Chapter 57

Zhao Shuo nodded upon hearing this and said, "Since that's the case, let's go and take a look. Perhaps we'll have good luck and find one or two ancient treasures!"

In response to Zhao Shuo's words, Bai Jianjia neither agreed nor disagreed. After all, she also had the same thoughts as Zhao Shuo. If they were in the outside world, such a thing would only be a daydream. However, this place was vastly different. First, this was the Jiu Hua Secret Realm, formed after the fall of an ancient Dao Master. More importantly, only a few people had discovered this secret realm, so there were definitely many ancient treasures within it. If luck was on their side, obtaining one or two of them was not impossible.

It seemed that Bai Jianjia had been tormented enough. Even while traveling, she continuously practiced her cultivation technique, absorbing the essence of heaven and earth. It was clear that the cultivation technique she practiced was not inferior. In the same amount of time, while others could absorb one part, Bai Jianjia's technique allowed her to absorb at least three parts, making her cultivation speed three to four times faster than others. However, compared to Zhao Shuo's ability to devour the essence of heaven and earth, it was somewhat inferior.

Zhao Shuo fully activated the Beiming Swallowing Heaven and Earth technique, and a continuous stream of essence energy entered his body, then transformed into essence liquid. In his dantian, a considerable amount of essence liquid had already gathered, indicating that Zhao Shuo's cultivation had reached the middle stage of the Essence Core realm. He only needed to accumulate enough essence liquid to form an essence core.

With their speed, the two quickly approached the mountain. The mountain before them, though only a few hundred feet high, was not considered a high mountain. However, it was lush and green, covered with verdant trees, and the essence of heaven and earth was more concentrated here than in other places.

A gentle breeze blew, bringing a faint scent of fresh grass. Zhao Shuo took a deep breath and looked at the verdant mountain, saying, "What a beautiful green mountain!"

Bai Jianjia's reaction was not much better than Zhao Shuo's. She had been trapped on the Death Island for at least a few hundred years, during which she had hardly seen any greenery. The Death Island was filled with gray, lifeless things, which could not compare to the verdant green mountain before her.

When the two regained their composure, they looked at each other and took large steps towards the mountain. It was clear that no one had ever been to this green mountain before. Everywhere were tall trees, and the ground was covered with shrubs and vines, with no path to follow.

Zhao Shuo held a sharp large knife in his hand and slashed through the death, clearing a small path. Occasionally, various small animals could be seen fleeing in panic.

However, they were not without gains. At least a dozen types of medicinal herbs had already been collected in Zhao Shuo's Zhou Tian Ruyi Purple Light Pagoda. Although Zhao Shuo could not refine high-level spiritual pills in the short term, the medicinal herbs he found were not easy to come by, so he collected them regardless of their quality.

Bai Jianjia's gains were no less than Zhao Shuo's. She even discovered a piece of Tian Ji Wood, a thumb-sized fragment of a primordial spiritual wood from the ancient era, which was an excellent material for refining magical treasures. Although Bai Jianjia obtained only a small piece, it was still a fragment of primordial spiritual wood, which could at least enhance the power of a magical treasure.

Seeing Bai Jianjia's significant gains, Zhao Shuo's enthusiasm for clearing the path increased. For a moment, the knife flashed, and all the vines and trees blocking Zhao Shuo's path were cut down.

"Hey, a three-leaf ginseng! Zhao Shuo, I didn't expect you to have such good luck to find a three-leaf ginseng!"

Zhao Shuo carefully collected the ginseng with three leaves like white jade, patted his hands, and said to Bai Jianjia, "Hehe, you got the Tian Ji Wood, so why can't I get a treasure too?"

Bai Jianjia smiled faintly and looked up at the verdant mountain, saying, "I didn't expect there to be so many natural treasures in this secret realm. No wonder every time a secret realm appears, it attracts countless cultivators."

Zhao Shuo said, "If we enter a treasure mountain and return empty-handed, we will definitely regret it in the future. Even if we have to turn this mountain upside down, we must search for all the treasures."

Bai Jianjia rolled her eyes and said, "I think you'd better be more careful. The secret realm is not just full of natural treasures; it is also filled with various demonic beasts and spiritual creatures. If you're not careful and lose your life..."

"Stop being a jinx, take care of yourself!"

Zhao Shuo continued to work hard, clearing the path and searching for treasures. Surprises appeared from time to time, even though most were just medicinal herbs from previous years. Despite this, Zhao Shuo was still very happy.

Just as Zhao Shuo was carefully picking a Seven-Star Grass, Bai Jianjia's exclamation came from nearby.

Zhao Shuo quickly put the Seven-Star Grass into the pagoda and flashed to Bai Jianjia's side, asking, "What's wrong?"

Bai Jianjia's face was full of shock, and she trembled, pointing in a direction, saying, "You... look!"

Following Bai Jianjia's finger, Zhao Shuo saw a snow-white fox staring at them with a pair of bright, intelligent eyes. The eyes showed surprise and curiosity, almost human-like.

That was not the most shocking part. What made Bai Jianjia exclaim was that the snow-white fox had six tails.

"Six-tailed Spirit Fox!"

With the Beiming Swallowing Heaven and Earth secret technique, Zhao Shuo immediately recognized the identity of the snow-white fox. It was a legendary race of spirit foxes, said to have been born when the world was first created. The strongest members of the spirit fox race could reach the level of a Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox, comparable to a Dao Master. Although their overall strength was not outstanding among the countless powerful races of the ancient era, the spirit foxes were all handsome men and beautiful women when they transformed into human form. They had also survived the ancient calamity, and it was rare to see their traces in the desolate ancient world.

Bai Jianjia whispered, "A six-tailed spirit fox, comparable to a First Return Period cultivator. If it is hostile to us..."

Without Bai Jianjia saying it, Zhao Shuo knew that if the six-tailed spirit fox was hostile to them, even with treasures to protect them, they would have no chance of resisting.

Zhao Shuo could only bitterly laugh in his heart. They had just chosen a random mountain, and although there were many natural treasures on the mountain, it was unnecessary for a powerful six-tailed spirit fox to appear so quickly.

Sensing that the six-tailed spirit fox was observing them, Zhao Shuo and Bai Jianjia naturally did not dare to provoke it. An invisible pressure enveloped the two of them.

After a long while, the pressure disappeared, and the two let out a long breath, feeling drenched as if they had been pulled out of water.

Zhao Shuo sat on the ground, panting and said, "Too terrifying, that was the pressure of a six-tailed spirit fox. In front of that pressure, I felt like a powerless ant!"