Then, on another small island, they found Liu Tian hiding inside a Formation, quietly healing his injuries.
It was Zhou Long, who had previously gone on a mission with Liu Tian, who first recognized the Formation.
Liu Tian was startled. He immediately stood on guard within the Formation, his gaze sharp and wary, clearly afraid that the three might seize the opportunity to kill him while he was weakened.
The atmosphere turned tense.
Zhou Long narrowed his eyes, clearly tempted.
Wang Yang smiled faintly, but did not move.
Mu Fan remained silent.
Each of them was waiting, waiting for someone else to make the first move.
Yet no one was willing to be that person.
Mu Fan felt a trace of helplessness.
As expected… there were no good people on Extreme Yin Island. He stepped forward slightly and spoke in a calm tone:
"Senior Brother Liu, Master has summoned us. Let us return together and pay our respects."
His voice broke the tension cleanly.
Wang Yang immediately smiled and nodded.
"Yes, yes, no need to delay. Master is waiting."
Zhou Long clicked his tongue softly, the greed in his eyes fading as he waved his hand. "Tch, you're lucky this time. Let's go."
There was no helping it.
Having just divided the Storage Pouch taken from the corpses, their losses had already been mostly recovered, so their earlier impulse had merely been greed stirring.
Liu Tian hesitated for a moment, then slowly dispersed the Formation and stepped out, still keeping a cautious distance.
The four returned to the island where Mu Fan had previously stayed.
The golden-light figure and the Qi Refining cultivators who had fought earlier were nowhere to be seen. Whether they had been killed or taken away by Foundation Establishment cultivators was unclear.
On a patch of green grass, Jiang Yi sat cross-legged upon swirling black Qi.
Watching the four approach with restrained expressions, dissatisfaction flickered in his eyes.
'It seems they gained nothing…
From the relics of those bastards, I learned that Foundation Establishment cultivators might re-enter this Secret Realm. The information was incomplete, so I brought them along as insurance.
The trials differ between Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment, though the destination may be the same… I had hoped for a surprise.'
A faint killing intent rose in Jiang Yi's heart, but he suppressed it.
'Now that I've confirmed it, Foundation Establishment cultivators can indeed undergo the core trials… they will still be useful next time.'
'Still…. I cannot rashly attempt a breakthrough to Core Formation. I must wait until their in seclusion…'
'Forget it. I'll prepare Medicinal Pills and Spirit Treasure materials first. Leave early. I must reach at least the Middle Stage of Core Formation…'
'If only they had been like Sun Fei and died inside.'
His thoughts settled.
He looked at the four disciples and said indifferently:
"Speak. Tell me of your experiences, and your gains."
Mu Fan, Zhou Long, and Wang Yang exchanged glances.
Without a word, all three looked toward Liu Tian.
You're the Senior Brother.
You go first.
Liu Tian cursed inwardly, but under Jiang Yi's gaze, he stepped forward, bowed, and began recounting his experiences in a steady tone.
At the end, he said:
"These are the Yao Beast corpses this Disciple obtained… as well as these Spirit Artifacts."
Jiang Yi beckoned.
The items floated over.
He glanced briefly at the Yao Beast corpses, then inspected the Spirit Artifacts more carefully before shaking his head.
"Intermediate Spirit Artifacts…"
His tone was flat.
It was obvious, Liu Tian had only wandered the outer layer. Nothing here interested him.
Jiang Yi's gaze shifted to Mu Fan.
Mu Fan stepped forward calmly.
He skipped over the matter of the transparent flying insects and spoke directly of the poisonous snakes and the desert.
Naturally, he altered the details.
"To preserve my condition, this Disciple spent most of the time recovering Qi and only advanced occasionally."
"I remained in the desert for nearly a month, traveled four to five hundred km, and ultimately obtained three bottles of Medicinal Pills."
With a flick of his hand, items floated forward,
The strange branches and trunks, the snake corpses, and the three bottles of Medicinal Pills.
Jiang Yi examined them, his expression slightly stern.
What a pity…
The Medicinal Pills were decent for Foundation Establishment, but useless to him.
Among these disciples, he valued Mu Fan the most.
And indeed, Mu Fan had likely reached the middle region trial.
But…
"You chose the wrong path."
Jiang Yi's voice carried mild reprimand.
"What kind of trial asks you to crawl like an insect?"
Mu Fan lowered his head slightly, saying nothing.
Jiang Yi snorted inwardly.
Still… considering Mu Fan's usual temperament, remaining in seclusion, refining artifacts, avoiding conflict, this cautious behavior was entirely consistent.
He waved his hand dismissively.
Zhou Long stepped forward next, scratching his head with a grin.
"Master, my luck wasn't great either… just fought a bit, grabbed what I could."
Wang Yang followed smoothly:
"This Disciple encountered some opportunities, but nothing worth mentioning before Master."
Soon, a pile of items floated before Jiang Yi.
None of it interested him.
And when comparing the four..Mu Fan had performed the best.
Jiang Yi spoke coldly:
"Hand over your Storage Pouches. I will inspect them."
The four hesitated.
Once opened, how could one distinguish old possessions from new?
Whatever Jiang Yi desired, would have to be handed over.
Mu Fan had already expected this.
Without hesitation, he flicked his fingers.
Four Storage Pouches floated forward.
His expression was calm.
Jiang Yi smiled faintly.
"Do not blame Master. You understand the importance of this Secret Realm."
"I have given you such an opportunity. Surely you would not deceive me and keep everything for yourselves?"
He had already finished inspecting Mu Fan's Storage Pouch.
Nothing unusual.
Only Spirit Stones, Magical Artifacts, formations, and talismans.
Still cautious, Jiang Yi asked:
"I heard you cooperate with the Exotic Treasure Pavilion. Where are your refining materials?"
Mu Fan answered evenly:
"They were left in my courtyard the day Miss Lü Zhu summoned me. They have not been touched since."
Jiang Yi nodded.
"Good. Since you have talent, make use of it well. One day, I may even require your assistance."
Mu Fan bowed.
"It is this Disciple's fortune to serve Master."
Jiang Yi pointed.
Black Qi withdrew from Mu Fan's body, the Restriction on his Physical Body lifted.
Wang Yang stepped forward next, smiling as he handed over his Storage Pouch.
Jiang Yi inspected it..
"Eh?"
Two Yao Beast corpses appeared.
"Level Three Yao Beasts… you picked this up?"
Wang Yang grinned. "Master sees through everything."
Then came Liu Tian and Zhou Long.
Jiang Yi checked their Storage Pouches briefly.
His gaze sharpened.
A few streaks of light vanished into his sleeve.
Neither Liu Tian nor Zhou Long reacted.
But their silence said enough.
Finally, Jiang Yi returned the Storage Pouches and spoke:
"This Secret Realm is a rare opportunity, for both Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment."
"I need it. And so do you."
"You failed this time, but I will not pursue it."
"In sixty years, when it opens again… you will all be in the Foundation Establishment Stage."
"You will enter again."
Mu Fan immediately bowed.
"This Disciple is willing to go through fire and water for Master."
Wang Yang followed smoothly.
Zhou Long slapped his chest.
Liu Tian nodded stiffly.
Jiang Yi smiled in satisfaction.
⸻———X——————
Thus, the matter of the Secret Realm came to an end.
Afterward, the four disciples remained within the black Qi, unaware of the outside world.
Perhaps Jiang Yi was negotiating with the other Foundation Establishment cultivators.
An hour later
The black Qi surged forward and sped away.