Jiang Chen looked around the periphery for a while and noticed that the entrance to the Exterior Extreme Realm was slightly different from the entrance leading from the Outer Extreme Realm into the Inner Extreme Realm.
After studying it for a moment, Jiang Chen couldn't figure out exactly what the difference was.
"Never mind. I'll go in first and worry about it later."
Jiang Chen didn't overthink it—he plunged straight into the entrance of the Exterior Extreme Realm.
After entering the Exterior Extreme Realm, Jiang Chen found that the inside didn't look all that different from the Inner Extreme Realm, except that the deathly, lifeless atmosphere was far more oppressive.
If the Outer Extreme Realm and Inner Extreme Realm could both be described as lifeless, then this place was practically indistinguishable from hell itself.
As for any trace of vitality, Jiang Chen couldn't find a shred of it.
"No wonder Palace Master Danchi said there was nothing here. This place doesn't even seem to grow those stiff, rigid plants." Jiang Chen looked up and saw nothing but yellow sand and dusty earth stretching in every direction—it was as if he had truly entered an endlessly desolate wasteland, utterly cut off from any spark of life.
Jiang Chen suddenly began to understand how Palace Master Danchi had felt.
A place like this—setting aside Danchi, even someone like Jiang Chen, who had seen plenty in his previous life, would feel reluctant to linger.
In a place like this, Jiang Chen estimated that even he himself couldn't last a month.
As for others, most probably couldn't even manage ten days.
He nearly felt the urge to turn back, but after a moment's thought, Jiang Chen decided to press on. Since he had come, he might as well stay. There was no point in turning around after arriving.
The word "retreat" had never existed in Jiang Chen's vocabulary.
Either he didn't make a choice at all, or once he made one, he would see it through. Besides, the Exterior Extreme Realm was so bizarre—there was no way it held no mysteries whatsoever. Jiang Chen absolutely refused to believe that.
……
Right after Jiang Chen plunged into the Exterior Extreme Realm, at the entrance to the Inner Extreme Realm, Ling Bi'er's figure appeared as she stepped inside.
She had lingered in the Outer Extreme Realm for three days, searching for Jiang Chen the entire time, but had found nothing in the end.
She knew she shouldn't be the kind of woman who grew attached to a man so easily, yet ever since entering the Myriad Manifestations Extreme Realm, the desire to be alone with Jiang Chen had only grown stronger.
She was fully aware that such thoughts were embarrassing, but once the heart's door opened to love, there was simply no way to shut it again.
Still, she was an exceptionally clever and perceptive woman. She knew that within the Myriad Manifestations Extreme Realm, there wasn't a single soul within a hundred miles—finding Jiang Chen here would be like looking for a needle in a haystack, virtually impossible.
Composing herself, Ling Bi'er resolved to search in earnest.
This Myriad Manifestations Extreme Realm was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Thirty years from now, it would be an entirely new batch of young disciples entering.
When would someone like her, Ling Bi'er, ever get another chance?
"Junior Brother Jiang Chen is so powerful now, strong enough to challenge the entire Sacred Sword Sect single-handedly. I used to be stronger than him, but now I'm far behind. During this Myriad Manifestations Extreme Realm expedition, I absolutely must find an inheritance to improve myself. Even if I can't keep up with his pace, at least I want to see the shadow of his retreating figure."
Ling Bi'er had the temperament of an ice queen, but deep down, she was fiercely competitive.
Every martial artist had a competitive streak within, and Ling Bi'er was no exception.
……
Outside the Myriad Manifestations Extreme Realm, in the arena area—it had been a full day since the geniuses had entered. Palace Master Danchi sat cross-legged, but his mood had not eased one bit.