Li Mingfu continued walking deeper into the cave.
From the outside, the cave looked ordinary and not very large.
But the deeper he walked in the cave, the more surprised he became.
The interior was incredibly spacious.
Stone pathways twisted through the cavern, lit by faint glowing crystals embedded in the walls.
Spiritual energy flowed gently through the air like an invisible mist.
Li Mingfu admired the scenery as he walked.
Soon, he arrived at another door.
Before he could even raise his hand.
The door opened by itself.
The moment it opened, an overwhelming wave of spiritual Qi rushed toward him.
Li Mingfu instantly felt his entire body become light and full of energy.
His meridians vibrated.
His dantian stirred.
He instinctively thought,
If I cultivated here…
I could easily reach Qi Refinement Stage 9 perfection within five years.
While he was still enjoying the sensation, the voice spoke again.
"Hurry up and come sit."
Li Mingfu snapped out of his thoughts.
"Yes, Peak Master!"
He quickly walked toward the voice.
Inside the chamber sat the Peak Master, calmly pouring tea.
Li Mingfu immediately bowed.
"Inner Sect Disciple Li Mingfu greets Peak Master."
The Peak Master waved his hand.
"Come sit."
Li Mingfu quickly sat down across from him.
The Peak Master took a sip of his tea.
"That was a great fight yesterday."
Li Mingfu shook his head.
"It was nothing, Peak Master. Just child's play."
The Peak Master laughed.
"You are very mature for your age."
He looked at Li Mingfu carefully.
"If it weren't for the testing stone… I might believe you were an old soul who stole a talented young body."
Li Mingfu laughed.
Cold sweat formed on his back.
The Peak Master took another sip of tea and smiled.
"I like what you said yesterday."
"I'm glad you remember my words."
Li Mingfu bowed slightly and respectfully.
"Your words deeply inspired me."
"They gave me a lot of motivation to cultivate."
The Peak Master laughed and suddenly asked.
"Do you want to become my disciple?"
Li Mingfu froze.
He thought for a moment.
After a few seconds had passed, he asked calmly,
"What are the benefits?"
The Peak Master burst into loud laughter.
Most disciples would instantly kneel and accept.
No one had ever asked him for benefits before.
The Peak Master thought,
This child is interesting.
Peak Master coughed and regained his posture and said,
"My junior brother was right about you."
Li Mingfu blinked.
"Your junior brother?"
"Who is he, Peak Master?"
The Peak Master smiled.
"The same elder who tried to take you as a disciple last year. The one who spent time asking you questions."
Li Mingfu froze again, then he laughed awkwardly.
"I… didn't know he was your junior brother."
"After this, I should go apologize."
The Peak Master waved his hand dismissively.
"Don't worry about it, and it seems like you don't want to be my disciple anyway."
Li Mingfu laughed nervously.
The Peak Master leaned back slightly with a serious tone.
"How confident are you about defeating Qi Refinement Stage 5 in three years?"
Li Mingfu answered immediately.
"Three years? 100 percent."
The Peak Master raised an eyebrow.
"What about Stage 6?"
Li Mingfu replied calmly.
"More than 80 percent."
"What about Stage 7?"
Li Mingfu thought briefly.
"That depends on the situation."
"In a one-on-one arena fight—fifty percent."
"But in terrain of my choosing, over eighty percent."
The Peak Master nodded slightly.
"What about Stage 8?"
Li Mingfu replied without hesitation.
"In a life-or-death battle, I would win."
"But I would be heavily injured."
The Peak Master asked again,
"What about Stage 9?"
Li Mingfu smiled slightly.
"I would die..."
"But they would suffer."
"I would definitely create a heart demon for them before dying."
"They would never reach Foundation Establishment after killing me."
The Peak Master stared at him for a moment.
Then burst into loud laughter.
He laughed for a long time before finally calming down.
"I like it!"
He coughed a few times, then leaned forward.
"What if I gave you resources?"
Li Mingfu thought carefully.
"It depends on the situation."
"As assassins, we must assess the situation before reaching conclusions."
"It also depends on what the goal is and what resources you provide me."
The Peak Master nodded approvingly.
"The more we talk, the more I like you."
"Too bad you refused to become my disciple, but this might not be a bad thing."
"This must be fate!"
Peak Master slammed his hand on the table and said,
"I have decided!"
"I choose you to represent Shadow Weave Peak."
Li Mingfu blinked in confusion.
"Represent… for what?"
The Peak Master explained,
"In three years, a Secret Realm will open."
"It only allows cultivators at Qi Refinement or below."
"Only magical weapons may be brought inside."
"And only those 10 years old or younger may enter."
"This realm opens once every twenty years."
"The death rate is very high."
"But there are many treasures inside."
"Inside this realm, there are things that can help you reach Foundation Establishment faster."
"The strongest creatures inside will only reach Qi Refinement Perfection."
"Each sect can only send ten disciples."
Li Mingfu nodded and said.
"How does this relate to me?"
Peak Master said.
"Usually, each peak sends one disciple as their representative."
"Sect Master Peak picks three disciples."
"But if another peak has two outstanding disciples, they may challenge Sect Master Peak for one of those slots."
He looked directly at Li Mingfu.
"We only have one talented disciple."
"That is you."
"I originally had my eye on someone else."
"But compared to you, he is nothing special."
"So you have been chosen."
Li Mingfu wanted to say something, but Peak Master continued.
"Besides surviving, you will have many opportunities inside."
"You will later receive a list of possible treasures."
"Maps are useless because the realm changes every time it opens."
"So we can only estimate terrain types."
"Anything you obtain belongs to you."
"You may keep it or sell it to the sect."
"The sect pays generously. I would recommend selling anything you do not need to the sect."
"Of course, if you trust me. You can hand over the treasures you found to me first. I will pay you according to the sect's rules or help you sell your treasures. Some Elders need certain treasures and would pay a lot for things they need. I will only take a certain percentage, that's all."
The Peak Master smiled.
"So… what do you think?"
Li Mingfu thought about it and took a coin.
He thought.
Will I die in this Secret Realm?
Flipped the coin.
Tails.
Is it worth going in?
Coin flipped again.
Heads.
Li Mingfu put away the coin and smiled.
"I'll join! Sounds like fun."
The Peak Master was confused by the coin flip and asked.
"Why were you flipping a mortal coin?"
Li Mingfu laughed and said.
"Sometimes I just leave my decision to fate."
Peak Master didn't think of it much and said.
"There will be plenty of fun for you."
Li Mingfu leaned forward slightly.
"So… what resources will I get?"
The Peak Master tossed him a token.
"Take this and return it to me in three years."
"With this token, you may go to Black Intel Peak."
"They will give you information on your competitors from other sects."
"Then go to Venomroot Peak."
"You may request potions or custom pills from their alchemists."
"Next, go to Thousand Mechanism Peak."
"An Inner Sect Elder there will forge daggers or any weapon for you."
Li Mingfu nodded.
Peak Master, seeing he understood, continued.
"Finally…Tell me what resources you need now."
"I will contact Blood Contract Peak to prepare them."
Li Mingfu thought carefully and said,
"Can I temporarily get a better living area?"
The Peak Master waved his hand.
"That's easy."
"I will loan you one of the caves near mine."
"You may keep your current villa as well."
"If you earn enough contributions, you can eventually buy the cave permanently."
Li Mingfu's eyes lit up with excitement.
"Anything else?" the Peak Master asked.
Li Mingfu nodded.
"Yes."
"Spirit stones."
"And if possible… Dark Qi spirit stones."
The Peak Master looked surprised.
"That is not impossible."
"Dark Qi spirit stones are very rare."
"The sect has only a small amount."
"With your current cultivation… I can give you five top-grade spirit stones each month."
"Along with... five Dark Qi top-grade spirit stones."
"If you skip a month, they will accumulate."
"I will also include medicinal herbs."
"You must take a medical bath once per month."
"Blood Contract Peak will provide the herbs and instructions."
Li Mingfu nodded happily.
Then he asked one last question.
"What about spiritual meat or food?"
The Peak Master laughed.
"Why do you need food?"
"I'm already giving you top-grade spiritual stones."
Li Mingfu grinned.
"I'm still a growing boy."
"I need to eat more."
The Peak Master laughed again.
"Fine."
"I know you have two little servants."
"So I will also provide spiritual meat, spiritual vegetables, and spiritual rice."
"But no fruits or drinks."
"Those are too expensive."
Then he waved his hand.
"Tomorrow, collect your supplies."
"You may move into the cave today."
Li Mingfu stood up and bowed deeply.
"I will not disappoint you, Peak Master."
"Watch me shine, and slaughter my way through the Secret Realm."
Then he turned and left.
Behind him—
The Peak Master watched him leave and laughed.