Upon hearing something related to the Qingzhou Secret Realm, Chen Mo’s expression involuntarily turned serious.

Huo Wuya raised his hand and waved it, the sleeve of his robe fluttering. A rift tore open in the space above the hall, through which countless scenes flashed, including bustling cities and vast rivers and mountains...

Finally, it settled on a lake deep within a dense forest.

The lake water was clear, the mist expansive, and at the center of the lake, something seemed to be twisting and flickering, emitting a radiant light that shot straight into the sky, like a giant pillar holding up the heavens, making the surrounding area as bright as day for miles.

As the view drew closer, Chen Mo finally saw that the core of the light was actually a towering stone stele, inscribed with numerous complex characters. It looked very similar to the Cangyun Mountain Secret Realm from before, but in terms of size and grandeur, they were incomparable.

"This is..."

Chen Mo frowned slightly.

The seal script on the stone stele looked very strange, not like any script from Jiu Zhou, but rather similar to the characters on the Dragon Marrow Sword.

The characters lit up one by one along the strokes, looking as if an invisible hand was slowly sketching upon the stone stele. The sky-reaching light became even stronger.

"Tributor Chen, do you see anything?" Huo Wuya inquired.

"The stone stele is absorbing energy?" Chen Mo said.

"That’s right." Huo Wuya nodded: "This thing is continuously absorbing the primordial qi floating in the air, almost turning the surrounding area into a Land of Dharma Decline, which matches the ’Secret Chamber’ records in the sect’s annals."

"Once all the characters on the stele light up, that’s when the World Gate will open."

"At this rate, it will take about twenty hours to fully charge. The Three Saint Sect and the court have already sealed off the entire Mountain Hidden Lake. If you depart early tomorrow morning, you’ll make it in time."

"At that time, I will dispatch ten core disciples, all at the Fourth-Level Peak, led by Elder Jiang personally..."

"Master, I want to go too!"

Before Huo Wuya could finish, a clear voice sounded.

Everyone turned to look and saw Shen Zhixia striding in angrily, hands on her hips, wrinkling her delicate nose as she said, "I’m also your direct disciple; why am I not on the list?"

Huo Wuya replied helplessly, "This time, the secret realm has no restrictions on those entering, but those going in are either at the Transcend Mortality Peak or Grandmaster Strong Persons. You are currently only at the Fifth-Level Pure Yang Realm, it is too dangerous..."

"There are Elder Jiang and Mr. Chen, what could go wrong?" Shen Zhixia pouted and said stubbornly, "No matter what, if you don’t let me go, I’ll eat all the alien beasts you’ve raised!"

"..."

Huo Wuya’s mouth twitched slightly.

With this girl’s astonishing appetite, she was definitely not just saying that!

"Alright, Zhixia." Chen Mo interjected, "Master Huo is thinking about your safety; don’t be capricious."

"Oh, I understand." Shen Zhixia replied obediently, her attitude subdued.

Seeing this, everyone shook their heads silently, recognizing that there is always someone who can restrain her.

Shen Zhixia had been training with Huo Wuya for over ten years. She was the youngest of all the direct disciples and the only girl, so she was naturally very favored in ordinary times. Otherwise, the sect master would not rather keep the alien beasts than punish her.

In Huo Wuya’s eyes, Shen Zhixia was almost like his own daughter.

He stroked his beard, glanced between the two, and said with a smile, "I know you can’t bear to part with Tributor Chen. Don’t worry, I’ve already planned for you. In a while, the sect will send some disciples to the capital for study, and you can go along."

"Then you can stay as long as you like, so it won’t make much difference for these few days."

Chen Mo is the successor of the founder, his understanding of martial arts is no less than that of this Ultimate Venerable.

Following Chen Mo, Shen Zhixia’s cultivation shouldn’t fall behind, and their closer relationship would be a good thing for Martial Saint Mountain.

"Really?!"

Shen Zhixia’s eyes instantly lit up.

She had been downcast because of last night’s events. Even though her plan to cook rice with water had ultimately failed, as long as she stayed by Chen Mo’s side, there would be plenty of opportunities in the future!

Moreover, with He Yuzhi backing her, she would have more confidence in facing the Princess or Her Majesty the Consort in the future!

After appeasing Shen Zhixia, Huo Wuya took out a white porcelain bottle from his sleeve and handed it to Chen Mo, saying, "This is the Jade Marrow Nourishing Essence Pill that I personally refined. It can replenish essence blood and nourish the divine soul, allowing one to return to their best state. Tributor Chen expended quite a bit conveying the teachings yesterday, it would be best to have a good rest before entering the secret realm."

Chen Mo extended his hand to accept it, nodded, and said, "Then I shall accept it without further ado."

Ji Hongxiu and Ling Ningzhi, standing to the side, lowered their heads silently, their ears somewhat flushed.

Replenish?

This guy is already quite outrageous!

To be able to take on both without falling behind, and daringly carrying them in his arms around the room last night... thinking of that ridiculous scene, they both wished they could find a hole to crawl into.

"If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave now." Chen Mo got up and cupped his hands.

With the departure planned for tomorrow, he intended to go back and study the map of the secret realm, as this "instance" had some discrepancies with his memories, and preparation was necessary.

"Ahem."

Huo Wuya cleared his throat, giving a subtle glance at Zi Wenzhong.

"Tributor Chen, please hold on."

Zi Wenzhong took the hint, quickly walked over, and handed him an ancient book, saying, "A small token, I hope Tributor Chen will accept it with a smile."

?

A system prompt flashed before Chen Mo’s eyes:

[Obtained Heavenly Rank Top Grade Martial Arts: Sleeve Universe.]

This move was likely the technique Zi Wenzhong used when they previously sparred, boasting an impressive force capable of pulling up mountains and trees, indeed powerful.