In the Supreme Mystical Sect, a young woman was tirelessly searching for something, but Xiao Lingchen was naturally unaware of it.
Another half month passed.
Through nearly sleepless and relentless cultivation and absorption, Xiao Lingchen's strength and realm once again skyrocketed significantly!
Moreover, the two divine powers, Anger of the Thunder and Shadow Assault Technique, were successfully cultivated to major success with the efforts of those two phantoms!
Anger of the Thunder was originally an offensive divine power.
Back then, Yu Qilin hadn't cultivated it deeply, yet he almost severely injured Xiao Lingchen.
Now that Anger of the Thunder had reached major success, combined with Xiao Lingchen's current strength, no one within the Dao Palace Realm could withstand a single strike!
As for the Shadow Assault Technique, it was just as Xiao Lingchen had imagined.
After cultivating it to major success, he could now control shadows to bind multiple targets, and after binding, he could gradually devour the opponent's cultivation.
From now on, killing and escaping would be much more convenient!
Opening his eyes, he exhaled a breath of turbid air.
Xiao Lingchen's eyes sparkled with brilliance.
He was quite satisfied with the overall increase in his strength this time.
Although during this cultivation session, the Divine Movement Step, God-killing Sword Technique, and Golden Body Technique didn't reach perfection, he didn't mind.
Knowing contentment is a reason for happiness.
Mainly, Xiao Lingchen understood that these were Earth Grade divine powers, and once cultivated to perfection, their power would multiply!
Moreover, they would possess special effects.
As for what those effects were, he could only look forward to them for now.
"Calculating the days, the time for the opening of the Secret Realm in the Thousand Cloud Mountain Range should be about right, it's time to set off!"
With this thought, Xiao Lingchen exited the Void Space.
As soon as he stepped out of the room, he encountered Chen Qingqing.
"Sister-in-law."
Xiao Lingchen greeted politely.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
Since that day of the massacre, to prevent the Chen Family from being retaliated against by various family forces, Chen Qingqing and the Chen Family had moved into the Xiao Family.
Seeing Xiao Lingchen at this moment, Chen Qingqing nodded with a smile:
"Your father and your uncles are waiting for you in the hall, go quickly."
Xiao Lingchen nodded:
"Got it."
With that, he turned and headed towards the Xiao Family hall.
By the time he arrived, Xiao Dan, Xiao Huan, and the senior members of the Xiao Family had been waiting for quite some time.
"Chen'er, you're here!"
Seeing Xiao Lingchen, Xiao Dan immediately stepped forward and took his hand.
He had always cherished his precious son dearly.
Now, with Xiao Lingchen becoming the foremost figure of the Xiao Family, he loved him even more!
"Are you ready for this trip to the Secret Realm?"
Xiao Lingchen nodded noncommittally:
"Of course, I'm ready."
"My great sword has long been eager for action!"
Xiao Dan nodded with satisfaction:
"My Chen'er has grown up and become stronger."
"Before you go, I have something to give you."
As he spoke, Xiao Dan flipped his palm, and a peculiar-looking wooden box appeared in his hand.
Upon opening it, two seemingly ordinary silver needles lay quietly inside.
Xiao Lingchen's eyes narrowed.
These two silver needles had quite a history!
In fact, the Xiao Family's ability to maintain its position as one of the three major families in Azure Cloud City relied on these two silver needles!
The silver needles were called Soul Extinguishing Needles, each capable of instantly killing a Dao Palace Realm cultivator and severely injuring a Breaking Illusions Realm cultivator!
Originally, the Xiao Family had five Soul Extinguishing Needles, and every time they faced a life-and-death crisis, they relied on these needles to survive.
Now, only these last two remained.
They were the Xiao Family's final means of survival.
And now, his father was giving these last two Soul Extinguishing Needles to him.
Xiao Lingchen hesitated to accept them.
"Father, these Soul Extinguishing Needles are too valuable, I can't take them, you should keep them!"
Moreover, with his current surge in strength, he had few opponents within the Dao Palace Realm, and against Breaking Illusions Realm experts, he had the restraining spell and killing intent scroll set by his master.
Rather than taking the Soul Extinguishing Needles, it would be better to leave them with the Xiao Family for protection!
However, Xiao Dan and the others insisted that Xiao Lingchen accept them.
Xiao Dan said:
"Chen'er, this trip to the Secret Realm is fraught with danger, and your uncles and I can't help you much."
"That's why we unanimously decided to give you the Soul Extinguishing Needles after our discussion."
"We know your strength is already formidable, but even if these two Soul Extinguishing Needles only give you a slightly better chance of survival in a crisis, it's worth it!"
The other uncles chimed in:
"Yes, Lingchen, just accept the Soul Extinguishing Needles!"
"You are the hope of the Xiao Family now, only with you alive can the Xiao Family have a chance to regain its glory!"
"This is the heartfelt wish of your uncles, you mustn't refuse!"
Xiao Lingchen sighed.
After some back and forth, he reluctantly accepted one of the Soul Extinguishing Needles, leaving the other for them.
To Xiao Lingchen, his family was just as important as his own life!
Afterward, Xiao Lingchen went back to bathe and changed into a red outfit.
He also went to the ancestral hall to pay respects to his deceased clan elders.
Before leaving, Xiao Lingchen didn't forget to remind the disciples of the Supreme Mystical Sect:
"Senior brothers and sisters, I am about to head to the Thousand Cloud Mountain Range to enter the Secret Realm in search of opportunities. In the meantime, I trouble you to protect my family."
The disciples of the Supreme Mystical Sect replied:
"Junior Brother Lingchen, rest assured, with us here, your family will be safe!"
"And we wish you swift success in finding supreme opportunities!"
After expressing his gratitude, Xiao Lingchen finally embarked on his journey to the Thousand Cloud Mountain Range!
...
The Thousand Cloud Mountain Range is located north of Azure Cloud City, at the junction of Fengshang City and Wuhai City.
The entire Thousand Cloud Mountain Range stretches for tens of thousands of miles, home to countless powerful beasts, fraught with danger!
After traveling day and night, three days later, Xiao Lingchen finally arrived at Fengshang City.
At this moment, the streets of Fengshang City were crowded with cultivators also preparing to head to the Secret Realm.
There were family forces, sect disciples, and even rogue cultivators, with cultivation levels varying widely.
The lowest were in the Spirit Platform Realm.
The strongest had reached the ninth level of the Dao Palace Realm!
As for those even stronger, there were a few, but only a minority.
Xiao Lingchen wandered around several times, discovering that all the inns and taverns in Fengshang City were fully booked.
"Sir, I'm really sorry, the Secret Realm in the Thousand Cloud Mountain Range is about to open, and cultivators from all over have arrived in Fengshang City these past few days. Even the worst rooms in our humble inn have been sold for a sky-high price of 200 lower-grade Spirit Stones, yet demand still exceeds supply. We really don't have any rooms available at the moment. Perhaps you could try another place?"
Xiao Lingchen nodded and walked out of the inn.
At that moment, a petite figure suddenly appeared in front of Xiao Lingchen.
It was a little girl, about seven or eight years old, wearing patched clothes, but her little face was exceptionally clean.
She looked at Xiao Lingchen with hopeful eyes and asked:
"Sir, are you looking for a place to stay?"
