While contemplating, he introduced the dishes briefly.
The cultivators grew impatient, and soon an elder waved his hand, indicating for him to hurry up and leave.
Lady Ling calmly said, "Let the servants outside leave as well."
The voice was still Hua Linglong's at its core, but it was noticeably disguised.
This wasn't a magical disguise but a deliberate change of tone through "damaging the throat."
At this moment, she sat upright in the central position among the six cultivators, clearly the leader... The source of this content ɪs NoveIꜰire.net
However, she did not recognize Song Yan.
Song Yan hurriedly saluted and rushed out, seeing the maids waiting outside the door, he said, "Stay further away," and they immediately scattered and ran outside the main gate.
Outside the main gate, the Feidao Gang's leader and vice-leader, along with Protector Du and a group of people, were already waiting anxiously. Upon seeing Song Yan exit, they asked about the situation before continuing to wait, while shooing people away, saying, "Don't eavesdrop on the immortals' conversation."
Song Yan, meanwhile, directly extended his divine sense.
Divine Sense, exclusive to the Crimson Palace Realm, was like a "Dimensional Reduction Strike" for those at the Refining Profound Level, nothing to worry about.
Although there was very little Profound Qi here, Song Yan did not probe too far away.
At such a close distance, only separated by a wall, a gate, it was still possible.
...
The voices from inside the room clearly reached his ears.
"Lady Ling, are you sure?"
"The surrounding area is barren of Profound Qi; how could there be a secret realm?"
A cultivator inquired.
Lady Ling replied, "I accidentally entered it once. There are only a few low-level demon beasts inside, nothing to worry about. If any of you are concerned, I can lead with Zhu'Er, and you can follow behind us."
Beside her, a small female cultivator with a somewhat dazed expression nodded vigorously.
Lady Ling continued in a calm tone, "Zhu'Er is mute; she cannot speak, but her power exceeds mine by a small margin."
The other four cultivators exchanged glances, and one said, "We naturally trust Lady Ling, but the cultivation realm is perilous, hence our inquiries."
Another suddenly said, "There's no need for Lady Ling to explore first; when the time comes, let the local gang gather a dozen skilled hands to help us scout the way first. If there's danger, we'll be able to see it too and then decide whether to act."
Subsequently, they discussed the details of the secret realm.
Lady Ling did most of the talking, while the four beside her listened attentively.
Of course...
Song Yan was also listening.
He was particularly curious about this "secret realm," both its origin and the demon beasts within intrigued him.
In the vicinity of Chao Li County, he had actually investigated before becoming Master Li, finding no trace of any "secret realm," yet he had no idea how Hua Linglong knew of it or stumbled into it.
During the conversation, he also learned that the secret realm was named "Candle Land," simply because the demon beasts inside were a low-level demon beast called "Night Candle Worm."
These demon insects slumber during the day and awaken at night, yet even when awake, they pose no threat to anyone protected by a Profound Artifact sect shield or similar—easily dealt with, so to say.
Such a secret realm is practically a haven for loose cultivators, as secret realms often yield treasures, sometimes even cultivation techniques.
While pondering, the inside cultivators concluded their conversation, and the food on the table was nearly consumed.
A cultivator called out, "Clean it up."
The four words passed outside, and the leaders of the Feidao Gang, along with Protector Du, hurriedly rushed in after waiting for some time, knelt, pleased them with flattery, and then sought opportunities.
A cultivator looked at the three and suddenly said, "Leader, rise. We actually have a favor to ask."
The Feidao Gang's leader did not rise but smiled ingratiatingly and respectfully said, "Please, Immortal Master, speak."
That cultivator said, "Three days from now at the hour of the dragon, gather skilled hands from your gang to accompany us to a nearby place, back and forth in one day. You will have benefits then."
Saying this, he pulled a small bottle from his pocket and tossed it directly, saying, "For now, here's three Profound Qi Pills."
The Feidao Gang's leader caught the bottle, his body trembling slightly, stammering, "Immortal Master, I wonder... I wonder what's at that place?"
The cultivator turned a finger, and a flying sword leapt from its sheath behind him with a clang, whirling twice in mid-air, gleaming fiercely with cold light.
Shñk!
The flying sword returned to its sheath.
The Feidao Gang's leader and his men knelt on the ground, throats moving yet afraid to take a single deep breath.
The cultivator said, "We just need some manpower, with us here, what is there to worry about?"
"Yes, yes, yes..." The Feidao Gang's leader felt the cold sweat trickling down his back.
Another cultivator gently said, "We need skilled hands, do not be perfunctory with us."
Speaking, he squinted his eyes in thought, smiled, and said, "Leader, you should lead the team. Only with you leading can we be sure you've really brought skilled hands.
By the way, the three of you, and anyone with any position in the gang, cannot be missing."
"This..."
The Feidao Gang's leader regretted it bitterly inside.
If he had known it'd be like this, why bother coming in?
However, even if he didn't come, these cultivators, having decided on certain matters, would not allow him to resist.
The Feidao Gang's leader looked up, squeezing a smile from his fat-strewn face.
"To follow Immortal Masters and broaden one's horizons is something to wish for, something to wish for indeed..."
...
...
That day, the six cultivators temporarily stayed in Chao Li County.
And the Feidao Gang's leader began gathering skilled hands.
The leader, vice-leader, two protectors, and six hall masters were unavoidably included...
And to increase the chances of survival, the Feidao Gang leader gritted his teeth and began gathering more people, saying things like following the immortals to find opportunities, without danger.
As a seasoned Jianghu figure, although uncertain, the Feidao Gang's leader felt that his group might become cannon fodder for the cultivators, so he needed to find more people to serve as their cannon fodder.
If there was danger, layers of death would not reach him.
If everyone before him died, and it reached him, that was fate, inevitable.
...
...
Because the "hall master" was appointed, Song Yan couldn't avoid it.
He never expected himself to be caught in this mess.
But it didn't matter.
He was not nervous.
A secret realm that even Hua Linglong's led cultivator squad dared to enter, if he dared not, he might as well just smash himself with tofu.
Moreover, he had never entered a secret realm before, this time... was just a great opportunity.
...
...
That night...
The two beautiful concubines in Master Li's household had learned that the master would follow the cultivators to a certain place. That night, the two women showcased their divine powers, using their enchantresses' tricks on the master.
Until both were utterly exhausted, they cuddled in Master Li's arms, long legs entwined with his, tender hands caressing his body, whispering sweetly, placing hints like, "Master, the key to the small coffer at home should temporarily be in someone's care."
Both women were cunning, knowing everything related to cultivators was dangerous, and in case the master would not return, it would later evolve into a "battle for the inheritance."
At this time, in the night, came the mournful sound of a pipe.
Song Yan swept with his divine sense and saw Hua Linglong sitting at a bridgehead in the county, playing the pipe, eyes slightly lowered, deep in thought.
Clearly, in these past few years... Hua Linglong's life has been colorful, ever since she "miraculously" sprouted a "Profound Root," ever since the disaster she got caught in due to him, her life was destined to be extraordinary.
For this unintentional burden, Song Yan could do nothing.
This time entering the secret realm, he would not deny having a few thoughts of "protecting if possible."
The tune from the pipe gradually waned...
The Profound Robe female cultivator turned over, her icy pure beautiful face sealed behind the ghost face.
'Have you ever heard of conjuring a Profound Root from nothing?' Song Yan asked inwardly.
The voice reached the Chong Soul of Granny Fox, who said, "Yes."
Soon after, she organized her thoughts and added, "I've heard of two kinds."
"One is using an Innate Spiritual Object to refine an elixir and nurture the body, but this method is overly expensive, and the cost does not match the gain at all..."
"The other involves certain special demon beast embryos or demon insect eggs hidden within the human body, capable of absorbing Profound Qi, creating the illusion of having produced a Profound Root."
Song Yan squinted his eyes.
Then he returned Granny Fox's Chong Soul into the black spot.
Gotta say, having such an "old demonic fox" always at one's side is quite convenient.