Chapter 1199: Secret Realm? Enlightenment Cave Residence?

"Thank you very much," Wang Qingshan said, accepting the Nine Heavens Escape Talisman.

The Nine Heavens Escape Talisman is an auxiliary talisman that can be used repeatedly until its power is exhausted, which is much better than single-use offensive talismans. Even the strongest third-tier offensive talisman cannot kill a Core Formation cultivator in one blow, but an auxiliary third-tier talisman can be used multiple times. The Miao family is renowned in Yunlan Prefecture for their talisman techniques, so the Nine Heavens Escape Talisman must have unique qualities.

"Haha, Fellow Daoist Wang, after the Immortal Ascension Assembly, you are welcome to visit our Miao family. It's rare for you to come to the Great Yan Dynasty, so let us extend our hospitality as hosts," Miao Jiale said enthusiastically. Since Wang Qingshan had come all the way to Yunlan Prefecture, the Miao family would naturally treat him well. Miao Jiale hoped to forge a deep friendship with Wang Qingshan.

Just as Wang Qingshan was about to reply, a deafening roar suddenly echoed. A golden sun, hundreds of feet wide, appeared in the sky, with the faint outline of a colossal golden pagoda visible within it. The golden sun was located northwest of the White Birch Mountains, an area where many demonic beasts resided, preserved by the Miao family for the training of their younger generations.

"What's going on? Is someone fighting there?"

"Idiot, that's not a fight. It looks like a treasure has appeared!"

"The Miao family has been stationed here for so many years and never found any treasure. How could one suddenly appear now?"

"Hehe, perhaps this is our destined opportunity. Wouldn't we know if we just went to see?"

The cultivators buzzed with discussion. Some Core Formation cultivators immediately took flight, transforming into streaks of light and soaring towards the golden sun. Initially, there was only one, but soon a second and a third appeared, with large numbers of cultivators heading towards the golden sun.

Wang Qingshan’s expression shifted, and he too transformed into a streak of azure light, pursuing them. Miao Jiale and the other Miao family cultivators exchanged bewildered glances. The Miao family had been developing here for thousands of years; how could they not know about a treasure here?

"Let's go, let's take a look. If it really is a treasure appearing, we absolutely cannot let it fall into the hands of outsiders." Miao Jiale and the others quickly followed. A treasure appearing right at their doorstep naturally could not be claimed by outsiders.

Less than an hour later, Wang Qingshan landed in an open area. Not far ahead was a lake about ten acres in size, and above the lake hung a shimmering golden pagoda illusion. The giant pagoda appeared to be crafted from some kind of golden, crystal-clear material, with golden light flowing erratically, making it appear indistinct.

"This looks like True Monarch Jin Yue's meditation cave, and his life-bound magic treasure was a golden pagoda."

"No way! True Monarch Jin Yue existed over three thousand years ago. At that time, the Miao family was already settled in the White Birch Mountains. Did True Monarch Jin Yue specifically come to the Miao family's doorstep to meditate? That can't be right!"

"Hehe, True Monarch Jin Yue was a fourth-tier artificer. It's said he had a spatial-type magic treasure. Perhaps he meditated inside a spatial magic treasure; what's so strange about that? Even if it's not True Monarch Jin Yue's meditation cave, it's a secret realm."

"Exactly, it might be that too much time has passed and the entrance opened automatically, or someone discovered and opened the entrance. If we don't go in for treasure hunting, wouldn't that be a waste? This is our opportunity; we cannot miss this chance."

Several Core Formation cultivators either released their spiritual beasts or spiritual insects, sending them flying towards the golden pagoda. However, both the spiritual beasts and insects were pulled into the golden pagoda by a powerful suction force the moment they approached within three feet of it.

"My spiritual beast isn't dead yet, so it shouldn't be a dangerous place. If it were, the Miao family would have discovered it long ago. Even if it's not True Monarch Jin Yue's meditation cave, it's a secret realm. I'll go ahead; you all do as you please." A plump middle-aged man flew towards the golden pagoda. The same scene unfolded: as he approached, he was pulled into the golden pagoda by a powerful suction force and disappeared.

Generally, when a secret realm or meditation cave lacks a cultivator to maintain its operation and repair, it enters a period of weakness after a long time. Entering during this period is relatively easy; beyond it, it's uncertain.

Wang Qingshan gazed at the golden pagoda, his brow slightly furrowed. The appearance of this secret realm was somewhat inexplicable, but he had heard of True Monarch Jin Yue's deeds. This individual was a late Nascent Soul cultivator, skilled in artifact refining, and possessed spatial-type magic treasures. True Monarch Jin Yue's life-bound magic treasure was indeed a golden pagoda.

Perhaps his opportunity had arrived. The concept of "opportunity" is profound and mysterious. Since he encountered it, not entering to seek treasure would be a great waste. He might find something good to bring back to the family, enhancing its foundation and even cultivating several Core Formation cultivators.

Of course, Wang Qingshan also considered it might be a trap. But who would set a trap right at the Miao family's doorstep, requiring the use of a spatial-type magic treasure? Magic treasures containing a spatial dimension are known as "cavern-heaven treasures," but their refinement is incredibly difficult. Wang Qingshan once asked Wang Changsheng if he could refine spatial-type magic treasures, and Wang Changsheng immediately denied it, saying that even the top ten sects of the South Sea might not be able to refine them, as spatial materials are exceedingly rare.

After careful consideration, Wang Qingshan transformed into a streak of azure light and flew towards the golden pagoda. As he approached, a powerful suction force pulled him towards the golden pagoda.

Wang Qingshan felt the surroundings blur before he suddenly appeared above a lush green bamboo forest, rapidly falling towards the ground. An azure light emanated from his body, and he slowly descended to the ground. The bamboo forest was incredibly quiet, with no bird calls or insect chirps. Wang Qingshan expanded his spiritual consciousness, roughly scanning an area of a hundred li, but found no other cultivators, though he did detect quite a few third-tier demonic beasts. He took a deep breath, his face showing delight. The spiritual energy here was abundant, so it shouldn't be a trap.

A dull thud came from the ground as a colossal, black-bodied earthworm emerged from beneath, lunging at Wang Qingshan. The giant earthworm opened its gaping maw, revealing large amounts of green viscous liquid and incredibly sharp fangs, looking exceedingly ferocious. Wang Qingshan's figure flickered, and with a gentle flick of his Azure Glaze Sword, a loud sword hum resonated. A vast expanse of azure sword energy flew out, transforming into an azure sword light over a hundred feet long, slashing towards the black earthworm.

Boom!

The black earthworm was cleaved in half, its soul failing to escape, and this high-grade second-tier demonic insect perished. An azure spiritual light illuminated Wang Qingshan's body as he stepped forward. Not long after, he vanished into the azure bamboo forest.

Within a narrow mountain valley, a beautiful young woman in a green dress and a tall man in a black robe were controlling their magic treasures to attack a golden python over ten feet long.

"Junior Brother, let's finish this quickly. We still need to rendezvous with Master. If we delay Master's important business, we'll be in big trouble," the young woman in the green dress said, frowning. She conjured an azure ring, which then split into two, then four... Soon, hundreds of identical azure rings struck the golden python. A series of rumbling sounds erupted, and a large number of azure rings transformed into scattered azure light and disappeared. A hazy azure ring suddenly appeared above the golden python's head, swiftly descending and rapidly shrinking, coiling around the golden python's mouth.

The black-robed man formed a hand seal, and three skull heads emitted "wuwu" cries,扑上去, biting the golden python. The golden python's body shriveled at a visible speed as all its essence blood was sucked dry. After dealing with the golden python's corpse, the young woman in the green dress took out a black magic disk and struck a spell into it. Billowing black smoke emerged, forming a skull pattern. The skull flew towards the sky, and the two cultivators quickly pursued it.