Leaving the Secret Realm

Lu Nan wove through the forest, pondering whether Chi Hun's words were true.

If what he said is true, then Su Wan, as the Sect Leader's disciple...

She must know something as well...

With that thought, Lu Nan halted, changed direction, and sped toward the main force of the Azure Lotus Sword Sect.

Traveling at full speed, he soon reached the Azure Lotus Sword Sect's campsite from that night.

Yet the place was already deserted, without a single soul in sight.

After examining the traces around him, Lu Nan released his Divine Sense to probe the surroundings.

At last, he looked east. "This way..."

Meanwhile, Chi Hun had waited for a long time before finally sensing the spiritual power within him begin to circulate again.

His body shook, and the restraints on him were completely broken. Without even checking his injuries,

he hurried into the Cave. Looking at the Cave, where only one corpse remained,

a trace of disappointment flashed through his eyes. Then he gritted his teeth. "As expected! Damn brat, don't let me run into you again."

Afterward, he sat cross-legged to recover. This time, he did not dare be careless.

He directly summoned three Blood Shadows to guard the area around him.

A short while later, Chi Hun's complexion had regained much of its color as he opened his eyes. "I lost a portion of Earth Vein Qi. When I return, I'm afraid punishment will be unavoidable."

As he muttered, Lu Nan's face surfaced in his mind again, and his expression darkened. "Which faction could that kid belong to??

The Artifact Refining Sect or the Azure Lotus Sword Sect?

But judging from his sword techniques, he is most likely from the Azure Lotus Sword Sect."

"Kid! Just you wait..."

He then put away the Blood Shadows and swiftly left the Cave.

Even at full speed, it still took Lu Nan half a day

to catch up to the tail end of the Azure Lotus Sword Sect. Seeing the vigilant Azure Lotus disciples in the distance,

Lu Nan quickly concealed himself and quietly approached.

He easily slipped past the sentry disciples and drew close to the Sword Sect's main force.

Standing atop a towering tree and looking out, he soon spotted Su Wan among the crowd.

His gaze flickered, and he had already confirmed much of the information in his heart.

After observing the situation, he turned and vanished from the branch.

"Senior Sister? Senior Sister??" Su Wan was meditating when a soft call suddenly sounded by her ear.

She turned to see an unfamiliar Junior Brother. "What is it, Junior Brother??"

"Senior Sister, would you be willing to speak somewhere else??"

Su Wan frowned and carefully sized him up.

After pondering for a moment, she nodded and rose first, walking to one side.

The man smiled faintly and quickly followed. One before the other, they arrived at a corner.

However, they did not move far from the crowd, remaining at a distance that was neither too close nor too far.

"Junior Brother, you can speak now, can't you??"

After glancing around, the man lowered his voice. "Senior Sister, why have you not begun Foundation Establishment yet??"

At those words, Su Wan's brows knit, and she instinctively pulled away.

She stared at the man warily. "Who are you???"

"Book Collection Pavilion!"

Su Wan froze upon hearing that, then scrutinized the person before her once more.

Gradually, she saw a hint of familiarity in him. Seeing this, the man continued, "Alchemy..."

"Junior Brother??" Su Wan's eyes lit up. "You are??"

"Senior Sister, why have you not achieved Foundation Establishment?" Lu Nan shook his head and asked.

Before Su Wan could answer, he added, "Is it because of the Azure Desolate Secret Realm a year from now??"

Su Wan looked at him in astonishment. "Junior Brother knows about the Azure Desolate Secret Realm too??"

"Senior Sister also plans to compete for the Heavenly Foundation Establishment?"

"That's right!!" Su Wan nodded.

Having received a definite answer, Lu Nan made up his mind as well.

"Thank you for clearing up my doubts, Senior Sister. This Junior Brother wishes Senior Sister success in your first battle."

With that, he flashed away and disappeared. Watching the elusive Lu Nan,

a glimmer flashed through Su Wan's eyes before she turned and walked back toward the crowd.

From a concealed branch, Lu Nan watched Su Wan's retreating figure

and muttered, "Looks like it would be best to have less contact with her in the future..."

Then he vanished, leaving behind only a trembling branch.

Inside a Cave, Lu Nan looked at the Skull Pouch and Yellow Gourd in his hands.

"Should I use the Earth Vein Qi in my hands to complete Earth Vein Foundation Establishment, or go to the Azure Desolate Secret Realm and fight for that illusory Heavenly Foundation Establishment?"

Although he had decided from the start to head to the Azure Desolate Secret Realm,

as he looked at the two portions of Earth Vein Qi in his hands, Lu Nan hesitated again.

One path offered a stable advancement; the other held an uncertain outcome.

There were less than two days left until the Secret Realm closed.

If he did not make a decision now, it would be too late.

Holding the two portions of Earth Vein Qi, Lu Nan contemplated for a long time.

Finally, with a sweep of his hand, he put both portions of Earth Vein Qi into the Mysterious Space.

"Whew! If I didn't know, then so be it. But now that I know, there's no reason not to go take a look.

What if... what if fate is on my side, and I manage to achieve Heavenly Foundation Establishment??"

He let out a long breath of stale air, and Lu Nan's gaze became incomparably firm.

Then he returned to his original appearance. "It's time to leave the Secret Realm!!"

Rising to his feet, he slipped out of the Cave and surveyed the desolate surroundings.

He released his Divine Sense to scan the area, and soon his eyes flashed. "Found them!!"

In his senses, a battle was erupting not far away. His figure flashed as he raced in that direction.

He soon reached the edge of the battlefield and looked at the people locked in battle.

A cold glint flashed through his eyes. The two sides were the Soul Refining Sect and the Azure Lotus Sword Sect.

Though he was curious why there were still Azure Lotus Sword Sect disciples here, seeing them being forced back step by step by the Soul Refining Sect,

Lu Nan did not hesitate. He concealed his appearance, flashed forward, and joined the battle.

With a casual wave of his hand, sharp sword light burst forth, swiftly reversing their disadvantage.

Together with the remaining Azure Lotus disciples, he killed until the Soul Refining Sect retreated step by step.

In the end, they slaughtered them all. The rescued Azure Lotus disciples did not even pause to rest.

They all walked up to Lu Nan and bowed in thanks.

"Why are you here? I remember the Azure Lotus Sword Sect's main force being in the central region." Lu Nan waved his hand and asked.

One of the leading men hurriedly explained, "Seeing that the Secret Realm was about to close, several of us Senior Brothers and Junior Brothers thought we would come out and try our luck.

Who would have thought we would run into those fellows from the Soul Refining Sect? Fortunately, Senior Brother came to our aid."

Lu Nan did not question them further. He lowered his head and picked up a Skull Pouch.

Then his figure flickered, vanishing among the many hills.

Seeing this, the leading man bowed once more toward Lu Nan's departing back before turning to those behind him. "Let's all leave!!"

As he spoke, he was the first to crush the Jade Token in his hand. His entire body transformed into a streak of light and shot into the sky.

Seeing this, the others exchanged glances and crushed the Jade Tokens in their hands as well.

In an instant, several more streaks of light appeared in the heavens.

The same scene played out from time to time throughout the Secret Realm.

After returning to the Cave he had dug out, Lu Nan flashed into the Mysterious Space.

After taking a deep breath, he poured all the Earth Vein Qi from the Yellow Gourd into the empty Skull Pouch.

He weighed the empty gourd in his hand. "It's time to leave!!!"

He then quickly walked to the Spirit Plant Area and picked some medicinal herbs.

Only then did Lu Nan leave the Mysterious Space and emerge from the Cave.

He crushed the gourd in his hand, and his entire body transformed into a streak of light that shot into the heavens.