After the banquet, the cultivators dispersed. Luo Mingyan summoned Wei Zhong and briefly informed him that several Foundation Establishment Seniors, including the True Inheritance Disciple from the Pill Hall, were interested in his Azure Vine Intoxication spirit wine.
Wei Zhong, who had been fretting about how to establish a connection with this influential figure, saw the opportunity delivered right to his doorstep.
Who knew my Azure Vine Intoxication actually had such potent physical conditioning properties? Is it because my body has been so thoroughly refined by the Body Nourishing Art that the effects aren't noticeable?
"Rest assured, Uncle Luo," Wei Zhong replied respectfully. "I'll brew several more jars immediately. I have a few in storage in my courtyard, which I'll deliver to you right away."
Luo Mingyan was pleased by Wei Zhong's quick understanding but withheld information about the upcoming Secret Realm. In his eyes, Wei Zhong was merely a Qi Refining sixth-layer cultivator, still a full minor realm away from Foundation Establishment, and thus unqualified to participate in such matters.
After Wei Zhong departed, he retrieved his hidden stash of spirit wine and delivered it to Luo Mingyan's Immortal's Cave. He made no mention of the Seventh True Disciple, realizing it was too soon to broach the subject. He needed to cultivate a stronger connection through the spirit wine first, waiting for the opportune moment to make his request.
Wei Zhong resolved to immerse himself in the art of spirit wine brewing upon returning, determined to seize this crucial opportunity. The Foundation Establishment Pill might very well depend on it.
He also needed to prioritize learning the brewing techniques for Second-Tier spirit wine. First-Tier spirit wine could only pique the interest of Foundation Establishment cultivators at best; it wasn't truly considered precious.
Three days later, the Azurewood Sect released an announcement that shocked cultivators from various sects and Loose Cultivators alike, causing a massive uproar in Bright Moon Market City.
"In two years, the Azurewood Sect will open the Clear River Secret Realm. A large number of entry permits will be sold, open to both sect cultivators and Loose Cultivators.
This Secret Realm opening differs from past events. The Azurewood Sect will claim none of the resources obtained by non-sect members within the realm. Those who harvest precious Spirit Medicines like the Jade Marrow Mushroom may either pay a fee to have our Pill Refiners refine them into Medicinal Pills or exchange them for spirit stones of equivalent value.
Special Notice: Resources within the Clear River Secret Realm are dwindling. We urge all cultivators to consider this carefully..."
"Senior Brother, is it wise to openly disclose the Secret Realm's resource scarcity to Loose Cultivators?"
Hall Master Yu Xianglan of the Technique Hall spoke.
In the council chamber, Nie Yuansen, Sect Leader of the Azurewood Sect, lifted his gaze from the jade slip in his hand and calmly asked, "Is there a problem?"
Nie Yuansen was a Core Formation True Person at the mid-stage, possessing a Single Wood Spiritual Root. He was widely considered the most promising candidate within the Azurewood Sect to reach the Nascent Soul stage.
After making this remark, Nie Yuansen turned to Junior Brother Duan, Hall Master of the Pill Hall, and asked, "Junior Brother Duan, if you were still a Loose Cultivator and spent three hundred spirit stones for a chance to enter a Secret Realm, only to discover that sect disciples had already scoured it clean, leaving behind nothing but worthless spirit herbs, how would you feel?"
Duan Delong stroked his grizzled beard and replied, "I would undoubtedly believe the Azurewood Sect had gone too far, swindling us Loose Cultivators. From that day forward, This Daoist would refuse to sell them any more Medicinal Pills and would even seek out a powerful cultivator to avenge this treachery."
The Hall Master of the Artifact Hall, known for his explosive temper, roared like thunder, causing Yu Xianglan to wince and cover her ears.
"Why rely on others for revenge?" the Hall Master of the Artifact Hall declared. "I would have stormed their gates myself long ago."
Yu Xianglan couldn't help but rub her temples as she watched the two sect brothers constantly threaten retaliation. To an outsider, they might have mistaken them for spies planted by a rival faction.
Nie Yuansen placed the jade slip on the table. "See? Even Junior Brothers Duan and Zhao agree. There's no doubt about it. Besides, wasn't this our plan all along? Now that the decision has been made, we should stop dwelling on whether it's prudent and focus on what lies ahead."
His gaze swept across the three Hall Masters. "How are the preparations progressing for the Pill Hall's Medicinal Pills, the Artifact Hall's magic tools, and the Technique Hall's Techniques and Spirit Talismans?"
The three exchanged glances. "All preparations are complete and secure!"
"Excellent. With this Secret Realm venture, our sect will not only sell access rights but also profit from selling Medicinal Pills, magic tools, and other cultivation resources. The spirit stones we earn will likely surpass the combined revenue from all previous Secret Realm expeditions. Let's squeeze every last drop of value from this Secret Realm before it's gone. Opportunities like this won't come again."
"Senior Brother," Duan Delong asked with a hint of regret, "is there truly no way to maintain the Secret Realm any longer?"
For the past century, Duan Delong had relied on the resources of the Secret Realm to obtain Spirit Medicines for his alchemy practice, steadily honing his skills. The imminent collapse of the Clear River Secret Realm filled him with deep regret.
Nie Yuansen shook his head. "The Secret Realm's integration into our cultivation world is irreversible. This is likely its final opening. When it reappears, who knows in what remote corner of the realm it might be hidden?"
Zhao Bai rubbed his gleaming bald head. "What a pity! Our ancestors believed it contained legacies reaching Spirit Transformation or even higher realms. It seems fate has granted us only a glimpse of what could have been."
Yu Xianglan interjected, "Junior Brother Zhao, didn't you tear up the entire floor of the Legacy Hall without finding anything? Perhaps the sect's legends are simply mistaken."
Just then, a deep, resonant male voice boomed, "The Secret Realm does indeed harbor profound legacies. Our Azurewood Sect's Dao lineage has drawn some of its essence from it."
The three Hall Masters immediately rose and bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Supreme Elder!"
Nie Yuansen merely stood and cupped his fists in salute. "Greetings, Martial Uncle."
"Rise! No need for formalities."
The azure-robed man gently waved his hand, lifting the three from their bows.
"Please, have a seat," Lian Chengjue said.
The Supreme Elder of the Azurewood Sect had snow-white eyebrows and a beard, and he cradled a jade-green ruyi scepter half his height.
"The Secret Realm's legacy is indeed real, but our Azurewood Sect only obtained the first half, which only allows cultivation up to the Core Formation stage. To advance to the Nascent Soul stage, one must seek alternative methods. Our sect's founder extracted the essence of this inheritance and merged it with his own cultivation, creating the Spring and Autumn Evergreen Art."
Of the four disciples present, only Nie Yuansen and Duan Delong cultivated this art. Yu Xianglan practiced the Five Revolutions Flowing Cloud Art, while Zhao Bai, skilled in body refinement, followed the Golden Thunder Manual.
"For a century, our sect has failed to uncover the complete inheritance. It seems our opportunity has passed," Lian Chengjue said, a hint of regret in his voice.
But in the blink of an eye, he regained his composure. "I summoned you four, my junior brothers and sisters, to discuss matters concerning the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range."
Nie Yuansen immediately asked, "Has a decision been reached?"
"Indeed. The human cultivators of my prefecture have reached an agreement with the demon races, allowing humans to enter the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range to mine spirit medicines and materials, and even capture or slay demon beasts."
Nie Yuansen's face lit up with joy. "Excellent! This will resolve our sect's resource crisis. The Netherworld Prefecture gained this advantage years ahead of our Wild Plains Prefecture. At last, our turn has come."
"What if high-level demons intervene and harm our junior cultivators?" Yu Xianglan voiced her concern.
Lian Chengjue shook his head. "High-level demons won't act unless provoked. Should they stoop to such tactics, they must bear the consequences of their actions."
As he spoke, a sharp glint flashed in the Supreme Elder's eyes.