Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
A series of sharp whistling sounds instantly tore through the sky.
Above Path-Enlightenment Mountain, colorful streams of light bloomed as countless figures transformed into rainbows, rushing towards the secret realm.
Ling Xiao looked up, glanced at Xia Chen and Lin Xi in the distant crowd, and a smile instantly curled at the corner of his mouth.
It's up to you now, my little treasure-hunting teams.
"Let's go too."
Just as Ling Xiao stepped forward, about to head towards the entrance, his eyes narrowed slightly. Turning his head, he happened to see Nian Qingyun standing in the distant sky, looking at him with a complex expression.
Today's Nian Qingyun, though still appearing aloof and cold,
had an aura that fluctuated excessively, clearly an effect of her shattered Dao Heart.
Ling Xiao simply gave her a polite, smiling nod, then turned to look elsewhere.
"Young Master Ling Xiao."
A light call suddenly came from the distance. A graceful figure in red walked over slowly and soon stood before Ling Xiao.
"Miss Su Yan."
Ling Xiao raised an eyebrow slightly. This was truly... like receiving a pillow when sleepy.
Nian Qingyun's Dao Heart was shattered, but clearly, there was still a trace of confusion and hesitation in her heart.
To completely dispel this confusion and hesitation, he couldn't be too hasty. He needed to... give her a bit of pressure, a bit of heartbreak, and then, a sudden, big surprise.
When the time came, surely more... positions could be unlocked.
Make her hurt, make her sour, then leave her hanging.
When expectations are low, all care and concern become cherished.
"Young Master, the secret realm has opened. I hope you will look after me."
Behind Su Yan stood several prodigies from ancient clans with decent auras, clearly some lapdogs who wanted to follow her.
The looks they gave Ling Xiao now were a mix of awe and jealousy—very complex.
Dammit.
We've been simping for Miss Su Yan for so long, and we've never seen her talk and laugh with us so politely.
Why does she act completely different the moment she sees you?
Ling Xiao, what have you got besides being a little handsomer, a little stronger, and having a slightly better background than us?
But can you give Miss Su Yan your whole heart?
Hmph, given time, the young lady will surely see the light!
"Miss Su, you jest. With these few lapd— prodigies behind you, I doubt you need any care from me."
Ling Xiao smiled slightly. Although his tone sounded a bit off, it felt extremely pleasing to the listeners.
He... he called us prodigies?
It seems this Ling Clan heir isn't as arrogant and unrestrained as the rumors say!
"Let's go, we can talk more once we're inside the secret realm."
Ling Xiao stepped forward, leading the way. Behind him, Su Yan smiled charmingly and followed closely.
In the distant void, Nian Qingyun's eyes were bitter, her jade-like hands unconsciously clenching.
But in her heart, she couldn't help but sigh softly.
Nian Qingyun, why are you sad and heartbroken? Isn't this what you wanted?
You are finally no one's fiancée anymore. You finally severed this twisted fate with him in front of all the prodigies of the Eastern Jiang.
Why!!
Do you feel lost and disappointed?!
"Perhaps... this is my... fate."
In the end, Nian Qingyun just watched coldly as Ling Xiao left and disappeared before stepping towards the secret realm entrance.
"Divine Maiden Nian, perhaps we could... travel together?"
At that moment, a smile suddenly curled on Xia Chen's lips from within the crowd. He proactively approached Nian Qingyun, speaking in a gentle manner.
It seems that although Nian Qingyun appears indifferent on the surface, she still holds some feelings for Ling Xiao.
But now, with their engagement annulled, this Dao Palace Divine Maiden must be feeling somewhat lonely in her heart, right?
Eh?
My chance seems to have come.
Isn't the best way to forget someone to fall in love with someone else?
Nian Qingyun, I am willing to heal your wounds!!
"Get lost."
But!!
Just as Xia Chen was trying hard to put on a gentle, caring appearance, Nian Qingyun uttered only one cold word before him and vanished.
What the-?
So heartless!
The smile on Xia Chen's face froze before it could even fade!
Wretch!! You refuse a face offered to you!
Now that you've severed ties with Ling Xiao and completely broke with him atop Path-Enlightenment Mountain,
you still dare to be so arrogant!
It seems soft methods won't work; I'll have to use some force!
A dark gloom spread in Xia Chen's eyes. Especially in front of Shui Yue'er, it made his noble self-esteem shatter into pieces.
In the end, he didn't say anything more, following the others closely into the secret realm.
Only after all one hundred and sixty prodigal geniuses had entered the secret realm did a figure emerge from the depths of Path-Enlightenment Mountain, flash, and disappear into the entrance.
Boom!!
As Ling Xiao and the others stepped into the spiritual vortex, they felt a wave of dizziness in their heads.
When they opened their eyes again, they saw misty spiritual mountains and ancient forests in the distance.
Spiritual energy, thick as tidal water, permeated the entire secret realm. Even breathing felt incredibly comfortable.
As expected of the number one secret realm in the Eastern Jiang. Just this spiritual energy alone is enough to make one feel relaxed and happy.
But...
Quite suddenly, Ling Xiao felt increasingly that there was something wrong with the Tai Xuan Dao Sect.
Guarding such an ancient spiritual land, yet always remaining hidden from the world.
Could it be that the Land of Fallen Emperors hides other secrets?
Ling Xiao looked up, glancing at the figures landing around him.
This secret realm wasn't like previous descriptions, where entering disciples would be automatically scattered.
Everyone gathered in one place, in small groups of three to five, wary of each other.
Feeling Ling Xiao's gaze upon them, many prodigies from ancient clans immediately bolted, frantically dashing into the distance.
"In which direction does Young Master Ling Xiao plan to go?"
Su Yan stood beside Ling Xiao, asking in a soft tone.
"I plan to take a look north."
"Heh, what an unfortunate coincidence. Su Yan wanted to look south."
A trace of disappointment flashed across Su Yan's face, but a cunning glint flickered in her eyes.
Of course, Ling Xiao knew exactly what she was thinking.
If I follow him, I probably won't even get a sip of the soup.
But that was fine. He hadn't planned to travel with anyone anyway. After all, what he intended to do wasn't just harvest opportunities, but also... harvest lives.
Having others around would be somewhat inconvenient.
Sheep travel in flocks; beasts of prey walk alone!!
"Heh, it is quite unfortunate. In that case, Miss Su, I'm afraid we won't meet again until a month later. When the time comes, how about I show you my... most yang object? Perhaps the young lady... might like it?"
Ling Xiao gave a sinister smile, and Su Yan's beautiful eyes instantly flashed with surprise.
Could it be... he has already seen through my thoughts?
"Alright, alright, it's a deal. Then, Young Master... be careful in everything. We'll meet again later."
In the end, Su Yan simply nodded with a light laugh. Her graceful figure dashed out, about to head towards the distant sky.
But...
At this very moment!!
A light shout suddenly came from above the sky!
"Which one of you is Ling Xiao?!"
"Hmm?"
Hearing the voice, the prodigal geniuses who had initially fled immediately stopped in their tracks, turning to look at the mid-air.
They saw a young girl dressed in a black skirt, with delicate and beautiful features, standing mid-air with her hands on her hips, looking down at the crowd with a proud and willful expression.
"Good, I made it in time."
The girl looked about fifteen or sixteen years old. Although her small face was somewhat youthful, it already showed signs of breathtaking beauty.
Fair and exquisite, like powder and jade, her temperament was ethereal and otherworldly, brimming with immortal luck.
Especially the black long spear in her hand, which was almost three feet taller than her. Held in her hand, it looked indescribably bizarre and shocking.
"Who is this little girl? Did she just call out... the name Ling Xiao?"
"Seems... seems so..."
"She's not from the Eastern Jiang, is she?"
"Dammit! She's clearly not from the Eastern Jiang! Otherwise, why would she be in such a hurry to die?"
"But if she's not from the Eastern Jiang, how did she enter the secret realm?"
"This..."
Everyone's eyes were filled with confusion, as well as schadenfreude.
Seems like there's another good show to watch!
The opportunities won't run away!
But if you miss this good show, you might not get to see it!
Those who had been urgently fleeing now turned back from afar, repositioning themselves near the entrance, their expressions calm as if they had never left.
"Hmm?"
Ling Xiao's eyes narrowed slightly. He looked up at the girl above him, a hidden smile playing on his lips.