You Cultivate, I Farm

Chapter 324: Entering the Secret Realm

"Alright, alright, we'll help each other once we enter the secret realm," Shi Zhong said with a smile.

"This friend seems unfamiliar. Is today your first time coming to the area outside the secret realm? May I ask your name?" A rough voice suddenly interrupted Lu Xuan's attempt to meet up with Shi Zhong.

Turning his head, Lu Xuan saw a sturdy middle-aged cultivator stepping out from the crowd, sizing him up with a critical gaze.

This middle-aged cultivator was at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, emanating a faintly sinister aura.

"I am Lu Xuan, a disciple of the Sky Sword Sect stationed on the Empty Abyss Island. May I know your name?" Lu Xuan replied calmly, without any trace of subservience.

"So, you're a major sect disciple. No wonder you're acting so arrogantly," the middle-aged cultivator sneered.

"I'm just an unknown wandering cultivator, vastly different from a major sect disciple like you."

"But, Friend Lu, it's against the rules to enter the secret realm directly like this. We've all worked hard to decipher the array formations and restrictions for almost half a month, while you're just reaping the benefits without contributing much. Your actions are too domineering," the middle-aged cultivator said, with a hint of hostility in his eyes.

As soon as the middle-aged cultivator finished speaking, Lu Xuan felt the gaze of the others turn somewhat hostile towards him.

"We notified him as soon as the secret realm appeared, and agreed to explore it together. However, my friend Lu was in seclusion, and only broke through today to come here."

"Among the people here, many Foundation Establishment cultivators did not contribute much during the array-breaking process. Whether they arrived early or late makes little difference."

Shi Zhong tilted his head slightly, his eyes filled with the pride of a major sect disciple facing a wandering cultivator.

"Between me and Zhou, our contributions during the array-breaking process were equivalent to ten of you. And of course, Friend Lu's contribution is included. Does anyone have any objections?"

There was silence among the crowd.

The cultivators on the islands were aware of the backgrounds of Lu Xuan and Shi Zhong. Since they often interacted with Lu Xuan's group and their respective sects, they wouldn't openly oppose Shi Zhong.

Ning Deshan's eyes flickered, seemingly wanting to speak out in opposition. However, he ultimately suppressed his urge and tacitly agreed with Shi Zhong's statement.

He harbored some resentment towards Lu Xuan, but he didn't dare to openly antagonize him. Raising prices at the auction to annoy Lu Xuan was already pushing the limit.

"Han, disciples of major sects are always arrogant. It's better to step back for now and settle the score inside the secret realm."

"Now, with so many people around, it's not good to start a conflict. Showing off our tongues won't achieve anything. Inside the realm, it will depend on our true abilities."

"I heard from the island cultivators that although this disciple of the Sky Sword Sect has a prominent identity, he usually cultivates spiritual plants. His cultivation and treasures are probably just average. His joining Shi Zhong won't make much difference."

Suddenly, a voice as thin as a mosquito buzzed into the middle-aged man's ears. He nodded imperceptibly, indicating his understanding.

And thus, a small disturbance was quelled.

Lu Xuan and Shi Zhong reunited.

"Thank you, Shi Dao Friend, for speaking up, and thanks to Zhou Dao Friend for your support and assistance."

Lu Xuan expressed his gratitude sincerely.

"It's nothing. That mid-stage Foundation Establishment wandering cultivator is just bullying the weak. If he really cared about reason, he wouldn't oppress those small family cultivators who arrived at the secret realm first."

Shi Zhong sneered.

When he first learned about Lu Xuan, he was somewhat disdainful of his enthusiasm for cultivating spiritual plants. But as they interacted more, he gradually accepted him, considering their similar backgrounds. Inviting Lu Xuan for fishing had been the peak of their relationship. He regretted not meeting him earlier to learn about fishing from him.

More importantly, Lu Xuan's actions and the image he built as a cultivator of spiritual plants convinced him, leading him to believe without a doubt that Lu Xuan's cultivation and treasures were just average.

"Friend Lu, let's deal with the dragon beast phantoms on the secret realm's water wall together," Zhou Bingyu said coldly, her features sharp.

"Alright."

Lu Xuan agreed readily.

He circulated his spiritual power into his eyes, and a mist-like substance appeared on the surface of his pupils.

Under Lu Xuan's gaze, the spiritual energy circulating on the water wall was fully visible, the nodes of the formation's spiritual energy clear, and he could even vaguely sense the presence of the formation's eyes.

"The Illusion Breaking Eye Technique is indeed extraordinary. While I only have a superficial understanding of formations, under the effect of this eye technique, I can directly see through the spiritual energy veins of the formations. If I practice some formation-breaking techniques, perhaps I can become a master of formations in a short time."

He withdrew his gaze, sighing inwardly.

...

A dragon roar sounded, and a giant dragon phantom leaped out from the water wall with lightning speed.

Lu Xuan stood firm, his Purple Thunder Sword whistling out with a fierce sword intent, striking the dragon's head.

Beside him, a silver beam of light surged in front of Shi Zhong, instantly expanding several times, runes flowing as it followed Lu Xuan's Purple Thunder Sword.

Without a word, Zhou Bingyu held a pure white long spear exuding a chilling aura, appearing in front of the dragon phantom.

With the three of them working together, the dragon phantom was easily dealt with in the blink of an eye.

"I didn't expect Friend Lu's swordsmanship to be so exquisite. You truly live up to being a disciple of the Sky Sword Sect," Shi Zhong said, retracting the silver beam, filled with admiration.

"My swordsmanship is average among the sect disciples. I'm far behind those sword geniuses," Lu Xuan replied modestly.

"The formation on the water wall is about to be broken," Zhou Bingyu said softly, looking at the massive pillar of light rising not far away, directly falling on the center

of the formation. With a clatter, a huge hole appeared on the water wall.

Through the hole, one could see a corner of a mysterious palace inside.

"The formation is broken!"

The crowd grew restless.

"Friend Lu, Friend Zhou, I hope the three of us can cooperate and help each other once we enter the secret realm. If there are situations where we must fight over treasures, let's rely on our own abilities and remember not to use lethal force."

"Alright." Lu Xuan and Zhou Bingyu nodded in unison.

The three exchanged glances before flying into the secret realm along with the other Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Passing through the water wall, the cultivators scattered, keeping a wary eye on each other.

Lu Xuan followed behind Shi Zhong and Zhou Bingyu, with the Sword Talisman for Roaring Sea in his sleeve and the Sword Talisman for Grand Sun ready to be activated at any moment.

What appeared in his sight was a vast dark water area, undulating waves hiding who knew what beneath.

In the center of the water area was a desolate island, devoid of any signs of cultivator activity.

On the island stood a huge palace, seemingly aged.

Lu Xuan had little experience exploring secret realms, but he knew that while there were many opportunities for treasures inside, there were often powerful monsters and evil spirits lurking as well. He couldn't afford to be careless.

Just as he cautiously moved forward, a Foundation Establishment early-stage wandering cultivator, riding a sword light, couldn't wait any longer and dashed straight towards the desolate island.

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