Chapter 18: Mysterious Figure

In a mysterious cave, a mysterious figure suddenly appeared before Luyun, greatly surprising him. The ability to easily traverse space and appear at will was something Luyun had never seen before, and he was filled with curiosity about this person.

Carefully examining the person, Luyun noticed he was around thirty-six or thirty-seven years old, exceptionally handsome, and dressed in a silver long robe that shimmered with silver light, giving him a beautiful appearance. The person had a smiling face, radiating a friendly vibe, and his eyes sparkled with a strange light, exuding an air of mystery. The person, too, was observing Luyun, and a hint of surprise appeared in his eyes.

Luyun spoke, "Who are you? Your cultivation is profound, and I can only discern a rough idea. It's truly astonishing. Can you share with me how you can easily move between different spaces and appear here?"

The person, with a smile, said, "You can call me Xiaotian. And what about you? What's your name? You're not very old, yet your cultivation is deep, equally surprising. Your body seems to contain several different techniques, which is quite peculiar. Generally, people can't cultivate multiple techniques simultaneously, especially those with conflicting attributes. But you seem to be proficient in several. That might be what sets you apart from others."

Luyun was taken aback, realizing that Xiaotian could see the various techniques within him. Luyun spoke in a low voice, "My name is Luyun. I ended up here unintentionally. Can you tell me why you are here? Your aura seems to carry a hint of strange demonic energy. Can you explain?"

Xiaotian chuckled, "Your eyes are quite sharp. If I tell you it's because I've been here for a long time, naturally, I've absorbed some demonic energy, would you believe me? Or, if I say I am a demon myself, would you believe that? Regardless of the answer, what's important is what exists between us. Right now, we're here together, so why worry about my identity? Just like how I don't question why you possess several techniques; what do you say?"

After a moment of contemplation, Luyun agreed, "You're right. Meeting is fate. You specifically came from another space to see me, which is also a kind of fate. No matter what happens between us, at least, for now, we can coexist peacefully, becoming strangers yet familiar friends."

Xiaotian's face brightened, "After so many years, I've finally found someone to talk to. It's quite rare. Now, let me take you to another place where we can chat more comfortably. Remember to follow me closely; don't get lost. Be careful, and let's go." Xiaotian then created a spatial gateway in the cave.

Xiaotian turned into a silver light, swiftly disappearing into the portal. Luyun transformed into a dark blue light, following closely behind. The gateway vanished as soon as they entered.

When Luyun reappeared, he found himself in a brightly lit and dry cave. Observing his surroundings, he realized this was Xiaotian's residence. Luyun couldn't fathom why Xiaotian lived in such a place, and his thoughts were momentarily perplexed.

Xiaotian smiled, "Take a seat. Are you wondering why I live in a place like this? If you carefully explore, you'll notice that this cave is different from others. It is rich in spiritual energy, a gathering place for the entire Jueyin Valley. If you're interested, try absorbing some spiritual energy to enhance your cultivation."

Luyun hesitated for a moment, looking at Xiaotian with a peculiar thought. Although he sensed something unusual from Xiaotian, he remembered his master's words about not judging beings solely based on their appearances. Maybe Xiaotian, despite the lingering demonic energy, was not necessarily an evil entity. With this in mind, Luyun smiled.

Luyun replied, "Thank you for your kindness. I'll give it a try and see how beneficial the spiritual energy here is for me." Luyun activated his cultivation technique, creating colorful spheres of energy around him. The spiritual energy in various colors swiftly gathered around him, forming a beautiful display. Luyun absorbed the swirling energy into his body.

Observing this, Xiaotian's expression changed slightly, and he seemed lost in thought. He then shared some insights with Luyun, advising him to face challenges in the world to further enhance his cultivation. Luyun, meanwhile, continued to absorb the spiritual energy.

After a while, Luyun expressed his gratitude for the assistance. Xiaotian then changed the topic, inquiring about Luyun's origin, specifically asking if he was from Yiyuan.

Luyun, slightly surprised, admitted, "Yes, you're quite perceptive. I indeed come from Yiyuan. Are you curious about why I possess multiple techniques?"

Xiaotian chuckled, "I am curious, and if you're willing to share, go ahead. I promise to keep it a secret. After all, in two or three days, I'll be leaving this place, and you might not have the chance to see me again. So, I won't reveal your secrets to others."

Luyun, with a hint of doubt in his eyes, agreed, "Alright, you have my word. I came to Yiyuan to study their unique techniques while practicing my own. I had a master who taught me various techniques since childhood. My purpose in Yiyuan is to participate in the Six Academies Martial Arts Conference. Yiyuan has four participants, and I'm probably considered the weakest among them. But I don't care much about reputation. In the future, I'll make sure that everyone, including gods and spirits, knows the name Luyun."

Xiaotian was impressed by Luyun's determination, and

 the atmosphere around him suddenly became imposing. Luyun exuded an aura as if he could dominate everything, leaving Xiaotian deeply moved.

Xiaotian's eyes showed a trace of approval as he exclaimed, "Good, ambitious indeed! Since you've embarked on this path, you must be ready to contend with heaven and earth. Although you mentioned that your three companions are more formidable than you, deep down, you know that they might not surpass your profound cultivation. The fact that you made it here indicates your strength surpasses theirs. There are only two entrances to reach this place—one through the restricted barrier and the other through a highly mysterious location known as the Black Domain Secret Realm. If I'm not mistaken, you entered through the Black Domain Secret Realm and then arrived here, right?"

Luyun smiled and replied, "You seem to know everything; I'm at a loss for words. Indeed, I entered through there. Can you share some information about the Black Domain Secret Realm? I still don't understand much about it."

Xiaotian chuckled mysteriously and said, "It's as mysterious as this place—two of the most enigmatic locations in the Jueyin Valley. When I first arrived here, that mysterious space already existed. I tried various methods to enter it, but it wasn't until three hundred years ago that I, with my formidable cultivation, managed to get inside. Inside, I discovered a peculiar red energy mass, later identified as a Dragon Soul. I considered subduing it, but unfortunately, due to certain reasons, I ultimately failed. Surprisingly, I now sense the presence of that Dragon Soul within the sword above your head. It's quite astonishing."

Luyun, with a hint of surprise, admitted, "The Dragon Soul is indeed sealed within this sword. I used the Ghost Sect's Soul Sealing technique with great effort to imprison it here. I didn't expect you to discern it at a glance. Impressive."

Xiaotian smiled, "It's nothing special. When your cultivation advances further, many things will become clear to you. Since you were curious earlier about how to casually break through space from one place to another, I'll teach you. Consider it a gesture of friendship between us. I'll be leaving this place soon, and if I don't pass it on, it might be lost forever. This technique has been my unique skill for over two thousand years, and even others with strong cultivation can't traverse space like this." Xiaotian finished speaking, and a strange silver light enveloped Luyun's head, absorbed by him in an instant.

Luyun nodded in gratitude, "Thank you. I don't know how to repay you for this. Since you mentioned you're leaving, I'll come to see you off when the time comes, if I have the chance. Our group agreed to meet at the valley entrance in seven days and head to the Yao Yue Cave. I lost track of time after entering the Black Domain Secret Realm, so I need to return to the entrance first. If time allows, I'll come back here to see you off."

Xiaotian, hearing this, revealed a peculiar glint in his eyes and said, "We'll meet again. I hope you won't be surprised when that time comes. Meeting is rare, and I'll cherish this friendship. I hope you'll do the same. Now, focus on practicing the technique I taught you. I'll be leaving for now, and we'll meet again on the night of the full moon three days from now. Farewell for now." Xiaotian gave Luyun a friendly smile and gradually faded away, disappearing into the cave.

Watching Xiaotian disappear, Luyun felt a sudden sense of loss. Besides his parents and master, Lin Yunfeng was his only friend from childhood. If counting Zhang Aoxue, that made it two friends. Others like Purple Yang True Immortal and Xuan Yu True Immortal were different kinds of relationships and not as close. Today, meeting Xiaotian here gave Luyun a warm feeling of familiarity.

Now that Xiaotian was leaving, Luyun had already considered him a good friend. The feeling of reluctance lingered in his heart, a kind of nostalgia. With a light sigh, Luyun levitated in the air and began practicing the mysterious technique Xiaotian taught him. Colorful energy spheres gathered around him, absorbing the spiritual energy in various colors.

After a while, Luyun expressed his gratitude to Xiaotian, who then changed the topic to inquire about Luyun's origin, specifically mentioning Yiyuan. Luyun, slightly surprised, admitted, "Yes, you're quite perceptive. I indeed come from Yiyuan. Are you curious about why I possess multiple techniques?"

Xiaotian chuckled, "I am curious, and if you're willing to share, go ahead. I promise to keep it a secret. After all, in two or three days, I'll be leaving this place, and you might not have the chance to see me again. So, I won't reveal your secrets to others."

Luyun, with a hint of doubt in his eyes, agreed, "Alright, you have my word. I came to Yiyuan to study their unique techniques while practicing my own. I had a master who taught me various techniques since childhood. My purpose in Yiyuan is to participate in the Six Academies Martial Arts Conference. Yiyuan has four participants, and I'm probably considered the weakest among them. But I don't care much about reputation. In the future, I'll make sure that everyone, including gods and spirits, knows the name Luyun."

Xiaotian was impressed by Luyun's determination, and the atmosphere around him suddenly became imposing. Luyun exuded an aura as if he could dominate everything, leaving Xiaotian deeply moved.

Xiaotian's eyes showed a trace of approval as he exclaimed, "Good, ambitious indeed! Since you've embarked on this path, you must be ready to contend with heaven and earth. Although you mentioned that your three companions are more formidable than you, deep down, you know that they might not surpass your profound cultivation. The fact that you made it here indicates your strength surpasses theirs. There are only two entrances to reach this place—one through the restricted barrier and the other through a highly mysterious location known as the Black Domain Secret Realm. If I'm not mistaken, you entered through the Black Domain Secret Realm and then arrived here, right?"

Luyun smiled and replied, "You seem to know everything; I'm at a loss for words. Indeed, I entered through there. Can you share some information about the Black Domain Secret Realm? I still don't understand much about it."

Xiaotian chuckled mysteriously and said, "It's as mysterious as this place—two of the most enigmatic locations in the Jueyin Valley. When I first arrived here, that mysterious space already existed. I tried various methods to enter it, but it wasn't until three hundred years ago that I, with my formidable cultivation, managed to get inside. Inside, I discovered a peculiar red energy mass, later identified as a Dragon Soul. I considered subduing it, but unfortunately, due to certain reasons, I ultimately failed. Surprisingly, I now sense the presence of that Dragon Soul within the sword above your head. It's quite astonishing."

Luyun, with a hint of surprise, admitted, "The Dragon Soul is indeed sealed within this sword. I used the Ghost

 Sect's Soul Sealing technique with great effort to imprison it here. I didn't expect you to discern it at a glance. Impressive."

Xiaotian smiled, "It's nothing special. When your cultivation advances further, many things will become clear to you. Since you were curious earlier about how to casually break through space from one place to another, I'll teach you. Consider it a gesture of friendship between us. I'll be leaving this place soon, and if I don't pass it on, it might be lost forever. This technique has been my unique skill for over two thousand years, and even others with strong cultivation can't traverse space like this." Xiaotian finished speaking, and a strange silver light enveloped Luyun's head, absorbed by him in an instant.

Luyun nodded in gratitude, "Thank you. I don't know how to repay you for this. Since you mentioned you're leaving, I'll come to see you off when the time comes, if I have the chance. Our group agreed to meet at the valley entrance in seven days and head to the Yao Yue Cave. I lost track of time after entering the Black Domain Secret Realm, so I need to return to the entrance first. If time allows, I'll come back here to see you off."

Xiaotian, hearing this, revealed a peculiar glint in his eyes and said, "We'll meet again. I hope you won't be surprised when that time comes. Meeting is rare, and I'll cherish this friendship. I hope you'll do the same. Now, focus on practicing the technique I taught you. I'll be leaving for now, and we'll meet again on the night of the full moon three days from now. Farewell for now." Xiaotian gave Luyun a friendly smile and gradually faded away, disappearing into the cave.

Watching Xiaotian disappear, Luyun felt a sudden sense of loss. Besides his parents and master, Lin Yunfeng was his only friend from childhood. If counting Zhang Aoxue, that made it two friends. Others like Purple Yang True Immortal and Xuan Yu True Immortal were different kinds of relationships and not as close. Today, meeting Xiaotian here gave Luyun a warm feeling of familiarity.

Now that Xiaotian was leaving, Luyun had already considered him a good friend. The feeling of reluctance lingered in his heart, a kind of nostalgia. With a light sigh, Luyun levitated in the air and began practicing the mysterious technique Xiaotian taught him. Colorful energy spheres gathered around him, absorbing the spiritual energy in various colors.

After a while, Luyun expressed his gratitude to Xiaotian, who then changed the topic to inquire about Luyun's origin, specifically mentioning Yiyuan. Luyun, slightly surprised, admitted, "Yes, you're quite perceptive. I indeed come from Yiyuan. Are you curious about why I possess multiple techniques?"

Xiaotian chuckled, "I am curious, and if you're willing to share, go ahead. I promise to keep it a secret. After all, in two or three days, I'll be leaving this place, and you might not have the chance to see me again. So, I won't reveal your secrets to others."

Luyun, with a hint of doubt in his eyes, agreed, "Alright, you have my word. I came to Yiyuan to study their unique techniques while practicing my own. I had a master who taught me various techniques since childhood. My purpose in Yiyuan is to participate in the Six Academies Martial Arts Conference. Yiyuan has four participants, and I'm probably considered the weakest among them. But I don't care much about reputation. In the future, I'll make sure that everyone, including gods and spirits, knows the name Luyun."

Xiaotian was impressed by Luyun's determination, and the atmosphere around him suddenly became imposing. Luyun exuded an aura as if he could dominate everything, leaving Xiaotian deeply moved.

At this moment, in a remote corner hundreds of feet away from the valley entrance, a silver light suddenly appeared, extremely mysterious. The silver light faintly flickered, rotating once around, as if sensing that there was no one around. Then, the silver light flashed, and Lu Yun's figure appeared out of thin air. Lu Yun carefully looked around, a smile appearing on his face. With a mental wave, the situation of the four people at the valley entrance vividly presented itself in his mind. Lu Yun smiled faintly and looked at the divine sword in his hand, saying, "Soul of Wishes, guided by my heart. Now, conceal yourself, the dazzling power you radiate, don't let them know, or it will be troublesome. Alright, let's go." After speaking, the divine sword in Lu Yun's hand suddenly dimmed.

Lu Yun controlled the sword and appeared at the valley entrance in the blink of an eye. The four people there sighed in relief, looking at him with joy. Lin Yunfeng even directly pounced on him, hugging him and scolding, "Lu Yun, you don't know how worried we were when you didn't return early. We thought something happened to you. You made me shed quite a few tears. It's really infuriating. How should I punish you?"

Lu Yun looked at him and chuckled, "You shedding tears? I'm afraid even pigs would climb trees. Don't talk nonsense. How about it, is the time up? I'm so dizzy from the fight, I can't even remember the time." After that, Lu Yun greeted the other three one by one, and everyone slowly began to talk about their experiences.

Xuan Yin True Immortal spoke, "You all came back safely, and I can finally rest assured. Tonight, we'll rest at this valley entrance, find something to eat, and tomorrow morning, I'll lead you into the most dangerous place in this Yin Valley—the Yao Yue Cave. Be careful there; the Howling Moon Sky Wolves are rare and powerful creatures, and it's almost impossible for anyone to defeat them. Bringing you there this time is just to let you see the world and understand that there are always stronger beings. Enough about that. Now, let's talk about your gains and insights from this trip." Xuan Yin True Immortal's gaze swept over the four individuals in turn.

Li Hongfei calmly said, "There are many monsters inside, including many powerful ones. This time, I killed quite a few monsters, and in terms of gains, I gained a certain understanding of various monsters. I believe that in the future, when encountering these monsters again, I can eliminate them faster and more accurately, eliminating harm for the world. Besides, it was also a good exercise, and my swordsmanship has improved significantly."

Zhang Aoxue took over and said in a light tone, "These monsters are very cunning. In the past few days, in addition to dealing with them based on strength, I also spent a lot of energy to eliminate some high-level, cunning monsters. I have gained a deep understanding of my own spells, and the control of swordsmanship has greatly improved. The gains are not small."

Xuan Yin True Immortal nodded slightly and turned to look at Lin Yunfeng, who was whispering to Lu Yun. He asked, "Yunfeng, what about you? What gains did you have these few days?"

Lin Yunfeng raised his head and smiled, looking at everyone. He said, "I gained a lot, hehe. This time, I tamed quite a few monsters and eliminated them all. At the same time, I got many good things. It's quite a harvest, hehe." After that, he gently took out the scorpion bead from his chest, flaunting it in front of everyone and saying triumphantly, "See, this is a good thing. Hehe, a precious treasure."

Xuan Yin True Immortal's eyes lit up slightly, and he smiled slightly, "Although you obtained this thing, do you know its use? Don't pretend to know it in the end, wasting such a treasure?"

Lin Yunfeng stared at him and said, "Master, you are underestimating me. How to use this thing? I don't know? I just need to refine the monster energy on it and then take it to cultivate. In a short period, I can increase my strength by a lot. Am I right, Master?" Lin Yunfeng looked at Xuan Yin True Immortal with a smug expression.

Xuan Yin True Immortal smiled and said, "You, little guy, haven't forgotten my teachings. Not bad. Just remember to refine the monster energy slowly when you go back." Lin Yunfeng's expression changed, saying, "Master, you must not talk nonsense. When did you teach me? All these things I know by myself. When did you ever teach me?" Everyone couldn't help but smile, realizing that their master and disciple relationship was quite interesting.

Xuan Yin True Immortal glared at him fiercely, seeming to blame him for not giving him face in front of others. Looking at Lu Yun, Xuan Yin True Immortal asked, "Lu Yun, this time you came back last, do you have any gains? Your sword is not the same as before. How did you get this sword? Is its style very unique?" After he said that, the other three people finally noticed that Lu Yun's sword was indeed different from before. At this moment, they suddenly understood that the old saying was true—experience is the best teacher.

Lu Yun smiled and said, "This time, on the way inside, I encountered many monsters. Among them, there was a wolf monster that had cultivated for a thousand years, very powerful. In its body, there were two different auras, a trinity. It took a lot of effort for me to eliminate that wolf monster, but unfortunately, the other two spiritual essences escaped. I chased after them and ended up in a huge underground maze. I don't know how long I wandered inside, how many monsters I encountered, and my long sword was destroyed. I accidentally obtained this sword, very sharp and handy, so I brought it out. I came back late this time because I got lost."

Xuan Yin True Immortal's eyes showed a hint of doubt, looking at Lu Yun and saying in a low voice, "It's good that you're back, but I seem to feel a very strong aura hidden on this sword of yours. So, I asked. Remember to practice more in the future. It's best to cultivate to the realm of unity between man and sword. That way, your cultivation will greatly increase, and your weapon won't be easily destroyed. Alright, everyone, take a break. Tomorrow, we'll continue with the last and most dangerous challenge. Good luck to you all."