After ensuring they were far enough from the battlefield, Xiao Wei finally allowed himself to relax. The area they had settled in was a quiet grove hidden within a thick cluster of ancient trees. Sunlight filtered softly through the canopy, casting pale shadows on the forest floor as the air remained cool and calm.
Xiao Wei sat cross-legged on the ground, five Tier 2 Storage Rings placed neatly before him. His fingers moved deftly, inspecting each ring's contents with practiced ease. He ignored all the Mortal Grade Martial Techniques—they were ordinary, perhaps useful to others, but not for someone like him who had already begun training in higher grade techniques. A few bottles of Tier 2 Spirit Power Pills and Tier 2 Weapons caught his eye, and he immediately separated them and stored them in his Tier 4 Storage Ring. These were always useful, especially after intense battles like the one they had just survived.
What truly made him raise an eyebrow, however, were the Spiritual Stones.
"Low Tier Spiritual Stones, five in total… All from the scarred man's ring."Xiao Wei muttered to himself as he held one up to the sunlight.
Though only Low Tier, they still contained purer and denser Spiritual Energy than pills. To many low-level Cultivators, a single Spiritual Stone was considered a fortune as it can allow them to breakthrough faster. Xiao Wei nodded slightly, placing them in his Storage Ring.
Satisfied with the loot, he closed his eyes. His body was aching, the sword cuts on his arms, chest, and legs throbbing with pain. He began circulating his Spiritual Energy and using a Spirit Power Pill to hasten the recovery process. Slowly, the wounds began to close, though faint scars remained, like war paint across his once-clean skin.
He grimaced.
"There goes my handsome face"Xiao Wei muttered, feeling a faint pang of vanity.
Several hours passed in silence. The only sound was the rustling of leaves and the faint hum of Spiritual Energy circulating through Xiao Wei's meridians. Just as he was about to enter deeper meditation, he heard a faint groan from behind.
Xiao Wei opened his eyes.
Shi Man, lying on a pile of dried leaves nearby, stirred and slowly sat up. His eyes fluttered open, confusion on his face as he scanned the area—until they fell on Xiao Wei. Realization dawned on him.
"You're awake"Xiao Wei said, voice calm.
Shi Man blinked a few times and sat up straighter.
"Yes… I… I'm alive?"Shi Man asked.
"You are. We killed all five of them."Xiao Wei replied.
Shi Man's eyes widened in disbelief.
"What? You… you mean those Martial Masters? They're all dead?"Shi Man asked.
Xiao Wei nodded.
There was a long pause before Shi Man swallowed hard and spoke.
"Thank you. I… I don't know how to repay you. You saved my life. I was out of Spiritual Energy, completely helpless."Shi Man said.
Xiao Wei glanced at his tattered robes, blood still staining the cloth from the battle.
"It's nothing"Xiao Wei said nonchalantly, though he was angry because it was all Shadow Ming fault.
Shi Man lowered his head in guilt.
"I'm sorry. Because of me, your body is full of sword marks…"Shi Man said in low voice.
Xiao Wei waved it off.
"It's fine. I've had worse."Xiao Wei said.
That part was true. His body had endured far more in the past. But he still sighed internally—he had prided himself on his handsome appearance, and now his once-smooth skin bore a map of battle scars.
Shi Man looked at him more closely now, awe evident in his expression.
"What's your name, brother? You're unbelievably courageous. You dared to face five Martial Master Cultivators with just a Martial Apprentice Realm Cultivation. I've never seen anyone do that and live."Shi Man said with respect.
"Xiao Wei"Xiao Wei replied simply.
"Nice to meet you, Brother Wei. I'm Shi Man, of the Shi Clan."Shi Man replied his name, nodding with respect.
Xiao Wei nodded slightly.
Shi Man hesitated for a moment, then added.
"I owe you my life. If there's anything I can do for you in the future, just say the word. I may not be much, but I'll never forget this debt."Shi Man said.
Xiao Wei didn't respond immediately. Instead, he looked up at the moonlight breaking through the branches above.
"Let's just survive this Secret Realm first. We can talk about debts later."Xiao Wei said.
A quiet understanding settled between them.
After a few more hours of rest and quiet Cultivation, they resumed their journey through the Secret Realm.
Shi Man now stayed close to Xiao Wei, watching him with a new level of respect and admiration. Xiao Wei, for his part, remained vigilant all the time.
Together, the two of the stepped deeper into the unknown wilderness of the Secret Realm.
As the sunlight filtered through the canopy of trees, casting speckled shadows over the forest floor, Xiao Wei and Shi Man sat around a small campfire. A fat piece of monster meat crackled over the flames, its enticing aroma filling the air.
Shi Man tore off a piece of meat and chewed thoughtfully before glancing at Xiao Wei.
"Brother Wei, where are you from?"Shi Man asked.
Xiao Wei, his eyes still half-closed in meditation, opened them slowly.
"Fu State, Mo City."Xiao Wei replied.
Shi Man's eyes lit up.
"Then you must know that my Big Brother Shi Feng is a Guest Elder of the Mo Clan in Mo City!"Shi Man said.
Xiao Wei gave a nod of acknowledgment but didn't say much else. He wasn't the kind of person to get excited about names or positions. But Shi Man was clearly proud.
There was a brief pause before Shi Man continued, his tone turning more curious.
"Brother, where will you go after the Secret Realm closes?"Shi Man asked.
Before Xiao Wei could respond, Shadow Ming voice echoed in his mind.
'This kid talks too much'
Suppressing a smirk, Xiao Wei responded calmly.
"Fu City."Xiao Wei said.
Shi Man brightened.
"Good! Then you should come to my clan. The Shi Clan estate is one of the strongest in the city. My father and big brother will definitely welcome you once he hears you saved me."Shi Man said.
Xiao Wei considered it briefly. He didn't know anyone in Fu City, and having a local connection could make navigating the city much easier.
"Alright. I'll visit."Xiao Wei said.
Shi Man grinned from ear to ear.
"Great!"Shi Man said.
Two days passed quickly.
The pair hunted Tier 2 Monsters, avoided dangerous zones, and shared stories when the mood struck.
That morning, while roasting another slab of monster meat over the fire, Shi Man glanced at the sky.
"The Secret Realm will close today"Shi Man said.
Xiao Wei raised an eyebrow.
"How do you know?"Xiao Wei asked.
"Because I entered the Secret Realm on the twentieth day. And the Secret Realm only open for thirty days at a time. Today is the thirtieth day."Shi Man replied.
Xiao Wei gave a silent nod slowly.
Shi Man took another bite of meat and sighed.
"I don't think anyone found the Secret Realm Core this time either."Shi Man muttered to himself.
Xiao Wei said nothing eating his own monster meat.
Shi Man suddenly tilted his head.
"By the way, Brother Wei, who was that man who kept shooting arrows at the five Martial Masters? The one who helped us?"Shi Man asked.
Xiao Wei paused. His heart skipped slightly, but his face remained calm.
"I don't know. I think he had some personal grudge against those five men. He probably saw us being attacked and used the opportunity."Xiao Wei said after a moment.
Shi Man nodded.
"Yes, that makes sense. The way he shot those arrows, though… terrifyingly precise. He must be a high-level archer Cultivator."Shi Man muttered to himself.
"Maybe"Xiao Wei said with a faint smile, expertly hiding the truth.
---
At the same moment, far from the serene glade where Xiao Wei and Shi Man sat, a very different scene was unfolding.
Inside a dark cave carved naturally into the base of a jagged cliff, four figures stood in silence.
Their eyes were fixed on a glowing green object—a fist-sized orb hovering in the air at the center of the cave.
Among the four individuals present, two were disciples of the Old Yang—Chen Xiao and Mo Chen.
Chen Xiao's eyes were sharp, and his aura surged with barely concealed aggression.
"The Secret Realm Core is mine!"Chen Xiao roared, his voice echoing off the cavern walls like a thunderclap.
His body sparked with Spiritual Energy as his palms clenched with anticipation.
Standing beside him, Mo Chen remained calm and still, her hands cross folding at her chest as she observed the others with indifference.
"I'm not going to fight for it. I only came to see who would be get the Secret Realm Core."Mo Chen said quietly, voice steady and cold.
That indifference did not sit well with the others.