Secret Realm (3)

Afterward, Shen Yuxi and Wen Jian found themselves in the difficult predicament of fighting as they fled.

Within this secret realm, communication artifacts were like phones with no signal—completely useless.

Even the voice-transmission stones that the Profound Heaven Sect's direct disciples always carried for emergencies had failed without warning. They could only rely on their own two legs, run for it, and gamble on whether they might run into someone.

Shen Yuxi did not know what the other sects were doing, but his own bunch would definitely come over to see what was happening if they spotted any excitement.

Thus, Shen Yuxi immediately made up his mind. Given the current situation, he would not be able to shake off this troublesome demonic beast anytime soon. Rather than that, he might as well fight while retreating and hope the sounds of battle would draw reinforcements.

Shen Yuxi had hesitated over whether to stake everything on a fight. With his strength, if he went all out, it was not as though he had no chance of battling it.

But when he thought of having taken three trips to the gates of hell in less than half a year, it rubbed him the wrong way. Did he really think the underworld was some five-star tourist attraction? Was he getting addicted to visiting?

With that in mind, he still chose to retreat for the moment in order to advance later, preserving his strength.

Because his cultivation was still too shallow, Wen Jian could not yet calmly handle such an intense battle while flying on a sword.

Seeing this, Shen Yuxi did not waste a word. He simply carried him upright in his arms, poured spiritual power beneath his feet, and drove the flying sword forward like an arrow loosed from the string. The sword threaded through the dense forest, while wind blades fired by the demonic beast from behind skimmed past them from time to time. Danger lurked at every turn.

Shen Yuxi dodged the attacks by a hair's breadth time and again, but several wind blades still mercilessly sliced across his body, leaving savage wounds on his arms and back. Bright red blood seeped out in streams, quickly staining his clothes. Yet he had no time to care about the pain. His sole thought was to take Wen Jian out of danger.

Though he did his utmost to remain calm, the prolonged, high-intensity escape and frequent counterattacks had already drained too much of Shen Yuxi's spiritual power, and his strength was gradually failing. His breathing became rapid and heavy. Beads of sweat as large as beans covered his forehead, rolling down his cheeks and soaking his robes.

Wen Jian saw Shen Yuxi's condition and was frantic with worry. He knew full well that Shen Yuxi had already exerted every last ounce of strength to protect him.

Without sparing another thought, he hurriedly rummaged through his storage pouch, found a pill that replenished spiritual power, and held it to Shen Yuxi's lips. "Second Senior Brother, hurry and take a pill to restore your spiritual power!"

Shen Yuxi swallowed the pill in one gulp. It melted the instant it entered his mouth, turning into a warm current that swiftly coursed through his limbs and bones, restoring a trace of vitality to his nearly depleted spiritual power. He took a deep breath, forced himself to rally, and continued driving the flying sword at full speed down this perilous road of escape.

After narrowly avoiding the demonic beast's attack once more, Shen Yuxi pulled at his wounds with the excessive movement of his dodge. He squeezed his eyes shut, fury surging into his heart. "Damn it, so what if I'm a repeat customer of the underworld?! I fucking like it there! You mangy bastard, if I don't show you some color, you'll really think I'm easy to bully!"

Just as he was about to raise his sword and strike, a familiar fluctuation of spiritual power suddenly arrived. At the same time, a furious shout rang in his ears—

"Get down!"

A fierce sword light flashed toward them like lightning. No one knew where it had come from, and it was so fast that there was no time to react.

Shen Yuxi responded instantly. He hurriedly pressed down with the spiritual power beneath his feet, and he and his flying sword plummeted sharply downward. At the same time, he arched backward like a crescent moon, narrowly evading the fatal blow.

The attack he avoided struck the demonic beast that had been relentlessly pursuing them, dead on.

A furious roar that shook heaven and earth rang out. The demonic beast had clearly been enraged by the sudden attack, its eyes instantly turning blood-red like two burning flames.

The newcomer gave it no chance to retaliate. He gathered every shred of spiritual power in his body into the wooden sword in his hand. Amid the howling gale, the left side of his forehead, usually hidden beneath his long hair, was revealed. The peach blossom pattern there was clearly visible, and the color of two petals was gradually fading.

Vast spiritual power surged from him like a raging sea. When the demonic beast lunged at him with fangs bared and claws brandished, he actually used that overwhelming power to ruthlessly suppress the fierce offensive of this Nascent Soul Realm demonic beast.

"Seventh Junior Brother, I fucking love you!!"

With light at the end of the tunnel, they had finally held on until one of their little brats from home arrived. Seeing this, Shen Yuxi could not help roaring in his heart.

Ye Jingxuan had been fully focused on confronting the demonic beast, his nerves stretched taut. Caught off guard by Shen Yuxi's earth-shaking shout, his hand trembled in fright, and his previously sure-win attack immediately lost its aim.

The demonic beast seized that rare opening and launched a savage counterattack, moving as fast as an afterimage.

Ye Jingxuan felt a foul wind rush into his face and inwardly cried out that things were bad. He hurriedly twisted aside, but the demonic beast's claws still grazed his shoulder. His clothes were instantly torn apart, revealing a shallow bloody mark.

The attack broke him out in a cold sweat. Shocked and enraged, he gritted his teeth. "Second Senior Brother!!!"

If you met Eldest Senior Brother when you were at the end of your rope, do not celebrate too soon. On the contrary, you had to turn around and run immediately.

The trope told them that if they encountered a lone Long Aotian, then he was most likely either fleeing right now or about to embark on the road of escape. Behind him, there was bound to be an even stronger enemy hot on his heels.

If you still foolishly went up to him in that situation, you were undoubtedly seeking your own death.

But if you met Seventh Junior Brother when there was no way out, congratulations—you could consider your life saved.

In stories, someone gentle and considerate, more popular than the male lead, competent and handsome, without many enemies, and able to thrive anywhere was usually called the devoted second male lead. And aside from the male and female leads, a devoted second male lead generally did not have to take anyone's crap.

Although Seventh Junior Brother did not have the character setting of a devoted second male lead, as a professional rear guard, a model supporting character who saved the dying and helped the wounded in numbers comparable to a medical cultivator, once you encountered him, your troubles were as good as over.

—Did they understand the sheer value of the Profound Heaven Sect disciples of this generation having no defeats through the early and middle stages? Did they understand the peace of mind that came from having no worries behind them?!

Wen Jian did not understand. Not in the slightest.

During their escape, he had been able to clearly feel that Second Senior Brother's condition was worsening by the moment.

Shen Yuxi had expended an enormous amount of spiritual power and was wounded, yet even so, when facing that relentlessly pursuing and extraordinarily vicious spirit beast, Shen Yuxi tightened the arm holding him. In that instant, Wen Jian immediately realized that Second Senior Brother was planning to risk his life.

His heart abruptly clenched. For a moment, all manner of emotions filled his chest, aching and stifling—this was caused by worry and shame.

Then, at that critical moment, Seventh Senior Brother's familiar voice suddenly came. Upon hearing it, Shen Yuxi gave up on risking his life.

But Wen Jian felt as if his mind had gone blank, as though rusted over and temporarily unable to think—because, at such close range, Shen Yuxi's thunderous inner voice had shaken him to the core, dealing double damage to both his eardrums and his mind.

Now that Wen Jian had finally recovered his senses, he only felt unbearably stifled, wanting to speak yet unable to, wanting to cry yet having no tears—because the strange expression on Lin Huaixu's face after arriving had infuriated him.

Lin Huaixu had indeed arrived a little late, but he had not missed Shen Yuxi's confession, which had been as earth-shattering as a stone crashing into the sky.

With a single glance, he saw his somewhat bedraggled Second Senior Brother still tightly holding Ninth Junior Brother in his arms. Meanwhile, Shen Yuxi's bell-like inner voice still buzzed through his mind, having shaken his soul just moments ago.

He subconsciously swept his gaze around. Eldest Senior Brother, who had been nowhere to be seen since they entered the secret realm, was still nowhere in sight.

Lin Huaixu's mood became complicated as well, and he could not help muttering inwardly, ...Second Senior Brother, you really play this wildly...

Though Lin Huaixu had always been carefree, open-minded, and well-traveled, he was still thoroughly stunned by the sight before him. His mind could not help wandering—

If Sect Leader Martial Uncle learns about this, he'll probably stomp his feet in fury. Second Senior Brother not only likes picking the grass by the nest, he's got one in his arms, one on his mind, and one kept outside. Our Profound Heaven Sect is doomed sooner or later.

Wen Jian, whose head was splitting from Shen Yuxi's inner voice nearly piercing the heavens at such close range, was now covered in black lines.

At first, he had not noticed exactly what was wrong. But when Lin Huaixu stared at him with that peculiar gaze, he instinctively lowered his head and saw Second Senior Brother still clutching him tightly. Wen Jian understood something, and his face darkened even further.

Wen Jian felt as though he had carelessly stepped into some absurd and bizarre story. His mind was a pot of porridge, his heart filled with helpless bewilderment.

Especially when his eyes accidentally met Lin Huaixu's, seeing the teasing, mocking, and faintly inscrutable meaning in the other's gaze made that feeling grow even stronger, like thorns pressing against his back.

Wen Jian's scalp went numb, and a wave of powerlessness rose in his heart. He could not help sighing silently, ...If I say I'm actually not in this story, is it still too late?

As if their hearts were linked, Lin Huaixu's half-smiling gaze seemed to answer him—Too late.

Not a single word passed between them. Yet through that meeting of eyes alone, they perfectly understood each other's thoughts, and an indescribably bizarre atmosphere filled the air.

Though Shen Yuxi's thoughts jumped about, his movements were clean and decisive, without the slightest hesitation or ambiguity. He steadily set Wen Jian down, his expression grave and solemn as he instructed him word by word, "Be careful."

With that, he kicked hard off the ground, shooting forward like an arrow without hesitation toward the eagle-shaped demonic beast that was fiercely confronting Ye Jingxuan.

At that moment, the afterglow of the setting sun fell at just the right angle, yet was finely sifted through the spreading mist. Gray, hazy sunset light fell over the longsword in his hand, and its blade gleamed with a cold radiance, like a pool of autumn water and frost beneath a winter night. The light itself seemed to tremble excitedly for the battle to come, faintly gathering fierce Sword Qi as if provoking the savage demonic beast.

Lin Huaixu had originally been watching the excitement with great interest, secretly regretting that he had not had enough of the show before they had to start fighting and killing. But he also knew that this urgent situation was plainly no time to keep watching.

He let out a soft sigh and leisurely flicked his folding fan. Spiritual power spilled from its tip, transforming into a white gleam that curled around him like a nimble roaming dragon. Then, he sprang into the air like a bird and joined the battle.

The three swiftly formed an encirclement and attacked the eagle-shaped demonic beast together.

Shen Yuxi's swordsmanship was incomparably fierce. Every thrust carried the howl of wind splitting apart, like a savage gale, each strike aimed directly at the demonic beast's vital points. Wherever the blade passed, the air seemed to be cut apart by a sharp edge, producing hissing sounds.

Ye Jingxuan coordinated flawlessly with Shen Yuxi, attacking whenever an opening appeared between Shen Yuxi's sword moves.

Like the fingers of a passionate woman brushing across flower petals, each of his movements seemed soft and powerless. Yet when his wooden sword descended lightly and swept across the demonic beast's enormous body, it effortlessly tore open the beast's iron-hard hide, delivering fatal strikes with the light grace of a butterfly flitting among flowers.

Lin Huaixu cast spells from the side, his hands dancing like phantoms as he muttered incantations.

Moments later, an enormous chess formation slowly unfolded in the air. Black and white chess pieces shot toward the demonic beast like shooting stars chasing the moon.

As they flew, the pieces constantly shifted position, forming complex trajectories. Some disrupted the demonic beast's movements, some restricted its attacks, and others sealed off its retreat, leaving it unable to attend to one thing without losing another and exhausted from dealing with them.

With the three working together, the eagle-shaped demonic beast, once incomparably fierce and baring fangs and claws, gradually found itself stretched thin and unable to withstand them.

As time passed, more and more wounds appeared on its body. Bright red blood seeped out continuously, dyeing its originally magnificent golden feathers crimson. Its movements also grew increasingly sluggish, and every flap of its wings seemed beyond its strength.

The demonic beast tried to flee several times, only to be blocked by Lin Huaixu. Fury surged into its heart, and it was about to attack him regardless of all else.

But how could Shen Yuxi simply watch it strike at his junior brother? Whenever the demonic beast turned its back to him, he unleashed his ultimate moves without restraint, targeting its wounds every time and beating it until it howled miserably, too overwhelmed to care about anything else.

In the end, not long after, the eagle-shaped demonic beast let out a miserable "Awoo!" Its cry was filled with unwillingness and pain before it fell weakly to the ground like a kite with its string cut, declaring its defeat.

Once the danger was over, everyone let out a breath of relief.

They tacitly began doing their own tasks. Lin Huaixu went to clean up the battlefield and collect valuable materials from the demonic beast for future cultivation. Shen Yuxi hurriedly found a place to sit, closed his eyes, and treated his wounds, regulating the damaged meridians and depleted spiritual power from the battle.

Not far away, Ye Jingxuan sat on a relatively flat stone while Wen Jian crouched beside him, attentively detoxifying him. The eagle-shaped demonic beast's spells inflicted solid, straightforward external wounds, but its claws carried a poison that could paralyze prey.

Ye Jingxuan wore a helpless expression, inwardly complaining that Second Senior Brother could not even choose the right time for one of his episodes. He had really suffered for it. Yet Shen Yuxi himself remained completely unaware.

For a time, though the surroundings had quieted down, the air still retained the tension and exhaustion left behind by the battle.

After resting briefly, the atmosphere gradually eased. Then Shen Yuxi seemed to suddenly recall something and asked, "Have you encountered anyone else?"

Lin Huaixu was gently fanning himself with his paper fan. Hearing Shen Yuxi's question, he thought for a moment before saying, "On the way here, I heard news of Sixth Junior Sister, but it seems no one has seen Eldest Senior Brother. What about Seventh Junior Brother?"

"I haven't seen Eldest Senior Brother either."

"I see." Having confirmed what he wanted to know, Shen Yuxi casually dropped a bombshell. "Mm, it makes sense that you haven't seen him. At this time, Eldest Senior Brother should be in a secret chamber cultivating feelings with the Young Valley Master. A lone man and woman staying together in a secret chamber for three days and three nights—even an iron tree would have to bloom for me!"

The instant those words fell, it was as though a pebble had dropped into a tranquil lake, stirring up a thousand waves.

Lin Huaixu's leisurely fanning suddenly stopped. Ye Jingxuan's inner complaints abruptly cut off. Wen Jian's bandaging hands froze as well, and he unconsciously used a bit too much force, making Ye Jingxuan suck in a breath of pain.

Shen Yuxi refused to believe otherwise. In such a huge dungeon, could the male and female leads' relationship still fail to level up? Could a couple personally designated by the Heavenly Dao be broken apart? Of course not! The reason he had remained so unhurried and composed before was precisely because he knew there was still this crucial plot point!

The Heavenly Dao of the Nine Domains was outrageously willful. Once it decided something, not even ten oxen could drag it back. For example, when he had somehow ended up being pestered by Little Junior Sister before, had not the couple become stable the moment Eldest Senior Brother emerged from seclusion? After Eldest Senior Brother came out, Little Junior Sister had never come looking for him again.

It was the same now. Though Gu Yueyao had previously spared no effort to use a honey trap on Wen Jian for the sake of medical arts from the outer regions, it was ultimately all for her career, without any emotional factors involved! Was that even a problem for the male lead's plot armor?

As long as Eldest Senior Brother and the Young Valley Master entered the secret chamber together, everything afterward would develop along the established track, and the male and female leads' relationship would surely advance steadily in this dungeon. And the variable of people being randomly teleported by the secret realm was simply perfect for the Heavenly Dao to tamper with.

"This secret realm cannot be left through ordinary means at all. Only by successfully activating the secret chamber's mechanism can the passage to the outside be opened. That secret chamber is fraught with danger at every step. Under the suspension bridge effect, the feelings between the two of them are bound to heat up rapidly!"

After hearing Shen Yuxi's words, the three were stunned speechless, staring at one another. In unspoken unison, they thought, Well damn. We were wondering why you had no reaction to their relationship not progressing. So you saw it coming all along and had been waiting for this!

Bonus Scene:

Shen Yuxi: Once the Heavenly Dao decides something, not even ten oxen can drag it back!

Heavenly Dao: ...They brought eleven oxen.

Eldest Senior Brother, who had inexplicably gone from the main carry to the one being kept outside and was not even present: Strange. Why do I feel like someone's talking shit about me? Second Junior Brother wouldn't start talking shit about me the moment he opens his eyes, right? No way, right?

Shen Yuxi: I'm warning you, don't talk nonsense. I'll sue you for slander, you know that? I'll sue you for slander!

/Turning to Ninth Junior Brother: "He's slandering me!"

Wen Jian: ...I can testify that it wasn't Second Senior Brother this time. Eldest Senior Brother, if I tell you who did it, can you go stab him? The kind where I never have to see him again in this life?

Lin Huaixu: Second Senior Brother wasn't talking shit about you, but he was setting you up.

Shen Yuxi: Don't talk nonsense. When it comes to the Heavenly Dao, can you call it setting someone up?

Ye Jingxuan: So what exactly does this story have to do with me? Why am I even here?