Chapter 192: The Patriarch Emerges from Seclusion

Dong Feng stared at Chen Fei in shock.

He wanted to shout, That giant python was killed by you! It has absolutely nothing to do with me!

But he wasn’t stupid—having secrets could help strengthen their relationship. Otherwise, even if he made it out of the Xianle Secret Realm alive, what could he do? With Chen Fei’s status, dealing with a mere registered disciple like him would be as easy as flipping a hand.

Dong Feng immediately patted his chest and said, “Senior Brother Chen, don’t worry! I didn’t see anything, and I don’t know anything either!”

“Good!” Chen Fei nodded in satisfaction, then casually handed over the python’s skin and scales to Dong Feng.

“If anyone asks, just say we picked them up in the secret realm. As for the rest, we know nothing.” Chen Fei glanced back at the sealed area where the giant python had been and warned Dong Feng.

Dong Feng no longer refused and nodded obediently.

Now that’s what it means to hug a thigh! He had done absolutely nothing and still gained such benefits—this was a true opportunity!

“Senior Brother Chen, where are we headed next?” Dong Feng asked eagerly.

Chen Fei smiled and was just about to answer when a sudden disturbance rose within him, and his expression changed slightly. “Wait a moment! I need to sit and meditate!”

Dong Feng reacted quickly and immediately raised the Thousand-Layered Pagoda. “Don’t worry, Senior Brother Chen! I’ll protect you!”

Before Chen Fei could say anything, he closed his eyes.

The disturbance came from the Void Heaven Cauldron!

At that moment, the cauldron was filled with strands of dark red blood threads—highly tenacious and now entwining themselves within the cauldron!

What are these things?! Chen Fei frowned, quickly realizing these were the same dark red threads that had been wrapped around the python’s body. Weren’t those supposed to be a sealing force? How did they end up inside the cauldron?

Currently, the cauldron was merely maintaining a defensive barrier to prevent the blood threads from getting close.

Chen Fei immediately began refining them using the Void Heaven Cauldron.

He soon felt a surge of powerful blood essence spreading from within the cauldron. His already-elevated cultivation surged even higher!

Simultaneously, a wave of extremely pure spiritual energy flowed into his sea of consciousness, causing the embryonic form of his Dao Core to become even more defined.

Such powerful blood essence! Chen Fei couldn’t help but marvel. Even under such intense refinement by the Void Heaven Cauldron, the blood threads were only barely being broken down. Yet the spiritual and physical energy they provided far surpassed the giant python itself!

Chen Fei grew increasingly curious about the true nature of these threads.

Still, the blood threads were essentially rootless and, under the voracious refinement of the cauldron, were quickly consumed.

Using this energy, Chen Fei’s cultivation soared directly to the peak of the Seventh-grade Dao Realm!

A leap from Third-grade to Seventh-grade—a full minor realm breakthrough!

However, to absorb these blood threads, the cauldron also consumed the python’s inner core and gallbladder. When Chen Fei opened his eyes again, his vision had grown far clearer—even distant objects appeared sharper than before.

What a treasure! Having once lost his sight, the improvement in his vision filled him with unspeakable joy.

“Senior Brother Chen?” Dong Feng cautiously asked.

“Let’s go, Junior Brother Dong. But first, we’ll scour this place thoroughly!” Chen Fei smiled and stood up.

The giant python was clearly extraordinary. Even in death, its oppressive aura remained, making this area relatively safe.

Since he had come to the Xianle Secret Realm, he intended to leave with gains. He led Dong Feng in searching the surrounding area. Likely due to being untouched for many years, the medicinal herbs here were incredibly abundant.

Though not rare treasures, these herbs could be freely taken out of the realm. Even if exchanged for contribution points, they would fetch at least 5000 points!

Dong Feng’s gains should be similar—his barely contained smile was proof enough.

“Senior Brother Chen, where are we going next?” Dong Feng had now fully committed to following Chen Fei—he was practically swimming in benefits.

“To the Fire Canyon,” Chen Fei replied after some thought.

He had promised others before entering this realm. The Ziyang Saintess’s need—the Heavenly River Star Sand Water—was already found. As for Miao Yue’s required Heavenly Restraining Grass, it was a matter of luck.

Cold Moon’s target, the Illusory Heart Flame, was relatively easier to locate.

Of course, “easier” only meant that there were directional clues. Acquiring it would still be no simple task.

“Fire Canyon, huh?” Dong Feng blinked in surprise.

“What? You have a mission too?” Chen Fei asked curiously.

Dong Feng scratched his head sheepishly. “Yeah… Fire Canyon has a lot of Fire Crystals. They’re useful forging materials. If I can bring some out, they’ll be great for my cultivation path!”

“I’m after the Illusory Heart Flame,” Chen Fei stated frankly, not hiding his goal.

“The Illusory Heart Flame? Senior Brother Chen, you’re asking the right person! I actually know where it is! But… getting it won’t be easy!” Dong Feng’s eyes lit up—he could finally be of help to Chen Fei!

“You know where it is? Then there’s no time to waste—let’s go!” Chen Fei was surprised but pleased. If they could locate the Illusory Heart Flame sooner, they’d have more time to search for the Heavenly Restraining Grass—and might just find it!

Meanwhile, outside the Xianle Secret Realm, the surrounding space had turned into a bloody red landscape.

On a sacrificial altar atop the scarlet ground…

Wang Fang sat cross-legged, eyes closed. Suspended in front of him was a red orb. Connected to the orb was an elderly man—his appearance utterly pitiful.

The old man had white hair and beard, his body withered like a corpse. Worse still, two iron pipa locks pierced through his shoulder blades.

Behind him stretched thick chains, their size mismatched to the old man’s frail body.

“What’s going on?” the elder suddenly opened his eyes.

But his eyes had no pupils—making him look completely blind.

Wang Fang also slowly opened his eyes. “Senior, what happened?”

“Likely the Heaven-Pillar Holy Land’s backup plan,” the elder snorted coldly. “But who am I? I am the Blood Sect Patriarch! According to your account, the outside must already be in chaos. This is our chance!”

“They might have detected something, but they’ll never suspect I’m using their own seal to corrupt the other realm beasts. These beasts are perfect nourishment! We can’t wait any longer—it’s time to harvest!”

The Blood Sect Patriarch let out a sinister laugh and suddenly shrugged his shoulders violently.

Wang Fang quickly stowed away the red orb and respectfully stepped aside.

Blood-red markings surfaced on the Patriarch’s hands. Ignoring the chains’ golden glow, he raised his head and roared.

Then something eerie happened—the golden glow covering the chains was swiftly tainted by blood threads, which funneled directly into the old man’s body.

Seizing the opportunity, the Blood Sect Patriarch exerted all his strength—and shattered the chains with brute force!

“Hahaha! I’m finally free! Old dog, I can’t wait to see the look on your face! Hahahaha!” the Blood Sect Patriarch laughed wildly, his body shaking.

A surge of dense blood energy erupted from the crimson earth, rushing into his body once more.