“Master, may I ask what realm you are in now?”
Li Qingran, having recovered from her initial shock, immediately started gathering information that might be useful.
—
[My realm…]
Chen Huaian hesitated.
Since he was currently in a free dialogue mode, it meant he could say whatever he wanted about his cultivation level.
In the Cangyun Realm, the Mahayana Stage was the highest level of cultivation. After overcoming heavenly tribulations, a Mahayana cultivator would ascend to immortality.
Claiming to be at the Mahayana Stage would be too ridiculous.
So…
Chen Huaian made up his mind and slapped his thigh.
[I am currently at the Void Stage!]
—
The moment he sent this message, the entire game and the real world seemed to fall silent.
—
In the Real World…
Baji: “QAQ!!!”
[Wait, wait, wait… Master is actually at the Void Stage?!]
[No, if Master was truly at the Void Stage… wouldn’t he have already discovered my real identity?!]
[What level is Master actually at?! Why is he saying different things each time?!]
Baji curled up in a corner, trembling in existential crisis.
—
In the Cangyun Realm…
The Void Stage was just before the Mahayana Stage.
Cultivators who reached this level had already gained insight into the type of tribulation they would face upon breaking through to Mahayana.
Thus, it was also called the “Tribulation Crossing Stage” or the “Tribulation Knowing Stage”.
At this level, cultivators had to solidify their Dao heart and decide their path to ascension.
If they were uncertain when crossing their tribulation, or if their Dao heart wavered, they would most likely perish under the heavenly thunder.
—
So… how did Chen Huaian know about this?
Simple.
He had just randomly made it up…
But in the Cangyun Realm, the moment he typed those words—
The world changed dramatically.
—
Inside the Major Sects of Cangyun Realm…
“Wulian Tianzun! The great seer who deduces the secrets of heaven every day… he has made another move!”
“I thought something had happened to him! He hasn’t made a deduction for two days!”
“I was starting to feel uneasy without his insights…”
“Damn it! Inform all disciples to be extremely cautious, especially those who are operating covertly within the righteous sects! The master of heavenly secrets has spoken once again!”
Across the cultivation world, the ancient old monsters of the major sects were suddenly alert and wary.
—
Meanwhile, at the Law Enforcement Hall—
Su Qinian, who had just been whipped as punishment, stared at the sky for a long time.
—
Back in the Game…
Li Qingran, however, was not concerned with these events.
She was carefully analyzing what the Void Stage truly meant.
—
“Below Mahayana, above Fusion, possessing the power to comprehend and analyze Dao laws, and able to condense the power of the world within their Niwan Palace to form a small world.”
“Only the Lords of Holy Lands possess such terrifying strength…”
Yet even such a powerful Master was still trapped in that subspace…
This showed just how dangerous the monsters in that place were.
And that meant…
The poison afflicting Master must be unimaginably complex.
—
Li Qingran felt a deep sense of foreboding.
She was mentally prepared for the Hundred Herbs Detoxification Pill to be ineffective.
But no matter what… she had to try.
—
“Disciple understands.”
Li Qingran stood up from the mat, bowed deeply to the wooden beam overhead, and declared solemnly:
“I will go consult with the Sect Master immediately!”
—
After speaking, she grabbed her bell and rushed out.
—
Meanwhile, in the Real World…
Chen Huaian scratched his head, following Li Qingran’s in-game actions as she hurried all the way to the Sect Master’s hall.
But… the Sect Master wasn’t there.
—
Standing outside the empty hall, Li Qingran frowned and paced back and forth anxiously.
Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she mounted her crane and soared toward the Law Enforcement Hall.
—
Sure enough, she spotted Su Qinian standing at the entrance.
At this moment, a row of disciples stood before him, their heads lowered.
From afar, Li Qingran could hear the Sect Master lecturing them:
“Ahem, about today’s incident… you all—”
“Master! We didn’t see anything!”
“Yes, yes! We didn’t hear anything either! You were just here at the Law Enforcement Hall for an inspection today!”
“That’s right! You definitely didn’t come here to get whipped a hundred times, hehehe~”
—
Su Qinian’s face darkened instantly.
He squinted at the last disciple who had spoken and sneered:
“Oh? Laughing at your Master, are you? Very well… go receive a hundred whips.”
—
The smile on the disciple’s face froze and was promptly transferred to Su Qinian’s face.
—
To avoid unnecessary trouble, Li Qingran waited until the Law Enforcement Hall disciples had scattered.
Just as Su Qinian was about to step onto his flying sword and leave—
She descended from her crane and rushed over.
—
Panting slightly, she trotted up to him and performed a deep bow.
“Sect Master, I have something important to report!”
—
Su Qinian had, of course, noticed Li Qingran approaching from the start.
But, to avoid any trouble, he deliberately pretended not to until she spoke.
He stroked his beard, plastered on a composed, sage-like expression, and nodded with an air of wisdom.
“Oh? It’s Qingran. What is the matter?”
—
“Master, I have been to the Sutra Library and obtained a recipe for an elixir. It may be useful to Master.”
—
Su Qinian nodded with a smile.
“Elder Ji has already informed me of this.”
He continued, his expression turning somewhat solemn.
“This elixir formula comes from an ancient grandmaster of alchemy. His elixirs are simple to refine but require rare and complex ingredients. Despite the difficulty in gathering the materials, the effects of his concoctions are extraordinary. It is a great fortune that you and your master have acquired such a recipe.”
—
Upon hearing this, Li Qingran was overjoyed.
She quickly bowed and added excitedly, “Master said that he is not in the Cangyun Realm but is trapped in a subspace of another world. He cannot receive direct assistance, but with his great magical powers, he can take the elixir from me.”
—
Su Qinian’s eyes flickered with surprise.
“Oh?”
A brief silence followed before he furrowed his brows.
“He is no longer in the Cangyun Realm? Then… what is his cultivation realm now?”
—
“Master is at the Void Stage.”
—
Silence.
A single leaf drifted down, gently landing on the hilt of Su Qinian’s sword.
Snap!
Su Qinian’s sword slipped from his grip, clattering to the ground.
Hurriedly, he bent down to pick it up.
—
“The Void Stage? Incredible… No wonder!”
—
For a moment, the dignified Pavilion Master of the Sword Pavilion seemed utterly incoherent. His voice trembled with excitement.
—
A Supreme Elder at the Void Stage!
If they could rescue him…
Wouldn’t their Sword Pavilion be able to walk proudly across the entire Cangyun Realm?!
As long as the Holy Lands did not interfere, the Sword Pavilion would be invincible!
No more scrambling for resources!
No more Sect Guardian Beast being forced to graze in the back mountains because it was in heat!
—
They had to save him.
Sell everything if needed!
Rescue him at all costs!
And it had to be immediate!
—
“Qingran, tell me all the spiritual herbs required for the Hundred Herbs Detoxification Pill!”
Su Qinian’s expression turned serious. He spoke with righteous determination, his voice echoing through the hall.
“It is our duty as disciples of the Sword Pavilion to save a fallen Supreme Elder!
I will personally help you gather the necessary spiritual herbs for your master!”
—
Outside the Game…
Chen Huaian: “…”
Although the plot development seemed rather touching…
But hold on.
Did you just call me a ‘fallen elder’?!
—
Inside the Game…
With the Sword Pavilion Master backing her, Li Qingran felt immensely relieved.
She had already memorized the entire recipe for the Hundred Herbs Detoxification Pill.
Now, she quickly recited the one hundred main ingredients and three hundred auxiliary herbs.
—
As Su Qinian listened, his scalp began to tingle.
The names of the herbs…
He had never even heard of some of them!
—
“Well, Pavilion Master, are these spiritual herbs easy to find?”
Li Qingran looked at Su Qinian expectantly.
But…
The Sword Pavilion Master’s expression had turned strange.
—
“Hmm… wait a moment.”
Su Qinian frowned deeply and shook his head.
“Come with me to the medicine garden.
This detoxification pill originates from ancient times. Many of the herb names have changed. Even I don’t recognize some of them. We need to consult the experts.”
—
To reassure Li Qingran, Su Qinian retrieved an emerald-green tortoise shell, its quality clearly extraordinary.
He raised it solemnly, promising in a firm voice:
“If the elders of the medicine garden cannot identify some of these herbs…
…then even if it shortens my lifespan, I will divine the secrets of heaven to aid the Supreme Elder!”
—
Outside the Game…
Watching the animated sequence play out, Chen Huaian burst into laughter.
—
What was this?
This Pavilion Master of the Sword Pavilion…
Did he also want to deduce the secrets of heaven?!
