Back when Jiang Yi was still in the Qi Refining Stage, he had a fortuitous encounter on a nameless small island. It was a Secret Realm covered in Formations and Restrictions that limited cultivation to the Qi Refining Stage.
After that encounter, Jiang Yi smoothly broke through to the Foundation Establishment Stage and has advanced relatively easily to his current Late Foundation Establishment Stage.
Now, the time for the Secret Realm to open had come again. Since Jiang Yi could not enter, he summoned Mu Fan and the other four, to let for them to enter the Secret Realm and fight for an Opportunity.
As Jiang Yi narrated, he poured fine wine, sending cups before his Disciples, giving them a brief moment to consider.
Mu Fan looked at the clear liquid. Aside from a faint fragrance, there was nothing unusual. He slowly raised the cup to his lips, maintaining a thoughtful expression, in no hurry to drink.
Would Jiang Yi really reveal such an Opportunity so easily? And even allow them the freedom to choose?
He had no choice but to drink.
Mu Fan drank calmly, then looked at Jiang Yi and said, "This Disciple is willing to share Master's burdens… hic~"
The moment the wine entered his stomach and dispersed, it felt like burning fire mixed with cutting blades!
At that instant, the other four, who had been cautious and waited for Mu Fan to drink first, had their expressions change drastically.
However, they felt an immense pressure released by Jiang Yi and were forced to drink as well.
All five turned pale, their faces filled with pain as cold sweat formed on their foreheads.
"Do not panic. This wine can increase your Qi. Circulate your Qi and refine it. If you fail and are burst apart by its medicinal power, you have only yourselves to blame."
Jiang Yi's cold, indifferent voice echoed in their ears.
The five could not afford distraction and immediately focused on refining the wine.
Mu Fan circulated his Qi. It was indeed effective, the burning and cutting sensation weakened slightly. He continued to mobilize his Qi steadily.
At the same time, he split his focus, maintaining the Qi Concealment Technique and suppressing most of his Qi to avoid exposing his true cultivation.
After an unknown amount of time, Mu Fan completely refined the wine's power. Seeing his Qi increase by 800 points on his panel, he confirmed Jiang Yi had spoken truthfully.
Opening his eyes, he met Jiang Yi's scrutinizing gaze, a faint, playful smile at the corners of his mouth.
A chill ran down Mu Fan's spine, but he forced a calm expression.
Among the five Disciples, all had drunk at roughly the same time, yet Mu Fan was the first to finish refining.
"I was careless… I was guarding against detection, but overlooked the time needed to refine it."
Mu Fan sighed inwardly.
Fortunately, not long after he opened his eyes, the other four followed one by one, so he did not stand out too much.
Based on this, Mu Fan imagined Jiang Yi estimated he's cultivation to be at the eleventh or twelfth stage of Qi Refining, though he was concealing it at the ninth stage.
The five exchanged glances. None sensed anything unusual beyond the wine's effect, it truly was just spirit wine, albeit one that could kill if mishandled.
In the Demonic Path, this hardly counted as a scheme.
"Thank you, Master, for the wine," the five said in unison.
Jiang Yi let out a strange laugh. "No rush, no rush."
"The doubts in your hearts… will soon be answered."
A black bell suspended in the air rang out with a dull dang-dang.
Black Qi flooded the Immortal Cave, burrowing into the bodies of the five Disciples. At the same time, translucent ripples spread from the bell, twisting into five streams that wrapped tightly around their heads.
Mu Fan instinctively tried to resist, but the moment the bell rang, his mind became dizzy and muddled. His consciousness blurred, making it nearly impossible to control his Qi.
The black Qi seeped into his body, merging with his Physical Body. While he felt his strength increasing, he knew this was undoubtedly a method of restraint.
Mu Fan forcibly suppressed his resistance. Since it was not meant to kill him, struggling blindly would only make things worse. He clenched his fists and endured silently.
Watching carefully, he noticed the ripples from the bell constrict around his head eighteen times.
A binding force settled onto his Divine Sense, like a tightening hoop.
The black Qi was withdrawn, and the bell disappeared into Jiang Yi's sleeve.
Jiang Yi looked at the five Disciples with satisfaction.
Mu Fan returned his gaze. Though he could not compare the Physical Body Restrictions, the eighteen layers on his Divine Sense were clearly the most among them.
He was being given special attention.
Jiang Yi ignored his expression. Instead, he found this Disciple increasingly interesting, strong Qi, yet he had deliberately restrained it.
Naturally, he had added a little "extra care."
"Just now, I placed Restrictions on your Physical Bodies and Divine Senses. You should have felt the strengthening of your bodies."
"When you return from the Secret Realm with what I want, these Restrictions will be lifted. I will also pass on a Body Refining Technique to further strengthen you."
Hearing this, Mu Fan adjusted his mindset.
This was Extreme Yin Island, he should have long expected such methods. As long as he wasn't killed outright, it was acceptable.
Mu Fan spoke first, continuing calmly, "This Disciple is willing to share Master's burdens. May I ask what Master requires us to retrieve?"
The other four quickly followed, expressing their willingness.
Under control, they had no real choice.
Jiang Yi showed a nostalgic expression. "I do not know what the item is."
The five fell silent, their expressions darkening.
Jiang Yi continued, "The Secret Realm has three layers. I only reached the middle layer and saw a projection of a palace hall. Inside were a lamp, a prayer mat, and a wooden box."
"Bring back any one of the three, and you will be rewarded. Bring back all three, and you will become my personal Legacy Disciple. I will do everything in my power to help you reach Foundation Establishment… and even Core Formation."
At these words, Jiang Yi's aura erupted violently.
The cave's Formations activated instantly, sealing the pressure within.
Under this overwhelming force, Mu Fan and the others felt like leaves in a storm, like ants before a towering beast.
This was the peak of Foundation Establishment.
Only half a step from Core Formation.
⸻
Mu Fan returned to his Private courtyard.
Pulling back his sleeve, a Five-Colored Bracelet was now on his wrist. Jiang Yi had given it to him before departure, even transmitting a message, saying he favored him most, urging him to try his best, but to prioritize survival if necessary.
Mu Fan narrowed his eyes.
"Whether his words hold any sincerity is hard to say… but that Secret Realm is likely a true Opportunity."
"There are still three months. I need to prepare properly."
He entered the Earth Fire Chamber and began refining Intermediate Magical Artifacts for himself.
A month later, he had refined eight Intermediate Magical Artifacts. With full focus, their quality reached his current peak.
Afterward, Mu Fan went to the Exotic Treasure Pavilion. Through Steward Li, he acquired black fiend beads, Talismans, and Medicinal Pills. He even managed to obtain an Advanced flying Magical Artifact and a talisman treasure using his Disciple status and partnership.
If he returned safely, he would have to work for the pavilion without pay for a period.
Back at his residence, Mu Fan used the Demonic Qi within the black fiend beads to practice the Qi Flicking technique, fully mastering it.
He also refined every Magical Artifact on his person.
The Three months passed quickly.
Mu Fan glanced at his panel, his Qi had exceeded eight thousand, causing him to frown slightly.
"Jiang Yi said the Secret Realm only allows those in the Qi Refining Stage… I still qualify now, but if I delay longer, I'll be too close to Foundation Establishment."
His current state was delicate.
If he compressed his Qi, he could attempt a breakthrough immediately.
If not, he could continue accumulating until natural liquefaction at around ten thousand, entering Foundation Establishment smoothly.
After a brief pause, Mu Fan sighed.
"No need to delay further. I should find Jiang Yi… hopefully the Secret Realm opens soon."
He arrived at Jiang Yi's Immortal Cave. The other four had already gathered.
"You're here."
"Since everyone is present, we'll depart."
Jiang Yi took out a gourd, releasing black Qi that enveloped them.
They exited from the mountain peak, soared into the sky, and left Black Fiend Island.