Core intelligence, clues to the secret realm

Inside the quiet room, Nightmare sat cross-legged, with two items floating before him.

To the left was the Storage Pouch searched from the Suppressing Heaven Supreme Being, now completely opened, with its contents floating in mid-air sorted by category. To the right was that gold-plated Divine Court core troop deployment token, emitting a faint glow.

Nightmare first picked up the token.

His Divine Sense delved into it.

The internal structure of the token was extremely complex, with layers of Restrictions interlaced like a labyrinth. However, the Nidao Demonic Flame had a natural restraining effect on the Divine Court's Origin; it was as if he held a master key, easily breaking through the layers of Restrictions one by one.

Half an incense stick later, all the information inside the token was presented in his mind.

First was a detailed map of the core area.

The map marked the exact location of the Divine Court headquarters—located at "Heavenly Emperor Mountain" in the very center of the core area; the entire mountain was the Divine Court's base. Outside the mountain were three layers of defensive circles, each heavily guarded.

Then there were the defensive deployments.

The Divine Court Heavenly Gate, the only legal entrance to the core area, was guarded year-round by two Cosmic Supreme Realm Early Stage Elders, plus a rotation of a hundred Hongmeng Celestial Venerable Realm Cultivators. Around the Heavenly Gate was the "Nine Heavens Divine Malice Formation," which was said to be able to skin even a Cosmic Supreme Realm Late Stage expert who tried to force their way through.

But the token also marked three secret passages.

One was deep within the Foggy Forbidden Zone—the one Nightmare had seen in the intelligence before.

One was at the bottom of the "Falling Star Sea," requiring a special Magic Treasure to open.

The last one was the most hidden, located within the "Void Turbulence," with its position constantly changing; only the token holder could sense it.

"Three paths..." Nightmare memorized all the information and continued reading.

The next content made his eyes narrow slightly.

"Grandmist Supreme Hall..."

The token recorded that this Secret Realm was located in the "Supreme Mountain Range" of the core area and was a top-tier Secret Realm left over from ancient times. The hall had three levels, each with different opportunities and dangers.

The first level contained Grandmist Supreme Origin Liquid, which could significantly increase cultivation below the Supreme Realm.

The second level held the supreme formation eye jade talisman, the key to opening the third level.

The third level, the core level, hid the "primordial supreme crystal core"—a top-tier resource that could help Cosmic Supreme Realm powerhouses break through their Bottlenecks.

More importantly, the token mentioned that the Grandmist Supreme Hall would open soon, and the Divine Court was already preparing to fight for it.

"primordial supreme crystal core..." A glint flashed in Nightmare's eyes.

He was currently at the Hongmeng Celestial Venerable Realm Middle Stage, still two minor Realms away from the Cosmic Supreme Realm. If he could obtain this crystal core, the time needed for a Breakthrough could be shortened by at least a hundred years.

And... he continued reading.

The last piece of information in the token was a personal note from the Suppressing Heaven Supreme Being:

"Secret Order from the Heavenly Emperor: In the core level of the Grandmist Supreme Hall, besides the crystal core, a key force of Reverse Path Origin is also sealed. When the Secret Realm opens this time, the crystal core must be seized, and that Reverse Path power must be completely destroyed to eliminate future troubles forever."

A key force of Reverse Path Origin?

Nightmare's brow furrowed slightly.

Did this information have anything to do with the three keys of dao reversal inside his body?

---

Setting down the token, Nightmare looked at the several Jade Slips that had floated out of the Storage Pouch.

He picked one up and sent his Divine Sense into it.

This was the Suppressing Heaven Supreme Being's assessment record of the Divine Court's high-level combat power:

"Heavenly Emperor of the Divine Court: Cosmic Supreme Realm Late Stage, has already touched the threshold of the Creation Realm, combat power is unfathomable, cannot be rivaled by fewer than three of the same rank."

"Left and Right Protectors: Both are Cosmic Supreme Realm Middle Stage, each possessing a fragment of a Creation-grade Magic Treasure."

"Eight Great Elders: All are Cosmic Supreme Realm Early Stage, Suppressing Heaven ranks fifth."

"Thirty-Six Heavenly Generals: Ranging from Hongmeng Celestial Venerable Realm Peak to Cosmic Supreme Realm Early Stage, leading the Divine Court's elite troops."

"Additionally, the Divine Court has a hidden force called the 'Heavenly Emperor Guards,' which only takes orders from the Heavenly Emperor himself; the specific number and cultivation levels are unknown."

After reading, Nightmare had a general idea in his mind.

The Divine Court's foundation was indeed deep. There were over a dozen in the Cosmic Supreme Realm alone, and the Hongmeng Celestial Venerable Realm was countless.

In a direct confrontation, the current Nidao Alliance was still far from enough.

He had to win by wit.

And the key to winning by wit was the Grandmist Supreme Hall.

---

Three days later, Nightmare emerged from seclusion.

In the great hall, all the high-level members gathered once again.

Nightmare sat in the main seat and looked at his Deputy: "From now on, you will be fully responsible for the rule of the inland borders."

The Deputy was stunned: "Lord, you..."

"I am going to the core area," Nightmare said directly. "It won't be for a short time, ranging from a few months to several years. During this time, you continue to expand our influence and accumulate resources, ready to provide support at any time."

"Yes!" the Deputy responded solemnly.

"Furthermore," Nightmare looked down at the group, "from the Nidao Vanguard Army, select fifty Hongmeng Celestial Venerable Realm and two hundred Hunyuan Celestial Venerable Realm elites to form the 'Core War Army.' I want to see the list by this time tomorrow."

"Understood!"

The order was quickly passed down.

The entire Nidao Alliance was set in motion.

Being selected for the Core War Army meant being able to follow the Lord to the broader core area to fight, which meant more opportunities and glory. All the Cultivators who met the criteria performed desperately, hoping to be chosen.

The final list was confirmed that night.

Fifty Hongmeng Celestial Venerable Realm, including three Sect Masters of formerly surrendered forces who had recently broken through. Two hundred Hunyuan Celestial Venerable Realm, all veterans who had experienced the great battle of Chixue City.

The next morning, at the Chixue City plaza.

Two hundred and fifty Cultivators were lined up neatly, each with a condensed aura and sharp eyes.

Nightmare stood before the ranks, his gaze sweeping over everyone.

"Going to the core area this time is not for enjoyment," he spoke, his voice spreading throughout the field. "That is the Divine Court's headquarters, where Cosmic Supreme Realm powerhouses can be seen everywhere and Hongmeng Celestial Venerable Realm are as common as hair on an ox. When we go there, we will be a lone army, with no reinforcements and no way back."

"You might die, your Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering, and you might not even leave a name behind."

"Now," he paused, "those who want to withdraw can step out. I will not pursue it, nor will I make things difficult."

The ranks were silent.

Three breaths later, a Hongmeng Celestial Venerable Realm Early Stage Cultivator stepped forward and knelt on one knee: "This subordinate is willing to follow the Lord to the death!"

"Follow the Lord to the death!"

"Follow to the death!"

Two hundred and fifty people shouted in unison, their voices shaking the clouds.

Nightmare nodded.

"Good."

He turned and looked toward the north.

That was the direction of the Foggy Forbidden Zone, the entrance to the secret passage leading to the core area.

"Depart."

---

Half a day later, deep within the Foggy Forbidden Zone.

Nightmare led the Core War Army and stopped before a seemingly ordinary valley.

The valley was filled with mist, so thick one couldn't see their own hand. But the token's resonance told him that the passage entrance was right here.

"Lord, this mist is strange," a Cultivator skilled in Formations whispered. "It is filled with ancient Restrictions; entering rashly might trigger an alarm."

Nightmare didn't speak, he only raised his hand.

Blackish-gray flames surged from his palm, turning into countless fire threads as thin as hair, silently drilling into the mist.

Wherever the fire threads passed, the Restrictions in the mist melted away like ice and snow.

It wasn't destruction; it was erasure.

Like using an eraser to wipe away pencil marks, where it passed, nothing remained.

Half an incense stick later, Nightmare withdrew his hand.

"The Restrictions are cleared, let's go."

He was the first to step into the valley.

The Core War Army followed closely behind.

Deep within the mist, a faint spatial crack was slowly rotating.

That was the passage entrance.

Nightmare looked back one last time toward the inland borders.

With this journey, he would either return fully laden or... leave his bones here.

He no longer hesitated and stepped into the crack.