Chapter 272: Chapter 239: Red Dawn Jade Key

"This is..."

Gu Yuan was momentarily stunned as he looked at the silver light rising from his waist.

"How could it be the Jade Key?"

On his waist, the source of the faint silver radiance was none other than the Jade Key to the Red Mist Secret Realm, which Ma Wu had offered him years ago.

The Red Mist Secret Realm is the residual realm left behind after the Golden Core Sect’s destruction, rumored to contain numerous treasures, including Artifact Fragments.

Gu Yuan had possessed this Jade Key for many years but had never found time to explore it.

Most critically, during this time, he had used Stone Liquid countless times, including in years when the Secret Realm was said to open, yet the Jade Key never showed any anomalies, with no sparkle of opportunity lighting up.

Why had it lit up this time?

The key point was, it was a faint silver line, capable of tugging at the thread of fate.

"Could it be that the opportunity item within the Secret Realm has just begun to appear?"

"Going earlier would have all been in vain?"

Gu Yuan speculated continuously in his heart.

At the same time, he realized he had been too careless and negligent earlier.

Logically speaking, even if one doesn’t enter the Red Mist Secret Realm, the Jade Key is still the crucial item linking to the Red Mist Secret Realm, and as long as there’s opportunity existent within the realm, it should at least shimmer with some light.

But previously, there were no reactions, implying that going before would yield no opportunity, and might even result in being unable to enter the realm at all.

However, he had always ignored this, assuming the Jade Key could open the Secret Realm to explore and seek treasures.

Normally, the sequence should be using Stone Liquid to examine the Jade Key and determine the size of the opportunity, then deciding whether to go to the realm.

After all, Stone Liquid is basically a cheat.

But for some unknown reason, he had inexplicably overlooked this.

For years, he had never purposefully used Stone Liquid to examine the Jade Key.

"Logically, it shouldn’t be forgotten..."

Gu Yuan felt slightly odd.

Having researched the use of Stone Liquid for years, he logically shouldn’t forget this straightforward sequence of examination, yet he never thought of it.

"But luckily, always being occupied, never setting out, is a form of serendipity..."

Gu Yuan pondered slightly, unable to figure out the answer, only blaming himself for negligence since even cultivators make mistakes and get angry, not being all-knowing.

Thankfully, due to a fortunate mistake, he was spared a pointless trip.

Seizing the last moments of the Stone Liquid, Gu Yuan focused his thoughts, quickly settling them on the Jade Key to examine it.

"Artifact..."

A faint thought emerged from the Jade Key, transmitting a message.

Then the world returned to normal, the Jade Key no longer shimmering with light, leaving the world utterly silent.

"Artifact-related opportunity? Pale silver spark, I wonder if it can increase the probability of breaking through a realm?"

Gu Yuan stroked his chin, pondering deeply.

...

...

Three days later.

Ma Wu, Songg Shan, and the Heart-devouring Insect steered their Escape Light, guiding a female cultivator wearing a pink long skirt, revealing her slender, white jade-like legs, as they flew over the vast waters to arrive outside Purple Sun Peak.

"Purple Qi comes from the east, the Spiritual Sun illuminates, truly worthy of a Tier Three Spirit Peak; the Spiritual Qi here is extremely dense."

Ma Wu looked enviously at the Spirit Peak, obscured by dense purple clouds and appearing faintly.

Typical Tier Two Spirit Peaks only have Spiritual Qi floating thinly like clouds, while before him, the Spiritual Qi at Purple Sun Peak was dense, forming thick clouds, almost tangible like a Flood Dragon coiled around the peak pillar.

"True Inheritance Chief, one per five hundred years, naturally invaluable!"

Songg Shan laughed heartily, pride showing on his face.

Though Gu Yuan had remained in Purple Sun Peak diligently cultivating and hadn’t returned to Red Moon River, their status had naturally risen.

Now, who in the Daoist School doesn’t know the power of Gu’s Clan?

As long as Gu Yuan achieves Golden Core, Purple Sun Peak will undoubtedly become a real pinnacle next!

At this moment, sensing the arrival of several people, faint ripples appeared in the Void outside Purple Sun Peak, then purple condensed, forming a purple Cloud Path leading to beneath their feet.

"Fairy, please!"

Seeing the Cloud Path offering guidance, Ma Wu hurriedly made way, allowing the female cultivator behind him to go first.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Ma."

The woman bowed slightly and, without hesitation, stepped onto the Cloud Path and headed toward Purple Sun Peak.

Ma Wu and others followed closely.

With the purple cloud mystical and the speed of the guide extremely fast.

Within moments, Ma Wu and his companions felt they had passed through a thick barrier, and suddenly the world brightened, revealing an expansive and ancient summit.

Floating above the summit were blue stones, with a young man in a green Daoist Robe seated cross-legged, slowly ingesting a Dharma Pill with five patterns; afterward, the young man opened his eyes and looked at the group.

"Greetings, Senior Brother!"

Ma Wu, Songg Shan, and others hurriedly bowed in salute.

Even the Heart-devouring Insect showed a respectful expression, joining in the salute.

Only Cen Qingqing held a complicated expression, her beautiful eyes fixed on Gu Yuan, yet she said nothing.

"Qingqing is here!"

Gu Yuan opened his eyes, first looked at Cen Qingqing, with a genuine smile on his face, and called out to her first.

"Dao Brother..."

Only then did Cen Qingqing smile, gracefully bow.

"Come!"

Gu Yuan got up, stepped forward, took Cen Qingqing’s soft jade hand, led her to sit on a stone chair beside the blue rock, and then invited Ma Wu and the others to sit on the stone chairs.

"Thank you, both Junior Brothers, for escorting Qingqing to the peak, come, have some tea!"

Gu Yuan brewed Purple Cloud Tea, inviting Ma Wu and the others.

The two quickly declined, but still obligingly took the tea and sipped lightly.

"The reason for bothering you two Junior Brothers was not just to escort Qingqing to the peak, there’s also an important matter I wish to discuss with you!"

After some small talk, Gu Yuan spoke directly.

"Senior Brother, please do instruct!"

Ma Wu and the others exchanged glances and responded solemnly.

"Junior Brother Ma, do you remember this Jade Key?"

Gu Yuan flicked his hand, and the crimson Jade Key floated mid-air, landing before Ma Wu and the others.

"Of course, I remember, it’s the Jade Key to the Red Mist Secret Realm. Does Senior Brother intend to explore the Secret Realm?"

Ma Wu immediately recognized the Jade Key, it was originally his youthful adventure, but for Foundation Establishment, he had to present it to Gu Yuan.

Over the years, he had long abandoned thoughts of solo exploration, simply hoping to trail after Gu Yuan and see what mysteries the Secret Realm harbored, and whether his youthful decision was right.

Yet Gu Yuan had never spoken of exploring, so he could only give up, no longer pondering the matter.

But today, Gu Yuan brought it up, stirring his thoughts alive.

"Not seeking treasures is a waste, isn’t it?"

"However, I have urgent matters, so I can’t go this time; thus, I need you, Junior Brother, to go on my behalf."

"Treasure of Foundation Establishment in the Secret Realm can be gifted to you, Junior Brother. I only ask for the Realm-Breaking Items, if by chance it appears, I hope you bring it to Purple Sun Peak."

Gu Yuan proposed with a smile.

"Me going to explore the Secret Realm?!"

Ma Wu was stunned, never expecting Gu Yuan to suggest this, yet he quickly reacted and declined:

"Senior Brother’s command, I will certainly follow, but my Mana is shallow, fearing it might be hard to carry such a heavy responsibility."

"My life might not be worth much, but I’m worried it may hinder your major matters, and only break this Jade Key in vain."

Gu Yuan smiled slightly, glancing at the Heart-devouring Insect standing behind, and laughingly said, "No worries, I’ll send someone to assist you."

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