57: Chapter 57 is just a lie; anyone can get in!

The wanbao treasure ship passed through the seven-colored light gate.

The sensation of spatial distortion vanished in an instant, and dense Spiritual Qi rushed toward them.

Inside the Secret Realm, ancient trees reached for the sky and celestial birds spread their wings; as far as the eye could see, it was an uncultivated, wild landscape.

Outside the canyon, there was a deathly silence.

Old Ghost Wanxue, Daoist Minggu, Perfected Purple Thunder, Lei Xuzi, and Heavenly Crone Ziyou stood in mid-air, not daring to move an inch.

The five Saints stared fixedly at the light gate that had closed again, the corners of their eyes splitting with bloodshot veins.

They went in—they actually went in!

A giant ship fully loaded with over-aged personnel had sailed right in, bold as brass!

"On what grounds!" Old Ghost Wanxue's withered hands suddenly gripped his blood-red robe, his nails nearly sinking into his flesh.

That was the Azure Emperors Secret Realm!

Yunxiao Holy Land had sent in a contemporary Great Emperor, and he even brought along Saint Elders and a group of Prodigies.

By the time these people came out, the Opportunities within the Secret Realm would likely be picked clean!

Thunder raged around Perfected Purple Thunder, the surrounding Void Realm crackling and popping from the discharge.

Perfected Purple Thunder gritted his teeth, forcing words through them: "A Great Emperor ignores the Law; we can only accept our fate!"

Heavenly Crone Ziyou leaned on her dragon-headed cane, her hands shaking uncontrollably: "Even that Wei Hongyu from the Wanbao Chamber of Commerce went in. This old woman is truly unreconciled!"

The group gnashed their teeth, yet they were utterly helpless.

On the Jiang Family war chariot, Jiang Yifei's face was ashen.

Jiang Yifei had originally hoped to show off his prowess inside. Now that Emperor Yun was leading a large force to sweep through, even if he met the bone-age requirement, he would likely only be able to pick up some leftovers upon entering.

The quirky loli Ji Linger curled her lip. Seeing Jiang Yifei's aggrieved look, her admiration for that Emperor Yun grew even more.

Nangong Ziyi's eyes were filled with a strange light. This kind of style—treating rules as nothing—was indeed attractive. The most important thing was that he was also handsome.

On the deck of the wanbao treasure ship.

Lu Chen lay back in his soft chair, the fragrance of wine wafting from the sword-nurturing gourd at his waist.

Yan Lingji stood behind him, her fair hands kneading Lu Chen's shoulders with just the right amount of pressure.

Su Qiyue held a jade plate, feeding a peeled Snow-Jade Bodhi fruit into Lu Chen's mouth.

Lu Chen spread his Divine Sense, taking in the expressions of those old monsters outside the canyon.

Seeing Old Ghost Wanxue's deathly pale face and the uncontrolled lightning around Perfected Purple Thunder, the corners of Lu Chen's mouth curled slightly.

"Revered Master, what are you smiling at?" Su Qiyue blinked her large eyes, her face full of curiosity.

"Your Revered Master is watching a group of clowns." Lu Chen swallowed the spirit fruit and sat up straight.

Lu Chen snapped his fingers.

A trace of Great Emperor Divine Thought slipped out silently.

Outside, above the canyon.

In the originally silent world, a lazy voice suddenly rang out.

"Hahaha!"

The laughter vibrated through the Void Realm, causing the five Saints' blood and Qi to churn.

"Old fellows outside, does it feel bad?"

Old Ghost Wanxue snapped his head up, his face full of shock. It was Emperor Yun's voice!

"The Azure Emperor lied to you!"

Lu Chen's voice echoed throughout the canyon, clearly reaching the ears of every Cultivator.

"This Secret Realm has no restrictions at all; anyone can enter."

"I lied to you! This is a Great Secret Realm where everyone could enter before! How could a Secret Realm developed by those old-timers of the past—where they snatched treasures until they were flying high—not let you old fogies come in for some fun this time!"

"It just depends on whether you dare to come in. Bye-bye now, I'm going to start snatching treasures!"

The voice stopped abruptly.

Outside the canyon, one could hear a pin drop. Still, no one dared to lead the way!

Inside the Secret Realm, the wanbao treasure ship flew steadily.

Lu Chen stretched comfortably.

"Comfortable."

Just as Lu Chen was about to lie back down, he noticed a burning gaze fixed on him.

He turned his head.

His eldest Disciple, Leng Qingqiu, was standing not far away.

Leng Qingqiu held the imperial sword jiuyou in her arms, her originally fair cheeks now flushed with a crimson glow.

Leng Qingqiu stared intently at Lu Chen, that strange crimson flicker in the depths of her pupils churning wildly.

"Revered Master..."

Leng Qingqiu's voice was hoarse, carrying a hint of excitement.

Lu Chen's brow furrowed slightly. What madness was this girl up to now?

Leng Qingqiu took a step forward, leaning close to Lu Chen, her breathing rapid.

"That phantom of the Azure Emperor just now... it was actually you in disguise, wasn't it?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the deck instantly went silent.

Yun Qianyue stopped wagging her fox tail, while Su Xuner and Su Qiyue froze in place.

Xiao Yuzhu, Wei Hongyu, and the others were all dumbfounded.

Leng Qingqiu ignored the others, staring straight at Lu Chen. She raised her hand to cover her burning cheek, her body twisting slightly as she spoke shocking words:

"I always feel that on that phantom, there was Revered Master's Aura and scent."

Leng Qingqiu took a deep breath, her eyes hazy.

"It's very fragrant... a scent that belongs solely to Revered Master."

The deck was silent.

Lu Chen's scalp tingled. He quickly supported his forehead, using his wide sleeve to cover half his face, grumbling internally.

Good grief! This girl is having another episode!

I freaking used the Aura of the Chaos Azure Lotus from my System warehouse to simulate the Azure Emperor's Law. Even those Saints who have lived for thousands of years couldn't tell!

And you, from such a distance, you smelled it with your nose?

Are you a dog?!

Wei Hongyu stood to the side, rolling her eyes as she saw Lu Chen's guilty look.

Wei Hongyu's tone was full of disdain: "A grand Great Emperor, acting so lowly just to keep all the food for yourself. Lu Chen, your twisted sense of humor is really getting worse."

"I despise you, just like when you used a feather to tickle my feet back then."

Yun Qianyue's eyes darted around: "Revered Master is so naughty~ I love it! Revered Master is still the most fun, using a move like this!"

Lin Bufan stood at the back.

"I've learned something, I've learned something!"

Shen Mengyao covered her face, feeling that all the Holy Land's dignity had been thrown away.

Lu Chen coughed twice, lowered his sleeve, and regained his indifferent expression.

Lu Chen glanced sideways at Leng Qingqiu, ignored her topic, and said solemnly:

"What do you all know?"

Lu Chen's gaze swept over his Disciples, his tone serious.

"Your Revered Master did this to give you a lesson on life and death."

Su Xuner immediately stood up straight and pricked up her ears.

Lu Chen pointed to the Void Realm behind them:

"Do you really think those ancient mighty ones left behind Secret Realms and set bone-age restrictions just to select successors?"

Everyone was stunned; that was how the cultivation world had always told the story.

"Naive."

Lu Chen scoffed.

"A person who has been dead for tens of thousands of years, whose very lineage has been severed—why would he care who inherits his things?"

"A treasure-snatching Secret Realm that sets bone-age restrictions, wanting only the young and not the old—what does that signify?"

Lu Chen paused, his eyes deep.

"It means the owner of this Secret Realm has ill intentions!"

"What this Secret Realm wants is a perfect Physical Body with vigorous blood and Qi, a pure Soul, one that hasn't been set in its ways and has room to grow!"

"Such restrictions are, nine times out of ten, for selecting a body to facilitate Possession and Rebirth!"

As soon as these words came out, the sound of people gasping for air rose one after another on the deck.

Su Xuner's face turned pale; she had never thought of that.

Xiao Yuzhu's expression was one of horror; this theory overturned her understanding, but thinking carefully, it was perfectly logical.

"Then would Senior Azure Emperor..." Shen Mengyao asked stutteringly.

"The Azure Emperor?"

Lu Chen waved his hand.

"The Azure Emperor is a man of integrity. His true form is the Innate Chaos Azure Lotus; he wouldn't do such a lowly thing. This Secret Realm left behind is simply one of his ruins. One appears every two hundred years to benefit the Human Race Cultivators."

"That's why I fabricated a rule to block those old geezers outside. Firstly, I find them a nuisance, and secondly, it was an Opportunity to give you all a wake-up call."

Lu Chen looked at his Disciples and said earnestly,

"In the future, when you are out in the world and encounter a Secret Realm that only allows young people to enter, be more careful. Don't lose your lives in a muddle."

The Disciples all bowed together: "Thank you for your teachings, Revered Master (Old Ancestor)!"

Only Leng Qingqiu still held her sword, staring at Lu Chen with burning eyes, not having listened to a single word about Possession.

Leng Qingqiu's mind was filled with:

[Revered Master felt guilty just now. As expected, I am the one who understands Revered Master best, the one most suitable for Revered Master. Being so suitable and understanding, Revered Master will definitely be very comfortable being with me!]

[The Revered Master of this life is even stronger. When I regain my strength, I must hide Revered Master away. But I don't know how much longer it will take. There are so many women around Revered Master now; I must endure!]