After the battle, Qin Chu stepped off the arena.
Qin Lingxi patted her nephew’s shoulder, then led Qin Chu and Lang Lang away from the plaza, entering a restaurant and ordering a table of good dishes.
“Qin Chu, you did very well today. Directly killing someone is too ruthless. Displaying your strength and giving others a warning is the most perfect approach,” Qin Lingxi said to Qin Chu.
Qin Chu looked at the few people present, “For those with no enmity, I really can’t be ruthless. Today I said I wouldn’t show mercy next time, but when that time truly comes, I might not actually be able to do it. Cultivators striving to advance is not wrong.”
“Just think that to yourself. If others knew you wouldn’t kill, countless people would challenge you,” Lang Lang said, looking at Qin Chu.
“Brother Lang is right. I won’t tell anyone about this thought,” Qin Chu smiled at Lang Lang. He was very fortunate to have Lang Lang, an experienced Jianghu veteran, by his side, always helping him.
Qin Chu easily defended his position as the top of the Azure Cloud Ranking, and everyone was very happy, drinking a few extra cups.
After leaving the restaurant, Lang Lang, taking Qian Xun, Yan Yi, and Bai Yu, separated from Qin Chu and Qin Lingxi. They were heading to Heaven Sword Mountain.
Qin Lingxi and Qin Chu returned to the Vermilion Bird Holy Land, and Qin Chu began to Cultivate again.
Looking at her nephew who was diligently Cultivating, Qin Lingxi felt a little heartache. Qin Chu was under too much pressure. She really wanted Qin Chu to rest, but he couldn't. The future of the Vermilion Bird Holy Clan rested on Qin Chu, and in this chaotic world, one must possess strength to ensure their own safety.
After two days of quiet, the Heaven Sword City Lord’s Mansion announced the situation of the Sword North Forest and also declared the rules within the Sword North Forest.
Additionally, on the public notice board at the entrance of the City Lord’s Mansion, a map of the Sword North Forest was displayed, delineating the areas open under the new rules. If Cultivators entered other areas, they would bear the consequences themselves. The City Lord’s Mansion also announced that it would not participate in the emergence of this Sealed land; everyone was to rely on their own abilities for any Opportunity.
The day after the City Lord’s Mansion announced the notice, Qing Yi arrived in Heaven Sword City and met up with Qin Lingxi and Qin Chu.
This was the advantage of receiving information beforehand. While other forces were still gathering their personnel, the Advanced experts of the Vermilion Bird Holy Clan had already arrived.
“It’s about quality, not quantity. Bringing too many people means we can’t look after everyone. Just the three of us will go. If anyone crosses us, we’ll go straight to war!” Qin Lingxi made her decision.
“Good! Then just the three of us will go,” Qing Yi supported Qin Lingxi’s decision. The Vermilion Bird Holy Clan had fewer people than other Holy Clans, and they shouldn’t suffer losses in such an Opportunity-seeking endeavor.
Qin Lingxi took out three maps that she had previously arranged for someone to acquire, showing the routes and Sealed areas within the Sword North Forest.
“If we don’t step out of the Sealed area, then what we Face are human Cultivators entering the Sealed area. There won’t be any conflict with the Yao Beasts within the Sword North Forest,” Qin Lingxi said, pointing to the areas marked on the map.
“Then let’s depart. Arriving at the Sealed area first, whether to hide or seize a favorable position, will give us an advantage,” Qing Yi said after looking at the map, then put it away.
In the evening, Qin Chu and the two others set off in a beast carriage, heading towards the Sword North Forest.
The Sword North Forest is north of Heaven Sword City, but not very close; it’s a four-day journey. If it were closer, Yao Beast Cultivators and human Cultivators would not be able to coexist peacefully.
After four days of travel, Qin Chu and the others arrived near the Sword North Forest. They told the Vermilion Bird Holy Clan member driving the beast carriage to wait in a safe place, then Qing Yi, Qin Lingxi, and Qin Chu entered the Sword North Forest according to the route marked on the map.
“Aunt, the target area has a Seal, it should be an ancient ruin,” Qin Chu said, offering his analysis.
Qin Lingxi shook her head, “It’s hard to tell without a close observation! Seal Formations are mostly man-made, but some are naturally formed. For example, some places where Spirit Treasures are born, or some special areas, will have natural Seal Formations, which is also normal.”
“Indeed, some Spirit Treasures, before they fully form, receive the blessing of the Heavenly Dao, so it’s normal for their location to have Seal Formations,” Qing Yi said to Qin Chu.
Following the route on the map, with Qing Yi in front and Qin Chu and Qin Lingxi behind, the three Advanced quickly.
The Sword North Forest was eerily quiet. Occasionally, small, unintelligent wild animals like rabbits and wild goats would run past. There were no Yao Beasts, let alone powerful Yao Cultivators.
“It seems that the Yao Beast Cultivators within the Sword North Forest have withdrawn from the areas marked on the map. This should be the result of negotiations,” Qin Lingxi said.
“Human Cultivators have the Holy Martial Enforcers of the Seventh-tier Venerable Realm, so the Yao Beast Kings have to give some Face,” Qin Chu said.
“That’s not absolute. The Holy Martial Continent has rules: Holy Martial Enforcers do not interfere in power struggles. If the Yao Beast Kings were unwilling to negotiate, then Holy Martial Enforcers couldn’t forcefully intervene. With the rumored strength of the Yao Beast Kings, if a Seventh-tier Venerable Realm expert doesn’t appear, human Cultivators entering the Sword North Forest probably wouldn’t gain much. This current situation is a win-win for everyone,” Qing Yi said.
After two hours of advancement, Qing Yi caught a wild goat, prepared it, and roasted it. “We must have arrived relatively early. Those who came in even earlier than us must be Loose Cultivators; team forces would definitely gather their people before entering.”
After eating some roasted meat, Qing Yi dealt with the campfire, and then the three continued to advance.
Because the Sword North Forest was extremely vast, Qin Chu, Qing Yi, and Qin Lingxi Advanced for half a day before reaching the location of the Sealed Forbidden Zone.
From a distance, Qin Chu and the two others saw the energy halo on the outer perimeter of the Sealed Forbidden Zone.
“You two wait a moment, I’ll go try it first,” Qing Yi nodded to Qin Chu and Qin Lingxi, then walked towards the Sealed area.
After only a few steps, Qing Yi retreated, “No! You can’t force your way in. There’s a special energy attacking the head, causing dizziness, making it impossible to exert any combat power.”
Qin Lingxi also tried, but it was also ineffective, even with her Origin Qi protecting her body.
“Legend has it that Soul Secret Arts exist, but that was just a legend. Yet now, Soul attacks have appeared. It turns out many things actually exist,” Qin Lingxi said.
“Let’s first observe the terrain and see where is most suitable for us to set up camp, and where we can seize the initiative the moment the Seal is lifted,” Qing Yi said, then flew into the air. He wanted to survey the overall terrain of the Sealed area.
As Qing Yi ascended, Qin Lingxi, with her Origin Qi energy enveloping Qin Chu, also ascended.
Being carried by Qin Lingxi as she flew through the air, Qin Chu felt very envious. This was the foundation of an Advanced Cultivator—to fly whenever they wished.