Chapter 34.1 - Arc 3: Disaster at Sea | Chapter 34: Market
Translator: Lynn
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After killing Xu Ziqian and Tian Liang, the sword qi dissipated from Xu Zitang’s countenance. Turning towards Xu Ziqing, she expressed her gratitude, saying, “Thank you for your assistance, Xu Zitang is truly grateful.”
Xu Ziqing shook his head and replied, “It was you who eliminated those two villains. I did nothing to aid you.”
Xu Zitang insisted, “Whether it was the jade talisman or the protective magic weapon, they all required spiritual power activation. Without your assistance, I would have perished here.”
Xu Ziqing faintly smiled, choosing not to argue, and said, “Since I am no longer needed, I shall take my leave.”
Xu Zitang was slightly taken aback. She had assumed that this man had recognized her true identity and had only intervened for that reason. However, it appeared that he hadn’t. Gathering her thoughts, she said, “Please, sir, do not be in a hurry.” Pausing briefly, she inquired, “May I ask which family you belong to? I would like to inform my brother upon my return and express my gratitude.” She tactfully omitted to mention the man’s improper attire and indecorum.
Xu Ziqing responded, “There is no need for that. It was just a small deed.”
Xu Zitang was someone who valued debts and grievances, despite being at the seventh level of Qi refinement. She acknowledged the kindness he had shown, even if he claimed it was insignificant.
Observing Xu Ziqing’s intention to depart, she questioned, “Is it because you do not wish to disclose your name?”
Xu Ziqing had never known Xu Zitang to be so probing, as she was usually as cold as ice. Reluctantly, he replied, “Miss Zitang, I am also a member of the Xu family, so there is no need for further inquiries.”
Xu Zitang was taken aback. “I am familiar with all the brothers in the clan who possess a similar level of cultivation to Jun, but…” She scrutinized him coldly and found no resemblance. While the others were arrogant and lofty, this man exuded modesty and calmness, indicating no similarity. Yet, if he wanted to deceive her, he wouldn’t need to rely on the Xu family as a guise. Therefore, he must be hiding something.
Since he was a benefactor and wished to conceal his identity, Xu Zitang refrained from pressing further. She suggested, “In that case, I won’t pry any further. We have less than an hour before leaving the secret realm. Why don’t you accompany me so that we can watch out for each other?”
When Xu Ziqing realized she wouldn’t inquire further, he could no longer refuse and agreed. Xu Zitang searched the two corpses and retrieved their storage bags. Naturally, she offered Xu Ziqing the opportunity to claim his share, but he declined.
The two of them abandoned the pursuit of treasures and secrets, simply walking side by side and occasionally engaging in conversation. Xu Ziqing had been secluded for five years, thus he sought information about the outside world. While Xu Zitang wondered why this gentleman seemed so uninformed, she willingly provided answers. Eventually, she grew suspicious but refrained from addressing her doubts.
During those five years, Xu Ziqing became aware of several significant events that had transpired. Firstly, on the previous journey to the secret realm, the five families suffered heavy losses, with the Xu family being criticized for losing the fewest number of children.
During this period, the Tian Clan initiated a lineage battle against the Xu Clan. They not only hindered the Xu Clan’s various industries but also dispatched patrols to eliminate the Xu Clan’s sons and daughters during their missions. Moreover, they engaged in confrontations with the Xu family during multi-party exchanges among the five families. Although the other three families did not approve of the Tian family’s aggression, they did not come to the aid of the Xu family. Instead, they occasionally took advantage of the situation when the two families clashed.
Initially, the Xu and Tian families had comparable strengths. However, the Tian family suddenly introduced a pill called the “Spirit Promoting Pill.” This pill had the ability to immediately elevate the cultivation level of cultivators above the fifth level of Qi refinement but below the Foundation Establishment stage by one or two layers. For cultivators at the ninth level of Qi refinement, taking this pill could temporarily bring them to a level equivalent to Foundation Establishment. The only drawback was that the pill’s effect would dissipate after two hours, leaving the practitioner weak for three days.
With the aid of this elixir, the Tian Clan gained the upper hand in their rivalry with the Xu Clan. Their sons had to carry this elixir with them whenever they ventured outside.
Subsequently, the family head, Xu Zhengtian, issued a kill order against the Tian clan, leading to constant clashes between members of the two families whenever they encountered each other. The Tian clan had several ninth-level Qi refining cultivators who indiscriminately slaughtered Xu clan members. These individuals were only slightly inferior to Foundation Establishment cultivators, making it impossible for ordinary children to match their strengths. As a result, the Xu Clan had no choice but to leave one or two individuals behind to protect their family, while sending out all their Foundation Establishment cultivators to safeguard their most promising offspring.
Over the course of those five years, a deep-seated feud had developed between the two families, with no possibility of reconciliation for hundreds of years.
Due to the recent arrogance of the Tian family, the Luo, Meng, and Wei families exerted pressure on one another and reached an agreement to prevent any child above the ninth level of Qi refinement from entering the secret realm. This provided some protection for the other children. Furthermore, the elders and heads of the families bestowed their best magic weapons upon Xu Zitang, recognizing his exceptional talent, in order to ensure their survival.
Upon hearing Xu Zitang’s explanation, Xu Ziqing realized why he hadn’t encountered any Foundation Establishment cultivators in the secret realm.
After Xu Zitang finished speaking, a sigh escaped her lips once again. “The control of this secret realm has been in the hands of our five families for a long time. However, with the Tian family’s growing ambition, if they continue on this path… in five years, they might cease sending anyone here.”
Xu Ziqing secretly pondered in his heart that he must escape the secret realm this time. If the sons and daughters truly do not come next year, he would be trapped here, facing certain death.
As they conversed for a while, Xu Zitang noticed the Xu clan’s spirit fire bursting in the sky, which was a signal for their clan members. She couldn’t help but quicken her pace, with Xu Ziqing following closely beside her.
Upon reaching a verdant area, they saw over a dozen individuals dressed in the attire of the Xu clan. Some faces seemed familiar to Xu Ziqing, recognized as fellow Xu clan members.
Xu Zitang maintained a stern expression as she stood side by side with Xu Ziqing. Two individuals, who seemed infatuated with Xu Zitang, cast envious glances in her direction, making Xu Ziqing feel uncomfortable tension. Unaware of the situation, Xu Zitang continued speaking to Xu Ziqing in a gentle manner.
After another half an hour, the ground suddenly trembled, and five portals materialized in the air. These portals stood ten feet high and ten feet wide, resembling gateways to the heavens, visible from any part of the secret realm.
Xu Ziqing remained astounded, but then the portals underwent a sudden transformation.
One of the five gates erupted in a radiant light, and a gentle white glow descended from above, forming a massive light shield that enveloped all the members of the Xu family. Then, the light shield lifted them off the ground and carried them upwards.
Feeling anxious, Xu Ziqing worried that the light might detect something amiss. Fortunately, as the white light touched his body, he only felt a slight warmth without any pain. Naturally, he ascended into the air, floating alongside the others.
Upon witnessing this, Xu Zitang felt a wave of relief. Since the shield functioned without any issues, there was no doubt that this man was indeed a member of the Xu clan.
After a brief moment, the light shield descended and dissipated, returning everyone to the ground. Standing before them was the family head, Xu Zhengtian, who had just sheathed his jade sword.
At this moment, the five families were visibly divided, each occupying their respective positions. The Tian family and the Xu family faced each other. Xu Zhengtian waved his hand and spoke, “Hurry back and do not linger here. Take care on your way.”
In unison, they all replied, “Yes.”
Xu Zhengtian exchanged greetings with Xu Zitang and inquired about the situation. Knowing that there was little he could say to Xu Ziqing, Xu Zitang simply apologized and quickly passed by.
As the last one to depart, Xu Ziqing gradually distanced himself from the others.
Due to the gravity of the circumstances, the Foundation Establishment cultivators had dispatched spirit birds to take their place, utilizing the Royal Wind Technique for travel. They refrained from using magic weapons to conserve their spiritual energy and maintained closer proximity to the ground.
Using an invisibility technique, Xu Ziqing concealed himself from the elders’ notice. He found a large tree along the way to silently hide. Once the others had moved farther away, he swiftly employed the wood evasion technique and hurried off in a different direction.
After Xu Zitang finished recounting the events of the secret realm to Xu Zhengtian, the family head also became interested in Xu Ziqing, but to their surprise, Xu Ziqing vanished before Xu Zitang could bring him in front of the family head.
After Xu Zitang concluded his account of the secret realm to Xu Zhengtian, the family head became intrigued by the person who had saved his life. However, just as Xu Zitang was about to bring Xu Ziqing before the family head, Xu Ziqing vanished without anyone noticing.
Xu Zhengtian was astonished and questioned, “He left without anyone noticing?”
With a sigh, Xu Zitang replied, “That man is a master of disappearing techniques. I have no idea where he came from. He helped me, but he concealed his identity by covering his face. It’s clear that he is a member of our Xu family, but I don’t understand why he had to do that.”
Xu Zhengtian’s expression turned serious as he said, “Since he poses no harm, let’s not concern ourselves with him. However, if you encounter him again in the future, you might be able to recognize him?”
After a moment of contemplation, Xu Zitang responded, “This person’s aura is closely connected to nature, so he is easily recognizable.”
Xu Zhengtian nodded approvingly and said, “Very well.”
While Xu Zicheng and Xu Zitang pondered over the matter, Xu Ziqing finally managed to distance himself from the Xu family. He traveled day and night for hundreds of miles without encountering any danger. Only when he was certain that no one was pursuing him did he remove his mask and let a smile appear on his face.
Relieved, Xu Ziqing sat down in the shade of a tree, aware of the dangers of continuing his journey and the need for caution. Therefore, he always walked under the shade of trees, allowing him to hide among the foliage.
Once seated, he focused his consciousness on his ring, and when he received a response from the person within, Xu Ziqing activated a protective barrier around himself. Suddenly, a man in white appeared before him.
In a pleasant mood, Xu Ziqing looked up and said, “Brother Yun, please have a seat.”
Yun Lie also sat down, facing Xu Ziqing, and stated, “I witnessed everything just now.”
Slightly taken aback, Xu Ziqing smiled and asked, “What are your thoughts, Brother Yun?”
Yun Lie’s expression turned cold as he replied, “You have a good heart, and that’s commendable.” A glimmer of murderous intent flickered in his eyes. “Those who lust for wickedness, those who betray their kin and abandon their friends, they all deserve to die.”
Rarely receiving Yun Lie’s approval, Xu Ziqing felt somewhat pleased and remarked, “Since Brother Yun says so, I suppose I made the right decision.”
Yun Lie nodded slightly and added, “But you are still not strong enough. You must continue to cultivate diligently.”
Knowing that his friend was always straightforward and held no ill will, Xu Ziqing agreed, “Indeed. If it weren’t for Miss Zitang’s trump card, I would have been in grave danger this time.” Saving someone while endangering oneself would have been extremely unwise.
Yun Lie proceeded to point out the mistakes Xu Ziqing had made during his confrontation with others, cautioning him to avoid repeating them. He also warned, “You possess the demon vine, which should offer you some defense. However, if you let your guard down, you might be swayed and fall onto a demonic path.”
Filled with horror, Xu Ziqing immediately contemplated his situation. The bloodthirsty demon vine was undeniably powerful, but his own cultivation had not yet caught up to its level. While he wasn’t concerned about its backlash, there was a risk of straying from his righteous path if he became enthralled by its ferocious aura. Moreover, Xu Ziqing was not a bloodthirsty person by nature, and unless his opponent was exceptionally wicked, he couldn’t bear to command the demon vine to drink their blood or engage in such cruel acts.
Recognizing Xu Ziqing’s nature, Yun Lie merely mentioned it to make him cautious.
Reflecting on the intense battles within the secret realm, Xu Ziqing recalled the three sword auras that left a deep impression on him. He couldn’t help but praise, “Duke Zi Feng infused his sword aura into the jade talisman. How remarkable it was to take the lives of two people in an instant! Truly extraordinary!” He glanced at his white-clad friend and asked, “Brother Yun, would you like to witness it too? What are your thoughts?”
Due to Yun Lie’s vast expertise, he surpassed anyone Xu Ziqing had ever encountered. Therefore, Xu Ziqing didn’t address him as a senior in front of Yun Lie. Now, he sought Xu Zifeng’s opinion on his sword aura, as well as Yun Lie’s guidance and evaluation.
After a brief pause, Yun Lie remarked, “The density of your sword aura is decent, but it is mixed and needs refinement countless times before it can be considered refined.”
Xu Ziqing was taken aback. He had considered Xu Zifeng’s sword aura to be incredibly strong, thinking it was the pinnacle. However, it fell short even in the eyes of his friend, highlighting Yun Lie’s stringent standards. Although they had known each other for many years, Yun Lie was always reserved and truthful in his words.
With a smile, Xu Ziqing asked, “What should one do to progress further?”
Yun Lie replied coldly, “Abandon the use of spiritual power and swing your sword 30,000 times a day until you correct the momentum of your sword. Only then can we discuss the next steps.”
In disbelief, Xu Ziqing stared and exclaimed, “So even the momentum of the sword is incorrect?”
Yun Lie responded, “If you cannot accurately slash, stab, cut, or parry in your sword practice, how can you claim to be proficient in swordplay?”
After a moment of contemplation, Xu Ziqing realized the truth in Yun Lie’s words. Without a solid foundation, whether in swordsmanship or any other technique, one’s future achievements would be limited.
And thus, the tale of the secret realm came to an end.Translator notesSorry, I had to divide the chapter into 3 parts since it’s so long.
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