Chapter Eleven—The Miraculous Forest!

Level One of the Condensed Core Realm!

The Condensed Core Realm, as the name suggests, is the stage where a martial artist’s spiritual power condenses into a core within their body, marking the beginning of a new chapter on the path of cultivation.

Ye Chen felt a single orb of spiritual energy slowly revolving in his dantian, radiating a gentle jade-like glow that seemed to embody the ultimate truths of heaven and earth.

He closed his eyes to sense the surroundings, feeling the spiritual energy surge toward him like a tidal wave, greedily absorbed by the orb and refined into purer power.

After a long while, Ye Chen stabilized his realm.

Since he hadn’t advanced for a year, his cultivation was more basic than most—even now, reaching the Condensed Core Realm posed no problem.

Ye Chen rose and left, running toward Liu Jinshui’s residence.

But upon arriving, Liu Jinshui was nowhere to be found. Ye Chen turned to a junior servant nearby and asked, “Brother, do you know where Liu Jinshui has gone?”

“Oh, he seemed to have learned something urgent and rushed off toward the Elders’ Hall,” the servant replied.

Ye Chen thanked him hurriedly. “Thanks, brother. I’ll go ahead.”

With that, Ye Chen dashed toward the Elders’ Hall.

Arriving there, he saw someone kneeling inside, seemingly begging for something.

Just outside the hall, Ye Chen saw a figure kneeling in the center. The person trembled slightly, hands clenched tightly, as if earnestly pleading.

The silhouette seemed familiar, and Ye Chen’s heart tightened. He stepped forward briskly. “Junior Ye Chen seeks an audience with the elders!”

“You’re just in time; we were looking for you. Come in,” a low voice replied.

Hearing this, Ye Chen quickly entered the main hall, bowing respectfully. “Greetings, esteemed elders.”

One elder was about to speak when Liu Jinshui appeared, tears streaking his face and eyes swollen red. Facing the lofty elders, he pleaded hoarsely, “Elders, I beg you to show mercy. Do not expel Ye Chen from the sect. If you do, I will leave with him!”

The elders’ faces were as cold and still as water, silent. The atmosphere was suffocating.

“He’s a worthless man! Why risk your own future for him?” a middle-aged man in a jade-colored robe snapped angrily, pointing almost at Liu Jinshui’s nose.

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Liu Jinshui trembled but stubbornly lifted his head, his voice resolute. “Elders, Ye Chen is not worthless. His time hasn’t come yet. I have witnessed his effort and perseverance with my own eyes. He deserves a better chance!”

The man in jade robe glanced at Ye Chen standing by the door. “You, come in. I have something to discuss with you.”

Ye Chen stepped inside. “Disciple Ye Chen greets the elders,” he said, bowing.

“Young man, I’m Yu Ming, one of the four great elders of the Sword Sect. I once intended to take Liu Jinshui as my direct disciple, but he refused. Do you know why?”

Ye Chen shook his head in puzzlement.

Elder Yu Ming’s sharp eyes gleamed with amusement. “He refused because of you. He said although your cultivation has stalled, your potential is immense. He wouldn’t abandon you for his own prospects. Such loyalty is rare.”

With a slight flick of his sleeve, an invisible force lifted Ye Chen to face him squarely.

“Ye Chen, do you understand that on the path of cultivation, talent matters less than character? Today, I will give you a chance to prove whether you are truly worthy of Liu Jinshui’s faith.”

Elder Yu Ming’s gaze seemed to penetrate souls. Slowly, he extended his palm upward, where a jade pendant shimmering with pale blue light appeared out of thin air.

“This is the Trial Pendant, containing the Sword Sect’s secret trial realm. You must survive seven days inside and find the heart of the realm. If you succeed, I will not only spare you from expulsion but will dedicate resources to your cultivation. If you fail, you must leave and sever all ties with the Sword Sect.”

The pendant transformed into a streak of light and shot toward Ye Chen’s forehead, vanishing instantly.

Ye Chen’s vision blurred, and the surroundings changed. He found himself in an ancient forest fraught with danger. Towering dense trees surrounded him, and distant roars of beasts echoed.

Seeing this, Ye Chen muttered, “This is the Sacred Spirit Forest! No wonder it vanished for so many years—it’s contained within this pendant.”

He surveyed the scene: ancient trees standing tall with thick foliage, mottled sunlight filtering through. He inhaled deeply, sensing the fresh scent of earth and leaves, punctuated by the occasional musk of wild beasts.

Roars of beasts came in waves, some deep, some piercing, sending chills down his spine. He moved cautiously; dry leaves underfoot rustled sharply in the silent forest.

Suddenly, a huge black shadow swept across the treetops. Ye Chen looked up sharply to see a beast with glowing red eyes glaring at him, fangs bared, ready to pounce and tear him apart.

“A Spirit-tier Withered Brocade Serpent!” Ye Chen’s heart jumped. The creature’s form flickered through the dense forest, eyes blazing like fire, radiating bloodthirsty frenzy.

Clenching his fists, sweat trickled down Ye Chen’s face. He felt the serpent’s cold gaze locking onto him.

Tension and fear hung thick in the air. Holding his breath, Ye Chen backed away slowly, seeking an escape route, but the serpent pressed on relentlessly, leaving no room to flee.

Serpent spirits at this level develop spiritual will, their strength rivaling the peak of the Condensed Core Realm!

Ye Chen hurriedly summoned his Crimson Sword but found he could not. With no other choice, he picked up a nearby branch and wielded it like a sword—along with the first level of sword intent.

The branch traced sharp sword shadows in the air, enhanced by sword intent, making the ordinary wood seem like a razor-sharp blade.

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The Withered Brocade Serpent, sensing the threat of sword intent, flared its red eyes even wider and suddenly lunged like an arrow released from a bow.

Ye Chen shifted his body, thrusting the branch at the serpent’s vital spot at a tricky angle.

Shing!

Sword intent exploded as the branch sliced through the air with a piercing whistle.

The serpent twisted midair, barely dodging the strike, but the lingering sword intent left a shallow scar on its scales, provoking a furious roar.

The roar echoed through the forest, shaking leaves loose. The massive beast flipped in the air, eyes blazing like fire, fixated on Ye Chen as if determined to burn him to ashes.

Ye Chen trembled slightly but forced calm, gripping the branch tightly. Sword intent swirled around it, flashing cold light.

The serpent struck again, faster than before, like a black lightning bolt tearing through the trees.

Ye Chen narrowly dodged, but the serpent’s whip-like tail swept toward him, stirring a gust of foul wind aimed at his vital points.

Ye Chen rolled on the ground, narrowly evading, while dry leaves scattered and dust rose.

At that moment, Ye Chen’s eyes sharpened, and profound energy surged to his fingertips.

Suddenly, a slender thread of sword energy burst forth—delicate yet enchanting.

The sword energy twisted and stretched in the air, locking precisely onto the serpent’s vital spot.

With a faint, crisp “shh,” the sword energy pierced through the serpent’s thick scales, striking true.

The great serpent’s massive body stiffened abruptly; its fiery eyes dimmed.

With a thunderous crash, it fell to the ground, stirring dust and falling leaves. The forest echoed with its unwilling wails as the scene froze—silent and awe-inspiring.

“Is that all?” Elder Yu Ming, watching from outside, twitched his mouth and showed a trace of solemnity.

Liu Jinshui was stunned, thinking, “He’s regained his cultivation! And grown this strong—wonderful!”

He stood up excitedly, fists clenched, eyes sparkling with joy.

Looking at Elder Yu Ming, his voice trembled, “Elder, look! Ye Chen not only recovered his cultivation but also easily defeated a Spirit-tier Withered Brocade Serpent! This is... incredible!”

Elder Yu Ming nodded slightly, his gaze profound as if piercing the secret realm’s walls, watching Ye Chen’s every move.

He spoke slowly, with a faint tone of approval, “Indeed, his growth surpasses my expectations. But this is only the beginning—the real trial lies ahead...”