The Secret Realm Was About to Open
One hour later.
Zhu Yin relayed a message to Song Wen.
[I searched the entire sect's Classics Pavilion, but there weren't many records about Illusory Spirit Valley.]
Next, Zhu Yin roughly recounted the intelligence she had gathered to Song Wen.
Illusory Spirit Valley is a secret realm completely controlled by the Two Forms Sect. Its exact location and opening time are unknown.
The only useful information Zhu Yin received was that only cultivators with Golden Core cultivation or below could enter the Illusory Spirit Valley Secret Realm, and the number of people allowed to enter was limited.
Therefore, in order to obtain more treasures from the Illusory Spirit Valley, the Two Forms Sect only allows Golden Core stage cultivators to enter the Illusory Spirit Valley each time it opens.
"[There's too little information. Can you get more intelligence?]" Song Wen asked.
I'll give it a try.
Zhu Yin replied, then pressed for an answer.
[Are you planning to enter Illusory Spirit Valley? According to the records, the Two Forms Sect has never allowed outsiders to enter Illusory Spirit Valley.]
Song Wen said, "[We don't necessarily have to enter the Illusory Spirit Valley to obtain the Purple Salvia Root. We can try to find a way by talking to people who have entered the Illusory Spirit Valley. But it's always good to get more information about the Illusory Spirit Valley.]"
After ending his communication with Zhu Yin, Song Wen bought a batch of Demon Beast souls and auxiliary spirit medicine needed for cultivating the <Undying True Corpse Transformation> in the market, and then returned to Extreme Yin Island.
Song Wen did not immediately attempt to cultivate the <Undying True Corpse Transformation>, but instead began to study and comprehend the Cultivation Method.
At the same time, it devours the souls of Demon Beast, further solidifying the Foundation of its Divine Sense power.
Time passed slowly during the cultivation process, and a month went by in the blink of an eye.
That day.
Jing Kai suddenly appeared on the Extreme Yin Island.
He was discovered by the Shadow Gu, which was responsible for monitoring the movements around the island, when he was still dozens of miles away from Extreme Yin Island.
Song Wen arrived at the pavilion on the island's summit a step ahead of everyone else. At the same time, he sent a telepathic message to Jing Kai, asking him to meet him at the pavilion.
"This junior greets the senior," Jing Kai said respectfully as he arrived at the pavilion.
"Young friend Jing, there's no need to be so formal. Please take a seat."
Song Wen, with the demeanor of a kind and senior, even poured Jing Kai a cup of Spirit Tea.
"Thank you, senior."
Seeing Song Wen's courteous treatment, Jing Kai sat down and expressed his gratitude.
After Jing Kai his tea, Song Wen poured him another cup and asked him a question.
"Young friend Jing, you've come all this way specifically because there's been any progress regarding the Spirit Candle Fruit?"
"Indeed. I discovered that Han Wu purchased a third-tier concealment formation. I suspect that the Spirit Candle Fruit is about to ripen, and Han Wu is preparing to cover up the abnormal spiritual energy fluctuations it will generate when it Spirit Candle Fruit," Jing Kai.
"Have you found out what the terms were for the trade of the Spirit Candle Fruit Han Wu?" Song Wen asked.
"I have hosted banquets for Han Wu several times to try and build a closer relationship with him. Although I have achieved some success, Han Wu remains tight-lipped about the Spirit Candle Fruit. I have tried to subtly inquire about its existence many times, but Han Wu has not revealed a single word. I was worried that this might backfire, so I did not dare to press him further," Jing Kai.
Upon hearing this, Song Wen pondered for a moment.
"Next time you meet him, just tell him directly that you want to buy the Spirit Candle Fruit."
Jing Kai asked doubtfully, "I'm worried that doing this might alert the enemy."
Song Wen said, "Han Wu is only a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator. The Spirit Candle Fruit is a fourth-grade spirit medicine. He has no use for it and will definitely take it out to trade for Cultivation Resources."
Jing Kai, "I have a guess in my mind, but I don't know if I should say it?"
"Explain."
"This junior suspects that Han Wu has already found a buyer. He's just waiting for the Spirit Candle Fruit to ripen before making the deal."
Song Wen's brows furrowed slightly. "Are you sure?"
Jing Kai shook his head. "This is just a junior's guess."
After a moment's thought, Song Wen said, "That's not impossible."
"If Han Wu has already found another client, what should we do?" Jing Kai asked.
After a moment's thought, Song Wen said, "Don't tell Han Wu that we know he has the Spirit Candle Fruit. I'm worried it will arouse Han Wu and the buyer's suspicion."
After a brief pause, Song Wen continued.
"After you return, continue to approach Han Wu and try to obtain more intelligence. Even if you don't get any valuable information, keep a close watch on Han Wu and make sure he doesn't sell the Spirit Candle Fruit without our knowledge."
Jing Kai nodded. "Yes."
After seeing Jing Kai, Song Wen also went to Limitless Island and arrived at the Flame-Soil Spirit Fields.
Since the Spirit Candle Fruit is about to ripen, he cannot place all his hopes on Jing Kai. He decides to personally monitor Han Wu's movements.
The volcano where the Flame-Soil Spirit Fields is located is no more than a hundred feet high.
The volcano and the surrounding twenty miles are within the spirit field area, which is protected by an array. Those without a pass are not allowed to enter.
According to the information provided by Jing Kai, Han Wu had no dao companion or descendants, and only a master with whom he was not close.
He was truly all alone.
Han Wu lived in the cave abode within the Lingyuan Garden year-round and rarely went out unless absolutely necessary.
Aside from cultivation and planting spirit medicine, Han Wu had no other hobbies.
Song Wen could not find any weaknesses in Han Wu that he could exploit.
Therefore, Song Wen could only wait and see.
Song Wen naturally couldn't enter the Spirit Garden. In order to monitor Han Wu, he could only release two Shadow Gu, hiding them in a low hill in front of the Spirit Garden's gate.
To avoid attracting the attention of high-level cultivators on Limitless Island, Song Wen didn't dare stay near the spirit fields. He disguised himself as a low-level Rogue Cultivator in the Qi Refining Middle Stage and rented a cheap thatched hut on the edge of Shadow City.
To Song Wen's surprise, the next day, the Shadow Gu monitored Han Wu leaving the Spirit Garden and heading towards Shadow City.
Song Wen followed and discovered that Han Wu had gone to Shadow City to keep his appointment with Jing Kai.
During this period, Han Wu only met with Jing Kai and did not have any contact with anyone else.
After the two parted ways, Song Wen contacted Jing Kai.
Jing Kai did not obtain any useful information during this meeting.
There was no progress on the matter of the Spirit Candle Fruit, but good news came from Zhu Yin's side.
It is unknown how she learned that the Illusory Spirit Valley Secret Realm would open in nine months.
[Fellow Daoist, the secret realm is about to open. When shall we go to the Two Forms Sect?] Zhu Yin asked via telegram.
[Right now, I have some urgent matters to attend to and cannot leave for the time being. Fellow Daoist, why don't you go ahead and gather information?] Song Wen said.
[What business do you have that's more important than the Purple Salvia Root?] Zhu Yin's tone carried a hint of dissatisfaction.
The Purple Salvia Root is crucial for both of them to advance to the Nascent Soul, and cannot be lost.
If you miss this opening of the secret realm, you will have to wait another 60 years for it to open again.
[It will take at least three months, and at most six months. I will definitely reach the Two Forms Sect.]
The rarity of Purple Salvia Root far exceeds that of the Spirit Candle Fruit.
Both Zhu Yin and Yuan Qing obtained the Spirit Candle Fruit. However, after years of searching, Zhu Yin still couldn't find any information about the Purple Salvia Root.
This demonstrates the rarity of Purple Salvia Root.
If the Spirit Candle Fruit in the Flame-Soil Spirit Fields is still not ripe after half a year, Song Wen will have no choice but to go to the Two Forms Sect first.
[I need some time to prepare for this trip. I will set off for the Two Forms Sect in March. By then, I hope your matter will be settled.] Zhu Yin transmitted.