32: Chapter 32 Xiao and Bai Appear

Thirty thousand li north of the Zhouwu Dynasty capital, there is a Purple Bamboo Forest stretching for a thousand miles, shrouded in dense purple Spiritual Qi all year round. This is one of the top Secret Realms in the Southern Wilderness—the Purple Bamboo Forest.

It opens once every hundred years, and each opening lasts for three months.

The Secret Realm is filled with Spirit Medicine and countless Opportunities; it is said that the Legacy of ancient Great Masters is hidden in its depths.

When the news spread, the Five Domains were shaken.

Prodigy Cultivators from the other four domains set off one after another, rushing towards the Southern Wilderness.

Meanwhile, in a desolate mountain range at the border between the Central Plains and the Southern Wilderness, two figures were walking out of the mountain forest.

Walking in the front was a young man with a handsome face, sword-like eyebrows, and star-like eyes.

His steps were steady, his aura long, and faint Spiritual Qi flowed around his body; he was clearly at the Golden Core Peak.

This person was named Xiao Yuan, hailing from the Central Plains Xiao Family.

The Xiao Family is one of the three great Families in the Central Plains, with deep foundations and Undergoing Tribulation powerhouses sitting in charge, holding a pivotal position in the Central Plains and even the entire Xuanhuang World.

Unfortunately, Xiao Yuan was only a collateral branch of the Xiao Family and was not valued.

Although he bore the name of the Xiao Family, he had never enjoyed the treatment of a core member of the Xiao Family.

Cultivation Technique, resources, and Medicinal Pill all had to be fought for by himself.

Following behind him was a woman with a beautiful appearance, dressed in white, holding a jade green flute, with a gentle temperament.

Her name was Bai Yue, hailing from the Central Plains Bai Clan.

Although the Bai Clan was not as prominent as the Xiao Family, it was still a well-ranked noble Family in the Central Plains, considered a second-rate force.

Bai Yue was also at the Golden Core Peak; the two met during a training session three years ago and had been traveling together ever since.

"Xiao Yuan, the Southern Wilderness is ahead."

Bai Yue looked at the endless plains ahead, a trace of expectation flashing in her eyes.

"I heard that although the Spiritual Qi in the Southern Wilderness is thin, the Purple Bamboo Forest is a rare treasure land, and every time it opens, many people gain great Opportunities there."

Xiao Yuan nodded, his gaze deep.

"The Purple Bamboo Forest opens once every hundred years; catching it this time is our luck."

"However, although the Southern Wilderness is weak, the Purple Bamboo Forest is a place competed for by the Five Domains, and the competition will inevitably be fierce."

Bai Yue nodded upon hearing this, "I heard that after every time the Purple Bamboo Forest closes, less than half can come out."

"Let's go." Xiao Yuan withdrew his thoughts and stepped forward.

"The Purple Bamboo Forest won't open for another half a month. Let's enter the Southern Wilderness first, find a place to settle down, and inquire about news along the way."

Bai Yue nodded and followed behind him.

After walking a few miles, Bai Yue suddenly spoke.

"Xiao Yuan, do you think the Five Great Sacred Lands will send people this time when the Purple Bamboo Forest opens?"

Xiao Yuan paused for a moment, pondering.

"The Five Great Sacred Lands are always transcendent, so it is possible that they might send people to the Purple Bamboo Forest."

He paused and continued: "However, even if the Holy Lands send people, we don't need to worry too much. The Restrictions of the Purple Bamboo Forest are special; those with cultivation above the Soul Transformation Stage cannot enter, so at most, it will be the Nascent Soul Peak."

Bai Yue nodded thoughtfully.

He knew in his heart that cultivation was only a part of strength; Magic Treasure, Cultivation Technique, combat experience, and even luck would all affect the outcome.

Although he was a collateral branch of the Xiao Family and did not receive the Family's resource bias, he had saved up quite a bit of Family fortune after traveling all over the place these years.

His Cultivation Technique and Magic Treasure were not bad.

Moreover, he still had a trump card.

That trump card was something he had accidentally obtained in an ancient ruin three years ago and had never used.

If it really came to a life-or-death moment, it would be enough to let him turn defeat into victory.

—

One day before the Purple Bamboo Forest opened, in the capital of the Zhouwu Dynasty.

Three sword lights broke through the sky from the north, moving extremely fast, and in just a few breaths, they reached above the city gate.

The sword light converged, revealing three figures.

The leader was Lu Jinghan, followed by Qin Muchuan and Su Fuguang.

As soon as the three landed, the Cultivators at the city gate looked sideways.

Today, Lu Jinghan was known to everyone in the Zhouwu Dynasty.

Lu Jinghan ignored the surrounding gazes and strode towards the city.

Qin Muchuan and Su Fuguang followed closely, with a hint of irrepressible excitement in their expressions.

"Senior Brother, your cultivation speed during this period is too fast."

Qin Muchuan couldn't help but speak, his tone full of emotion.

"In just twenty days, you broke through from the Golden Core Perfection to the Early Nascent Soul Stage. If this were to spread, it would probably scare a lot of people."

Lu Jinghan didn't stop, saying lightly: "When the Opportunity arrives, things naturally fall into place."

Su Fuguang also spoke: "Senior Brother, Little Chuan and I have also gained a lot from training in the Zangjian Valley during this period."

He paused, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.

"I can now withstand the Sword Intent at the valley entrance for two hours, my Divine Soul has condensed quite a bit, and even the operation of my Spiritual Qi has become much smoother."

Qin Muchuan nodded repeatedly and echoed: "Me too. Although my cultivation hasn't broken through, my combat power has increased by at least 30%."

"The most important thing is that practicing under that Sword Intent pressure has made my perception of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi much sharper, so it should be much smoother when breaking through to a higher Realm in the future."

Lu Jinghan nodded slightly, a smile appearing at the corners of his mouth.

The Sword Intent training in Zangjian Valley had far more benefits for Cultivators than this.

In his previous life, he had trained in the valley for three years, and his Dao of the Sword had advanced by leaps and bounds, growing from an unknown Loose Cultivator to a famous Genius of the Dao of the Sword.

In this life, he took Little Chuan and Little Guang to Zangjian Valley in advance, wanting them to also taste this Opportunity.

"Zangjian Valley is just the beginning." Lu Jinghan slowed his pace, his gaze deep.

"There are more Opportunities waiting for you later."

Qin Muchuan and Su Fuguang looked at each other, their eyes full of expectation.

The three walked through the long street and headed straight for the Imperial Palace.

Not long after, they arrived in front of Taihe Hall.

The hall doors were open, and a figure in white was leaning on a recliner in the hall; it was Jiang Changge.

Lin Yanzhou was sitting cross-legged in the hall cultivating, while Zhou Tianchen stood aside, holding an ancient book in his hand, reading intently.

"Disciple Jinghan (Muchuan, Fuguang), pays respects to Revered Master!"

The three stepped forward together and bowed.

Jiang Changge opened his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the three, the corners of his mouth slightly raised.

"Not bad, Jinghan has entered the Nascent Soul, and Muchuan and Fuguang have also made progress. It seems you haven't been lazy these days."

Lu Jinghan respectfully said: "Disciples dare not slack off; it is all thanks to Revered Master's guidance."

Qin Muchuan and Su Fuguang also hurriedly said: "Disciples will definitely work harder and live up to Revered Master's high expectations."

Jiang Changge nodded slightly, his gaze falling on Lu Jinghan.

"The Purple Bamboo Forest opens tomorrow. How are your preparations?"

Lu Jinghan pondered for a moment and said: "Disciples are ready, but the Restrictions of the Purple Bamboo Forest are special; those above the Soul Transformation Stage cannot enter, so the competition will inevitably be fierce."

"However, the Disciple has experience and knows where there are Opportunities and where there is danger, so there shouldn't be any major problems."

Jiang Changge nodded, raised his hand and waved, and three streams of light flew out from his sleeves, floating in front of the three.

Those were three jade talismans emitting faint Spiritual Qi; mysterious runes were carved on the surface of the jade talismans, and faint spatial fluctuations were circulating.

"This is a teleportation jade talisman. After crushing it, you can be instantly teleported out of the Purple Bamboo Forest." Jiang Changge's tone was calm.

"Although the Purple Bamboo Forest is a Secret Realm that only those below the Soul Transformation Stage can enter, there are many dangers in it. If you encounter a life-or-death crisis, don't hesitate, use it directly."

Lu Jinghan and the other two took the jade talismans, carefully put them into their arms, and bowed together.

"Thank you, Revered Master!"

Jiang Changge waved his hand and leaned back on the recliner.

"Go, have a good rest, there is still a hard battle to fight tomorrow."

The three exited the hall, their steps light, their expressions filled with eagerness.