104: Chapter 104 Life and death are determined by fate, various forces

【Time flies like an arrow, and the sun and moon move like a shuttle.】

【In the blink of an eye, the day for the opening of the Fengxian Secret Realm arrived.】

【Because Fengxian Prefecture was Xia Nihuang's home ground, Chu Sheng arrived first with the help of Xia Nihuang's spirit boat. Looking at the teams of Cultivators descending from the sky, his mouth twitched.】

【“Old Grandfather, don't you think these people are just bored?”】

【The phantom of the Old Grandfather floated out and scanned the area with squinted eyes.】

【“Bored? They're all here to snatch an Opportunity. The Fengxian Secret Realm opens once every thirty years. If you miss it this time, you'll have to wait until your next life.”】

【Chu Sheng nodded and counted the forces that had already arrived.】

【The Tianfeng Kingdom's royal family had arrived.】

【Yunmeng Prefecture had arrived.】

【Juye Prefecture had arrived.】

【There were also several small Sects joining in the fun.】

【The first aura descended.】

【Early Stage True Transformation Realm.】

【A young man in white stood in the air, a smile on his face, as gentle as jade.】

【The Third Prince of Tianfeng Kingdom, Third Prince.】

【“Greetings, everyone.”】

【He bowed slightly. “I have come by my father's order to observe the opening of the Secret Realm. No need for formalities; just act as if I do not exist.”】

【The second aura descended, and the air even became a bit sweeter.】

【The Prefectural Princess of Yunmeng Prefecture, Yun Qingshang.】

【A genuine Spirit Sea Realm.】

【She wore a light green dress, her black hair flowing like a waterfall, her face exquisite, with a faint smile playing on her lips.】

【“Everyone has waited long,” she said softly. “Qingshang is late; I hope you can forgive me.”】

【The gaze of every Cultivator on the field was drawn to her.】

【Chu Sheng also took a look, then silently looked away.】

【“Old Grandfather, this woman... is even more dangerous than that Third Prince.”】

Looking at this scene, Chu Sheng couldn't help but start thinking.

The Spirit Sea is divided into three realms: Spirit Spring, Spirit Lake, and Sea Opening.

He didn't know which realm Xia Nihuang was in, but she felt much more terrifying than Yun Qingshang. Yun Qingshang's appearance suggested she was in the Spirit Spring stage, a level lower.

【He glanced at the submissive maidservant behind Yun Qingshang.】

【Late Stage Gu Zhen Realm, she looked good, but her eyes were hollow, like a marionette.】

【“That maidservant...”】

【The Old Grandfather glanced at her.】

【“A Puppet. There is a Restriction on her body, and she is being controlled by someone.”】

【Chu Sheng's heart tightened.】

【This Yun Qingshang was indeed not to be trifled with.】

【When the third aura descended, the ground shook.】

【The Young Lord of Juye Prefecture, Xiong Lieshan.】

【Peak True Firmament.】

【He had a burly build, broad shoulders, and a thick waist, smashing a large crater into the ground when he landed.】

【“I'm here!” he shouted in a booming voice. “Who isn't convinced? Come fight me!”】

【Following behind him was a taciturn middle-aged man with a deep aura.】

【The Enshrined Expert of Juye Prefecture, Tie Wushuang, Middle Stage True Transformation Realm.】

【Looking at Xiong Lieshan's honest face, Chu Sheng silently labeled him in his heart.】

【“Strong limbs, simple mind. Easy to trick.”】

【The Old Grandfather suddenly spoke.】

【“Don't underestimate him. This kind of Body Cultivator has a terrifyingly sharp intuition. You can trick him for a moment, but you can't trick him for a lifetime.”】

【Chu Sheng was taken aback.】

【“You mean...”】

【The Old Grandfather nodded.】

【“Stay away from him too.”】

【Chu Sheng: “...”】

【“Then I might as well not get close to anyone.”】

【That evening, Xia Nihuang hosted a banquet for the various forces.】

【As the representative of the Yan Yue Sect, Chu Sheng blended into the crowd, trying his best to lower his presence.】

【But some people are destined to be unable to keep a low profile.】

【Third Prince walked over with a wine cup, his face full of smiles.】

【“Is this Brother Nie Zhang? I've heard much about you.”】

【Chu Sheng quickly stood up.】

【“The Third Prince is too kind. I am just a small Guest Elder of the Yan Yue Sect.”】

【Third Prince waved his hand.】

【“Brother Nie Zhang is being modest. I've heard about your ability to subdue Yao Beasts with that demon refining pot.”】

【He stepped closer and lowered his voice.】

【“Are you interested in joining the royal family? The benefits will be excellent.”】

【Chu Sheng's heart skipped a beat.】

【Is he here to poach me?】

【He remained calm on the surface.】

【“The Third Prince thinks too highly of me. My knowledge is shallow, and I fear I cannot take on such a great responsibility.”】

【Third Prince smiled and didn't push.】

【“That's fine. But if Brother Nie changes his mind, you can come find me anytime.”】

【He turned and left, his back looking elegant.】

【Chu Sheng breathed a sigh of relief.】

【“Old Grandfather, is he trying to win me over?”】

【The Old Grandfather said leisurely.】

【“Nonsense. Who wouldn't want a talent like you?”】

【Yun Qingshang also came over.】

【She held a wine cup and looked at Chu Sheng with a beaming smile.】

【“Elder Nie, I've heard much about your name.”】

【Chu Sheng quickly paid his respects.】

【“Prefectural Princess Yun is too kind.”】

【Yun Qingshang blinked.】

【“I heard that Elder Nie is skilled in beast taming? I happen to have a few disobedient little fellows. Could I ask Elder Nie for some guidance another day?”】

【Chu Sheng's heart tightened.】

【What does this woman want?】

【He gave a dry laugh.】

【“Prefectural Princess Yun must be joking. You are a great expert of the Spirit Sea Realm; how could you need my guidance?”】

【Yun Qingshang's smile became even sweeter.】

【“Elder Nie really knows how to talk.”】

【She turned to leave, looking back at him before she did.】

【That gaze was meaningful.】

【Chu Sheng shuddered.】

【“Old Grandfather, is she interested in me?”】

【The Old Grandfather sneered.】

【“Interested? Is she interested in you, or is she interested in you?””】

【Chu Sheng: “...””】

【“Can you speak human?”】

【The Old Grandfather said leisurely.】

【“She's interested in you. As for whether she wants to win you over, use you, or refine you into a Puppet, that's unknown.”】

【Chu Sheng fell silent.】

【This woman is too dangerous.】

【Xiong Lieshan didn't come over; he just looked at him from afar.】

【That gaze was direct, like he was looking at a piece of meat.】

【Chu Sheng felt uneasy under his gaze.】

【“Old Grandfather, why is he looking at me like that?”】

【The Old Grandfather pondered for a moment.】

【“Maybe he feels the Killing Intent on you? Or maybe he thinks you look like his long-lost brother?”】

【On the third day, the entrance to the Secret Realm officially opened.】

【A huge gate of light appeared in the valley, emitting an ancient and mysterious aura.】

【The various forces gathered one after another.】

【Chu Sheng stood in the Yan Yue Sect's team, with Zhou Wantang on his left and Murong Tian, who had shamelessly followed along, on his right.】

【Third Prince stood at the front of the royal family's team, still with a smile on his face.】

【Yun Qingshang stood in the Yunmeng Prefecture's team, looking at everyone with a smile.】

【Xiong Lieshan led the people from Juye Prefecture, standing off to the side in a carefree manner.】

【Xia Nihuang finally appeared, dressed in military attire, looking heroic.】

【“Everyone,” she spoke, her voice echoing through the field, “The Fengxian Secret Realm opens today. You all know the rules: life and death are up to fate.”】

【She paused, her gaze sweeping over everyone present.】

【“I have only one thing to say. Opportunities are for those destined to have them. They cannot be forced, and they cannot be taken by force.”】

【Chu Sheng laughed inwardly.】

【“They cannot be forced? Then where did your five fires seven birds fan come from?”】

【The gate of light slowly opened, and an ancient aura rushed out.】

【Behind the gate was a gray world; the sky hung low like lead, the ground was scorched and cracked, and collapsed palaces and broken mountain Peaks could be seen in the distance.】

【Chu Sheng stepped in, and the scorched earth beneath his feet made a “crunching” sound, as if he had stepped on some bones.】

【He looked down and saw a section of skeletal remains from an unknown era, already so weathered that it crumbled into powder at the slightest touch.】

【“Old Grandfather,” he swallowed, “A lot of people must have died here, right?”】

【The Old Grandfather's voice sounded, carrying a bit of sentiment.】

【“The place where the Phoenix Immortal fell. In that battle back then, all life within a thousand miles was devastated. What you're stepping on is just the tip of the iceberg.”】

【Chu Sheng fell silent.】

【He looked up toward the distance, where a huge mountain Peak loomed, piercing into the clouds.】

【The top of the Peak was shrouded in clouds, making it impossible to see its true form, but that ancient and oppressive aura could be felt even from dozens of miles away.】

【“What is that?””】

【The Old Grandfather squinted.】

【“Great Power Mountain. The legendary place where the Phoenix Immortal fell. The true Opportunities are all there.”】

【Chu Sheng nodded and was about to take a step when he suddenly sensed something.】

【He turned to look—】

【Yun Qingshang was standing not far away, looking at him with a beaming smile.】

【The Puppet maidservant behind her was still submissive, but those hollow eyes seemed to be looking at him?】

【Chu Sheng's heart tightened.】

【“Old Grandfather, that maidservant...”】

【The Old Grandfather was silent for a moment.】

【“Something's wrong. The Restriction on her... seems to have loosened.”】

【Chu Sheng was stunned.】

【“What do you mean?””】

【The Old Grandfather didn't answer, only saying in a low voice.】

【“Be careful. This Secret Realm is not simple.”】

【In the distance, Third Prince had already disappeared into the mist with the royal family's people. Xiong Lieshan also strode toward the direction of Great Power Mountain.】

【Chu Sheng took a deep breath.】

【“Let's go.”】

【He stepped forward.】

【Behind him, Murong Tian was so excited his face was flushed red, and he kept chattering non-stop.】

【While Yun Qingshang still stood there, looking at their departing backs with a beaming smile.】

【That smile was as sweet as honey.】

【Yet it made one's back feel cold.】