Qin Yu did not immediately reach out. He stared at the approaching black celestial book, and a slight tremor inexplicably arose deep within his Fate Soul. It was not repulsion, nor even the alertness one would feel when danger was approaching.
In the depths of his being, he could indeed sense that there was some unrevealed connection between himself and the heavenly book before him, a book that even Wanyan had never been able to fully comprehend.
Qin Yu remained silent for a moment, then solemnly extended both hands to accept the Heavenly Book. "Since that's the case," he bowed to Wanyan, his expression solemn and respectful, "Then this junior will humbly accept your offer. Thank you, senior."
Wanyan nodded with a smile. After Qin Yu carefully put away the Heavenly Book, he continued, "There's one more thing."
Qin Yu raised his eyes. Wanyan's smile faded slightly. "Young friend, the Being As It Is Secret Realm the Venerable of the Great Dao's Root and Fruit personally sealed years ago has now opened. I presume you already knew of this on your way back."
Qin Yu nodded. "I've already heard about it."
Wanyan stood with his hands behind his back, the azure Dao ring behind him slowly swirling. "Regarding that secret realm, I don't know how much others know. But there's one thing I can be certain of."
Qin Yu's gaze turned serious. Wanyan slowly said, "Back then, the Venerable of the Great Dao's Root and Fruit did indeed leave behind three mysterious items in the secret realm behind that ancient gate."
A few moments of silence fell over the restricted area. "Three items?" Qin Yu's eyes flickered slightly.
"Indeed." Wanyan nodded slightly. "This is information left behind by our clan's ancestor." He paused for a moment, then added, "However, the ancestor's records also mentioned an extremely strange matter."
Qin Yu looked at him. Wanyan's eyes deepened. "Besides those three mysterious items... there's actually a fourth one. But what exactly it is, the ancestor didn't leave an answer. Or rather—" Wanyan gently shook his head, "To this day, no one truly knows."
Qin Yu's heart skipped a beat. Three known mysterious objects, and one that even the ancestor of the Wanyan clan couldn't identify.
Wanyan looked at Qin Yu and said solemnly, "Therefore, if you are going to the Being As It Is Secret Realm this time, young friend, you might as well explore it further. Perhaps you will find something."
Qin Yu remained silent for a moment, memorizing those words, then clasped his hands in a fist salute to Wanyan. "Thank you for informing me, Senior." A faint smile returned to his face, his words filled with genuine gratitude. "Since the matter entrusted to me by Senior has been completed, I will not disturb you any longer."
Wanyan looked at the young man before him and gently waved his hand. "Go, young friend."
Qin Yu bowed again. Wanyan smiled gently. "I wish you good fortune on your journey." He glanced at Qin Yu, "And that you will obtain—that thing."
Qin Yu's eyes flickered slightly, but he didn't press further. "Thank you for your kind words, Senior."
Having said that, he slowly took a step back and bowed respectfully to Wanyan. Then he turned around. His black clothes swayed gently with his steps as Qin Yu walked along the path he had come from towards the edge of the forbidden area behind the mountain. His figure gradually disappeared into the distance, and Wanyan also slowly vanished.
The ancient Daoist atmosphere of the forbidden area behind the mountain gradually dissipated as Qin Yu stepped out. The layers of mist that shrouded the mountain path ahead were gently lifted by the mountain breeze, and the complete outline of the Chi Lineage land once again came into clear view.
As Qin Yu stepped out of the last restricted area, he saw Chi Boqian and Chi Lanyue still standing there quietly waiting, not having left first. Chi Lanyue looked up at him first, seeing that he looked Anran and clear-headed, without the slightest abnormality, and then smiled gently, "You're out?" Qin Yu bowed and said humbly, "Thank you for waiting so long, seniors."
Chi Boqian waved his hand and said gently, "It's alright, we didn't wait long." The two then exchanged a few pleasantries, mentioning that Qin Yu had been away from the Chi Lineage for two years and returned just as the world in the Eternal Nonexistence Limitless Domain underwent a change. They also talked about how the entire Chi Lineage was now making preparations for their trip to the secret realm of the Primordial Grave.
Throughout the entire process, no one mentioned Wanyan, nor did anyone inquire about what Qin Yu had given or gained within the restricted area. Chi Boqian and Chi Lanyue knew what they were doing; this was a secret opportunity between Qin Yu and Wanyan, which Wanyan had never mentioned to anyone, so they would not rashly inquire or overstep their bounds.
A moment later, Chi Lanyue was still preoccupied with important clan matters and could not continue to see him off. Qin Yu bowed again and respectfully took his leave. Then, he and Chi Boqian followed the mountain path they had come from and slowly walked towards the ancestral palace complex.
The mountain wind swept through the forest of steles along the way, rustling softly. In the distance, members of the Chi Family Lineage flew by from time to time. The entire ancestral land was filled with a tense atmosphere of preparation, Being As It Is Secret Realm.
Two years had passed since Qin Yu's departure. He had been deeply immersed in the Wanyan Ancestral Land of Wanyan, undergoing numerous trials of the six senses, each step fraught with life-or-death danger, completely isolated from the outside world. Now, returning to the Chi Lineage's ancestral homeland, two familiar figures naturally came to mind. He turned to look at Chi Boqian beside him and softly asked, "Senior, how are my two dear friends doing now?"
Upon hearing this, Chi Boqian instantly understood, his brows relaxing as he replied gently, "You can rest assured, they have both fully recovered and their cultivation has been restored." Qin Yu paused slightly, a hint of concern in his eyes. Chi Boqian continued, "When the two were seriously injured, the Supreme Elder, upon learning the reason, personally bestowed upon them two 'Primordial Annihilation Condensation Pill.' Nourished by such a treasure, their injuries healed extremely quickly, without leaving any hidden ailments or lingering problems."
Qin Yu's gaze suddenly sharpened, and waves of emotion surged within him. He was well aware of the preciousness of the Primordial Annihilation Condensation Pill. A single pill was already a rare and top-tier healing elixir in the world, and the fact that two were bestowed together made its value comparable to the Dreamplay Beads, a divine elixir of recovery.
As the Supreme Elder of the Chi Lineage, Chi Lanyue had no deep personal relationship with the two juniors, yet she spared no effort to take care of them by using precious treasures. This kindness far exceeded the care shown by ordinary sects. Qin Yu did not look back at the entrance to the forbidden area hidden in the thick fog of the back mountain. He silently kept this profound affection in his heart, and the gratitude in his eyes grew even deeper.
Chi Boqian, observing this, smiled slightly, "There's another piece of good news that will surely please you." Qin Yu turned his gaze, waiting for him to continue. "Now, your two close friends have already joined the ranks of stewards in my Chi Lineage."
Chi Boqian walked slowly with his hands behind his back, his brows full of approval. "The two of them each manage tens of thousands of disciples in their clans. They have never slacked off in the past two years, their cultivation has improved steadily, and they have handled clan affairs properly, earning the deep trust of the clan elders and disciples."
Upon hearing this, Qin Yu's brows relaxed completely, and a warm feeling slowly flowed from the bottom of his heart. Two years ago, when they parted, the two of them were seriously injured and faced dangerous situations. Now, they have not only fully recovered, but have also firmly established themselves in the Chi Lineage and held important positions.
For Qin Yu, who had just endured two years of life-or-death trials in the forbidden zone and undergone countless hardships, this was the most touching piece of good news since his return. He solemnly cupped his hands and sincerely said, "Thank you for taking care of us both along the way, senior."
Upon hearing this, Chi Boqian waved his hands repeatedly. "That's not true. This good fortune is not entirely due to me. It is all earned through their own diligence and hard work. The position of steward in my Chi Lineage carries great power and responsibility and is under the spotlight. It is difficult to hold onto it firmly by relying solely on the help of others."
He turned to look at Qin Yu, his smile deepening, his tone carrying a hint of expectation, "Moreover, you have always been the benchmark they strive to reach and aspire to be in their lives." Qin Yu was slightly taken aback, then smiled faintly, without responding.
The two walked slowly, and after a while, Chi Boqian finally brought up the most important matter in the Eternal Nonexistence Limitless Domain. "Fellow Daoist Qin," he said seriously, "When do you plan to set off for the Ancient Gate Secret Realm?"
The warmth and smile on Qin Yu's face slowly faded. After a moment's thought, his tone was steady and resolute. "Tomorrow, I will set off tomorrow." Chi Boqian nodded slightly, about to reply, "That's perfect, the second team in the clan..."
"But senior," Qin Yu interrupted at the opportune moment, his expression solemn, "I do not intend to accompany the Chi Lineage's group on this trip to the secret realm." Chi Boqian's eyebrows twitched slightly, a look of surprise on his face. Qin Yu raised his eyes to look at the continuous, staggered forest of steles ahead, his gaze calm and profound: "I plan to change my appearance and go to the Primordial Grave alone." "Disguised and traveling alone?" Chi Boqian was slightly surprised. "That's right."
Qin Yu nodded slowly and slowly explained the reason, "On the way back from the Wanyan Ancestral Land, I casually asked a cultivator at the Eternal Silence Realm Initial Stage about the Ancient Sect Secret Realm, and he recognized me at a glance."
If even a complete stranger from beyond the realm can cause such a reaction, it's clear that my current reputation is far from a good thing. Right now, powerful figures from all sides of the Eternal Nonexistence Limitless Domain are gathering and heading towards the Primordial Grave. The situation within the secret realm is unpredictable, with all races and reclusive cultivators converging.
If I were to enter the arena with the Chi Lineage's group in my true form, I would become the center of attention from the moment I stepped into the Primordial Grave. Being too conspicuous would easily attract unwanted covetousness and conflict.