Ambushed by the Secret Realm Guardian Beast While Mining

The Chaos Thunder Leopard's speed far surpassed their imaginations. Just as Lin Yue and Su Qingyan reached the halfway point of the mountain, they heard a sharp whistling sound from behind them. Glancing back, they saw a sleek, silver-white leopard charging towards them. Its body was covered in fine, silver-white scales, with black markings like lightning bolts distributed across its back. Its paws left trails of sparks as it ran, and blue lightning crackled from its mouth. It was none other than the Secret Realm's guardian beast – the Chaos Thunder Leopard.

"This speed... it's so much faster than the Azure Scale Lion!" Su Qingyan's face turned pale. She could clearly feel the overwhelming, ferocious aura emanating from the Thunder Leopard, even stronger than the Chaos Giant Bear they had encountered before. Her fingertips ignited with flames, forming three Flame Spears which she shot back at the leopard, attempting to slow it down.

The Flame Spears, trailing waves of heat, were easily dodged by the Chaos Thunder Leopard. It didn't even bother to dodge, instead opening its mouth and spitting out a stream of blue lightning, as thick as a bowl, which accurately struck the Flame Spears. With a "bang," the Flame Spears were instantly shattered by the lightning, turning into a shower of sparks.

"It's useless! Its lightning can counter my flames!" Su Qingyan said urgently, a sense of powerlessness washing over her. The Flame Law she cultivated was inherently vulnerable to extreme cold and lightning. Now, facing a Chaos Thunder Leopard that controlled lightning, she was almost completely suppressed.

Lin Yue also sensed the danger. The leopard's speed and attacks far exceeded their expectations; a direct confrontation would be suicidal. His gaze quickly swept across their surroundings, noticing a patch of low-lying bushes on the mountainside. A faint green light flickered within the bushes, offering a potential place to temporarily conceal themselves using the terrain.

"Hide in the bushes!" Lin Yue shouted, pulling Su Qingyan as they lunged to the left, barely managing to dive into the dense undergrowth. They held their breath, trying to suppress their presence.

The Chaos Thunder Leopard followed closely, circling the bushes for a few moments. Its silver-white head turned constantly, its nose sniffing the air rapidly, clearly searching for their tracks. Its red pupils scanned the surroundings, blue lightning gathering in its mouth, ready to attack at any moment.

Lin Yue tightly gripped Su Qingyan's hand, signaling her to remain calm. He could feel that the Chaos Thunder Leopard's senses were extremely sharp; a single mistake would lead to discovery. Just then, his fingertip accidentally touched something cool within the bushes. Looking down, he found a green fragment, no larger than a fingernail. The fragment's surface was covered in fine, intricate patterns, emitting a faint yet pure aura of life force.

"Is this... a Law Fragment?" Lin Yue's heart stirred. He had sensed the aura of Dao Rhyme Fragments under Pangu's guidance before. Although the fluctuation of this fragment was different, it carried the same essence of law. He quietly picked up the fragment. The moment it was in his palm, it transformed into a soft green light, flowing through his fingertips and into his meridians, eventually converging in his dantian.

A cool sensation instantly spread throughout his body. Lin Yue felt as if he could clearly "see" the growth patterns of the surrounding plants, and even the life force energy flowing in the air became distinctly visible. His perception of the Vitality Law suddenly increased, allowing him to even use the aura of the surrounding plants to further conceal his presence.

"It's a Vitality Law Fragment!" Lin Yue was ecstatic. Although the fragment was tiny, it gave him a more intuitive understanding of the law. More importantly, it could help him evade the Chaos Thunder Leopard's detection.

The Chaos Thunder Leopard lingered outside the bushes for a long time but couldn't find their tracks, letting out an annoyed growl. Seemingly impatient, it turned and ran towards the mountain peak – clearly, it was more interested in the sealed Innate Geng Metal Sword and didn't want to waste time on two "weak" beings.

Only after the leopard's figure completely disappeared at the end of the mountain path did Lin Yue and Su Qingyan dare to take deep breaths, slumping into the bushes.

"That scared me to death... that leopard is too powerful," Su Qingyan said, patting her chest, her face still pale. "If we hadn't hidden in the bushes, we probably would have ended up as its meal."

Lin Yue nodded and told her about finding the Law Fragment. "I just found a Vitality Law Fragment. It can hide our aura; otherwise, we definitely would have been discovered."

"Law Fragment?" Su Qingyan's eyes flashed with envy. "You're quite lucky. But that Innate Geng Metal Sword is sealed. What do we do now? Go back empty-handed?"

"Of course not," Lin Yue stood up and brushed the dirt off his clothes. "The leopard is temporarily attracted by the Spirit Treasure and won't be back anytime soon. We can take this opportunity to explore the Secret Realm. This Secret Realm is so vast; there must be more than just the Innate Geng Metal Sword."

Su Qingyan also stood up, her eyes rekindling with fighting spirit. "You're right. Besides, when I was channeling the Li Fire Power just now, I vaguely sensed other law fluctuations in the energy field on the mountain peak. Perhaps there are other fragments."

After a brief discussion, they decided to explore the vicinity first, collecting some low-level spirit herbs and energy ores, while also searching for other Law Fragments. They didn't approach the mountain peak again, lest they alert the Chaos Thunder Leopard once more.

The resources within the Secret Realm were far richer than they had imagined. Not long after leaving the bushes, Lin Yue discovered several plants emitting a faint blue glow – the "Calming Grass" that was rare in the Chaos. This spirit herb could stabilize the mind and aid cultivation, serving as an important ingredient for refining Calming Pills.

"It's Calming Grass!" Su Qingyan exclaimed joyfully, carefully digging up the spirit herbs by the roots and storing them in her storage bag. "With these few stalks, we can refine some Calming Pills, which will be very helpful for stabilizing our cultivation."

Lin Yue also collected a few stalks, while noticing several brownish-yellow crystals embedded in the rock crevices nearby. He walked over and used Chaos Energy to pry the crystals from the rocks. They were heavy in his hand, and he could clearly feel the earth-element energy contained within.

"It's Earth Crystal!" Lin Yue recognized the ore. "It contains pure earth-element energy, not only aiding in the cultivation of the Earth Law but also usable for refining defensive Spirit Treasures."

As they explored, they collected resources, unknowingly venturing deep into the heart of the Secret Realm. The plants here were even more peculiar. Some trees bore fist-sized red fruits that exuded a rich life force aura; some vines were adorned with glistening dewdrops that, upon touch, revealed pure water-element energy.

"These fruits should be 'Life Fruits.' Eating them can quickly restore stamina and energy," Su Qingyan picked one of the fruits, wiped off the dust, and handed one to Lin Yue. "Try it, it should be quite effective."

Lin Yue took the fruit and took a bite. Sweet juice burst in his mouth, and a gentle life force energy flowed down his throat into his body, instantly restoring more than half of the stamina he had lost in the battle. "It's indeed effective. Let's pick more, just in case."

The two of them harvested all the Life Fruits from the trees. Just as they were about to leave, they heard chirping sounds from not far away. Following the sound, they saw a nest on a giant ancient tree, containing a clutch of snow-white chicks. Their feathers shimmered with faint lightning, clearly indicating they were some kind of lightning-element creature.

"It's Thunder Feather Birds!" Su Qingyan's eyes flashed with caution. "Although these birds aren't very strong, they excel at group attacks and can summon weak lightning. We should probably avoid them."

Lin Yue, however, shook his head, his gaze falling on the bird eggs in the nest. The eggs were pale blue, covered in fine lightning patterns, and emitted pure lightning energy. "Look at those eggs. They contain rich lightning energy. If we can refine them, perhaps they can enhance our resistance to lightning laws."

Su Qingyan hesitated. "But there are quite a few Thunder Feather Birds. Trying to snatch them might cause trouble."

Lin Yue smiled slightly and took out a block of Chaos Energy from his storage bag. He broke off a small piece and threw it onto the open ground near the ancient tree. Upon landing, the energy block released dense Chaos Energy, instantly attracting the Thunder Feather Birds' attention.

"Let's go!" Lin Yue pulled Su Qingyan. While the Thunder Feather Birds were fighting over the energy block, they quickly rushed to the base of the ancient tree, carefully collected the five Thunder Feather Bird Eggs from the nest into their storage bags, and then swiftly retreated.

The Thunder Feather Birds discovered their nest had been disturbed and screeched angrily as they gave chase. Lin Yue and Su Qingyan didn't dare to stop, fleeing towards the depths of the Secret Realm with all their might. Fortunately, the Thunder Feather Birds weren't too fast, and after chasing for a while, they gave up and flew back to the ancient tree.

"We're finally safe," Su Qingyan panted, looking at the bird eggs in her storage bag with a satisfied smile. "These bird eggs are indeed good stuff. If we refine them later, maybe we can counter lightning beasts like the Chaos Thunder Leopard."

Lin Yue nodded, his gaze sweeping ahead. He noticed a valley in the distance, where light seemed to be flickering. "Let's go check out the valley ahead. We might have a bigger harvest."

The two quickened their pace and headed towards the valley. As they approached, they felt a dense law aura wash over them, even purer than the Vitality Law Fragment they had encountered earlier, exciting them both.

"It's the aura of Law Fragments!" Su Qingyan exclaimed excitedly, quickly running into the valley.

In the center of the valley was a large rock, embedded with five fragments of different colors, each emitting the energy of gold, wood, water, fire, and earth – the Five Elements Law Fragments!

"Excellent! They're Five Elements Law Fragments!" Lin Yue couldn't suppress his joy. The Five Elements Law was the most fundamental and important law in Chaos. If they could collect them all, the benefit to their cultivation would be immeasurable.

Just as they were about to step forward to collect the fragments, the rock suddenly lit up with a light barrier, enveloping the fragments. An ancient voice echoed through the valley: "To obtain the Law Fragments, you must pass the Five Elements Trial."

Lin Yue and Su Qingyan exchanged glances, seeing the determination in each other's eyes. After experiencing so many dangers, they couldn't possibly give up on the opportunity before them.

"What is the Five Elements Trial?" Lin Yue asked.

"It's very simple," the ancient voice replied. "You must each channel one of the five energies – gold, wood, water, fire, or earth – to illuminate the corresponding Law Fragment before you can take them. However, be warned, each person can only channel one energy, and it must be compatible with your own attributes, otherwise, you will be backlashed by the law."

Lin Yue and Su Qingyan immediately understood. Su Qingyan's Flame Law was compatible with the fire attribute, so she naturally chose the fire-attribute fragment. As for Lin Yue, his Chaos Energy encompassed everything, and his Vitality Law was related to the wood attribute, so he chose the wood-attribute fragment.

"Begin," the ancient voice commanded. The five fragments on the light barrier lit up simultaneously.

Su Qingyan walked to the fire-attribute fragment, took a deep breath, and fully activated the Flame Law within her body. Flames erupted around her, resonating with the fire-attribute fragment on the light barrier. The red light on the fragment grew brighter and brighter, as if trying to break free from the barrier's hold.

Lin Yue also walked to the wood-attribute fragment, circulated the Chaos Energy in his dantian, and simultaneously activated the Vitality Law Fragment he had absorbed earlier. A dense wood-element energy emanated from his body, resonating with the wood-attribute fragment. The green light on the fragment flickered, complementing Su Qingyan's fiery glow.

As they continued to inject energy, the fire-attribute and wood-attribute fragments on the light barrier grew increasingly bright. The other three fragments also began to tremble slightly, as if affected.

Just then, a familiar roar echoed from outside the valley – it was the Chaos Thunder Leopard!

"Oh no! The leopard is back!" Su Qingyan's expression changed. She accelerated the rate at which she was injecting energy. "We must illuminate the fragments quickly, or it will be too late!"

Lin Yue also sensed the Chaos Thunder Leopard's aura rapidly approaching, and his heart was filled with anxiety. He fully activated the Vitality Law, injecting more energy into the wood-attribute fragment.

"Buzz!"

With a soft sound, the fire and wood attribute fragments simultaneously erupted with dazzling light, and the other three fragments on the light screen lit up as well. The light screen on the rock slowly dissipated, and the Five Elements Law Fragments floated in the air, emitting a dense aura of law.

"Quick, grab the fragments!" Lin Yue shouted, reaching out to grab the wood-attribute fragment. Su Qingyan simultaneously grasped the fire-attribute fragment.

The moment the two held the fragments, a sky-shattering roar echoed from the entrance of the valley. The Chaos Thunder Leopard appeared at the valley entrance, its red pupils fixed on the two. Lightning continuously gathered in its mouth, clearly attracted by the aura of the law fragments.

"Let's go!" Lin Yue pulled Su Qingyan and turned to run towards the back of the valley. There was a narrow passage behind the valley, and perhaps they could use the terrain to escape the leopard's pursuit.

The Chaos Thunder Leopard roared and chased after them, shooting bolts of blue lightning like a torrential rain towards the two. Lin Yue and Su Qingyan dodged continuously, but were still grazed by a few bolts, feeling waves of numbness.

"This can't go on, we'll be caught sooner or later!" Su Qingyan said urgently. Her flame energy was almost depleted, and she couldn't resist the leopard's attacks at all.

Lin Yue's heart stirred as he remembered the Vitality Law fragment he had absorbed earlier. He injected a trace of vitality energy into Su Qingyan's body, alleviating her numbness, and said, "I have a plan, cooperate with me!"

He stopped, turned to face the Chaos Thunder Leopard, and injected the energy of the wood-attribute law fragment into the Chaos Energy, condensing a ball of light containing vitality energy. "Su Qingyan, use your flames to draw the leopard's attention!"

Su Qingyan immediately understood his intention. She gathered her last trace of flame at her fingertips and shot it towards the Chaos Thunder Leopard's eyes. The leopard was forced to close its eyes, temporarily ceasing its attack.

Lin Yue seized this opportunity and shot the ball of light containing vitality energy towards the Chaos Thunder Leopard's abdomen. The ball of light struck the leopard's abdomen. Although it didn't cause a serious injury, it caused its movements to momentarily freeze—the vitality energy conflicted with its internal lightning energy, creating a brief paralyzing effect.

"Now!" Lin Yue pulled Su Qingyan and took the chance to rush into the narrow passage at the back of the valley. The passage was cramped, and the Chaos Thunder Leopard's massive size prevented it from pursuing quickly. It could only roar furiously at the entrance of the passage.

The two ran desperately along the passage. After about half an hour, they finally managed to escape the Chaos Thunder Leopard's pursuit. At the end of the passage was a wide-open plain dotted with strange plants. In the distance, the exit of the Secret Realm could be vaguely seen.

"We're finally safe!" Su Qingyan breathed a sigh of relief, slumping to the ground. She looked at the fire-attribute law fragment in her hand, a relieved smile on her face. "Although I didn't get the Innate Geng Metal Sword, obtaining the law fragment makes this trip worthwhile."

Lin Yue also sat on the ground to rest, fiddling with the wood-attribute law fragment in his hand. He thought to himself, This trip to the Secret Realm was dangerous, but the rewards were substantial. Not only did I obtain law fragments, but my understanding of laws has also improved. It seems I need to participate in more trials like this in the future to grow faster.

After resting for about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, the two got up and walked towards the exit of the Secret Realm. They knew that Senior Pangu was waiting outside the Secret Realm, and they needed to refine their gains as soon as possible to improve their strength and prepare for the impending Heaven Opening tribulation.

As the two walked out of the Secret Realm, the afterglow of the setting sun shone through the Chaos Airflow, casting long shadows of their figures. Although they didn't obtain the Innate Spirit Treasure they most desired, the law fragments in their hands and their full storage bags proved the value of this trip to the Secret Realm. Their battle with the Chaos Thunder Leopard and their cooperation during the Five Elements Trial had also deepened their tacit understanding, laying a solid foundation for future battles side-by-side.