Hearing Xuanyuan Yunfei’s words, Mu Li couldn’t help rolling her eyes. *What does it matter to him whether Zou is from the Mu family or not?*
“Fellow Daoist Zou is someone I met in Cliff Sea City. I happened to help him with a small matter. When he heard I was coming to the Cliff Sea Secret Realm, he joined me so we could look out for each other. He’s not my guard—I haven’t paid him any spirit stones.”
Although she did rely on Zou Chong to protect her, she never considered him her personal guard. Unfortunately, Zou Chong didn’t see any difference, and Fu Qingzhou had gotten used to calling him that as well.
“I see,” Xuanyuan Yunfei nodded. “But you came to the secret realm alone? Why didn’t the Mu family send people with you?”
*Honestly, ex-fiancé or not, does he have to act so concerned?*
Mu Li certainly didn’t think his words meant he had feelings for her. More likely, he was just mindful of the ties between the Xuanyuan and Mu families. If something happened to her in the secret realm, he might be implicated.
“Thank you for your concern, Fellow Daoist Xuanyuan. Fellow Daoist Fu and Fellow Daoist Zou are both very capable. With them, I have nothing to worry about,” Mu Li replied politely.
Fu Qingzhou added with a smile: “Exactly. With me here, I’ll definitely protect Fellow Daoist Mu.”
If he had stayed quiet, things would have been fine. But once he spoke, Mu Li felt the atmosphere turn strangely awkward. Not wanting to give the other two a chance to continue, she quickly said: “We should keep moving. We came in late already—if we linger, all the good treasures will be taken.”
Among the group, only Fu Qingzhou enjoyed socializing. The others weren’t keen on traveling together, so they parted ways, heading in opposite directions.
After walking some distance, the three unconsciously slowed their pace.
“Hey, wasn’t this secret realm supposed to be full of treasures? Why haven’t we seen anything?” Mu Li asked, puzzled.
Fu Qingzhou chuckled. “We’ve barely gone anywhere. The outer areas usually don’t have much. Looks like we chose the wrong direction—it’s getting emptier the farther we go.”
Mu Li remembered she had bought a map of the secret realm earlier. She quickly pulled it out. “Let’s see where we are now.”
“When did you buy that? How come I didn’t know?” Fu Qingzhou asked.
*We’re not together every second of the day,* Mu Li thought silently. *If you knew everything I did, that would be terrifying.*
“I saw it while shopping and bought it on a whim. Not sure if it’s useful.”
Fu Qingzhou smirked. “Well, a dead horse can still be treated like a live one.”
But the map was so abstract that the three studied it for ages without figuring out their location.
Finally, Zou Chong, with more experience, suggested: “Why don’t we follow the river? Large rivers don’t change as much as land, and the open water makes it easier to spot danger.”
The Cliff Sea Secret Realm was vast, crisscrossed with lakes and rivers that fragmented the land. Traveling by water was indeed a good idea.
Fu Qingzhou stroked his chin. “Alright. Perfect chance to test the other ship.”
Only then did Zou Chong realize they had another small fourth-grade ship. He couldn’t help marveling at their wealth.
Traveling downstream was much faster than finding their own path, though the chance of discovering treasures was lower.
By nightfall, they had only gathered a few spirit herbs and slain two third-grade sea beasts.
Seeing the others disappointed, Fu Qingzhou laughed: “It’s only the first day. We don’t even know the right direction yet. No need to be discouraged. Let’s rest tonight and start fresh tomorrow.”
The second day yielded little as well. Mu Li secretly asked Duo Duo to search for treasures, but it only pointed out two spirit herbs.
The third, fourth, fifth days… all the same.
Just as Mu Li was despairing, the Sunheart Flame in her dantian suddenly grew restless. Since fusing with it, the flame had always been calm—only flaring during alchemy. Now it surged violently, affecting her body.
Fu Qingzhou quickly noticed. “What’s wrong?”
Mu Li shook her head. “Nothing. Just… I feel something unusual in that direction. Why don’t we check it out?”
She pointed toward where the flame was pulling her.
Fu Qingzhou and Zou Chong didn’t doubt her. They steered the ship in that direction.
After half a day, just as Mu Li began to think she was mistaken, they saw a small island that stood out starkly from its surroundings. It sat in the middle of a vast lake, shrouded in dark clouds. Lightning flashed constantly within, obscuring the view.
Mu Li was startled. “What is this place? It looks terrifying.”
Fu Qingzhou said softly: “Thunder Tribulation Island.”
Zou Chong, unfamiliar with it, asked: “Should we go up and take a look?”
“Since we’re here, of course. But the situation inside is unclear. I’ll scout first—you two wait on the ship.”
With that, Fu Qingzhou vanished into the storm, leaving only a glimpse of his robe.
“Senior Fu won’t be in danger, will he?” Zou Chong asked anxiously.
Mu Li shook her head firmly. “No.”
She remembered the original novel—Thunder Tribulation Island was indeed a place. Compared to the true tribulations faced when advancing to Core Formation or Nascent Soul, the lightning here was child’s play.
Cultivators advancing to Core Formation must endure heavenly tribulation, requiring strong bodies. This island was the perfect place for Foundation Establishment cultivators to temper themselves.
In the novel, the male and female leads discovered it and stayed until the secret realm ended. Since they had no problems, Fu Qingzhou—whose cultivation matched the male lead—would be fine too.
Soon, Fu Qingzhou returned. “The center of the island is dangerous, lightning dense. But the edges are manageable. You two can train there.”
Naturally, he intended to head for the center himself.
Zou Chong’s usually steady face lit up with rare joy. “We’re really lucky!”
Fu Qingzhou sighed with emotion. “Yes. Ever since advancing to Foundation Establishment, I’ve wanted a place like this to temper my body. Never found one—until now.”
He looked at Mu Li. “Fellow Daoist Mu, your intuition was spot on.”
Mu Li chuckled awkwardly. “Just luck.”
From then on, the three immersed themselves in body refinement. Fu Qingzhou spent nearly all his time on the island, only leaving when he could no longer endure.
Mu Li’s constitution was weaker—she could only last two hours a day before being forced out.