Everyone present then immersed their spiritual sense into the jade slip, beginning to learn about the tomb secret realm. While every secret realm held treasures, they also carried risks. Understanding more information would undoubtedly increase their chances of survival.
The jade slip didn't contain an overwhelming amount of information, but it was sufficient for Su Xi to grasp the general outline of the secret realm.
The secret realm was located in a mountainous area 500 li southeast of the Five Great Immortal Mountains. For powerful cultivators, this was merely a blink of an eye. Perhaps its proximity to the Five Great Immortal Mountains had, ironically, kept it undiscovered until now.
Gu Qingzhou had stumbled upon the secret realm by chance and even attempted to enter it himself. However, the immense danger within had forced him to retreat. Although he had gained nothing then, he had discovered traces of many valuable items. Besides Ghost Spirit Grass, which could be used to refine fifth-grade pills, there were also many Yellow-grade magic artifacts...
Seeing that everyone had finished reading the jade slip, Gu Qingzhou spoke, "Since you've all finished, there's no point in delaying. We should set off."
Once the Ghost Spirit Grass matured, it would release a significantly larger amount of Yin energy, attracting many formidable ghosts. If they encountered them then, their lives would be in grave peril. Therefore, to obtain the treasures, they had to act swiftly.
The others had no objections to obtaining the treasures sooner. They boarded Gu Qingzhou's flying artifact and flew towards the southeastern secret realm.
After the time it took for an incense stick to burn, the flying artifact landed in a dense forest.
Zhang Yuan surveyed the surroundings, his gaze falling on Gu Qingzhou. He asked with suspicion, "Is there really a secret realm in this place?"
All around, there were only trees and more trees. Not even a cave could be seen. Where was the so-called tomb secret realm?
Gu Qingzhou was not angered by the questioning. If the secret realm were so easily discernible, it wouldn't have waited for them.
He pointed to a towering ancient tree directly in front of them and stated, "The secret realm is right here."
"It?" Zhang Yuan looked confused, clearly disbelieving Gu Qingzhou's words.
Gu Qingzhou remained silent, maintaining a gentle smile. If one couldn't even see through such a matter, how could they even talk about seeking treasures?
Zhang Liao stopped Zhang Yuan and took out a snow-white rat from his person. The rat was not large, its entire body gleaming golden yellow, and it squirmed restlessly in Zhang Liao's hand as if conveying something.
Upon seeing the Golden Devouring Rat's strong reaction, Zhang Liao took several steps towards the large tree. He raised his fist and smashed it forcefully against the trunk.
Although the Golden Devouring Rat was not a high-level demonic beast, it possessed the ability to detect treasures and had helped him obtain many over the years. Therefore, with the Golden Devouring Rat reacting so strongly now, it was certain that something had been discovered.
When faced with an environment he couldn't discern, he always adhered to the principle of brute force overcoming all.
"Boom!"
Zhang Liao poured all his strength into the punch against the tree. The seemingly ordinary tree's surroundings instantly rippled outwards, spreading in circles. Immediately after, these ripples shattered like broken glass, revealing a hidden dark stone door.
The stone door was covered in intricate and complex patterns, appearing at first glance like ferocious ghoul heads poised for a bloodthirsty feast. Visible black energy swirled around the door, accompanied by a nauseating stench of decay that assaulted everyone's senses.
Seeing the tomb secret realm reveal its true form, Zhang Liao clapped his hands, looking pleased.
Indeed, his method had been very effective.
Su Xi couldn't help but shake her head at the crude and direct approach of Zhang Liao. Possessing the strength of the Foundation Establishment stage, yet seemingly relying only on brute force. If there had been any traps, they would have been ambushed before even entering.
However, despite forming an initial judgment of Zhang Liao, she revealed nothing on the surface. After all, her actual cultivation was still at the Qi Refining stage, and she needed to maintain a low profile.
Gu Qingzhou's face was now beaming with smiles as he praised, "Brother Zhang Liao truly has remarkable skill, discovering it so quickly."
"A minor matter," Zhang Liao said humbly, though his tone was filled with pride.
Gu Qingzhou offered a perfunctory response, then changed the subject, saying, "Since the secret realm has been discovered, let's enter quickly. The entire door is exuding leaked Yin energy, so everyone must be careful. Contact with it can lead to a severe illness at best, and at worst, it could affect your future cultivation."
"Such minor matters are hardly a challenge for us brothers," Zhang Yuan said dismissively, hinting at something with his words. "However, some people might need to be more cautious."
Foundation Establishment stage cultivators could already isolate themselves from Yin energy interference and were naturally unconcerned. What he found most displeasing was having to share a portion of the rewards with someone at the Qi Refining stage. Thus, he now found Su Xi rather irritating.
Gu Qingzhou did not want his own recruited members to cause trouble before they had even obtained any treasures. Therefore, using his adept social skills, he smoothly steered the conversation and led the group through the door.
As soon as they stepped inside, a gust of chilling wind swept out, causing everyone to shiver involuntarily.
Su Xi felt the temperature around her dropping steadily, knowing she wouldn't be able to withstand it. Without any hesitation, she took out talismans from her person and affixed them to herself. Worried that one talisman might not be enough, she attached several more. With the help of these talismans, her body temperature returned to normal.
Zhang Yuan looked at Su Xi's actions, his expression growing more disdainful.
He increasingly couldn't understand why they had brought along a liability like Su Xi in this situation. However, due to Gu Qingzhou's reputation, he couldn't say much.
As they walked further into the secret realm, besides the constant chilling wind, there were also sounds of wailing and howling, like those of ghosts. The crying grew more intense.
Upon hearing the wails, Zhang Yuan felt an inexplicable irritation. He bellowed towards the source of the cries, "What are you crying about, you bastards? Get out here, and I'll beat you to death!"
As he finished speaking, Zhang Yuan himself didn't notice that his eyes were now bloodshot and his vital energy had become unstable.
"Roar~"
Following Zhang Yuan's roar, the wailing and howling in the corridor intensified. It was like a hundred ghosts parading at night, further unsettling the mind.
Gu Qingzhou's expression had become solemn. He was activating his protective divine light to resist the sounds of wailing and howling, and a bad premonition arose in his heart.
This time, the ghostly aura was much stronger than when he had mistakenly entered before; it was actually affecting his state of mind. This result also indicated that the Ghost Spirit Grass was close to ripening.
Compared to the solemnity of the others, Su Xi was surprisingly relaxed.
She was covered in talismans that dispelled evil spirits, emitting a faint golden glow that prevented the Yin energy in the corridor from encroaching.
The corridor was not long, but as Gu Qingzhou and the others walked through it, it felt like running a marathon. Their clothes were drenched in sweat, as if they had been pulled from water.
Zhang Yuan's eyes still had traces of bloodshot. Seeing Su Xi's ease, he asked with extreme dissatisfaction, "Since you have talismans that dispel evil spirits, why didn't you take them out?"
He had almost lost control of his mind under the erosion of the Yin energy, narrowly avoiding self-destruction. Therefore, he sought an outlet for his simmering anger.
Su Xi, facing Zhang Yuan's accusation, rubbed her nose. "If you couldn't bear it just as we entered, what will you do for the rest of the journey?"
"You!" To be spoken to like this by someone at the Qi Refining stage, Zhang Yuan immediately declared he could not tolerate it.
He raised his fist, ready to strike Su Xi.
Gu Qingzhou, knowing Su Xi still had value, quickly stopped Zhang Yuan. "Brother Zhang, your mind was affected by the Yin energy. Do not harm fellow disciples."
As Gu Qingzhou intervened, a green light entered Zhang Yuan's body.
As the green light merged with Zhang Yuan, his previously agitated mind gradually calmed down. Seeing Gu Qingzhou's warning gaze, he let out a cold snort and stopped his actions.
After stopping Zhang Yuan, Gu Qingzhou turned to Su Xi. "Junior Sister Su Xi, this secret realm has a total of three trials. The further in we go, the heavier the Yin energy will become, so we will still rely on your talismans that dispel evil spirits."
Keeping Su Xi around was precisely because of the talismans she possessed. After all, some special talismans required specific incantations to activate, and Su Xi had to be kept alive until the mission was completed.
As for what would happen to her afterward, Su Xi would have to accept whatever fate befell her.