Floating above the sky and observed by many cultivators, Elder Zhao Zhilan of the White Lotus Sect announced to all cultivators about the opening of the alternate realm with a soft, enticing tone, reaching out to all the cultivators gathered.
“Everyone listen, I am Elder Zhao Zhilan, a representative of the White Lotus Sect who discovered this alternate realm. This realm was initially discovered by one of our disciples while exploring the Death Forest. Out of curiosity, our disciple entered this realm, which turned out to be very dangerous. Out of the twenty disciples who entered, only one managed to return and provide information to the sect.”
“After receiving this information, our sect sent three Nascent Soul experts to explore it. However, unfortunately, the alternate realm cannot be accessed by cultivators above the Golden Core stage. Although Golden Core cultivators can enter, their cultivation will be suppressed to the Building Foundation stage based on the observations made by our sect’s elders.”
“This alternate realm is also quite special because time inside it differs from time outside. From our trials, it seems that one day in the alternate realm equals three days outside.”
“The reason we invite all of you, cultivators from Fellow Sun Continent, to explore it is that our sect is not capable of exploring this realm alone. We do not have the courage to risk sending our disciples below the Nascent Soul stage into a realm that could potentially lead to their deaths.”
“That is why we are opening this alternate realm to the public. As for the treasures inside, you need not worry because we have not explored the realm extensively, so many treasures remain untouched.”
After Elder Zhao Zhilan made this announcement, many cultivators below cheered with joy, realizing that their long journey to the Death Forest for the opening conference of the alternate realm was not in vain. Most of these cultivators had only heard rumors about the public opening of the alternate realm, so they were somewhat skeptical. Fortunately, the information was confirmed when they arrived.
Without further delay, Elder Zhao Zhilan directed all the cultivators to a cave heavily guarded by many White Lotus Sect elders. Most of these elders guarding the cave were at the Nascent Soul stage. They protected the cave with protective talismans and markings indicating that the cave belonged to the White Lotus Sect.
In front of the cave, Elder Zhao Zhilan instructed all the cultivators to line up when entering, whether alone or in groups, to prevent chaos. Then, one of the White Lotus Sect elders led the cultivators at the front of the line to enter a black crack, said to be the gateway to the alternate realm.
Far from the cave guarded by the White Lotus Sect, there was a hidden cave inhabited by a race of half-humans, or demons as they are commonly known, gathering to enter the alternate realm unnoticed by the White Lotus Sect.
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“Wow, huh? Is this what the inside of the alternate realm looks like? It’s no different from the Death Forest. There are just a lot of tall trees like in the Death Forest. Senior Xue, now that we’re here, where do you think we should go?”
“Hmm, I don’t know either, this is my first time here as well. Since we have no information, we shouldn’t split up. It’s better to leave from this entrance. I’m afraid if we stay here, we might attract evil cultivators greedy for the items we carry.”
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In response to her junior, Senior Xue immediately went in the direction she thought was best, followed by her junior and Ruan Xiaoyue, who had been silent. After running for a while, they finally stopped to rest and replenish their qi. While they were replenishing their qi, they heard a considerable number of footsteps. It turned out to be a pack of wolves that had been lurking to prey on them.
“Se-Senior Xue, isn’t that a Fire Fur Wolf? They should be at the mid Building Foundation stage, right? W-what should we do, Senior Xue? There are so many of them. How can we escape?”
“J-just stay calm. If things get really bad, I, Senior Xue, will sacrifice myself so that you all can escape!”
“Hey! I heard that the wolves surrounding us are called Fire Fur Wolves, right? Even though they are monsters, they are still animals, aren’t they? Are they rare beasts that can be eaten?”
“Li-little Ruan, even if you ask that, look around you first! We’re surrounded! Ouch! Don’t pinch me! Okay, okay, I’ll answer! Fire Fur Wolves can be eaten, but they are not very rare. There are quite a few of them in the Death Forest, though they are not as strong as the ones in this alternate realm. I’ve answered, okay! Now we need to find a way to escape from th-”
Thump, thump.
“Ha-haaaah!”
'Just as the elder from the sect said, it’s true. I feel my qi has dropped to the peak of the Building Foundation stage. Well, although my qi has decreased, my strength remains the same as usual.'
Ignoring Xue Lanting and her junior who were shocked by the aftermath of Ruan Xiaoyue’s attack, she focused more on sensing the suppressed qi within her body. Fortunately, her strength was not suppressed, which made her somewhat pleased.
“Li-little Ruan! Isn’t your cultivation suppressed in this alternate realm? How can you still exert such great strength?”
“Only my qi is suppressed, while my strength remains unchanged.”
“W-why is your strength so great? You’re still a child. What’s the use of my cultivation if I see your power? This is really abnormal.”
“Se-Senior Xue, look at the damage. All the Fire Fur Wolves have even vanished without leaving behind any monster crystals. What kind of power is this we’re seeing? Isn’t Miss Ruan’s cultivation currently suppressed?”
Seeing Xue Lanting and her junior bewildered and talking to themselves, Ruan Xiaoyue felt quite proud as her immense strength left them puzzled and questioning their own lives.
Coming out of their daze, Xue Lanting was now truly curious about who Little Ruan really was to possess such extraordinary strength for someone her age.
“Little Ruan, now Sister Xue really wants to know who you are. You said you’re not from a hidden sect. But it’s still very strange for Sister Xue to see your extraordinary strength. So, if you don’t mind, could you tell me who you really are?”
“Since you’re not a bad person and we will be together in this alternate realm for quite a while, I will tell you who I really am. Well, actually, I’m nobody, because it’s my master who made me this strong.”
“It’s impossible that you’re nobody if your strength is this great. I-if it’s because of your master, could you tell me who your master is?”
“I can’t tell you who my master is, but if you want to know, my master is the strongest cultivator in this world,” Ruan Xiaoyue said proudly.
“Enough questions, we need to leave here. I have to quickly find rare plants and beasts for my master. Since you know more, please show me if we come across rare plants and beasts. In return, I will help you find treasures in this alternate realm.”
After saying this with an unwillingness to talk further, Ruan Xiaoyue moved forward, followed by Xue Lanting and her junior who were still curious about her.
The group, now led by Ruan Xiaoyue, explored all the areas they could reach every day. Any monsters and plants they saw would be collected and captured by Ruan Xiaoyue to ask Xue Lanting whether they were rare or not. If the plant was rare, it would be taken; if not, it would be left behind. Rare monsters encountered would be captured, while non-rare ones would be released or killed if they were dangerous.