Chapter 442: Chapter 442: In the Secret Realm, the First Encounter with a Malicious Cultivator!

Lu Chen had thought that the light gate would gradually solidify into a portal leading into the secret realm.

But what he didn’t expect was that, after a short while, the Five Elements Spiritual Power on the light gate suddenly scattered in all directions, spreading throughout the entire valley!

In the blink of an eye, Lu Chen could no longer see, not to mention spotting others like Yu Qingqing and Mo Buwen.

Lu Chen’s expression changed, and just as he was about to use the Hateful Heaven Pupil Technique to locate the two, the Five Elements Spiritual Power retreated just as suddenly as it had come.

It arrived quickly and left even quicker!

And before him was an entirely new scene!

"Is this... the secret realm?"

Lu Chen stared with wide eyes, holding his breath, carefully surveying his surroundings.

Looking around, this place seemed like a seldom-traveled plain!

Underfoot, it was like a grassland, giving off a fresh scent of green grass that was refreshing to the spirit.

Bushes also grew all around.

Looking into the distance, there were swathes of dense forest, stretching out to the distant mountains.

The mountaintops were shrouded in mist, and Lu Chen instinctively wanted to check—since this place was a secret realm, there must be something significant about it—so he activated the Hateful Heaven Pupil Technique.

However, just as Spiritual Power surged into his eyes, he abruptly noticed a shadowy figure hiding among the bushes a hundred steps behind him—an elusive cultivator!

The mind’s eye came into play!

Lu Chen couldn’t recognize him from his attire.

But seeing that the stranger’s gaze was fixed directly on his back, Lu Chen became cautious.

Although he was confident in his strength, after seeing the capabilities of those elite sect disciples in the valley, Lu Chen still had his reservations.

Underestimate your opponent in your plan.

But always respect them in your heart!

Apart from Yu Qingqing and Mo Buwen of the Heavenly Pill Pavilion, every cultivator here was a prized disciple of their respective sects!

"Everyone must have arrived in this secret realm at the first opportunity, and since I have no enmity with him, nor have I found any treasures yet, he shouldn’t have any reason to attack me now, should he?"

Lu Chen pretended not to notice the other person and continued walking straight ahead, but kept watching the person’s movements using the Hateful Heaven Pupil Technique and his mind’s eye.

After another hundred steps, Lu Chen finally saw the cultivator quietly emerge from the bushes; however, the Magic Artifact in his hand made Lu Chen freeze in surprise.

Ordinary cultivators’ Magic Artifacts are often similar to the weapons of martial artists in the mortal world.

There are also some people who choose handheld Magic Artifacts to facilitate casting spells.

But what this person had appeared to be a miniaturized cauldron!

Lu Chen looked closely, "It seems to be a Pill Furnace, could it be a disciple from the Heavenly Pill Pavilion?"

Had Lu Chen not seen Pill Furnaces in Gui Zhuo’s possession and noted similarities, he would not dare jump to conclusions.

Yu Qingqing and Mo Buwen had told him that there was another Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator who came with them.

But they disdained them due to their low rank, and he disdained to associate with them because they were mere servants of their sect.

"Could it be that he holds a grudge because he saw Yu Qingqing and the others with me, or is there... some other reason?"

After much thought, Lu Chen could only speculate that such might be the other’s motive.

"Forget it, it’s useless to think any more. Since I’m sure he wants to attack me, I might as well draw the snake out of its hole and find an opportunity to kill him!"

A chill settled in Lu Chen’s heart, as he, too, harbored a killing intent; he was certainly not going to wait for the opponent to make the first move.

However, he could let his guard down for now.

Even with his Heavenly Inquiry Spear Technique perfected, at this range of over two hundred steps, he couldn’t possibly strike a fatal blow!

"Heavenly Pill Pavilion, Heavenly Pill Pavilion..."

Lu Chen walked slowly, pretending to search for heaven and earth treasures around him, all the while muttering to himself, his eyes suddenly lit up!

The Heavenly Pill Pavilion was fond of Alchemy.

And didn’t he have a bottle of pills given by Gui Zhuo on him? Even though the pills contained rotting leaf poison, they were of excellent quality, and taking them out might just arouse the greedy nature of the cultivator!

After all, these were pills made by a Core Formation Stage cultivator, which should be quite tempting to a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator.

And the key was...

Lu Chen, who mastered the Hateful Heaven Pill Technique, possessed Spiritual Fire, and recognized many Spiritual Medicines, was just in need of a Pill Furnace for Alchemy!

"You want my life? Heh, not only will I take your life, but I’ll also take your Pill Furnace!"

Lu Chen’s eyes narrowed, he slowed down, and upon spotting a clump of particularly lush bushes, he walked straight into them.

Yet, he kept using the Hateful Heaven Pupil Technique, keeping an eye on the other person with his mind’s eye.

As expected, when Lu Chen hid, the cultivator quickened his pace and moved into the bushes just a few dozen steps away from Lu Chen!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read