The Cloud Ze Secret Realm wasn't just any ordinary secret realm—it was one with cultivation restrictions.
Normally, only cultivators below the Golden Core stage could enter it.
But both Bai Zhi and Wind Cleaving Eagle were clearly above that level.
That was the first red flag.
The second?
Even if Bai Zhi had a way to sneak herself and Wind Cleaving Eagle into the Cloud Ze Secret Realm, the treasures inside were basically worthless to her by now. There really was no reason for her to go in.
'Unless… something outside forced her to seek refuge in the Cloud Ze Secret Realm?' Wei Tu raised an eyebrow and guessed silently.
With the combined power of Bai Zhi and Wind Cleaving Eagle, regular Golden Core cultivators wouldn't stand a chance. But if the threat was someone at the Nascent Soul level, then they wouldn't be able to escape.
So, if Bai Zhi really had gone into the Cloud Ze Secret Realm to hide, then her pursuer was likely at the peak of the Golden Core stage—maybe even on par with someone like Qi Chengchu or Hu Shan, not the likes of Shen Yunqiu.
"Looks like I've got no choice but to deal with the Ni family this time."
After a moment of thought, Wei Tu pulled out the token Ni Shihuang had given him earlier. He decided to head to the Heshan Ni family to gather intel.
Without Bai Zhi's support in formations, he had no way to activate the Cloud Ze Secret Realm's teleportation array or enter the place himself.
So whether he wanted to play it smart or rush in to save her, going to the Ni family was a necessary first step.
At this point, it wasn't hard for Wei Tu to guess why the Ni family and other clans had gathered here.
Just like the Heshan Huang family and Xuefeng Zheng family had done in the past, they had come here seeking Golden Core opportunities in the Cloud Ze Secret Realm.
From the looks of it, they were still preparing to open the realm. Wei Tu spotted quite a few mid-to-late Foundation Establishment cultivators around.
After thinking it through, he waved his sleeve and appeared directly in the valley in front of the gathered cultivators, most of whom were from the Heshan Ni family.
"Someone's here? Enemy attack?!"
Even though Wei Tu hadn't leaked the slightest bit of his aura, his sudden appearance still startled the Ni family and the other clans present. They all jumped to attention in alarm.
But soon after, several Golden Core True Lords sensed the huge gap between their power and Wei Tu's. Their expressions changed, and they quickly flew forward to greet him.
"We didn't expect a senior to descend upon this place. What brings you here?"
The Ni family's patriarch stepped forward and bowed respectfully, his voice slightly tense.
After all, this secret realm had already been divided up among several cultivation clans by the five major demonic sects. It was considered private territory.
Now, Wei Tu had barged in without warning. Even if he was a Nascent Soul expert, it still came across as a provocation.
Not that they dared to say so.
"Miss Ni invited me to visit the Heshan Ni family. I happened to see some of your people here, so I came over."
Wei Tu replied casually.
As he spoke, he gave the Ni patriarch a look and tossed the token toward him.
The patriarch froze for a moment. But when he caught the token and recognized the familiar clan emblem, his expression instantly shifted to surprise and joy.
He hadn't expected Ni Shihuang to have made such a powerful connection out there.
Grinning warmly now, the Ni patriarch said enthusiastically, "Please don't take offense, Senior Fu. It was our oversight not to have formally invited you. Forgive us."
Now that Wei Tu had shown the token, his sudden arrival no longer looked like an intrusion. In fact, to the Ni family, this was a stroke of incredible luck.
After all, how many Golden Core families out there could claim ties to a Nascent Soul powerhouse?
Seeing this, the other family patriarchs nearby couldn't help but show envy on their faces. They looked on with jealousy as the Ni patriarch welcomed Wei Tu with open arms.
"That Phoenix girl from the Ni family sure soared high—and the people she's connected with are no small figures either."
"I wonder where exactly Ni Shihuang met this Senior Fu…"
The surrounding cultivators murmured to each other.
Before long, rumors started forming—stories of Wei Tu heroically rescuing Ni Shihuang, winning her admiration. Or maybe he had taken an interest in her talent and accepted her as his Dao companion…
Wei Tu, with his strong divine sense, caught every one of these whispered conversations. But he didn't bother with them. He just smiled faintly and let the gossip pass.
Then, after exchanging a few pleasantries, the Ni patriarch began introducing the outstanding cultivators of the clan to Wei Tu.
"Second daughter, Ni Meixian."
"Fourth daughter, Ni Bingyan."
"Third son, Ni Shengjiao."
"…"
He went down the list.
But Wei Tu quickly noticed that the introductions for the female cultivators were significantly longer than those for the males.
It seemed like… the patriarch was deliberately trying to showcase them to him.
"Well, that makes sense. Compared to righteous cultivators, demonic ones are generally more open. The practice of collecting many concubines is a lot more common on the demonic side." Wei Tu thought for a moment and suddenly understood.
He had even heard of certain demonic cultivators who kept over 1,000 concubines.
Compared to that, even cultivators from the Hehuan Sect seemed conservative.
"This second young lady of the Ni family—this one carries a clean, spiritual aura. Her aptitude isn't bad… I'd like to give her some guidance. What do you think, Daoist Ni?"
Wei Tu played along. As soon as the Ni family patriarch finished his introductions, a faint smile appeared on Wei Tu's lips. His gaze fell on the delicate and pretty Ni Meixian as he said those words.
"Huh? What?" The Ni patriarch was taken aback. Clearly, he hadn't expected this outcome.
And truly, he hadn't.
Earlier, when introducing the Ni family's lovely female cultivators to Wei Tu, he did indeed harbor hopes of forming some kind of tie through marriage. But he hadn't imagined things would go this smoothly.
He was well aware that while Ni Meixian and Ni Bingyan were decent in both looks and talent, they were still far from being worthy of serving as a concubine to a Nascent Soul cultivator.
Now that Ni Meixian had caught Wei Tu's eye, there was no doubt—she was aiming high.
In the Ni patriarch's mind, it was Ni Shihuang, their Phoenix girl, who was more suited to someone like Wei Tu.
Still, when such an opportunity presented itself, of course he wouldn't turn it down. Smiling brightly, he agreed to the proposal on Ni Meixian's behalf.
"Meixian being favored by Senior Fu is a blessing she earned over three lifetimes."
The Ni patriarch laughed cheerfully.
"Meixian, come here and greet Senior Fu."
Afraid Wei Tu might change his mind, the Ni patriarch didn't waste time. He flew straight to Ni Meixian's side and brought her over to Wei Tu.
"This junior greets Senior Fu."
Ni Meixian blushed, lifting her head slightly and sneaking a glance at Wei Tu.
She never thought that in her life, she might also follow in her elder sister's footsteps—soaring up to become a phoenix.
To most female cultivators, becoming a concubine of a Nascent Soul cultivator wasn't disgraceful—it was the highest honor.
After all, just becoming such a concubine meant her cultivation was guaranteed to reach the Golden Core stage, at the very least.
Maybe even higher.
"Not bad." Wei Tu nodded slightly, his eyes flashing with praise.
"The Cloud Ze Secret Realm won't open for a while. I'll guide Meixian privately first. Once I'm done, I'll send her back."
Wei Tu glanced at the Ni patriarch and spoke in a casual tone, like he was suggesting something minor.
"This…" The Ni patriarch was surprised. He hadn't expected Wei Tu to be so… impatient, not even bothering to keep up appearances. He was already eager to take Ni Meixian away for "private guidance."
But that kind of request? The Ni patriarch was more than happy to comply. He agreed without hesitation.
With the nod given, Wei Tu didn't waste time. He waved his sleeve, gathered his power, and took Ni Meixian up to the skies, flying far away from the Ni family's gathering.
Not long after Wei Tu left, the other clan patriarchs around the area quickly flew over to the Ni patriarch to offer their congratulations.
"The Ni family forming a tie with a Nascent Soul cultivator—what a joyous event! Here's a small gift, Daoist Ni, please accept it."
"My family has some girls too. Daoist Ni, do you think you could introduce one or two?"
They took turns flattering him.
…
Elsewhere—
High in the clouds, Wei Tu couldn't help but glance over a few more times at Ni Meixian, now wrapped in his power.
Her starry eyes and jade-like skin—her looks might not have surpassed Ni Shihuang's, but she was still stunning, like a fairy in mortal form.
But truth be told, Wei Tu didn't bring her away for dual cultivation, unlike what the Ni patriarch had assumed.
"Close your eyes."
He covered their presence in clouds and fog, then gave the command.
Ni Meixian didn't resist. She obediently closed her eyes, preparing herself for the honor of serving a Nascent Soul master.
But her trembling body betrayed how nervous she really was.
Before her thoughts could spiral further, a strange, sweet scent drifted past her nose. Her mind went fuzzy, and she fell unconscious.
That scent came from the illusion mist released by the Seven-Colored Phantom Moth hidden on Wei Tu's body.
It was a natural illusion technique—one of the moth's innate powers.
"Has anyone suspicious shown up around the Cloud Ze Secret Realm in the past half year?"
Wei Tu pressed a palm to Ni Meixian's crown and sent his divine sense into her mind, guiding it with care.
Showing interest in Ni Meixian had just been a ruse. His real goal was to find out what had happened with Bai Zhi and Wind Cleaving Eagle over the last 6 months.
"Cloud Ze Secret Realm…"
Ni Meixian's thoughts were a mess, but she still mumbled out a response.
"A month ago… the space inside the Cloud Ze Secret Realm became unstable. The patriarch and a few Golden Core cultivators worked together to stabilize it."
"Blood God Sect's You Gongquan came by…"