Chapter 172: Chen Ying Explores the Secret Realm

"Senior, have you gained anything?" Li Fan asked from a distance, without approaching.

"Heh heh, I got lucky." Chen Ying showed a hint of pride on his face. "The lingering icy power here is quite extraordinary. It's similar to the Ice-Intention Heartless Pill I refine, both having the effect of calming the mind, settling the spirit, and stabilizing emotions."

"In fact, the level of that power is even superior to the Ice-Intention Heartless Pill. With this epiphany, I am confident I can improve the pill formula. I expect the improved Heartless Pill's efficacy will increase significantly."

Li Fan's face showed envy, and he said, "It's a pity that I, your junior, am dull-witted and couldn't sense the icy power Senior mentioned. Such an opportunity was right before me, yet I couldn't comprehend it. It's truly heartbreaking!"

Chen Ying laughed heartily, "The fundamental level of this power is even above the Nascent Soul stage. It's normal that a small Foundation Establishment cultivator like you can't sense it."

"If I hadn't regularly taken the Ice-Intention Heartless Pill and become extremely familiar with similar powers, I probably wouldn't have been able to detect its traces either."

Chen Ying looked at Li Fan and comforted him, "I gained a lot this time, and you played an indispensable role. I won't go back on my word. Tell me, what reward do you want? Contribution points? Pills? Or something else?"

Li Fan's expression became serious. "This junior dares not claim credit. I will leave it entirely to Senior to decide!"

Chen Ying was very pleased with Li Fan's attitude.

After a moment of thought, he took out a small jade Heavenly Profound Mirror and immediately transferred thirty thousand contribution points to Li Fan on the spot.

Then, he handed Li Fan a spiritual talisman and said, "Contribution points are quite versatile. You can buy whatever you need through the Heavenly Profound Mirror yourself. This is my communication talisman; if you have any alchemy needs in the future, you can contact me."

"Ah..."

As if remembering something, Chen Ying continued, "Oh, right, I might not be in Congyun Sea for a while. The headquarters recently discovered a grotto-heaven that has been sealed for a thousand years. It has extremely rich wood-attribute spiritual energy, making it particularly suitable for cultivating various spiritual plants. The headquarters is drawing personnel from various places to prepare for its development."

"I've received notice and will also be going there. You might not be able to reach me then."

Listening, Li Fan's heart stirred. He knew this grotto-heaven was likely the culprit behind the plummeting prices of Spirit Mist Grass. In fact, it wasn't just Spirit Mist Grass; the prices of most herbs and spiritual plants on the market were affected by its output, leading to sharp declines.

That was secondary. Most astonishingly, four other grotto-heavens were hidden near this wood-attribute grotto-heaven.

These five great grotto-heavens, corresponding to the Five Elements of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth, subtly formed a formation.

This later even triggered a conflict between the Myriad Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders' Society.

But for such confidential information, you just casually blurted it out. Is that really okay?

Li Fan looked at Chen Ying, feeling a mix of amusement and exasperation.

It seemed this person truly lacked any sense of guardedness.

Immediately after, Chen Ying took out another communication talisman: "This is my assistant, Mu Rong's communication talisman. He's a Mid-Core Formation cultivator, and his alchemy skills are also quite good. When I'm not around, just contact him. I'll inform him before I leave."

Li Fan put away both talismans and said gratefully, "Thank you for your generosity, Senior. I will certainly not forget this great kindness!"

"Hahaha! Our acquaintance is also a matter of fate. I simply find you likable, so I'm just taking a bit more care of you. There's no need to talk about great kindness!" Chen Ying waved his hand dismissively.

"Now that matters here are settled, I need to go back and research how to improve the pill formula, so I won't linger."

After speaking, Chen Ying was about to leave.

"Senior, wait!" Li Fan stopped him.

"Oh? What else is it?" Chen Ying was surprised.

He watched Li Fan hesitate, looking as if he didn't know whether to speak, and frowned, instructing, "Don't be so wishy-washy! Just say it!"

Li Fan observed his demeanor and roughly understood his character.

Only then did he speak up and ask, "Just now, I heard Senior mention 'further exploration of the Fallen Immortal Realm'."

"Since I began cultivating, I've known about the existence of supreme cultivators in this world at the Dao Integration and Longevity stages."

"But I've never heard any rumors about Immortals."

"Therefore, regarding this Fallen Immortal Realm that Senior spoke of, I am extremely curious."

"What kind of place is this Fallen Immortal Realm? Did a true Immortal really fall here?"

Li Fan's gaze was burning with seemingly endless curiosity as he stared intently at Chen Ying.

"Oh, it's about that!" Chen Ying realized.

Instead of immediately answering Li Fan's question, he asked, "What is your current cultivation level?"

Because Li Fan had activated the Trace Erasing Talisman, Chen Ying couldn't discern his true cultivation level at the moment.

"This junior is currently at the late Foundation Establishment stage," Li Fan answered truthfully.

"Late Foundation Establishment..."

Chen Ying pondered for a moment before continuing, "Originally, this matter was only known to cultivators at the Core Formation stage and above. However, since you're already at the late Foundation Establishment stage, I presume you're not far from breaking through to Core Formation."

"Learning about it in advance won't cause any significant harm."

Chen Ying paused, then admonished with a serious expression, "However, you must remember this: merely knowing about the Fallen Immortal Realm is enough. Before you advance to the Core Formation stage, your spiritual sense won't be strong enough, so absolutely do not attempt to explore it. Otherwise, not only will your spiritual sense be damaged, but your cultivation foundation will also be harmed. In severe cases, it could even render forming a core impossible."

"Spiritual sense not strong enough..." Li Fan silently repeated to himself, then nodded in acknowledgment.

He then immediately reacted, asking with some surprise, "This Fallen Immortal Realm? Can I explore it too?"

Chen Ying chuckled softly, "Heh heh. It's not just you; all cultivators in the Profound Yellow Realm can enter and explore it themselves."

"However, the spiritual sense of a Core Formation cultivator is only barely sufficient to move within the Fallen Immortal Realm. To truly explore freely, one must wait until the Nascent Soul stage."

Li Fan couldn't help but grow even more curious. "Where exactly is this Fallen Immortal Realm?"

Chen Ying clasped his hands behind his back and sighed deeply, "The Fallen Immortal Realm..."

"It's everywhere."

"Everywhere?" Li Fan was stunned.

"Precisely," Chen Ying nodded. "From anywhere in the Profound Yellow Realm, using specific methods, you can enter the Fallen Immortal Realm at any time."

"However, only your spiritual sense enters it. Your physical body does not follow."

Li Fan frowned upon hearing this. "Could it be that this Fallen Immortal Realm is a purely consciousness-based world?"

Chen Ying said, "You could think of it that way. However, it has already surpassed the boundaries of illusion and reality."

"Any gains made in the Fallen Immortal Realm can be genuinely brought back to the Profound Yellow Realm."

"And dying in the Fallen Immortal Realm merely results in spiritual sense damage at most. You won't truly perish."

"Therefore, the Fallen Immortal Realm is the secret realm most eagerly explored by cultivators at the Core Formation stage and above."

Li Fan immediately realized the value of the Fallen Immortal Realm.

"What exactly is found in this Fallen Immortal Realm?" Li Fan couldn't help but ask.

"What's found there?" Chen Ying smiled.

He pointed around him with his finger: "Whatever is here, can be found in the Fallen Immortal Realm."