When Earth Awakened, I Became a Sword Saintess

Chapter 35 : The Secret Realm

35: The Secret Realm

The dual cultivation with Yingluo continued until past nine in the evening, leaving them both relaxed and invigorated.

Because Yingluo had to be home before ten, she reluctantly called a taxi and left.

Yuyin discovered that after cultivating with Yingluo, her Primordial Energy value had decreased by 5 points, but it felt as if a swifter fluctuation was contained within the circulation of her Primordial Energy, as if blessed by some secret power.

Yuyin was still a bit worried about the drop in Primordial Energy, but at this moment, the numerical value of her Primordial Energy in her consciousness was golden with a few flashes of blue.

"This is a consumption of Primordial Energy. It does not affect your cultivation base or your Primordial Energy limit. Rest, sleep, or using Alchemical Pills, absorbing fruits gathered by the White Apes, can all restore it," the female will explained when Yuyin was puzzled.

"In fact, your Primordial Energy was also consumed during your fights in the Underground Fighting Arena; you just didn't notice it at the time."

So that was how it was. Since it was normal consumption that didn't affect her cultivation base or limit, Yuyin was no longer worried.

The next morning, it had indeed recovered, and her Primordial Energy limit had also risen to 119 points, already surpassing last year's score threshold for 289 female students. But now, Yuyin had only one goal: Lingdu Source Martial Academy.

In the days that followed, Yuyin participated in the Underground Fighting Arena on weekends to earn money and Soul Charm Point. On weekdays, she reviewed, exercised, cultivated her Primordial Energy, then set aside one day a week for dual cultivation with Yingluo and another day specifically to rest, relax her mind, and adjust her state.

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The Underground Fighting Arena was bustling with noise.

Clang!

The bright longsword in Yuyin's hand flashed, sending an eighty-jin copper hammer wielded by a burly man from Northern Mongolia flying.

The big man, furious and embarrassed, ran with the glossy fat on his body trembling as he drove Yuyin into a corner, his other copper hammer smashing down. Who would have thought that Yuyin would run directly toward the wire mesh, leaping onto it.

The man from Northern Mongolia's hammer missed its mark.

A series of metallic tremors...

Yuyin's body was almost horizontal as she took several consecutive steps on the wire mesh, soaring through the air with a flip, passing over the big man's head.

The silver-white bodysuit outlined her perfect and agile figure. Her long, beautiful legs swung out with her body's mid-air flip, like an arc of the moon.

Thump!

Ancient Temple Leg Technique.

This heavy kick landed on the back of the big man's head, sending the heavy mountain of flesh crashing down.

And Yuyin landed lightly.

The entire arena erupted in cheers, some even screaming hoarsely, "Qingyu, my Goddess, I love you!"

"Ding, numerous spectators find your kicking style incredibly cool. Gained 10 Soul Charm Point..."

Yuyin had already achieved three consecutive wins. That wasn't the problem. The problem was that Yuyin discovered that not only did unexpectedness and shock grant Soul Charm Points, but particularly brilliant moves, especially those that were free, beautiful, and won the applause and admiration of a large audience, could also grant Soul Charm Points.

"Ding, from Madame Butterfly, her appreciation for your bodysuit. Gained 1 Soul Charm Point."

"..."

What was this 1 Soul Charm Point for? Yuyin didn't know, nor did she want to dwell on it. Hmph, this bodysuit was naturally the one Madame Butterfly had given her last time. It was true, it wasn't revealing at all, clinging tightly and completely to her body, but aside from the color and texture, the way it revealed her figure was as if she were wearing nothing! For this reason, Yuyin had to wear seamless panties and nipple covers underneath...

Feeling the roaring crowd and the spotlight she still didn't quite like, despite having experienced it multiple times, Yuyin gently flicked her long hair.

There were only two weeks left until the college entrance exam. After this period of dual cultivation with herself and the God-Devouring Chess, Yuyin's Primordial Energy value had already reached 139. Breaking through 150 within two weeks would be no problem. Even considering that the score threshold would increase this year, Yuyin was quite confident. After all, she hadn't used any Alchemical Pills yet. She now had over 60,000 Spirit Marbles on hand. If necessary, she could exchange one with Sister Dai, making her admission to Lingdu Source Martial Academy a near certainty.

However, if her Primordial Energy value was high enough by then, Yuyin didn't want to spend the money. After all, the boost from such pills was temporary and would decay later, and it was slightly harmful to the body.

Yuyin took a taxi home. The weather was even more muggy and hot. Her bodysuit was sticking to her body from sweat, and it took some effort to take off, once again filling the room with a feminine aura.

Yuyin had also bought a washing machine. She tossed the bodysuit and everything else in to wash, while she went to take a shower.

Wrapping herself in a towel as she came out, she didn't like to wear pajamas. When she was alone, she preferred to just wear her underwear. It was no wonder; her body was so full of energy that it was cooler and more breathable this way, and it also made it convenient to practice a move or two whenever she felt inspired.

"Let's go check on the God-Devouring Chess."

Yuyin's consciousness entered the God-Devouring Chess space.

As soon as she entered, the female will's voice came through.

"A Secret Realm has been discovered. Do you wish to investigate?"

A Secret Realm?

Yuyin didn't know what this was, so her consciousness flew to the sensed location. Several Little Ghosts and a two-star Ox Ghost were there, as if they had discovered the Secret Realm.

It was a cave. In the shadows of the cave, a flowing, faint, luminous mist could be seen. Yuyin tried to look into the mist but could see nothing.

"Do you want to spend 5 Soul Charm Point to open the Secret Realm? After opening it, chess pieces can enter to explore. There may be unexpected gains."

"5 Soul Charm Point?" Yuyin still had over 50 Soul Charm Point, so this wasn't a problem.

"Reminder, this is a first-class Secret Realm and is extremely dangerous. It is not recommended to enter unless the total soul value of your chess pieces is less than 100. Once the Secret Realm is opened, any chess piece that enters and dies will not be able to enter again. Unless all chess pieces inside perish, you can spend 10 Soul Charm Point to reopen the Secret Realm a week later, at which point the chess pieces can have one more chance to enter."

So that's how it was...

That is, if you go in with insufficient strength and fail, it's almost impossible to break through this Secret Realm again, unless you spend double the Soul Charm Point to get another chance.

"What is meant by 'total soul value of the chess pieces'?"

"The total soul value of the chess pieces refers to the sum of the Soul Charm Point spent to purchase the entering pieces. Note that the value increases after a piece is upgraded in star rating."

"What is my current total soul value?"

As Yuyin thought this, a number appeared: 129. This was the total soul value of all her star-rated chess pieces.

This total soul value was just a reference. If you removed the White Apes and others with little combat ability, the truly capable ones were probably around 115.

It met the requirement, but the advantage wasn't significant.

"Understood."

Yuyin decided to give it a try.

She instructed Xiao Yuan to gather her scattered army from all over.

Now, Yuyin's demon army could be called a parade of a hundred ghosts.

And among them, her first three-star chess piece was not a Little Ghost, but a Carp.

The three-star Great Carp was identical to the large fish with a human face, a snake's tail, and golden wing-fins that she had seen on the night she first came to this world, as big as a boat.

This Carp looked very strong. At three stars, it was no longer confined to water; it could already fly.

After the demon army was assembled, Yuyin's thought shifted.

"Open the Secret Realm."

Under Yuyin's command, Xiao Yuan, like a little princess in black surrounded by a hundred ghosts, led the army into the Secret Realm in a mighty procession.

However, Yuyin found that her consciousness could not pass through the mist at the cave entrance; she couldn't follow.

"It seems I can only rely on Xiao Yuan."

This was her entire family; success or failure rested on this one battle.

This was also thanks to being able to convey Yuyin's will through Xiao Yuan. Otherwise, even if the Secret Realm were opened, waiting for these demons to spontaneously wander in would be no different from sending them to their deaths one by one. In that case, there would be no hope of breaking through the Secret Realm.

"Go for it, Xiao Yuan!"

Seeing that Yuyin was still waiting by the entrance, the female will reminded her, "A first-class Secret Realm is already vast and complex inside. Exploring it may take a long time. It is recommended that you rest first. You will be informed of any major news immediately."

Presumably, Xiao Yuan and the legion of chess pieces had already begun to fight inside the Secret Realm, but Yuyin had no way of knowing the situation inside.

Since she couldn't see or intervene, waiting here was useless.

Yuyin lingered for a moment longer, then her consciousness returned to the outside world. She cultivated her Primordial Energy breathing technique for a while and then went to sleep.

This night, Yuyin seemed to see Xiao Yuan, to see her chess piece soldiers, in their myriad forms as they vigilantly explored and fought bravely within the cave of the Secret Realm...

Lying at night, listening to the wind and rain, armored horses and icy rivers enter my dreams.

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The next morning, the female will woke Yuyin directly.

"Important news, the Secret Realm has been successfully breached!"

Breached?

Yuyin's consciousness immediately entered the God-Devouring Chess.

She saw only a vast sky, shining with golden light. As far as she could see, dozens of Spirit Source lightwaves were flying towards her.

For a moment, Yuyin was surrounded by a hazy golden light. Her vision was a magnificent, boundless expanse. Wave after wave of pure Spirit Source was absorbed into her body.

As her body felt as light as if it were flying, comfortable and pleasant, the Primordial Energy value in the lower left corner began to soar.

"139, 140, 142... 150, 151, 153..."

The Primordial Energy value broke through 150 without any pressure, and it was still rising...

"161, 162, 163..."

Finally, Yuyin's Primordial Energy value settled at 167.