Chapter 1575: 妖族隐秘

Generally, mystic realms are categorized into artificial and natural. Artificial mystic realms are typically established at stable spatial nodes. For smaller spatial nodes, multiple Nascent Soul cultivators can reinforce them with treasures to transform them into mystic realms. The spiritual energy within these realms depends entirely on the resources invested by the controlling force.

A Soul Transformation cultivator from the Murong Family used great divine abilities to connect two spatial nodes, merging them into a single mystic realm. This realm is usually sealed, but family members are periodically sent in to seek treasures and gain experience. It is said to contain numerous rare heavenly materials and earthly treasures.

When discussing cultivation families, the Murong Family is unavoidable. And when discussing the Murong Family, their Heaven-grade mystic realm is likewise unavoidable.

The Shen Family controls three mystic realms, the highest of which is an Earth-grade realm. Cultivators below the Nascent Soul stage can enter it to retrieve treasures, and its spiritual energy is more than double that of the outside world.

All major powers control mystic realms, though the number varies. However, not every major power controls a Heaven-grade mystic realm. The Five Dragons Mystic Realm is a Profound-grade realm, accessible to cultivators below the Core Formation stage for treasure hunting. The Soaring Immortal Ruins are, strictly speaking, only an Earth-grade mystic realm. This demonstrates the immense preciousness and value of Heaven-grade mystic realms.

"Entering the Soul Transformation stage is not that easy," Baili Yunlong lamented. "However, Heaven-grade mystic realms are indeed precious. If a fellow Daoist controls such a realm, their chances of advancing to the Soul Transformation stage are much higher than other Nascent Soul cultivators."

Baili Yunlong sighed, noting that the Baili Family's ability to stand strong for tens of thousands of years, in addition to having many talented members, is largely due to their control of a Heaven-grade mystic realm. To his knowledge, the three major powers—Myriad Sword Sect, Sun Moon Palace, and Myriad Beasts Island—each control a Heaven-grade mystic realm, ensuring their continuous legacy and a plethora of powerful experts.

Ouyang Shengtao nodded and said with a smile, "Indeed! However, Heaven-grade mystic realms are all equipped with powerful restrictions. It seems that only specific keys can open their entrances for treasure retrieval. Even if someone discovers the Heaven-grade mystic realm left by the Murong Family, without the key, they cannot enter to search for treasures. Forcibly opening a passage would very likely cause the entrance to collapse."

The Ouyang Family once discovered an unknown Heaven-grade mystic realm without a key. Several Nascent Soul cultivators from the Ouyang Family joined forces to forcibly open a passage and enter the realm to seek treasures. Afterward, the realm's entrance collapsed, and the entire realm merged into the void. Nevertheless, the Ouyang Family found many heavenly materials and earthly treasures within the realm. One Nascent Soul family member used these treasures to advance to the Soul Transformation stage, protecting the Ouyang Family for over two millennia.

"Yes, just thinking about it is enough," someone said. "Throughout history, how many powers have vanished into the river of time? Who knows how many unknown mystic realms exist? Controlling even a single Yellow-grade mystic realm would be immensely beneficial. It's rumored that the Five Spirits Rogue Cultivator only managed to enter the Nascent Soul stage by relying on the resources found within a Profound-grade mystic realm they discovered."

Wang Qingling nodded. "That's right, how easy is it to discover a mystic realm? At our current stage, it's difficult to advance further unless one controls an Earth-grade mystic realm. Such things depend on luck. We should just focus on honest cultivation. Cultivation should be a steady, down-to-earth process. Relying on mystic realms for advancement is unreliable."

"Luck! Speaking of luck, I recall a fellow Daoist whom I believe many of you have heard of."

Dongfang Liang quipped.

Wang Qingling smiled charmingly. "Fellow Daoist Dongfang, you're referring to Huang Fugui, aren't you? He was still on Golden Lotus Island before we set off!"

Huang Fugui found the whereabouts of Zhou Sihong and received a reward of over ten million spirit stones. Regardless, his luck is undeniably good.

"Situ Mei's bounty is even higher. Fellow Daoists, what do you think? Will Huang Fugui discover Situ Mei's whereabouts?"

Dongfang Liang's face was full of curiosity. After Huang Fugui discovered Zhou Sihong's whereabouts and Zhou Sihong was eliminated, True Monarch Taihao's reputation soared, and Huang Fugui also gained the attention of major powers.

"Some say Huang Fugui possesses great fortune. If he truly discovers Situ Mei's whereabouts, then I will believe he has great fortune."

Ouyang Shengtao said with a smile.

The cultivators chatted for two hours, covering various topics.

"It's getting late. Let's conclude for today. Fellow Daoists, don't miss the auction in five days. Our Dongfang Family is offering a spirit treasure this time. With multiple merchant alliances participating in its planning, many treasures will appear."

Dongfang Liang's tone was enthusiastic. The Dongfang Family was offering a spirit treasure to exchange for special artifact-refining materials. If that wasn't possible, acquiring a batch of high-grade spirit stones would also be acceptable, as high-grade spirit stones are essential for operating fourth-tier puppet beasts and arrays of the fourth-tier and above.

The cultivators readily agreed, having traveled great distances precisely to bid on some good items.

Back at her residence, Wang Qingling took out a white porcelain bottle. As she pulled out the stopper, an intensely cold aura surged forth, instantly freezing the bottle's body and causing ice to rapidly spread. Wang Qingling quickly replaced the stopper, which halted the ice's spread.

"The Frigid Marrow truly lives up to its reputation," Wang Qingling murmured to herself. "It's a pity it's diluted. The Murong Family... a Heaven-grade mystic realm... if only I could obtain a Heaven-grade mystic realm."

She secretly resolved that upon her return, she would widely dispatch people to search for mystic realms. If they could find the Heaven-grade mystic realm controlled by the Murong Family and obtain Frigid Marrow, the Wang Family could continuously cultivate fourth-tier spirit beasts.

With a flick of her wrist, a loud dragon roar resounded, and a white light flew out from her spirit beast pearl. The white light was the Icewind Dragon, which circled a few times above her head before landing in front of her.

The Icewind Dragon's nostrils exhaled two streams of frigid air, instantly freezing the ground with an ice layer about a foot thick.

Wang Qingling stroked the Icewind Dragon's horn and said gently, "Xiaobai, don't worry. No matter how difficult it is, I will definitely help you advance to the fourth-tier. I've told you, we will walk the path of immortality together, and I will always be with you."

The Icewind Dragon let out a loud roar, seemingly in response to Wang Qingling.

"I wonder how Ninth Uncle and Ninth Aunt are doing," she mused. "They're traveling abroad, and I don't know when they'll return."

Wang Qingling spoke to herself. The Icewind Dragon's massive body curled up, enveloping Wang Qingling, its head resting against her.

Wang Qingling smiled charmingly, pressing her face against the Icewind Dragon's head with an expression of tender affection. Cupping its head in her hands, she whispered, "I know you're good. I'll always be with you. If you can transform into human form, you can use the name Wang Qingxiao!"

Although the Icewind Dragon was a spirit beast, Wang Qingling always treated it like her own younger brother.

In a quiet golden pavilion, inside a guest room, Ao Xin was speaking with Wu Yao'er.

"This Dao Discussion Conference is very important," Ao Xin stated solemnly. "We are representing the demon race, so there can be no mistakes."

"Senior Ao hasn't returned after so many years of traveling. Nothing could have happened to him, could it?"

Wu Yao'er's face was full of doubt. The Senior Ao she referred to was Ao Yan, a mid-stage Soul Transformation cultivator. Ao Yan was a leading figure of the demon race, having protected them for over three millennia. To her knowledge, this Senior Ao had lived for at least four thousand years. Human Soul Transformation cultivators typically have a lifespan of only over two thousand years, but demon lifespans are generally longer than humans, so four thousand years was quite significant.

Ao Yan entered the Soul Transformation stage at a thousand years old, becoming a leading figure of the demon race. Under his leadership, the demon race was able to contend with the human race.

The Black Phoenix clan was close to the Flood Dragon clan, so she knew more about Ao Yan than outsiders did.

"The Old Ancestor possesses vast divine abilities. What could possibly happen to him? Rest assured completely!"

Ao Xin's tone was full of confidence.

Wu Yao'er's expression softened, and she nodded, not pressing further.