2: Free is the most expensive.

That Disciple brought Lin Chuan all the way to the main hall by flying on a sword. As soon as Lin Chuan landed, he immediately collapsed on the ground and started vomiting. "Ugh... this sword flight is way more intense than a roller coaster."

The Disciple said mockingly, "And you're supposed to be a Secret Realm manager of one of the five peaks? Is this all you've got?"

Lin Chuan gave the Disciple a frustrated look but said nothing.

A voice came from the main hall: "Now that you've arrived, come in quickly."

Lin Chuan stood up unsteadily and, ignoring the Disciple's disdainful gaze, walked straight into the hall.

The five people inside the hall looked at Lin Chuan as he entered with varying expressions—some curious, others dismissive.

Upon entering, Lin Chuan immediately bowed and said, "Greetings, Grand Elder and the four Peak Masters."

They all nodded and then looked toward the Grand Elder, waiting for him to speak.

The Grand Elder first scanned Lin Chuan from head to toe, then sighed and asked, "Where is Li Rufeng?"

Lin Chuan looked up at the Grand Elder's expression and said cautiously, "To answer the Grand Elder, my master... has gone down the mountain."

The Grand Elder's eyebrows shot up as he shouted, "Tell the truth!"

"Uh... he ran away!" Lin Chuan whispered.

Peak Master Di Lan laughed. "Haha, that old fellow must have been afraid the Grand Elder would punish him by making him clean the toilets. Fearing he'd lose Face, he ran away in advance."

The Grand Elder sighed and said, "Alright, I have summoned you all today for the Spirit Realm Sect's annual Trial Convention. The Sect Prodigies from the entire Southern Region will come to our Spirit Realm Sect to participate in the trials. How are your Secret Realm preparations coming along?"

Peak Master Di Lan was the first to speak. "Grand Elder, my Dilan Peak's Secret Realm has the highest number of participants every year at the Trial Convention. Rest assured, this year will be no exception!"

Peak Master Shenmu also spoke up. "Grand Elder, my Shenmu Peak's Secret Realm has been renovated this year. The theme is the Great War of Gods and Demons, so I expect it won't be lacking either."

The Peak Masters of Blazing Fire Peak and Jin Jian Peak also indicated that there were no major issues.

After they finished speaking, everyone turned their gaze toward Lin Chuan.

The Grand Elder sighed slightly. "Lin Chuan, since Li Rufeng has left, hand over the management rights of the Secret Realm. Your cultivation is only at the Qi Refining stage; go down the mountain and become a Utility Disciple for now."

Hearing the Grand Elder say this, Lin Chuan immediately replied, "Grand Elder, when Master entrusted the Secret Realm to me, he said I have the right to manage it for three months."

Peak Master Di Lan shouted, "Presumptuous! How can a junior at the Qi Refinement Stage like you manage a Secret Realm? Hand it over quickly. I can still make some renovations before the Trial Convention begins."

Lin Chuan ignored Peak Master Di Lan's words and looked straight at the Grand Elder.

The Grand Elder was known throughout the Spirit Realm Sect for being upright and sticking to the rules.

The Grand Elder pondered for a moment and sighed, "Our Sect does indeed have such a rule; a newly appointed manager has a three-month probation period."

Peak Master Di Lan urged, "Grand Elder, letting this boy manage the Secret Realm—isn't that just embarrassing our Sect in front of all the Sects in the Southern Region?"

Lin Chuan quickly spoke up, "Grand Elder, I have already redesigned the Tianquan Peak Secret Realm. I won't let you down."

After some thought, the Grand Elder waved his hand and said, "Rules cannot be broken. Lin Chuan, I will give you three months. If the revenue of Tianquan Peak is still at the bottom after three months, I will reclaim the Secret Realm and hand it to someone else."

Lin Chuan was overjoyed upon hearing this and hurriedly said, "Don't worry, Grand Elder, I will certainly work hard."

The Grand Elder nodded with satisfaction and said to the group, "In that case, you may all go and prepare. Remember to go to the Sect entrance and register the entry prices for each peak's Secret Realm so the Prodigies of various Sects can choose for themselves."

The various Peak Masters rose and followed the Grand Elder out of the hall.

Lin Chuan was about to leave when he was blocked by Peak Master Di Lan, who had intentionally lagged behind the others.

"Kid, I advise you to obediently go to the Grand Elder and surrender the Secret Realm. Otherwise, in three months, I'll break your legs and throw you off the mountain!"

Lin Chuan's brow furrowed as he asked softly, "Is Peak Master Yin so confident that my revenue will be at the bottom after these three months?"

"Hmph, fine. Since you're seeking death, I'll fulfill your wish. If you're still at the bottom in three months, just wait and see how I punish you!" Peak Master Di Lan walked away with a cold expression.

Lin Chuan arrived at the Sect entrance and looked up. There was a massive stone tablet at the entrance with the entry fee standards for each of the five peaks' Secret Realms written on it.

Lin Chuan looked through them one by one.

Dilan Peak: Death Valley Secret Realm — Fee: 300 Spirit Stones

Shenmu Peak: Great War of Gods and Demons Secret Realm — Fee: 200 Spirit Stones

Blazing Fire Peak: Fire God Mountain Demon Slaying Secret Realm — Fee: 200 Spirit Stones

Jin Jian Peak: Myriad Sword Cliff Dao Comprehension Secret Realm — Fee: 200 Spirit Stones

Tianquan Peak: Dragon Slayer Secret Realm — Fee: 50 Spirit Stones

Lin Chuan smiled helplessly, walked up to the stone tablet, and said to the Disciple guarding it, "I'm here to change the information for the Tianquan Peak Secret Realm."

The Disciple was boredly fiddling with some items on the desk. Seeing Lin Chuan speak, he lazily looked up and asked, "What do you want to change it to?"

Lin Chuan smiled slightly and said, "Underground City Secret Realm!"

The Disciple didn't waste any words. He stood up, updated the information, and asked, "Do you want to change the fee?"

Lin Chuan smiled. "Change it! It must be changed."

The Disciple looked at Lin Chuan, signaling him to speak.

A wicked smile appeared on the corner of Lin Chuan's mouth as he said softly, "Change it to 'Free'."

The Disciple was stunned for a moment, then laughed. "Haha, free? If it's free, where are you going to earn Spirit Stones?"

Lin Chuan said impatiently, "Cut the chatter. Just change it like I told you."

The Disciple laughed loudly as he carved the word 'Free' onto the stone tablet. Fearing others might miss it, he even used cinnabar to trace the characters thicker.

At this moment, the Disciples near the stone tablet were all drawn over. Looking at the bright red word 'Free' on the tablet, they all burst into laughter.

With a calm expression, Lin Chuan walked back with his hands behind his back, thinking to himself, "Hmph, foolish people. Laugh, laugh as much as you want! You should know that what's free is actually the most expensive!"

Meanwhile, Peak Master Di Lan was listening to a report from a Disciple.

"Free? Is that kid crazy? Has he just given up?" Peak Master Di Lan wondered.

"Master, since he's doing this, it's clear he knows there's no hope. In three months, we can just go and take over his Secret Realm," the Disciple said.

"Hahaha, in three months, I will definitely humiliate that boy," Peak Master Di Lan said viciously.

A month later, the Trial Convention began. The Sect Prodigies from across the Southern Region gathered at the Spirit Realm Sect. The Grand Elder and the five Peak Masters stood at the mountain gate to welcome them.

Standing behind the Grand Elder, Lin Chuan looked at the crowd at the mountain gate with burning eyes. He thought, "Hehe, you immortal cultivation natives, prepare to feel the charm of Poisonous Milk Powder!"

Just then, he heard a Disciple in front shout, "The Divine Sword Sect has arrived!"

The originally noisy mountain gate suddenly fell silent. An old man, followed by a young man and woman, flew in on swords.

The Grand Elder immediately went to greet them, saying, "Hahaha, Elder Yang, long time no see!"