Chapter 1118: The Third Layer Small World
Where the green light touched, the originally slowly rolling poisonous mist suddenly grew restless, then dissipated layer by layer, dissolving. In just a few breaths, within the area half a zhang in front of Yun Che, the dark green poisonous mist had completely vanished, leaving only dim, turbid air.
Yun Che stepped forward, his pace not slow, but with each step forward, the dark green poisonous mist also retreated one step, layer after layer, as if it were being continuously devoured by an invisible spatial rift.
The disdainful expression on Nanlie Great Emperor's face froze. The three great realm kings all showed astonishment, their gazes fixed intently on the green mysterious stone in Yun Che's hand.
The terror of this poisonous mist was something they had personally experienced before. Yun Che claimed he had a way to dispel it, and none of the three believed him—including Mu Baimei. It was simply his way of handling things that he never easily dismissed any possibility. He never imagined he would witness such an incredible scene.
"This..." The three exchanged glances, all wearing expressions of shock.
"Young brother, what kind of divine stone is that in your hand? To have such a miraculous effect!" Mu Baimei exclaimed in surprise. As a realm king, ordinary treasures would never cause him such astonishment.
Nanlie Great Emperor could no longer smile, staring at Yun Che just as intently as Han Kuan.
Yun Che's face lit up with joy, and he quickly replied, "In answer to Island Master Mu, this was bestowed upon me by my master when I ventured out for training. He said this stone contains a very strong purifying power. Apart from the demonic poison of the Southern Divine Region, it can purify all poisons under heaven, including toxic miasma. When the three realm kings said this poison was extremely dangerous, I was quite fearful, but indeed, my master never speaks falsely. That's wonderful."
"Your master? What kind of person is he? You said earlier that you came from Heiya Realm, but I have never heard of any great expert in the Heiya Realm proficient in the way of poison." Nanlie Great Emperor said with a dark face.
"Oh... I am indeed from Heiya Realm, but I studied under my master elsewhere since childhood, and he is not from Heiya Realm. As for his identity... because it involves many grievances, my master repeatedly instructed me before my training journey not to reveal his name. As a disciple, I must obey my master's command. I beg the three realm kings to understand." Yun Che fabricated seriously and sincerely.
"I see." Mu Baimei did not raise questions or press further, but slowly nodded: "Just possessing such a divine object proves that your master must be an extraordinary person."
Yun Che's pace quickened beneath him, and the poisonous mist ahead dissipated layer by layer: "Thank you, Island Master Mu, for your kind words. But this purifying mysterious stone is hardly a rare treasure. My master said it can only be used once. Once its purifying power is exhausted, it will turn into a useless ordinary stone."
"Oh, that is truly a pity." Mu Baimei responded, though whether he believed it or not was unclear.
After advancing five or six li, the light from the "purifying stone" in Yun Che's hand began to dim noticeably. At that moment, the poisonous mist ahead started to thin out. As Yun Che took a few more steps, the dark green fog completely disappeared before his eyes, and the view ahead was no longer an endlessly dark passage but a heavy stone door.
"We did it!" Yun Che exclaimed in surprise. "Good thing this poisonous miasma wasn't too long. This stone door ahead should be the exit... ah, no, the entrance."
A few li's distance was a very short distance for cultivators at the divine path level, but for this terrifying toxic mist zone, it had been an impassable chasm that even these three divine kings could not cross.
Having crossed the toxic mist zone by a miracle, relying on a young cultivator at only the divine soul realm, the three realm kings kept their faces expressionless, but a strange glint flickered in their eyes. Behind the stone door ahead, there might very well be... the Royal Immortal Herb!
After all this trouble, they were finally about to reap the harvest.
But they did not rush forward excitedly; instead, they stopped. Three gazes simultaneously swept over the "purifying stone" in Yun Che's hand, which had already lost its luster.
"Young brother, would you allow me to take a look at that divine stone? Heh, I really cannot suppress my curiosity about such a divine stone." Mu Baimei said with a gentle expression, his tone carrying no compulsion at all.
Upon hearing this, Yun Che quickly said, "Of course, no problem."
As he spoke, he handed the mysterious stone in his hand to Mu Baimei without any hesitation, his expression somewhat dejected: "Although it successfully purified the toxic miasma, its purifying power seems to have been completely exhausted. After all, it was a personal gift from my master..."
Mu Baimei took the mysterious stone and quickly swept it with his vast profound energy and spiritual senses. A flicker of disappointment passed through the depths of his pupils—because in his hand was indeed an utterly ordinary mysterious stone. The remaining traces of pure, unusual energy were rapidly dissipating, and there was no way Yun Che could have swapped it right before their eyes.
Mu Baimei believed Yun Che's words. He returned it to Yun Che's hand: "It is indeed a pity. But since this underground palace can nurture a Royal Immortal Herb, it must contain many other opportunities. The harvest will surely outweigh this extraordinary stone."
Yun Che nodded and said, "That is my thinking as well."
Just as he was about to put the mysterious stone away, a domineering voice suddenly rang out: "Let me see it!"
Before Yun Che could respond, the mysterious stone vanished from his hand and instantly appeared in Nanlie Great Emperor's. After a glance, he gave a disappointed snort and tossed it back to Yun Che: "Although it's useless now, it was still a gift from your master. Might as well keep it."
With that, he strode toward the stone door.
Seeing the reactions of the two, Han Kuan naturally lost interest in the "divine stone" and quickly followed at Nanlie Great Emperor's side.
The stone door was several zhang tall, exuding an ancient and heavy aura. Though it had existed for a long time, it had no dust, and crisscrossed with some chaotic, patternless strange lines, but no profound formation aura.
Or perhaps there had been one, but it had completely dissipated over the long years.
"It seems there is no seal." After observing for a while, Nanlie Great Emperor suddenly struck out, sending a burst of profound energy straight at the stone door.
Boom!!
Without encountering any of the expected obstructions or anomalies, under Nanlie Great Emperor's tentative strike, the heavy stone door shattered on impact. With scattered rubble, the view ahead opened up, and bright light poured into the dim passage, startling the four of them for a moment.
This was an extremely deep underground area, which should have been dark and lightless. Yet the light ahead was as bright as the outside world. Behind the stone door was not an ancient, decayed palace or secret altar heavy with turbid air, but a vast expanse of lush green land. The cheerful sound of flowing water, crisp birdsong, and even the refreshing scent of grass rushed toward them. The fresh, gentle breeze invigorated the four, who had been immersed in foul air for so long.
"This is... a secret realm within a secret realm!?" Even the three divine kings were stunned for a moment before Mu Baimei murmured.
The Huanhai Ancient Realm was itself an independent world left over from the Age of Gods. And the scene before them was by no means the expected underground palace—it was clearly an independent world!
An independent world carved out within an independent world!
In other words, a third layer small world!
"Indeed... but it is not entirely independent. Its aura should be connected to the Huanhai Ancient Realm on some level of law, otherwise we would not have been able to detect the existence of the Royal Immortal Herb." Han Kuan said slowly.
"Haha, wonderful!" Nanlie Great Emperor gave a long laugh and strode across the stone door. Mu Baimei and Han Kuan were not about to fall behind; they immediately followed.
Just as Yun Che was about to step behind them, he suddenly frowned, turned sharply, and looked back into the dark passage behind him.
His unusual behavior immediately caught Mu Baimei's attention. He turned back and asked, "Young brother, what's wrong?"
Yun Che turned his head, shook it, and said, "Nothing, probably just the air currents. I was a bit jumpy and thought someone was behind us."
Mu Baimei swept his gaze and spiritual sense over the area behind, then said with a chuckle, "It's impossible for anyone else to be here besides the four of us. Come on in."
This was a vast, verdant world, so immense that even with a divine king's eyesight, its edges were beyond sight. The air was pure and spotless, forming a stark contrast with the previous turbid atmosphere. The vegetation was incredibly lush, with countless rare flowers and exotic herbs.
At a glance, it looked like a paradise on earth, making it hard to believe it existed in the deep, dark underground.
The great world truly held many wonders. A secret realm within a secret realm—this once again broadened Yun Che's horizons. Before him, the three realm kings had already risen into the air. They had no interest in admiring the scenery; their spiritual senses were fully extended, enveloping the surroundings.
"Heh, hehe, no mistake! This extremely high-level aura must be the Royal Immortal Herb!" Nanlie Great Emperor roared excitedly.
"The aura is indeed correct, but don't be too happy too soon. As the king of all herbs, the Royal Immortal Herb's aura can be attracted to every plant. Finding it is not that easy, and besides, you old bastard probably don't have such good fortune." Mu Baimei said unceremoniously.
Nanlie Great Emperor couldn't be bothered to retort. With a sneer, he turned and flew swiftly in one direction.
Han Kuan said nothing and flew off in another direction.
Mu Baimei did not immediately leave. Facing Yun Che, he smiled and said, "Ling Yun, our ability to enter this place is entirely thanks to you. Since we have an agreement, we naturally will not go back on our word. The Royal Immortal Herb's aura was only a faint wisp outside, but here it is rich, clearly indicating it is here. If you are fortunate enough to find the Royal Immortal Herb, it will belong to you. I will never seize it by force. If the other two go against this, I will not allow it. So feel free to search at ease."
Yun Che showed gratitude and bowed excitedly: "Understood. Island Master Mu is unparalleled in benevolence and righteousness, and I deeply admire you. Thank you, Island Master Mu, for your kindness."
Mu Baimei smiled and shook his head: "Not at all. If not for you, the three of us couldn't even get in. If anyone should give thanks, it should be us thanking you. However, regarding the Royal Immortal Herb, you are still young. In terms of searching ability, you probably cannot compare to us three old fellows. Don't forget to also pay attention to other opportunities."
"Thank you for the advice, Island Master Mu." Yun Che said cheerfully.
"Mm." Mu Baimei nodded, then turned and flew off in a direction different from both Nanlie Great Emperor and Han Kuan.
The figures of the three realm kings faded into the distance. The expression on Yun Che's face gradually disappeared. He raised his left hand and looked at his palm... a faint green light flickered silently.
Following the reaction of the Heavenly Poison Pearl, he lifted his head and stared straight ahead. Then, the corner of his mouth slowly curled up: "It's very close... the Royal Immortal Herb is mine!"
Yun Che leaped into the air and shot straight ahead. What Mu Baimei said was right—since this place could nurture a Royal Immortal Herb, there must be many other high-level heavenly treasures. But Yun Che did not let his attention waver, charging straight toward the direction indicated by the Heavenly Poison Pearl. Because every moment of delay increased the risk of the three divine kings finding it first.
He had to obtain the Royal Immortal Herb!
And as long as he touched the Royal Immortal Herb, the deed would be done! Even if...