Behind the woman—
Flames suddenly rose into the air.
Within them, a large shadow moved.
Its shape was unclear, but a pair of golden eyes could be seen through the fire. They were calm and distant, carrying a sense of age.
Wang Li's gaze paused.
"…Suppressed?"
He could feel it.
Whatever that creature was, it wasn't fully present. Something was holding it back. Otherwise, even a small part of its power would have been too much for everyone here.
Even so—
Just looking at it made him more aware of his surroundings.
"Interesting…"
His voice was quiet.
"This level of pressure isn't something an outer disciple should have."
He thought for a moment.
Then understood.
"…So that's it."
A faint, knowing expression appeared.
"She suppressed her cultivation to enter this place."
His eyes dimmed slightly.
"So that kind of method exists too."
---
At the same time—
A deep sound rose from the distance.
"Primal Space is opening!"
Voices spread across the area.
The earlier roars faded.
In their place—
A heavy sound echoed.
DONG.
The space ahead began to shift.
A large crack formed in midair, slowly opening into something that looked like an ancient door.
An old, steady aura spread outward.
It felt heavy, but not chaotic.
Beyond it—
A vast forest could be seen.
Dense. Quiet. Stretching far into the distance.
---
Wang Li looked again at the woman.
Something about her had changed.
Her earlier calm was gone. She now seemed more focused.
She took out a black compass, its surface marked with unfamiliar patterns.
Wang Li watched briefly.
"So she came prepared."
"And she knows where she's going."
His expression remained neutral.
"If that's the case… then there may already be people like her here."
He didn't react further.
After a moment, he looked away.
"…Even with my current strength, I'm not her match."
The conclusion came naturally.
There was no frustration in it.
Only understanding.
"The gap is too large."
He took a slow breath.
"Then I'll adjust."
---
His thoughts shifted.
"The Mountain and Seas Art alone isn't enough."
"And my blade technique…"
He paused slightly.
"It's still incomplete."
He had created it himself, after realizing something important.
Not all techniques could be fused into his main cultivation method.
Only those that strengthened the body could be integrated.
Offensive techniques conflicted with it.
So he created another path.
The Dao Opening Saber Technique.
A way to develop his own approach.
But until now, he hadn't focused on it enough.
"That needs to change."
His eyes steadied.
"Both need to improve."
---
Only then did he move.
He stepped forward and entered the opening.
The moment he crossed into the Primal Space—
A different kind of energy surrounded him.
It felt steady. Natural.
It flowed into his body without resistance.
He took a slow breath.
His body relaxed slightly.
"…This place is useful."
---
He looked around.
Then glanced in the direction the woman had gone.
A faint smile appeared.
"I'll go the other way."
There was no reason to follow her.
Avoiding stronger opponents wasn't hesitation.
It was efficiency.
---
Not long after—
A voice sounded nearby.
"Bodhi Tree Essence!"
Wang Li turned and moved toward the source.
Soon, a small tree came into view.
It wasn't tall—just over a meter—but its trunk looked old and sturdy.
Drops of clear liquid rested on its leaves, reflecting light faintly.
Even from a distance, the air around it felt different.
Wang Li's thoughts became clearer.
"Affecting the mind…"
He observed quietly.
"A useful resource."
---
Several disciples had already gathered.
But no one moved.
Everyone was watching.
Careful.
Wang Li scanned the area.
"There's something hidden."
It could be the tree itself.
Or something guarding it.
"Or both."
---
His gaze returned to the tree.
Then a thought appeared.
"If the dew has this effect…"
"What about the tree?"
He didn't act immediately.
Taking only the surface benefit didn't seem worthwhile.
If he moved—
He would take everything.
Still, he waited.
Around him, others were thinking the same.
Greed was slowly becoming more obvious.
But no one wanted to move first.
---
Wang Li remained still.
Patient.
He didn't trust this place.
Not after what he had already seen.
"A suppressed martial artist…"
His gaze cooled slightly.
"That means the real danger is hidden."
---
Outside the Spiritual Plane—
Several figures sat above the clouds, observing.
"Junior Sister Wang Lu isn't coming?" one of them asked.
Another scoffed lightly.
"Why would she? Since when is she interested in disciples?"
A red-haired man smiled.
"You sound a bit bothered."
The woman looked at him.
"…What did you say?"
He shrugged casually.
"Just asking."
Their conversation continued, light but sharp.
Before it could go further—
A new figure appeared.
"Quite lively today."
It was Wang Lu.
The red-haired man smiled.
"Junior Sister."
The other woman looked at her.
"Why are you here?"
Wang Lu didn't answer immediately.
Her eyes were on the golden pillar in the distance.
After a moment, she spoke.
"Maybe I found something interesting."
The others exchanged looks.
Some were doubtful.
The Sect Master spoke calmly.
"You're not known for teaching disciples."
Wang Lu looked at him and smiled slightly.
"And yet you're here watching."
Her tone was light.
"Should I be curious?"
---
Back in the Primal Space—
Wang Li's eyes narrowed slightly.
Without looking up, he spoke quietly.
"…So someone finally moved."
In front of the Bodhi Tree—
A disciple stepped forward.
The moment their hand touched the dew—
The ground beneath the tree shifted.