Just as Xia Li was observing the interior of the secret realm, the Heaven Chip was also analyzing the entrance.
〖Large phase space detected〗
〖Current stability rating: 9, highly stable〗
〖For more detailed data, please enter and scan again〗
The Heaven Chip was highly sensitive to spiritual energy reactions, easily detecting critical information.
A stability rating of nine meant it was both safe and dangerous.
Safe meant the space itself was stable—no unexpected events like spatial tears or spatial annihilation would occur.
Dangerous referred to people. The higher the stability, the stronger the cultivators permitted to enter.
As for what realm cultivators a stability-9 rating allowed... Xia Li wasn't sure, but Golden Core and Nascent Soul could definitely enter freely.
A secret realm with no restrictions on entrant strength—he needed to be even more careful!
Before long, Xia Li reached the registration desk. A Cloud Mountain Sect disciple yawned, looking at Xia Li with a lazy expression.
"Identity, name, cultivation level?"
"Zhao Yue, rogue cultivator, third-level Qi Refining."
While giving a false name, Xia Li also concealed his cultivation. His true level was eighth-level Qi Refining.
After using the Enhanced Surge Serum on Earth, he'd advanced one level. During his journey to the secret realm, he'd advanced another level. The Spirit Core he was using now prioritized conversion efficiency, making cultivation much faster than before.
"Place your hand on the testing stone."
The Cloud Mountain Sect disciple had Xia Li place his hand on a white crystal. Xia Li complied. Concealing his cultivation was simple for him.
He didn't know how locals hid theirs, but he just needed a thought to have the Heaven Chip adjust the Spirit Core.
Soon...
Three wisps of white qi appeared within the testing stone.
This confirmed Xia Li's cultivation was third-level Qi Refining.
"Pay your spirit stones and enter. You have seven days. Overtime costs an extra thousand. Even one incense stick's time over counts."
The Cloud Mountain Sect disciple didn't ask where a third-level Qi Refining cultivator got so many spirit stones. Anyone at Qi Refining who could reach the Autumn Mountain Secret Realm was hardly a true pauper.
Otherwise, one thousand spirit stones spent on daily cultivation, with some economizing, could take someone from first-level Qi Refining straight to mid-to-late Foundation Establishment.
Of course, the most ordinary Foundation Establishment wasn't even fit to carry shoes for the strong.
Xia Li extended his hand and transferred one thousand spirit stones directly from his storage ring into the other's storage ring.
The disciple quickly finished counting and nodded, indicating Xia Li could enter.
He stepped forward, passing through the rippling water-like membrane.
The next moment, Xia Li appeared in a deep mountain strewn with fallen maple leaves.
〖Current spiritual energy concentration: one-tenth〗
〖Analyzing phase space parameters... please wait〗
The Heaven Chip first analyzed the spiritual energy concentration within the secret realm. This concentration made Xia Li feel refreshed with just one breath. The spiritual energy concentration alone was worth the price of admission.
Even if he did nothing else, cultivating here for seven days would be worthwhile.
"Seems the Cloud Mountain Sect isn't as bad as I imagined..."
Xia Li was pleasantly surprised. He'd expected the gate-keeping disciples to make things difficult, or to cheat him out of his spirit stones.
But then Xia Li remembered all those people outside. The Cloud Mountain Sect probably couldn't show any ill intentions even if they had them. He still couldn't let his guard down!
Just as Xia Li was thinking, the next person entered the secret realm.
However, they had no intention of interacting with Xia Li and turned to leave immediately.
"Activate detection mode, switch to Spirit-Seeking technique."
Xia Li didn't want to wander around aimlessly like a headless fly, purely relying on luck. So he directly activated the Heaven Chip's detection mode.
Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.
In this mode, the Heaven Chip devoted all its performance to analyzing spiritual energy. Combined with the Spirit-Seeking technique's enhancement, any unusual aura within several thousand meters could be precisely captured.
After selecting the direction with the strongest spiritual energy, Xia Li headed straight forward.
And so, Xia Li embarked on his search for spirit treasures.
Along the way, he was extremely careful. Whenever he sensed someone nearby, he chose to take detours when possible.
As a pacifist, he didn't want to conflict with anyone.
Of course, when conflict truly arose, he wouldn't hold back either. Like when he'd been attacked by the Company on Earth—he'd killed dozens of people in self-defense.
But honestly...
He didn't feel anything special. None of the complex emotions from the literary works he'd read before. His conscience wasn't troubled, and he didn't feel sick anywhere.
If he had to describe his only impression, it was two words:
That's it?
He'd only experienced the cheapness of life, and developed a determination to never become equally cheap himself.
Two days later.
Following the traces of spiritual energy, Xia Li arrived at a pond. At its edge, he discovered a spirit herb—Three-Origin Vine.
But just as Xia Li picked the Three-Origin Vine, a person suddenly swam out from behind a large rock in the pond.
This made Xia Li's hair stand on end instantly. Why hadn't the Heaven Chip detected their presence?
Xia Li instinctively assumed it was a trap—someone was ambushing him. Without a word, he prepared to attack.
"You lecher!"
But when Xia Li saw what was in the water clearly, he discovered it was a young woman with a face full of anger.
"Sorry, I just came to pick the spirit herb. That's all."
After speaking, Xia Li turned to leave.
But the Heaven Chip alerted him that an attack was coming!
Xia Li immediately sidestepped to dodge. Killing intent rose in his heart, but he didn't show it. He simply turned around and bowed again.
"Miss, I'm very sorry. This was just an accident. You must have been cultivating some technique to hide your aura, which is why I didn't detect you."
"This isn't my fault."
By now, Xia Li noticed the other party had somehow already dressed. She was indeed a lovely young woman, just with an overly willful personality.
"So what if it was an accident? You saw my body—your only option is to die as an apology!"
"Is that necessary?"
"Absolutely! Of course, you have another choice—follow me and..."
Before she finished speaking.
Xia Li's speed suddenly multiplied several times. He rushed to her at an exaggerated speed.
Then...
A flash of cold light before her eyes.
"Piercing Rainbow!"
Xia Li struck with his palm. The blade hidden in his prosthetic arm shot out, piercing straight through the girl's forehead.
Her eyes went wide with disbelief.
She hadn't even finished speaking!
And she couldn't realize that her fate was sealed simply because she'd said two wrong words. If only she hadn't added "absolutely" before stating the second option, Xia Li wouldn't have been so decisive.
Xia Li only realized what she'd been about to say after killing her.
So...
He activated the Heaven Chip's playback function and finally heard the second option she'd proposed.
"Sorry, I'm a bit sensitive. Hope you won't speak so recklessly in your next life."
Xia Li looked at the girl's corpse, feeling she'd simply been asking for death. Or did she think that being a pretty woman meant men would tolerate anything?
〖Based on her heart rate and vital signs, she was likely just shy and covering it with anger〗
〖You killed a chance encounter〗
Even the emotionless AI in the Heaven Chip seemed a bit exasperated.
"No... I just created the encounter I truly wanted. I only wanted to encounter her storage ring."
