The almost imperceptible movement of the bronze pieces didn't catch much attention from the others. After all, it had been so long without anyone succeeding, so naturally, they didn't believe that a female cultivator, seemingly at only the eighth level of Qi Refinement, could change anything.

Zhang Yiyi returned smoothly. After landing, she first winked at her cousin, Zhang Tongtong, signaling confirmation, and then shook her head at the group, indicating that she, too, couldn't retrieve the bronze pieces and was powerless to do anything.

"Is there really no way to retrieve those items? Are we just going to stand by and watch as we miss this chance?"

Yuan Xiaoqi couldn't help but speak up, "Judging by the current situation, it seems there won't be any real immortal artifacts in this secret realm. Did we come here for nothing?"

"Maybe that's not such a bad thing. In two days, at least we'll be able to leave the secret realm safely," Zhang Tongtong smiled, making it clear to everyone that she had no solution either.

Zhang Yiyi didn't intend to expose her cousin's little act. Instead, she turned to Mo Yan, who still hadn't integrated into the group, and asked, "What does Senior Brother Mo think? Is there really no solution?"

"What do you mean by that?" Mo Yan, already dissatisfied with Zhang Yiyi, immediately responded, "If I had a way, I would've already retrieved those items. Do you think I'd hide it until now?"

"Why is Senior Brother Mo angry? I didn't mean anything by it. I just thought that with your experience, you'd surely have seen more than us."

Zhang Yiyi said helplessly, "Besides, I didn't want you to misunderstand again, thinking I don't value you. After all, I didn't have any ill intentions three days ago, but you were so angry, storming off on your own..."

Before she could finish speaking, Mo Yan snorted and, with a dark expression, stormed off again.

"..."

Zhang Yiyi hadn't expected Mo Yan to lose his temper so quickly. She had prepared more words to provoke him further, but now they were unnecessary. Since he had left, she couldn't be bothered to think about it any longer. She raised her hand and cast a soundproof formation around the group, openly beginning their discussion.

"I've already figured out the origin of those five bronze pieces and know how to retrieve them."

Zhang Yiyi ignored the surprised looks from the others and continued, "But now there are two problems. First, the bronze pieces are keys to a trial ground. Inside, there are great opportunities, but the dangers are unimaginable. Surviving might be less than a one-in-ten chance. Second, there are six of us, but only five keys."

So, whether or not they wanted to compete for the keys, and which five people would get them, was up to the group to decide.

After throwing out this explosive information, Zhang Yiyi fell silent, calmly watching Yuan Ying and the others as they came to their decision.

In her mind, she had already selected the most suitable companions: Zhang Tongtong, Chen Fan, Yuan Ying, and Luo Qiheng, who hadn't spoken much but certainly made his presence felt.

These people, whether in terms of strength or fortune, were outstanding among their peers. They had worked together on this journey, and both their compatibility and character had been proven. Additionally, they all owed her a favor that she could call in at any time.

Given this, if the five of them became companions and entered the trial ground together, their advantage would be undeniable.

Yuan Ying and the others, after hearing this, understood the key point as well.

The bronze pieces were special keys that could take them to a trial ground, where not only great opportunities awaited but also tremendous risks—far more dangerous than this current secret realm at Luo Xian River.

Moreover, Zhang Yiyi needed companions who were not only strong but also trustworthy, people who could cover her back and move forward together. Clearly, they had earned her trust.

And more importantly, they needed such companions too!

For a moment, they all looked at each other, clearly unwilling to give up such a great opportunity. Even though Zhang Yiyi hadn't explained the trial ground in detail, the fact that it appeared in the Luo Xian River Mystic Realm and took the place of an immortal artifact spoke volumes about how precious the keys were.

After a discussion, Yuan Xiaoqi became the only backup choice, visibly disappointed but without any real bitterness.

After all, among the six of them, aside from Zhang Yiyi, who was still at the Qi Refinement stage, her cultivation and combat strength were inferior to the other four.

And no one could take Zhang Yiyi's spot, nor would they want to.

"I only know this much about the trial ground. If I learn more from my master later, I'll let you know."

Zhang Yiyi briefly explained the situation regarding the Yingtai trial ground, casually attributing her knowledge to her master.

"As for retrieving the bronze keys, you just need to follow these steps."

Seeing that the others didn't seem to doubt her, she explained the method to retrieve the keys in detail.

Zhang Yiyi wasn't worried about her four companions being unable to meet the requirements for retrieving the keys with their divine senses; otherwise, she wouldn't have chosen them.

"Yiyi, since retrieving the keys requires divine sense, you..."

Yuan Xiaoqi's hope reignited as she realized that Qi Refinement cultivators didn't have divine sense. Did that mean her spot could fall to her?

"What about me?"

Zhang Yiyi smiled, patted her on the shoulder, and said, "Don't worry, I'm fine."

"How could you be fine? You're only at the Qi Refinement stage; you don't have divine sense."

Yuan Xiaoqi, genuinely puzzled, asked in concern.

"She's probably already established her foundation."

Luo Qiheng, who had remained silent, suddenly spoke up. "When she was inspecting those bronze pieces earlier, there was a brief divine sense fluctuation."

Not only that, but the divine sense fluctuation was so powerful that Luo Qiheng felt a suppression akin to that from a high-level cultivator.

In fact, Zhang Yiyi had perfect control over her divine sense. If not for the special nature of his cultivation technique, he, like the others, wouldn't have noticed the almost negligible divine sense leakage.

Of course, he didn't mention this, but his impression of Zhang Yiyi had deepened.

"Senior Brother Luo has good eyes. I had just advanced to Foundation Establishment when I received a message from our senior sister."

Zhang Yiyi smiled at Luo Qiheng, acknowledging his observation.

As for hiding her cultivation level, she saw no need to explain further, nor did she bother to mention that she had directly advanced to the middle stage of Foundation Establishment.