Within the Minor Secret Realm. The Outer Woodlands.
Gu Changyuan moved swiftly through the dense forest. Ancient trees towered into the sky, thick vines coiled around massive trunks, and the air was saturated with a profoundly rich spiritual energy.
The concentration of spiritual energy here was at least three times that of the Profound Heaven Sect's main grounds.
No wonder everyone was so desperate to enter the Secret Realm. Cultivating in this kind of environment would drastically multiply one's efficiency.
Three miles east.
He silently repeated the coordinates Feng Jiuli had transmitted, accelerating his pace.
The teleportation at the Secret Realm's entrance was entirely random; everyone was scattered to different locations upon entering. A distance of three miles between him and Feng Jiuli was actually quite fortunate.
ROAR—!
A low, guttural roar echoed from the thicket ahead.
Gu Changyuan abruptly halted his steps, his gaze turning razor-sharp as he looked toward the source of the sound.
A demonic beast.
He crept forward silently. Peering through the gaps in the dense foliage, he spotted a massive black bear.
The bear was roughly twenty feet tall, its fur as black as ink, and its eyes glowing with an eerie, sickly green light. It was currently digging frantically at the roots of an ancient tree, seemingly searching for something.
"A Rank 1 Demonic Beast... a Black Fiend Bear."
Gu Changyuan silently assessed his opponent's strength.
A Rank 1 Demonic Beast was roughly equivalent to the late stages of the human Qi Condensation Realm. With his current cultivation at the absolute peak of Qi Condensation, he could easily handle it.
Without a moment of hesitation, he burst out from the underbrush.
ROAR!
The Black Fiend Bear instantly spotted him. Letting out a furious bellow, it swung a massive, deadly paw directly at him.
Gu Changyuan's figure blurred as he smoothly dodged the lethal strike. Simultaneously, he condensed his spiritual energy into his right hand and struck out with a fierce palm.
"Heaven-Burning Palm!"
Golden-red flames violently erupted from his palm, taking the vague shape of a roaring fire dragon before slamming ruthlessly into the Black Fiend Bear's chest.
Awoo—!
The bear let out an agonizing howl. The thick fur on its chest was instantly incinerated, exposing charred, blistering flesh underneath.
The flames of the Heaven-Burning Art possessed a natural, absolute suppression over demonic beasts. The moment demonic Qi came into contact with the Heaven-Burning Flames, it was rapidly and violently burned to nothingness.
Infuriated by the agonizing pain, the Black Fiend Bear lunged at Gu Changyuan again.
But its movements were noticeably more sluggish—the Heaven-Burning Flames were actively devouring its demonic Qi, drastically reducing its combat strength.
Gu Changyuan responded with chilling calmness. He continuously evaded the bear's frantic attacks while relentlessly counter-attacking with the Heaven-Burning Palm.
One palm, two palms, three palms...
Every single strike landed flawlessly on the Black Fiend Bear's vital points. The golden-red flames spread rapidly across its massive body, incinerating its demonic Qi bit by agonizing bit.
Roar...
The Black Fiend Bear let out one final, pitiful whimper before crashing heavily to the ground, dead.
Gu Changyuan slowly withdrew his hand. Looking at the massive corpse, a flash of deep satisfaction crossed his eyes.
The destructive power of the Heaven-Burning Art was even more terrifying than he had imagined.
He crouched down and extracted a fist-sized, glowing crystal from the bear's corpse.
A Demonic Core.
Although the Demonic Core of a Rank 1 beast wasn't of the highest quality, it was still a highly valuable cultivation resource.
He casually tossed the Demonic Core into his robes and continued heading east.
Half an hour later.
Gu Changyuan finally found Feng Jiuli standing by a crystal-clear stream.
She stood quietly by the water's edge. Although her plain white dress was stained with a bit of dust, she still looked incredibly cold and otherworldly. Seeing Gu Changyuan approach, she gave a faint nod.
"You're here."
"I ran into a Black Fiend Bear on the way," Gu Changyuan explained as he walked up to her. "It delayed me a bit."
"I know," Feng Jiuli said lightly. "I sensed your battle."
Gu Changyuan froze for a second before remembering the emotional perception granted by the Soul Pact.
During a life-and-death battle, his emotional state would naturally fluctuate violently. It made perfect sense that Feng Jiuli could perceive it.
"Are you hurt?" she asked.
"I'm fine," Gu Changyuan shook his head. "It was only a Rank 1 Demonic Beast; it wasn't difficult to handle."
Feng Jiuli nodded. Her sharp gaze swept over him, carefully inspecting his condition.
Only after confirming he was completely unharmed did she withdraw her gaze.
"Which way now?" Gu Changyuan asked.
Feng Jiuli pulled out the yellowed map and pointed to a specific location.
"We are currently in the eastern section of the Outer Woodlands," she explained. "If we head northwest from here for about half a day, we will reach the boundary of the Fog Zone."
"Rank 2 Demonic Beasts roam the Fog Zone. We must be extremely careful."
Gu Changyuan nodded seriously.
A Rank 2 Demonic Beast was equivalent to a human at the Foundation Establishment Realm. With their current cultivation bases, facing a Rank 2 beast alone would be a grueling battle. If they encountered a pack, it would be incredibly dangerous.
"I will take the lead and scout," Feng Jiuli said. "The Divine Phoenix Bloodline allows me to perceive all life forces within a ten-mile radius. If any demonic beasts approach, I will warn you well in advance."
"Alright."
Without another word, the two began moving rapidly toward the northwest.
The environment of the Outer Woodlands was far more treacherous than Gu Changyuan had anticipated.
Ancient trees blotted out the sun, and thick, thorny vines formed natural barricades. The ground was covered in a thick layer of rotting leaves and dead branches that could easily trip the unwary. To make matters worse, the chilling roars of demonic beasts echoed periodically through the forest, keeping one's nerves perpetually taut.
But with Feng Jiuli taking the lead, everything became vastly simpler.
Her perception was terrifyingly accurate. Whenever demonic beasts approached, she issued early warnings, giving Gu Changyuan ample time to prepare or evade.
"Three hundred yards ahead, two Rank 1 Demonic Beasts."
"Five hundred yards to the left, a Rank 2 Demonic Beast. We are detouring."
"There is a patch of spirit herbs to our right. We can harvest them."
Under her flawless guidance, their journey was incredibly smooth. Not only did they perfectly bypass the vast majority of the demonic beasts, but they also harvested a considerable amount of rare spirit herbs.
"Your perception is truly terrifying," Gu Changyuan couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
"It is the innate talent of the Divine Phoenix Bloodline," Feng Jiuli said lightly. "The Phoenix Clan is renowned across the realms for its absolute perception. Even though my strength is heavily sealed, this fundamental ability remains intact."
Gu Changyuan nodded.
He grew increasingly thankful that he had chosen to save Feng Jiuli that stormy night.
With her by his side, his chances of absolute victory had multiplied.
"There is a situation ahead."
Feng Jiuli suddenly halted her steps, a slight frown creasing her brow.
"What is it?"
"People are fighting," she said softly. "And... they are disciples of your sect."
Gu Changyuan frowned.
Sect disciples?
He looked in the direction Feng Jiuli pointed and faintly caught the sounds of a desperate struggle.
"Let's go take a look."
The two crept forward silently. Peering through the dense foliage, they observed the chaotic battlefield.
Three Outer Sect disciples were desperately trying to fend off a Rank 2 Demonic Beast.
It was a massive Wind Wolf. Its fur was a brilliant silver-white, and its eyes glowed with an eerie, spectral blue light. Its speed was absolutely terrifying; the three Outer Sect disciples simply couldn't keep up with its movements and were being violently beaten back.
"Help!"
"Run!"
The three disciples panicked entirely, turning to flee for their lives.
But the Wind Wolf was simply too fast. In the blink of an eye, it caught up to one of the fleeing disciples and viciously swiped its massive claws across his back.
"Ah—!"
The disciple let out a bloodcurdling scream as he was sent flying through the air. He crashed heavily into an ancient tree, coughing up a large mouthful of fresh blood.
"What should we do?" Feng Jiuli asked softly.
Gu Changyuan fell silent for a brief moment.
He didn't know those three disciples personally, but they were still members of the Profound Heaven Sect. If he simply stood by and watched them be slaughtered, it wouldn't sit right with his conscience.
"Save them."
As soon as the words left his mouth, he burst out from the undergrowth.
"Heaven-Burning Palm!"
Golden-red flames violently erupted from his palm, slamming ruthlessly into the Wind Wolf's flank.
Awoo—!
The Wind Wolf let out a pained howl as the searing flames scorched its silver fur. It abruptly spun around, locking its glowing blue eyes onto Gu Changyuan, a flash of pure, murderous rage in its gaze.
"Get out of here!" Gu Changyuan roared at the three stunned disciples.
The disciples froze for a second before reality snapped back into place. Scrambling to their feet, they fled in absolute terror without looking back.
The Wind Wolf didn't bother chasing them. Instead, it locked its deadly focus entirely onto Gu Changyuan.
It instinctively sensed the lethal threat of the Heaven-Burning Flames.
ROAR!
The Wind Wolf let out a furious howl and transformed into a blur of silver light, lunging directly at Gu Changyuan's throat.
Too fast!
Gu Changyuan's pupils shrank to pinpricks. He violently twisted his body to evade, but the Wind Wolf's razor-sharp claws still managed to tear a deep gash across his arm.
"Hss—"
He sucked in a sharp breath of cold air, a wave of intense pain flaring from his arm.
The terrifying strength and speed of a Rank 2 Demonic Beast were indeed on a completely different level from a Rank 1 beast.
Gu Changyuan!
Feng Jiuli's voice echoed sharply in his mind, carrying a clear trace of anxiety.
I'm fine, he gritted his teeth. Stay back. I can handle this.
Don't try to be a hero, Feng Jiuli's voice turned chillingly absolute. I am coming.
As her voice fell, a streak of sacred, pale golden light shot out from the dense foliage, slamming heavily into the Wind Wolf.
Awoo—!
The Wind Wolf let out another agonizing howl, a large patch of its silver fur violently scorched black by the golden light.
Feng Jiuli stepped out from the shadows of the trees. Swirling pale golden light completely enveloped her, and her phoenix eyes shimmered with a chilling, majestic killing intent.
"Together," she declared.
Gu Changyuan looked at her, a profound warmth surging in his heart.
"Alright."
He nodded and stood shoulder to shoulder with Feng Jiuli.
This was the very first time they fought side by side.
Sensing the lethal threat emanating from the two of them, the Wind Wolf let out a furious roar and lunged again.
"I will draw its attention; you strike its vitals," Feng Jiuli ordered swiftly.
"Got it."
Their cooperation was flawlessly tacit. One attacking, one defending, they rapidly forced the terrifying Wind Wolf into a corner.
Feng Jiuli's pale golden light wreaked havoc on the Wind Wolf's perception, drastically slowing its horrifying speed. Meanwhile, Gu Changyuan's Heaven-Burning Flames relentlessly incinerated its demonic Qi, drastically weakening its overall strength.
The combination of their two powers was devastating.
ROAR—
The Wind Wolf let out one final, desperate wail before crashing heavily to the forest floor, dead.
Panting heavily, Gu Changyuan looked down at the massive corpse, a flash of pleasant surprise in his eyes.
"We did it."
Feng Jiuli stepped forward and smoothly extracted a fist-sized Demonic Core from the wolf's corpse.
"A Rank 2 Demonic Core," she said, tossing it to him. "It is vastly more precious than a Rank 1 core."
Gu Changyuan nodded, caught the core, and tucked it safely into his robes.
"Your arm." Feng Jiuli looked at the bloody gash on his arm, her brows furrowing deeply.
"It's just a flesh wound," Gu Changyuan shook his head. "I'll be fine after a short rest."
Feng Jiuli didn't say a word. She simply stepped forward, reached out her slender hand, and gently pressed it directly against his wound.
A surge of warm, incredibly pure energy flowed from her palm, pouring seamlessly into Gu Changyuan's body through the gash.
"This is..."
"The healing power of the Divine Phoenix Bloodline," Feng Jiuli said lightly. "Although I am heavily sealed, this fundamental healing ability remains."
Gu Changyuan felt a soothing warmth spread across his arm as the sharp pain rapidly dissipated.
He looked at Feng Jiuli, his feelings incredibly complex.
"Thank you."
"No need to thank me," Feng Jiuli withdrew her hand smoothly. "We are companions."
Gu Changyuan looked at her, the corners of his mouth turning up in a genuine smile.
"Yes. We are companions."
The two rested at the site of the battle for a brief moment before continuing their journey.
By dusk, they finally reached the boundary of the Fog Zone.
Before them lay a seemingly endless expanse of dense, rolling white fog. The mist churned eerily, completely obscuring whatever lay within.
"The Fog Zone," Feng Jiuli stated. "From this point onward, we are officially in the middle section of the Secret Realm."
Gu Changyuan stared at the impenetrable fog, a flash of grave solemnity in his eyes.
"We will enter tomorrow," he decided. "Tonight, we rest."
Feng Jiuli nodded in agreement.
The two found a perfectly concealed cave nearby, hastily set up a basic Warning Array, and settled down to rest.
Inside the cave, the campfire flickered and danced.
Gu Changyuan sat cross-legged, circulating the Heaven-Burning Art to rapidly restore his depleted spiritual energy.
Feng Jiuli sat quietly to the side, her gaze resting softly upon him.
"Gu Changyuan."
"Mm?"
"You fought very well today."
Gu Changyuan opened his eyes and looked at her.
Her expression was as cold and otherworldly as ever, but her eyes held a distinct trace of genuine approval.
"You too," he replied sincerely. "If it weren't for you, I likely wouldn't have been able to defeat that Wind Wolf."
Feng Jiuli fell silent for a moment.
"We cooperate very well," she finally said. "It feels as though the Heaven-Burning Art and the Divine Phoenix Bloodline possess some kind of innate, natural affinity."
Gu Changyuan nodded.
He had felt it too.
During the battle, when his Heaven-Burning Flames and Feng Jiuli's pale golden light intertwined, their combined destructive power had more than doubled.
"Perhaps it is because of the Soul Pact," he mused. "The Soul Pact binds our souls together; it is only natural that our powers resonate with one another."
"Perhaps," Feng Jiuli nodded thoughtfully.
The two shared a knowing, completely unguarded smile.
Although it was merely a simple conversation, the foundation of absolute trust between them was quietly, rapidly deepening.
Outside the cave, the night grew dense and heavy. Inside the cave, the campfire flickered and danced.
Tomorrow, they would plunge into the treacherous Fog Zone and face even greater, more terrifying challenges.
But they were no longer afraid.
Because they knew that no matter what horrors awaited them in the mist, there would always be someone standing firmly by their side.