Yue blinked with a face that clearly said, I don’t know anything but I really want to know.
She stepped closer and lowered her voice, her gossip burning fiercely: “Master hasn’t told me anything! Master, what exactly happened? How did you end up with that Dragon Lord…”
Her words trailed off, but the meaning was clear.
Aren’t you my Master? Why haven’t you come back? Why isn’t Master with you anymore?
Are you still really my Master?
Beside them, Zhu Siyao watched Xiao Yue practically pressing against Jiang Huai, hearing her natural, effortless use of “Master,” and thinking of her mother’s ambiguous relationship with Jiang Huai, a sudden wave of vexation and discomfort rose in her heart.
She attributed the feeling to “defending her mother’s position,” and coldly interrupted the two, “When are we leaving?”
Her tone was icy, laced with obvious impatience.
Jiang Huai glanced at Xiao Yue, then at the scorching lava mountains in the distance, and invited, “We’re heading to the central region. Will you come with us? It’s better to watch out for each other.”
Xiao Yue’s bright eyes flickered between Jiang Huai and a red-armored unfamiliar girl whose expression was guarded.
A hint of understanding and interest flashed in her eyes before she smiled brightly and readily agreed, “Alright! I’ve almost finished collecting anyway, so I’ll go with Master!”
Hearing this, a surge of inexplicable anger suddenly flared in Zhu Siyao’s chest, but she dared not lose control.
She glared fiercely at Jiang Huai, stifling her frustration, snorted coldly, then turned her head away, cursing silently.
Men are like this—when they see beautiful women, they engage; when they see useful women, they seize them. Chastity and reputation don’t matter.
Especially seeing how much closer Xiao Yue’s relationship with Jiang Huai was, Zhu Siyao felt even more puzzled.
After all, the two once shared a “sword borrowing bond” and, under Bai Lei’s leadership, truly came from the same Sect.
“Do you know why no guardian beasts show up around these rare immortal materials?” Jiang Huai cautiously observed the scorching surroundings while asking.
Xiao Yue shook her head, her delicate face equally puzzled.
“I find it strange too. Master once mentioned that Secret Realms formed from ancient fragments usually have abundant spiritual energy and unique laws.”
“They not only nurture many immortal materials but should also attract or spawn powerful guardian beasts to protect them. This silence is definitely abnormal.”
It wasn’t just her who felt this way; any disciple with some foundation, especially those who entered the Secret Realm at the Qi Refinement stage, found this strange.
The three headed steadily toward the lava mountains’ core, the heat increasing, the air heavy with fire toxins.
Even the weakest cultivator among them, Zhu Siyao, felt her cheeks flush slightly and had to circulate spiritual energy to resist.
The collar around her neck glowed softly, easing her discomfort.
Curious, she touched the gift her mother had given her.
It truly was a good item—where did Mother get this?
Jiang Huai also began paying more attention, casually gathering some rare fire-attribute immortal materials that occasionally appeared in the cracks or near molten lakes, their value far exceeding those outside.
Such materials were worth collecting to stash away some private funds.
As they passed through a field of bright red crystal clusters, Zhu Siyao suddenly let out a low exclamation, “That’s Scarlet Sun Return Yin Grass!”
Not far away, at the edge of a rolling magma fissure, a tenacious plant was growing.
Its entire body was scarlet, but its leaves bore icy crystalline veins, exuding a strange harmonizing aura—both scorching and gentle.
“This immortal material is remarkably effective at restoring damaged Yin Yuan!” Zhu Siyao explained excitedly.
“In the past, the Blazing Sect had predecessors who, due to certain reasons, suffered Yin Yuan deficiency and foundational damage, forcing them to switch cultivation methods.”
“But often they lacked this vital herb that harmonizes Yin and Yang and restores the root and Yin.” She seemed to think her mother might need it too, her eyes especially eager.
It appeared that Mother had lost her Primordial Yin Body, but with this herb, transitioning to other techniques would be much smoother.
Jiang Huai’s eyes brightened upon hearing this.
Isn’t this precisely the spiritual medicine tailor-made for Zhuxin?
She lost her Primordial Yin Body source, and although she gained other techniques, having this aid would surely help rebuild her foundation faster.
Without hesitation, Jiang Huai’s figure flashed forward, reaching to pick it.
At the instant his fingers were about to touch the Scarlet Sun Return Yin Grass—
Boom!
The nearby lava pool suddenly exploded. A monstrous beast resembling a lizard, its body covered in dark red scales and spewing poisonous smoke, lunged out fiercely.
It had been lurking within the molten lava, guarding the herb. Sensing danger, it launched an immediate attack.
The beast’s aura was fierce, comparable even to late Core Formation stage.
Jiang Huai reacted swiftly.
Facing the sudden assault, he didn’t hesitate.
His finger shot forward like a sword.
The Chaos Dao Platform trembled slightly as pure spiritual energy surged out, accompanied by a burst of Wenxuan Sword Intent’s true essence.
A grayish yet razor-sharp sword energy streaked forward, striking precisely the beast’s forehead.
Puchi!
The sword energy instantly pierced the beast’s relatively fragile skull.
The beast’s forward momentum halted abruptly, it emitted a short mournful cry, and its massive body crashed down, splashing scalding magma.
It twitched twice before falling silent.
The entire process was clean and decisive, without dragging.
Xiao Yue watched with wide eyes, astonishment written all over her face. “Wenxuan Swordsmanship?! Since when—since when have you—”
Her shock was immense.
Wenxuan Swordsmanship was the core secret technique of the Wenxuan Sect, especially the revised version by Wu Zhaohua, never shared outside.
How could Master wield it so skillfully and fiercely?
Jiang Huai had no time to explain.
After dispatching the guardian beast, he reached again for the Scarlet Sun Return Yin Grass.
Just as the herb was within reach—
Swoosh! Swoosh!
Two yellow figures darted like phantoms, racing from the side and behind with incredible speed.
One struck like lightning, a claw covered in fine yellow dragon scales snatching the herb first, roots and all.
The other spun swiftly to block Jiang Huai’s path, posture agile, eyes wary but justified, tail sweeping lightly as if ready to strike the next second.
They were the Ximo Yellow Dragon Clan’s twin sisters—Cang Jing and Cang Ling.