Translator: CinderTL
Boom!
A thunderous roar echoed across the sky. Xu Sanyan turned to see the rift in the heavens widening once more, and not just that single fissure—countless hairline cracks spiderwebbed across the sky around it.
"Is the secret realm about to collapse?" Xiang Tan asked, her voice filled with worry.
Xu Sanyan shook his head, his gaze fixed on the hazy gray orb in his hand. He refrained from probing it further, deciding to wait until they were safely outside to avoid any unforeseen consequences.
Based on past experiences with secret realms, the closure should occur within the next two days. Before the realm seals, all participants would be automatically ejected.
The Hundred Saints Secret Realm typically remains open for about a month. With over twenty days already passed, the end was near.
Xu Sanyan snapped out of his thoughts and turned to Tu Wanshan and his group trailing behind him, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Senior Brother Tu, what are you doing following me?"
Tu Wanshan chuckled awkwardly, his face flushed with embarrassment. "This humble one is aware of his own limited strength and merely seeks Senior Brother's protection. We are both disciples of the Holy Sect, after all. Surely Senior Brother wouldn't mind?"
Xu Sanyan smiled, gently stroking the orb as he glanced sideways. "Senior Brother Tu is likely after this, isn't he?"
Tu Wanshan's eyes flickered slightly before he forced a smile. "Having witnessed Senior Brother's capabilities, how could I possibly invite trouble? Rest assured, I have no designs on this object whatsoever."
"Hahahaha..." Xu Sanyan burst into laughter, then recalled, "If I remember correctly, Venerable He Yu is your father, isn't he?"
"Ah, yes," Tu Wanshan admitted, a fact widely known.
Xu Sanyan nodded. "Before entering the secret realm, Venerable He Yu offered a flying boat in exchange for this item. Is that offer still valid?"
The implication was clear: Xu Sanyan was considering trading the secret realm for a flying boat.
Elder Ren's expression froze. After a moment's hesitation, he sent a telepathic message: "Holy Son, reconsider. This item's value likely surpasses that of a flying boat..."
Xu Sanyan ignored him, his gaze fixed on Tu Wanshan.
He knew perfectly well that the secret realm far exceeded the value of any flying boat. No matter how advanced, a flying boat was merely a means of transportation, nothing compared to an entire secret realm.
Tu Wanshan's face lit up with delight. He immediately pledged, "Senior Brother Xu, rest assured, I can make this decision myself. Just hand this item to my father, and you'll get not only the flying boat, but any other request you might have."
Tu Wanshan clearly understood that a mere flying boat couldn't compare to this independent secret realm.
"Mm."
Hearing this, Xu Sanyan's suspicions were confirmed. If he boarded the flying boat with this treasure, he would likely never leave alive.
Wealth stirs the human heart, and this was no ordinary treasure. Even Venerable He Yu would be tempted.
Though Xu Sanyan held the esteemed position of holy son of the demonic sect, he wasn't untouchable. For the right price, even he could be eliminated.
Having grasped the situation, Xu Sanyan now faced two paths:
First, surrender the treasure and retain his status as holy son of the demonic sect, with all its attendant power.
Second, flee with the treasure, only to be branded with false charges by Venerable He Yu and hunted down, forever ostracized from the cultivation world.
Indeed, not only would the demonic sect pursue him, but the Righteous Path Sects would also join the hunt, allured by the treasure's irresistible allure.
After a moment's contemplation, Xu Sanyan made his decision. He smiled and looked up at Tu Wanshan. "Very well. After we leave, I hope Senior Brother Tu will speak well of me."
"Rest assured, Senior Brother Xu," Tu Wanshan replied, his heart swelling with delight. "As fellow disciples, we would never treat you unfairly."
"Heh..."
Xu Sanyan smirked, lowering his gaze to the fruit in his hand.
He had no intention of giving it up. He had seized it through his own skill and effort—why should he hand it over for nothing?
As for Venerable He Yu...
We'll see whose skill prevails! Xu Sanyan vowed inwardly.
Returning to the sect was now impossible. Once the secret realm closed, the Mist Sea would be shrouded in dense fog—his chance to escape!
The Mist Sea was vast and boundless, making it impossible to completely seal off. Though fraught with countless dangers, staying near the edges would minimize the risks. Many Foundation Establishment and Dao Seeking Realm cultivators ventured to the Mist Sea's fringes in search of treasure, and as a Soul Refining Realm expert, Xu Sanyan's odds of success were even greater.
In that vast expanse, even Venerable He Yu would struggle to find him.
Having made up his mind, Xu Sanyan turned to Tu Wanshan with a smile, pondering whether to kill him. After a moment's consideration, he abandoned the idea. Killing Tu Wanshan would gain him nothing and only provoke Venerable He Yu into a more frenzied pursuit—a poor trade.
Xu Sanyan and Tu Wanshan locked eyes, both wearing smiles.
Meanwhile, Jingyi glanced back at Qi Liang, who was pursuing him, and frowned inwardly. Had the battle concluded so quickly?
Jingyi had long anticipated this. He knew he wouldn't escape unscathed and that someone would inevitably try to seize the treasure he carried. He just hadn't expected it to happen so soon.
"Greetings, Holy Son," Jingyi said, bowing politely.
"Little monk, I have no desire to harm you. Hand over the treasure and leave peacefully." Qi Liang's expression remained calm as he stopped about thirty feet away.
Jingyi paused briefly before replying, "Does the Holy Son intend to break his word?"
"Heh... Heavenly materials and earthly treasures belong to the virtuous. After years of Buddhist practice, shouldn't you understand this principle?" Qi Liang countered. "Besides, doesn't your Buddha teach that all is emptiness? If everything is void, then this treasure should be meaningless to you. If it's meaningless, why cling to it?"
Jingyi shook his head in refusal. "This humble monk's understanding of Buddhist principles is shallow. I have yet to reach such a profound realm."
TL/N: 😂😂🤣
"Hmph, you hypocritical bald donkey! Then don't blame me for showing you no mercy!"
Without further words, Qi Liang struck first. With a flick of his wrist, a sword beam shot forth with blinding speed.
Jingyi lowered his gaze and sighed inwardly. Originally, their strengths had been evenly matched, but he had sustained minor injuries during his earlier clash with Yuan Anping. Though not serious, these wounds inevitably hampered his performance.
Meanwhile, Qi Liang had conserved his full strength by holding back throughout the battle, giving him a clear advantage in this moment.
At their first exchange, Jingyi unleashed his full power.
"Demon Subduing Palm!"
Jingyi raised one arm high, and a phantom image of the Buddha materialized behind him. Two massive, golden palms descended with crushing force, instantly obliterating Qi Liang's sword intent.
"Hmph!"
Qi Liang showed no fear. Though his cultivation level was slightly lower, at the Initial Stage of the Dao Seeking Realm, this minor difference in realm mattered little. At most, his spiritual power was slightly thinner than Jingyi's, and his endurance slightly weaker. But when it came to the power of their mystical arts, he was no less formidable.
Gripping his sword with one hand, Qi Liang's expression hardened. The aura around him shifted abruptly.
"Xiao Shuang!"
A dormant energy erupted from the sword's blade, sweeping across the battlefield in an instant. A chill ran through the hearts of everyone present.
Behind Qi Liang, a colossal sword of light materialized. With a flick of his fingers, it clashed violently against the Buddha's golden palms!
Boom!
A shockwave of energy erupted outward, as sword light and Buddhist radiance blazed simultaneously, illuminating the dark sky as if it were daylight.
In the distance, Xu Sanyan seemed to sense something, narrowing his eyes as he gazed at the distant point of light in the sky.
(End of the Chapter)
---
📖Read (HB) on Pa.treon@CinderTL - c316. [+2]
🔑Early Access at $5.
💥Translated (6) Series, (4.6K+) Chapters, (6.7M+) Words.