My gorgeous wife Chapter 1982 - 1950: Second Layer of the Little Secret Realm

"Awake, awake!"

Upon witnessing Li Chen's eyes flutter open, those gathered around him promptly let out exclamations of relief.

A collective sigh of assurance escaped them when they observed the smile gracing Li Chen's visage.

Christina, her gaze fixed on Li Chen, inquired with curiosity, "What transpired with you just moments ago?"

"It was nothing significant," Li Chen responded, shaking his head. "I merely had a dream."

"A dream?" Zhang Shutong mused, stroking his chin. "Now that you mention it, I do recall a similar sensation upon entering the Three Births River. It felt as though I drifted into sleep, and within that dream, I relived moments from when I was a World-Destroying Beast. However, perhaps because the dream lacked substance, I awoke after a short period."

"Did you all experience something similar?" Li Chen couldn't help but inquire.

Christina offered a nod of confirmation, though Li Chen detected a shadow of melancholy flicker across her features.

"Ah, Xinxin, Tian Yi, you are here as well?" Li Chen's attention shifted to the two young women by his side, realizing they must have come seeking them.

Tian Yi, extending a slender finger to tap her chin, hummed thoughtfully, "Earlier, we encountered a formidable individual. Since we were outmatched, we made haste to arrive here."

"It was truly that straightforward?" Li Chen asked, a touch of astonishment in his voice.

"Precisely that straightforward," Bai Tianyi affirmed with unwavering certainty.

Li Chen then turned to Zhang Shutong, positioned beside him, and posed the question, "Have we successfully crossed the Three Births River?"

"Indeed, we have crossed," Zhang Shutong confirmed with a nod. "To be precise, you remained in a state of slumber for the majority of the transit, and it was I who navigated the boat to bring us to this side."

Li Chen was rendered momentarily speechless.

At this juncture, Li Chen directed his curiosity towards Tian Yi. "Given that flight is restricted around the Three Births River, how then did you manage to traverse it?"

"We simply walked across," Bai Tianyi replied with an air of innocent simplicity. "Are we not cultivators? Faced with such a river, even without the ability to fly, is it not logical to walk across?"

Li Chen found himself at a loss for words once more.

Even Christina regarded Bai Tianyi with a peculiar expression.

To traverse a river like that by walking! Such a nonchalant assertion!

The Three Births River was known to subsume all, allowing not even a feather to float, so how could one possibly just walk across?

Yet, Zhang Shutong maintained his composure.

Perhaps due to his extensive age, or his nature as a Destroyer, little seemed to elicit surprise from him.

The subject was not pursued further, and all attention shifted to observing their immediate surroundings.

"Upon your arrival, did you conduct an investigation of the vicinity?" Li Chen inquired.

"We took a preliminary look, and it appears there is no immediate danger," Yang Xin responded. "However, we have not ventured extensively from this location."

"Yes, yes," Bai Tianyi quickly interjected. "Although the individual pursuing us possessed considerable power, for reasons unknown, they ceased their pursuit as we crossed the river. Later, feeling peckish, I spotted the river and thought to try my hand at catching some fish. Alas, no luck thus far."

As she spoke, Bai Tianyi's brow furrowed slightly with a hint of vexation.

Li Chen and the others were once again left without words.

While Tian Yi and her companions might have been unaware, they certainly knew: this was the River of Drowning! Attempting to fish in such waters? Did they mistake the True River of Three Lives for an ordinary stream?

"Have you sensed that the Spiritual Qi here feels more concentrated than in the starry void we previously occupied?" Christina suddenly remarked.

Li Chen focused his senses, and indeed, she was correct.

Furthermore, the landscape had transformed. Beyond the Three Births River, the void of the starry sky had given way to a solid continent!

It appeared to be genuine land on the opposite bank, and the environment bore a striking resemblance to a miniature world.

"Could we have entered the second stratum of the Little Secret Realm?" Li Chen ventured a speculation, turning to Christina for insight.

"Do not look to me for answers; I possess no such knowledge. As I've stated previously, my exploration extended only to its periphery, and I dared not venture deeper," Christina quickly demurred, waving her hand.

"Understood," Li Chen nodded, refraining from further inquiry.

For him, the answer to this question seemed less critical than the present reality.

Since they had arrived, dwelling here was the logical course of action.

Following their recent exchange, Li Chen felt a profound sense of release, as if a dam within him had broken, allowing him to cast off lingering burdens.

The final vestiges of hesitation and uncertainty within Li Chen's heart completely dissipated.

He now understood that his path lay forward, and forward only.

Whatever challenges awaited him, he would face them with unyielding resolve.

"Are we the first to have entered the second stratum of the Little Secret Realm?" Christina couldn't suppress her curiosity.

"On that particular point, you may be misinformed." Just as Christina's question hung in the air, a cold, resonant laugh echoed from a distance.

The sound immediately put the group on high alert.

Li Chen's eyes narrowed slightly.

"To think I would encounter the fabled Three Births River!" the voice intensified, tinged with delight. "The Three Births River and its accompanying Three Lives Bridge were once esteemed treasures of the Buddhist Realm. Who could have fathomed they would find their way here after the Buddhist Realm's demise? It must be destiny! Hahahaha!"

From the skies above, a contingent of over ten individuals descended into the view of Li Chen and his companions. A quick assessment confirmed to Li Chen that these were indeed formidable cultivators from the Demon Realm.

"It appears there are other entry points besides the Three Births River," Li Chen remarked to those standing nearby, shrugging casually.

"And more than one, it seems," added Zhang Shutong.

Indeed, at that very moment, in addition to this group from the Demon Realm, strong figures were converging from various other directions. Among the approaching cultivators were solitary individuals, organized groups from different factions, and even mixed parties comprising members from disparate realms, much like Li Chen's own ensemble.

"Red Dust Heavenly King Li Chen!" An exclaimed Immortal Realm expert, upon recognizing Li Chen who had seemingly returned to his original guise, narrowed his eyes. "Previously, you infiltrated our Immortal Domain with nefarious intent and caused great harm to many of our brethren. Today, we have finally cornered you!"

"Compatriots of the Immortal Domain, the hour for vengeance is upon us!" the Immortal Realm expert incited, and promptly, a throng of Immortal Domain cultivators gravitated towards him.

"Indeed, what a sheer coincidence," Li Chen acknowledged, a chilling glint momentarily crossing his eyes. "What message do you bring for me?"

"Message?" The Immortal Realm expert retorted with a sneer. "What words can be exchanged with a butcher like you, who slaughters indiscriminately without regard for the lives of beings across all realms? Today, your fate is sealed – you shall perish!"

"Hold!" At this critical juncture, a commanding figure from the Demon Realm stepped forward, halting the proceedings. "Naturally, should you be willing to surrender the Supreme Treasure you possess to us, our Demon Realm might contemplate sparing your life, albeit by crippling your cultivation."

"Is that so?" Li Chen's smile widened, yet the icy sharpness in his eyes intensified further.