Chapter 72: Encountering the Young Lady of the Black Soul Palace

Li Taixing activated his Sky Eye.

' Eye of Heaven.'

A series of details about the woman in front of him instantly flooded his mind:

[Name: Liu Yueru

Age: 22

Realm: Fourth level of the Nascent Soul Realm

Identity: The only daughter of the master of the Black Soul Hall

Personality: Simple, kind, but very competitive

Current mission: Going to the Forest of Ferocious Beasts to join the pioneers and enter the Five Elements Secret Realm for a trial together.

Hint: She suspects that you have entered the Five Elements Secret Realm and wants to intimidate you to hand over the items to prove the truth.

Hint: Because the Black Soul Hall did not tell her, she does not know that you killed the people from the Black Soul Hall.

Hint: In order to protect her, the Black Soul Hall sent a strong man in the Tribulation Realm to secretly protect her.]

Seeing the last message, Li Taixing's expression changed slightly. 'A Tribulation Realm protector? I don't know if my master could deal with someone that strong.'

Despite the intimidating information, Li Taixing remained calm, his mind racing. He didn't expect to encounter someone of such importance—the young lady of the Black Soul Hall, no less. 'Stay calm,' he reminded himself.

He couldn't recall seeing her when he first exited the secret realm, which meant this encounter was likely a coincidence. Still, one question lingered in his mind: 'How does she know this is the exit?'

Putting on a show of innocence, Li Taixing asked, "Young lady, I'm just passing by. I don't quite understand what you're talking about. Is there a secret realm here?"

Liu Yueru's eyes narrowed. "Of course, there is. Don't play dumb."

Feigning surprise, Li Taixing responded, "A secret realm? Here? But I've been training in this area for nearly a month, and I never noticed anything."

"Hmph! I don't believe you. You must have gone inside!"

"Miss, why do you say that? Do you have any proof?" Li Taixing pressed, acting confused.

"Because you're standing at the exit!"

"... The exit?" Li Taixing furrowed his brows, as if confused, before suddenly pretending to search the area frantically. "What exit? Are you sure?"

For a moment, Liu Yueru seemed taken aback by his act. She was clearly uncertain of her own accusation, yet confident enough in her suspicion. What she didn't expect was how calm this "little ghost" was under pressure.

Li Taixing, sensing her hesitation, continued to stall. "There's nothing here. How are you so sure this is an exit?"

Liu Yueru crossed her arms, looking flustered. "I... just know! Don't try to trick me, or I'll cut you down right here!"

With a helpless smile, Li Taixing raised his hands. "There's no need for violence, young lady. How about I show you everything I have, and you can judge for yourself?"

Before she could protest, Li Taixing quickly removed his storage ring and handed it over. Inside were only a few low-level elixirs, some inner cores from wild beasts, and a measly pile of copper coins. All strategically placed to paint the picture of a poor cultivator barely scraping by.

Liu Yueru inspected the contents, her expression softening into one of pity. "You're this poor?"

Li Taixing sighed. "What can I say? I've been training here to make ends meet and afford more cultivation resources."

Unexpectedly, Liu Yueru's eyes glinted with sympathy. "How pitiful… Fine, keep your things. I don't need any of it."

She tossed the ring back to him, much to his silent relief. Li Taixing put it away and thanked her with a humble bow. "Thank you, young lady. However, about this secret realm..."

His curiosity seemed to agitate her. Liu Yueru immediately shot him a glare and threatened, "Don't even think about going near it. If you do, I'll end you myself!"

Seeing her irritation, Li Taixing hastily backed away, waving his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright, I'm leaving! I'll steer clear of it!"

Liu Yueru watched him leave with a frown, muttering to herself, "Where are they? If I had the map, I'd already be inside."

Suddenly, a tall figure emerged behind her, cloaked in a long ice-blue skirt. The woman, appearing in her thirties, had an elegant and commanding presence. Her beauty was striking, and her posture exuded power.

"Miss," the woman greeted softly.

Liu Yueru turned, her brows knitting in frustration. "Aunt Han, why are you following me again?"

Fang Hanyue, the woman in the blue dress, smiled gently. "I just arrived. That young man is not simple. Should I capture him for questioning?"

Liu Yueru shook her head dismissively. "No need, Aunt Han. He's poor and harmless. Besides, I can handle him myself if it comes to that."

Fang Hanyue raised an eyebrow but did not press the matter. "Very well. But, Miss, where are the others? Shouldn't they have arrived by now?"

Liu Yueru sighed, her frustration evident. "That's what I'm wondering too. If they didn't have the map, I'd already be inside by now."

Fang Hanyue's face grew serious as she received a transmission from the Black Soul Hall. "Miss, there's been a development."

Liu Yueru's expression shifted. "What is it?"

"The men escorting the Five Elements Secret Realm Map received a mission from the Great Elder. They were tasked with killing someone in the Forest of Ferocious Beasts."

"Kill someone? Why?"

"It was part of an order from the Great Elder. Their target was in the way. However, they were all killed by that very person."

Liu Yueru's eyes widened in shock. "They were killed?"

Fang Hanyue nodded gravely. "Yes. The Hall Master has asked us to investigate the matter secretly."

Liu Yueru clenched her fists, her previous irritation turning into frustration. "Does this mean I won't be able to enter the secret realm?"

Fang Hanyue sighed. "I'm afraid so, Miss. We'll have to return for now. It's an urgent matter."

Liu Yueru fumed. "Damn it! It's all the fault of that bastard Great Elder. His schemes keep getting our people involved in messes like this."

"Miss," Fang Hanyue warned softly, "we should be careful. The Hall Master has plans to change the direction of the Black Soul Hall, which has created tension with the Great Elder. His power stems from our Hall's original… business practices."

The implication in her words was clear. The Black Soul Hall had made its name through less-than-legal means, and the Great Elder wasn't keen on abandoning them.

Fang Hanyue gave Liu Yueru a small smile and gestured for her to follow. "Let's go back for now. It's too dangerous to linger."

Liu Yueru gritted her teeth, but after a moment, she nodded, realizing she had no choice but to retreat.