22: Enter the Secret Realm

Soon, the day for the Secret Realm to open arrived, and Qin Feng, just as he had said, took advantage of the guards' inattention and actually ran away!

As for where he ran off to, Chen Xuan wasn't clear, but he estimated that Qin Feng had most likely returned to the Xuan Yang Sect.

"System, help me exchange for a Substitute Puppet!"

"Attention, this item is a consumable, with a usage period of two months. During this time, it can only simulate aura and remote communication. Do not make any physical contact with others, or it will lose its effect. Do you wish to exchange?"

"Exchange!"

"Ding, Substitute Puppet successfully exchanged. A total of 10,000 Heaven's Mandate Value consumed."

Instantly, a painted skin puppet appeared in Chen Xuan's hand. Chen Xuan directly forced out a drop of his own blood and dripped it onto the puppet's head.

The moment the blood dripped, the puppet's appearance changed drastically, directly transforming into Chen Xuan's likeness! Even its aura was unique! Chen Xuan also miraculously gained two fields of vision, and could switch between them at will.

Afterward, Chen Xuan instructed Lin Shuiyao and Jin Ruoyan that he would be entering seclusion for a period of time. After giving the two women self-defense Magic Treasures, he controlled the puppet to sit cross-legged in his room and Cultivate.

As for his true self, he put on a "human skin mask" as thin as a cicada's wing. Chen Xuan's face shifted, and his entire appearance underwent a drastic transformation.

In this form, Chen Xuan's appearance was ordinary, looking very unremarkable, clearly someone meant to be a background character. The only thing worth mentioning was his middle-parted hairstyle.

"It's been a long time since I've worn you. I, Cai Kun, am back in the Jianghu!" After saying this, Chen Xuan headed to the City Lord's Mansion, preparing to enter the Secret Realm.

"You must be Junior Brother Cai Kun, truly... a young hero, full of masculine vigor!" General Zhao praised.

"Thank you for the City Lord's praise," Chen Xuan said indifferently, not bothering to flatter General Zhao, acting like a greenhorn.

"Since everyone is here, let's depart quickly. Time is money!" General Zhao waved his hand, leading everyone out of the City Lord's Mansion.

Along the way, General Zhao continuously introduced the Secret Realm's situation to "Cai Kun," and Chen Xuan listened with great interest.

Finally, their group arrived at the entrance of the Secret Realm. The people from the four great Families had already gathered here, all waiting for the people from the City Lord's Mansion.

Chen Xuan curiously looked towards the Secret Realm. To his shame, after Transmigration for so many years, he had always stayed hidden in the Sect and had never seen what a Secret Realm truly looked like.

He looked out and saw a massive stone gate leading underground at the end. The stone gate was carved with various intricate runes, shimmering with a faint light.

Beyond the stone gate was a pitch-black space, as if countless secrets and dangers were hidden within.

Zhou Wan'er sat in her sedan chair, not showing her face.

"Alright, now each of you take out your Secret Realm token. Hold the token as you pass through, and you can enter the Secret Realm," General Zhao said, taking out a small jade bottle and handing it to everyone.

"Inside are Medicinal Pills for restoring Spiritual Qi. Our City Lord's Mansion has only one objective and will not compete with you all for resources. We hope you will be accommodating."

Upon seeing General Zhao's generosity, the people from the various Families also cupped their hands in agreement, indicating that they would not be enemies with the City Lord's Mansion.

"Alright, without further ado, let's all go in together!" As General Zhao's words fell, the young Disciples, one by one, held their tokens and entered the Secret Realm.

Chen Xuan was no exception. He only felt his vision go dark, and his entire being entered a pitch-black space.

By the time he reacted, he had already arrived inside the Secret Realm. However, he was alone at this moment; everyone was randomly scattered upon entering the Secret Realm.

And this was extremely dangerous for Zhou Wan'er, even with the defensive Magic Treasures on her.

So Chen Xuan's first goal now was to find Zhou Wan'er and ensure her safety.

"It's truly troublesome, but who can resist such a charming and elegant sister-in-law!"

Then Chen Xuan took out a compass, and from who knows where, pulled out Zhou Wan'er's personal Bellyband (bellyband)!

He had taken it casually last time when Zhou Wan'er was proactive with him, and also "casually" played with it a few times...

He placed the two together, then began to activate the Magic Treasure. The needle on the compass spun rapidly, then gradually slowed down, finally pointing in one direction.

Chen Xuan immediately ran towards the direction indicated by the needle, moving swiftly.

There was no other way; his current Cultivation Realm was only Qi Refining Fourth Stage. He could only achieve such speed by relying on his good equipment.

He had been stuck at this Realm for a long time. Even Jin Ruoyan was almost at Foundation Establishment, yet he was still stagnating!

Strangely, no matter how he Cultivated, it was as if he had encountered a Bottleneck. No matter what, he was always just a step away from Breakthrough, yet unable to Breakthrough.

...

On the other side, Zhou Wan'er stood in an unfamiliar jungle, constantly fleeing. She held a jade Ruyi scepter, on which a mysterious rune was carved, looking very ancient.

This was a defensive Magic Treasure, and also her protective talisman.

Behind her, a wolf-shaped Yao Beast was relentlessly chasing her. As a Mortal, she naturally couldn't outrun a Yao Beast, but because of the jade Ruyi scepter in her hand, it always protected her at critical moments, allowing her to keep fleeing.

However, this time, just as the Yao Beast was about to catch up to Zhou Wan'er, a flash of sword light streaked across, and the Yao Beast was instantly cut into two.

Zhou Wan'er was startled by this scene. She turned her head and saw Cai Kun standing behind her.

"Is Madam alright?" Chen Xuan asked with concern.

"No, I'm fine." Zhou Wan'er clutched her chest, still a bit scared. She had thought Chen Xuan would come to the Secret Realm, but she didn't expect him to truly not come, but instead send his Junior Brother.

"Why are you here?" Zhou Wan'er was a little surprised.

"Of course I came to find you, what else could I be doing?" Chen Xuan said with a smile. He suddenly wanted to tease the red-dressed noblewoman in front of him.

"Find me?"

Looking at Cai Kun, whose voice was like a duck's quack, Zhou Wan'er suddenly had a bad feeling.

"Yes, I specifically came to find you."

"You, what do you want to find me for? Don't come closer!" Zhou Wan'er held the jade Ruyi scepter and continuously retreated.

"I just saved your life, shouldn't you give me some compensation?" Chen Xuan's voice was a bit lecherous as he approached Zhou Wan'er step by step.

Zhou Wan'er was greatly alarmed. She had never seen such a shameless person. But she knew that as a Mortal, she was definitely no match for this guy. She could only keep retreating.

"You, don't come closer. I can give you anything you want, just don't come closer!" Zhou Wan'er said.

"What I want is more than just that, I also want your body!" Chen Xuan said, revealing an evil smile.