Borrowed Sword

Chapter 30: Secret Realm and Mission

They walked along chatting, and soon arrived at the courtyard where Niu Yuanshan lived.

After enduring two consecutive storms, Chu Huaixu finally remembered that he and Han Shuangjiang had initially planned to buy groceries and cook, and they still hadn’t had a hot meal.

– Things had come to this point; first, they needed to eat.

Once Old Niu learned they were famished, he ordered the servants to bring them some food.

From his account, Chu Huaixu and Han Shuangjiang roughly understood the situation.

Liu Tianfeng had, by a fortunate chance, obtained the Pill King Token, and for some reason, only three Outer Sect stewards knew of this matter—Old Niu was one of them.

To acquire this token back then, Liu Tianfeng had expended great effort and even enlisted Old Niu’s help.

As the widely recognized “nice guy” of the Outer Sect, Old Niu was often asked for help on many matters.

In general, most of the secret realms belonged to the Inner Sect; there were few in the Outer Sect.

Thus, the Pill King Token was even more valuable.

Overall, Dao Gate's attitude toward secret realms was simple—those fated would obtain them.

That had been the Dao Ancestor’s original intent.

Later predecessors who emulated the Dao Ancestor upheld the same purpose.

Perhaps in their view, this was the elegant spirit befitting cultivators.

As for disciples from the same sect killing each other and seizing treasures—that was absolutely not allowed publicly!

A secret realm was the last wish of someone who had passed away.

One had to show at least minimal respect.

Of course, the Dao Gate officials also allowed recovery.

If one gained items in a secret realm, they could choose to sell them in exchange for "Sect Contribution Points."

Contribution points could be exchanged for money, cultivation techniques, spirit pills…

Almost all cultivation resources were available for exchange!

When Chu Huaixu had played Borrowed Sword before, he knew that among the four Great Sects of Mirror Country in Eastern Continent, Dao Gate valued “opportunity” most highly.

Thus, in players’ minds, this sect was all about luck—fit for “lucky royals,” while those with poor luck were dismissed.

After the meal, Niu Yuanshan continued: “Oh, I forgot to tell you earlier—this jade token fragment comes in ten pieces, meaning up to ten people can enter together.”

“The secret realm lies in the depths of a cold pool.

Even at my cultivation level, under normal circumstances, I cannot withstand that special chill.”

“If you, two in the Qi‑Opening stage, go down, death is certain.”

“But in the past two months, the chill seems to have dissipated significantly.”

“So you’ve caught a good time—this door to the inheritance secret realm may soon open.”

Chu Huaixu nodded: “I see.”

Niu Yuanshan looked into the distance and smiled: “Steward Liu regards this secret realm as extremely important, because his son, Liu Chengqi, is born with a top-grade Spirit Embryo—the Blazing Fire Spirit Embryo.”

“But due to an accident, his Spirit Embryo was damaged, and since then his cultivation has stagnated, never to rise again.”

“This secret realm is related to the Pill King; perhaps they hope to find a solution to repair damaged Spirit Embryos.”

When Chu Huaixu heard this, he recalled a top-grade spirit pill—the Xuantian Embryo Breathing Pill.

But he wanted to draw out more useful information, so he feigned ignorance: “Steward Niu, can a damaged Spirit Embryo really be restored?”

Niu Yuanshan smiled kindly, patiently: “Of course—it just isn’t easy. Different situations require different methods; you must use the right medicine.”

“Steward Liu hasn’t yet found a suitable way.”

“But there is a top-tier spirit pill called Xuantian Embryo Breathing Pill, created by the Pill King.

Legend has it, as long as the Spirit Embryo isn’t completely destroyed, taking this pill will heal it.”

“If someone’s Spirit Embryo was born low-grade—only a lower-grade Spirit Embryo—then taking this pill can even greatly increase its grade.”

“It is said that after the Pill King created the formula, he crafted one pill for each of his official disciples.”

“If the late predecessor did not consume it in his lifetime, and did not sell it, it might be waiting in the secret realm for someone fated to receive it.”

Chu Huaixu and Han Shuangjiang exchanged glances.

Now they fully understood why Liu Tianfeng had felt so pained earlier, and why Liu Chengqi had been so anxious.

Niu Yuanshan seemed about to offer them some advice, speaking in a gentle, persuasive tone:

“Since we mentioned the Xuantian Embryo Breathing Pill, which can improve innate talent, I’ll, in my elder’s tone, offer a few extra words.”

“I’ll ask you two: in your view, what’s more important—talent or effort?”

Chu Huaixu didn’t answer from his heart directly, but said, “I’ve heard a saying: effort determines one’s lower bound, talent determines one’s upper bound, but most people never reach their upper bound.”

Niu Yuanshan looked at the young man and smiled: “What you said makes sense. But in the cultivation world, it’s different.”

“Because in the cultivation world, what’s called talent can be changed.”

“It can rely on spirit pills, on opportunities, on the workings of Heaven and Earth!”

“Although I haven’t done a blood test to check your Spirit Embryo, seeing that both of you opened two orifices in such a short time, I reckon you are indeed extraordinary.”

“If you were in other sects, they’d probably spend the entire sect’s resources cultivating you, turning you straight into true-disciple level elders of the sect.”

“But having come to Dao Gate, you start as Registered Disciples, receiving no privileges—do you feel disappointed?”

Han Shuangjiang shook her head. She had never considered such things.

Chu Huaixu also shook his head—since she did, he by no means would do so.

Old Niu smiled in relief and said, “It’s good that you don’t feel that way.”

“In Eastern Continent, over these thousand years, sects rise and fall everywhere.”

“Only Dao Gate has stood firm for a millennium and remains one of the top sects in the world.”

“You two can imagine: over these thousand years, heavenly prodigies appeared like carp leaping across rivers. For Dao Gate, that isn’t rare.”

“It’s like saying you’re the top scorer in your city’s college entrance exams? A Qingbei graduate? Sorry, our company isn’t lacking Qingbei grads.”

“Moreover, flowers grown in greenhouses often wither sooner.”

“Many sects raise promising disciples with full force, but those with poor character fail to mature. Some go out to cultivate and never return; those who deviate from the path are numerous.”

“There are people with solid character who, even with average talent, only need the right opportunity to rise like dragons and leave their names in history.” Old Niu sighed.

To Chu Huaixu, it was like some top university graduates achieve great things, but also some grassroots talents ride a surge and create extraordinary feats.

Life’s fate cannot be foreseen at a glance.

Even in the Xuanhuang Realm, there are also discarded talents!

Niu Yuanshan continued: “Dao Gate has a thousand years of foundation and many resources—enough for the Sect Master and elders to cultivate many people, and even change people’s fates.”

“But the premise is: you must have the ability to pass one filter after another and stand before them.”

Having laid the groundwork, he began to pressure the two of them.

“I know that you two were sent up by Elder Six—that’s a privilege most Outer Sect disciples don’t have.”

“I don’t know the reason behind it, but since Elder Six chose for you to start from Registered Disciples, it’s an attitude—surely he wants you to gain more experience. I hope you understand that.”

“At the same time, I hope you won’t disappoint the expectations of the elder.”

At this, Steward Niu looked first at Han Shuangjiang.

The world protagonist, who played the “Great Female Lead” script in Borrowed Sword, now showed growing determination in her eyes.

Then Niu Yuanshan looked at Chu Huaixu.

Chu Huaixu had regarded today’s conversation as earnest guidance from an elder.

But he suddenly realized: “Old Niu is undercover!”

As a member of the Moon Country Organization, would he so genuinely hope Dao Gate produced talent?

That big-browed fellow must be a mole!

Chu Huaixu thought it through and realized that this was Old Niu, a leader in the Organization, assigning a mission to the new recruit in the Organization.

This was a hint—he wanted him to rise from Registered Disciple through Dao Gate’s core circle!

“Old Niu really thinks highly of me,” he muttered inwardly.

But after thinking, Chu Huaixu said: “I express my loyalty: for a disciple, it was Elder Six and Dao Gate that gave me the cultivation opportunity. I will spare no effort to repay the sect!”

These words reached Niu Yuanshan’s ears and, being highly perceptive, he immediately picked up the two special words.

Thus, Chu Huaixu’s words were automatically translated in Old Niu’s ears into another meaning.

Old Niu gave him a look of reassurance, understanding that this clever youth had caught his hint.

They exchanged a glance, transmitting their thoughts silently.

Even in silence, it seemed like two words were echoing:

–– “Loyal—ty!”

Only Han Shuangjiang sat aside, hearing Chu Huaixu's constant chatter, and beneath her veil, her tender lips couldn’t help but curl slightly.

“You sure can talk!”

However, neither Niu Yuanshan nor Han Shuangjiang noticed that Chu Huaixu slightly lowered his head, a flicker of confusion in his eyes.

From his understanding of the mission system, since he and Old Niu had talked this far, he was, in effect, receiving a mission from that NPC: infiltrate Dao Gate’s core circle.

By rights, a sub‑task related to the Organization should have been triggered—100%.

But strangely, the mission system gave no reaction!

......