Chapter 424: Chapter 422: Thunder Profound Fruit Body Tempering, Before the Realm Sea Mountains, Lively Discussions—Still Waiting for Celestial Curtain Prefecture’s Grandmasters?

Upon hearing this, Lu Ye smiled faintly and said, "No need to worry. I know you ran into me by chance; otherwise, I would have found you back then."

At these words, Wu Jing felt her mind buzz.

This senior means... he had already discovered her before?!

"Senior, you... noticed me long ago?!"

Lu Ye nodded calmly.

Wu Jing: "..."

To think she believed that during that chaotic situation, no one would notice her presence.

Indeed, perhaps she underestimated the perception of such top Mortal Realm Grandmasters; she had never encountered such figures before.

"Senior, then I shall not disturb you two any longer. I’ll take my leave now." Glancing at Xiao Qingyin by Lu Ye’s side, Wu Jing tactfully decided to leave.

Wu Jing could roughly guess that this beautiful female cultivator, who didn’t seem very strong, might be a close companion of this senior.

Before leaving, Wu Jing hesitated, considering whether to remind them that Zhou Qing and Liu Zheng might not give up easily.

But after thinking it over, Wu Jing ultimately decided not to say anything.

Lu Ye’s strength, in Wu Jing’s mind... was too formidable!

Even if other Ninth Layer Grandmasters from the secret realm made a move, Wu Jing firmly believed that they were not a match for Lu Ye.

Thus, her reminder seemed somewhat unnecessary.

Watching Wu Jing leave, Lu Ye turned and asked Xiao Qingyin, "How far is it from here to the location where the Realm Sea will open?"

"Not far, about two hundred miles, so more cultivators will start appearing nearby," Xiao Qingyin replied after some thought.

Two hundred miles was indeed like right before their eyes for cultivators like them.

With more than half a day left until the Realm Sea opens, Lu Ye wondered...

if he could squeeze in some time to consume one or two Thunder Profound Fruits to see the effects of the Spirit Fruit.

After pondering for a moment, Lu Ye said, "We still have a bit of time now, and I want to try the effects of the Thunder Profound Fruit. What do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Qingyin nodded immediately, hoping that Lu Ye could enhance his strength a bit more before the Realm Sea opened.

Immediately, Lu Ye found a secluded spot nearby.

He set up a shielding barrier, took out two array flags to maximize the concealment of his aura, and then took out a still warm Thunder Profound Fruit.

Unlike other Spirit Fruits, the Thunder Profound Fruit brought a tingling sensation as soon as it touched the mouth.

Then, it was as if tiny thunderbolts began exploding inside his body.

"Is this the power of thunder?"

Closing his eyes to sense it, Lu Ye’s mind revealed a hint of curiosity.

Then he began guiding this energy through his meridians, refining it through Circulation, and finally settling it in his Dantian.

Each time this energy, carrying tiny thunder power, passed through various parts of his meridians, Lu Ye could indeed feel his physique undergoing subtle tempering.

Of course, with just one Spirit Fruit, such changes were extremely subtle and not significant.

As the fruit was refined, Lu Ye’s realm also quietly rose a bit under the spirit fruit’s energy.

Under the terrifying efficiency of the Ancient Star Scripture, this refinement took less than half an hour.

Time was still ample, so Lu Ye immediately brought out another...

...

Meanwhile.

This was in front of a massive mountain range, where at this moment, figures continuously broke through the air to arrive and land in this area.

Outside, these Martial Arts Grandmasters, who could dominate a region, were now cautiously and fearfully glancing around.

Afraid of inadvertently offending the Grandmasters of this place.

At one point, they too were addressed as seniors, but upon arrival here, they now found themselves calling others senior.

Currently, around the mountains, three figures were the most eye-catching.

Among them, one was a Ninth Layer Mortal Realm Grandmaster, while the other two were Eighth Layer Mortal Realm Grandmasters.

Strangely, this sole Ninth Layer Mortal Realm Grandmaster present showed a wary expression toward the two Eighth Layers.

Similarly, other arriving cultivators reacted in the same manner when glancing at these three.

Soon, the Ninth Layer Grandmaster spoke first, laughing as he said, "Fellow Daoist Zhu, Fellow Daoist Zheng, it’s been a while. It’s quite a fate to meet in the Yunyao Secret Realm, hehe."

From another side, Zhu Gang of the Celestial Profound Sect replied indifferently, "Fellow Daoist Xu, long time no see. This time, quite a few Eighth and Ninth Layer Grandmasters couldn’t make it here for various reasons. In the contest for the five positions near the sea, you and I need not fight to the death."

The cultivator with the surname Zheng also returned a smiling greeting.

Noticing Zhu Gang’s indifferent expression, Xu Mao’s expression subtly changed.

Zhu Gang, being at the Late Stage of the Eighth Layer, and possessing formidable techniques, could contend with ordinary Ninth Layer Grandmasters.

However, Xu Mao did not expect that despite his proactive greeting, Zhu Gang would be this dismissive, unwilling even to exchange pleasantries.

Immediately, Xu Mao also responded indifferently, "Some time ago, I heard that your Celestial Profound Deputy Sect Leader, Fellow Daoist Ren, was seriously injured... is he alright now?"

Since it happened, this matter has been regarded as a disgrace by the Celestial Profound Sect.

The Celestial Profound Sect had been established in the Eastern Territory for over a hundred years without their Deputy Sect Leader being so severely injured.

Upon hearing Xu Mao mention it, Zhu Gang’s expression indeed changed.

However, Zhu Gang immediately snorted coldly and said, "Those petty fools won’t be able to jump around for much longer. To be honest, our Celestial Profound Sect’s Great Elder has already requested two Ninth Layer Mortal Realm Grandmasters from the Celestial Curtain Prefecture! They’ve come into the Secret Realm to capture that person!"

These words caused a stir around the mountains.

Following Zhu Gang’s words, everyone remembered that indeed two Ninth Layer Mortal Realm Grandmasters had arrived before the Secret Realm opened.

Moreover, the Celestial Palace Envoy had also asked why people from the Celestial Curtain Prefecture were here... confirming their identity!

No one expected that those two Grandmasters from the Celestial Curtain Prefecture had come to capture... the recent first place on the East Cang List, who had clashed with the Celestial Profound Deputy Sect Leader?!

Xu Mao was inwardly startled; if this were true, no wonder Zhu Gang had such an arrogant attitude.

He, too, was part of the Celestial Profound Sect’s Great Elder faction, considered the strongest in the Celestial Profound Sect’s faction, holding the position of the Law Enforcement Hall’s Master, with powerful combat prowess.

And in the Celestial Curtain Prefecture, Mortal Realm Grandmasters were numerous, and there were even Earth Realm Grandmasters exceeding a dozen.

With the Celestial Curtain Prefecture making a move...

During their conversation, a few more figures came from afar and arrived here.

At this time, Zhou Qing and Liu Zheng followed behind the two Ninth Layer Grandmasters, scanning the assembled crowd.

It seemed... they were looking for someone.