Cultivation Begins From The Desert

Chapter 626 - 611: [The True Purpose of Qianyang Treasure Pearl]

The so-called "Vermilion Bird Secret Realm," Zhouyang initially thought it was a place similar to the "Dome Heaven Immortal Realm."

But in reality, it was more like the "Sealed Demon Cave" of the Profound Sun Immortal Sect. The difference was that the "Vermilion Bird Secret Realm" was filled not with demonic qi but with a dense and frenzied fire attribute spiritual qi and a boundless sea of lava.

"Do you think places like the ’Dome Heaven Immortal Realm’ can be casually created? If not for a True Immortal from the Upper Realm personally taking action and using the True Monarch Treasure brought down from the True Immortal Realm to help open it, even a Great Divine Power User at the Ninth Layer of the Tribulation Crossing wouldn’t be able to establish such a spiritually rich and thriving Pocket World Immortal Realm!"

This was the explanation Zhu Zizhen gave to Zhouyang after hearing his inquiries.

It was then that Zhouyang understood the difference between a "Pocket World Immortal Realm" and a "Pocket Secret Realm."

A so-called "Pocket World Immortal Realm," as the name suggests, is an independent immortal realm. Except that its size is inferior to a complete large world like the Spirit Realm and it cannot naturally nurture new life forms, it has no difference from a real world and may even surpass it in terms of spiritual richness.

It is said that even in the True Immortal Realm, only those top-tier forces possess such "Pocket World Immortal Realms." Those True Immortals at the Tribulation Crossing Stage, and the higher Returning Void Stage Earth Immortals, usually cultivate in these realms, rarely seen by outsiders.

On the other hand, a "Pocket Secret Realm" is a simplified version of a "Pocket World Immortal Realm," which can be opened by some powerful True Immortals at the Tribulation Crossing Stage. The environment inside these secret realms is often extremely harsh, making them unsuitable for middle-to-lower-tier cultivators to linger.

Furthermore, compared to the "Pocket World Immortal Realm" that can almost exist permanently once opened, a "Pocket Secret Realm" will gradually begin to deteriorate and head toward destruction if not maintained by a True Immortal at the Tribulation Crossing Stage for a long time.

Unfortunately, the "Vermilion Bird Secret Realm" where Zhouyang and the others currently found themselves was such a "Pocket Secret Realm" on the brink of destruction, which was why Zhu Zizhen brought him in to help explore.

In a normal "Pocket Secret Realm," with Zhu Zizhen’s cultivation, unless she encountered a deliberately left behind killing array by the realm’s owner, there wouldn’t be any concern about being harmed.

However, in a "Pocket Secret Realm" on the verge of destruction, even a Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul "Half-Step True Immortal" cultivator must tread cautiously, as any carelessness could result in getting seriously injured by the uncontrollable power of laws within.

If accidentally rushing into some unnoticed spatial rift, even a Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul "Half-Step True Immortal" cultivator would have a high chance of meeting their end.

In fact, not only Zhouyang, but to be safe, before bringing Zhouyang into the "Vermilion Bird Secret Realm," Zhu Zizhen also captured five fire attribute Tier Five Demon Beasts from the Vermilion Bird Mountain Range to act as cannon fodder.

These Tier Five Demon Beasts were subordinates of the chased-away Tier Six Demon King, and even if they all perished, she wouldn’t feel any pity.

Seeing this scene, Zhouyang outwardly said nothing, but inside, he was alert, secretly increasing his vigilance.

He secretly warned himself that, after all, Zhu Zizhen was a Tier Six Demon King, and even if she was close to human cultivators, it couldn’t change the cold nature of demon kings who viewed human life as insignificant.

At this moment, they entered the secret realm from a certain secret entrance in the underground magma sea of the Vermilion Bird Mountain Range, soon finding themselves in another sea of lava.

The difference here was that this sea of lava lacked the vibrancy of external magma seas, giving off a deathly still impression.

Of course, magma was still magma, and its temperature and power did not diminish whether it was lively or stagnant.

Moreover, the fire attribute spiritual qi here was extremely frenzied, even more so than the fire attribute spiritual qi mixed with Earth Demon Fire Poison Qi from the underground magma sea outside.

As strong as Zhouyang was, he dared not absorb much of the frenzied fire attribute spiritual qi here, fearing it might scald his meridians.

If he couldn’t manage it, other Golden Core Stage cultivators would fare even worse.

For cultivators with a cultivation below the Golden Core Stage, Zhouyang estimated that if they had the frenzied fire attribute spiritual qi rush into their bodies here without the timely aid of a cultivator above the Golden Core Stage, they wouldn’t last more than fifteen minutes before being killed by the spiritual qi!

For a cultivator whose fundamental practice is to absorb Heaven and Earth spiritual qi to be killed by spiritual qi is no joke, but it is indeed a possibility.

Compared to Zhouyang, those Tier Five Demon Beasts fared much better without much discomfort.

As for Zhu Zizhen, she was even somewhat enjoying recklessly absorbing the frenzied fire attribute spiritual qi. From her demeanor, if it weren’t for the inappropriate setting, she would probably want to reveal her true form to absorb the frenzied fire attribute spiritual qi here.

Diverting his gaze from Zhu Zizhen, Zhouyang looked around and soon made another discovery in the calm sea of lava below.

From their location, looking toward the left, several hundred miles away, one could vaguely see a piece of land in the midst of the sea of lava, or rather, an island.

"Let’s go, we’re heading there. Big Lizard, you take the lead!"

Zhu Zizhen waved her hand, pointing at the distant island and giving the order.

Upon hearing her words, regardless of willingness, the "Big Lizard," a Tier Five Middle-Grade Demon Beast known as the Flame Lizard Beast capable of swimming in the lava sea, could only roar and lead the way, flying slowly toward the island.

After the big lizard flew ten miles without any incidents, Zhouyang, Zhu Zizhen, and the other demon beasts finally began following it.

After advancing in this manner for about thirty to fifty miles, Zhu Zizhen suddenly shouted sternly, "Stop, detour a thousand feet to the right."

Upon hearing her words, the giant lizard quickly obeyed and stopped, its ruby-like eyes scanning all around nervously before obediently following Zhu Zizhen’s command to move to the right.

As if to warn Zhouyang and the others, Zhu Zizhen casually plucked a feather from the Tier Five Lower Grade Fire Attribute Demon Beast, the [Golden Flame Eagle], and flicked it towards a certain direction the giant lizard was initially heading.

Rumbling!

A thunderous explosion resounded as the feather, shot out as if hitting an invisible bomb, triggered a massive explosion.

The power of that explosion was more than enough to completely obliterate the [Flame Lizard Beast] from before!

"Without a strong presence to suppress and organize it for a long time, the fire laws here have become unstable. Once certain nodes are hit strongly, it will immediately lead to a collapse of the laws. You better fend for yourselves!"

She casually explained, then shouted at the [Flame Lizard Beast], which was trembling from fear, to continue onwards.

They moved less than ten miles when she again made the [Flame Lizard Beast] change direction, and it continued to alter its course several times over the next dozen or so miles.

Yet fortune clearly would not always be on the side of the [Flame Lizard Beast].

After leading Zhouyang and the others for over eighty miles, the [Flame Lizard Beast] eventually failed to escape disaster, getting sliced in two by a small spatial rift, unnoticed even by Zhu Zizhen. With a "splash," it fell into the lava sea below, and soon there was nothing left.

Seeing this, Zhouyang and the other beasts’ faces changed dramatically, their gazes towards Zhu Zizhen filled with terror.

The saying "when the hare dies, the fox grieves" seemed apt; although they were from different races and camps, they shared the same role—pathfinding cannon fodder.

Now, the first pathfinding cannon fodder, the [Flame Lizard Beast], had died silently before their eyes, filling them with dread and fear.

Facing their terrified gazes, Zhu Zizhen’s expression remained unchanged as she glanced over the group, finally fixing her gaze on a Tier Five Lower Grade Fire Attribute Demon Beast, the [Winged Fire Mink], and said, "Little Mink, it’s your turn!"

The named [Winged Fire Mink] shuddered upon hearing her, immediately trembling and whimpering as it knelt before her, pleading for her to change her mind.

But the only response was her cold and emotionless urging.

"Hurry up, I don’t want to say it a third time!"

These words were directed not just at the [Winged Fire Mink], but also at Zhouyang and the remaining beasts.

Sure enough, upon hearing her cold, emotionless voice, the [Winged Fire Mink] trembled violently, giving her a fearful look before taking over the pathfinding duty from the deceased [Flame Lizard Beast] with a cry of despair.

However, compared to the [Flame Lizard Beast], the [Winged Fire Mink] was certainly less lucky, or rather, the closer they came to that distant island, the greater the danger grew.

Regardless, the [Winged Fire Mink] had only flown less than fifty miles in front when it suddenly self-immolated, its body ignited by fierce flames until it was reduced to ashes.

For a Tier Five Lower Grade Fire Attribute Demon Beast to be burned to ashes by its own ignited flames, this incident widened Zhouyang’s eyes and filled his heart with immense caution.

Without a doubt, this unusual situation with the [Winged Fire Mink] was yet again caused by the collapse of the fire laws that Zhu Zizhen mentioned earlier.

The power of the Heaven and Earth Laws is touchable only by Nascent Soul Stage cultivators; those below that level, both cultivators and beasts, have only heard of it without knowing or experiencing it.

Even someone as strong as Zhouyang might not fare better in the events the [Winged Fire Mink] encountered.

Zhouyang even suspected that if Zhu Zizhen herself encountered such situations, she might not necessarily remain unharmed; otherwise, she wouldn’t need them to pave the way.

After the [Winged Fire Mink] died, Zhu Zizhen wasted no time allowing Zhouyang and the other survivors to think, immediately pointing to the Tier Five Lower Grade Demon Beast, the [Golden Flame Eagle].

With the previous example of the [Winged Fire Mink] in mind, the [Golden Flame Eagle] did not beg for mercy after being named; it simply cried out and took over the pathfinding duty from the [Winged Fire Mink].

However, though its luck was better than that of the [Flame Lizard Beast] and the [Winged Fire Mink], it still perished in an explosion after barely advancing over a hundred and ten miles.

At this point, Zhouyang and the others were still halfway from reaching the island.

By now, Zhouyang was able to see some of the island’s features when looking far into the distance.

The island was not large, spanning only a few dozen miles, with a central area shrouded by a crimson light screen, obscuring what lay within; outside it was a barren wasteland of chaotic rocks.

From its appearance, the item Zhu Zizhen sought must be within that crimson light screen.

Just as Zhouyang thought of this, he heard Zhu Zizhen’s voice calling for another round.

"Old fox, it’s your turn!"

The old fox is a Tier Five Lower Grade Demon Beast, the [Three-eyed Fire Fox]. This kind of demon beast has a third strange pupil on its forehead that can see things others can’t, and can also wield a powerful pupil technique divine technique.

Zhouyang originally thought Zhu Zizhen would save it for last, but unexpectedly, she used it now, ahead of him and another demon beast.

Goo-goo!

The fur of the [Three-eyed Fire Fox] was a fiery red. It let out a mournful cry as it reluctantly and unwillingly stepped forward to lead the way.

Its third eye, usually tightly shut, was now fully open, its purple-red pupil shone with a strange red light, making it unsettling to look at.

This strange pupil seemed indeed capable of detecting anomalies in Fire Law, and with the [Three-eyed Fire Fox] leading the way, Zhu Zizhen’s reminders were far fewer compared to the previous three demon beasts.

Under its guidance, the team advanced easily over a hundred miles without encountering any disturbances.

However, Zhouyang clearly noticed that with such continuous use of the third eye, the [Three-eyed Fire Fox] was starting to show signs of strain, and its purple-red eye gave him the feeling it could burst at any moment.

"Alright, old fox, you can come back and rest now. It’s the little worm’s turn to lead the way."

Just as Zhouyang was wondering how much longer the [Three-eyed Fire Fox] could hold on, Zhu Zizhen suddenly called it to stop, ordering the last demon beast to take its place.

This change left the [Three-eyed Fire Fox], who had been desperate, both surprised and delighted. It quickly closed its nearly bursting eye, exhausted and grateful, kneeling before Zhu Zizhen, sobbing as it returned to her side.

In contrast, the demon beast that was called to replace it, a Tier Five Top Grade demon beast, the [Starfire Flame Snake], was frantically hissing in panic.

They were now only a little over a hundred miles from the island. If luck favored them, maybe just one more sacrificial pawn would be needed to safely reach the island.

And as the core of the secret realm, the laws on the island must be far more stable than outside, making it relatively safer.

In such a moment, being suddenly replaced, how could the [Starfire Flame Snake] not be filled with despair?

"Hurry up."

Zhu Zizhen narrowed her phoenix eyes, glancing with killing intent at the [Starfire Flame Snake], scaring it into hastily flicking its tail to lead the way.

Witnessing this scene, Zhouyang also silently began to pray, hoping the [Starfire Flame Snake] could hold on a bit longer, ideally leading them all the way to the island.

Now, besides the [Starfire Flame Snake], he was the only one yet to lead. If the [Starfire Flame Snake] died, it would be his turn next.

Unfortunately, his prayers seemed ineffective; the [Starfire Flame Snake] had only traveled seventy miles before suddenly igniting itself like the [Winged Fire Mink].

Differences lay in that the [Starfire Flame Snake], boasting deep cultivation, endured for a bit longer and suffered more agonizingly in death.

What left Zhouyang speechless and enraged was that in its final moments, instead of glaring at Zhu Zizhen, the actual "culprit," its resentful gaze fell upon him, as if he had killed it.

"That senseless worm, deserved to die!"

Zhouyang cursed inwardly, sensing Zhu Zizhen’s gaze now upon him.

"Boy, it’s your turn. If you succeed in leading us onto the island, you will be my merit, and I’ll do my utmost to save your wife and children!"

Zhu Zizhen looked at Zhouyang with eyes full of authority, speaking in a tone that brooked no dissent.

"I understand, ancestor. I won’t let you down."

Zhouyang took a deep breath, nodded slightly, and immediately activated his [Qianyang Celestial Fire Shield] divine technique, proceeding to lead the way.

Like before, anything unusual Zhu Zizhen detected, she would promptly alert him to avoid.

But Zhu Zizhen was only a Tier Six Demon King, not a Tier Seven True Spirit; her understanding of the Heaven and Earth Laws was at the rudimentary phase, far from thorough comprehension.

Following her advice, Zhouyang avoided many dangers, but after advancing thirty-seven miles, he suddenly encountered the same situation as the [Winged Fire Mink] and the [Starfire Flame Snake].

With no forewarning, his magical power inside suddenly formed an unusual link with the external frenzy of fire attribute spiritual qi, which bypassed the [Qianyang Celestial Fire Shield]’s protection, flooding into his body. It reacted peculiarly with his magic power, forming a high-temperature backlash against him.

"Ancestor, save..."

He was extremely shocked, struggling desperately to summon his magical power to suppress the flames, while trying to call out for help to Zhu Zizhen.

But at that moment, an unexpected incident occurred.

He saw the Qianyang Treasure Pearl within his dantian suddenly erupt with a strong suction, absorbing the frenzied fire attribute spiritual qi that had surged into his body, along with his rebellious magical power and the scorching flames burning on him.

"Hmm!"

The change in Zhouyang was immediately noticed by Zhu Zizhen. She looked at Zhouyang with a puzzled gaze, her originally prepared rescue action paused.

"What just happened? How did you escape from the backlash caused by the collapse of the law?"

Once Zhouyang escaped from the dangerous area and returned to safety, Zhu Zizhen’s surprised voice sounded in his ear.

Upon hearing this, he dared not conceal anything and immediately raised his hand to summon the Qianyang Treasure Pearl to show her, telling her about what had just happened.

The Qianyang Treasure Pearl can only be refined by cultivators who possess the Qianyang Treasure Body. Zhouyang had let Lu Xuanji study it before, so he didn’t fear Zhu Zizhen having any designs on it.

"You kid have some real luck. Though this immortal artifact may not match those killing artifacts in terms of offensive capability, just because it can regulate the laws of heaven and earth, even if only the fire law, it is definitely considered a top-tier immortal artifact!"

Zhu Zizhen studied the Qianyang Treasure Pearl for a while, then returned it to Zhouyang, her expression complex as she looked at him and sighed repeatedly.

In fact, the benefits of the Qianyang Treasure Pearl are not just in regulating the laws of heaven and earth; it also helps the owner perceive the laws of heaven and earth and manipulate them!

It’s just that Zhouyang’s cultivation is currently low, so he can’t utilize this advantage.

And outsiders can’t obtain this benefit because they can’t refine the Qianyang Treasure Pearl.

Zhu Zizhen was astonished because she realized this fact.

She suddenly found that Zhouyang’s previous claim that if he could successfully form a Nascent Soul, he might stand shoulder-to-shoulder with her within a thousand years was not mere boasting.

Not to mention anything else, with the Qianyang Treasure Pearl, he would find it vastly easier to comprehend the fire laws of heaven and earth once he successfully forms his Nascent Soul.

The deeper a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator understands the laws of heaven and earth, the greater the power of their divine techniques will be, and they will find it easier to leverage the power of the laws to break through bottlenecks and enhance their cultivation.

"Since you have this treasure for protection, all the scouting work ahead is entrusted to you. Rest assured, what this King said earlier still stands, and I will never go back on my word."

Zhu Zizhen spoke, and with a wave of her hand, tossed a pill bottle to Zhouyang.

"This bottle of elixir is for healing and should be more than sufficient to treat the wounds on your body!"

Besides being a Tier Six Demon King, she was also a Tier Five Top-Grade Alchemy Master with numerous spirit pills of various kinds on her.

Zhouyang understood this and didn’t stand on ceremony with her, immediately reaching out to accept the pill bottle, and thanked, "Thank you, senior, for the elixir."

He then directly poured out a fragrant white spirit pill and took it into his mouth, quickly circulating his magical power to refine the spirit pill.

Next, relying on the miraculous Qianyang Treasure Pearl, Zhouyang safely navigated through three more traps and finally set foot on the island.

The ground of the island was hot, but the feeling of being on solid ground reassured Zhouyang.

He looked over at Zhu Zizhen, only to see her staring intensely at the crimson light screen in the center of the island, revealing obvious anticipation in her eyes.

"Alright, we’ve reached here, and there should be no danger anymore. Stay here and do not move. When I finish my task, I will naturally take you away from this place!"

It seemed that Zhu Zizhen sensed Zhouyang’s gaze, as she returned her attention, looked at him and the surviving Three-eyed Fire Fox, instructed them briefly before she revealed her Vermilion Feather Crane form with a clear cry.

After revealing her true form, Zhu Zizhen, bathed in the vermilion color "Vermilion Bird True Flame," charged directly toward the crimson light screen, effortlessly diving into the light screen.

Not long after, a flash of fire flew out from within the crimson light screen and landed right in front of Zhouyang, from which Zhu Zizhen’s indifferent voice emanated.

"I shall enter seclusion for three years to digest what I have gained. You should wait outside patiently. If I don’t wake up in time, you may attack the guardian barrier outside to forcefully awaken me!"

As the voice fell, the flame had already burnt out, giving Zhouyang no opportunity to respond at all.