Previously, Han Xuanji pursued a more stable approach to cultivation, but now that he knows about the crisis of the beast tide, and that there may be even more variables in the future, he needs to try to improve himself as quickly as possible.
"Time is precious..."
As Han Xuanji pondered, he had already stepped into the secret realm, and the world before him suddenly changed.
The gray-white mist in the canyon disappeared, replaced by a vast and strange space.
Han Xuanji stopped in his tracks, his gaze sweeping over his surroundings, a slight tremor running through him.
The sky was gray and devoid of the sun, moon, and stars.
The air was filled with a dense power of life and death, two completely opposite forces intertwined and entangled, like an invisible net that enveloped the entire world, and the cultivators who entered the secret realm could clearly feel the discomfort.
The scenery of the secret realm is extremely breathtaking. To the left is a desolate wasteland, barren of vegetation, with a gray-black river flowing through it, exuding an aura of decay and death.
Deep in the wasteland, shadowy figures could be vaguely seen moving about. Their nature was unknown; they seemed neither living beings nor ghosts.
On the right, however, lies a vibrant oasis, lush with vegetation, blooming with flowers, babbling brooks, and even mythical beasts roaming among the trees, brimming with the breath of life.
On one side is death, on the other is life.
Separated only by an invisible boundary, the two present two completely different worlds.
"This..."
Han Xuanji murmured softly,
"It's hard to believe this actually exists."
Hun Qianling stood beside him, smiling smugly:
"Everyone who comes here for the first time has this expression. The reason why the Life and Death Ravine is called the Life and Death Ravine and Death is because of this extreme contrast."
The ancestor who left behind this legacy is said to have attained enlightenment at this juncture between life and death.
Han Xuanji nodded, his gaze shifting from the distance to the dividing line.
He could sense that the line was not stationary, but was moving slowly.
The forces of life and death erode and transform into each other, like two giant pythons locked in a fierce battle, one waxing as the other wanes, never ceasing.
The cultivators who entered the secret realm were also warned not to disrupt this balance, or they might cause disaster.
"Let's go, we'll head straight to the core area."
Han Xuanji withdrew her gaze, her tone calm.
Hun Qianling was taken aback. "Go straight there? Why don't we explore the outer areas first?"
"No need."
Han Xuanji shook his head. "These fortuitous opportunity in peripheral areas are of little use to me."
Hun Qianling opened her mouth, but then stopped herself from speaking.
She knew, of course, that Han Xuanji had come for the core inheritance, but as is customary, most cultivators who entered the Life and Death Ravine would first undergo some training in the peripheral areas.
There are many unique products here, all special resources nourished by the Daoist principles of life and death, and occasionally relics of our predecessors can be found.
Selling these items will at least recoup the cost of the entrance fee, so we'll break even.
Of course, Han Xuanji didn't care about any of that.
I know you don't care about that little bit of fortuitous opportunity.
Hun Qianling carefully considered her words and slowly said:
"But the inheritance of the core place tests one's level of understanding of the principles of Dao Principle of Life and Death."
If you rush over there rashly, what if... I mean, what if you can't understand it? Wouldn't that be a wasted trip?
"It would be better to first find a few fortuitous opportunity spots on the outskirts to comprehend the Dao Principle of Life and Death, and then go to the core to seize the inheritance; that way, the chances of success are much greater."
What she said made sense, and her tone was sincere; she meant no harm.
Han Xuanji glanced at her, offered no further explanation, and said calmly:
"Let's give it a try. It's okay if we fail."
Hun Qianling stared at him for a few moments, then finally sighed and said no more.
She understood Han Xuanji quite well. Although he seemed easygoing, once he made a decision, he wouldn't easily waver.
"Okay, whatever you say."
Hun Qianling shrugged helplessly.
Han Xuanji nodded.
As a secret realm controlled by the Soul Household, there are naturally shortcuts available.
Of course, if you don't have the ability, even if you take a shortcut to the core area, it's meaningless.
The two sped along the boundary between life and death, heading deeper into the secret realm.
Along the way, other cultivators who had entered the secret realm saw them one after another.
Some people stopped in surprise, some whispered among themselves, and others looked puzzled.
"That's... Young Master Han? Why is he heading straight into the depths?"
"Isn't that the direction of the core area? Shouldn't he train in the peripheral areas first?"
"He's a prodigy, different from us. Maybe he has his own plans."
"Plans? Even the grandest plans have to be taken one step at a time. The inheritance of the Dao of Life and Death isn't something that can be obtained so easily."
"Tsk, they helped us, so let's not talk behind their backs."
The murmurs gradually faded away, but Han Xuanji paid them no heed.
Meanwhile, outside the secret realm.
Several clan elders were observing the situation within the secret realm through a projection sphere.
An elderly clansman with white hair shook his head and sighed:
"This child is too impatient. The inheritance of the Dao of Life and Death is not so easily obtained. He may have exceptional talent in the Dao of the Five Elements, but that doesn't mean he will have a smooth journey in the Dao of Life and Death."
"Yes."
Another elder chimed in, "There are no shortcuts to the trials of the core area. Rushing in recklessly could lead to dire consequences."
Hun Pojun stood with his hands behind his back, calmly watching Han Xuanji's back in the light screen, without saying a word.
Should I remind you?
An elder asked.
Hun Pojun said calmly:
"No need. Qianxue instructed that as long as his life isn't in danger, let him go on his own."
In short, it's not a bad thing for young talents to experience some hardship.
"That's true."
The elder nodded. "With his talent, even if he can't comprehend it this time, there won't be any loss. We can extend the opening time of the secret realm for him until he succeeds."
"Don't forget, when he reached the top of the Five Elements Heavenly Stairway Ladder, everyone thought it was impossible."
Another elder suddenly spoke up:
"And what happened? They didn't stop for a second; they just walked straight up."
The scene fell silent for a moment. The elders exchanged glances but said nothing more.
Their mission was to protect the secret realm and keep an eye on Han Xuanji's safety. To be honest, whatever decisions he made were none of their business; they would just observe and wait.
"Taking shortcuts is fast..."
Han Xuanji was in a good mood, thanks to the fact that this was Soul Household territory, so they didn't have to waste time on the outer areas.
He's S-Rank Talent from the Soul Household, so what if he has some privileges?
In the simulation, without a system to rely on, he naturally didn't take any shortcuts, but instead took a relatively dangerous path to reach the core area.
This time, he naturally didn't need to waste his time.
The two soon arrived at the depths of the secret realm, which was also the core area of the secret realm.
Although it is called the core area, it is actually an area shrouded in an invisible restriction.
The Daoist aura of life and death here is more than ten times stronger than that of the outer area. Two invisible forces are fiercely clashing in the air, and the oppressive force in the air is as heavy as a mountain, making it difficult for people to breathe.
Standing at the edge of the barrier, Han Xuanji saw an ancient stone palace located in the center of the core area.
The stone hall was small, constructed entirely of dark gray stone. The doors were tightly shut, and two large ancient seal characters were carved above the lintel.
"Life and death".
The handwriting is vigorous and powerful, with a subtle sense of life and death flowing between the strokes, which can stir one's soul at a glance.
The stone hall was surrounded by a barren open space, the ground smooth as a mirror, reflecting the hazy sunlight.
Several skeletons lay scattered on the open ground, left behind by some cultivator who had intruded at some unknown time. Their bodies remained in the postures of their struggles in life, sending chills down one's spine.
"That is the place of inheritance. Normally, to receive the inheritance, one must pass through the restrictions and undergo trials. The Soul Household cannot directly grant someone the inheritance."
Han Xuanji thought to himself.