32: News that shook the Southern Territory

Two days later, in a restaurant within the Southern Territory's Imperial City, many diners were engaged in discussion.

“Have you heard? Spirit Realm Sect's announcement says they are opening a Trial Secret Realm to all Cultivators in the Southern Territory!” a man at a wine table said, raising his cup.

“What's the use of it being open? Is that fee something Loose Cultivators like us can afford?” another person said disdainfully.

“Heh, you wouldn't know, would you? I heard that entry into the Secret Realm this time is completely free!” the man holding the wine cup laughed.

His words drew the attention of almost everyone in the hall, and they all immediately looked toward the man holding the wine cup.

The man seemed to thoroughly enjoy the feeling of being the center of attention, drinking a cup of wine with a face full of pride.

“Is this true?” someone finally couldn't help but ask.

“Of course. To tell you the truth, my Family has a Disciple in the Divine Sword Sect. According to him, the first entry into this Secret Realm is free. Unless you die inside, then you have to spend 100 Spirit Stones to buy something called a revival coin, it seems.”

“Sigh, even if that's the case, so what? A Trial Secret Realm that's free to enter definitely won't have anything that can help one improve. Spirit Realm Sect isn't stupid,” a Loose Cultivator said, shaking his head.

“Heh, you wouldn't know, would you? According to that Disciple from my Family, this Secret Realm is extraordinary. It's attracted almost all the young Disciples of the Divine Sword Sect, and it's said you can even learn Martial Skills inside!” The man looked at the empty wine jar in front of him, speaking with lingering interest.

At this moment, in a corner of the restaurant hall, a man wearing a bamboo hat that obscured his face curled his lips slightly and whispered to himself, “Interesting!”

An old man at the same table as the man said softly, “Second Prince, what do you think?”

The youth addressed as the Second Prince smiled slightly and said, “Let's listen more!”

At this time, people in the hall were constantly asking curious questions, but the man who had started the topic became silent, just staring blankly at the wine jar in front of him.

The Second Prince softly instructed the old man in front of him, “Go find the shopkeeper and bring that man another jar of wine.”

The old man took the order and left.

Before long, the shopkeeper placed the wine jar on the man's table and whispered to him, “This is a reward from a noble. Tell us more of what you know!”

The man's face immediately lit up with joy upon seeing the wine jar, and he hurriedly poured himself a cup.

He took a sip of the wine and laughed, “You don't need to worry about being unable to continue participating in this Secret Realm after dying. It's said that the gold coins and weapons obtained inside are things those Sect Prodigies are willing to spend Spirit Stones to buy!”

The Second Prince said softly, “Is there a time limit for this Secret Realm?”

The man didn't care who asked and said bluntly, “No, it's said it will be open for free from now on.”

The Second Prince nodded slightly, stood up, and left the restaurant with the old man beside him.

Outside the restaurant, the old man asked in a low voice, “Second Prince, do you think this news is true?”

The Second Prince nodded slightly and said, “It shouldn't be false.”

As he walked, the Second Prince continued, “Quickly return to the palace and report to Father Emperor. If that Secret Realm is truly as that man said, then this is an Opportunity!”

At this time, inside the imperial palace, the Emperor of this generation in the Southern Territory listened to the report from his subordinate, his brow furrowing slightly as he said in a deep voice, “This news was released by the Spirit Realm Sect itself?”

Seeing the subordinate nod with certainty, Emperor Yuwen Xiong muttered to himself, “Spiritual Void Master, what are you planning?”

The Second Prince hurried into the palace and, without stopping, went directly to Yuwen Xiong's hall. After kneeling and bowing, he quickly recounted the news he had heard in the restaurant.

Yuwen Xiong nodded and said, “My son, I am already aware of this. The Spirit Realm Sect's Secret Realms have always only been open to various Righteous Path Sects and have never had any connection with my Imperial Family. Now that it's suddenly open to the entire Southern Territory, I worry...”

Before Yuwen Xiong could finish, the Second Prince continued, “Father Emperor, in our entire Southern Territory, besides the five Secret Realms of the Spirit Realm Sect, there is only the Secret Realm used by our Imperial Family to train soldiers. Moreover, the Spirit Realm Sect is among the top three Righteous Path Sects; surely there won't be any conspiracy.”

The Second Prince looked into Yuwen Xiong's eyes and continued, “If this matter is truly as the rumors say, we cannot miss it.”

Yuwen Xiong nodded upon hearing this and said, “What you say makes some sense. In that case, send a team of soldiers with some cultivation to go and take a look first.”

The Second Prince immediately knelt in thanks and said, “Father Emperor, let me lead the team this time.”

Upon hearing this, Yuwen Xiong frowned and was about to refuse.

But seeing the look of determination in the Second Prince's eyes and the old man beside him, he sighed slightly and said, “Since you are willing, then go. Remember, once you reach the Spirit Realm Sect, find out if the situation is true and send a message back!”

The news that the Spirit Realm Sect was opening its Trial Secret Realm for free to all Cultivators in the Southern Territory was as if it had grown wings; in just a few days, it spread throughout the entire Southern Territory.

For a time, countless Cultivators and even Mortal Martial Artists set out for the Spirit Realm Sect to participate in this grand event, the likes of which had not been seen in thousands of years.

At this time, inside the Secret Realm, unaware of the news outside, Xiao Hongyuan's group of four entered the Frost Gloomy Forest, preparing to complete G.S.D's trial quest.

As soon as they entered the Dungeon Instance, the four of them shivered together and looked at their surroundings.

Within this Dungeon Instance, traces of freezing were everywhere, and a bone-chilling cold wind blew in their faces, making them unable to resist tightening their clothes.

At this moment, Jian Wuxie, wearing a lion plushie costume, laughed and said, “Hehe, you all laughed at how stupid this outfit looks, but now I feel this outfit is great; it's not cold at all wearing it.”

Quan Wudi was still in the classic Fighter's outfit, with only a few pieces of cloth on his body and his muscles exposed. At this moment, he shrunk his neck from the cold wind and curled his lip while looking at Jian Wuxie's smug appearance.

“Let's hurry and move forward. Finishing earlier means suffering less!” Xiao Hongyuan urged.

The four of them passed through the frozen forest and were met with very familiar monsters: Goblins.

“Hey, look at that, these monsters are really resistant to the cold, they're still wandering around aimlessly,” Jian Wuxie laughed, pointing at the Goblins not far away.

“Look! What's that?” A Fei asked directly at this time.

The four of them looked up and saw that among the group of Goblins, several very short structures made of broken wood that looked like wooden houses were irregularly distributed.

“Who cares what they are, I'm going in first!” Jian Wuxie laughed wildly and directly used a Mountain Collapse Strike, smashing into the group of Goblins.

The remaining three were not to be outdone and ran forward one after another, charging directly into the group of Goblins.

Those Goblins were suddenly attacked and immediately cried out in panic. Many Goblins suddenly swarmed out from those broken wooden houses.

“Holy crap! So many?” Quan Wudi shouted in shock, staring wide-eyed at the wooden houses that kept spewing out Goblins.