Xiang Han only breathed a sigh of relief when the exit had completely disappeared. He hurriedly landed next to Chen Shu Ze and reached out a hand to help him, only to feign concern. "Are you alright?"
Chen Shu Ze shook his head in confusion. "Shizun, why did you push me?"
"Push you?" Xiang Han asked in surprise. "When did I push you?"
"Uh, just now… earlier…" Chen Shu Ze was stunned.
"Impossible. Why would I push you?" Xiang Han refused to admit it.
"…"
"Looks like there's something fishy about the secret realm. We must be careful." Xiang Han continued to pretend.
Seeing his calm expression, Chen Shu Ze couldn't help but begin to doubt himself. He had clearly seen his Shizun raise a hand earlier, was it his illusion?
"The exit has disappeared. Let's just find a place to stay for now." Xiang Han opportunely spoke up and diverged from the original topic.
Chen Shu Ze looked towards the direction of the missing exit and felt a shadow in his heart. He heard that the secret realm only opened once every ten years, did this mean they would be trapped in here till then?
Xiang Han saw through his thoughts and comforted him, "It's a blessing in disguise. Although we are trapped, the spiritual energy in here is abundant and there is no lack of spiritual herbs. It's a good place to cultivate."
Chen Shu Ze began to grow suspicious once more after hearing these words.
"Shizun, it can't be that you deliberately wanted me to stay here…"
"Stop." Xiang Han suddenly raised a hand expressionlessly. "You fell on your own. What has it got to do with me?"
After he finished speaking, he turned around and left. When Chen Shu Ze saw this, he became even more certain that Xiang Han had done it on purpose. Recalling Xiang Han's calm and leisurely fight with monsters, he became more and more sure of his conjecture, but he couldn't understand it. Why did his Shizun want to keep him in the secret realm?
There were countless treasures here, but it was also filled with danger… Huhh? Is it because of the abundance of spiritual energy?
That's right, although treasures can be taken out, spiritual energy can't. Shizun definitely hoped that he would make a breakthrough as soon as possible, which was why he was even willing to throw away his shijie who was breaking through just to protect him in person.
Although he felt sorry towards Liu Meng'er for thinking this way, when he thought that Xiang Han might also be looking forward to the early formation of his golden core, his heart suddenly felt sweet. He hurriedly avoided the beast's corpse and followed along.
Xiang Han had barely taken two steps when he suddenly turned back and reminded him, "Don't forget to dig out its inner core. Also, this guy has thick skin that can be made into armor, and its meat is very tender, don't waste it, cut out a piece."
Chen Shu Ze was taken aback. When he heard the last few words, he couldn't help but wonder: Was Shizun dawdling just now only because he was trying to test which part of its meat is more tender?
After Xiang Han finished giving his instructions, he continued to walk forward. Along the way, he found some plants that could be used as condiments and told Chen Shu Ze to dig them up.
Xiang Han hadn't wandered around the secret realm for the last seven days in vain. He had already found a good place for cultivation, surrounded by mountains and rivers. Following the route he remembered, he easily avoided dangerous areas and quickly walked to the foot of a pot-shaped cliff.
Surrounded by streams at the bottom of the cliffs, all kinds of rare and exotic grasses grew here. Although the cliff was steep, there were many depressions that could be used as a cave with a little cleaning up. Even rarer was that there was a cold pool at the bottom of the cliff within the eye of the spiritual realm. Although it was not as good as the spiritual spring in his space, it was not too bad. There was a species of whitebait living in the lake, its meat tender and delicious, full of spiritual energy. Eating it fresh could simply carve it into one's memory.
"Let's just stay here." Xiang Han quickly stopped, first instructing Chen Shu Ze to dig a hole in the cliff, then go to the cold pool to catch fish.
After Chen Shu Ze finished digging two holes, he cleaned up the one for Xiang Han and chiselled it until it was clean and spacious. Then, he stepped onto his sword and flew to the bottom of the cliff.
Xiang Han just happened to have finished cleaning the fish he caught. Seeing that he was done with his work, he threw the Qiankun bag over and instructed, "Bring out the grill and the seasoning…"
Chen Shu Ze reached out to catch the Qiankun bag, and then remained silent. For some reason, he suddenly had the illusion that Xiang Han was actually here to play.
"Shizun, you are already fasting, why do you still like to eat these things?" He asked while setting fire.
"You are not afraid of the cold, why are you still wearing clothes?" Xiang Han asked blankly in return.
Although it was a simple rebuttal, Chen Shu Ze seemed to have thought of something and flushed. Once the fire was lit, he continued to roast the meat silently with his head lowered.
After a delicious meal, Xiang Han was satisfied and generously taught Chen Shu Ze a new method.
But the next day, three uninvited guests suddenly appeared, plus two winged demonic beasts. The uninvited guests were Chu Ming and his harem. The three of them were chased by monsters and fled here. As for the demon beasts, it looked like a bird but was not a bird; like a dragon but not a dragon. No one knew what it was.
When Chu Ming saw Xiang Han, his eyes lit up and he rushed over while shouting, "Senior Uncle Liu, help!"
The demonic beasts caught up and spewed a beam of fire towards them.
With a dark face, Xiang Han nearly couldn't stop himself from hacking Chu Ming to death with his sword. He had just begun a peaceful farming life with Chen Shu Ze, though it wasn't super easy, it had only been a day before their good days were disrupted.
As for these two demonic beasts, they were clearly resting atop another mountain. In order to avoid them, they had deliberately made a detour only for it to meet them once more.
Although he was furious, the trouble still needed to be solved. Seeing the flame heading for them, Xiang Han hurriedly pulled Chen Shu Ze behind him while drawing his sword. After releasing Chen Shu Ze, he brandished a sword in one hand while supporting the edge of the blade in the other and silently recited an incantation.
In the next second, a terrifying force emitted from the sword, deflecting the incoming threat towards Chu Ming who cursed and jumped away to escape.
At this time, the green-clothed woman, who accompanied Chu Ming, suddenly turned her sword around and helped Xiang Han block another incoming attack. She said in a cold voice, "Elder Liu, this lowly disciple is Lin Shuxue from the Xia Lingmiao Sect."
"It turned out to be Elder Biyun." Xiang Han raised his eyebrows, probably guessing her intentions.
Sure enough, Lin Shuxue quickly said, "We were at fault previously, but what matters now is to solve the current danger. I beg the elder to temporarily let go of old unpleasantness and defeat the enemy together."
Lin Shuxue was also one of the male protagonists' harem members. Because of Chu Ming, Xiang Han didn't have an ounce of good will towards her, but seeing her well-mannered demeanor, he could not help softening his tone and saying, "Alright."
Elder Lin breathed a sigh of relief when she heard these words and hurriedly raised her sword to attack the monster from the right while Xiang Han concentrated on dealing with the monster on the left.
Although the two had not met each other much before, they had a tacit understanding. Chen Shu Ze's face changed slightly. His hand holding the sword tightened and he suddenly rushed into the eye of the storm.
Chu Ming had only wanted to divert this disaster, so he intended to quickly leave with Lin Shuxue and Xiao Yue while Xiang Han held back the monster. Unexpectedly, Lin Shuxue turned around and engaged with the monster again, and even Chen Shu Ze, who was not as good as himself, had joined the battle.
He couldn't continue to stay on the sidelines any longer, so he had no choice but to rush up and help Lin Shuxue deal with the monsters.
Lin Shuxue's cultivation level was comparable to Xiang Han's, but the two demonic beasts in front of her were in the fifth grade, and their cultivation level was similar. With Lin Shuxue's strength, it's possible to deal with one, but it's very difficult to deal with two. In addition, she was already injured before escaping here with Chu Ming.
But after Xiang Han and Chen Shu Ze joined the fight, the pressure on her was lifted by a lot, and she defeated one in no time.
On the other side, Xiang Han and Chen Shu Ze simultaneously launched an attack. In the next second, the light of a sword and the energy of the blade flowed in tandem, piercing the neck of the monster. Instantly, the beast's head fell.
Chu Ming and his group all breathed a sigh of relief. Lin Shuxue supported herself on her sword to catch her breath before turning to salute Xiang Han. "Many thanks to Elder Liu for your valuable help. In the first place, it was us who brought you two troubles, we deeply apologise for it."
"No worries, it's just helping out someone in need." Xiang Han didn't mind, he was very sure this matter was Chu Ming's fault. Lin Shuxue must have also been dragged into this.
Hearing this, Chen Shu Ze's movements paused and his expression dimmed a little. He didn't like Lin Shuxue because once she spoke, Xiang Han's expression softened and later on, he even cooperated with her to defeat the demonic beast.
And earlier, they had definitely brought them great trouble. Xiang Han should have been angry but with only a few words from Lin Shuxue, he politely put it aside. It seemed like he had no intentions of pursuing this matter further.
Chen Shu Ze felt extremely repressed and simply swung his sword and sheathed it with a loud clang.
Xiang Han glanced at him and seemed to have figured out something, so he told Lin Shuxue, "However, this place was first discovered by us. We'll have to urge you three to leave as soon as possible."
Lin Shuxue was extremely understanding and nodded. "Since we were at fault for this matter, we will not take the corpses of the two demonic beasts."
Saying so, she retrieved a jade pendant and handed it to Xiang Han, "If your excellency should ever require it, the Ling Miao Sect will surely come to your aid."
Chen Shu Ze's expression changed. Xiang Han noticed it from his peripheral vision and could only sigh helplessly in his heart as he shook his head. "There's no telling when we'll ever leave this place, there's no need for this."
Lin Shuxue was usually wrapped up in cultivating and didn't know much about interpersonal relationships so she didn't insist. Retracting the jade pendant, she planned to bid them goodbye.
"Wait!" Chu Ming suddenly shouted and turned towards Xiang Han, "Senior Uncle Liu, this place is big. Having a few more people around wouldn't affect anything, plus the secret realm is full of dangers, it's safer to stay together. Also, Yue'er and I are still Qing Xuan Sect's disciples, since everyone is from the same sect…"
Xiang Han immediately cut him off coldly. "I dare not recognise a sect disciple like you, much less as a martial nephew. Don't blame me for being impolite if you still refuse to leave."
Chu Ming's expression suddenly turned ugly as Lin Shuxue glanced at them, puzzled. She hesitantly asked, "Is there a misunderstanding between Elder Liu and Chu Ming?"
"There's no misunderstanding." Xiang Han snorted softly. Because he had a good impression of Lin Shuxue, he added, "After feeling humiliated by the annulment of his engagement, he tried to murder his ex-fiancee in a competition while in reality, messed around with his friend's fiancée. I dare not take in those who are this narrow-minded and ruthless. Besides, Shu Ze also feels uncomfortable seeing them."
At the end, he deliberately looked between Chu Ming and Su Yue.
Chu Ming flushed and gritted his teeth, "Don't accuse others. I never tried to murder Liu Meng'er, and never…"
He wanted to say 'never messed around with someone else's wife', but quickly changed his mind when he saw Lin Shuxue's deepening frown. "I never wanted to kill her."
He still wanted Lin Shuxue to join his harem, so he dared not mention the matter with Su Yue.
Seeing this, Su Yue's expression was suddenly filled with loneliness.
Xiang Han also guessed he would dare not speak of it which was why he said those words. Once he was done bullshiting, Xiang Han snorted coldly. "The disciples of the Qing Xuan Sect personally witnessed it, you dare to deny it? If not for Meng'er who has decided to let go of this matter, you would have already died earlier. Get lost!"
Having reached this point, Chu Ming knew there was no way for them to stay behind. They could only search for some other place, but before they left, he was full of hot air. "Hmph! I'm an upright person no matter what you choose to say."
Although he had fallen into a trap back in the competition, there was no evidence. Every time it was mentioned, he could only suffer a loss.
Lin Shuxue continued to frown, only bidding an apologetic farewell to Xiang Han as Chu Ming left before she followed behind.