The Arrogant Immortal
Chapter 387 - 386: Dragon Gate Secret Realm

Chapter 387: Chapter 386: Dragon Gate Secret Realm

I came out of seclusion.

On a sunny morning.

Xie Jiuniang stepped out of her cave dwelling with high spirits.

The four Demon Guards waiting outside noticed Xie Jiuniang had reached the eighth level of Golden Core and her cultivation was stable.

The four had grown accustomed to such sights.

Within the array barrier outside the cave dwelling, there were several Sound Transmission Talismans.

The light from a few of the talismans was on the verge of dissipating, indicating they were sent quite some time ago.

She read through the messages of the Sound Transmission Talismans one by one.

There were messages from Chaoyan, Xuanyuan You, Bai Mudan, and also Xie Si’niang.

Xie Si’niang’s message was not about any serious matter, just a routine greeting.

Bai Mudan’s message was because her brother had news to share.

Xuanyuan You was just looking to gossip with her, and only Chaoyan seemed to have something important, asking her to find him whenever she was free.

Xie Jiuniang replied to each one separately.

Bai Mudan was at Zhengyang Peak and arrived quickly.

"Master, my brother has sent a message, wishing to arrange a meeting with you," Bai Mudan said respectfully.

Xie Jiuniang asked, "Where is he now?"

"In the Sect Market."

"Alright, let’s set a time to meet."

After setting a time, Bai Mudan left to inform her brother.

Just then, another Sound Transmission Talisman from Xuanyuan You arrived.

"Little Profiteer, have you come out of seclusion again? How is your cultivation? How much has it improved?" Xuanyuan You’s voice revealed his concern.

Xie Jiuniang answered him, "Eighth level of Golden Core!"

Soon, another Sound Transmission Talisman from Xuanyuan You came.

This time his voice was jubilant, "Hahaha, I guessed as much, there would be improvement. I’ve won some Spirit Stones, Little Profiteer, I’ll treat you to a good meal."

"Sure, you’re paying."

Xie Jiuniang could tell from his words.

He had been betting with others.

At that moment, another Sound Transmission Talisman came through, and just when she thought it was from Xuanyuan You again, she realized it was from Xie Si’niang, "Xiaojiu, do you have time to get together?"

"Xuanyuan You says he’s treating, you can come over when it’s time," replied Xie Jiuniang.

Thus, the three of them agreed to meet at Zhengyang Peak the next day for a meal.

Xuanyuan You would provide the ingredients, Xie Si’niang would cook.

Xie Jiuniang would supply the drinks and the venue.

"Disciple, come to the Main Peak’s great hall to see your Sect Master, the Dragon Gate Secret Realm is about to open, get a Token from him," Chaoyan’s message seemed distant yet close.

Xie Jiuniang immediately responded, "Yes, Master."

The Dragon Gate Secret Realm was exclusively for those at the Golden Core Stage, meaning besides those of Golden Core cultivation, no others could enter. In her past life, Xie Jiuniang had only heard of the Dragon Gate Secret Realm and never entered it.

Lacking experience, she also lacked knowledge about it.

Heeding Chaoyan’s words, Xie Jiuniang was set to go to the Main Peak to find Chaoruo.

"Whoosh?"

A Little Immortal Crane flew down from a large tree.

It approached Xie Jiuniang submissively.

Xie Jiuniang stroked its head and fed it some elixirs before mounting the Immortal Crane’s back, "Let’s go, to the Main Peak to see the Sect Master."

"Whoosh whoosh."

The Little Immortal Crane took off upon hearing her words.

Their flying speed was not fast but not slow either.

As they passed the orchards on the great mountain, they saw Dashan and the Little Golden Monkey picking Spirit Fruits, and in the Spiritual Fields, several disciples were tending to newly planted Spirit Plants.

Zhengyang Peak was peaceful and beautiful.

This sentiment in Xie Jiuniang lasted only a moment.

Before long, they arrived at the square in front of the great hall on the Main Peak.

Sect Disciples passing by in a hurry looked surprised to see Xie Jiuniang appear.

Standing in front of the great hall, the disciples guarding outside announced their presence.

Chaoruo’s voice came from inside.

"Little Yuanxi, come in."

"Yes."

Xie Jiuniang strode into the grand hall.

She noticed some people inside, some familiar faces, and some strangers.

Kuangguan, Raoyang, and Qiao Shiyun were all present.

When everyone saw Xie Jiuniang entering, they all sized her up, openly or secretly. Upon discovering that her aura was stronger than theirs, a hint of sourness welled up in their hearts.

Indeed, comparisons between people could be as disheartening as death.

And it wasn’t an empty saying.

Xie Jiuniang walked straight up to Chaoruo and bowed respectfully, "Disciple Yuanxi pays respect to the Sect Master."

This address of ’Sect Master’ was exceedingly formal.

Chaoruo lifted his head to examine her cultivation base, and a gentle smile emerged in his eyes as he said with a double meaning, "This seclusion, you’ve gained some new achievements, haven’t you?"

"Fairly decent."

Xie Jiuniang’s smile was frank.

Chaoruo gestured for her to stand aside for the time being.

Xie Jiuniang acknowledged and was about to step aside when she saw that Kuangguan had reached the Nascent Soul cultivation, her eyes brightened, "Eldest senior brother, congratulations!"

"Junior sister, congratulations to you too."

Kuangguan equally marveled, "It won’t be long before you catch up to your senior brother."

Isn’t that the truth?

It had been such a short time, and she was already at the eighth level of the Golden Core!

For others, progressing from the initial to the later stages of Golden Core would need at least a hundred years, but thinking about Xie Jiuniang’s case, it felt quite brief.

They didn’t even know how she cultivated.

After exchanging pleasantries, Raoyang threw a flirtatious look at her, "Little junior sister, impressive. If we were not from the same lineage, I’d have to call you senior sister by now."

Xie Jiuniang, "..."

Indeed!

She couldn’t help but straighten her back reflexively.

Her posture and gaze almost seemed to demand Raoyang to call her senior sister, causing Raoyang to laugh it off and turn his head away as if he had seen nothing.

Xie Jiuniang’s disappointed little eyes were quite apparent, before she turned to look at Qiao Shiyun beside her, "Third senior sister?"

"Yes, here. Congratulations on another breakthrough, junior sister." Qiao Shiyun’s mental fortitude was still strong; even now, despite hating her to the core, her expression remained gentle and peaceful.

Xie Jiuniang failed to become a senior sister.

There were disciples present who should call her senior sister according to their cultivation bases. However, calling her senior sister was ultimately not the same as the three disciples from her master’s lineage.

At least, the satisfaction was not there!

Xie Jiuniang waited for a while longer, and slowly, more Sect Disciples arrived, all of them with Golden Core cultivation bases.

Until there were fifty Golden Cores present.

Only then did Chaoruo speak up, "Every time the Dragon Gate Secret Realm opens, the death rate is more than half. Whether or not to enter the Secret Realm to seek fortune is a decision for each of you to make. The Sect’s quota cannot be transferred, so all of you should think carefully before replying."

He looked around at the people present.

Seeing that no disciples had spoken, Chaoruo continued, "Those who receive the quota must meet a condition: upon returning from the Secret Realm, each person must hand over ten stalks of Dragon Breath Grass. If the number is insufficient, you must compensate with other items."

After a moment, a disciple asked doubtfully, "Sect Master, what if we do not gain anything?"

"Then you’re just out of luck and have made a loss-making deal."

The meaning was clear. If they emerged without enough to offer to the Sect, they would owe a debt.

After all, the quota wasn’t provided for free.

Chaoruo didn’t rush them for an answer, giving them a day to consider. Those who had decided to go could let him know right away.

Right then, thirty-four people decided they wanted a quota.

Five people gave up, among them was Qiao Shiyun.

Qiao Shiyun had just achieved Core Formation not long ago, and the risk of entering the Secret Realm was too high, so she chose to give up sensibly.

The remaining ten said they would consider further and would reply to Chaoruo tomorrow.

Chaoruo then concluded, "Alright, that’s settled. You’re dismissed."

"Eh? I haven’t said if I’m going or not." Xie Jiuniang raised her hand and said.

Chaoruo glanced at her and replied, "You don’t have a choice. Your master has decreed that you go."

Xie Jiuniang, "..."