Naturally, the Xuanming Sect and the other regional sects had come to an agreement: no one was allowed to injure others within the cave realm without cause. If evidence of such behavior was uncovered, the offender's entry privileges would be immediately revoked.
Though the Xuanming Secret Realm wasn't among the most powerful, the resources within were unimaginably abundant. This was precisely what gave the Xuanming Sect leverage in negotiations with other sects.
Chen Jinshu had looked into this before. Although cave realms varied in size, the amount of resources inside was not fixed. Even large secret realms might consist mostly of mountains and greenery with few resources, while a small one might not necessarily be filled with weeds and barren land.
The Xuanming Secret Realm was a prime example of such an exception. Over the past century, sects had harvested many resources from it—often even more than from their own secret realms. She had come across this while browsing through secret realm records.
Of course, large secret realms still had clear advantages: they could accommodate more disciples and offered more diverse legacies. By contrast, the Xuanming secret Realm seemed to contain only a single sect's ruins.
The sect leader's initial explanation of the secret realm echoed what Chen Jinshu had already learned in the scripture pavilion. But then he began to speak of things the pavilion hadn't recorded.
"Though accidents in the secret realm are rare, there are three forbidden area that must absolutely be avoided. Do not risk your life for short-term gains."
"The first is the Miasma Abyss to the east!"
"It is filled with dense miasma that stirs one's deepest fears and obsessions. Those without firm resolve risk falling into mental deviation and becoming irreparably lost!"
"The second is the White Bone Mountain!"
"Anyone who has accumulated killing karma must not come within three zhang (10 meters). Otherwise, they will be haunted by vengeful spirits. Even a Golden Core cultivator cannot escape backlash. This is karmic debt—only the individual can resolve it."
"The mountain is filled with tormented souls. Possession can cause severe illness at best, and turn one into a mindless husk at worst. Even demonic cultivators will be burned by karmic flames equal to their lifetime sins. If you are truly pure-hearted—do not go. In all my years, I've never met such a person. Do not even think of taking resources from that place. They are not meant for you."
The sect leader finished with a heavy sigh.
White Bone Mountain claimed the highest number of disciple casualties in the secret realm. It was both punishment for sinners and a treasure trove for the rare few with truly kind hearts. The higher up the mountain, the greater the treasures—but he did not speak of this, fearing the disciples might abandon their moral compass.
Seeing the sect leader's hesitation, Chen Jinshu had an inkling—perhaps that mountain held many bitter stories.
"The final forbidden zone is the Illusory Mirror Sea! Though an inland sea, the water reflects not only one's appearance, but also one's soul. Those with weak minds may become trapped in illusion, losing all sense of self. The reflections show 'anti-images'—do not believe what you see…!"
After listing the three locations, the sect leader solemnly repeated:
"Remember: do not enter. Do not enter. Do. Not. Enter!"
These three warnings struck Chen Jinshu with strange force—she couldn't shake them from her mind. What puzzled her was that the sect leader never mentioned the ancient sect ruins inside the secret realm. Many had perished there, with countless traps remaining.
As for those three forbidden areas, Chen Jinshu had no intention of going near them. She wasn't looking to die young. Next, the sect leader described the treasure sites scattered across the secret realm.
Before doing so, he had every disciple present swear a vow of secrecy.
Only then did Chen Jinshu understand why her senior brothers had never spoken of the spiritual items inside. They had been sworn to silence. Otherwise, those treasure sites might be looted by rival sect disciples, leaving little benefit for the Xuanming Sect.
Chen Jinshu silently memorized the locations of the eight treasure grounds.
Only around a hundred Xuanming disciples would be entering the secret realm this time. Though it seemed like a "too many wolves, not enough meat" situation, each site was vast—easily large enough for 50 to 60 people to gather spiritual resources without clashing.
All things considered, the eight treasure grounds were more than sufficient.
Time passed, and after the sect leader explained the many secret realm rules, he dismissed the gathered disciples.
One key rule: if one harvested spiritual herbs, they had to leave behind the seed. If the plant didn't have one, they were to sow seeds brought in. This ensured the secret realm wouldn't be depleted over time. That was the only way for the sect to maintain an inexhaustible supply of resources.
After leaving Tianyue Hall, Chen Jinshu did not return to her quarters. Instead, she headed for the scripture pavilion.
She had many doubts about the ancient sect ruins in the secret realm—especially since the sect leader hadn't mentioned them at all. His silence seemed like tacit approval for disciples to explore that place.
"Is it for the legacy inside—or something else?"
Her previous understanding of the ruins had been shallow. Now she intended to research them more thoroughly.
Scripture Pavilion, First Floor
After finding the relevant texts, Chen Jinshu took them to a quiet corner and began reading carefully.
"The ruins are impervious to divination. The conditions inside are chaotic. Yet it is said to test the lingering spirit of its former inhabitants?"
She frowned at the explanation.
If it was a test, why had a promising female cultivator once been trapped inside for years—only for her soul token to eventually shatter?
Could anything be more terrifying?
The more she read, the more convinced she became that the sect wanted disciples to obtain legacy arts from the ruins—even if they didn't officially mention it. Over the centuries, many had indeed brought back powerful inheritances from the ruins, greatly strengthening the sect.
"Forget it. I'll decide when the time comes whether it's worth the risk."
For now, her cultivation was stable. She spent her time growing spiritual herbs, refining pills, practicing music and swordplay—life was peaceful. Occasionally, she joined senior brothers on missions outside the sect for experience—another form of cultivation.
As far as she was concerned, the ruins held no temptation worth risking her life. Her talents were decent, and with her many techniques, forming her Golden Core was only a matter of time.
A few days later...
Chen Jinshu finally received word about the Moon Cleansing Pool. The ceremony would take place in half a month. Disciples from all peaks would enter together to receive the baptism.
The Moon Cleansing Pool was located at the top of the sect's highest peak, fed by the core of the underground spiritual veins. It was said to hold immense purifying power.
Legend had it that the pool was created a thousand years ago by the sect's founder, who combined the vein's energy with the feng shui of the various peaks. It had been nurtured for a century before acquiring its purification effects.
"I should ask Master about the Moon Cleansing Pool. And check on how the Lǜqǐ Zither is coming along!"