Chapter 411: Quasi-Immortal Fifth Layer, The Ruins Open

Zhou Chen moved to the Core Disciple area.

The environment here was much better than the Inner Sect area.

The concentration of Immortal Spiritual Power was three times that of the Inner Sect.

Every Immortal Cave was equipped with a complete set of Formations and facilities.

Zhou Chen's Immortal Cave was located halfway up a mountain peak.

The entire Immortal Cave was crafted from purple profound stone, and the interior space was extremely spacious.

A cultivation room, Alchemy room, Artifact Refining Room, library, spiritual plant garden…

It had everything one could need.

The Core Disciple area, Zhou Chen's Immortal Cave.

After Zhou Chen entered the cultivation room, he immediately set up a soundproofing Formation and a defensive Formation.

This was to ensure that no one could disturb his secluded meditation.

He then took out five thousand supreme grade immortal crystals from the System space and placed them around him.

It wasn't that the one thousand high-grade immortal crystals provided by the Sect were unusable, but rather that the efficiency of Qi absorption simply couldn't compare to supreme grade immortal crystals, so he decided to use the supreme grade ones directly.

"Let's begin."

Zhou Chen closed his eyes and circulated the Zixia Immortal Scripture.

Hum—

Countless immortal crystals transformed into pure Immortal Spiritual Power, flooding into Zhou Chen's body.

The Great Void Dao Principle within him began to operate, refining this spiritual power.

Time passed bit by bit.

Ten days later.

Crack—

Zhou Chen's cultivation broke through from the quasi-immortal realm third layer to the Quasi-Immortal Realm Fourth Layer.

He did not stop and continued to Cultivate.

Another twenty days passed.

Crack—

Zhou Chen's cultivation broke through from the Quasi-Immortal Realm Fourth Layer to the Quasi-Immortal Realm Fifth Layer.

Moreover, his Foundation was extremely solid, without the slightest hint of instability.

But Zhou Chen did not relax.

He knew that Yun Xiaotian had Venerable Yun backing him.

Venerable Yun would surely give Yun Xiaotian all sorts of resources to help him recover his strength.

It was possible that Yun Xiaotian's cultivation had already recovered to the Quasi-Immortal Realm Fifth Layer, or even higher.

He took out the Void Divine Sword Technique again and continued his comprehension.

Time passed bit by bit.

Another month went by.

Zhou Chen had completely cultivated the Void Divine Sword Technique to Perfection.

Combined with his Space Law, its power was multiplied.

Inner Sect Square.

At this moment, hundreds of Disciples had already gathered in the square.

Among them were Core Disciples as well as True Disciples.

They were all here to participate in the exploration of the ancient ruins.

When Zhou Chen walked into the square, he immediately caught many people's attention.

"It's Zhou Chen!"

"He's also participating in the ruins exploration?"

"I heard he went into secluded meditation three months ago. I wonder what his cultivation level is now…"

The crowd discussed amongst themselves.

Seeing Zhou Chen, Zi Yan quickly walked over.

Zi Yan's eyes lit up: "Zhou Chen, you broke through to the Quasi-Immortal Realm Fourth Layer?"

"So fast?"

"Breaking through a layer in just three months…"

"Junior Brother Zhou's cultivation speed is truly terrifying."

To avoid being too high-profile, Zhou Chen used the Divine Concealment Art to hide his cultivation at the Quasi-Immortal Realm Fourth Layer.

Zhou Chen gave a faint smile: "It's alright. There were some remnants of the breakthrough Medicinal Pill's efficacy, and I was lucky enough to gain some insights."

He gave a casual response.

Then, Zhou Chen looked around and, as expected, saw Yun Xiaotian.

Yun Xiaotian was dressed in a white robe, his temperament still extraordinary.

However, his aura was quite a bit weaker than it had been three months ago, clearly at the Quasi-Immortal Realm Fourth Layer.

"It seems…"

Zhou Chen thought to himself, "Even though Yun Xiaotian cultivated desperately these past three months, he only managed to recover to the Quasi-Immortal Realm Fourth Layer."

Yun Xiaotian also noticed Zhou Chen.

Their eyes met, and it was as if sparks were flying in the air.

Yun Xiaotian's eyes were filled with hatred and killing intent.

Zhou Chen's eyes, however, were as calm as water.

He saw Yun Xiaotian walking toward him without any attempt to hide his intentions.

"Zhou Chen…"

Yun Xiaotian gritted his teeth and said, "In this ruins exploration, I will definitely kill you."

"Inside the ruins, life and death are determined by fate."

"Even the high-level members of the Sect won't be able to interfere."

Zhou Chen said indifferently: "Is that so?"

"Then I look forward to it as well."

"However…"

He looked at Yun Xiaotian: "I would like to remind you of one thing."

"Last time outside the Immortal Cave, you were no match for me."

"This time…"

"Do you think the result will be any different?"

Yun Xiaotian's face darkened.

But he didn't argue.

Because Zhou Chen was telling the truth.

Three months ago, he was at the Quasi-Immortal Realm Fifth Layer and was defeated by Zhou Chen, his Dantian cracked.

Now, he was at the Quasi-Immortal Realm Fourth Layer, and Zhou Chen was also at the Quasi-Immortal Realm Fourth Layer.

If they really fought…

He might not necessarily be the winner.

However, thinking of the trump card Venerable Yun had given him, Yun Xiaotian felt greatly reassured.

Just then, a majestic voice came from the high platform.

"Disciples, quiet down."

True Person Ziyang appeared on the platform: "Now, I will announce the rules for the ancient ruins exploration."

"This ruin is located deep within the Zixia Mountain Range and is named the Wu Ling Immortal King Secret Realm."

"Legend has it that it is the Immortal Cave left behind after the ancient Wu Ling Immortal King fell."

"Inside the Immortal Cave, there are numerous treasures—Cultivation Techniques, Magic Treasures, Medicinal Pills, Legacies, and so on."

"But at the same time…"

He paused: "There are also many dangers inside the Immortal Cave—Restrictions, Yao Beasts, traps, and more."

"Even True Disciples might lose their lives upon entering."

"Therefore…"

His gaze was sharp: "You must all be careful."

"Do you understand?"

All the Disciples shouted in unison: "We understand!"

True Person Ziyang nodded: "Very well."

"Additionally, killing each other is strictly forbidden within the Secret Realm."

"If anyone violates this…"

A flash of killing intent appeared in his eyes: "They will be immediately expelled from the Sect and have their cultivation abolished!"

Upon hearing this, the expressions of many Disciples changed.

Especially Yun Xiaotian.

He had originally intended to kill Zhou Chen inside the Secret Realm.

But now, with this rule in place…

If he were caught, he would also be expelled from the Sect.

"Damn it…"

Yun Xiaotian gritted his teeth.

But True Person Ziyang continued: "However…"

"The Secret Realm is full of dangers. If a Disciple dies due to an encounter with a Yao Beast or a Restriction…"

"Then it does not fall under this rule."

Yun Xiaotian's eyes lit up.

Brilliant!

As long as he disguised it as the work of a Yao Beast or a Restriction, he could kill.

When the time came…

He could kill Zhou Chen legitimately.

True Person Ziyang continued: "Now, the Secret Realm is about to open."

"Everyone get ready to follow me there."

After saying this, he waved his hand, and a teleportation gate appeared in the center of the square.

"Enter the teleportation gate, and you will arrive at the Secret Realm entrance."

"Remember, the Secret Realm will be open for three months."

"After three months, the Secret Realm will automatically close."

"If you have not left the Secret Realm by then…"

"You will be trapped inside forever."

All the Disciples nodded.

Then, one by one, they stepped into the teleportation gate.

Zhou Chen also walked in.

His vision blurred for a moment.

The next second, he had appeared in another place.

This was a desolate valley.

In the center of the valley stood a massive stone gate.

The stone gate was a hundred zhang high, crafted entirely from profound iron, exuding an ancient aura.

The gate was covered in complex runes, containing a terrifying Immortal King pressure.

"So this is the entrance to the Immortal King Secret Realm…"

Zhou Chen murmured to himself.

True Person Ziyang stood before the stone gate and said loudly: "The Secret Realm is about to open."

"Disciples, prepare to enter."

"Remember…"

"The Secret Realm is full of dangers, so be extremely careful."

"If you encounter a danger you cannot overcome, flee immediately."

After speaking, he channeled his spiritual power and injected it into the stone gate.

Boom—

The stone gate slowly opened, revealing a deep, dark passage.