172: Chapter 172 The Secret Realm Ends, Fame Resounds Throughout Donghua

Donghua Secret Realm, the valley where the entrance is located.

Three months passed in the blink of an eye.

The massive light gate lit up once again, and the spatial passage stabilized. This meant the Secret Realm was about to close. Those who were still alive had to leave as soon as possible, or they would be trapped inside, waiting for the next hundred years.

Figures emerged from the light gate one after another, wearing expressions of joy, disappointment, exhaustion, or relief. Some had strong Auras and rich harvests; some had withered Auras and were heavily injured; others remained in the Secret Realm forever.

The welcoming Elders and deacons from various sects had long been waiting outside. Seeing their own Disciples come out, they hurried forward to ask about the situation and count the harvest.

"What? Elder Liu of the Xuan Yin Sect, Elder Tu of the Tian Sha Sect, Elder Huo of the Black Flame Valley, and the dozen or so Disciples they brought in—none of them came out?!"

"Impossible! Elder Liu is a Late Stage Earth Immortal, and Elder Tu and Elder Huo are also Late Stage Earth Immortals. With so many Disciples, how could they be completely wiped out? What on earth happened?"

"Was it a Yao Beast riot? Or did they encounter some massive danger? Or perhaps... were they killed by someone?"

"I heard it was done by that Ascender named Lin Wan!"

"Lin Wan? The Lin Wan who cleared the ninth floor of the Ascension Tower and was personally recruited by the Emissary of the Tianshu Immortal Palace? Isn't he only a Human Immortal? How could he possibly kill three Late Stage Earth Immortals and so many Middle and Early Stage Earth Immortals?"

"It's true! I saw with my own eyes the people from the Xuan Yin Sect, Tian Sha Sect, and Black Flame Valley searching everywhere for Lin Wan in the Secret Realm. Later, they sent out an emergency assembly signal, but we never saw them again. Someone felt extremely terrifying energy fluctuations near the Earth Vein Spirit Cavern, suspected to be a Heavenly Immortal rank Yao Beast riot, and there were strong traces of battle!"

"Could it be that they were killed by a Heavenly Immortal rank Yao Beast?"

"Not necessarily! A Cultivator who came out of the Earth Vein Spirit Cavern said they saw Lin Wan from afar. At that time, the Aura he was emitting was already at the Middle Stage Earth Immortal level, or even stronger! He likely obtained a great Opportunity in the Secret Realm and his cultivation skyrocketed!"

"Middle Stage Earth Immortal? How is that possible?! How long has he been ascended? Even if he obtained an Opportunity in the Secret Realm, it shouldn't be this fast?!"

"Who knows? Don't forget, he's the one who cleared the ninth floor of the Ascension Tower and received a mysterious reward! Perhaps that reward is a treasure that can make one's cultivation skyrocket!"

"If it really was done by Lin Wan... then this child is too terrifying! With Middle Stage Earth Immortal cultivation, counter-killing three Late Stage Earth Immortals and over a dozen Middle and Early Stage Earth Immortals... what kind of Heaven-Defying combat power is this?!"

"Shh! Keep your voice down! The Elders of the Xuan Yin Sect, Tian Sha Sect, and Black Flame Valley have faces as black as the bottom of a pot. Be careful not to bring trouble upon yourself!"

In the valley, there was much discussion, and all kinds of rumors and speculations spread like wildfire. The greeters from the Xuan Yin Sect, Tian Sha Sect, and Black Flame Valley had terrifyingly gloomy faces, their eyes filled with shock, anger, and killing intent. The Elders and elite Disciples they sent in hadn't come out at all; the loss was too great! Moreover, if it really was Lin Wan's doing, then this child's potential and threat were too terrifying; he had to be eliminated as soon as possible!

However, although they were angry, they dared not act here. After all, this was the entrance to the Donghua Secret Realm, where order was maintained jointly by the Donghua Immortal Palace and major top forces, and private fighting was strictly prohibited. Furthermore, the Emissary of the Tianshu Immortal Palace was also present, and that Lin Wan was already a person of the Tianshu Immortal Palace.

Just then, the light gate flashed again, and a figure in green robes walked out slowly.

It was Lin Wan.

As soon as he appeared, he immediately attracted all the gazes in the venue. Countless Divine Senses, whether overt or covert, instantly fell upon him.

"Middle Stage Earth Immortal! It really is a Middle Stage Earth Immortal! And the Aura is thick, the Foundation is solid—definitely not forcefully raised!"

"He is indeed still alive! Those people from the Xuan Yin Sect... I fear they really..."

"Such a young Middle Stage Earth Immortal! This child's future is limitless!"

"Looking at him, he doesn't seem to have suffered any serious injuries. Could it be that those three Late Stage Earth Immortals were really counter-killed by him?"

The gazes everyone cast at Lin Wan were filled with shock, curiosity, wariness, and a trace of awe. Regardless of whether the deaths of those from the Xuan Yin Sect were related to him, his promotion from Human Immortal to Middle Stage Earth Immortal within three months alone was enough to make everyone look at him with new eyes.

Lin Wan's expression was calm, ignoring the various gazes cast from around him. The injuries on his body, after taking Medicinal Pills and relying on his own powerful recovery ability, had mostly healed, and his Aura had once again become calm and restrained. His gaze swept across the crowd, seeing the livid-faced Elders of the Xuan Yin Sect, Tian Sha Sect, and Black Flame Valley, and also seeing Emissary Shen Lian of the Tianshu Immortal Palace standing in the distance, looking at him with a smile.

"Young Friend Lin Wan, over here." Emissary Shen Lian waved, his smile warm.

Lin Wan nodded at Emissary Shen Lian and walked over. Where he passed, the crowd automatically parted to make a path, their gazes toward him filled with complexity.

"Young Friend Lin Wan, how was the harvest?" Emissary Shen Lian asked with a smile, his eyes carrying unconcealed appreciation. He naturally heard the discussions around him, and his evaluation of Lin Wan rose once again in his heart. This child was not only a monster in talent, but his Heart-Nature and methods were also extraordinary. Being able to counter-kill while under the siege of three major forces and escape unscathed truly made him a dragon among men.

"I had a slight harvest, I hope I don't make Emissary Shen laugh." Lin Wan cupped his hands, his tone neither humble nor arrogant.

"Haha, Young Friend is too modest." Emissary Shen Lian laughed and patted Lin Wan's shoulder. "Let's go. The trip to the Secret Realm is over, it's time to return to Donghua Immortal City and handle the procedures for you to join the Tianshu Immortal Palace."

"Yes." Lin Wan nodded.

"Wait!"

Just then, a cold voice rang out. A black-robed Elder from the Xuan Yin Sect walked out with a gloomy face, blocking Lin Wan and Emissary Shen Lian. This person's Aura was deep; he was actually a Peak Earth Immortal powerhouse!

"Emissary Shen, this child killed our Xuan Yin Sect's Elder Liu Changfeng, as well as several elite Disciples. His crimes are heinous! Please, Emissary Shen, hand this child over to our Xuan Yin Sect for disposal!" The black-robed Elder's gaze was like a knife, staring fixedly at Lin Wan, his tone frigid.

"That's right! And Elder Tu of my Tian Sha Sect!"

"Elder Huo of my Black Flame Valley also died at the hands of this child! Emissary Shen, this child is ruthless and kills the innocent; he must not be tolerated!"

The Elders of the Tian Sha Sect and Black Flame Valley also stood out one after another, their Auras locking onto Lin Wan, with the posture of wanting to make a move if there was any disagreement. Although they were wary of the Tianshu Immortal Palace, their own Elders and Disciples had died inexplicably. If they didn't ask, how could they gain a foothold in the Donghua Immortal Domain in the future?

"Oh? What evidence do you have to prove that Young Friend Lin Wan killed your people?" Emissary Shen Lian's smile remained unchanged, but his eyes turned cold. An invisible pressure spread out faintly, causing the Auras of the three Elders to stagnate. As an Emissary of the Tianshu Immortal Palace, he was himself a Peak Earth Immortal Cultivator, and coming from a top-tier force, his combat power far exceeded those of the same rank.

"Evidence? Before entering the Secret Realm, people from our three parties had threatened to take his life; this is common knowledge! Now, only he has come out alive, and everyone from our three parties has fallen. If it wasn't him, who else could it be?!" The black-robed Elder of the Xuan Yin Sect said sternly.

"Ridiculous!" Emissary Shen Lian sneered. "In the Secret Realm, danger lurks everywhere, Yao Beasts are rampant, and there are countless Restrictions; falling is completely normal. Your people's strength was insufficient, and they died in the Secret Realm, so you want to blame others? Where is the logic in that? Furthermore, you three parties joined forces to hunt down my Tianshu Immortal Palace's newly recruited Disciple. My Tianshu Immortal Palace hasn't even settled the score with you yet, and you're the ones making false accusations?"

"You!" The black-robed Elder was so angry his face turned green, but he was speechless for a moment. In the Secret Realm, life and death were up to fate; that was the rule. Without solid evidence, they really couldn't do anything to Lin Wan, especially since Lin Wan was now considered a person of the Tianshu Immortal Palace.

"Emissary Shen, is your Tianshu Immortal Palace trying to protect this child and become enemies with our Xuan Yin Sect, Tian Sha Sect, and Black Flame Valley?" The black-robed Elder threatened with a fierce look but a weak heart.

"Enemies?" Emissary Shen Lian's eyes narrowed slightly, and a dangerous Aura permeated the air. "Just based on the three of you, can you represent the Xuan Yin Sect, Tian Sha Sect, and Black Flame Valley? Even if your Sect Masters and Valley Masters were here, they wouldn't dare to speak to my Tianshu Immortal Palace like that! Young Friend Lin Wan is someone valued by my Tianshu Immortal Palace. Whoever dares to touch him is an enemy of my Tianshu Immortal Palace! You had better think clearly!"

Emissary Shen Lian's words were resonant, carrying unquestionable majesty. As one of the top forces in the Donghua Immortal Domain, was the Tianshu Immortal Palace something that second-rate forces like the Xuan Yin Sect, Tian Sha Sect, and Black Flame Valley could threaten?

The three black-robed Elders' faces turned from blue to white. Intimidated by Emissary Shen Lian's Aura, and not daring to actually make a move, they could only stare hatefully at Lin Wan, their killing intent unconcealed.

"Lin Wan, you had better hide in the Tianshu Immortal Palace for the rest of your life! Otherwise, once you leave Donghua Immortal City, it will be your death day!" The black-robed Elder gritted his teeth and transmitted his voice.

"I'll be waiting." Lin Wan's expression was calm, and he replied indifferently, not even bothering to look at them. He had heard too many of these meaningless threats. If they had the ability, let them come.

"Let's go!" The three black-robed Elders knew they couldn't gain anything today, snorted coldly, and flicked their sleeves to leave. It was just that the resentment in their eyes was almost overflowing.

"Clowns, no need to pay them any mind." Emissary Shen Lian smiled at Lin Wan. "Let's go, back to Donghua Immortal City. Once you reach the Tianshu Immortal Palace, no one will dare to touch you."

"Thank you, Emissary Shen." Lin Wan cupped his hands in thanks. That Emissary Shen Lian could protect him so strongly, apart from valuing his talent, probably also had to do with the reward from the Ascension Tower. But regardless, he would remember this favor.

The two did not linger. Emissary Shen Lian summoned a small, exquisite silver flying boat, carrying Lin Wan, and turned into a streak of silver light, breaking through the air and quickly disappearing into the horizon.

In the valley, the crowd looked in the direction where Lin Wan had left, and the discussion started again.

"Incredible! To be so valued by the Tianshu Immortal Palace and have them personally step in to protect him, this Lin Wan's future achievements will be limitless!"

"The Xuan Yin Sect, Tian Sha Sect, and Black Flame Valley have really kicked an iron plate this time. They didn't manage to kill him, but instead lost three Late Stage Earth Immortals and so many elite Disciples. A huge loss!"

"However, they definitely won't let it rest. They won't dare to move on the surface, but it's hard to say in the shadows. This Lin Wan's days ahead probably won't be peaceful."

"That will depend on his own ability. To be able to escape from a Heavenly Immortal rank Yao Beast and counter-kill under the siege of three major forces, this child is definitely not something that will stay in a pond!"

...

The silver flying boat was extremely fast, traveling like the wind. In less than half a day, they had returned to Donghua Immortal City.

Donghua Immortal City was still bustling and extremely prosperous. But today, a piece of news spread rapidly through the entire Immortal City like a hurricane, causing a huge sensation.

"Have you heard? That Ascender Lin Wan who cleared the ninth floor of the Ascension Tower has returned from the Donghua Secret Realm!"

"More than just returned! I heard he obtained a great Opportunity in the Secret Realm, and his cultivation soared directly from Human Immortal to Middle Stage Earth Immortal!"

"That's nothing! The most explosive news is that the Xuan Yin Sect, Tian Sha Sect, and Black Flame Valley joined forces and sent three Late Stage Earth Immortals and over a dozen Middle and Early Stage Earth Immortals into the Secret Realm to surround and kill him. As a result, they were all counter-killed by him! None of them came out!"

"Hiss—! Really?!" Middle Stage Earth Immortal counter-killing three Late Stage Earth Immortals? How is that possible?!"

"It's absolutely true! My cousin's second aunt's third uncle's neighbor's son was at the entrance of the Secret Realm at the time and saw with his own eyes the faces of those Elders from the Xuan Yin Sect, like their own father had died! And only Lin Wan came out alone!"

"My god! What kind of Heaven-Defying combat power is this?! Could the reward of the Ascension Tower really be that terrifying?"

"Not only that! I heard he also provoked the Heavenly Immortal rank Yao Beast, the Earth Fire Flame Lizard King, in the Earth Vein Spirit Cavern and escaped from the hands of the Heavenly Immortal Yao Beast!"

"What?! Escaped from the hands of a Heavenly Immortal Yao Beast? This... this is truly..."

"This child is a Prodigy!"

"The Tianshu Immortal Palace has picked up a treasure this time! With Emissary Shen personally stepping in to protect him, those forces like the Xuan Yin Sect can only swallow their broken teeth along with the blood!"

"However, the trouble in the dark definitely won't be little. A tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind!"

For a time, the name of Lin Wan once again resounded throughout Donghua Immortal City, even more sensational than when he cleared the Ascension Tower before! With Middle Stage Earth Immortal cultivation, counter-killing three Late Stage Earth Immortals and over a dozen Middle and Early Stage Earth Immortals, and also escaping from the hands of a Heavenly Immortal Yao Beast... any one of these achievements would be enough for people to talk about for a long time, let alone being concentrated in one person.

Countless forces began to re-evaluate the value and threat of Lin Wan. Within the Tianshu Immortal Palace, the importance placed on Lin Wan was once again raised. And forces like the Xuan Yin Sect, Tian Sha Sect, and Black Flame Valley hated Lin Wan to the bone and began to secretly brew more vicious conspiracies.

Lin Wan was temporarily unaware of these things. At this moment, he was following Emissary Shen Lian to the core area of Donghua Immortal City, in front of a majestic mansion surrounded by Immortal Qi.

Above the main gate of the mansion hung a huge plaque, inscribed with four large, dragon-flying-phoenix-dancing characters with flowing dao rhyme—Tianshu Immortal Palace.

"Young Friend Lin Wan, welcome to the Tianshu Immortal Palace, Donghua Branch." Emissary Shen Lian smiled and made a gesture of invitation.

Lin Wan looked up at the four large characters, feeling the vast, ancient, and majestic Aura emanating from the mansion, and a ripple could not help but rise in his heart.

Tianshu Immortal Palace, this top-tier force that was famous in the Donghua Immortal Domain and even the entire Immortal Realm—he had finally, officially stepped into it.