Chapter 4: "Cultivation Greatly Increases, Officially Entering the Second Level of the Qi Refinement Realm.

However...

Chen Qiu lowered his head to look at his own legs, a slight frown forming on his brow. His legs seemed to be bound by some unknown force, preventing him from moving them no matter how hard he tried.

"It's useless."

Seeing Chen Qiu's actions, although Fat Long's complexion wasn't looking too good, he still mustered the strength to speak, "Before the entrance to the Secret Realm is closed, all cultivators who enter the Secret Realm are unable to move. This is the rule of the Heavenly Dao!"

"Furthermore, at this time, one cannot exit either. Only after the entrance to the Secret Realm closes can cultivators begin to move freely. This ensures that all cultivators start from the same starting line, avoiding situations where those who enter the Secret Realm first gain a significant advantage."

"But... even so."

"Having an early entry into the Secret Realm still has its advantages."

"Look over there."

Fat Long extended his hand, pointing towards four red lights soaring into the sky in the west: "In the Heavenly Dao Secret Realm, red light represents the opportunity of 'mental methods'. If you're more interested in mental methods, you should head west once it starts."

"There are three blue lights to the east, and blue represents 'Cultivation Techniques', whether it's defensive, offensive, or various other techniques like flying and Beast Taming, all are represented by blue."

"To the north, those seven 'Purple Lights' will probably attract the most people. Purple Light represents Spiritual Treasures, which are the favorites of all cultivators."

"Hmm."

Chen Qiu nodded his head, acknowledging that, although his acquaintance with Fat Long was far from pleasant—this fat-headed idiot had eaten the pig head meat and liquor he had worked hard to earn—the information was definitely worth the price!

This world did not have the internet.

Information was relatively closed off.

Just as before, he never knew this information, and exchanging a bit of pig head meat for so much intelligence was a worthwhile trade. From a certain perspective, Fat Long could be considered his benefactor.

A benefactor doesn't necessarily mean someone who brings you great wealth and riches. Anyone who can guide your way can also be a benefactor.

After pausing for a moment, he pointed to the black light rising into the sky in the south: "There is only one black light to the south. What's there? The greatest opportunity?"

"Haha."

The corner of Fat Long's mouth twitched slightly, "Do you think 'black' and 'opportunity' are compatible? Black often signifies that the location harbors the strongest Fierce Beast of the Secret Realm. It would be wiser not to go near it."

"Understood."

Chen Qiu gazed towards the forest in the south where he could faintly see numerous demon beasts moving about, his eyes narrowing slightly, then he looked up again into the distance: "The entire small world is enveloped by a huge white membrane. This membrane won't gradually shrink, will it?"

"You guessed right, it's exactly what you're thinking, similar to the battle royale games we used to play."

"This is also why I'm so averse to the 'kill' type of Heavenly Dao Secret Realm. The death rate is really too high!!!"

At this time—

Quite a few people had already entered the Secret Realm one after another.

Most of them were muscular men: some dressed as escort masters, some as peasants, others wearing sect uniforms, clearly disciples of some sect. You could say all sorts of people were present here, and most had rather grim expressions on their faces.

Of course... in such a situation, it would be rare for anyone to smile.

Upon entering the small world, everyone could only gather around the white vortex, standing still, patiently waiting. By sunset, a full 100 people had filled the Secret Realm.

The entrance to the Secret Realm closed early.

In an instant—

Everyone suddenly found the inexplicable force binding their legs vanish, and everyone regained their freedom. Immediately afterward, nearly all of them shot off towards the three directions of east, west, and north!

No one fought!

Everyone tacitly reserved their strength for the end, focusing on covering ground as quickly as possible. Those with higher cultivation and possessing Spiritual Treasures and Cultivation Techniques ran in the first wave while those with lesser cultivation followed in the second wave. A few clearly with very low cultivation who had come to try their luck stayed in the third wave.

Over forty people went to the desert in the north, evidently attracted by the Purple Light representing Spiritual Treasures.

"What are we waiting for?"

At this moment, Fat Long looked towards Chen Qiu—who was standing in place without moving—with some urgency, and said hurriedly, "Let's hurry up too. Standing here motionless will make us appear timid. I am, after all, a Qi Refinement Realm sixth-layer cultivator!"

"As long as I sound a bit more arrogant, boast about myself a bit, and they can't gauge my strength, they probably won't rashly attack us."

"Especially since we haven't obtained any treasure yet, they have no reason to fight with us."

"But if we show weakness now, we are more likely to be used as sacrifices later!"

It has to be said.

In the nearly five months that Fat Long had traversed this world, he had also devised a set of survival strategies suited for himself.

However...

Chen Qiu shook his head, his gaze fixed on the distance, "Placing one's life completely in the hands of others' fear and consideration lacks a sense of security. I have a better solution, head south."

Only to the south were there demon beasts active.

...

South.

In the forest, Fat Long, gasping for air, swung his sword again, severely wounding another demon beast before kicking it in front of Chen Qiu. Only then did he look up uneasily toward the colorful lights dissipating non-stop in the distance.

With each light fading, it meant a treasure had been taken.

And with that, a fight was bound to ensue.

Squandering so much energy now would only lower the chances of survival later.

Anxiously he turned his head again and spoke to Chen Qiu in a hurried and uneasy voice, "Brother Chen Qiu, are you sure the entry you obtained when your cultivation broke through to the first level of Qi Refinement Realm was just that your strength would increase as soon as you reached the second level of Qi Refinement Realm?"

"It sounds too vague!"

"Can it be stronger than the sixth level of Qi Refinement Realm?"

At this moment, he already had several wounds on his body inflicted in the dying struggles of the demon beasts. They were not serious nor fatal, but they absolutely affected his combat power, as well as others' assessment of his strength.

"Hmm."

Chen Qiu nodded without going into detail but took a deep breath, gripped the hilt of his sword tightly with both hands, bent his knees slightly, and stared unblinkingly at the hungry wolf in front of him that was staring straight back with a menacing glint in its eyes!

To respond to every change with constancy.

Finally, the hungry wolf could no longer restrain itself and with a growl charged straight at him. Chen Qiu moved his feet slightly to dodge the attack, then concentrated all the strength of his body in his arms and swung his sword in a fluid motion.

Blood splattered everywhere.

With one stroke, the wolf was killed, and he also chopped down the demon beast that Fat Long had kicked over as it was on the brink of death.

At this point, more than an hour had passed since the beginning of the Secret Realm. He had spent roughly half the time fighting in this forest and was already utterly exhausted. From the clumsy fighting at the beginning, he now had some combat experience.

He had killed no fewer than twenty Qi Refinement Realm level one Fierce Beasts.

The Fierce Beasts here were all hungry wolves, with cultivation levels mostly at the first level of the Qi Refinement Realm; otherwise, they wouldn't be so easy to kill.

Finally, in front of him emerged once again that familiar panel enveloped by clouds and mist.

'Cultivation greatly increased, formally entering the second layer of the Qi Refinement Realm.'

'Due to the "Step by Step" entry, you may obtain another entry upon this cultivation breakthrough.'

'Please choose from the three random entries below within ten breaths.'

1:

'Entry Name': Take the initiative.

'Entry Level': Green.

'Entry Effect': When entering the Heavenly Dao Secret Realm, you can break through the binding restrictions and move freely before the entrance to the Secret Realm is closed.

2:

'Entry Name': Alchemy Posture.

'Entry Level': White.

'Entry Effect': Your success rate in alchemy will be slightly increased.

3:

'Entry Name': Foundation Establishment Delay.

'Entry Level': Green.

'Entry Effect': Your Qi Refinement Phase will be extended from the normal nine layers to eleven layers; thereafter, during Foundation Establishment, the Spiritual Energy in your Dantian will be more abundant and pure compared to other Cultivators at the same phase, and your success rate for Foundation Establishment will also be higher.

"..."

Chen Qiu took a few deep breaths, thrust the blood-covered woodcutting knife into the earth beside him, and the piece of cloth that had once tied the knife handle to his right hand had long since disappeared in the fight.

Looking at the three entry choices on the panel enveloped by clouds and mist exuding a mysterious charm, he fell silent for a long while before finally turning to look at the anxious and restless Fat Long and spoke softly.

"The strength has increased a bit."

"But it's still not enough. If I could break through to the third level of the Qi Refinement Realm, then there would definitely be no problem."

"Are you joking, my good brother?!!!"

Fat Long couldn't restrain himself and roared in anger, "Do you think cultivation breakthroughs are that simple? To break through from the first level to the third level of Qi Refinement Realm within one day? Do you think cultivation breakthrough is as easy as drinking cool water?"

"It's been five months since I came to this world, and my cultivation level is only at the sixth level of the Qi Refinement Realm, alright!"

"To purely rely on killing demon beasts to gain cultivation points for you to break through to the third level of Qi Refinement Realm, you would need to kill at least one demon beast with the cultivation of the sixth level of Qi Refinement Realm. With all the little demon beasts around here at the first level, where can you find a demon beast with such cultivation?"

Just then—

"Roar!!!"

A burst of wild demon energy exploded from the depths of the forest, and at the same time a ferocious roar emitted, accompanied by the shaking of the ground. It was clear that an extremely fierce Fierce Beast had awakened deep within the forest and was charging straight towards them with an unmistakably clear target!

With the intensity of that demon energy, the cultivation level started at least from the sixth layer of Qi Refinement Realm, if not higher.

"..."

Fat Long, standing still, bowed his head and remained silent for a while before he suddenly let out a soft sigh, his voice hoarse.

"Maybe I have the hidden entry 'With the word spoken, the law follows.'

"Or maybe I shouldn't have grabbed you in the crowd back then."

"Anyway..."

"We must fight with our lives, once such a Fierce Beast has locked onto us, escape is impossible, we can only battle."

"Hopefully we will win."

"After all, I am at the sixth level of Qi Refinement Realm, stronger than you. I'll take the front; you find an opportunity from the side."

Chen Qiu didn't speak again but just pulled out the woodcutting knife stuck in the earth and looked towards the colossal silver-furred Wolf King that was indistinctly charging towards them from the forest not far away.