Chapter 58: The Reason for Entering the Secret Realm

Ji Yao was somewhat speechless. She had merely asked a few questions, hoping to learn whether there was a feasible solution, yet somehow the matter had been pinned on her. Still, after years of acquaintance, Ji Yao understood Situ Jing’s manner of speaking well: though she loved to tease, she never uttered a single unnecessary word when it came to serious matters.

Since Situ Jing had said Ji Yao must handle the issue herself, it meant there was little room for maneuver regarding the restoration effort; even if she wasn’t the one to take action in the end, her presence on the scene was essential. What Ji Yao could not fathom was what reason proved this task must fall to her.

She didn’t wish to make pointless conjectures, trusting instead the implied meaning in Situ Jing’s words—that she was being encouraged to make a trip to the Immortal Awakening Secret Realm. By rights, she had already obtained the Foundation Establishment Pill and gained the status of an inner disciple; whether she visited the Immortal Awakening Secret Realm or not hardly mattered now.

In the past, when Situ Jing was in seclusion, Ji Yao worried about her own safety. But now that Situ Jing was awake, Ji Yao no longer felt afraid. She didn’t necessarily need Situ Jing to do anything for her, but there was a newfound confidence in her heart. Ji Yao knew this reliance was not ideal, yet she reasoned that it was much like possessing the Sumeru Ring: she wouldn’t immediately think to hide within it at the first sign of danger, nor would she always practice in its space.

Excessive dependence was precisely what she most needed to avoid, a lesson she had learned early on. Situ Jing and the Sumeru Ring—one was her latent faith, and the other merely her last resort. In Ji Yao’s heart, regardless of how she came to tread the path of cultivation, it was ultimately herself who would be tested and proven.

Thus, if she truly had to undertake this journey, she cared little; at most, she would treat it as another trial.

Situ Jing watched Ji Yao’s brief moment of surprise vanish, replaced by calm composure, and nodded quietly to herself. This young girl’s state of mind had not been swayed by the rapid growth of her cultivation, and to perceive the world so clearly in the Qi Refining stage meant she could be trusted to make decisions on her own when greater matters arose.

“Aren’t you even a little curious?” Situ Jing asked deliberately.

Ji Yao spread her hands, as if to say curiosity was unnecessary. “Senior, you must want me to visit the Immortal Awakening Secret Realm, don’t you?”

Her tone was certain. If Situ Jing truly held this intention, she would surely explain it; if there were reasons Ji Yao could not know, it meant she lacked the necessary qualifications.

Her familiar confidence made Situ Jing want to pinch her cheeks—a far cry from the shy innocence when they first met. Even teasing her wasn’t as amusing anymore.

After listening to Situ Jing’s explanation, Ji Yao was inevitably bewildered.

Situ Jing had given her four reasons, two of which she could not refuse.

The first was that within the Immortal Awakening Secret Realm lay a Heart of Wood, a thing tied to vitality. Though its effect was not as potent as the source of wood, refining it would help stabilize the poisonous devouring within Ji Yao, preventing outbreaks that could damage her organs.

The second reason was the realm’s hidden secret: it truly had the power to awaken a person’s potential, allowing someone with three spiritual roots like Ji Yao to establish her foundation naturally without relying on the Foundation Establishment Pill. The original purpose of the Heavenly Transformation Trial Ground had been for this very reason, and the benefits of natural foundation establishment were well-known to any seasoned cultivator.

The other two reasons were easier to grasp. First, patching the secret realm’s breach required the array talisman inheritance Ji Yao had obtained earlier, and the talismans had to be made on-site from the pelts of beasts within the realm for effectiveness. The reason was simple: the laws within the secret realm differed from those of the current Mi Cang World.

Second, Situ Jing wanted her to search for the heavy, brown fruit that had once been placed alongside Qing Yue’s Free Sword. Though it might not be found, the realm’s heavenly laws were closest to those of Mi Cang World ten thousand years ago.

With these four reasons from Situ Jing, Ji Yao left the Sumeru space, rubbed her brow, took out a high-grade communication talisman, and began replying to messages one by one.

The last was from Gu Qiu. After sending her response that she had exited seclusion, Ji Yao decided to go out herself and visit the Hall of Enforcement.

After all, Gu Qiu had duties there, and having him seek her out specially would look odd to others.

When Ji Yao arrived outside the Hall of Enforcement, she could see many people inside—mostly Qi Refining peak and Foundation Establishment disciples.

Gu Qiu, standing beside Mo Dao Yan, spotted Ji Yao outside. Though his face showed no smile, the warmth in his eyes was obvious to Ji Yao.

When everyone else had dispersed, leaving only Mo Dao Yan and Gu Qiu, Ji Yao stepped forward and bowed to Mo Dao Yan.

Receiving his approval, Ji Yao entered.

“Master, Uncle Gu,” Ji Yao began, just as she saw Gu Qiu’s mouth twitch unconsciously. Mo Dao Yan, on the other hand, seemed unsurprised, as if he had expected these forms of address.

Perhaps because Mo Dao Yan was present, Gu Qiu’s expression quickly returned to normal.

Seeing Ji Yao had advanced to Qi Refining peak in such a short time, Mo Dao Yan was impressed, but out of concern, he still asked, “Do you feel your cultivation is unstable, or your state of mind lagging behind?”

“Thank you for your concern, Master. I am well aware of my limits; all is well, you needn’t worry.”

Ji Yao’s attitude toward Mo Dao Yan remained respectful, but lacked the earlier caution and unfamiliarity; everything was natural now.

“That’s good! Your timing is fortunate—I have something to discuss with you.”

“Please, Master,” Ji Yao nodded, already guessing what he would say.

“You must know the Immortal Awakening Secret Realm opens once every nine years. The last unexpected aberration caught everyone unprepared, resulting in heavy losses; even the realm’s situation was left uninvestigated. This time, we cannot let that happen again.”

Mo Dao Yan did not beat around the bush, going straight to the point.

“Is the sect planning to send people inside to investigate?” Ji Yao knew well that abandoning the Immortal Awakening Secret Realm would mean severing the future of the cultivation world.

“Yes. Because of the Immortal Awakening Grass, the realm is indispensable to Mi Cang World. All seven major sects and the rogue cultivator alliance will send dedicated disciples to explore it.”

Mo Dao Yan paused, then continued, “Even if the problem cannot be solved, we must devise a response. Therefore, all disciples investigating this time will be dispatched by the Hall of Enforcement.”

“As for the so-called lottery, it’s merely a ruse to mislead those lurking in the shadows. Any shortage in the number of volunteers will be filled by enforcement disciples.”

Ji Yao suddenly felt the sentiment, “If the nation falters, what home remains?” Like in her previous life, when grave dangers threatened the people, there were always those who rushed to shield others, bearing burdens and forging ahead.

This feeling overwhelmed her; such a sect was indeed the right place for her.

Yet, she also grasped another key point in Mo Dao Yan’s words.

“Master, are you saying the aberration in the realm was man-made?”

Gu Qiu, who had remained silent, turned to Mo Dao Yan upon hearing this. When Mo Dao Yan nodded, Gu Qiu took up the explanation.

“We discovered a ruined, concealed altar nearby. Though it was well hidden, we managed to track it down.”

“It was an ancient Demon Clan altar.”