Cultivation: Fortune by Lots-Chapter 342 - 203. Fire Yao’s Identity_2

Nine peaks encircled as if hugging each other, forming what appeared to be an immensely large valley with crystal-clear blue waters at its center. The scenery was picturesque, but Lei Jun looked closer and realized that none of the surrounding mountains’ landscapes had reflections in the lake.

Nine Mountains Lake—this place was indeed the entrance to the secret realm.

Given the terrain, there were many vantage points. Lei Jun only took a brief look with his Divine Eye Mirror Stone and could see figures moving on more than one mountain peak.

If these people had a way to communicate regularly, they would be difficult to take out one by one discreetly.

I’ll do the best I can. Lei Jun stretched his body, not dwelling on it.

If Yuan Mobai was with Xiao Xueting and He Dongxing, news of Lei Jun’s arrival in the Southern Wilderness would still spread when they met later.

He first quietly approached one of the peaks to listen to the people talking above, confirming that Yuan Mobai and the others were still in the secret realm.

Then, Master Lei did what he did best, silently taking out his targets, one "little friend" at a time.

Then, Lei Jun took out a few special banners.

These were the Primordial Magnet Coiling Dragon Banners, personally refined by him.

After discreetly setting up the Magic Artifacts, Lei Jun then moved on to the next peak.

He replicated the process.

By the time the people on other peaks noticed something amiss, they cautiously increased their vigilance and hurried to investigate.

Then, on some peaks, barely noticeable sounds of electric currents arose, making the air seem to twist when seen from afar.

Lei Jun paid no attention to what was happening behind him and kept dashing toward the next peak where people were still present.

Using the Primordial Magnet Coiling Dragon Banners to distract his opponents, he bought himself a little more time.

As Lei Jun removed one "nail" after another, the pressure on those guarding the area became unbearable, and the decision was made to retreat immediately.

They were guarding here, waiting for their Upper Three Heavens experts to arrive, hoping for a chance to regain control of the secret realm, not because they were determined to hold this specific ground.

Witnessing the enemy’s mysterious and formidable strength, the people on the remaining three peaks made a swift decision to descend and flee into the distance.

A bit of a shame. Lei Jun was feeling slightly regretful when he suddenly sensed an intense heat emanating from that direction, as if a small volcano had erupted. It was accompanied by cries of surprise and curses.

Strange. he thought. Upon reaching higher ground to get a better view, he saw a figure moving at an incredibly fast pace in the distance, darting back and forth amidst a group of Sheng Kang cultivators, boldly charging and attacking them.

The person’s speed was swift but not ghostly. Instead, it had a distinct, powerful rhythm, like roaring thunder and fierce wind. Each movement was clearly visible, yet no one could keep up with his pace.

Even I would find it difficult to achieve such speed, Lei Jun mused. The Wind-Thunder Talisman alone wouldn’t be enough. Even adding the Star-stepping Spell, I’d need the Astral Battle Array to be active for some time.

The newcomer truly exemplified the characteristics of a Martial Tao Cultivator.

Within a limited area, as he advanced and retreated, he seemed to completely disregard spatial distance. Empty-handed, he nevertheless surpassed countless Divine Weapons.

When he clenched his fists and took a step, he became a human weapon.

Cultivators of Southern Wilderness witchcraft attacked him from a distance, but only tangible, physical attacks had any effect.

Any attacks targeting the spiritual soul were either minimally effective or completely useless.

When Martial Arts Practitioners reached a certain cultivation realm, all their essence, energy, and spirit were condensed within their physical bodies. Their spiritual will was internalized, not externalized, which is why they seldom possessed extraordinary abilities related to the spiritual soul.

There were two exceptions.

First, their perception of the killing intent and murderous aura from surrounding enemies was extremely keen.

Second, their spiritual souls were exceptionally resilient, comparable to Buddhist Precept Holders and Zen Martial Arts cultivators. Opponents of similar realms found it difficult to affect them with mental attacks, and they were impervious to illusions.

As for the elder with whom Lei Jun had previously discussed martial ethics, Lei Jun had only managed to approach him stealthily from behind because the elder was already weakened by age, and Lei Jun possessed the Teng Snake Bone.

Also a cultivator of the Sixth Heavenly Layer, this person’s strength far surpassed that of the aforementioned elder.

Never mind that the old man was aged and frail; even in his prime, he wouldn’t have been a match for this individual, Lei Jun guessed.

Observing this vigorous young expert dressed in a fitted outfit, his spirited expression radiating energy, Lei Jun grew thoughtful.

Although he wears no armor, judging by his Martial Tao style, he was likely trained in the Great Tang Shenji Army.

Could this be Shen Qubing, the one the Shangguan Clan is wary of?

Lei Jun had not seen a portrait of the man, so he could only speculate at the moment.

However, if it really is him, to possess a Sixth Heavenly Layer cultivation at such a young age... Even considering the recent revitalization of Spiritual Energy, which benefits cultivators, his talent and aptitude are truly extraordinary.

This young Martial Artist’s sudden appearance objectively aided Lei Jun, but Lei Jun did not reveal himself immediately, choosing instead to quietly observe from the mountain.

The newcomer arrived from a convenient direction, effectively blocking the retreat of the Sheng Kang cultivators.

The young Martial Artist swept through them like autumn leaves in the wind, felling many. Almost no one could withstand a single exchange with him.

He only spent a little more time when he encountered a Sixth Heavenly Layer Confucian Scholar.

The few who slipped through the net scattered and fled. The young Martial Artist couldn’t pursue them all, so he focused his attention entirely on the Sixth Heavenly Layer leader opposite him.

After he finished the fight, he quickly jogged over the mountain and arrived near Nine Mountains Lake.

Lei Jun was nowhere to be seen.

With the triple concealment provided by the Wind-Thunder Talisman, Teng Snake Bone, and Breathing Soil Banner, his presence was perfectly hidden. It was nearly impossible for anyone below the Upper Three Heavens in cultivation to detect him.

Although the young Martial Artist was strong and had keen senses, he still couldn’t detect Lei Jun’s presence.

His attention now turned to Nine Mountains Lake.

First, he circled the lake.

Then he waded across the lake several times.

But Nine Mountains Lake didn’t respond.

Lei Jun observed coolly. The lake surface remained as smooth as a mirror, reflecting no images. No matter how much the young Martial Artist thrashed about in the water, the surface remained still.

It was as if the entire lake was Frozen.

After several rounds with no results, the young Martial Artist started to use his last resort.

He forcefully stomped on the surface of Nine Mountains Lake, as if trying to shatter the mirror-like expanse.

However, the seemingly placid lake surface was extremely solid. It withstood a ferocious blow from a Sixth Heavenly Layer Martial Tao expert—an attack delivered with full force, nearly powerful enough to topple mountains and overturn peaks—yet remained utterly unmoved.

The young Martial Artist tried several more times, to no avail.

He looked somewhat puzzled. Is the information I received about this place wrong? he seemed to wonder.

"Xiaosan!!"

The young man cupped his hands around his mouth as if holding a megaphone, bowed his head, and shouted towards the calm lake surface, "Are you below here?"

His shout was so powerful it shook the surrounding mountains and rattled the leaves in the forests. Lei Jun, observing from the side, was left somewhat speechless.

The young man shouted several times, but the lake surface below remained steady as ever, without any response.

He paced back and forth like an ant on a hot pan. After a moment, as if he suddenly remembered something, he stood still.

...Then, Lei Jun felt a stir from the page of the Celestial Book, located within the True One Altar Cave Heaven deep inside his Spiritual Soul.

Lei Jun raised an eyebrow but wasn’t in a rush. He waited for the young Martial Artist to regain his composure before immersing his consciousness into the Celestial Book Starry Sky.

In the starry sky, he saw a message from Mars Fire Radiance, presumably sent to others as well:

"Does anyone know how to break the seal of the Jiuli secret realm?"

...Is it really that simple?

Once again, Lei Jun was left speechless.

Everyone else was hiding their identities, some even resorting to fabricating lies, engaging in intricate schemes for so long, and they all had only vague guesses about each other.

And Fire Yao just revealed himself like that?

Lei Jun even felt a sense of unreality.

I previously suspected this kid might be feigning honesty while actually being cunning, but now...

Lei Jun came back to his senses and shook his head slightly.

He actually didn’t mind interacting honestly with others. However, there was an inherent problem in this world of the Celestial Book: each person possessing a page could lead to conflict and attempts to seize them.

Lei Jun wasn’t the type to try and monopolize every opportunity for himself.

He currently had no quarrel with Fire Yao and would not attempt to seize the other’s Celestial Book or publicly disclose his true identity.

However, while he harbored no ill intent, the need for vigilance was essential.

Within the Celestial Book Starry Sky, Lei Jun did not reply to Fire Yao.

Considering that news of this location’s fall might spread, and to prevent further complications from arising due to delays, Lei Jun decided not to wait any longer. He took a detour and reappeared from outside the mountains.

With no cover from the Breathing Soil Banner and Teng Snake Bone, the young Martial Artist’s gaze sharpened, quickly sensing someone approaching.

Lei Jun appeared openly this time. Seeing the other party, he feigned a look of slight surprise before quickly composing himself. "And you might be, Layman?"

"I have seen your portrait. Are you Lei Chongyun, Elder Lei from Dragon Tiger Mountain?"

Seeing Lei Jun clearly, the young Martial Artist’s eyes lit up. "My name is Shen Qubing, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Left Rear Army of the Great Tang Shenji Army."