The Vermilion Bird Sect guarded the Vermilion Bird Secret Realm too closely, making it nearly impossible for outsiders to enter.
If he wanted to go in again, the simplest method would be to become a Nascent Soul Guest Elder of the Vermilion Bird Sect. As long as he became one of their own, he could naturally enter. However, unless absolutely necessary, Li Chang’an would not choose this path.
He thought, "Using Lin Fan’s identity and Nascent Soul strength to conduct an equal trade with the Vermilion Bird Sect should earn me a chance to enter. There’s no need to rush this matter."
Even if he really entered the Vermilion Bird’s Nest, he might not be able to take away that Teleportation Array. Suppressing this thought for now, Li Chang’an continued to read the journal of insights.
This senior mentioned that in order to find the cause of the changes in the Cultivation Immortality Realm, he had visited many dangerous regions. Along the way, he met some like-minded individuals. One of them was extremely skilled in the Clone Technique, capable of creating over a hundred clones with the exact same appearance and aura as his true self.
When exploring perilous lands, that Daoist frequently used his clones to scout ahead. No matter how many clones died, it had no effect on his main body. However, an accident occurred when they were exploring an eerie cliff in a Secret Realm.
That Daoist sent his clone in to scout as usual, but the clone quickly perished inexplicably. Furthermore, his main body and his other hundred-plus clones also died simultaneously, losing their auras in an instant.
This incident made them realize that methods like clones, puppets, paper figures, and bean soldiers might seem to have little impact on the user, but they were still fundamentally connected to the main body. In the Cultivation Immortality Realm, there were terrifying methods that could slay the main body through a clone. Even if the main body was millions of miles away, there was no escape.
Therefore, even with a brilliant Clone Technique, one could not act too recklessly. One should remain cautious at all times.
He wondered, "Could the eerie cliff mentioned here be the Soul-breaking Cliff?"
Li Chang’an found it increasingly familiar as he read on. Many years ago, he had also entertained the idea of using a clone to explore the Soul-breaking Cliff. Later, feeling uneasy, he abandoned the plan. This was only because he had once experienced being cursed and targeted from millions of miles away through a single wisp of his aura.
He mused, "This senior is right. No matter how formidable the Clone Technique is, one cannot let their guard down unless the clone and the main body can completely sever their connection, becoming two entirely independent entities without even a sliver of karmic ties."
Li Chang’an continued reading, unwittingly spending several hours doing so. This senior had written about many of his experiences with such clarity that it felt as if Li Chang’an were experiencing them firsthand, allowing him to gain a great deal from the journal. He put it away and got up to walk out of the wooden cabin.
The Demon Beasts of the two great races were waiting quietly outside. Li Chang’an addressed them, "Everyone, I am preparing to leave this place. Do you want to leave with me? The outside world is vaster than this Secret Realm and holds more opportunities."
The Tiger King and Lion King exchanged a glance, hesitation in their eyes. A moment later, they shook their heads in unison.
"Daoist Li, our two races have lived in this world for ninety thousand years, and we have long regarded it as our home. Furthermore, our master’s tomb is here. If we leave, who will guard it?"
After being severely beaten by Li Chang’an, the Lion King’s eyes were much clearer. He decided to regain his original intention, honor his ancestors’ promise, and continue guarding this senior’s tomb.
Seeing this, Li Chang’an did not force them. The reason he asked was not that he genuinely wanted to take the two races away, but because he had his eye on those two Flesh Puppets of the Tier Four Demon Monarchs.
At the beginning of their refining, a restriction had been placed on these two puppets. Only their descendants could control them. Even if Li Chang’an forcibly seized the two puppets, he wouldn’t be able to use them unless he could persuade the two Demon Kings to go with him.
"The outside world is too chaotic now, with years of continuous war. Remaining here might be a good thing for you," he said, explaining the situation of the outside world to them. "If the Righteous Dao falls and the Demonic path invades, this place will likely be discovered by Demon Cultivators. However, you have two Tier Four combatants. As long as you choose to submit, the Demonic path shouldn’t make things too difficult for you."
After some conversation, Li Chang’an bid farewell to the demons and left with Cui Baiying.
The two parted ways outside the grand tomb. Before parting, Li Chang’an smiled at her and said, "Daoist Cui, if there is ever another easy treasure-hunting opportunity like this in the future, you are more than welcome to come find me at Changqing Mountain."
"I definitely will!" Cui Baiying replied with a smile.
This tomb expedition with Li Chang’an finally made her understand why Zi Xi, Mu Hongyu, and others were all willing to befriend him. Li Chang’an’s own strength was formidable, his luck was immense, and he possessed numerous secret methods. As long as they acted alongside him, they would almost never suffer a loss.
She thought, "Daoist Li is truly a remarkable person," looking in the direction where Li Chang’an had left.
Li Chang’an did not return directly to Changqing Mountain. Instead, he traveled to Immortal Cities, Black Markets, and Marketplaces all over the Cultivation Immortality Realm to collect materials for refining the Beast Heart Pill.
Meanwhile, in the Land of Trial within the Secret Realm.
Liu Xuanfeng and the others were still painstakingly undergoing the trials, each of them tormented by the complex and tedious assessments until they were utterly miserable.
"Will these trials ever end? It’s just one stage after another. When will there be an end to this?"
"Please bear with it a bit longer, everyone. As long as we pass the trials, we will have the qualifications to compete with that Li Chang’an..." Cui Yan gritted his teeth, urging the crowd to persevere.
However, he himself was running out of patience. Had it not been for that Nascent Soul inheritance, he would have left long ago!
Right at this moment, the Tiger King and Lion King simultaneously appeared in the trial grounds.
"Human Race Cultivators, you may leave."
"What?" Cui Yan and the others were all taken aback. They raised their heads in unison, looking up at the two Demon Kings.