Martial Arts: I Have a Wilderness World

A flicker of curiosity appeared in Lady Qin's eyes as she took the basket and gently opened it. Inside were a few exquisite Spirit Fruits, each emitting a pure Spiritual Qi.

"How thoughtful of you."

A warm feeling washed over Lady Qin as she looked at the items. She tilted her head up slightly to look at Cheng Zongyang, a faint smile playing on her lips. "These couldn't have been cheap. Is there something you need from me?"

Cheng Zongyang glanced into the basket. He had no idea what kind of Spirit Fruits they were, let alone their price. 'But,' he thought, 'since Baili Xi is a Steward for the Commerce Association and runs such a large business, the gift can't be anything too common.' And so, his expression remained perfectly composed as he spoke, betraying no sense of guilt:

"Lady Qin, you wound me. I just wanted to give you a little something. I didn't know what you'd like, but I heard these Spirit Fruits are good for women, so I got them. The Spirit Stones are no big deal; what's important is that they're good for you."

Lady Qin chuckled softly, clearly not buying his story. 'Gone for half a year, and the first thing he does when he gets back is bring a gift? I'd be a fool to think he doesn't want something.'

She set the basket down and sat up straight, her eyes fixed on Cheng Zongyang. "Come on, spit it out. What is it really?"

"It's really nothing. I've been gone for half a year, and you're the only friend I'm close to in the County Town, so naturally, I had to come see you. And catch up a bit."

Cheng Zongyang's expression turned serious, his face a stern mask. He seemed to be emphasizing that he was telling the truth, his look implying that if she kept pressing, there would be nothing left to talk about.

"Alright, then. I appreciate the sentiment." Seeing his reaction, the corners of Lady Qin's mouth curved up into a charming smile. She didn't press the issue. "So, what did you want to talk about?"

Cheng Zongyang scratched his head. He really didn't know what to talk about. 'Ask her how she's been doing? I'd have to be blind. Can't I see she's doing perfectly fine?' But a moment later, he suddenly remembered something. He looked at her and said, "On my way here, I heard a lot of people talking about some Profound Origin Secret Realm. Are you familiar with it?"

Cheng Zongyang sat down, making himself comfortable. His posture was as relaxed as if he were in his own carriage. "I heard some people mention it the first time I was here, but I didn't pay it any mind. This time, I'm hearing it mentioned a lot more."

Lady Qin paid no mind to his casual demeanor. She shook her head slightly, her expression turning grave. "It's a place that swallows people whole. There's no reason to go."

"I didn't say I was going." Cheng Zongyang's eyes filled with curiosity, and he leaned forward slightly. "Come on, tell me about it."

Lady Qin considered this for a moment before speaking slowly, "The Profound Origin Secret Realm... it's a special Alternate Space with major restrictions. Only Martial Artists and ordinary people can enter.

There are no people inside, only a primitive environment, Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, and creatures, the strongest of which are Exotic Beasts. But there are all kinds of powerful Exotic Beasts in there. Even an Innate Martial Artist will meet a bitter end if they run into one of the particularly powerful High-Tier ones. Many Cultivation Immortality Influences and Sects hire large numbers of ordinary people and Martial Artists to go inside and gather things like Spirit Medicines.

As a result, many ordinary people and Martial Artists go in with fantasies of making a fortune in Spirit Stones or rapidly boosting their strength, but more often than not, they never return."

Cheng Zongyang frowned, however. 'If I remember correctly,' he thought, 'Zhao Yonglong said he was going to explore the Profound Origin Secret Realm. But now Lady Qin is saying only Martial Artists and ordinary people can get in?'

"Cultivators can't get in?" Cheng Zongyang asked.

"They can't. There's a special Restriction there that no one has been able to break to this day. That's why I warned you not to go." Lady Qin raised her eyes to scan Cheng Zongyang, her expression serious. Then, a flash of surprise flickered in her gaze. "You're already at the Innate Realm?"

Cheng Zongyang nodded slightly. "Yes. With the help of Elixirs, advancement is quite fast."

Lady Qin didn't seem to think much of it, merely shaking her head. "Listen to me and stay away from the Secret Realm." Her tone was gentle, like an older sister showing concern for her younger brother.

Cheng Zongyang chuckled, looking relaxed. "Don't worry, I value my life very much. I'm just wondering... how long has this Profound Origin Secret Realm existed? Are a lot of Spirit Stones and other resources dug up from inside?"

Just then, Lady Qin reached into the basket for a Spirit Fruit. With a graceful, natural movement, she offered it to Cheng Zongyang before taking another for herself and taking a small bite.

The juice of the Spirit Fruit flooded her mouth. She closed her eyes slightly, seeming to savor its sweetness. After a moment, she slowly began to answer Cheng Zongyang's question.

"The Profound Origin Secret Realm has existed for a very long time. No one can say for exactly how long. At the very least, it was already here before I arrived.

As for the resources inside, it's true that plenty of people have acquired various things. But that comes at a great risk. The main issue is that you can't find Spirit Stones there, and mineral resources are also extremely scarce. The Spiritual Qi is only average. The Spirit Medicines found inside probably only exist due to the sheer amount of time the realm has been around."

This gave Cheng Zongyang pause.

'That might explain the lack of metal and mineral resources here,' he mused. 'There's a Secret Realm, but no minerals can be mined from it. The only silver lining is being able to gather Spirit Medicines and valuable, albeit ordinary, Medicinal Materials.'

Cheng Zongyang continued to chat with Lady Qin, focusing mainly on the Profound Origin Secret Realm. The place was, after all, quite peculiar.

He didn't get to dwell on it for long, however, as Lady Qin changed the subject to him.

"So, what's the deal with that house of yours? There seem to be quite a few people coming and going."

Cheng Zongyang suddenly laughed. "So, you've been keeping an eye on me, Lady Qin."

Lady Qin rolled her eyes at him. "Your place has been on some people's radar for a while now. You think there's anything that happens in the South District that I don't know about?"