Just as Zhang Yan's avatar was about to enter the light screen, he felt a gentle force pushing him out. He was surprised.
He checked for a moment and realized that someone had set up a barrier. If an outsider's magic power was slightly stronger, it would be hard for them to enter.
With his cultivation, it wasn't difficult for him to use his mana to forcefully disperse it. It's just that there were secret manuals of techniques he wanted to retrieve stored here, as well as quite a number of pill jades. If he used too much force and destroyed some of the arrangements, it wouldn't be good.
With a thought, he stretched out his hand and took back a thread of Essence Qi from the clone.
This clone was originally maintained at the Second Stage of Strength Changing Realm, which was equivalent to a Xuan Light Realm cultivator. Now that he used it, his cultivation dropped and he could only be compared to a Light Qi Realm cultivator.
However, even so, he still couldn't do it. There seemed to be another layer of obstruction.
He thought for a moment and thought to himself, "Could it be because of the soul?"
Thinking about it, it was possible. A grotto-heaven was like their backyard to a Divinity Realm cultivator. Unless they were forcefully barged in, they wouldn't allow outsiders to peek in.
Others might find it difficult to deal with it, or they might slowly resolve it. However, it was easy for him to deal with it. He extended a finger and hid a wisp of his spirit in the doppelganger, no longer actively controlling it like before. It was just like when he visited the Donglai Continent.
However, it was different from back then. Now that his cultivation was profound, he could see every single action of his avatar. If necessary, he could even replace it.
After doing this, he tried again. As expected, there were no more obstructions in front of him.
With a chuckle, Zhang Xuan waved his sleeve, and his clone floated into the small world.
After the clone entered, it was in a daze. When it woke up and could see again, it realized that it had landed beside a river. He discovered that he had landed on the bank of a river. The surface of the river was very wide, and the waves were surging. The river flowed quickly and the terrain on both sides was uneven. It was vast.
When it raised its head, it saw the blue sky. When it looked up, it saw the sun and moon. Further away, there seemed to be countless stars.
Zhang Yan sat outside and saw this through the clone's eyes. He couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
The situation here was as good as being in another world. It didn't look like an ordinary cave, but more like a small world!
When the cultivators of the grotto-heaven entered the second realm, their cultivation was profound, and they had sufficient mana, they could try to open up a grotto-heaven as a place to gather spiritual vigor and protect themselves.
If he was not a match for someone in a fight, he could hide in there temporarily. As long as the spiritual opportunity in the grotto-heaven was endless, he would be fine.
However, there was a flaw. Opening the Grotto-Heaven required a massive amount of Spiritual Opportunity, and if it was left unattended for a long time. If he absorbed too much spiritual vigor, it would definitely collapse and dissipate. If there was a chance in the future, he would need to expend a lot of effort to reopen it.
However, a small world was different. Those who could open up a small world had to be at least a powerful cultivator who had ascended to the Immortal Ascension Realm. They could transfer the spiritual energy of the mountains and rivers of the outside world into the small world.
For example, the original residence of the Du Chen Sect, the Xuan Lu Continent, had been established by the joint efforts of several cultivators from beyond the heavens. They had also extracted Earth Qi and placed it inside. It also left behind living beings to multiply and multiply. It could truly be said to be a world of its own.
Zhang Yan had been to a few grotto-heavens created by his peers. Most of them were empty, with only a few constructed mountains and rivers.
This was Sun Zhenren, who loved to enjoy life the most. Other than a misty and hazy lake, there was nothing else. It was not that they did not want to build it, but their cultivation was not enough. Doing such things would only be a waste of Spiritual Opportunity.
However, if there was a powerful talisman supporting the grotto-heaven, then it would be a different story.
Zhang Yan knew that Yan Changsheng had already exhausted his vitality and Qi. His Dan Yu also said that he would not move. Logically speaking, he would not have any energy left to make other arrangements in the grotto-heaven. Therefore, he guessed that there might be some spiritual treasure that could suppress the grotto-heaven. He became interested and paid more attention.
After the split body stood still by the river, he looked around. In his memory, he was a disciple of the Qincang, under the Zhaoyou Sect. He came here under the orders of his master to look for a book of martial arts and some external items for cultivation.
He sensed for a long time at the same spot. He realized that heaven and earth were filled with Spiritual Opportunity. There were a few directions that he sensed were especially strong. He decided to go to those places to take a look.
He inhaled and a clear Qi filled his body. He then soared into the sky and floated along the river.
After traveling for an hour, he saw that there were houses that were built on both sides of the river.
Zhang Yan saw it and his eyes flashed. This meant that there were living people living in this grotto-heaven.
However, in this grotto-heaven, one more person to cultivate meant one more Spiritual Opportunity. If it was not a disciple, it would not be done so.
However, looking at the situation, it was not Yan Changsheng's disciple.
Just as he was thinking, the split body traveled another ten miles. He heard a faint singing coming from the front. The music was loud and it was high-spirited. He gazed into the distance and saw a lone boat drifting with the waves on the long river. A robust man with a curly beard stood on the boat. He was tall and broad, had a sword at his waist, and held a wine gourd in his hand. He sang as he drank, and he seemed extremely heroic.
As he got closer, the man saw him floating over. He was surprised and said loudly, "I'm so lucky to be able to meet a Celestial today." He raised the wine gourd in his hand and patted it. He said, "There's good wine here. It's not as good as celestial brew, but it's strong enough. If you don't mind, why don't you come and drink with me?"
Dragon Lake Great Marsh, Carefree Ripple Island.
This place was outside of the Mystical Water True Palace. It was vast and was usually the place where the disciples of the Palace Master gathered.
The current Palace Master, Qi Yuntian, only took in Zhou Xuan as his disciple in name. Hence, this place became the place where he usually cultivated.
Today, Zhou Xuan held a banquet on the island. The person he invited was not a cultivator of the same generation, but a Daoist boy who was on duty in the Floating Palace.
This Daoist boy's Daoist name was Juan Ming. Although he was on duty in the Heaven Palace, he did not have much cultivation. Usually, he could only walk in the spiritual eye by relying on talismans.
He knew that the next Sect Master would be Qi Yuntian if there were no accidents. Even if Zhou Xuan was his disciple in name, he would be the future Sect Master's disciple.
Today, he saw that the Daoist boy was unusually polite to him as if he was a distinguished guest. He was flattered. Luckily, he did not lose his mind. He knew that there must be something going on. After a few cups of wine, he asked carefully, "Zhenren, why are you calling me? Do you have any orders?"
Zhou Xuan laughed and said, "I won't hide it from you. I want to inquire about something. Half a month ago, after Hall Master Du Zhen returned, were there two Zhenren accompanying him?"
Hearing this, Juan Ming's hands trembled. The Heaven Palace Deacon had repeatedly warned them not to tell anyone about the two of them. He groaned in his heart. If he knew it was about this, he would not have come. He could only say, "This … I don't know much about this. Why don't I go back and inquire about it?" After saying that, he hurriedly got up as if he was going to escape.
Zhou Xuan sat still. He gently waved his hand and a mana suddenly came down and pressed on Juan Ming's shoulder. He said with a faint smile, "Little Daoist Juan Ming, why do you have to be like this? I don't think it's something too important. How could you not know?"
Juan Ming scolded in his heart, "If it's not something important, is it worth it for you to treat me like this?"
On the surface, he put on a pitiful expression and said, "It's not that I don't want to give face to Zhenren Zhou. In fact, the Deacon Zhenren has taken care of me. Whoever dares to leak this information will be severely punished. Please don't make things difficult for me."
Zhou Xuan smiled and let go of his hand. He said slowly, "Even if you don't say it, I know. That is Lu Junyang, Zhenren Lu, who is under Zhenren Yan. The other person is also from the same sect. Am I right?"
Juan Ming opened his mouth and said in a daze, "Since Zhenren Zhou knows, why do you need to ask me?"
At this time, Zhou Xuan finally revealed his purpose. He said with a smile, "I won't hide it from you. I admire these two and want to get to know them. It's just that I don't know where they are staying, so I came to ask. I don't think you can hide this from me, right?"
As he spoke, he took out a Daoist book from his sleeve and a white jade porcelain bottle. He placed them on the table and said, "In this book, there is a basic cultivation method and a few small techniques. In the bottle, there are some pills to replenish Qi and strengthen the body. They are not good things and are useless to me. How about I give them to you?"
Juan Ming stole a glance. He knew that the other party said it was not good things, but if he listened to it the other way around, it must be good. He unconsciously swallowed his saliva and was a little tempted.
When he was on duty in the Floating Palace, all he saw were cultivators with profound cultivation. When they walked around, they were accompanied by clouds and rosy clouds. It was such a glorious and carefree life. He also hoped that one day, he would be able to fly in the sky and travel the earth, living a happy life like an immortal.
However, for children like him, other than those who were lucky enough to be taken in as disciples by the grotto-heavens in the sect, most of them would be sent to manage the nine courtyards when they grew older.
And if they missed the age, even if they focused on Dao, they wouldn't be able to learn any proper skills. However, with this cultivation method in front of him, he might be able to step onto the path of Dao.
However, he was still a little hesitant, but he still couldn't bear to part with the two items. After struggling for a while, he asked hesitantly, "Is Zhenren only here for this?"
Zhou Xuan laughed and said, "Other than this, what else can I do?"
Juan Ming gritted his teeth and cupped his hands, "It's fine if you want me to say it, but I have a request."
Zhou Xuan said, "That's easy. Little Daoist, please say it."
Juan Ming said, "If I say it this time, I'll be in trouble. I wonder if Zhenren can allow me to serve you when I leave the celestial palace in the future."
Zhou Xuan didn't answer immediately. His eyelids were lowered as if he was thinking.
Juan Ming was nervous. This was a chance to reach the heavens in one step. If he succeeded, he would have the chance to become a disciple of the future sect master. He couldn't help but stare at it. Now, he was the one who was afraid that Zhou Xuan wouldn't agree.
Zhou Xuan thought for a while and sighed, "Alright. If I don't do this, I'm afraid that little Daoist won't be at ease. I'll agree to it. "
Juan Ming was overjoyed. He immediately pushed the table aside and shouted, "Disciple greets Zhenren!"
However, Zhou Xuan waved his hand and used mana to stop him from bowing. He only said, "Wait."
Juan Ming understood. He took a few steps forward and said in a low voice, "Zhenren, the two distinguished guests didn't go anywhere else. They went to Farewell Peak."
Zhou Xuan was stunned. He knew about Farewell Peak. It was where the Little Cold World was located. No wonder he couldn't find out anything about it. He immediately frowned. Could it be that he had guessed wrongly? Did the sect find these two people not to deliberately train them, but to imprison them?
…
… (To be continued)
PS: The previous chapter said that Zhenren Peng lived in the Little Cold World was a typo. Let me correct it here. It's the Little Devil's Cave, not the Little Cold World.
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