C18 Entering the Heaven Soaring Secret Realm Again

"Hehe, you rascal, coming to the library and asking for advice?" Chen Faang couldn't help but laugh and tease upon seeing Chen Bai. "What brings you here this time?"

It was then that Chen Bai recalled that Chen Faang was the guardian of the library. Back when his own cultivation was rather weak, he frequently visited the library to pore over the insights of the elders. His feelings of inferiority, among other things, had made him oblivious to his surroundings. But as the Young Lord, nobody really minded his presence.

With this in mind, Chen Bai quickly offered a respectful bow to Chen Faang, saying, "My apologies for the intrusion, Uncle. I hope you're not offended." After a brief pause, he added, "My master has instructed me to broaden my knowledge. It seems it's essential for navigating the world."

Chen Faang, observing Chen Bai's slightly awkward demeanor, simply smiled without ribbing him further. "Alright, just tell me what you're interested in, and I'll find the best materials for you," he offered casually.

Upon hearing his third uncle was willing to help him select books, Chen Bai quickly gestured with his hands, "I couldn't possibly trouble you, Uncle. I'm just browsing; I won't stay long." Without waiting for a response, he eagerly made his way into the library.

As Chen Bai vanished among the shelves, Chen Faang smiled resignedly and resumed his post by the door, slipping into a state of drowsy alertness. Behind him, the grand doors of the library slowly swung shut.

Inside, Chen Bai rubbed his cheeks, which were growing warm with excitement. He glanced around and, finding the library empty, contentedly headed for the "Basic Area."

He then picked up his first choice, "The Geography of the Heaven Soaring Realm."

...

Unaware of the time slipping by, a whole day passed.

The following day, Chen Bai reached for "Complete Records of the Beast Clan in the Heaven Soaring Realm."

The third day...

Half a month later, Chen Bai nonchalantly placed "How to Become a Pill Refining Master" back on the shelf and stretched his aching limbs. His stomach rumbled, and a wave of hunger quickly enveloped him.

Chen Bai sprinted towards the library's exit with urgency. Upon reaching the door, he was surprised to find it shut. As he was about to knock, the door creaked open on its own.

Blinded by a burst of sunlight, Chen Bai instinctively raised his arm to shield his eyes. It took a moment before he could lower his arm and see Chen Faang grinning at him, a stone table nearby laden with an array of dishes.

"You must be starving! You've been holed up in the library for half a month. Come on, I was just about to eat. Join me," Chen Faang invited warmly.

Throwing caution to the wind, Chen Bai grabbed a roast chicken and tore into it with his hands, swiftly clearing the table of its contents like a whirlwind.

"Slow down, kid. There's no competition here," Chen Faang chided with a chuckle. He then produced a flask of wine from his Cosmos Sack and offered it to Chen Bai, "Try this, why don't you?"

Chen Bai, who was nearly choking, eagerly took the flask and gulped it down.

"Cough, cough, cough! What is this, Uncle? It's so potent it burns!" Chen Bai, no stranger to alcohol in his past life, had never encountered such a fiery drink. It felt as though his entire being was ablaze.

Chen Faang watched with a mischievous triumph. "Hahaha! Packs a punch, doesn't it? This is a special brew from my collection, crafted from dozens of powerful Spiritual Herbs. It's a treasure that can extend the lifespan of ordinary folks."

Before Chen Bai could respond, a warm surge rose from his chest and began to whirl through his body, following the pathways of the Heaven Soaring Spell.

He quickly assumed a meditative posture, focusing on managing the unexpected rush of heat.

Meanwhile, a different spectacle unfolded around him. A vortex of Spiritual Force emerged, converging above his head to form a light gate. Stupefied, Chen Faang watched as Chen Bai was abruptly drawn into it.

Chen Faang was thrown into a panic when he witnessed Chen Bai vanish before his eyes. He frantically searched the area before rushing off to Chen Lieh's dwelling.

Emerging from a bout of dizziness, Chen Bai found himself once again before the towering stone monument. This time, he gazed at the inscriptions with a contemplative look.

In a neglected corner of the Chen family's library lay a black book, its cover worn and tattered. It contained writings known as Immortal Characters, reportedly brought back by a Chen family elder from a Secret Realm. Despite years of study by the family, the text yielded no insights and was eventually discarded in the library as a worthless tome. However, when Chen Bai opened it, he was captivated by the characters, which bore a striking resemblance to those on the monument in the Heaven Soaring Secret Realm. He began to pore over the pages.

For reasons unknown, Chen Bai appeared to possess an extraordinary memory, quickly committing the book's contents to mind.

Seeing the monument once more, Chen Bai endeavored to translate the inscriptions. After much effort, he succeeded in deciphering a portion of the text.

"My name is Ling Changsheng, the first to enter the Heaven Soaring Secret Realm. If you are reading this, you too have inherited the Heaven Soaring Lineage. The Lineage manifests differently in each person but shares the commonality of the spirit. Take heed! The spirit is the crux of the Heaven Soaring Lineage and pivotal for an inheritor to transcend the Tribulation Crossing Stage. Should the spirit fall into an accidental slumber, then only..."

"Damn! Why does it become indecipherable just when it's getting crucial?" Chen Bai exclaimed in frustration. After taking a moment to compose himself, he persevered, continuing to read with patience.

"Inheritors of the Heaven Soaring Lineage possess the ability to freely enter and exit the Heaven Soaring Secret Realm, a power that can be life-saving in dire moments. Moreover, with each significant advancement in realm, inheritors receive additional, variable benefits, the nature of which is left to chance."

Damn, I can't see it clearly anymore. Chen Bai rubbed his head in frustration. But the inscription suggests there might still be hope for Meier. With that thought, he breathed a sigh of relief and, in a blink, left the Heaven Soaring Secret Realm.

"Ouch! Who just hit me?"

At the sound of the cry, the Chen family people, who had been searching tirelessly, immediately turned their attention in that direction.

Chen Lieh was the first to react. He strode over and gave Chen Bai a hearty slap on the head before demanding, "Where have you been? We haven't heard from you in ages! You've got your third uncle worried sick, you know?"

Chen Faang, standing nearby, also breathed a sigh of relief, then quipped with a smirk, "I wonder who, since mentioning Chen Bai's disappearance, has been buzzing around here like a fly for a whole week!"

Confused, Chen Bai hurriedly asked, "A whole week? I've been gone that long?"

When everyone nodded in confirmation, Chen Bai's mind reeled. This wasn't how it was supposed to go. Others find a Secret Realm that slows down time, but for him, it seemed to speed up. After another round of confirmation, the harsh reality finally hit him.

Seeing Chen Bai standing there speechless, Chen Lieh, with an air of empathy, dispersed the crowd and led Chen Bai into the library.

Once the library doors were shut, Chen Lieh eagerly urged, "Come on, tell your old man what happened while you were gone."

Still stunned, Chen Bai remained silent.

Chen Lieh, growing impatient with Chen Bai's silence and constant staring at Chen Faang, couldn't hide his irritation.

"Alright already! Your third uncle is completely trustworthy. Speak freely," he said, his voice tinged with annoyance.

"Ah? What?" Chen Bai snapped out of his daze, then, seeing his father's irritated face, asked bewilderedly, "Dad, what were you saying?"