Chapter 215: Fire Jade Centipede

Several mountain ranges rose from the boundless plain, crisscrossing like colossal dragons prostrating on the ground.

These mountains were quite peculiar. Under the sunlight, they shimmered with dazzling, speckled light, as if covered in a layer of reflective scales. Only upon closer inspection did one realize they were transparent 'flowers'.

What was peculiar was that these 'flowers' were actually crystal flowers formed from amethyst, yet they bloomed like real flowers with incredibly lifelike shapes.

No one knew why such strange crystal flowers appeared here.

Tens of thousands of 'flowers' vied for beauty as Qin Sang appeared at the foot of the mountain. He couldn't help but marvel quietly at the breathtaking scene.

He determined his direction, then flew on his sword to the mid-slope of one of the mountains. Taking out the Shadow Guard's token, he sensed something, then slowly walked towards a crystal flower.

The purple crystal shimmered brightly under the sunlight, appearing no different from the other crystal flowers.

Who would have thought that a secret realm was hidden within this inconspicuous crystal flower? More precisely, the crystal flower served as the entrance to the Heavenly Crystal Secret Realm.

It truly captured the essence of "a flower, a world."

As soon as Qin Sang stood still before the crystal flower, a strange fluctuation suddenly rippled from its stamen. A breath later, Qin Sang felt a sharp prickling pain between his eyebrows, as if he had been targeted by a sharp sword.

Clearly, the people inside the secret realm had confirmed Qin Sang's intention to enter and were issuing a warning.

"Shadow Guard from Hanging Skull Pass, disciple of Shaohua Mountain, Qin Sang! I pay my respects to Senior Brother Teng Nan! Furthermore, I carry a letter entrusted to me by Senior Brother Yu Yangzi; please open it personally, Senior Brother Teng Nan."

Qin Sang clearly stated his identity and raised a jade slip with both hands, which contained a letter from Yu Yangzi.

The stamen suddenly opened wide, and the fluctuation transformed into a deep, dark vortex. A suction force emanated from within, pulling the jade slip into the secret realm. Then, muffled voices could be heard.

"Please wait a moment, Senior..."

Qin Sang stood with his hands clasped respectfully and waited quietly.

A moment later, the light before Qin Sang dimmed, and a burly man in golden armor appeared before him.

"Junior Brother Qin," the burly man in golden armor cupped his hands towards Qin Sang and said kindly, "I am Teng Nan, responsible for guarding this secret realm. Please forgive me if there are any inconveniences."

Qin Sang secretly sized up Senior Brother Teng Nan, considering that he might have to live with him in the secret realm for several decades. Encountering a difficult or perverse person would be a great bother.

Teng Nan was clad in golden armor, appearing exceptionally mighty and imposing. However, his features were quite benevolent, suggesting he wouldn't be difficult to get along with.

Qin Sang meticulously returned the greeting. "Senior Brother Teng Nan," he said, "it is proper for you to be cautious, given your responsibilities. It is I, Qin Sang, who has presumptuously come to bother you. I hope I haven't disturbed you."

Teng Nan smiled upon hearing this and scrutinized Qin Sang from head to toe. "I have already read Junior Brother Yu Yangzi's letter," he said. "Junior Brother Qin, please follow me. The Heavenly Crystal Secret Realm is not as rich as other secret realms, but providing a cave dwelling is certainly not an issue."

As they spoke, Qin Sang followed Teng Nan into the vortex. His vision flickered, and the scenery before him changed drastically.

There was a blue sky, white clouds, fresh air, and extraordinarily rich spiritual energy.

Coming from a desolate ancient immortal battlefield to the Heavenly Crystal Secret Realm felt like suddenly entering a fairyland.

Several green mountains surrounded them, filled with spiritual trees called Huangqiao.

Fragrant green grass covered the plain. A large river meandered through it, its source and end unknown. On both sides of the river, various sized medicinal gardens had been cultivated, where many spiritual herbs were planted.

The familiar scene made Qin Sang feel a little lost in thought, suddenly recalling his time at Yuanzhao Sect.

In the depths of the secret realm, an area was sealed by thick fog. Qin Sang knew in his heart that this was the greatest secret of the realm. It might be an ancient cultivator's abode or an ancient medicinal garden; in any case, it was best not to pry.

After entering the secret realm, Qin Sang saw two more guards clad in golden armor, both at the Qi Condensation stage. Only after Teng Nan's introduction did he learn that one was a disciple of the Shangyuan Pure Serenity Palace, and the other a disciple of the Taiyi Pill Sect. It was they who had spoken earlier.

All the guards in the secret realm were under Teng Nan's command, taking turns on watch.

"Some of the others are out training, some are in secluded cultivation. Since Junior Brother Qin will be residing here for a long time, I will introduce you to them later," Teng Nan said, introducing the secret realm to Qin Sang in detail. Finally, pointing to the restriction array above the secret realm, he added, "The secret realm is not always peaceful, especially when celestial phenomena occur. If Junior Brother Qin could lend a hand, it would greatly ease my burden."

Qin Sang replied earnestly, "Senior Brother Teng Nan, please rest assured. Whenever you need my assistance, do not hesitate to ask. I will certainly not stand by idly."

Teng Nan nodded in satisfaction, leading Qin Sang to a mountain in the depths of the secret realm. There, he saw over a dozen cave dwellings carved into the cliffside, all sealed by restrictions.

Teng Nan pointed to one of the cave dwellings and said, "This is where the spiritual energy is densest in the entire secret realm, enough to meet the cultivation needs of Foundation Establishment stage cultivators. This is my cave dwelling; the others are currently unclaimed. Junior Brother Qin, please choose any one you like. You can open and close the dwelling with your Shadow Guard token. Also, this is a map of the area around the Heavenly Crystal Secret Realm, with areas where cloud beasts gather marked. Junior Brother Qin, please be careful to avoid these places when you venture out for training."

Qin Sang took the jade slip handed to him by Teng Nan. He extended his spiritual sense into it and found that the map inside was far more detailed than the one Yu Yangzi had given him. It was likely the accumulated knowledge of the Heavenly Crystal Secret Realm guards over many years, making it very valuable.

Putting away the jade slip, Qin Sang immediately took out his Shadow Guard token and offered to transfer half of his merit points to Teng Nan for renting the cave dwelling. After several polite refusals, Teng Nan finally accepted the merit points.

The so-called cave dwelling was, in fact, just a simple cave. Its walls were incredibly rough, even showing marks of sword and blade cuts. Inside, there was only a stone bed and nothing else.

It looked like a barbarian's abode, but it was a rare sanctuary in the ancient immortal battlefield.

Qin Sang paid no attention to the cave dwelling's furnishings. He gave it a casual glance and dismissed it, then closed his eyes and circulated his cultivation technique. After one full cycle, he stopped and nodded subtly.

It was far inferior to his Spirit Spring Cave Dwelling, but it was sufficient for his cultivation needs.

"Finally, I can cultivate in peace!"

Qin Sang sat on the stone bed and let out a long breath. After a moment of thought, he took out Yin Xingge's spirit beast pouch.

The Fiend Corpse had found the spirit beast pouch and a few scattered magical artifacts in the mine, but the most precious spatial storage bag was not found. It might have fallen into a crevice.

The spirit beast pouch contained many bottles and jars, in which over a dozen types of demonic insects were kept.

There was also a jade slip in the spirit beast pouch, which contained the Yaowang Sect's insights on cultivating demonic insects. Qin Sang studied it carefully and found that most of these insects were not of great use, mainly serving to assist in cultivating spiritual herbs.

Thinking of Yin Xingge's identity as a Yaowang Sect disciple, Qin Sang felt relieved.

However, there was one fiery red centipede that was not mentioned in the jade slip. Qin Sang instinctively felt that this insect was extraordinary. While in Changyang Market, he found a merchant guild affiliated with the Imperial Spirit Sect and spent a large sum of money at their shop to buy a catalog of demonic insects. Only then did he learn that this insect was a rare and exotic creature called a Fire Jade Centipede!