Elemental Affinity.
Chen Yu wasn't particularly focused on this attribute. With his innate talent, even the most basic Ice Pure Spring Water could continuously increase his Elemental Affinity.
He couldn't feel the stagnation of Elemental Affinity, nor did he experience the pain of desperately searching for secret realms and treasures for slight improvements.
Reminded by the little demon,
Chen Yu then noticed the cave reminder that appeared on his wristband.
[Elemental Affinity +1]
This reminder had been appearing for a while. Chen Yu hadn't paid much attention to this single point of Elemental Affinity, but he could understand how important this small increase was to others.
The level of Elemental Affinity determined the power of magic release.
"How many points of Elemental Affinity can such secret realms increase for cultivators?" Chen Yu murmured, his gaze fixed. The little demon spread her hands and shrugged slightly. "I don't know."
This wasn't because the little demon deliberately withheld information from Chen Yu, but rather because she genuinely didn't know the specific numerical value.
Elemental secret realms possessed purer elemental energy compared to other areas, allowing mages of that element to achieve twice the results with half the effort. Furthermore, cultivating in secret realms for extended periods had a chance of increasing Elemental Affinity. However, no one could definitively state how much it would increase or when the increase would reach its cap.
"The mystery of secret realms isn't like a specific item where you can clearly understand its quantifiable increase," the little demon said, tilting her head and looking at Chen Yu with sincere eyes. "I only know that it can increase. The amount might depend on the cultivator's own abilities. In the past, my Demon King's Castle had many secret realms under its command. Some of the mages there had over 2000 Affinity, and they could still gain Elemental Affinity by cultivating in the secret realms, although those with lower base values gained it much slower."
"I see."
Chen Yu's expression shifted to one of understanding as he nodded slightly.
"Essentially, the special effects of elemental secret realms are more beneficial to lower-level mages. Once their strength grows to a certain extent, the effects of the elemental secret realms won't be as potent as they were initially, and continuing to cultivate in them might be a waste of time and energy."
"As expected of you, you grasp it instantly." The little demon crossed her arms and said with a smile.
The buffs from secret realms undoubtedly had a saturation point. If they provided continuous buffs without end, they would be exceptionally beneficial to people of any cultivation level. In that case, all secret realms would likely become targets of fierce competition, potentially leading to life-or-death struggles.
Although secret realms were indeed precious and highly sought after,
They hadn't reached that extreme level.
Generally, kingdoms or large factions had a greater demand for secret realms. They had more subordinates, and secret realms, being excellent facilities for cultivating mid-tier forces, were something they would eagerly pursue.
Moreover, secret realms were also suitable for cultivating many precious plants. No one would dismiss a secret realm.
"This small secret realm doesn't seem to accommodate many people," Chen Yu said, glancing around. "No matter, I'll just create an elite fire mage corps later."
"Don't be too greedy."
Seeing Chen Yu's slightly displeased expression, the little demon sighed softly.
"Although this secret realm isn't particularly large, it's definitely not a small one. I've seen the smallest secret realms before; they were only the size of a single tree. Look at your secret realm: a main area spanning kilometers in both directions, surrounded by four smaller secret realm zones. It can simultaneously accommodate several thousand people without any issue."
Chen Yu grinned and didn't reply. Nuo Yi, who Chen Yu had tricked into planting trees, also ran back excitedly, carrying a shovel.
"Brother!"
"I've planted all the saplings."
Nuoyi, holding the shovel, had eyes full of excitement. Her big eyes looked at Chen Yu expectantly, waiting to learn a magic trick from him.
Chen Yu looked up. The saplings had indeed been planted.
The spacing was also well-controlled.
"Not bad, very talented." Chen Yu ruffled Nuo Yi's small head. Nuo Yi simply stared at Chen Yu expectantly.
"As for magic... it's not impossible to teach..."
"Hey, you're really shameless," the little demon couldn't help but interrupt Chen Yu before he finished. "You see how naive little sister Nuo Yi is and you're trying to trick her like this. Have you no shame? Nuo Yi, don't listen to him; he's just fooling you."
"Ah?"
Nuo Yi, completely bewildered, widened her eyes and looked up, showing a hint of natural silliness.
"That's not magic at all; it's a talent," the little demon sighed. "It's a special talent Chen Yu was granted after entering the cave. It's not magic at all. Think about it, what kind of magic can conjure so much food out of thin air? Only you would believe his tall tales."
"Ah?!"
Suddenly, Nuo Yi's face, previously full of expectation, turned aggrieved as if her dreams were shattered.
"It's fake."
"Heh, brother didn't trick you. I really want to teach you, I'm just figuring out how to pass this talent to you," Chen Yu said with a grin. Nuo Yi pouted with a wronged expression. "I'm so easily fooled."
"No, no, here, have two cans of food."
"Is this about cans of food?"
Unexpectedly, the once-enthusiastic Nuo Yi refused outright, her eyes filled with anger.
"I trusted you so much, Brother Chen Yu. I really believed you. But you think I'm stupid and just played with me. I know I'm not smart, but you shouldn't toy with my trust like this. Do you know how difficult it is to rebuild trust between people after it's broken?"
Chen Yu, holding the cans of food, felt a pang of self-reproach as he listened to Nuo Yi's heartfelt outburst.
He moved his lips for a long time, not knowing how to comfort Nuo Yi.
"You betrayed my trust, yet you think two cans of food can compensate for it." Nuo Yi shook her head with a wry smile. "Do you know you've damaged a young girl's heart? To compensate... you'll have to pay more!"
"Huh?"
The sudden reversal caught Chen Yu off guard. Nuo Yi glared, putting one hand on her hip.
"What, you're not even willing to give five cans? This is already a good deal. You hurt a maiden's pure heart, what's wrong with giving me five cans of food! At least five. If you give them to me, we'll still be the best of friends."
"Pfft!"
Chen Yu and the little demon exchanged a glance and laughed. Chen Yu, with a look of helplessness, ruffled Nuo Yi's small head.
"Here, here. Forget five cans; even ten is fine."
"Then ten!"
"Heh, you little thing. Alright... ten cans for you." Chen Yu took out the cans from his bracelet. Nuo Yi grinned, catching the cans, and let out a happy chuckle. She poked the magical seal on the cans with her fair little hand, breaking it. She then took out her portable spoon and ate contentedly.
"It's a loss, I could have given five cans."
The little demon said with a smile. Chen Yu nodded noncommittally, looking at Nuo Yi who was eating the cans with a blissful expression.
"Of course, a huge loss!"