Chapter 82: The Inheritance Grounds Open

Dongfang Shun’s hesitant attitude ignited the smoldering anger within Ji Yao, making her suspect that her intelligence must have diminished recently—how else could she have been fooled by him time and again? Whatever Dongfang Shun’s upbringing or life experiences, she had lost all interest in understanding them further. Once this collaboration ended, there would likely be no further dealings between them.

A sudden sense of despondency overcame Ji Yao. She no longer cared for his explanations; from now on, she would simply keep her guard up as she continued on her own path.

Her temper flared and faded just as swiftly. Even if he simply replied that he couldn’t say, it would be better than this evasiveness.

With a cool voice, Ji Yao said, “Enough. Don’t bother thinking of excuses. I’m not as familiar with this place as you are—just lead the way. Should we set out now, or wait for the mist to clear?”

Night had fallen in the secret realm. The moon shone bright amid sparse stars. Though the air was clean where the two had met, the mist around them showed no sign of dissipating.

In this situation, it was unclear whether the fog would move along with them if they pressed forward.

Ji Yao took a few steps forward to test it and found herself drawing closer to the milky white mist. Seeing that it yielded no result, she gave up and turned to look at Dongfang Shun, who was still standing there, lost in thought.

She reminded him, “Don’t just stand there. Tell me your plan so I can figure out my next move.”

Dongfang Shun seemed to awaken from a trance. He turned and gave Ji Yao a deep look before answering, “We can’t go forward now. We have to wait for the passage to appear on its own, then proceed along it.”

Ji Yao nodded without comment, moved back to the center, and took a meditation cushion from her storage bracelet before sitting down. She didn’t meditate, though; instead, she wrapped her arms around her knees, hugging herself tightly.

It was so cold! Were they really supposed to freeze like this all night?

Dongfang Shun sat down across from her. At some point, a fire had sprung up between them.

Ji Yao stared in surprise at the flames, thinking, Wealth truly makes a difference—he’d actually used a pile of first-tier fireball talismans as fire starters. She’d never known fireball talismans could be used this way.

Still, wasn’t building a fire in the forest risky? Wouldn’t it attract monsters?

Noticing Ji Yao’s unblinking gaze at the fire, Dongfang Shun took the initiative to speak about the Secret Realm of Immortal Ascension.

As it turned out, the fog-shrouded space they occupied had formed into an independent realm the moment the barrier at the center was broken. Even if someone walked to this spot now, they would not be able to find them.

The central barrier was the gateway to the place of inheritance; only a pair could open the true door, and the black jade pendant was the trial stone upon it. Only if one’s sword-heart and sword-intent were recognized by the trial stone would the passage open completely.

With the trial stone absorbed, Dongfang Shun had been acknowledged, and the passage had opened. All they could do now was wait for the channel to the place of inheritance to reveal itself within the fog.

Ji Yao gleaned the crucial point: opening the gateway required two people, but only one could receive the inheritance.

So, even if she hadn’t teamed up with Dongfang Shun, he would still have needed a partner to open the gate.

“So, the formation disk you gave me wasn’t just for locating and communication, was it?” It must also have been a necessary condition for opening the gateway.

With this thought, it wasn’t hard to guess—the formation disk, which allowed communication within the secret realm, was what ensured they could meet up in the first place.

One after another, fireball talismans flickered, at least dispelling some of the chill. By midnight, the mist toward the forest’s center had thinned, gradually revealing a path.

Ji Yao stood, packed away her cushion, and squinted at the passage, lost in thought.

Dongfang Shun also rose, speaking in a low voice, “Let’s go.”

He took the lead, but Ji Yao did not follow. After a few steps, he realized she wasn’t moving and turned back, puzzled.

Ji Yao pointed at the passage ahead. “If someone enters, will the mist disperse?”

Dongfang Shun could guess she was thinking of withdrawing and didn’t try to deceive her. “In theory, yes.”

Satisfied with his answer, Ji Yao snapped her fingers.

“That’s fine, then. Since this is an independent space, you can go in alone. Whatever dangers there are must be the trials for the inheritor. I’ve fulfilled my promise to you, and now it’s time for me to seek what I came for.”

Dongfang Shun found himself unable to refuse, though he didn’t want Ji Yao to leave like this.

“We’re partners, after all. Once I’ve gained the inheritance, I’ll help you with your search.”

“I don’t think that will be necessary. I’ve got a few leads already," Ji Yao waved her hand dismissively. “If I hadn’t promised you, I’d have changed routes midway.”

This was true—on her way to meet Dongfang Shun, she’d seen a location mentioned by Situ Jing. At least she wasn’t fumbling blindly anymore.

“Besides, who knows how long your inheritance will take? I should investigate on my own first. I still have your formation disk—contacting me won’t be hard.”

She held up the disk and shook it. Such a useful item—no way was she giving it back. In fact, she intended to get the one Dongfang Shun was holding as well.

With today’s events as leverage, it would be easier to negotiate next time. After all, she was now searching on her own and not asking for his help—technically, he owed her a favor.

“There’s a sword tomb in the inheritance grounds,” Dongfang Shun offered enticingly, “You can pick flying swords there—perhaps even find one suitable as your life-bound sword.”

He didn’t want to owe Ji Yao a debt over the inheritance.

“Also, the sword tomb has an exit. When you leave, you’ll return to this very spot.” He pointed at the ground.

Was this the consolation prize for the one who opened the gate? Ji Yao almost wanted to say she probably didn’t need a life-bound sword.

But then she recalled that Situ Jing had once said her Clear Moon Free Sword was lacking in quality and might need to be reforged in the future. Considering her plans for the Five-Colored Stone Formation disk artifact, she would probably need not just one sword, but several.

In that light, the sword tomb instantly became a treasure trove in her mind.

Ji Yao’s eyes sparkled. “So I can take as many swords from the tomb as I like?”

Dongfang Shun’s face darkened, but he nodded. “Aside from the one I need, the rest are yours to choose.”

“Deal!” Ji Yao exclaimed, and with a few quick steps, she pushed both herself and Dongfang Shun into the passage.

The moment they entered, the passage sealed behind them, and the mist outside receded like a tide, vanishing in the time it took to drink a cup of tea, as if it had never existed.

The two walked for a long time in a corridor filled with white light. If Dongfang Shun in his black robes wasn’t ahead of her, Ji Yao thought she might have gone snow-blind.

She wondered what it must be like for Dongfang Shun, with nothing but white in his vision to distract him.

“Ah! We’re here. The sword tomb!” Dongfang Shun’s voice trembled with long-suppressed excitement.

Ji Yao poked her head out from beside him and, peering past his back, caught sight of a colossal stone sword towering to the heavens.

Its blade was thrust into the earth, sword energy swirling around the ancient, forceful characters for “Sword Tomb” carved deep into its spine, exuding a domineering sword aura.

Ji Yao took one look and instantly shut her eyes. The power was simply overwhelming.