Before departure, Fang Hao prepared frantically in the qiankun ring. He bought many Talismans, prepared various Formation Flags and Formation Plates, and also bought several bottles of healing Medicinal Pills. These Talismans and Medicinal Pills cost him many contribution points and Spirit Stones.

Having time deceleration is great; one night in the outside world is equivalent to ten days of preparation in the ring.

Early on the third day, Fang Hao arrived at the Inner Sect on time to meet with Liang Ling.

Liang Ling saw his full set of equipment and nodded, "Well prepared. Let’s go."

The two arrived at a hidden valley in the back mountains of the Sect. Liang Ling performed hand seals to open a concealed cave entrance, which was filled with hazy mist; it was the entrance to the Wuyin Secret Realm.

"Stay close to me, there is a natural maze at the entrance," Liang Ling warned, taking the lead into the mist.

Fang Hao quickly followed, while simultaneously circulating the Array-Breaking Incantation—this was something he had learned from the introduction to formations, specifically for breaking mazes.

Visibility in the mist was extremely poor, only about a foot ahead. Fang Hao focused intently, following closely behind Liang Ling.

Suddenly, he felt something attacking from the side. Subconsciously, he dodged to the side and simultaneously fired a Geng Metal Sword Qi.

With a thud, it seemed to hit something. A screech came from the mist, followed by the sound of a heavy object falling to the ground.

Liang Ling looked back in surprise.

"You discovered a Mist-Hidden Beast?"

Fang Hao was also startled. "I just felt something coming."

Liang Ling looked at him thoughtfully. "Your perception is very keen. It seems my decision to bring you along was correct."

The two continued forward. Fang Hao remained vigilant throughout, discovering Mist-Hidden Beast attacks several more times in advance, all of which he neutralized in time.

Liang Ling became more and more surprised. These Mist-Hidden Beasts were extremely good at hiding; even she, at the Foundation Establishment Stage, had to sense carefully to find them. How could Fang Hao, at the Qi Refining Sixth Layer, provide early warning?

She didn’t know that Fang Hao had the Myriad Manifestations Heaven Swallowing Art as his foundation, making him exceptionally sensitive to Spiritual Qi fluctuations. Although the Mist-Hidden Beasts hid well, their movement always caused subtle Spiritual Qi fluctuations, which Fang Hao captured.

Finally, the two passed through the mist and arrived inside the Secret Realm.

This was a strange valley where the air was filled with a light mist. Various exotic flowers and Spiritual Plants grew there, the most prominent being the mist concealment flower with its translucent petals.

"Let’s start collecting," Liang Ling said. "I’ll be responsible for guarding, and you focus on picking the flowers. Be careful, some mist concealment flowers have guardian beasts."

Fang Hao nodded and began to carefully collect the mist concealment flowers. Sure enough, some Mist-Hidden Beasts were hidden near the flowers and suddenly attacked.

But with Liang Ling there to suppress them, these sneak attacks didn’t pose much of a threat. Fang Hao became more proficient at picking and soon collected dozens of flowers.

Just then, Fang Hao suddenly felt a powerful Spiritual Qi fluctuation coming from deep within the valley.

"Senior Sister, there seems to be something over there," Fang Hao pointed deep into the valley.

Liang Ling sensed it, and her expression changed slightly.

"Such strong Spiritual Qi! It might be a Heaven And Earth Treasure! Let’s go see."

The two cautiously made their way deeper into the valley. The further they went, the thicker the mist and the richer the Spiritual Qi became.

Finally, in a hidden cave, they found the source of the Spiritual Qi—a Spiritual Plant emitting seven-colored light.

"Seven-Colored Lotus." Liang Ling exclaimed. "This is the main ingredient for forming golden core. It’s worth a fortune."

Fang Hao’s heart also raced. forming golden core is a necessary Medicinal Pill for a Foundation Establishment Cultivator to Breakthrough to the Golden Core Stage, and one is worth over ten thousand Spirit Stones! This Seven-Colored Lotus could refine at least three forming golden core.

But just then, a low growl came from deep within the cave, and a huge figure slowly emerged.

It was a massive Beast King. It was over ten feet long, with exposed fangs and a fierce light in its eyes. Its aura was comparable to the Late Foundation Establishment Stage.

"Not good. It’s a Beast King." Liang Ling’s expression was grave. "I’ll hold it off; you find an opportunity to pick the Seven-Colored Lotus and run."

After saying that, she summoned her Flying Sword and engaged the Beast King in battle.

Fang Hao’s heart pounded like a drum, but he still gritted his teeth and rushed toward the Seven-Colored Lotus. Just as he was about to touch the Spiritual Plant, a smaller Mist-Hidden Beast suddenly pounced from the side.

Fang Hao subconsciously used the Wind Control Art to dodge, while simultaneously firing a Geng Metal Sword Qi. But the Mist-Hidden Beast was extremely fast, easily dodging the Sword Qi, its claws reaching for Fang Hao’s face.

In the moment of crisis, Fang Hao had a flash of inspiration and suddenly remembered a Confinement Formation recorded in the introduction to formations. He quickly took out several Formation Flags and threw them, instantly setting up a simple Confinement Formation.

The Mist-Hidden Beast crashed into the Confinement Formation, its movement suddenly hindered. Fang Hao took the opportunity to end it with his sword.

After picking the Seven-Colored Lotus, Fang Hao shouted, "Senior Sister, I got it."

Hearing this, Liang Ling made a feint and retreated. "Let’s go."

The two quickly retreated toward the Secret Realm exit. The Beast King pursued them relentlessly, letting out angry roars.

As they neared the exit, the Beast King suddenly opened its mouth and spat out a thick mist, instantly enveloping the entire exit.

"Not good. It’s a Mist Trap." Liang Ling’s face changed. "This mist can block Divine Sense; we can’t find the exit."

Fang Hao concentrated his perception and found that the mist was indeed strange; even his Spiritual Qi perception was blocked.

But just then, the qiankun ring on his finger suddenly grew slightly warm, as if it had a sense of a certain direction.

"Senior Sister, follow me." Fang Hao relied on the ring’s sensation and took the lead, rushing in one direction.

Liang Ling followed with some doubt. Sure enough, before long, they rushed out of the mist and returned to the Secret Realm entrance.

Not daring to linger, the two quickly left the Secret Realm and only breathed a sigh of relief once they were back in a safe area.

"This was a bountiful harvest." Liang Ling counted the gains, a rare smile appearing on her face. "Especially this Seven-Colored Lotus; its value is immeasurable."

According to their agreement, Liang Ling gave one-third of the harvest to Fang Hao, including five mist concealment flowers and some other spiritual materials. As for the Seven-Colored Lotus, she hesitated for a moment but eventually gave Fang Hao a small section of the root.

"The Seven-Colored Lotus is too precious; I can’t give you too much. But this root can also be used to refine some Medicinal Pills, which will help your Cultivate." Liang Ling explained.

Fang Hao was already very satisfied. In this Secret Realm trip, not only did he get many good things, but more importantly, he gained valuable combat experience.

Returning to the Outer Sect, Fang Hao began closed-door Cultivate to prepare for the Outer Sect Grand Competition.

With the gains from the Secret Realm and the time deceleration of the qiankun ring, Fang Hao’s cultivation progressed by leaps and bounds. A month later, he successfully broke through to the Qi Refining Seventh Layer!

On the day he finished his seclusion, Fang Hao felt the surging spiritual power in his body, and his confidence increased greatly.

Now he had Qi Refining Seventh Layer cultivation, extensive Formation knowledge, and some combat experience. He had a chance to compete in the Outer Sect Grand Competition.

Just as Fang Hao was rubbing his hands together, ready to do something big, he suddenly heard news: for this Outer Sect Grand Competition, Ye Qing would come to watch the competition as a representative of the Inner Sect Disciples.

A hint of Battle Intent flashed in Fang Hao’s eyes. Ye Qing... the favored child of heaven back then. Meeting again now, he was no longer the Servant Disciple who was looked down upon by everyone.

In the Outer Sect Grand Competition, he would definitely make everyone see him in a new light.