350 - Rebirth of a Star: Another Day, Another Drama

**Chapter 350: Not A Good Sign** The sudden voice of Qian Jun caught Ye Linglong off guard. She quickly adjusted her emotions to ensure she didn't give anything away, engaging in a mental conversation with Qian Jun. "What do you mean? Do you know something?" she inquired. Qian Jun's voice resonated once more, "The creatures you just slew are called Green Oxen, named so because of their green bodies and those green horns atop their heads." Reflecting on the appearance of these creatures, Ye Linglong found the name to be exceedingly apt. "And what do they have to do with the Path to Heaven?" she asked. "Let me finish," Qian Jun continued. "You should have noticed that these Green Oxen do not belong to this lower realm. Despite having the strength of the Tribulation Stage, their consciousness is lacking. They're quite different from the Tribulation Stage beasts that rise through cultivation in the lower realm." Ye Linglong considered his words carefully and realized he was right. If these creatures truly had the same strength as those outside, their situation would have been vastly different. Qian Jun's tone turned somber, as if reminiscing, "The Green Oxen originate from the upper realm, where they serve as common beasts. They're often trained by ordinary people there for farming and cultivating spirit fields." "If there are traces of Green Oxen here in this secret realm, it suggests that at some point, there was indeed a pathway connecting this space to the upper realm," he concluded. Ye Linglong's heart began to race. The legend of the celestial realm tempted her. Since she had taken Emperor Changling as her master, she was bound to avenge him. Without access to the upper realm, how could she hope to achieve that? With this thought, Ye Linglong asked urgently, "Can you sense the location of this Path to Heaven?" Qian Jun was silent for a moment, as if trying to feel out his surroundings with his power. "I can't at the moment. We're still at the edge of this secret realm, so I can't detect anything yet." "Then if we move closer, we should be able to sense it, right?" Ye Linglong pondered strategically. She was not interested in the so-called Emperor Star or the bringer of change. But if Yan Ke succeeded in releasing the demon race, she would be very displeased. Given the animosity between her and Yan Ke, she would be his first target. She could hide in the space, but what about her friends and the people of the Liuli Sword Sect? Hence, she was determined to find the Path to Heaven. "It should be possible. The so-called Path to Heaven is likely a small passage created between the upper and lower realms, meant for limited travel. There are restrictions in place, and only by meeting those conditions can the passage be activated. So even if we find traces, it does not guarantee use unless those conditions are met." Through Qian Jun's explanation, Ye Linglong understood a bit more about the Path to Heaven. It seemed like a backdoor created for the elite of the upper realm, accessible only when specific conditions were met, often benefiting only their descendants. This realization soured Ye Linglong's mood. Finding the Path to Heaven might be ultimately meaningless since it couldn't guarantee everyone's ascent. If Shen Han Song learned the truth, he might resort to extreme measures. Betting it all, he would release the demon race. Ye Linglong's eyes glimmered with determination as she formed a plan. There was only one solution: ensuring Yan Ke would never leave this secret realm. Only the dead could remain here eternally, right? ... After a brief rest, the group continued exploring toward the center of the secret realm. Shen Han Song was among the few who had entered this realm twice. Despite five thousand years passing and some changes, the broad layout remained largely the same. He recalled that during his last visit, his cultivation was newly at the Tribulation Stage, and the group was significantly larger, with many almost reaching the Grand Completion Stage. Yet even then, they couldn't reach the center. They suffered heavy casualties, and the recent beast encounter paled in comparison, something they could manage. The greatest danger lay with the powerful, dormant beasts having a strong territorial instinct. Disturbing them meant certain death. As Shen Han Song recounted those events, his voice was heavy with emotion, as if reliving the scenes. Had this story been told before the recent beast encounter, these usually proud Tribulation Stage cultivators might not have believed it. But after their experience, everyone was convinced. Some even considered leaving, thinking it was better to enjoy their lives outside for a few thousand years, rather than facing potential anonymity and death here. Sensing these thoughts, Shen Han Song spoke calmly, "Leaving now isn't possible. The secret realm closed upon our entry. It won't open for at least a month. Until then, this place remains sealed." "Can't we just wait here until it opens?" one person suggested. Shen Han Song smirked, "We are intruders here. The entities in this realm can sense our presence, yet due to the suppression of our spiritual energy, our range is severely limited. Wandering alone is a death wish. Do you really want to wait alone?" His final words carried an unmistakable threat. The person's face fell into an unpleasant grimace, and he fell silent, no longer mentioning leaving. Ye Linglong observed Shen Han Song and thought to herself that appearances could be deceiving. The old man's benevolent facade hid a sharp edge. Just as these thoughts crossed her mind, Shen Han Song's gaze turned to her with a seemingly genial smile, which she found all too calculating. "Miss Ye," he began, "you were the only one among us to first sense the aura of those creatures. Your spiritual energy must cover a wider area than ours. It seems you're the only suitable candidate to lead the way." Ye Linglong was taken aback and internally cursed, "Old trickster, I knew you were up to no good!"