The Cliff-Sea Secret Realm was the one the male and female leads were about to enter. It was close to Ling City and only Foundation Establishment cultivators could enter.
Mu Li had long wanted to go, but her cultivation had been insufficient. Now, having advanced just in time before the realm opened, she couldn’t resist.
Of course, she wasn’t aiming to steal the heroine’s opportunities or snatch her fortunes. Even though she had succeeded in Foundation Establishment, she was still far behind the male and female leads. But the realm was rich in spiritual energy and full of opportunities. Even lingering at the outskirts would surely yield great gains.
Mu Yuhan, hearing her intent, was tempted yet worried. “The secret realm is full of dangers. You’ve only just advanced…”
Mu Li reassured him: “It’s fine. I’ll prioritize survival above all else. I won’t go deep into dangerous areas.”
Mu Yuhan thought for a moment. “Then I’ll find a few Foundation Establishment cultivators from the clan to accompany you.”
Mu Li hesitated. Companions would indeed be safer, but she had Duoduo with her, and her pill-refining secret was still hidden. If discovered, it would bring endless trouble.
Seeing her conflicted, Mu Yuhan dropped the matter. “Alright, this isn’t urgent. Rest for two days first.”
News of Mu Li’s advancement spread quickly. The unusual omens accompanying her breakthrough became the talk of the city.
The most displeased was Mu Tong. As one of the Mu family’s two daughters, she had always thought herself equal to Mu Li. Yet whenever people spoke of “Miss Mu,” they meant Mu Li, as if she didn’t exist.
Her father was not the clan head, her talent was inferior, and her cultivation lagged behind. When she thought Mu Li had failed to advance, she had secretly rejoiced. But waking to find Mu Li had succeeded, surpassing her by a whole realm, left her bitter and resentful.
Mu Yucheng, her father, understood her feelings all too well. He himself had grown up overshadowed by Mu Yuhan. His own emotions were complicated: on one hand, the clan gained another Foundation Establishment cultivator, strengthening their security; on the other, it wasn’t his daughter who had advanced, and jealousy gnawed at him.
He glanced at Mu Tong. “Why stand here sulking? Does your cultivation rise by pouting?”
Mu Tong stamped her foot, turned to leave, then paused. “Didn’t you say Mu Li’s engagement to Xuanyuan Yunfei was annulled? Shouldn’t the two families arrange another marriage? Why hasn’t there been any news?”
Mu Yucheng snapped, “How should I know? The Xuanyuan clan hasn’t said a word. I can’t just go knocking on their door.”
“Why not? Xuanyuan Yunfei came to break off the engagement. Shouldn’t the Xuanyuan clan give our Mu family an explanation?”
“Times have changed. The Xuanyuan clan has become the foremost family of the southern continent. Our Mu family probably doesn’t even register in their eyes.”
He waved dismissively. “Even if they still want ties, they’ll choose excellence. You’d better focus on cultivation—otherwise, with your meager level, who would even consider you?”
Meanwhile, others in Ling City, unconnected to the Mu family, viewed Mu Li’s breakthrough more simply.
“I said Miss Mu had outstanding talent. See, she’s advanced already.”
“To cause omens just at Foundation Establishment—what will it be like when she reaches Golden Core? Maybe the whole city will be transformed overnight.”
“Don’t exaggerate. She’s only just advanced. Golden Core is still far away.”
“Do you think the Xuanyuan clan regrets now?”
“Too bad Xuanyuan Yunfei and that white-robed female cultivator have already left. I’d love to see his reaction.”
With the Cliff-Sea Secret Realm about to open, Mu Li was determined not to miss it. She also didn’t want companions. So before Mu Yuhan could arrange escorts, she secretly left Ling City with Duoduo.
She left a letter for Mu Yuhan, explaining that since she had reached Foundation Establishment, she ought to temper herself outside. The secret realm was a rare opportunity. With escorts, she wouldn’t truly experience training, so she had gone ahead alone. She promised she wouldn’t recklessly enter dangerous areas and asked him not to worry.
Her “ample preparations” consisted of refining pills nonstop these past days, earning twenty thousand spirit stones. Half she spent on protective robes, artifacts, and talismans; the other half she split—half stored on her card, half exchanged into spirit stones through the pill shopkeeper.
She had sold so many pills at once that the shopkeeper had hesitated, thinking his small shop couldn’t handle it. But upon hearing she was leaving Ling City, he gritted his teeth and bought them all.
Remembering his torn expression, Mu Li couldn’t help but laugh and feel proud. Unknowingly, she had become a small but notable figure in this world.
The blazing horse-drawn carriage sped along the road. Mu Li gazed out the window, watching the scenery blur past.
“The transport in this cultivation world is no slower than modern society. Too bad flying spirit beasts are so expensive, or I’d definitely try one.”
Just then, the carriage stopped.
Mu Li lifted the curtain. “Are we there?”
The driver frowned. “Not yet. There are cultivators fighting ahead. We’ll have to detour.”
Mu Li extended her divine sense and indeed detected two late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators battling a few miles away.
“Then let’s take the detour.”
“Alright.” The driver turned the horse and headed another way.
Mu Li didn’t return inside immediately, holding the curtain open. “With the detour, when will we arrive?”
“Not far. We’ll still reach before nightfall.”
Satisfied, Mu Li nodded. “I heard Cliff-Sea City is lively now, with many cultivators gathering for the secret realm?”
The driver chuckled. “Yes. With the realm about to open, many Foundation Establishment cultivators have already arrived.”
Though only at the fourth level of Qi Refining, the driver treated Mu Li with great respect. Seeing that she carried herself without arrogance, he grew bolder. “Cliff-Sea City is usually remote, with thin spiritual energy. Few cultivators go there. But lately it’s bustling. Our carriage business is almost entirely trips there. I make the journey daily now.”
Mu Li smiled. “Then you must have plenty of news. It’s my first time going—any advice?”
The driver scratched his head. “I’ve never entered myself. The realm opens once every ten years, and each time it’s different. Maybe buy a map drawn by predecessors in the city—it might help.”
As they spoke, the carriage halted again.
A young cultivator appeared before them, his white robes stained with blood. Yet his bearing was calm, his handsome face untroubled.
Mu Li froze. Wasn’t this Fu Qingzhou, the important supporting male character she had met once before?
Fu Qingzhou, seeing her, also paused briefly, then broke into a smile. “Miss Mu, are you heading to Cliff-Sea City? Might I join you for the ride?”