Stepping Stone

The sea of clouds slowly receded from both sides of the flying vessel.

The flying vessel of Xuanxiao Sect had left the sect five days ago, traveling along the main thoroughfare of the Eastern Region toward Tianque City.

Su Mingyuan stood at the edge of the deck. The mountain wind blew from ahead, lifting her white sleeves. She had grown a bit taller, and the vulnerability from when she had first entered the sect had faded from her eyes and brows, replaced by a quiet composure.

She was now at the early stage of Foundation Establishment.

Such cultivation speed was already enough to provoke envy among the new disciples of this intake in Xuanxiao Sect. What was more, as she cultivated further, the special properties of her Heavenly Destiny Spiritual Root manifested more and more.

Ordinary bottlenecks always loosened faster for her than for others. When traveling outside for trials, she frequently encountered various modest opportunities.

Now, among the disciples of Xuanxiao Sect below the Golden Core realm, very few were her match.

Yet Su Mingyuan did not feel it was enough.

Ever since Yun Heng left Xuanxiao Sect, she had cultivated even harder than before.

Yun Heng had formed a core in six months, and had defeated He Zhou—a cultivator at the mid stage of Nascent Soul—while only in the Golden Core realm. That day on the Martial Arena, He Zhou had collapsed beside the stage while Yun Heng still stood there holding her sword.

That scene was like a thorn, forever embedded in her heart.

Footsteps sounded from behind her on the deck.

Su Mingyuan pulled back her thoughts, her expression already returning to normal.

“Junior Sister.”

He Zhou walked up to her side.

His injuries had long healed, and his breath had regained its steady rhythm. It was only that he spoke less than before, though the noble gentleness in his eyes remained.

Daoist Master Xuanwei had yet to emerge from secluded cultivation.

Although Su Mingyuan had joined Xuanwei Peak, she had never actually met this master in person. Her daily techniques, pills, and cultivation tips were still arranged for her by He Zhou.

Seeing her standing alone on the deck, He Zhou asked, “What are you thinking about, Junior Sister?”

Su Mingyuan lowered her eyes and said softly, “I was thinking about the Qingming Secret Realm.”

She turned her head to look at He Zhou.

“Senior Brother, what is inside the Qingming Secret Realm?”

Assuming she was nervous about entering a secret realm for the first time, He Zhou explained patiently, “The Qingming Secret Realm only allows cultivators below Soul Transformation to enter. Most of the opportunities inside consist of spirit plants, spiritual herbs, and heritages useful to cultivators at or below the Nascent Soul realm.”

“Every time the secret realm opens, disciples from various sects, noble clan scions, and rogue cultivators all enter. With so many people, conflict is naturally unavoidable.”

Su Mingyuan listened attentively and nodded gently.

He Zhou continued, “There are also spirit beasts in the secret realm. Some were born inside with unique bloodlines. If one shares a destiny with you and is willing to acknowledge you as its master, you can naturally form a contract with it.”

“However, spirit beasts are not something to be picked at will. If it refuses, you cannot force it. Especially those that have already gained sentience; once angered, they may be even harder to deal with than cultivators of the same rank.”

“Besides that, there are many unexplored hidden places within the secret realm.”

He Zhou looked off toward the distant sea of clouds, his tone darkening slightly.

“Such places either conceal great opportunities or are deadly perils. If you truly encounter one, you must never venture in alone. Be sure to consult with me first.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Su Mingyuan replied earnestly, though her thoughts had long drifted elsewhere.

What was inside the Qingming Secret Realm? Of course she knew.

In the original book, this was the first great opportunity she obtained after leaving Xuanxiao Sect.

She would find a Qingming Spirit Seed in the secret realm. That spirit seed could breach the Ancient Vine Array and also nourish spiritual roots while stabilizing good fortune.

More importantly, trapped inside the Ancient Vine Array was a man—Xie Wujiu.

The direct Eldest Disciple of Taihua Sword Sect, possessing a natural sword bone. He formed a core at seventeen, clashed swords with Nascent Soul cultivators at twenty, and was currently the number one genius of the Eastern Region.

In the original book, she used the Qingming Spirit Seed to break the Ancient Vine Array and rescued the gravely injured Xie Wujiu. From then on, she gained the backing and protection of Taihua Sword Sect.

He Zhou was indeed very good to her.

When she had first arrived at Xuanwei Peak, it was He Zhou who explained and broke down techniques for her time after time. When she lacked pills, He Zhou personally delivered them. Even her spot for the Qingming Secret Realm this time had been secured by He Zhou fighting for her with the sect.

Yet all of this was not enough. He Zhou was merely the Eldest Disciple of Xuanxiao Sect.

Xie Wujiu was different.

Behind him stood Taihua Sword Sect, and he himself was the genuine top genius of the Eastern Region. Whether in reputation, strength, or the future help he could provide her, He Zhou could not compare.

Su Mingyuan stared toward the edge of the clouds, her gaze darkening bit by bit.

This time, she could never allow events to stray from the original book again.

The Qingming Spirit Seed had to be hers, and Xie Wujiu had to be rescued by her.

“Mingyuan.”

He Zhou's voice suddenly reached her ears.

Su Mingyuan snapped back to reality, realizing she had been staring into the distance for a long time.

Seeing her solemn expression, He Zhou assumed she had grown fearful after hearing about the dangers in the secret realm.

He let out a soft laugh, his tone much gentler than before.

“There's no need to worry.”

“With your talent, ordinary dangers will pose no trouble. Besides, I am here. Once we enter the secret realm, I will protect you.”

The darkness in her eyes quickly scattered, a gentle smile returning to her lips.

“Thank you, Senior Brother.”

A disciple's voice called out from the front of the flying vessel.

Su Mingyuan raised her head.

The flying vessel passed through the final layer of cloud and mist, gradually slowing down. Below, the mountain forests and roads became clear once more, and the complete outline of that massive city in the distance finally came into view.

Tianque City's walls towered high, its blue-black bricks extending to both sides with almost no end in sight. Golden array runes flickered erratically along the walls, while cultivators streamed endlessly outside the gates. Spirit beast carriages, merchant caravans, and flying vessels packed the open ground outside the city.

Su Mingyuan stared in awe. She had only ever seen Tianque City on sect maps and in books.

Linxiao City was built around Xuanxiao Sect and was considered bustling in the Eastern Region. Yet compared to the Tianque City before her eyes, Linxiao City seemed far smaller.

The flying vessel jolted slightly, finally settling on an open plot outside Tianque City designated specifically for sect flying vessels.

Grand Elder He Lansong was the first to step off the flying vessel.

For the opening of the Qingming Secret Realm, Xuanxiao Sect had brought twenty direct disciples in total. Aside from Su Mingyuan and He Zhou, there were also disciples from Cangjian Peak, Qinglan Peak, Danxia Peak, and Lingshu Peak.

The crowd followed behind He Lansong, disembarking from the vessel one after another.

Upon seeing the Xuanxiao Sect crest, the city guard cultivators quickly stepped forward to verify the register. After confirming everything was in order, they allowed them directly into the city.

As Su Mingyuan crossed through the city gates, she couldn't help looking around.

A wide thoroughfare stretched to the horizon, flanked by multi-storied pavilions adorned with spiritual lanterns dangling from their eaves. Shops selling pills, talismans, and magic treasures lined the streets, and carriages pulled by spirit beasts she had never seen before passed by her side.

The cultivation levels of the passing cultivators were also much higher than those in Linxiao City.

Foundation Establishment cultivators, who were considered outstanding among Xuanxiao Sect disciples, were unimposing here. Golden Core cultivators could occasionally be seen along the avenue, and even Nascent Soul cultivators passed by in the distance.

Truly worthy of being the number one city in the Eastern Region.

A touch of novelty appeared in Su Mingyuan's eyes. Just as she was sizing up a nine-story tower in the distance, two cultivators happened to pass by her side.

Their voices weren't particularly loud, but they happened to fall right into Su Mingyuan's ears.