In the dense forest, the lush branches and leaves provided ample cover for hiding while also obscuring vision significantly.
Jian Lin could only rely on the sound of breaking branches to gauge her position, escaping with difficulty and speed. Suddenly, she spotted a towering ancient tree ahead. Without hesitation, she immediately climbed to the very top along the branches, securing an advantageous position to observe the situation in the forest.
From her perch at the highest point, her line of sight was indeed much clearer. Through the swaying branches, she could determine the location of the chase.
After observing for a while, she noticed that the amplitude of the swaying branches gradually decreased, even approaching stillness, and the ferocious beast had stopped roaring.
Jian Lin swallowed nervously. This indicated that both sides had set up ambushes, and a great battle was imminent – the calm before the storm.
Suddenly, someone or something disturbed a flock of birds, and with a rustle, they scattered in all directions.
Simultaneously, the situation changed drastically. The beast's furious roar echoed through the sky, accompanied by a woman's terrifying scream. Spiritual energy and sword intent splashed everywhere, lopping off many treetops, and sections of the canopy occasionally collapsed.
Amidst the chaotic forest sea, the beast suddenly whipped its tail. Jian Lin didn't miss it. She observed its scales and color, identifying it as a lizard-like ferocious beast. The immortal sects classified them according to strength, and this seemed to be a fifth or sixth-grade Rock-Devouring Beast.
First grade was the highest, and ninth grade was the lowest. Fifth and sixth grades were considered mid-tier, which ordinary disciples should be able to handle. Jian Lin watched coldly, intending to see when they would manage to escape.
Unexpectedly, after a long battle filled with various posturing and feigned attacks, the Rock-Devouring Beast's roars showed no sign of weakening.
Jian Lin touched her chin, unable to resist a grumble. "Which sect's disciple is this? How can they be so useless? They can't even handle this after so long."
Just then, several white figures emerged from the forest ahead. They moved gracefully, flying on their swords and escaping rapidly.
Jian Lin was startled. It turned out to be disciples from the Xuan Yin Pavilion. She thought it shouldn't be like this! How could the protagonist be so incompetent?
Before she could finish her exclamation, the Rock-Devouring Beast let out a series of pained howls, thrashing wildly in the forest sea, and then, with lightning speed, charged towards Jian Lin's hiding spot.
"No way? How could it be such a coincidence?"
Jian Lin hugged the tree trunk, fearing she would be knocked off. Suddenly, a white figure appeared below her. This person seemed to have the same idea as Jian Lin and had fled to the highest point.
At this point, Jian Lin had no time to dodge. The branches beneath her rustled, and suddenly a head popped out, making eye contact with Jian Lin.
The woman was exceptionally beautiful, with willow-leaf eyebrows, phoenix eyes, a high-bridged nose, fair skin, and a refined, ethereal aura. She wore a white robe that made her look like a fairy.
Unfortunately, the fairy's appearance was less than ideal at the moment. She had injuries on her face, and her white robe was torn, making her look extremely dishevelled. She stood on a branch opposite Jian Lin, offering a friendly smile.
Both of them understood each other tacitly and remained silent, hugging the tree trunks to hide from the Rock-Devouring Beast. The monster seemed to be injured, thrashing around below for a long time before finally leaving.
They had arrived at the secret realm at noon. After this battle, the sun was setting, and night was approaching.
Once they confirmed the Rock-Devouring Beast was gone, the woman opposite them spoke first, "I am Jiang Xueyin, a disciple of the Xuan Yin Pavilion. May I know how this cultivator is addressed?"
Jiang Xueyin. Good heavens, this was the protagonist!
Jian Lin sighed. No wonder she was so beautiful; it was all the protagonist's halo.
"Lin Jian, a rogue cultivator," Jian Lin replied concisely.
"So you are a rogue cultivator. I've heard that you won the opportunity to enter the secret realm through the积分大赛 (Ji Fen Da Sai -积分 Competition), which is a battle of one in a hundred," Jiang Xueyin said with genuine sincerity. "Cultivator Lin, you must be very powerful."
"Not at all, you flatter me," Jian Lin said modestly. "It's nice when beautiful women speak, I'm just an ordinary rogue cultivator, not comparable to disciples from established sects."
"We are all cultivators. We only compare cultivation levels, not origins. Cultivator Lin, you are not inferior to anyone."
As expected of the protagonist, not only was she beautiful, but her values were also upright. No wonder she would eventually overthrow the Guan Lan Sect.
However, Jian Lin narrowed her eyes and observed. Jiang Xueyin's current cultivation was only at the Golden Core mid-stage, far from the Soul Transformation stage. What was going on? Why were the plotlines so far apart? It was truly strange.
"Cultivator Jiang, let's not talk about this for now. Night is falling, we should find a place to spend the night. The dense forest is most dangerous at night," Jian Lin pointed to a distant mountain peak. "We should hurry to that mountain peak."
Jiang Xueyin had no objections. They both let go of the branches simultaneously and jumped down. Jian Lin led the way, and suddenly she heard a thud. Jiang Xueyin stepped into empty air and fell.
Jian Lin was speechless. "How can our protagonist be so useless!"
She quickly jumped down to check. She saw Jiang Xueyin lying on the ground, clutching her chest and breathing rapidly. There was a bloodstain on her lips, indicating she had coughed up blood.
It seemed her hand was quite serious. Jian Lin quickly helped her up and asked with concern, "How are you feeling? Where are you injured? What kind of injury is it?"
Jiang Xueyin frowned, her face contorted in pain. She said softly, "I was hit by that beast's tail. It hurts from my chest to my waist; it seems to be an internal injury."
Jian Lin embraced her and asked in surprise, "You're so badly injured. I saw your fellow disciples leave on their swords; how could they abandon you?"
"I asked them to escape while I lured the beast away," Jiang Xueyin smiled weakly. "I am the eldest disciple; this is what I should do."
Alright, another heroic act from the protagonist.
But Jian Lin was swayed by this. She reached for her Qian Kun Bag, remembering she had a bit of the Nine Revolutions Returning Spring Pill left, which would be perfect for Jiang Xueyin.
Jiang Xueyin, unaware of Jian Lin's actions, sincerely advised, "Cultivator Lin, it's getting dark. You should leave quickly and don't worry about me. It's too dangerous in this dense forest. We've only met by chance; you don't need to save me."
Jian Lin finally found the Returning Spring Pill. She poured out a pill and brought it to Jiang Xueyin's lips. "Alright, stop talking. Take this pill first and recuperate as soon as possible. We still have a little time; we should be able to reach the mountain peak before dark."
As a disciple of a sect, Jiang Xueyin was knowledgeable and recognized the Nine Revolutions Returning Spring Pill by its scent. She said in surprise, "No, I can't accept this. This pill is very precious. Cultivator Lin should keep it for self-defense. How can you give it to me?"
"Saving a life is paramount. I'm not injured right now, so of course, I should give it to someone who needs it," Jian Lin smiled slightly. "Besides, I am kind-hearted and cannot bear to abandon you. I believe if it were the other way around, Cultivator Jiang would not refuse to help me either, wouldn't you agree?"
These words struck a chord with Jiang Xueyin. She was moved and looked into Jian Lin's eyes, saying earnestly, "But even then, I wouldn't have a precious pill like the Nine Revolutions Returning Spring Pill to save a life. Cultivator Lin, your words truly shame me."
"That's not the point. The will to save a life is more precious than any pill," Jian Lin brought the medicine to Jiang Xueyin's lips again. "Hurry and eat it; we don't have much time."
Jiang Xueyin looked at Jian Lin quietly for a few seconds, nodded emotionally, opened her mouth, swallowed the pill, and sat down cross-legged to recuperate.
The Nine Revolutions Returning Spring Pill lived up to its name, being excellent for healing and replenishing spiritual energy, capable of turning one unit of spiritual energy into nine, with rapid onset and potent effects.
Of course, when the Demon Lord gave it to her, he treated it like candy; the medicine was sweet and delicious.
After circulating her spiritual energy for two cycles, Jiang Xueyin's pain significantly subsided. She let out a long sigh, opened her eyes, and said to Jian Lin, "Cultivator Lin, I'm much better. Let's go."
Jian Lin helped Jiang Xueyin up, and they reached a sheltered indentation on the mountain peak just as the last ray of sunlight disappeared.
This place was bare with few plants, offering a very open view. From this vantage point, it was a good place to spend the night, especially with a campfire.
Jian Lin had been wandering with the Demon Lord, so she was adept at spending nights outdoors. Seeing her efficiently gather firewood and start a fire, and then take out a handful of pine nuts from her Qian Kun Bag to pass the time, Jiang Xueyin said admiringly, "Cultivator Lin, you are so capable."
Jian Lin smiled slightly and said casually, "Not at all. I haven't reached the Golden Core stage yet, so my cultivation is not as high as yours."
Jiang Xueyin's expression turned serious, and she silently shook her head, emphasizing again, "But you don't seem like it. You are calm and composed, never flustered when facing difficulties. Cultivator Lin, believe me, you will achieve great things."
Praise from a beautiful woman was always welcome.
"Thank you for your kind words," Jian Lin said, sitting on the other side of the campfire. "Cultivator Jiang, I'll take the first watch tonight. You should cultivate with peace of mind and recover from your injuries tonight. Otherwise, what's the point of this trip if it delays treasure hunting in the secret realm?"
Jiang Xueyin, thinking that her injury would be a hindrance, did not refuse. After finishing the last pine nut, she closed her eyes and focused on meditating to heal.
Jian Lin, meanwhile, exchanged a night-vision telescope with the system. Taking advantage of this free time, she observed the surroundings from the highest peak, looking for people or any good items.
This was a secret realm, different from other places. It was bound to have opportunities at every turn, and whoever could seize them would get them.
Jian Lin had come to this secret realm with great effort, seeking a breakthrough. Fifteen days was not a long time, and she didn't want to waste a single second.
She patiently observed for a long time and suddenly saw a flash of light in the dense forest not far away. She stood up excitedly and looked again, but it had disappeared.
However, she was sure she hadn't misseen it and had also remembered the location.
She glanced back at Jiang Xueyin, hesitant. Logically, since she had discovered it, she should go immediately. Delaying might mean someone else would get it first.
But Jiang Xueyin was injured and not in a condition to move. Perhaps she should... go tomorrow morning.
"Cultivator Lin, I'll go with you," Jiang Xueyin suddenly said.
Jian Lin turned back, looking at her in surprise. "You saw it too?"
"The spiritual energy fluctuations there are strong; many people must have felt it," Jiang Xueyin stood up and said. "Everyone knows the dense forest is dangerous at night, but good things usually appear at this time. If we wait until morning, it's very likely to disappear."
What she said made sense, and Jian Lin did not refuse. She raised an eyebrow and said excitedly, "The meaning of exploring the secret realm has arrived! Cultivator Jiang, let's go and join the fun together!"