章節 68: Chapter 68: The Heart of the Secret Realm

So that's how it is.

Seeing Venerable Pantu's reaction, Lin Xiao knew he had guessed correctly—Venerable Pantu indeed wanted to leave the secret realm badly.

In the face of his own freedom, what did taking on a disciple matter?

If he could leave, why would he be so eager to pass on his legacy to someone else?

With a simple smile, Lin Xiao said, "Don't worry, Senior. Just wait a moment, and I'll find a way to break the seal and help you leave."

Lin Xiao's confidence came from the system prompt that had just sounded in his mind:

[Gentle reminder: The Heart of the Green Wilderness Secret Realm is within 100 meters of the host.]

What luck! The Heart of the Secret Realm is right here!

If he could obtain the Heart of the Secret Realm and gain control over the entire realm, then breaking the seal set by a Nascent Soul cultivator would be a piece of cake, right? Lin Xiao thought so, which was why he dared to promise Venerable Pantu.

However, Lin Xiao noticed something strange. He had been standing in this spot since entering the valley, yet the system only now gave him the prompt. Why?

As Lin Xiao pondered, a flash of light flickered across the lake once more. If unnoticed, one might mistake it for a simple reflection of sunlight on the water. But Lin Xiao, who had been paying close attention, realized that he had seen this light flash earlier when they first arrived.

He boldly speculated that the reason the system hadn't prompted him earlier was because the Heart of the Secret Realm might be moving around. Perhaps it had just returned to this area.

Realizing this, Lin Xiao knew he had to act quickly—who knew when it might move again?

Without delay, he turned to Venerable Pantu and said, "Senior, please wait here. I'm going to find that solution! My brother will stay here with you, so please don't harm him."

Then, turning to Sun Yigao, Lin Xiao added, "Yigao, wait here for me. I'll be right back!"

Without giving them time to respond, Lin Xiao leaped into the shimmering waters of the lake.

The two onshore—well, one person and one soul—watched in shock as Lin Xiao plunged into the water.

Sun Yigao was surprised by Lin Xiao's sudden action but reassured himself that Lin Xiao always had a reason for what he did, gradually calming down.

Venerable Pantu, on the other hand, was shocked because the lake held a power that had always made him feel immense fear, a power that had deterred him from exploring the lake despite decades spent in the valley.

It was an overwhelming force that told him entering the lake would mean certain death.

In fact, he had not mentioned earlier that anyone who had stumbled into this Lingxin Valley over the years had been thrown into this dangerous lake. As a soul with only Qi Refining stage power, he didn't want to risk fighting those intruders—throwing them into the lake had always been the easiest solution.

No one had ever emerged from the lake, not even their bodies.

Now, watching Lin Xiao dive in, Venerable Pantu believed he was as good as dead.

Although the lake seemed to block spiritual senses, making it impossible for him to detect what was happening underwater, he thought that a force that terrified even him couldn't possibly be overcome by a mere Qi Refining cultivator.

He turned to Sun Yigao and said, "Your brother is likely doomed. Now that you're alone, will you become my disciple, or do I need to deal with you? After all, I can't let the secret of my soul being trapped here leak out."

Sun Yigao sighed, "Senior, I don't wish to die, but I also don't want to become your disciple. I believe my brother will return safely."

Seeing his stubbornness, Venerable Pantu didn't force the issue. After all, he had placed illusionary traps around the area; this Qi Refining child wouldn't be able to escape.

He snorted coldly, "Since you trust your brother so much, I'll give you a day. If he doesn't return by then, and you still refuse, don't blame me for not showing mercy!"

Meanwhile, under the lake.

Lin Xiao was sinking rapidly in the water, barely using his water manipulation technique to keep the water at bay and maintain his breath.

As soon as he entered the lake, he felt a tremendous pull.

But before he could react, the system's voice echoed in his mind:

[Gentle reminder: The Heart of the Green Wilderness Secret Realm is within 50 meters of the host.]

[Gentle reminder: The Heart of the Green Wilderness Secret Realm is within 10 meters of the host.]

[Gentle reminder: The Heart of the Green Wilderness Secret Realm is directly in front of the host.]

Lin Xiao quickly opened his eyes and saw a green gem, about the size of his head, floating just five centimeters in front of him.

Although the green gem had no facial features, Lin Xiao felt as if it was studying him.

Unfazed, Lin Xiao seized the opportunity. Without hesitation, he reached out and grabbed the gem with both hands.

The system's prompt sounded right on cue:

[Would you like to collect the Heart of the Green Wilderness Secret Realm?]

Feeling the gem begin to struggle in his grasp, Lin Xiao immediately selected "yes" before the prompt even finished.

In an instant, the green gem stopped struggling and was collected.

[The Heart of the Green Wilderness Secret Realm has been acquired. Would you like to begin refining it to claim ownership of the secret realm for your sect?]

Of course, Lin Xiao chose "yes."

[Refining the Heart of the Green Wilderness Secret Realm. Gentle reminder: Refining the heart at its place of origin will speed up the process and improve the outcome.]

Just as Lin Xiao was about to wonder where the heart's place of origin might be, a pink arrow appeared in front of him, pointing straight to the bottom of the lake.

Alright then.

He swam down to the lakebed, where he found a platform made of countless water plants.

In the center of the platform was a small indentation, just the right size for the heart.

Lin Xiao positioned himself above the indentation and sat down cross-legged.

The system's voice sounded again:

[Refining of the Heart of the Secret Realm will now begin. As the process requires the host as a medium, please maintain focus, or the refinement may fail, and the heart will shatter, taking ten years to regenerate.]

As the refinement began, Lin Xiao felt a connection forming between himself and the Heart of the Secret Realm in his storage.