When Lucian entered the Secret Realm, he was just an ordinary Qi Gathering Realm cultivator, like 99% of others who entered.
But now, after advancing to Foundation Establishment, his body naturally emitted a powerful Spiritual Pressure. He also didn’t have any special disguise technique to suppress or hide his cultivation.
So low-level beasts with limited intelligence, who couldn’t use Qi Sense still detect him as anything other than prey. And when they could finally sense his powerful aura, it was already too late.
However, Cultivators were fundamentally different. No matter how hard he repressed his aura, it would never be as perfect as if he used a technique.
So once they entered a certain range around Lucian, they could feel the pressure emanating from him instinctively.
Additionally, their Qi Sense was unable to see through him, making them even more wary and cautious.
The two leading cultivators immediately bowed, their faces pale with fear and respect.
“Greetings, Senior,” they said in trembling voices, “We didn’t mean to offend. Please forgive our rudeness.”
In the Cultivation World, using one’s Spiritual Sence to prove another was considered as something offensive and disrespectful. Not to mention, doing that to someone who was stronger than you.
Lucian nodded slightly, his crimson eyes sweeping over the group.
The other eight cultivators behind them were also bowing, their bodies slightly shaking.
“What are you doing here?” Lucian asked coolly. He acted as though he was unaware that the leading man was holding a token.
One of the leaders, a young man with a scar on his cheek, hesitated before answering, “We… we were sent to find other cultivators, Senior.”
“Oh?” Lucian raised an eyebrow, “And who sent you?”
The other leader, a short young man with a round face, quickly spoke up, “We were ordered by Prince Zhan, Senior. Princess Iris wants to kill the king of this forbidden zone. And Prince Zhan is helping her. His Highness promises to give each of us thousand spirit stones, if we successfully help Princess.”
“You mean the Princess is here?” Lucian’s eyes gleamed slightly as he asked.
“Yes, senior,” the short man replied nervously, “Princess Iris is indeed here. She wants to kill the beast king atop the highest peak.”
Lucian’s gaze shifted to the towering mountains in the distance. The tallest peak pierced the clouds, its summit shrouded in Spiritual mist.
“Oh? So her target is that highest mountain?” Lucian thought inwardly.
Inside his robe, the compass was also pointing toward the highest peak.
It was like killing two birds with one stone — not only could he potentially find the suitable Cultivation Technique for Celine and Isabella, but this might be the best chance to “meet” the Princess, bringing him one step closer to meeting the Empress.
“If it’s the Royal Family’s order, how can I dare disobey?” Lucian said smoothly, “Lead the way.”
The other cultivators heaved a collective sigh of relief. They had feared this man might attack them, but instead, he seemed willing to join their mission.
Snow crunched beneath their feet. Icy wind howled around them, carrying flurries of snowflakes that stung their Spiritual Energy Shield.
Lucian walked beside the two supposedly leaders. After walking nearly a kilometre and confirming that the compass was indeed pointing toward the highest peak, Lucian turned to the scar faced man, “You said Prince Zhan is helping Princess? Do you mean the Second Prince of Silver Moon Empire?”
The young man nodded, “Yes, Senior. It is indeed the Second Prince of Silver Moon Empire.”
The Silver Moon Empire was a neighboring Empire located southwest of the Tianyu Empire.
Although everyone knew this, only the leaders of each Sect were aware that the Royal Family was secretly controlling the Sects.
So when Lucian asked Alisa, she was taken aback, asking how he knew. Naturally, he would not reveal that System had given him this hint, so he simply “plugged” her mouth…
Lucian didn’t ask further. He simply nodded, his crimson eyes gleaming with interest.
Soon, they reached the cave dwelling where the cultivators were staying.
As they entered, Lucian’s Qi Sense detected many auras inside. Most were at the Qi Gathering realm, and one at early Foundation Establishment stage.
Before coming here, the scar faced young man had already told him the general situation. So he wasn’t too surprised.
But sensing this man’s thick murderous intent, his eyes narrowed subtly.
All of a sudden, a wave of murderous intent washed over him.
The source was the one-eyed man with a fierce expression. His aura was at early Foundation Establishment, but it felt unstable.
“Who are you? Which sect’s disciple are you?” the one-eyed man asked harshly.
Lucian naturally showed a fearful expression as the murderous intent pressed against him.
He bowed slightly and spoke in a “respectful” tone, “This junior is Lucian, a disciple of the Azure Sword Sect. I was exploring this area when I encountered these fellow cultivators. They told me it was related to Royal Family, so I humbly offered my assistance.”
The one-eyed man’s gaze swept over Lucian, assessing him.
His gaze softened slightly at Lucian’s submissive posture. He nodded, seemingly satisfied with the answer.
“Very well. If you prove to be helpful, His Highness will surely reward you handsomely.”
Then he turned to the others, his voice booming.
“Rest for the night. We’ll leave tomorrow morning,” the one-eyed man commanded.
He then turned and strode out of the cave, his footsteps echoing in the silence.
Lucian also didn’t stand on ceremony. He chose a corner and sat down cross-legged, his eyes closed as he entered a meditative state.
The other cultivators, seeing Lucian choose to meditate, exhaled long breaths they had been unknowingly holding. The pressure of two Foundation Establishment cultivators had been stifling. They also quickly dispersed, finding their own places to rest.
…
The difference between day and night was not too obvious in this snowy realm. The sky outside remained a dull grey, snowflakes drifting endlessly.
Inside the cave, Lucian’s eyes snapped open as his cultivation state was broken. He sensed two powerful auras slowly approaching.
The Array Formation at the cave entrance rippled like water and parted like a curtain.
A young man in a luxurious golden robe strode in, an arrogant smile playing on his lips as if the world owed him everything. His dark eyes swept over the gathered cultivators with hidden disdain.
Beside him walked a breathtakingly beautiful woman. Her long violet hair cascaded down her back like a silken waterfall. Her skin was pale as moonlight, her eyes were also violet.
Despite her ethereal beauty, her face was drawn with exhaustion, and her steps were slightly unsteady.
The cave fell silent as they entered. All the cultivators, including the one-eyed man, immediately bowed low.
“Greetings, His Highness!”
“Greetings, Her Highness!”
Lucian’s crimson eyes roamed over the princess’s figure.
Even though her robe covered every inch of her body, making it difficult for him to discern much, her graceful movements and voluptuous body were unmistakable. Experience new tales on empire
At this time, Prince Zhan walked forward.
“All of you, take this pill and swallow it,” he commanded.
He waved his hand, and three jade bottles materialized in the air. The one-eyed man caught them swiftly.
“These pills will protect you from the cold,” Prince Zhan explained, leaving no room for disagreement. “They will also temporarily increase your strength.”
The one-eyed man began to distribute the pills among the cultivators. Each pill glowed with a faint blue light, giving off a subtle chill.
Lucian also accepted his pill, swallowed it, but didn’t refine it. Instead, he used the blood needle to capture the pill and let it hover inside his body, unrefined. The blood needle rotated around the pill, isolating its effects.
This was one of the auxiliary uses of this needle. However, if it contained poison, it would simply melt.
Lucian wanted to use his Gluttonous Innate Fate to absorb it. But for the time being, he decided to wait and see what effect it would have.
Seeing Lucian also ate the pill, the man in golden robe smiled subtly. His dark eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
At this moment, Princess Iris slowly walked towards Lucian. Her violet eyes studied him curiously.
“You’re new,” she said softly. “What’s your name?”
Lucian bowed respectfully, “This junior is Lucian, from Azure Sword Sect.”
Princess Iris nodded, “Azure Sword Sect… not bad. I’ve heard about them. Your aura feels strong. You’ll be useful.”
Prince Zhan watched the exchange with narrowed eyes.
Lucian sensed the prince’s gaze but chose to ignore it.
Princess Iris then turned to the others and said, “This forbidden zone has an owner — a peak Foundation Establishment snow leopard. Previously, it injured me, but I also wounded it. The reason why Prince Zhan and I couldn’t kill it because it had many kins protecting it. So this time, your job will be to kill that beast’s kins, which are Qi Gathering beasts. This will give me the perfect chance to kill it.”
Her violet eyes swept over the group, “If you succeed, I’ll personally give each of you a higher rank cultivation technique, along with nearly thousand Spirit Stones as rewards.”
The cultivators’ eyes lit up with excitement. Higher rank techniques were incredibly valuable, especially to smaller sects and clans.
