After crossing the desert, there was a vast plain, and on the plain stood a distinctive giant rock.
Li Shuang temporarily stopped near this giant rock.
After the Heaven and Earth Smelting Furnace was activated, its appraisal function did not disappear; instead, the appraisal results became much clearer.
Previously, Li Shuang could only roughly estimate an item's value based on the progress bar's changes.
Now, the Heaven and Earth Smelting Furnace would directly provide a value point.
This value point was an internal calculation logic within the Heaven and Earth Smelting Furnace.
Generally, items with richer spiritual energy had higher value points. With this, Li Shuang found it much easier to locate items.
For the past few days, she had been moving around this giant rock, searching for resources while waiting.
Five days later.
Li Shuang had just slain a demonic beast and obtained a fourth-tier spiritual herb it was guarding.
As she put the item away, her eyes suddenly flickered.
Li Shuang turned around, a hint of joy flashing in her eyes.
"Junior Sister." Behind her was Liu Juncheng, looking travel-worn.
Liu Juncheng seemed to have experienced several battles along the way, looking quite disheveled.
However, he didn't appear to have suffered any serious injuries, and his overall condition was good.
Li Shuang's anxious heart eased a little, and she asked, "Second Senior Brother. Did you encounter the demon race this time?"
Before entering the secret realm, Li Shuang didn't know there would be changes this time. She and Liu Juncheng had agreed to meet under this distinctive giant rock in the inner region.
Afterward, she and Liu Juncheng would go to the Ice Lake together.
She possessed an ice spirit root, and the lotus seeds in the Ice Lake would be of immense benefit to her.
Besides, there were other opportunities in the Ice Lake that would also be quite helpful for Liu Juncheng, who had a water spirit root.
The last time she was at the Ice Lake, Li Shuang had thought it was a pity Sheng Yuan wasn't there; otherwise, with his single water spirit root, this opportunity would have been very significant for him.
Ten years had passed, and things had changed.
As for Sheng Yuan, she naturally no longer felt any regret.
Liu Juncheng had dual water and wood spirit roots, and that opportunity was equally crucial for him. That's why Li Shuang had specifically arranged to meet Liu Juncheng here.
Later, after entering the secret realm and with the demon race causing trouble, Li Shuang had been worried about Liu Juncheng's situation.
However, fortunately, they were both safe and sound now.
Li Shuang's expression still appeared calm, with only deep concern showing in her eyes.
Liu Juncheng was accustomed to his junior sister's outwardly cold but inwardly warm demeanor. He said gently, "I did encounter them once. But at that time, there happened to be other disciples from the Six Sects nearby, and we teamed up to repel the demon race. Because of the demon race this time, many disciples dare not leave the outer regions, so the Six Sects' gains are likely to be significantly reduced."
Li Shuang felt a little apologetic: "If Second Senior Brother and I hadn't made an appointment beforehand, you wouldn't have had to take this risk."
Liu Juncheng looked at her apologetic expression, feeling somewhat helpless: "Xiao Shuang, why are you taking responsibility again? Regardless of whether there were demons or not, I would have ventured into the inner region. You're willing to share your opportunity with me; I should be the one indebted to you for such a great favor. Why are you feeling apologetic? Don't be so polite next time."
A hint of slight confusion flashed in Li Shuang's clear, cold eyes.
Is... is that so?
Seeing her like this, Liu Juncheng felt a pang of heartache.
When Li Shuang arrived at the Sword Sect, she was just a young girl of about ten. Her habit of taking responsibility upon herself could only mean that during her years on Lingxu Peak, everyone forced her to become that kind of person.
"Remember to live more freely in the future," Liu Juncheng couldn't help but say.
Someone like Li Shuang might appear as cold as ice, but those who truly understood her would see her incredibly gentle heart.
Some people would choose to exploit this heart, to trample on it.
But others would choose to cherish it.
Li Shuang looked at Liu Juncheng's earnest expression, a small smile appearing on her lips: "I understand. Second Senior Brother, there might still be some scattered resources nearby, but these resources are insignificant compared to the truly great opportunities. I will guard you; you should first adjust to your best state, and then we will set off immediately."
Liu Juncheng couldn't help but sigh inwardly, seeing Li Shuang's radiant appearance.
This Grand Dao of Supreme Emotionlessness was truly defying heaven.
It had been a month since the secret realm opened, and most people were already looking disheveled.
But Li Shuang's cultivation method was special; although she didn't have much spiritual energy, it was endless, allowing her to maintain her peak state almost constantly.
Even if she sustained minor injuries fighting demonic beasts, her cultivation method would naturally restore her to her best state, without needing additional adjustment.
A heaven-defying cultivation method.
It also had heaven-defying entry requirements.
Liu Juncheng felt emotional, but if he were to also enter this Path of Emotionlessness, he would probably prefer never to suffer such trauma.
Xiao Shuang paid an incredibly painful price to enter the Path of Emotionlessness.
The only thing he, as her senior brother, could do was to return her sincerity. He and others would work together to help Xiao Shuang completely break free from the influence of the past.
Now, facing Li Shuang's kindness, Liu Juncheng did not refuse. He said gently, "Come, I'll adjust for a while first."
His condition was indeed not very good; he hadn't had a place to rest and adjust along the way.
With Li Shuang there, he took out a pill and focused on recovering.
Li Shuang guarded him nearby.
Once Liu Juncheng recovered, the two immediately set off.
Another ten-odd days passed.
The two, travel-worn, arrived near the Ice Lake Li Shuang had mentioned.
Liu Juncheng looked at the Ice Lake, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
This lake spanned the core and inner regions, and each of its eight corners was guarded by a demonic beast.
In the very center of the Ice Lake, the most eye-catching sight was an ice lotus, as if carved from ice and snow.
The two dared not approach rashly. Li Shuang whispered, "Second Senior Brother, these eight demonic beasts are all at the level of super-grade demon beasts. Although their power is also at the Foundation Establishment stage, with the bloodline power bonus, even if you and I team up, we might not be able to defeat even one of them. Not to mention, there are eight here."
Liu Juncheng nodded involuntarily.
Li Shuang was well-prepared. She said, "These eight demonic beasts guard eight different directions. We can choose one direction to break through. As long as we don't cause too much commotion, other demonic beasts won't react, except for the one guarding that direction."
"This time, our target is the demonic beast in the southeast. This demonic beast loves wine; bribing it with fine wine might allow it to let us in. However, we only have half an hour. If we don't come out after half an hour, this demonic beast will sound an alarm, and then not only it but all the demonic beasts will surround us."
"Additionally, if we touch the lotus in the center, all guardian beasts will be instantly alerted. In this situation, regardless of whether half an hour has passed, the eight great demonic beasts will instantly surround us."