My gorgeous wife Chapter 1968 - 1936: Little Secret Realm Exposed
Previously on My gorgeous wife...
"This accursed place!"
A dense, misty haze enveloped the surroundings, rendering everything indistinct and impenetrable even to divine sense. For Christina, a cultivator accustomed to swift movement, this unfamiliar obscurity was disquieting.
It is not that cultivators are inherently fearless, their Dao hearts unshakable and impervious to apprehension.
When confronted with the unknown, even those who tread the path of cultivation can experience a touch of fear.
Despite being a Soul Realm expert, and even with her power suppressed to the Domain Realm Peak within this locale, Christina found herself unable to shake a subtle sense of peril amidst the mystery.
Li Chen's expression remained serene as he guided the small vessel, his Eye of the Dao ceaselessly probing the river's expanse.
His objective was to locate Tian Yi and the others.
Based on the intelligence gathered, there was little doubt that the pair had indeed ventured into the Three Lives River.
"Could they have met misfortune in the river?"
Li Chen couldn't help but cast his gaze downward.
The Eye of the Dao penetrated multiple layers of the vaporous water, yet it failed to reveal the riverbed below.
Even the Eye of the Dao was insufficient to see through it completely!
Furthermore, the surrounding mist was only partially discernible to the Eye of the Dao; it could not provide a comprehensive survey, otherwise, there would be no need to descend into the river itself.
Zhang Shutong's demeanor was remarkably composed, as if he had anticipated such a turn of events.
The mist swirled around the trio, imparting a gentle warmth and comfort upon contact, akin to the soothing rays of the winter sun, rather than any discomfort.
Progressively, a wave of profound drowsiness began to wash over them.
As the small boat continued its journey, this sensation of sleepiness intensified.
Christina was the first to succumb, letting out a yawn as she leaned against the boat's edge. "You all keep searching; I’m going to rest for a bit."
Aware of the developing situation, Li Chen intended to issue a warning. However, at that precise moment, an overwhelming wave of fatigue engulfed his mind, causing his normally resolute will to waver.
Had the sensation been malevolent, Li Chen would have marshalled all his strength to resist.
Yet, he perceived this weariness as originating from within, and the mist offered no trace of hostility, seeming instead to subtly invigorate his physical being.
"This... what exactly is... this?"
Overcome by questioning, Li Chen ceased his resistance and reclined in the boat, yielding to the encroaching sleepiness as he drifted into unconsciousness.
At this juncture, Zhang Shutong, who had appeared to be resting with his eyes closed, slowly opened them.
A deep exhaustion flickered within his gaze.
"Very well, I am no longer that which I once was. So what if I enter the dreamscape once more?"
With these words, Zhang Shutong also closed his eyes.
...
Before the Four Emperors Boundary.
A considerable assembly of powerful individuals stood in confrontation.
Prior skirmishes had resulted in mutual devastation, their previous engagements leaving all parties hesitant to engage in further protracted conflict.
Indeed, continuing their hostilities risked forfeiting any chance of victory or securing the treasures contained within the Four Emperors Boundary.
"Following the established accord, shall we each dispatch ten additional individuals?" a powerhouse from the Demon Realm proposed.
The sheer, suppressed pressure emanating from him, even at the Domain Realm, was a testament to his formidable standing.
"Youhuo Devil Lord, your suggestion is agreeable," affirmed an Immortal Domain cultivator nearby. "However, within the Four Emperors Boundary, only the fittest shall prevail. Those lacking in strength and the lesser figures have no place here, do they?"
Upon uttering these words, the Immortal Domain expert's gaze turned cold as it swept across the contingent from the Heaven Realm.
Despite the suppression of their Qi to the Domain Realm, the innate status of these cultivators remained unaltered.
The Youhuo Devil Lord of the Demon Realm was a being of immense power, comparable to a Purgatory Devil Lord!
He, Xuan Jin Dao Zun, and the Supreme God Athesis from the Divine Realm, were recognized as top-tier existences.
Only the Heaven Realm's side was represented by a few Eighth-Rank Heavenly Sovereigns.
Hearing Xuan Jin Dao Zun's statement, both the Youhuo Devil Lord and Supreme God Athesis betrayed a subtle shift in their expressions.
Resources were finite, and naturally, it was more advantageous to divide them among a smaller group. If they could compel the Heaven Realm's representatives to withdraw, it would mean fewer rivals contending for the valuable items.
The expressions of the Heaven Realm's powerhouses grew somber.
They desired to retort, but unfortunately, their strength was insufficient. Although the suppression here allowed them to barely contend, a Dao Lord remained a Dao Lord, and even within the Domain Realm, their power far surpassed what these Heaven Realm powerhouses could match.
"Lingfeng Heavenly Sovereign, do you have any strategies?" At this moment, the strongest Heavenly Sovereigns of the Heaven Realm convened, their expressions etched with grimness.
"The opposing force is clearly exploiting our deficiency of Ascended Heaven Realm Heavenly Lords. If they continue to unite, we will undoubtedly be expelled!" Lingfeng Heavenly Sovereign's expression was equally grave.
Just then, a Heaven Realm powerhouse approached the gathering of Heavenly Sovereigns.
"Reporting, esteemed sirs. We've just received intelligence that within the Regretless Mountain Range, aside from the Four Emperors Boundary, another secret realm exists, and numerous cultivators have already ventured into it."
"Another secret realm?" The brows of several Heavenly Sovereigns knitted together.
"Indeed, and it is rumored that someone discovered artifacts potentially left by the Four Emperors, possessing the aura of a Palm Realm powerhouse." The Martial Artist reported.
"The aura of a Palm Realm powerhouse!" The hearts of several Heavenly Sovereigns fluttered.
"Furthermore, there is another piece of news..."
"Speak swiftly, do not dally." Another Heavenly Sovereign interjected sternly; this Heavenly Sovereign was none other than Moluo Heavenly Lord, who had recently encountered Li Chen and his companions.
"According to certain sources, it appears our people have located... the Red Dust Heavenly King! And the item bearing the aura of a Palm Realm powerhouse seems to have ultimately been acquired by the Red Dust Heavenly King." The Martial Artist relayed cautiously.
"Red Dust Heavenly King?!"
Upon hearing this name, several Heavenly Sovereigns could not suppress their astonishment, while Moluo Heavenly Lord's expression subtly darkened.
Among the Heavenly Sovereigns assembled, only he had personally met Li Chen, which was precisely why he harbored more apprehension towards Li Chen than anyone else.
This was a formidable king capable of slaying Immortal Emperors even in external realms. Now, within the Regretless Mountain Range, where everyone's cultivation was suppressed below the Domain Realm, how overwhelming would the Red Dust Heavenly King's might be?
Despite Moluo Heavenly Lord's inherent arrogance, his core concern for the Heaven Realm contingent was undeniable.
Observing the hesitant Heavenly Sovereigns beside him, a daring notion suddenly took root in his mind.