Chapter 123 – Secret Realm

  From the deck of the flying ship, the Secret Realm revealed itself in the sky ahead as though a veil was slowly being removed. At first, it appeared as only a faint distortion, a shimmer in the air like heat rising from a fire, or the haze from desert sands burning in the sun.

  But as the ship drew closer, its shape unfolded before them with startling clarity.

  It was suspended high above the barren earth, sphere-shaped and strange. It was as if the light bent around it in some fashion, skewing its sense of scale and the perceptions of anyone who looked at it.

  From what those observing it could see, the interior contained a vast expanse of land that floated as though it was cut free from the earth below and floating under its own power.

  Jagged cliffs hung downward beneath it like the fangs of some gargantuan monster. Lines of spiritual power seemed to tether it to the sphere of spiritual power around it, anchoring it in place. A mist of white, grey and black clouds encircled the edges, shifting colours while faint bits of blue and crimson lightning flickered through it.

  Waterfalls spilled straight off the edges of the floating land, but instead of plummeting downward, their streams of crystal-clear water curved in mid-air and dissolved into motes of light that dispersed into the air around it like drifting fireflies.

  The rivers visible on the landmass gleamed with a silver light as they wound their way through dense forests with trees that were a deep green, some tall enough to pierce through the clouds above them.

  The air shimmered with the spiritual energy that was thick enough to be visible to the naked eye, and those observing felt their Qi stir with anticipation of cultivating within such a place.

  At the heart of the Secret realm was a mountain unlike any on the continent. It rose up like the spine of a continent, so tall that it nearly pierced the dome surrounding the Secret Realm. Even from the deck of the ship, no one could see its peak as it was lost behind the shifting clouds and thick spiritual mist.

  Even craning their necks, the Disciples could only glimpse layers and layers of cliffs, sheer walls of stone, and ridges that went endlessly upward as though the mountain refused to end. The lower slopes were wrapped in vast forests with canopies so dense that they appeared like an ocean.

  Strange birds with molten bronze, silver and gold feathers wheeled through the skies, their cries sharp and loud enough to be heard from the deck of the ship. The shadows of large spirit beasts could be seen moving through the forests, sending ripples through the trees to mark their passing.

  The ship cut smoothly through the air toward the entrance of the Secret Realm, while its hull gleamed with runes designed to counter the effects of the turbulent spiritual energy generated by the Secret Realm.

  Everyone gathered on the top deck made their way toward the prow of the ship, leaning forward to get a better look at the Secret Realm. From where they stood, it looked as though it weren’t real. It appeared half there, like a mirage or an illusion. The cliffs, waterfalls and forests, even the mountain at the center, wavered as though they were made of smoke.

  But if there was any doubt of what they were seeing, it was put to rest by the oppressive weight of the Qi spilling out of the Secret Realm, proof that it wasn’t an illusion.

  The nearer they came, the more they could pick out within the Realm. There were smaller peaks around the central mountain, ruins and ancient structures peaking above the trees, and even what appeared to be the remains of a city along one of the river banks.

  The distortion rippled outward like water when a stone was tossed into a lake, spreading across the sphere containing the Secret Realm as the ship drew closer to it. The entire realm seemed to breathe, its barrier pulsing faintly, but the ship’s protective wards flared to life in response, taming the currents that threatened to disrupt its flight.

  The Disciples around Jun De murmured in awe and unease, feeling the pressure build in the air the closer they came to the Secret Realm. Some clenched their fists in excitement, while others drew in deeper breaths to steady their hearts.

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  Even the Elders, both from the Outer and Inner Sects, were somber as they neared the entrance to the Realm. They knew that, while it held many secrets and opportunities, it would also have many dangers.

  The prow of the ship angled downwards slightly, and with a command from the Elder in charge, it pointed directly at the shimmering veil that covered the Realm.

  Unlike the Inheritance Site, where the ship had landed and the Disciples had walked or ridden flying swords into it, the plan here was for the ship to pierce through the distortion and carry them all into the Secret Realm at the same time.

  While they waited, the Disciples were instructed to gather into orderly rows as an Inner Sect Elder stepped forward to address them. His robes were the same blue as the others, with golden lining to signify his rank, although Jun De didn’t recognize him.

  ‘Odd, I thought Mu Yanyu would be in charge.’ Jun De thought, looking through the crowd for her. He spotted the Elder near several others as they stared at the Secret Realm. It seemed they were busy studying the Secret Realm, trying to determine the best path forward.

  “Listen carefully.” The Elder called out, and his voice easily carried across the entire deck and the thousands that were gathered on it.

  “This expedition into the Secret Realm is not a mere excursion. It is both an opportunity and a trial. As such, there will be rules.”

  He turned to look at the gathered Outer Sect Disciples first.

  “For those of the Outer Sect, your path will be under the strict guidance of the Outer Sect Elders. You will not be permitted to roam freely. Instead, you will be directed toward safer regions once we enter and begin mapping the terrain.”

  There were brief mumblings from the crowd that were swiftly silenced at a harsh glance from the Elder. The Outer Sect Disciples silently complained at the treatment, as they imagined themselves entering the Secret Realm and finding rare items to help them.

  “Your role will be to harvest the more common spiritual herbs, minerals, and other resources that can aid your cultivation. You are here to temper your experience, not to court death by fighting against the beasts within. Any violation of your assigned areas will result in immediate removal from the trial.”

  Again, a ripple of murmurs passed through the Outer Sect Disciples as some were relieved, while many were disappointed. But they were quickly quieted when the Elder’s eyes swept over them again.

  The Elder’s attention shifted to the Inner Sect Disciples, and his expression hardened. Jun De stiffened, while Zhao Wuxian grinned in anticipation beside him.

  “As for the Inner Sect, your trial will be more rigorous. Your progress will be observed directly by the Inner Sect Elders. You will be judged and scored based on your contributions. Rare herbs and spiritual materials you discover and return, as well as spirit beasts you slay and bring back the components of, will determine your evaluation. The greater the value of your finds, the higher your score.”

  The Elder paused, and his voice grew even more serious.

  “Your performance here will weigh heavily in the upcoming Inner Sect competition.”

  The Elder’s words sent another wave of tension through the Disciples. Some straightened with confidence, while others clenched their fists in determination. Zhao Wuxian laughed and flexed his bare chest as though he were already picturing himself slaying a mountain of spirit beasts.

  Shen Weifeng, on the other hand, had his hands clasped behind his back. He was joined by two other older Disciples, both in the Foundation Establishment realm, and Jun De recognized them from several of the former Elder’s stories.

  The pair had been his friends in his youth when he was still in the Inner Sect, joining him on several adventures.

  “The duration of this exploration has not yet been determined. The Secret Realm is newly uncovered, and its size and scale remain unknown. However, from what we have sensed, it does not appear to be overly vast. Once we have measured its boundaries, a time limit will be set.”

  “Until then, remain vigilant and prepare yourselves. Once we cross the barrier, your trial will begin.”

  The Disciples dispersed slightly after the Elder’s announcement, and Lin Yue edged closer to Jun De. Her eyes lingered on the shimmering veil of the Secret Realm that was rapidly closing in. She clutched the sleeve of his robe and spoke in a low voice.

  “Senior Brother Jun De, where is Sister Mei? Shouldn’t she have joined us here by now?”

  Jun De frowned, as he also thought it odd that Mei Lian hadn’t contacted him again. She hadn’t messaged him in weeks, not since the initial one describing the location of the Secret Realm.

  “I don’t know. Maybe she went ahead of us and is waiting inside?” Jun De said quietly.

  Lin Yue nodded slowly, although her frown remained.

  “This isn’t like her. I know she is strong and competent, but entering the Secret Realm alone is dangerous.”

  “I know. Don’t worry, if she’s inside, we’ll find her as soon as possible.” Jun De assured her, and Lin Yue smiled up at him.

  Jun De’s eyes returned to the Secret Realm, and the longer he stared at it, the more his chest tightened. There was something odd about it, and it wasn’t just the fact that it was a floating landmass surrounded by strange spiritual energy.

  Everything about it was just as he expected from a Secret Realm, from the mountain at its heart to the silver and blue rivers. It was perfect, almost too perfect and alluring to resist not entering.

  ‘Why do I feel like it’s just waiting, like it was created just for us to find.’ Jun De wondered. His cultivation stirred in response, although whether it was warning him or just reacting to his emotions, Jun De didn’t know.