Chapter 163: The Secret Realm Opens

After listening to Lin Xiao's account, Liao Pantu stroked his beard with a smile and said, "Not bad, you've improved quite a bit. You're certainly much better than when you recklessly charged at that Silver Frost Python demon, got poisoned, and nearly lost your life."

Hearing this, Lin Xiao wasn't sure whether Liao Pantu was praising or mocking him, so he could only respond with his usual polite smile.

Back then, he hadn't wanted to act recklessly, but if he hadn't intervened, who knows how many villagers would have died? And how could he have known it was a demon python that could spew poison?

If only he had a comprehensive bestiary, he could calculate all the potential dangers and avoid them. Or even better, if he had a god's-eye view of everything, then he could control every situation!

System: ...

[This system is merely an assistant, not the protagonist. Please refrain from relying on shortcuts. Stay diligent, focus on developing your sect, and steadily improve your strength to one day ascend to immortality.]

Realizing that the system wasn't granting his wishes this time, Lin Xiao felt a bit disappointed.

"But still, your approach wasn't completely thorough," Liao Pantu added, a hint of smugness in his expression as if inviting Lin Xiao to ask what more he could learn.

Seeing Liao Pantu's demeanor, Lin Xiao's rebellious streak flared up. Instead of indulging him, he walked over to his bed and said, "Thank you for your advice, Elder. Since I've already done what I can, even if there are things I overlooked, I can't turn back time. I'll take it as a lesson and reflect on it myself."

With that, he activated the Peach Blossom Spirit-Gathering Formation and began his meditation for the day.

Seeing this, Liao Pantu shook his head in disappointment, missing the opportunity to show off his years of wisdom. However, he soon smiled quietly to himself. Sitting by the window, he sipped his tea while watching the bustling street outside, not feeling the need to press Lin Xiao further.

People grow through their own experiences. Others can offer guidance or a helping hand, but no one can hold someone else's hand for their entire life. The lessons learned through one's own journey are the most valuable.

The next morning, Lin Xiao returned to the clinic. He didn't use his spiritual sense to probe inside; instead, he discreetly peeked in as he passed by. Inside, he saw the doctor feeding Liu Chun some medicine. Even at a glance, Lin Xiao could see that Liu Chun's complexion had improved significantly, and he was now awake.

Satisfied, Lin Xiao quietly left the area.

Since Liu Chun was likely injured by the Wu family, Lin Xiao wanted to avoid any potential trouble. If the Wu family had intended to kill him and found out that Lin Xiao had saved him, it could create complications.

As for the doctor at the clinic, Lin Xiao wasn't too worried. During his exploration of the city, he had learned that this clinic's doctor was a branch member of the Yuan family. From his days mingling in the city, he had also discovered that, despite outward appearances, the Wu and Yuan families were far from friendly.

So, this clinic was unlikely to be discovered by the Wu family. And even if they did, they probably couldn't do much to the doctor.

With that, Lin Xiao put the matter out of his mind. After all, Liu Chun was a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Helping him when he found him in a bad state was enough; there was no need for Lin Xiao, who had only been cultivating for a few months, to worry further.

Feeling good about his anonymous good deed, Lin Xiao found everything on the streets even more interesting. He eagerly resumed his daily exploration.

Time flew by, and soon, it was the fifth day since Lin Xiao and Liao Pantu had entered Yuanling City. Today was the day the Icefield Secret Realm would open.

The Icefield Secret Realm was a relatively new one, having emerged within the past century. Due to the laws governing this realm, the highest cultivation level allowed to enter was Foundation Establishment. Golden Core cultivators and above couldn't enter.

The entrance to the Icefield Secret Realm wasn't within Yuanling City but at the end of a mountain stream not far west of the city.

With all preparations complete, Lin Xiao, with Liao Pantu nestled inside the Soul-Nurturing Pendant in his chest, left the city and arrived at the secret realm's entrance.

Three long queues were already formed at the entrance, where a group of cultivators, dressed in red robes with silver patterns and possessing much higher cultivation levels than Lin Xiao, were maintaining order.

According to Elder Liao, those cultivators were Golden Core disciples of the Tianxuan Sect. Although the Icefield Secret Realm was an open, unaffiliated secret realm, its entrance had been discovered by a member of the Tianxuan Sect. As a result, every year, disciples from the sect would travel long distances to maintain order at the entrance.

Lin Xiao guessed that this was a way for the Tianxuan Sect to assert its dominance.

And it wasn't just the Icefield Secret Realm; in the Southern Spirit Region, nearly all scattered secret realm entrances were controlled by the eighteen major sects.

Ah, the advantages of being a large sect—asserting dominance without anyone daring to challenge them.

When will our Lingxian Sect reach that level, where we can make the rules?

The thought filled Lin Xiao with ambition. He rubbed his hands together eagerly.

The cultivators around him turned to look at the tall, youthful boy who appeared to have no cultivation. Seeing him suddenly brimming with excitement, they couldn't help but roll their eyes.

Probably just another kid sneaking out from home, wide-eyed and naive.

In the months since he started cultivating, Lin Xiao had grown even taller, now standing between 5'6" and 6'1" (about 5'9"). Paired with his twelve or thirteen-year-old face, his handsome features still bore a slight immaturity that made him look a bit out of place.

At this moment, the entrance to the Icefield Secret Realm began to open.

At the end of the mountain stream, a tiny star-like light appeared in mid-air where there had been nothing before. Gradually, the light expanded, and before long, a small opening formed in the air. The opening continued to widen until it was large enough for one person to pass through. Finally, it grew to accommodate ten people at once, at which point it stopped expanding.

Seeing this, the Golden Core cultivators from the Tianxuan Sect began directing the crowd to enter in an orderly manner.

Lin Xiao paid no mind to the glances he had received earlier. His attention was fully focused on the now-moving line of people ahead.

Once inside the secret realm, he would search for Elder Liao's soul fragment and gather as many resources as possible.

He had to work hard, develop the sect, and carve out a place for the Lingxian Sect in the cultivation world!