I tamed beasts and achieved immortality in the world of cultivation.

Lu Chenxing waved his hand, his gaze sweeping across the faces of the group before finally settling on Chen Qing. He glanced at Chen Qing's blue disciple robe and asked:

"You are the garrison commander of Lin Yuan County?"

His voice was calm, yet it carried a chilling and imposing aura.

Chen Qing felt a slight tightness in his heart. In the past three months, he had cultivated the "Hidden Spirit Technique" to the second level. He wondered if he could hide it from this top-level Golden Core True Monarch.

Chen Qing remained expressionless, cupped his hands and said, "Reporting to True Lord, this disciple Chen Qing is a disciple of Beast Taming Peak and is the garrison commander of Lin Yuan County."

Lu Zhenjun nodded without asking any further questions, and turned to the crowd, saying, "I have sealed this rift with an array. Even after three days, the creatures inside will not be able to come out. You don't need to worry."

Everyone bowed in unison, saying, "Thank you, Grand Uncle (True Lord)."

Lu Chenxing casually glanced at the cultivation levels of everyone present—the two clan leaders of Zhenyuan County were at the eighth and seventh levels of Qi Refining, respectively; Xiao Chunan was at the sixth level of Qi Refining with a powerful aura, not far from breaking through; but when he saw Chen Qing's "sixth level of Qi Refining" cultivation, he raised an eyebrow slightly.

Lu Chenxing twitched the corner of his mouth and said, "I will handle things here. I have already sent a message to the sect, and disciples will be sent into the secret realm soon. If you are interested in this secret realm, you may go in and explore it."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the faces of the group: "But given your cultivation levels, I do not recommend going in."

Chen Qing was secretly delighted.

He was only there to go through the motions and fulfill his duty of guarding the area; he had no interest in this secret realm whatsoever. Since Lu Chenxing said so, he was naturally happy to go along with it.

"Uncle is right. My cultivation is too low, and I dare not cause trouble for the sect," Chen Qing said, cupping his hands in a sincere tone.

The two clan leaders followed suit, bowing in greeting. As the leaders of their small clans, their fates were tied to the entire clan, so they naturally wouldn't risk their lives lightly.

Lu Chenxing ignored the two clan leaders, glanced at Chen Qing and slightly curled the corners of his mouth. The next moment, a calm voice appeared in Chen Qing's mind: "Boy, your aura-concealing technique is not bad. Give me a copy later."

Chen Qing was startled and quickly suppressed his shock, nodding slightly to Lu Chenxing.

However, another voice rang out at that moment.

"granduncle!"

Xiao Chunan took a step forward, cupped his hands in a fist salute, and the long sword at his waist emitted a soft hum, as if sensing the fighting spirit in its master's heart.

Lu Chenxing's gaze fell on him, but she didn't speak, waiting for him to continue.

Xiao Chunan raised his head, his eyes filled with determination: "Disciple Xiao Chunan, a disciple of Jianming Peak, and the garrison commander of Zhenyuan County. Although I am only at the sixth level of Qi Refining, I am about to break through to the seventh level, at which point I will be at the late stage of Qi Refining, and entering this secret realm will not be too much of a stretch. I cultivate the sword path, and spend my days sitting in meditation, how can my sword be fast? I have long yearned for this secret realm for a long time, and I wish to take this opportunity to enter and hone my sword path and temper myself."

He paused, his voice growing even more resounding: "Between life and death lies great terror, but also great opportunity. Having chosen the path of the sword, I have never feared death. A sword cultivator should seek the Dao through the sword, and nurture the sword through battle. If one lacks even this much courage, what is the point of cultivating the sword?"

He spoke these words with conviction, displaying the indomitable spirit of a swordsman.

Chen Qing listened, feeling a mix of emotions.

He opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end he didn't speak. He couldn't persuade Xiao Chunan because of her temperament. Besides, what Xiao Chunan said wasn't entirely unreasonable—sword cultivators are not like his steady style. They do need to hone their skills in battle. Relying solely on secluded cultivation will ultimately result in a sword that lacks some sharpness.

Lu Chenxing looked at Xiao Chunan with a scrutinizing gaze. After a moment, he nodded slightly: "A disciple of Sword Echo Peak, indeed impressive. His swordsmanship is quite impressive, showing the demeanor of a sword cultivator."

He thought for a moment, then raised his hand and pointed, a golden light shooting out from his fingertip and piercing into Xiao Chunan's chest.

Xiao Chunan's body trembled slightly. Looking down, he saw a faint golden rune flashing on his chest before disappearing beneath his skin.

"I'll bestow upon you a life-saving item; it could save your life in a critical moment." Lu Chenxing withdrew his finger, a hint of appreciation in his eyes. "If you manage to come out alive, I can introduce you to a Golden Core cultivator from Sword Echo Peak, an old friend of mine. With your personality, he should like you."

After saying that, Lu Chenxing waved his hand, his tone returning to its previous calm: "I hope you don't die in the secret realm."

Xiao Chunan was taken aback for a moment, then overjoyed, and bowed deeply, saying, "Thank you, Grand Uncle!"

Lu Chenxing waved his hand, said no more, took out a futon from his sleeve and threw it on the ground. The futon landed steadily, and he sat cross-legged on it, closed his eyes slightly, and rested.

This means to see the guest out.

Zhang Yanshu gave the others a wink, and they all understood, bowing and taking their leave.

Chen Qing and Xiao Chunan walked side by side for several feet, with the two clan leaders following behind. The four of them walked together to a secluded place.

Chen Qing glanced at Xiao Chunan, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke up: "Are you really planning to go in?"

"Of course," Xiao Chunan replied without hesitation.

Chen Qing frowned: "The secret realm is extremely dangerous. Even if you break through to the seventh level of Qi Refining, it will still be dangerous. Think about it, once you enter the secret realm, you will not only be facing those mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators from Yunzhou, but also late-stage Qi Refining rogue cultivators from all over the country, and even cultivators from the Qian Kingdom in the north."

"Moreover, this secret realm is right next to the Blood Spirit Abyss. Those reckless rogue cultivators in the Blood Spirit Abyss are all people who live on the edge. For you, a mere Qi Refining Level 6 cultivator, to go in is practically suicide! Besides, the secret realm itself is extremely dangerous!"

Xiao Chunan turned her head, looking directly at Chen Qing with a firm gaze as if she were about to enter a file: "I have naturally thought about what you're saying."

He raised his hand to the hilt of his sword, his tone impassioned: "But I cultivate the Way of the Sword. What is the Way of the Sword? It is to forge ahead without hesitation, to never bend. If I hesitate because of danger ahead, then my sword will become dull, and my heart will become timid. A swordsman whose heart is timid has reached the end of his life. The demonic paths I once followed were all whetstones for my sword; this secret realm will surely be my next whetstone!"

Having said that, Xiao Chunan stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the distant, pale green crack, and slowly recited:

"My sword heart is not bound by the currents of the sea; through a hundred battles, I am like a boat adrift. I cut through countless layers of floating clouds, my azure blade soaring straight to the autumn heavens."

The voice wasn't loud, but it sounded exceptionally clear in the night, carrying a hint of aloofness and determination.

Chen Qing was already exasperated, and now you're reciting poetry!

Chen Qing sighed: "Alright, if you die in there, I'll see how it goes and collect your body."

"You son of a bitch!"

Hearing this, Xiao Chunan, whose resolve grew stronger with each word, couldn't help but utter a curse word that Chen Qing had taught him. He thrust his sword at Chen Qing, who easily dodged the slow, deliberate strike. Chen Qing then took out his Dragon Scale Horse and waved to Xiao Chunan, saying, "Alright, alright, I'm going back to Half Moon Lake. Take care of yourself."

Xiao Chunan sneered, "Get lost! I won't die! Once the secret realm closes, I'll definitely show you my swordsmanship! I'll make you regret not choosing to join Sword Echo Peak with me!"

Chen Qing smiled but didn't reply. He spurred his horse, and the Dragon Scale Horse galloped off towards Half Moon Lake.

Xiao Chunan stood there, watching the figure gradually disappear into the distance. A smile slowly crept onto his lips. Then he turned and headed towards Zhenyuan County with the two clan leaders who remained "serious and unsmiling."

As dusk deepened, the surrounding fields became vast and desolate.

Beneath that pale green crack, Zhang Yanshu was nowhere to be seen; only Lu Chenxing remained, sitting cross-legged, motionless.

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