My gorgeous wife Chapter 1989 - 1957: Second Layer of the Little Secret Realm

A satisfying meal concluded, and the assembled group made ready to resume their journey.

"We've now entered the second layer of the Little Secret Realm. There ought to be a considerable number of valuable items concealed within. However, whether you manage to discover these so-called treasures will hinge entirely on your personal destiny," Li Chen remarked, his gaze sweeping across the surroundings.

Leng Yao and the others exchanged glances before cupping their hands respectfully towards Li Chen. "We shall follow the lead of the ancient Red Dust Heavenly King!"

Nevertheless, Li Chen responded to Leng Yao's declaration with a slight shake of his head. "As I've stated, this is the second layer of the Little Secret Realm. Each individual here carves their own path based on destiny. Clinging to me offers no benefit and might even cause you to forfeit your own unique opportunities."

"We may not necessarily require opportunities," Leng Yao replied, looking at Li Chen with an expression that suggested unspoken thoughts.

Li Chen offered a knowing smile and waved his hand dismissively. "I comprehend your intentions."

"Were you dispatched by the denizens of the Heaven Realm to safeguard me? Or perhaps to protect the Supreme Treasure, ensuring it doesn't fall into the wrong hands from other realms, am I correct?" Li Chen inquired softly, his eyes fixed on Leng Yao and his companions.

Leng Yao's countenance immediately shifted to one of awkwardness. This was, in truth, their assigned mission. Yet, it now appeared that Li Chen possessed no need for their protection whatsoever. Far from requiring protection, based on the formidable abilities Li Chen had previously displayed, they themselves were likely the ones in need of safeguarding.

Indeed, it could be asserted that as long as they remained under the suppressive conditions of this Regretless Mountain Range, Li Chen's capabilities rendered him fearless against any adversary!

"Very well," Li Chen addressed Leng Yao. "This Little Secret Realm is replete with valuable discoveries. Do not squander this chance. It's quite possible this locale is not substantially dissimilar to the actual Four Emperors Territory. Furthermore, within such confines, I genuinely fear no one."

Li Chen chuckled and continued, "Even if confined within this territory and suppressed to the Domain Realm, I would readily engage in an arm-wrestling match with any Ninth Order expert who dares to appear here."

Upon hearing Li Chen's bold declaration, Leng Yao found himself with nothing further to say.

He acknowledged the veracity of Li Chen's statement.

The technique Li Chen had employed previously with the Bagua Array Diagram was undeniably awe-inspiring. Possessing such a formidable skill, it was indeed plausible for him to contend with a Ninth Order expert.

After all, this was the Regretless Mountain Range, a place where even a Dao Lord level cultivator would find their power significantly diminished!

To be perfectly candid, the suppression exerted by the Regretless Mountain Range held no intrinsic connection to the mountains themselves.

The true link resided with the Four Emperors Territory!

Wherever the influence of the Four Emperors Territory manifested, all beings within its vicinity would experience a suppression of their powers.

This was, after all, a pocket dimension or secret realm meticulously preserved by a powerhouse who had attained the Palm Realm.

According to ancient legends, unless one possessed the ability to ascend beyond the Palm Realm, within the domains where the Four Emperors Territory made its presence known, all inhabitants were destined to be constrained by the sheer will and authority of the Four Emperors Territory itself.

Ultimately, Li Chen and the contingent of Heaven Realm cultivators went their separate ways.

As Li Chen himself had articulated, each person was destined to encounter their own unique opportunities within this realm, and retaining their company offered no advantage to him.

"We should all disperse," Li Chen announced with a smile to the individuals accompanying him. "As we've done before, let's maintain a method of contact. And remember, do not venture too far afield, lest you lose the sensitivity to my Sword Intent."

"Understood."

The assembled individuals acknowledged his instruction with nods and then separated once more, commencing their individual quests for fortune.

This place was an abundant treasure trove, and to neglect its thorough exploration would be a regrettable waste.

Following the others' departure, Li Chen did not hasten his own, but instead, he stealthily trailed Yang Xin and Tian Yi.

This was a matter he could not overlook.

Yang Xin and Tian Yi had recounted their ordeal, detailing how they were pursued all the way to the vicinity of the Three Births River.

Within this peculiar locale, every cultivator's power was artificially suppressed down to the Domain Realm. Logically, given Tian Yi's formidable capabilities, she ought to have been virtually invincible against peers at her level.

Yet, what manner of entity could reduce even Tian Yi to such a state of helplessness?

Li Chen had previously inquired about this, but neither Yang Xin nor Tian Yi could offer any description of the assailant's appearance, nor could they identify the specific cultivation methodology or the Law Power that the individual had wielded.

Such an unknown entity constituted a profound and undeniable threat.

For Li Chen personally, this mysterious assailant posed a danger perhaps even more terrifying than the relentless pursuit from the forces of the Three Realms.

The lingering unease stemming from the need to uncover the identity of this unidentified expert left Li Chen deeply unsettled.

Maintaining a silent watch from behind Yang Xin and Tian Yi, Li Chen enveloped himself using the Darkness Law and seamlessly merged with the flowing winds through the Law of Wind, meticulously minimizing his presence.

He even kept the Space Law readily accessible, prepared to instantly withdraw into the spatial folds at a moment's notice.

This level of concealment reached an apex of near-absolute perfection.

Even Tian Yi's heightened senses were incapable of perceiving Li Chen's presence, let alone those of any lesser perception.

Silently shadowing Yang Xin and Tian Yi, Li Chen advanced through the landscape without a sound.

Li Chen’s prior assumption proved correct; the second layer of the Little Secret Realm did possess alternative entry points, and a considerable number of them, by the looks of it.

This was evident from the stream of cultivators he observed ascending from the First Layer.

Among them were faces he didn't recognize, clearly indicating they were recent arrivals.

A degree of discontent arose among some established cultivators who felt newcomers were gaining access without 'paying the entry fee.' However, without concrete grounds for confrontation, the situation was left as is.

Witnessing the friction between cultivators from different realms brought a flicker of amusement to Li Chen.

Swiftly, however, he concealed his presence until he was utterly undetectable, continuing his discreet pursuit of the two women.

In stark contrast to the star-filled expanse of the first layer, the second stratum of the Little Secret Realm unfolded as a vast Void Continent. Abundant Spiritual Herbs and Immortal Medicine flourished here, and unlike the first layer, there seemed to be no colossal sealed beasts. For many, this layer offered considerable bounty.

Yet, the notion that this, the second layer of a secret realm, offered merely these resources seemed difficult for some to accept.

The truly significant treasures, it was believed, had yet to reveal themselves.

Li Chen meticulously scrutinized every cultivator that came into view, giving each a thorough examination.

An investigation was paramount, for the expert who had pursued Tian Yi and Yang Xin was undoubtedly an individual of immense power – a figure far from ordinary. Li Chen was convinced that this person's intervention would inevitably lead to considerable challenges for him.

His gaze swept across each cultivator, yet their auras felt mundane, lacking any distinguishing power.

Just as Li Chen considered withdrawing his attention and resuming his tail of Yang Xin and Tian Yi, a faint tremor of Qi pulsed in the vicinity behind him.

This sudden surge of Qi caused Li Chen's eyes to narrow discernibly.