The two little beasts were also startled, their eyes wide open, not daring to believe what they were seeing. "Is this still the place we used to live?"
Chu Lingwei walked closer to the waterfall that had reshaped her spiritual meridians. The spatial energy in the river water flowing down from the waterfall rose like mist.
Not only that, but the space had doubled in size, with many areas that had not existed before.
Chu Lingwei went to the back mountain, a place that had not existed in the space before. Deep within the back mountain, there was a spiritual eye. The bead from the dragon's head that she had taken into the space was floating above the spring eye, emitting pure spiritual energy like in a secret realm.
This scenery was exactly what she had seen in the secret realm.
This bead had actually taken root in the space and was emitting spiritual energy and condensing it into beads, just like in the secret realm.
Chu Lingwei remembered that her master had been very concerned about spiritual energy condensation beads, and she felt a surge of excitement. Having this would greatly accelerate her cultivation.
"What is this place?"
Chu Lingwei arrived at a thin membrane in the back mountain. A region was enclosed by a transparent membrane, suspended in mid-air by spiritual energy.
"Weiwei, this seems to be the Hengtian Secret Realm," Huan Mao said, his eyes wide open, looking at the miniature floating mass with faint images flickering within.
The Hengtian Secret Realm was his home, and he was all too familiar with the landscape within.
"How is that possible? How could the Hengtian Secret Realm be in Weiwei's home?" Feng Ming rolled his eyes at Huan Mao. Besides, the Hengtian Secret Realm was so vast, how could it be such a small cluster?
Chu Lingwei was greatly shocked. In that small mass of space, some areas were indeed places she had seen in the secret realm.
"How could I possibly mistake my home?" Huan Mao retorted, flying to Chu Lingwei's side and stating with certainty, "Weiwei, this must be the secret realm. It's wonderful! Now I can go home whenever I want."
Chu Lingwei used her spiritual power to sense the miniaturized secret realm. As soon as her spiritual power touched the membrane, it was blocked.
She was unable to probe inside.
"My power is not enough yet to investigate inside," Chu Lingwei withdrew her spiritual power, her guess confirmed.
Just as she had thought, the space was not static. It would change as her abilities grew and external forces were absorbed.
She believed that one day, the space would become even more powerful.
After leaving the space, Chu Lingwei entered her cultivation room and began to cultivate diligently.
Life in the Cultivation Academy was very easy for Chu Lingwei. When she wanted to cultivate, no one would disturb her. No one would appear in her palace.
Five days later.
Bei Chenfeng summoned Chu Lingwei to his cave dwelling.
"Weiwei, pack your things. We are going to the Xuanxin Sect on the Xuantian Continent."
Upon hearing the name Xuanxin Sect, Chu Lingwei's eyes flickered. She had not expected to go to the Xuanxin Sect so soon, and she was surprised that her master would take her back.
Thinking of the people at the Xuanxin Sect, the hatred in Chu Lingwei's heart flared up again.
Bei Chenfeng sensed the change in his young disciple and sighed softly, "Weiwei, your path ahead is still long. Seek revenge, but do not let hatred bind your hands and feet."
Cultivators not only cultivated their spirit but also their heart.
Chu Lingwei suddenly came to her senses. Hearing her master's words, she realized that whenever the Xuanxin Sect was mentioned, her heart was filled with hatred. The hatred from her memories had already seeped into her entire being.
"Yes, Master. Your disciple understands," Chu Lingwei's expression tightened. She could not be bound by hatred.
"Good."
Bei Chenfeng gave Chu Lingwei time to prepare and, with his eldest disciple Leng Xingzhi and his youngest disciple Chu Lingwei, the three set off for the Xuanxin Sect.
Five days later.
In the great hall of the Xuanxin Sect, the sect masters or elders of various major sects were seated. Today was the day they had come to demand an explanation from the Xuanxin Sect.
Chu Chang looked at the representatives of the various sects seated in the hall, their faces stern, and his own expression was cold.
Even though he already had a solution in mind, he could not afford to lose face for the Xuanxin Sect.
"Sect Master Chu, regarding the matter of our disciples' spirit herbs being stolen, how do you intend to resolve this?" The first to speak was Lei Yuming, the Sect Master of the Shenyin Sect, who was Lei Hongyang's elder brother.
After hearing his brother's lengthy accusations, he had no good feelings towards the Xuanxin Sect.
"Sect Master Lei, I have already inquired about this matter from my unfilial daughter and there seems to be some misunderstanding." Chu Chang pursed his lips, secretly noting Lei Yuming's words.
He would make him pay for today's provocation one day.
Mu Qing, the Sect Master of the Zhaoyang Mountain Sect, smiled faintly. Zhaoyang Mountain was different from other sects; they were medical cultivators. While not skilled in combat, they could heal the soul.
This was something ordinary alchemists could not do, and no one wished to offend medical cultivators.
"Sect Master Chu, there is no misunderstanding. The fact is that you stole our spirit herbs to feed your divine beast. You should know how important spirit herbs are to Zhaoyang Mountain."
Mu Qing's subsequent words carried a subtle warning.
Chu Chang's eyes flashed with a dark light as he heard the unfriendliness in Mu Qing's words. Soon, he burst into laughter and looked at the various sect leaders in their hall.
The Xuanxin Sect was among the Five Great Sects. Normally, even if the spirit herbs of smaller sects were stolen, they would not dare to come and demand an explanation.
Those seated here were all from the Five Great Sects or sects with considerable prestige.
The Xuanxin Sect could afford to compensate these sects for their spirit herbs.
"Esteemed Sect Masters, if it is the responsibility of the Xuanxin Sect, we will not shirk it." As Chu Chang uttered this last sentence, a cold glint flashed in his eyes, and he turned to his senior disciple behind him, saying, "Go and bring Chu Xiyin here."
"Sect Master Chu, what do you mean by this?"
Upon hearing Chu Chang's final command, the assembled sect leaders could not help but frown. They had already guessed Chu Chang's intention and cursed inwardly.
Their losses were real, and they did not wish to simply hand over a person to appease them.
They wanted tangible compensation.
"Elder Wufa, please remain calm. This Sect Master will certainly provide everyone with a satisfactory explanation." Chu Chang appeared very composed, making the others uncertain if Chu Chang would truly hand over his own daughter for them to deal with.
Soon, Chu Xiyin was brought into the great hall.
"Daughter pays respects to Father, and greets all Sect Masters and Elders." Chu Xiyin entered the hall and knelt on the ground, her face ashen.
Three days ago, her father had already sealed her spiritual power, leaving her like a cripple, at the mercy of others.
"Xiyin, your father cannot shield you from the mistakes you have made," Chu Chang said, looking at his daughter with feigned grief and sorrow.
Chu Xiyin's body went limp, and the sliver of hope in her heart vanished. Was her father abandoning her?
"Father, please, spare your daughter."