Chapter 27 Sect Secret Realm

Watching the eager expressions of the many Disciples, the Sect Head stroked his long beard, a look of deep satisfaction on his Face, as if seeing his younger self in them.

Although the Trial Assembly was somewhat brutal, it was nothing compared to the true Immortal Realm.

If one couldn't even pass this hurdle, it would be better to withdraw now.

The Sect Head's gaze swept over the crowd and quickly landed on Ye Fan among them. He couldn't help but cough dryly a couple of times.

"What's this kid doing here?!"

It happened on a dark and windy night. The Sect Head claimed he had a friend who was... struggling in *that* department. Too embarrassed to ask directly, the friend had begged him to seek medicine on his behalf.

Hearing this explanation, Ye Fan let out a meaningful 'Oh,' then respectfully presented a bottle of carefree pills.

"Also... this Disciple happens to have a copy of the latest edition of dynamic spring palace pictures."

"Used together with the carefree pills, they are guaranteed to help your... friend... regain his vigor."

Ye Fan handed in this perfect answer, leaving a deep impression on the Sect Head.

"What a fine lad. Pity his Aptitude is a bit lacking."

"But it's no matter. Once his cultivation deepens a bit more, I'll have him join either Pill Cauldron Peak or Tongtian Peak. His future would be limitless."

The Sect Head had already arranged everything for Ye Fan. He never expected the boy would risk participating in the Trial Assembly.

With his cultivation at the Qi Refining Realm, First Level, wasn't this just fooling around?

"This Trial Assembly is no joke, Ye Fan. You should withdraw at once."

Hearing the voice suddenly transmit into his mind, Ye Fan was momentarily stunned but quickly realized the Sect Head was using a secret sound transmission technique.

"This Qi-Concealing Talisman is truly a good item. Even the Sect Head can't see through my cultivation."

Ye Fan couldn't help but sigh inwardly before hurriedly replying, "This Disciple is wholeheartedly dedicated to the Dao. I beg the Sect Head to grant me this opportunity."

Hearing this, the Sect Head nearly laughed in exasperation.

You're wholeheartedly dedicated to the Dao?

Are the spring palace pictures not selling, or did the carefree pills blow up the furnace?!

With such a bright future right before your eyes, you're spouting nonsense about the great Dao!

The Sect Head wanted to say more, but with so many people waiting for him to preside over the Trial Assembly, further delay was clearly inappropriate.

"Fine. Life and death are fated. Think it through yourself."

"Thank you, Sect Head, for your permission."

Although the Sect Head's impression of Ye Fan was favorable, it only went so far. Doing this much was already considerable effort on his part.

The Trial Assembly was held once every ten years. Many Disciples were participating for the first time, so the Sect Head had to explain from the beginning each time.

Once the Trial Assembly began, all participating Disciples would be teleported into the Sect's Secret Realm.

It was said this Secret Realm was created by the founding Ancestral Master of the Joyous Union Sect, originally intended for the Sect to raise Yao Beasts.

Through successive expansions by generations of Sect Heads, it gradually evolved into the trial Secret Realm of today.

After nearly a millennium of proliferation, countless Yao Beasts lived within the Secret Realm, forming their own fierce food chain, no different from wild Yao Beasts.

All participating Disciples needed to survive within the Secret Realm for thirty days. Rewards were given based on the number of Yao Beasts hunted, with the top three receiving precious foundation establishment pills.

Although it might not sound overly difficult, only those who experienced it firsthand knew the true dangers.

Based on past results, the casualty rate of the Trial Assembly exceeded fifty percent.

Those who returned unscathed were all elites without exception. Others would return with varying degrees of injury or disability. It was common for the unlucky to lose their lives inside.

"Ya... Yao Beasts... Could there even be second-tier Yao Beasts?" a Disciple asked subconsciously.

Yao Beast strength classifications were relatively crude. First, second, and third tiers corresponded to the Qi Refining Realm, Foundation Establishment Realm, and Core Formation Realm respectively, but without the detailed levels like First Level to Great Perfection that Cultivators used.

For Qi Refining Realm Disciples who lacked Divine Sense, distinguishing Yao Beast strength relied entirely on their own judgment, which was also part of the trial's assessment.

Although Yao Beasts were strong, their intellect was lacking. For human Cultivators, defeating a stronger opponent wasn't overly difficult.

However, a second-tier Yao Beast was equivalent to Foundation Establishment Realm cultivation. If a Qi Refining Realm Disciple encountered one, death was almost certain.

Fortunately, the Sect had long made preparations for this, periodically sending Disciples to clear them out, ensuring no second-tier Yao Beasts appeared.

Otherwise, the Trial Assembly's casualty rate would likely have been several times higher.

The Sect Head's explanation eased many Disciples' minds, but even so, many still looked pale, secretly considering withdrawal.

Disciples who had entered the Sect earlier were accustomed to this. They looked on with disdain, some even openly mocking the newcomers, hoping they would give up early to reduce competition.

Seeing the crowd growing restless, the Sect Head gave a light hum. The assembly area instantly fell silent.

"All Disciples may now enter. If you wish to withdraw, this is your final opportunity."

"One last piece of advice: if you are not confident, it is best to wait for the next assembly ten years from now."

As the Sect Head's words fell, a massive Teleportation Array entrance materialized in the center of the assembly area.

"My offer stands. It's not too late for you to leave now. I will have my Master take you as a Disciple."

After saying this, Murong Wan didn't look back. She leaped into the Teleportation Array, becoming one of the first batch of Disciples to enter the trial.

Lin Lei and Xu Xin looked somewhat nervous. They exchanged a glance, nodded as if steeling their resolve.

"Let's go."

Ye Fan had no intention of withdrawing either. He walked into the Teleportation Array alongside Lin Lei and the other.

Watching this scene from afar, the Sect Head could only shake his head but did not intervene.

Meanwhile, Yan Jingyun was staring intently at Ye Fan's movements. Only after seeing him enter the Teleportation Array did he relax, a vicious smile spreading across his Face.

"I thought I might need to use some tricks, but I didn't expect you to be in such a hurry to die."

"Everyone knows what to do?"

"Rest assured, Young Master. This time, he will certainly not return."

Behind Yan Jingyun were his Family clansmen, Disciples, and some lackeys, nearly a hundred in total.

To ensure Ye Fan's elimination, Yan Jingyun had invested heavily, gathering all the forces he could mobilize. In his eyes, Ye Fan was already a dead man.

"Let's move out."

Yan Jingyun and his group entered the Teleportation Array along with the many other Disciples. After a dizzying flash of white light, they found themselves before the vast, seemingly endless trial Secret Realm.

Forests, high mountains, deserts, long rivers... countless complex environments intertwined, forming a unique world.

Yan Jingyun had long since learned about the Secret Realm's situation from his Family elders, so he wasn't the least bit surprised.

He took out a specially crafted Talisman. After channeling spiritual power into it, a radar-like reaction map appeared.

Those carrying this type of Talisman could sense others with the same target within a one-kilometer radius, making it easier to group up. This was the gap between theheritage of a powerful Family and ordinary Disciples.

Within thirty days, Disciples had to reach a designated location to return to the Sect. Otherwise, no matter how many Yao Beasts they hunted, it would be invalid.

As long as Yan Jingyun guarded a few key routes, blocking Ye Fan wouldn't be difficult.

"The one surnamed Ye, just wait for death with a clean neck."