The Secret Realm's Origins, a Legendary Reward

Chen Ning was perfectly aware of what the Heavenly Lake Holy Lord had said.

At this time, they had just moved to Central Province, and only second- or third-rate forces were there to act as scouts and monitor the movements of the Dragon-Seeking Sect.

After a while, those behind the scenes will really start to get restless.

Especially this alchemy gathering, I believe it will soon spread throughout the entire Central Province.

The ability to refine such a top-grade elixir has already significantly increased the threat level posed by the Dragon-Seeking Sect.

It reached a point where it could no longer be tolerated.

Now it seems that the Heavenly Lake Holy Lord's offer is undoubtedly the best choice for the Dragon-Seeking Sect.

As long as one is attached to the Heavenly Lake Holy Land.

Even the Asura Divine Sect wouldn't dare to touch the Dragon-Seeking Sect.

But if that happens, they will forever remain a subordinate force of the Heavenly Lake Holy Land.

Chen Ning hesitated for a moment before finally speaking, "Thank you for your kindness, Senior Mu. While relying on the Heavenly Lake Holy Land would certainly ensure the Dragon-Seeking Sect's peace and security, the Dragon-Seeking Sect has never relied on anyone in its thousand-year history, and I do not wish to break that rule. I fear I would be ashamed to face my predecessors then."

"Oh, you little rascal, if you're going to refuse, just refuse. Why bring up your ancestors? All those ancestors of yours are just a wisp of remnant spirit left."

"Keep it simple, can't you just keep your way of speaking simpler?"

The Heavenly Lake Holy Lord shook his head helplessly.

Chen Ning rejected him.

But his kind face showed no displeasure; on the contrary, he found it quite amusing.

"Young man, according to old custom, the winner of the Alchemy Gathering can chat with me about the Dao of Alchemy. However, since you, this freak, can even refine the Heaven-Envied Pill, I have nothing more to teach you."

The Heavenly Lake Holy Lord looked Chen Ning up and down as if he were a monster, a hint of melancholy on his face.

"Senior Mu, please don't underestimate yourself. I know that your Dao of Alchemy skills are also unfathomable. How could my meager abilities compare to your profound knowledge?"

"Tsk tsk tsk... You're getting cocky just because I called you fat? You little guy are really lucky, having such a wondrous flame by your side. You were able to refine the Heaven-Envied Pill, and that flame played a decisive role. If I had that flame, wouldn't I be able to refine the Heaven-Envied Pill as well?"

The white beard and White Brows of the Heavenly Lake Holy Lord trembled.

In the end, however, he revealed the domineering aura of Dao of Alchemy in alchemy.

With the help of that flame, he could even refine the Heaven-Envied Pill.

Unfortunately, I wasn't destined for that...

"Senior Mu, actually, I only have one thing to ask you about today."

Chen Ning pondered for a moment.

What is it?

The Heavenly Lake Holy Lord's gaze returned to Chen Ning.

"This junior would like to know some things about the Heavenly Lake Secret Realm."

The words had barely left his mouth.

The Heavenly Lake Holy Lord couldn't help but ask curiously, "Why are you interested in that secret realm?"

"Senior Mu, if you could inform me, I would be willing to offer this Heaven-Envied Pill from this Pill Gathering to the Heavenly Lake Holy Land, and I can also give you the Pill Formula."

Upon hearing this statement...

Even the Heavenly Lake Holy Lord couldn't help but be moved, saying, "You're willing to part with a top-grade Pill Formula? It seems you absolutely must know?"

"If you know the answer, I hope you can inform this junior."

"Just by telling this little fellow about that secret realm, you can obtain a top-grade Pill Formula and the only Heaven-Envied Pill in the world. Sigh... Do you know how tempting this is to this old man? Yet, this old man cannot resist such temptation. Fine, I will tell you."

The Heavenly Lake Holy Lord appeared somewhat helpless.

Upon hearing this, Chen Ning was overjoyed.

Finally, I have the opportunity to complete the first phase of the mission.

At this moment, the Heavenly Lake Holy Lord seemed to be deep in thought. After a long while, he finally spoke:

"Regarding that secret realm, it is ancient, created by the ancestors of my Heavenly Lake. What appears to be a secret realm is actually a prison, where High Antiquity ferocious beasts and spirits, as well as the souls of many powerful beings who wreaked havoc on the world, are imprisoned. A portion of the abilities of those beings or their souls has been transformed into the treasures and fortuitous opportunity within the secret realm. As for the value of the secret realm, it serves two purposes: firstly, to train future generations of geniuses, and secondly, to allow younger generations to continuously enter and monitor those beings, preventing the High Antiquity creatures from finding an opportunity to escape."

Upon hearing this, Chen Ning's eyes flickered slightly.

The creatures there are indeed unable to leave a certain area; it truly feels like they are imprisoned.

"The secret realm is vast and boundless. Our ancestor could not create it alone, so he joined forces with several Saints of the time to open it up. To express his gratitude, our ancestor promised a blessing to the descendants of these Saints who contributed, which is why we are giving younger generations from other forces a place to enter it."

"And so, hundreds of thousands of years have passed."

At this Heavenly Lake Holy Lord, Chen Ning suddenly understood.

Only Saint possess the ability to create space.

Such a vast secret realm was so immense that even the ancestors of Heavenly Lake, hundreds of thousands of years ago, could not complete it on their own, which shows just how enormous the project was.

Chen Ning couldn't help but think of the Realm of the Firmament of the Dragon-Seeking Sect, which was created by the First-Generation Sect Master.

The most astonishing thing about the First-Generation Sect Master was that he possessed the Power of Space even before becoming Saint.

This is why countless people believed that the Dragon-Seeking Sect possessed a secret treasure.

Just then...

A system voice suddenly sounded, much to Chen Ning's delight.

"Ding! Congratulations, host, on completing the first stage of the legendary main quest: Exploring the Secrets of the Heavenly Lake Secret Realm."

"Ding! Congratulations, host, you have obtained the legendary reward [Shadow of Chaos]!"

"Ding! Congratulations, host, you have started the second stage of the legendary main quest [Finding the Relic Left by the First-Generation Sect Master]"

Chen Ning couldn't help but feel delighted.

It's truly unexpected; I received a legendary reward after completing only the first stage.

Chen Ning had already fully experienced the power of the legendary rewards.

It was definitely worth the trip.

Chen Ning took out the black medicine box containing the Heaven-Envied Pill, and then took out an ancient sheepskin, on which was the Pill Formula the Qian-Origin Creation Golden Pill. He presented it to the Heavenly Lake Holy Lord.

"Senior Mu, this was agreed upon beforehand. Thank you for clearing up my doubts."

Chen Ning sincerely handed it over to the other party.

I don't feel like I lost out at all.

The Pill Formula is already imprinted in my mind.

It can be refined again if desired.

The Heavenly Lake Holy Lord suddenly realized something, took the pill with a hint of annoyance, and laughed, "I don't know how you, little fellow, developed such a cunning mind? By offering this pill to Heavenly Lake, everyone outside will speculate about our relationship, and at the same time, they won't be able to judge my attitude towards you, right?"

That brings us to this.

Chen Ning chuckled, then said with an air of righteous indignation, "What do you care about what Senior Mu speculate?"

If Chen Ning were to offer the elixir to the Heavenly Lake Holy Lord...

It's easy for them to give off ambiguous signals.

Why offer up the elixir?

What kind of deal was actually reached?

These are things that outsiders cannot know.

Therefore, they would be hesitant to act rashly, fearing the consequences.

"Alright, I'll let you get away with this once. I'll accept the pill and the Pill Formula. Tomorrow, news will spread from Heavenly Lake that you 'Dragon-Seeking Sect Leader with a top-grade pill. How about that? Are you satisfied now?"

"I'll do whatever you say."

Chen Ning chuckled and bowed again.

Offering the elixir to the Heavenly Lake Holy Land can alleviate some of the pressure of the Dragon-Seeking Sect.

Otherwise, some troubles will be difficult to resolve with the current Dragon-Seeking Sect.