The Long Journey to Immortality

No one knows who, or how many, of the Zhengyi Sect disciples will be able to return to the Central Plains and enjoy life and glory forty days from now.

The three sect leaders did not keep everyone waiting for long.

In addition to the three sect leaders, the Supreme Elder Qingyang Venerable, who had appeared multiple times during the month-long special training, also arrived at the gate of the Five Elements Mountain Academy.

With so many elites gathered, such a grand event naturally needs a Nascent Soul cultivator to oversee it.

The Venerable Qingyang, who had been concerned about the matter of the ancient cultivation secret realm, was the ballast stone.

Before setting off, Daoist Yunmin said a few words to encourage Han Lu and the other seven young cultivators who had placed their hopes on the Zhengyi Sect.

Immediately afterwards, the giant dragon-shaped ark was summoned by cultivator Yunmin, and everyone boarded the ark in turn.

Han Lu and Wen Erya walked together; they were the last two among the seven to board the dragon boat.

With everyone in place, Daoist Yunmin didn't hesitate and waved his hand to close the dragon boat's gate.

In the blink of an eye, a golden dragon soared into the sky, carrying numerous high-level cultivators and seven young talents from the Zhengyi Sect, heading west towards the deep valley where the ancient cultivation secret realm was located.

Chapter 178 Tacit Understanding

Perhaps because the Supreme Elder was present, the dragon boat was unusually quiet.

Venerable Qingyang sat in a quiet place to meditate, and the other Golden Core cultivators naturally did not dare to speak loudly, but only communicated with their friends through secret telepathy.

Han Lu and the other seven younger members were even more apprehensive in this environment.

Fortunately, before Han Lu left, her master Fu Chen gave her a few copies of his novels, so that she wouldn't just sit there blankly in such a serious environment and waste her time.

Holding a book with no pages written on it, Han Lu read it with a smile on her face. Her behavior made the other five people, except for Wen Erya who knew the inside story, feel like they were sitting on pins and needles.

Fortunately, the three sect leaders personally piloted the dragon boat, and in just an hour and a half, the soaring dragon flew from the southeast corner of the Central Plains to the westernmost point, arriving at a deep valley that had been mentioned by many people in the past two years, but few had ever been there.

Upon arriving at the deep valley, the three sect leaders of Zhengyi Sect discovered that they, who had arrived ten days earlier, were actually among the last group of cultivators to reach the secret valley.

The Seven Mountains Alliance is very close to the deep valley, and the Qi Refining stage cultivators who were selected to enter the secret realm had already settled in the deep valley half a month ago.

Xuan Yang Valley arrived at the deep valley three days earlier than Zheng Yi Sect.

Duan Yun, the "lone wolf" selected from among many minor sects, also came to the Seven Mountains Alliance for half a month of Taoist exchanges under the escort of the eight major sects. He was one of the first "treasure hunters" to have a place to stay in the deep valley.

The five cultivators from the Southern Frontier and the Western Regions, along with their elders, arrived at the deep valley a month in advance after meeting together.

The Western Regions and the Central Plains, and the Southern Frontier and the Central Plains, have enmity, but the Western Regions and the Southern Frontier have nothing to do with each other and have no grudges against each other.

During this trip to the ancient cultivation secret realm, both sides were excluded by the cultivation forces of the Central Plains from the very beginning of the discussions. Now that the opportunity is right in front of them, they naturally need to stick together and unite.

This is the first time that so many Golden Core cultivators and Nascent Soul cultivators have gathered in the Central Plains region outside of the three major sects.

This time, the Zhengyi Sect members received much better treatment than last time.

Both Xuan Yang Valley and the Seven Mountains Alliance will send Golden Core cultivators to greet them.

Over the past two years, the Seven Mountains Alliance, as the host, has expanded the complex of buildings in the deep valley several times over.

The group of nearly thirty cultivators from the Zhengyi Sect were easily arranged for accommodation. Even the seven Qi Refining cultivators were given a private courtyard, and their treatment was no worse than that of cultivators in the sect.

Unfortunately, the forces within the deep valley are complex and intertwined, with numerous high-level cultivators.

For the safety of Han Lu and the other six, the Zhengyi Sect specially arranged for a Golden Core Elder to act as their bodyguard during these last few days.

Han Lu and Wen Erya decided to live together, and their safety was taken care of by the Seven Flower Fairy, who had had multiple encounters with Han Lu.

Wen Erya and Han Lu are both cultivators who don't like to wander around in unfamiliar places. Apart from visiting the ancient cultivation secret realm teleportation gate on their first day in the deep valley, the two of them stayed in a small courtyard to "seclude themselves" for cultivation. This saved Fairy Qihua the trouble of watching over and protecting them.

Apart from a few cultivators like Han Lu who are about to enter the ancient cultivation secret realm, visiting friends has become the most popular activity for everyone during these last ten days.

They might be making friends with strangers they've only heard of, seeking allies to enter ancient cultivation realms, or simply trying to kill time.

For these cultivators at the twelfth level of Qi Refining, whose cultivation had reached the peak of Qi Refining and who could not advance even half a step further without establishing their foundation, time was indeed a very difficult thing to endure.

Did they actually have any ulterior motives, thinking of eliminating potential competitors outside the ancient cultivation secret realm? Apart from a few Qi Refining cultivators like Han Lu who had absolute confidence in themselves, the other Qi Refining cultivators all had such thoughts.

But no one dared to act recklessly in this environment where "throwing a stone could hit three Golden Core cultivators".

Finally, on the day before the Ancient Cultivation Secret Realm opened, all thirty cultivators who were about to enter the Ancient Cultivation Secret Realm ate and drank well and adjusted themselves to their best condition in their own ways.

That evening, while Han Lu, Wen Erya, and the Seven Flower Fairy were playing animal cards—a game they had just learned from the cultivators in the Western Regions—to pass the time, the leaders of the three major sects in the Central Plains held a meeting with the cultivators from the Western Regions and the Southern Frontier.

The core of the meeting was to encourage cultivators entering the ancient cultivation realm to act freely within it, and to persuade all the higher-ups to leave all the battles and grudges that occurred within the ancient cultivation realm behind, and not bring them back to the Central Plains.

Of course, when Long Zhenren initiated the meeting and said this, he gave the matter a lofty and prestigious reason.

"With the human race facing calamity, we should not add new hatred to each other. Even if there are many grudges and battles in the ancient cultivation secret realm, we should not bring hatred out."

This matter is neither simple nor difficult.

When Master Long Zhenren of Xuan Yang Valley took the lead and clarified the matter, it caused a great stir. Within a short time, the parties who had a tacit understanding all agreed to the decision.

It's easy to imagine that the twenty-five cultivators from the Central Plains cultural sphere, who would have initially had some reservations, would have completely unleashed their potential in the ancient cultivation secret realm after being instructed by their elders.

A bloody battle is foreseeable.

The next day, Han Lu and Wen Erya got up very early.

No one knows exactly when or at what time the ancient cultivation secret realm will open to the public on this day.

After breakfast, the Seven Flower Fairy brought the two of them the last gift that the Zhengyi Sect had given to the seven treasure hunters before the ancient cultivation secret realm opened.

"These large storage bags are for you to carry your things these days. Once you go in, don't leave empty-handed because the storage bags aren't big enough."

"The storage bag embroidered with the sect's mark contains some consumables, such as pills, spirit stones, and talismans. The sect has taken care of everything for you."

"besides……"

"The rules regarding the rewards you will receive after returning from your treasure hunt in the ancient cultivation realm have finally been discussed," said Fairy Seven Flowers, a Golden Core cultivator, her voice tinged with envy. "No matter how much you bring out, you can take half a percent of it as a reward."

In the eyes of the Seven Flower Fairy, the Ancient Cultivation Secret Realm is a top-level secret realm prepared for the human race. As long as they return victorious, half of the ten percent of the spoils of war would be enough for a Qi Refining cultivator like Han Lu to cultivate to the Golden Core or even Nascent Soul realm.

"I need to take stock of what's in the storage bags you carry with you, so that you don't get confused about personal and professional matters when you come out, causing unnecessary trouble."

Han Lu and Wen Erya understood the sect's concerns and cooperated with the Seven Flower Fairy to complete the inventory.

After registering all the valuables in the storage bag, Han Lu realized just how wealthy Wen Erya was.

After completing the registration, Han Lu and Wen Erya arrived at the plaza in front of the ancient cultivation secret realm teleportation gate with the Seven Flower Fairy.

It's still early, but many people have already come here to await the moment that will determine the future of the Central Plains region for the next century.

At noon, the sect leaders arrived at the scene, and the Golden Core elders from each sect, who were proficient in formations and restrictions, unanimously reported good news to their sect's higher-ups.

"The portal's restrictions have loosened, and it will be fully open in about fifteen minutes."

Upon hearing this, the leaders of the three major sects in the Central Plains exchanged glances, and finally, the White Fairy of the Seven Mountains Alliance arrived at the teleportation portal.

The White Fairy will act as a representative to tell everyone another important matter and some parting words.

Chapter 179 The Ancient Cultivation Realm Opens

The thing that Fairy Bai mentioned was the ban that several high-ranking members of the sect discussed last night.

Having the White Fairy announce something somewhat cruel was a helpless move by the higher-ups.

These words sounded more pleasant coming from a female cultivator than from any other person.

Even so, more than half of the thirty treasure hunters standing in the square changed their expressions.

The cultivators from the Southern Frontier and the Western Regions fared slightly better; some even showed excitement on their faces, almost ready to cheer loudly.

Han Lu had anticipated this and was mentally prepared for it, so she wasn't surprised at all. She just felt that she was no longer worried and could unleash her full potential in the ancient cultivation secret realm without any burden.

This wasn't because Han Lu had picked up the bad habit of "bloodlust" under Xiaoyaozi's influence; it was simply because she was already aware of it and was more mature in this regard than other Qi Refining cultivators in the Central Plains.

Immediately afterwards, Master Long, the Valley Master of Xuan Yang Valley, the number one sect in the Central Plains, appeared amidst sparse applause. After saying a few polite words, he and the crowd waited patiently for the historic moment when the ancient cultivation secret realm would be fully opened.

Coincidentally, none of the Nascent Soul cultivators from the various forces who came to the deep valley made an appearance, leaving the grand show to be performed by a few high-ranking members whose cultivation levels were lower than theirs.

Han Lu clapped politely, then subconsciously touched the hem of her skirt, pressing it down to make the fiery red dress fit her body better.

Suddenly, Wen Erya nudged her arm and called out, "Junior Sister."

Han Lu turned her head to look at Wen Erya and asked, "What's wrong? Senior Sister, is something the matter?"

Wen Erya nodded, then stuffed a palm-sized jade pendant into Han Lu's hand, "Junior sister, take this."

Han Lu clutched the jade pendant and asked, "What is this?"

Wen Erya took out another jade pendant similar to the one she had given to Han Lu before speaking, "This is an auxiliary magic tool that can help us know each other's approximate location. Junior sister, try pouring spiritual energy into it."

As close friends and besties, Wen Erya and Han Lu naturally wanted to join forces in the ancient cultivation secret realm to gain more benefits. This jade pendant was a special magical tool that Wen Erya prepared to facilitate communication and gathering with Han Lu.

Several pairs of cultivators in the Western Regions and Southern Frontier also possess similar magical artifacts.

Upon hearing this, Han Lu instantly understood Wen Erya's intention in taking this thing out.

Han Lu infused a little spiritual energy into the jade pendant in her hand.

The white jade pendant, about half the size of a palm, changed after a moment.

A blood-red line appeared on the surface of the jade pendant. This line spread and pointed in the direction that Wen Erya was currently facing relative to Han Lu.

Holding the jade pendant, Han Lu praised, "If this teleportation portal were random, this jade pendant would be of great help."

Wen Erya continued, "However, this jade pendant can only accurately guide directions within a range of a hundred miles."

"I wonder how big this ancient cultivation secret realm is. I hope this jade pendant will come in handy later."

The crowd stood in the square, gazing longingly at the ancient cultivation secret realm teleportation portal not far away.

As time went by, the originally deep black space in the center of the portal underwent a significant change.

The black color turned into a light blue, as if the sky had been projected into it.

Immediately afterwards, the outline of the portal's edge rippled, and faint waves appeared, causing the originally stable portal to expand slightly.

Under the command of several sect leaders, cultivators from various factions who were proficient in formations and restrictions stepped forward again to check the status of the teleportation portal.

Good news followed.

"Valley Master, please wait a little longer. Once the teleportation portal stabilizes again, the Ancient Cultivation Secret Realm will be fully opened."

Upon hearing this, everyone smiled.

After two years of turmoil, the major event has finally come to a close. Regardless of whether the outcome is good or bad, it will eventually bring a sense of relief to everyone, even Golden Core cultivators.