Chapter 1037: Bustling Activity

Among those present, there were not a few who were well-traveled and knowledgeable, and they all had similar guesses about the current situation. However, they had not dared to confirm it before. Now, hearing Lei Yuce say so, they naturally believed most of it, and their expressions turned somewhat grim.

Now that the entrance was gone and the entire secret realm space showed signs of collapse, were so many people going to be inexplicably trapped and die here?

“Everyone need not worry. Since this is the Daluo Cave Mansion, there must be a way to leave. Although this secret realm space is weakening, in my opinion, it should be safe for at least a month, enough time for us to find a way out.” Seeing this, Lei Yuce spoke again.

Hearing this, the crowd of cultivators, after a stir, finally calmed down a bit, though many still looked terrified.

“Everyone, please calm down and listen to me.” Wen Zhong, standing beside Lei Yuce, stepped forward and said in a loud voice.

His voice was not loud, but it was extremely clear in everyone's ears, as if he were speaking right beside them.

At this moment, the crowd was unsettled, and upon hearing this, they all looked over.

“This cave mansion secret realm is indeed somewhat eerie. Not only is time pressing, but the dangers ahead are unknown. If everyone runs around recklessly, I fear we won't get any treasures and will only increase casualties. In my opinion, we might as well act together and form an alliance. Even if there are dangers ahead, with our combined strength, we can surely overcome them. What do you all think?” Wen Zhong said with a smile.

“That's right, it's better to act together. Most of us here are reputable figures, and it hasn't been easy to cultivate to this point. There's no need to lose our lives over some intangible legends.” Jin Liu of the Tianshui Sect also spoke up.

The others exchanged glances upon hearing their words, and for a moment, no one spoke.

Most people's first reaction to Wen Zhong's suggestion was to refuse. Acting together would inevitably require following orders. They were all powerful figures from various factions, coming here to seek opportunities and fortunes, and no one wanted to take orders from others.

But the present immortal mansion secret realm was indeed strange. Who knew what dangers lay deeper? There were benefits to acting together.

Moreover, the proposal for an alliance was put forward by the Tongtian Sword Sect, and the Tianshui Sect also agreed.

Furthermore, the Tongtian Sword Sect, the Tianshui Sect, and the Jinyuan Immortal Palace were the three giants of the Jinyuan Immortal Domain. Now that the Jinyuan Immortal Palace was weakening, the Tongtian Sword Sect and the Tianshui Sect had grown in power and prestige. The people present were all from small and medium-sized forces; how could they dare to refuse outright?

“Everyone, don't worry too much. This alliance is only temporary, and the rules won't be many. Any treasures you find in the secret realm will be yours to keep. However, your actions within this secret realm must follow the alliance's arrangements, and you must not act on your own.” Wen Zhong said again.

Hearing this, most of the cultivators breathed a sigh of relief.

The alliance had few rules, and any treasures found would belong to themselves, which was acceptable. So they all nodded.

“Since everyone agrees, the alliance is officially established.” Lei Yuce said in a loud voice, sweeping his gaze over the crowd.

As Lei Yuce's gaze swept over them, everyone felt a chill in their hearts and instinctively averted their eyes, not daring to meet his gaze.

“Now that the alliance is established, as the saying goes, a snake cannot move without a head. The position of alliance leader should also be decided. Vice Sect Leader Lei is unmatched in strength among us, so he should be the leader. Fairy Su is second only to Vice Sect Leader Lei in strength, so she should be the deputy leader. What do you all think?” Wen Zhong said.

The few from the Tianshui Sect exchanged glances but said nothing, obviously acquiescing.

This alliance was spearheaded by the Tongtian Sword Sect, and the Tianshui Sect also agreed. The others had already guessed this arrangement, so no one opposed it.

“Since everyone shows me such favor, I will not decline. I will set one rule here: no one is allowed to attack their companions. Can you all do that?” Lei Yuce said in a deep voice.

“We obey the alliance leader's command!” Hearing that this was the only rule, which was hardly a rule, naturally no one objected.

“Good, then let's set off and thoroughly explore this Taisui Mansion!” Lei Yuce waved his hand and flew ahead first.

The others followed one after another, soon arriving at the palace where Han Li had previously been in seclusion.

The golden beam of light that had risen from the great hall had now disappeared without a trace.

Seeing the palace, everyone was delighted. Some impatient ones were about to fly down to search the palace.

“Don't act rashly! Wait for the alliance leader's instructions!” Wen Zhong stepped forward and shouted in a deep voice.

Hearing this, those few remembered that they were now under the alliance's jurisdiction and reluctantly stopped.

“Wen Zhong, Jin Liu, the Green Vine Valley Master, and the Ink Fragrance Pavilion Master, each of you lead a team to inspect the palace.” Lei Yuce said.

The four of them acknowledged and soon led their teams flying down into the palace below.

The others were extremely envious but had no choice.

However, in less than a moment, the four flew back with grim expressions.

“Alliance Leader, the things in the palace below have all been taken by someone. There are also signs of a fight, and they look very fresh. It seems someone entered this secret realm before us.” Wen Zhong said with a dark face.

Hearing this, the crowd erupted in uproar.

“Are you sure?” Lei Yuce frowned and asked in a deep voice.

“Absolutely certain.” Wen Zhong affirmed.

“Could it be that someone has already been to this ruin? Regardless, let's continue forward.” Lei Yuce frowned deeply, thought for a moment, then gave the order.

The alliance members followed orders and continued forward, soon exiting the canyon. The view suddenly opened up, becoming quite vast, which lifted everyone's spirits.

Lei Yuce also secretly relaxed. The secret realm before them was so vast that even if someone had infiltrated, they couldn't possibly scour every place in a short time.

Moreover, the other party clearly hadn't left yet. If they really found something, he wouldn't mind using some means to make them comply.

“Wen Zhong, Fellow Daoist Jin Liu, divide the people present into twenty teams. Each team will investigate one direction. Don't go too far; return and gather in half a day.” Lei Yuce instructed.

Wen Zhong and the others acknowledged and quickly divided the teams. Each chose a direction and set off to investigate.

When dividing the search areas, the Green Vine Valley, Ink Fragrance Pavilion, and other forces were assigned to remote areas, while the Tongtian Sword Sect and Tianshui Sect headed deeper into the secret realm.

The people from Green Vine Valley and other sects were dissatisfied, but circumstances were stronger than them, so they dared not say anything.

Meanwhile, somewhere in the secret realm.

In a misty hilly area, the air was filled with a faint scent of medicinal herbs.

The hills were divided into three layers, covering an area of several hundred zhang. The whole area was a spiritual medicine garden, planted with all kinds of spiritual herbs and immortal grasses, each with an age of at least tens of thousands of years.

At that moment, over a hundred giant ape puppets were laboriously digging up various spiritual medicines on the three layers of hills, tirelessly transporting them out of the medicine garden.

In the void outside the medicine garden stood a huge silver light gate, behind which connected to another medicine garden.

At this moment, Han Li was standing at the entrance of the silver light gate, directing the giant ape puppets to methodically transplant the relocated spiritual medicines into the medicine garden within the Huazhi Cave Heaven according to their properties.

Just then, Ti Hun walked out from one side of the Huazhi Cave Heaven and said:

“Master, the spiritual medicines with an age of over a million years have basically been planted. Those unsuitable for transplanting have also been harvested and all sorted and placed in the Medicine Collection Building.”

“The number of spiritual fields we've opened in our medicine garden is limited. There shouldn't be much space left by now, right?” Han Li frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and asked.

“There's none left…” Ti Hun shook her head and said.

“The transplanted spiritual medicines were already planted at the minimum spacing ratio. Later, when new spiritual fields are opened, they will need to be transplanted again, otherwise it will affect their growth.” Han Li nodded and said.

After speaking, he paused, glanced at the distant sky, and his expression changed slightly.

“What's wrong?” Ti Hun saw this and quickly asked.

“The immortal mansion secret realm has appeared, and outsiders have already entered… No, if we keep moving like this, we won't have enough time. It seems we'll have to resort to the same trick again.” Han Li said thoughtfully.

“The same trick? Master means…” Ti Hun was slightly startled.

“Don't bother with these spiritual medicines for now. Just direct the puppets to transplant all the Nine-Leaf Ice Grass, Tianyang Tonghua, and Zhongling Grass into the cave heaven's spiritual fields. Even if they are less than ten thousand years old, move them all, leaving not a single one behind. As for other immature spiritual medicines, there's no need to transplant them.” Han Li said.

“Master, Nine-Leaf Ice Grass and Tianyang Tonghua are both compatible spiritual medicines needed for refining various Dao Pills. I can understand transplanting them even if they are not mature. But Zhongling Grass is not a rare thing. Why transplant it too?” Ti Hun asked in confusion.

“You wouldn't know this. Although Zhongling Grass is not rare, it has the effect of aiding catalysis. Planted together with the first two grasses, if the age is sufficient, the Nine-Leaf Ice Grass may produce a special kind of Nine-Leaf Ice Flame Grass, and the Tianyang Tonghua may produce a mutated Tianyang Fire Tonghua.” Han Li said with a smile.

“I see. There are so many intricacies.” Ti Hun said in realization, nodding, and was about to turn and leave.

“By the way, where is the Essence Flame Firebird?” Han Li suddenly called her back and asked.

“The day before yesterday, it got a Nine Yang Fire Gall from that Ziyang Tower. After eating it, it seemed a bit uncomfortable and has been hiding in the Lotus Pond Bamboo Building without coming out.” Ti Hun replied.

Hearing this, Han Li couldn't help but feel a mix of amusement and exasperation.

The Essence Flame Firebird had just eaten the Seven-Colored Fire Dan Sand not long ago, and now it had devoured the Nine Yang Fire Gall, whose flame power was only slightly inferior to the Fire Dan Sand. Wouldn't that cause problems?

But thinking of the smug look the creature had before, Han Li felt a bit more at ease. The Essence Flame Firebird was no longer what it used to be. If it were to unleash its true fire, even Han Li himself would find it troublesome to deal with.