Previously, Han Xuanji pursued a more steady approach to cultivation, but now that he knew about the crisis of the beast tide, and considering there might be more variables in the future, he had to accelerate his self-improvement as much as possible.
"Time is precious..."
While Han Xuanji was deep in thought, he had already stepped into the Secret Realm, and the world before his eyes changed abruptly.
The greyish-white mist of the canyon vanished, replaced by a vast and strange space.
Han Xuanji stopped in his tracks, his gaze sweeping across his surroundings, and his heart trembled slightly.
The sky had no sun, moon, or stars; it was grey and hazy.
The air was permeated with a thick power of Life and Death. These two diametrically opposed forces intertwined and entangled like an invisible net, shrouding the entire world, and any Cultivator entering the Secret Realm could clearly feel a sense of discomfort.
The scenery of the Secret Realm was incredibly shocking. To the left was a desolate wasteland of deathly silence, where not a blade of grass grew; a grey-black river flowed through it, exuding an aura of decay and death.
Deep within the wasteland, shadows could be vaguely seen moving. It was unknown what kind of existence they were; they did not resemble living beings but rather like undead entities. To the right, however, was an oasis full of vitality, with lush vegetation, blooming flowers, and babbling brooks; there were even Spirit Beasts darting through the woods, filled with the aura of life.
One side was death, the other was life.
Between the two lay only an invisible boundary line, yet they presented two completely different worlds.
"This..." Han Xuanji murmured, "It's hard to imagine that this truly exists."
Hun Qianling stood beside him and smiled smugly: "Everyone who comes here for the first time has that expression. The reason Life and Death Ravine is called Life and Death Ravine is precisely because of this extreme contrast. It is said that the Senior who left behind the Legacy attained enlightenment right here at the boundary of Life and Death."
Han Xuanji nodded, withdrawing his gaze from the distance and letting it fall on the dividing line. He could feel that the line was not static but was slowly moving.
The powers of Life and Death were eroding and transforming into each other, like two giant pythons locked in a struggle, waxing and waning, never-ending.
Cultivators entering the Secret Realm were also warned not to disturb this balance, otherwise, it might invite disaster.
"Let's go, we are heading straight to the core area."
Han Xuanji withdrew his gaze, his tone calm.
Hun Qianling was stunned: "Straight there? Shouldn't we walk around the peripheral areas first?"
"No need." Han Xuanji shook his head, "The Opportunities in these peripheral areas are of little use to me."
Hun Qianling opened her mouth, wanting to say something but stopping herself.
She certainly knew that Han Xuanji was aiming for the core Legacy, but according to common practice, most Cultivators who entered Life and Death Ravine would first gain experience in the peripheral areas.
There were many special products here, all special resources nourished by the dao-rhythm of Life and Death, and occasionally one could find relics left by predecessors.
If these things were taken out and sold, one could at least earn back the entry ticket, effectively breaking even.
Of course, Han Xuanji naturally didn't care about these things.
"I know you don't care about those minor Opportunities." Hun Qianling deliberated her wording and said slowly, "But the Legacy in the core area tests one's level of comprehension of the Law of Life and Death. If you rush over there, what if... I mean, what if you can't comprehend it? Wouldn't that be a wasted trip? It would be better to first find a few Opportunity locations in the peripheral areas, comprehend the Law of Life and Death, and then go to the core area to seize the Legacy. Your chances would be much higher."
What she said made sense, and her tone was sincere; it was completely out of good intentions.
Han Xuanji glanced at her, didn't explain much, and said indifferently, "Let's go try it first; it doesn't matter if I fail."
Hun Qianling stared at him for a few moments, finally sighed, and said no more.
She knew Han Xuanji quite well; although he usually seemed easygoing, once he made a decision, he wouldn't be easily swayed.
"Fine, I'll listen to you."
Hun Qianling shrugged helplessly.
Han Xuanji nodded.
As a Secret Realm controlled by the Hun Family, there were naturally ways to take shortcuts. Of course, if one lacked the ability, even if they took a shortcut to the core area, it would be meaningless.
The two moved along the boundary line of Life and Death, speeding towards the depths of the Secret Realm.
Along the way, other Cultivators who had entered the Secret Realm saw them one after another. Some stopped in surprise, some whispered, and some looked puzzled.
"Is that... Young Master Han? Why is he heading straight into the depths?"
"That's the direction of the core area, right? Isn't he going to gain some experience in the peripheral areas first?"
"He is a Prodigy; he's different from us. Perhaps he has his own plans."
"Plans? No matter how grand the plans, one has to take it step by step, right? The Legacy of the Way of Life and Death—how could it be so easy to obtain?"
"Tsk, he helped us, so don't talk behind his back."
The discussions gradually faded away, and Han Xuanji didn't pay them any mind.
...Meanwhile, outside the Secret Realm.
Several elders were watching the situation in the Secret Realm through a projection orb.
A white-haired elder shook his head and sighed, "This child is too impatient. The Legacy of the Way of Life and Death—is it so easily obtained? He has outstanding talent in the Way of the Five Elements, but that doesn't mean he will have smooth sailing in the Way of Life and Death."
"Indeed," another elder chimed in, "One cannot take shortcuts in the trials of the core area. Rushing in blindly, I'm afraid he will suffer greatly."
Hun Pojun stood to the side with his hands behind his back, watching Han Xuanji's back in the light screen with a calm gaze, saying nothing.
"Should we give him a reminder?" an elder asked.
Hun Pojun said indifferently, "No need. Qianxue has instructed that as long as it doesn't endanger his life, let him venture on his own. All in all, it's not a bad thing for a young Prodigy to suffer a little."
"That is true," the elder nodded, "With his Aptitude, even if he cannot comprehend it this time, there won't be any loss. Anyway, we can help him extend the time the Secret Realm is open until he figures it out..."
"Don't forget, when he reached the top of the Five Elements Heavenly Ladder, everyone thought it was impossible," another elder suddenly spoke up, "And what was the result? He didn't stop for a single step and walked right up."
The scene went quiet for a moment; the elders exchanged glances and said nothing more.
Their task was to guard the Secret Realm well and monitor Han Xuanji's safety. To be honest, whatever decisions the other party made had nothing to do with them; they would just wait and see.
..."Taking a shortcut is indeed fast..." Han Xuanji was in a good mood; this was thanks to it being the Hun Family's territory, so he didn't have to waste time in the peripheral areas.
He was, after all, an S-rank Talent of the Hun Family; what was wrong with having some privileges?
In the simulation, he didn't have the System to rely on, so naturally, he didn't take a shortcut; instead, he took a relatively dangerous path to reach the core area.
This time, he naturally had no need to waste time.
The two soon arrived at the depths of the Secret Realm, which was the core area of the Secret Realm. To call it the core area, it was actually an area shrouded by an invisible Restriction. The dao-rhythm of Life and Death here was more than ten times richer than in the periphery; the two invisible forces clashed intensely in the air, and the pressure in the air was like a mountain, making one's breathing heavy.
Han Xuanji stood at the edge of the Restriction and saw an ancient stone hall located in the center of the core area.
The stone hall was not large, built entirely of grey-black stone; the hall doors were tightly shut, and two ancient seal script characters were carved on the lintel — "Life and Death".
The handwriting was vigorous and powerful, with the dao-rhythm of Life and Death faintly flowing between the strokes; just one look made one's mind tremble.
Around the stone hall was a patch of barren ground, the surface smooth as a mirror, reflecting the grey, hazy sky.
Scattered across the open ground were a few dry bones, left behind by Cultivators who had broken in at some unknown time; their forms retained the posture of their final struggles, which was chilling.
"That is the place of the Legacy. Normally, to obtain the Legacy, one must pass through the Restriction and accept the trial. Even the Hun Family has no way to directly let someone receive the Legacy."
Han Xuanji thought to himself.