23: Chapter 23 The Secret Realm Opens

Many Cultivators stood upon the deck of the flying boat; at a glance, there were at least two or three hundred of them.

"No need to make such a fuss. This is a large flying boat from Xuanyuan Valley, a Medium Grade flying Magic Treasure. The one leading them is the Deputy Valley Master of Xuanyuan Valley, the Late Stage Golden Core Stage Cultivator, Immortal Master Xuandao." A Cultivator in the valley crowd, clearly knowledgeable, quickly spoke up.

Upon hearing this, the Cultivators who were unaware of the situation realized it was the Cultivators from Xuanyuan Valley who had arrived. No wonder the spectacle was so grand; it was truly worthy of a Golden Core Stage power.

Consequently, the vast valley fell silent. Everyone knew of Xuanyuan Valley's prestige in Huangfeng Prefecture. Among the three major Golden Core Stage powers in Huangfeng, Xuanyuan Valley possessed the highest overall strength, with a total of five Golden Core Stage Cultivators.

The Spirit Beast Sect had the second highest number of Golden Core Stage Cultivators, with three in their sect, while Lingyao Mountain had the fewest, with only two Golden Core Stage Cultivators.

Half an hour later, another large flying boat flew over. Although its size could not compare to the Xuanyuan Valley flying boat, its speed and aura were astonishingly intense. When the flying boat drew closer, a large, vivid character for "Medicine" appeared on its hull, and everyone had an Epiphany: it was the Cultivators from Lingyao Mountain who had arrived.

At this moment, two Cultivators flew toward Clan Leader Li Huaming and the other two. When they reached a spot twenty zhang away, one of the old men spoke up: "Is that Brother Li Xuanwu of the Li Family up ahead?"

Li Xuanwu turned his head at the sound. He saw an old man dressed in black, with cloud patterns embroidered on his cuffs, walking briskly toward him. This person had a square face and bright eyes. Although he wore a beard, it could not hide that familiar, hearty demeanor; it was none other than his good friend, Liu Qiancheng.

Liu Qiancheng was a clansman of the Liu Family from Sifang County. The Liu Family was one of the powers that the Li Family was on good terms with in Huangfeng Prefecture. Liu Qiancheng was eight years younger than Li Xuanwu, and when they were younger, the two had worked together for many years at a Talisman shop opened by the Li Family in Huangfeng Prefecture.

"So it is Brother Qiancheng. It has been over ten years since we last parted, and I did not expect Brother Qiancheng to also be preparing to enter the Secret Realm this time."

Liu Qiancheng clearly did not care about the inquisitive or curious gazes of the other Cultivators around him. He walked straight up to Li Xuanwu, a genuine smile on his face: "I saw Brother Xuanwu's figure from afar and felt it looked familiar, but I didn't expect it to really be you. Brother Xuanwu, you still possess your old flair."

A trace of almost imperceptible fluctuation flashed in the depths of Li Xuanwu's eyes—it was a lament for the passage of time, and also relief that an old friend still maintained his true self. He nodded slightly, and a faint but genuine arc curled at the corners of his lips:

"Brother Qiancheng, it has been a long time. I see your cultivation has also improved quite a bit, reaching the tenth level of Qi Refining. I suppose you are unwilling to give up, and this time entering the Secret Realm is to make a desperate attempt at the Foundation Establishment Dao, is it not?" His voice was steady, yet it lacked some of his usual coldness because it was an old friend.

"Brother Xuanwu, for people like us, what does it matter if our Spiritual Root quality is low? Although I am old and frail, my firm heart toward the Dao will never change. Even if I die, what is there to fear!"

The words "Foundation Establishment" had rolled through Liu Qiancheng's mind a thousand times, scorching like charcoal and cold as iron. It was the starting point for doubling one's Lifespan, and it was the glory of truly transcending the mortal world and bringing honor to one's ancestors.

Just as the group was catching up, a low and continuous humming came from the distant horizon. At first, it was like the rolling of muffled thunder, then it turned into the rhythmic sound of wings flapping. A huge shadow slowly descended from the clouds, entering everyone's line of sight.

It was an aerial predator known as the "Golden-Winged Eagle." Its wingspan stretched for a hundred zhang, its feathers revealing a deep, dark cyan color, and the edges of its feathers glinting with a cold light as if forged from metal. Every flap of its wings, though seemingly gentle, concealed a majestic power, and the stirred-up gale caused the branches and leaves of the mountain forest below to surge endlessly like waves.

The Golden-Winged Eagle's neck was long and elegant, and atop its head was a cluster of silver feathers resembling a jade crown. Its pair of golden eyes were sharp as lightning, overlooking the earth. It was not a wild Yao Beast, but one of the sect-protecting Spirit Beasts that the Spirit Beast Sect had raised for generations, possessing a pure Bloodline.

The Golden-Winged Eagle flapped its wings and soared high, its massive wings slicing through the sky. The Middle Stage Golden Core Stage Cultivator leading the Spirit Beast Sect this time, Immortal Master Xuyuan, was standing on its broad back with his hands clasped behind his back.

He wore a light gray Dharma robe with dragon and beast patterns faintly visible on the sleeves. His beard and hair were all white, yet his complexion was ruddy. The aura around him was natural and seamless, restrained and not leaking outward. That aura faintly resonated with the breathing rhythm of the Spirit Beast beneath his feet, as if their spiritual power had already merged and connected.

Behind him were over a hundred Outer Sect Disciples of the Spirit Beast Sect, crouching on the back of the Golden-Winged Eagle. These Disciples did not look young, and most of their cultivation was between the seventh and tenth levels of Qi Refining.

Just as the Golden-Winged Eagle found an open space to land, the Deputy Valley Master of Xuanyuan Valley, the Late Stage Golden Core Stage Cultivator Immortal Master Xuandao, leaped into the air from the flying boat. He let out a loud, hearty laugh and said:

"Xuyuan, why are you leading the team this time? Where is that hypocritical fellow, Xuyuan? Don't tell me he got injured in the fight in the sea region last time?"

Immortal Master Xuyuan smiled slightly and said: "Senior Brother Xuyuan is a talent of unparalleled genius, and his Breakthrough to the Nascent Soul Stage is imminent; how could he need to be distracted by these trifles? On behalf of my Senior Brother, Xuyuan thanks you for your concern, Immortal Master Xuandao."

Immortal Master Xuandao's expression changed upon hearing this, and he sneered: "The Nascent Soul Stage is not so easily broken through. If things go wrong, it will all end up as empty as a bamboo basket drawing water."

Hearing Immortal Master Xuandao speak so nastily, Immortal Master Xuyuan snorted coldly and said angrily: "Old Man Xuandao, you have been suppressed by my Senior Brother Xuyuan for a hundred years. You should know better than me just how high the probability is that Senior Brother Xuyuan will achieve a Breakthrough to the Nascent Soul Stage."

At this moment, Immortal Master Baicao of Lingyao Mountain quickly stepped out to interject: "The two of you, stop arguing. The time for the Secret Realm to open is almost here. Let us hurry and prepare to activate the Formation so that these little ones don't get impatient."

Immortal Master Baicao spoke to persuade them, and the two took the opportunity to back down, each snorting coldly and ceasing their dispute.

Among the three major powers of Huangfeng Prefecture, Xuanyuan Valley had historically held the top spot in strength. In recent years, with Immortal Master Xuyuan becoming increasingly formidable, the Spirit Beast Sect's prestige had reached its zenith, and the two powers had been in constant friction, both openly and secretly, for nearly a hundred years.

The Myriad Spirit Secret Realm opens for one year each time. This time, over two thousand Qi Refining Cultivators are participating in the trip to the Myriad Spirit Secret Realm. More than half of these people are Loose Cultivators. Based on the danger levels of previous Secret Realms, at least seventy percent or more of the Cultivators will sleep forever in the Secret Realm.

Not much time had passed when, under the infusion of spiritual power from the three Golden Core Stage Cultivators, a complex pattern of pale gold, covering an area of several tens of zhang, vaguely appeared in the valley. As the patterns flowed, they emitted a heart-palpitating spatial fluctuation.

The three men looked solemn, with beads of sweat appearing on their foreheads. As the spellcasting continued, the activation speed of the Formation diagram increased, and the Formation patterns became clearer and clearer. A huge vortex of Spiritual Qi slowly appeared, and the many watching Qi Refining Cultivators revealed excited expressions.

"Boom—!"

With a loud bang, the mountain shook violently, rocks tumbled down with a rustling sound, and the pale gold patterns suddenly brightened like a network of ignited veins. Immediately afterward, a clear cracking sound rang out—it was not the sound of the mountain rocks breaking, but the sound of space itself being torn apart.