My gorgeous wife Chapter 1957: 1926: Starry Sky Secret Realm
Previously on My gorgeous wife...
“So, this is the small secret realm you spoke of?”
Surveying the surroundings with a group of people, Li Chen’s gaze landed on a void, a sight that starkly contrasted with their expectations after entering through the fissure tunnel.
The discrepancy was not minor; it was absolute.
Beyond the passage lay a vast expanse of starry sky!
It was neither a peculiar secret realm nor an oppressive space, but an immense, star-filled void!
“Could it be that this is a portion of the companion space that has extended into the Starry Universe?” Li Chen mused, his eyes darting around as a sense of unease settled upon him.
He had traversed numerous secret realms before, some resembling miniature worlds, others being enchanted dimensions, yet this was his very first encounter with a secret realm that opened directly into the cosmic expanse.
The vacuum-sealed environment surrounding them, coupled with the biting cold characteristic of the starry sky, left Li Chen certain that they were, in fact, amidst the celestial sphere.
“Logically, there shouldn’t be any other method to enter the starry sky directly from the Ancient Battle Realm, apart from exiting through the border region. Yet, something feels distinctly off here,” Christina interjected, her brow furrowed.
“You haven’t been here before?” Li Chen inquired, casting a sideways glance at her.
Christina offered a sheepish smile. “The last time, I merely lingered near the entrance, took a brief look around, and then departed.”
Li Chen found himself momentarily speechless.
Truthfully, for an expert at the Soul Realm level, even with their Cultivation suppressed…
“Huh?”
“What is it?” The others in the vicinity turned their attention to Li Chen, who had a look of bewilderment.
“The Cultivation suppression is still in effect,” Li Chen announced, his words causing everyone’s expressions to grow serious.
Indeed, the suppression of their Cultivation remained active!
Such a phenomenon was known to occur only within the Regretless Mountain Range, and previous tests had indicated that upon leaving the range, one’s Cultivation would immediately be restored.
Yet, here they were, apparently within the Starry Universe, and the suppression persisted. This was highly irregular!
“Do you have any theories?” Christina redirected her question to Li Chen.
While she might have harbored doubts about him earlier, the events at the entrance had now solidified her recognition of Li Chen’s capabilities.
Furthermore, even if they hadn’t ventured into this particular secret realm, she had already gained considerable benefits and could depart at any moment without any loss.
Li Chen shook his head. “In principle, the suppression should stem from the unique environment of the Regretless Mountain Range, dissipating upon our departure. However, if we are genuinely in the starry sky now, why does it continue?”
“There are two potential explanations,” Zhang Shutong contributed helpfully from the side. “Firstly, what we are observing might merely be an illusion, with our true location still confined within the Regretless Mountain Range.”
“Secondly, upon entering this small secret realm, we may have been silently ensnared by a restriction that perpetuates the mountain’s suppression upon us, which will only lift after we exit this realm and leave the mountain range entirely.”
Li Chen nodded in agreement. “The second possibility appears more plausible.”
Christina cast a curious glance at Li Chen, uncertain of the basis for his conviction regarding the second hypothesis.
Li Chen offered no explanation. In essence, their alliance was one of mutual benefit, and revealing the secret of his Eye of the Dao was unnecessary.
The illusionary phenomenon, undetectable even by the Eye of the Dao, was something Li Chen had only encountered once previously.
“But what exactly is this place?”
Gazing out at the desolate starry panorama, Li Chen became lost in contemplation.
They were not the sole occupants entering this diminutive secret realm. Other cultivators, drawn by Li Chen’s reputation, also ventured into the starry expanse, only to find themselves bewildered by the boundless Star Sea.
The promised secret realm had seemingly transformed into the very fabric of the starry sky.
Nevertheless, many promptly opted to explore, sensing that this starry sky held hidden anomalies and potential treasures.
Soon, a multitude of cultivators dispersed, embarking on their individual quests for discovery.
“Let’s also conduct a search. There are numerous meteors nearby; dispersing will reduce our collective visibility and amplify our chances of uncovering something,” Li Chen proposed after a brief period of thought, distributing several Jade Pendants to the group.
“Communication is challenging in this environment. These Jade Pendants have been imbued by me with Sword Intent; should you encounter anything significant, activating the pendant’s Sword Intent will allow others to sense it, enabling us to regroup,” Li Chen explained.
Christina accepted the pendant, though her thoughts were occupied elsewhere.
The pendant certainly possessed utility, but if she were to discover anything of value, she might not necessarily inform Li Chen’s party.
Conversely, if another individual unearthed a treasure and alerted the others, she would be among those contacted, a prospect that seemed to align with her interests.
“Tian Yi, you and Xinxin, let’s each proceed independently,” Li Chen instructed once everyone had received their pendants.
While Yang Xin’s Cultivation was not insignificant, Li Chen felt more confident in their safety with Tian Yi accompanying her in combat scenarios.
Having bid farewell to the group and committed the entrance's coordinates to memory, Li Chen embarked on his solitary exploration amidst the vast expanse of the starry sky.
The proximity of numerous celestial bodies, including planets and meteors, solidified Li Chen's suspicions regarding this celestial panorama. His Eye of the Dao detected subtle vestiges of enchantments woven into their very fabric.
It appeared that these meteors and planets held something of significance.
Instead of exhilaration, this revelation instilled a heightened sense of caution within Li Chen.
Such formidable enchantments, diverging strikingly from the established techniques within the Four Realms’ Formation Path, suggested an entirely distinct lineage of mastery.
Who could say if these protective spells concealed valuable riches or lurking perils?
Approaching a diminutive meteor, Li Chen settled into a state of quiet observation.
This particular meteor, much like its brethren, was veiled in restrictive enchantments. Nevertheless, these formations remained dormant unless provoked, and without the discerning Eye of the Dao, Li Chen might have easily overlooked their presence.
Yet, he had perceived them.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Li Chen extended his hand, making contact with the meteor's surface and infusing it with his Yuan Force.
Irrespective of their divergent origins, all formations ultimately shared a common convergence. For Li Chen, an Eighth Rank Array Path Grandmaster, unraveling a restriction perceived as a mere Sixth Rank in contemporary understanding presented no insurmountable challenge.
His Yuan Force breached barrier after barrier, finally reaching the inscription's heart, which yielded with a subtle 'crack.'
The enchantments adorning the meteor’s exterior crumbled.
And at the very instant of their dissolution, a furious bellow reverberated from the meteor's core, simultaneously ensnaring Li Chen with a malevolent intent.