Chapter 76: Secret Realm Qualification

"Wow, is the imperial court really that overbearing?" Zu An secretly clicked his tongue in surprise. He had never had a direct sense of the imperial court's power before, but hearing this, he truly understood how mighty the Great Zhou Dynasty of this world was.

Just hearing about these secret realms, one knew they held countless opportunities and rare treasures. Anyone who entered might have an extraordinary adventure and significantly boost their power. Yet, all of them were entirely under the control of the imperial court.

It was obvious that the various sects and rogue cultivators throughout the world couldn't resist such allure and would undoubtedly try every means to enter. However, Ji Dengtu stated that these secret realms were now all under the imperial court's control, implying that an extremely brutal struggle must have occurred before the world accepted this status quo.

"Either you submit to the imperial court and join an academy, and you'll naturally have a chance to enter. But if you refuse to submit, then don't even dream of obtaining anything from the secret realms."

Ji Dengtu chuckled, "Otherwise, why would most of the world's powerful cultivators hold positions within the imperial court?"

"Wait a minute," Zu An suddenly realized a problem. "According to you, these secret realms have existed for a very long time. With so many cultivators exploring for treasures over all these years, even a mountain of treasures would have been completely depleted by now."

Ji Dengtu shook his head and explained, "You underestimate secret realms. Each of them has its own self-contained rules. You can think of them as complete worlds, many of which are even similar in size to our own."

"They have their own natural laws, and many things within them can regenerate. It's like picking fruit – after a while, don't the fruits grow back?"

Zu An couldn't help but ask, "But what if too many people keep taking things aggressively?" He figured if it were him, he'd definitely uproot all the rare treasures. He didn't believe others wouldn't have the same idea.

"I already told you, those secret realms are complete worlds. The maps inside some even generate randomly and change each time they appear. Human exploration covers only a tiny fraction, so how could they possibly be depleted?" Ji Dengtu rolled his eyes. "Besides, secret realms aren't always open. They only open once every many years, and each opening lasts anywhere from a few days to several months."

Zu An nodded: "So you want me to go to the Yaoguang Secret Realm to find the Trace-less Illusion Lotus? From your description, this item is extremely rare, and countless powerful individuals must desire it. What qualifications do I have to snatch it from their grasp?"

Ji Dengtu waved his hand: "That's where you're mistaken. Such rare treasures aren't necessarily obtained more easily by those with greater strength. Instead, they favor individuals with deep blessings. As long as your luck is good enough and your opportunities are vast enough, the item will naturally appear before you."

"Conversely, some powerful individuals are naturally unlucky and might never encounter such divine objects in their entire lives. Of course, strong cultivators often have strong luck; those who are truly unlucky wouldn't be able to achieve great strength in the first place."

Zu An's expression immediately became conflicted. If he had known this, he wouldn't have used the Luck Pill so easily earlier. He regretted it bitterly.

Noticing his expression, Ji Dengtu thought he was worried and comforted him: "Don't worry. Even though you're useless and can't even perform *that* act, you were still chosen as the Chu family's young master-in-law. In my opinion, your luck is extraordinary. If you can enter the secret realm, you might genuinely find something."

Of course, there was one thing he didn't say: the probability of finding a divine item like the Trace-less Illusion Lotus was akin to searching for a needle in a haystack. He didn't believe anyone in this world could find it. The reason he spoke this way was mainly to protect his reputation as a divine physician. After all, he had already provided a treatment plan; if the cure wasn't achieved, it was because the medicine couldn't be found, and had nothing to do with Ji Dengtu.

Recalling the small booklet the other person had just given him, Ji Dengtu felt a bit ungenerous. He pulled out a blue pill from his sleeve and handed it to Zu An: "This is an Unsealing Pill I refined using eighty kinds of spiritual herbs. It's only missing the Trace-less Illusion Lotus as the main ingredient. Since the Trace-less Illusion Lotus is difficult to preserve for long after being picked, carry this pill with you. When you find the lotus, take both of them simultaneously, and it will remove the seal on your... 'thing'."

Zu An carefully held the small blue pill and said suspiciously, "I'm not well-read, so don't trick me. Aren't pills supposed to be carefully refined in an alchemy furnace with controlled flames? Will just mixing them and taking them together really work?"

"Are you questioning my professional integrity?" Ji Dengtu glanced at him sideways. "What kind of person do you take me for, Ji Dengtu? How could I be like those quacks? Moreover, with a divine object like the Trace-less Illusion Lotus, refining it in an alchemy furnace would only needlessly waste its medicinal properties."

Zu An couldn't help but ask, "Could it be that the Trace-less Illusion Lotus itself is what truly removes my seal, and your so-called Unsealing Pill is just there for show?"

Ji Dengtu was furious and instantly reached out to snatch the pill back: "If you don't want it, give it back!"

"I... I want it," Zu An quickly tucked the pill into his robes, forcing a smile.

Ji Dengtu then snorted, "If it weren't for that booklet you just respectfully gave me, I wouldn't have given it to you. Do you have any more stories like that? Send some more my way in the future?"

Zu An silently cursed him as an old pervert, then said, "Why don't you finish this story first, and I'll think about it later?" He couldn't give all the benefits at once; he needed to hold some back for future needs, maintaining a balance.

Hearing that there might be more stories like this, Ji Dengtu's face immediately lit up with joy: "Good, good, good. Although you're useless in other aspects, you're truly a talent in this regard, very good indeed..."

Zu An's face darkened. How could words of praise sound so much like insults?

"Oh, right, I forgot to remind you," Ji Dengtu suddenly remembered something. "Instead of worrying about not finding the Trace-less Illusion Lotus after entering the secret realm, you should first worry about whether you can even get into the secret realm."

"Huh?" Zu An was startled. "Are there more complications?"

"Of course!" Ji Dengtu looked at him as if he were an idiot. "Secret realms are very dangerous, so ordinary people shouldn't even think about it; going there would be suicide. On the other hand, they are full of opportunities and are yearned for by all cultivators. But there aren't enough resources for everyone; you can't just let anyone go, can you?"

"The secret realms in each prefecture are usually controlled by the nearest local academy. And since a prefecture has many academies, representatives will be sent before the secret realm opens. For fairness, a selection competition will be held, and only the winners will be qualified to enter the secret realm."

Zu An grew angry upon hearing this: "Are you clearly trying to trick me? I have to participate in a selection competition? Do I even have that ability?"

Although he had secretly cultivated to the third rank, there were many fifth-rank and even more fourth-rank cultivators in Brightmoon Academy, not to mention competitors from other academies. Unless he revealed all his trump cards, he might have a tiny chance of qualifying, but exposing his trump cards didn't align with his principle of "lying low."

Moreover, Ji Dengtu didn't know about his cultivation. The idea he proposed clearly meant Zu An had no chance, didn't it?

"Calm down, calm down," Ji Dengtu chuckled awkwardly. "Though you can't do it, your wife can! Young Miss Chu is arguably the most outstanding person among the younger generation. She will definitely be able to enter the secret realm. You can just have her help you find the Trace-less Illusion Lotus."

Zu An's face darkened: "According to you, that thing is so miraculous that even a single petal can boost one's cultivation by a small stage. If she found it, it would definitely be more beneficial for her to consume it herself."

Ji Dengtu righteously declared, "Isn't she your wife? If her husband is ill, isn't it her undeniable duty to help treat him? Does she really want to remain a widow for life?"

Zu An stared at him in despair, wanting to kill him. This scoundrel truly knew how to rub salt in a wound.

"However, a wife isn't always reliable. Spouses are like birds in the same forest, scattering when disaster strikes," Ji Dengtu's tone shifted, looking somewhat disgruntled. "But you seem to have other options, don't you? That big-breasted woman from Brightmoon Academy... ugh, I mean, that Pei Mianman, doesn't she also have strong feelings for you? If your wife isn't dependable, find a lover; she'll definitely help you."

He had heard his daughter Ji Xiaoxi mention what happened at the academy before and was filled with admiration: "Speaking of which, you're quite the wild one. Even though 'that thing' doesn't work, you've still managed to win the hearts of so many beautiful women. Why don't you teach me how you do it?"

Hearing him repeatedly say "doesn't work," Zu An felt like dying. He thought to himself, *Once I'm back to normal, the first thing I'll do is take your daughter, you smug bastard.* Of course, he absolutely dared not voice that thought now.

Ji Dengtu teased him for a while, and seeing no reaction, he felt a bit bored: "I almost forgot, the Chu family invited me here this time to treat your injuries."

As he spoke, he began examining Zu An and couldn't help but exclaim in wonder: "Your body is truly strange, kid. An ordinary person would have already kicked the bucket from such severe injuries. Not only are you not dead, but your recovery speed seems much faster than average."

Zu An was startled, thinking this must be the effect of the Phoenix Nirvana Sutra. After all, it was a cultivation method that improved through taking damage, so it must have unique aspects in healing and recovery; otherwise, he would surely die during training one day.

Ji Dengtu prescribed some topical and oral medicine for him, then left with an excited expression. Clearly, the newly acquired bodice and booklet made him eager to hurry home and secretly admire them.

After seeing him leave, Zu An fell into deep thought. How could he legitimately enter the secret realm and obtain that Trace-less Illusion Lotus? He didn't know how long he pondered, but gradually, a relaxed smile appeared on his lips...

The next morning, Zu An struggled to get ready for school, which greatly pleased Chu Zhongtian and Qin Wanru. They thought he was truly teachable. However, remembering his injuries, they were still worried and quickly had the manor's doctor examine him, only to find his injuries had mostly healed.

"Huh, that Ji Dengtu fellow does have some skill after all," Chu Zhongtian remarked. Naturally, he couldn't imagine this was due to Zu An's own cultivation method and subconsciously attributed it to Ji Dengtu.

Qin Wanru, standing by, covered her mouth and chuckled, "You didn't even want him to enter the manor before."

Chu Zhongtian snorted, "That fellow spent all day ogling you. He certainly didn't have good intentions, so of course I didn't welcome him."

"We're an old married couple, and you're still getting jealous," Qin Wanru couldn't help but playfully push him, her beautiful cheeks flushed like fire.