28: Chapter 28 The Secret Realm Opens

On the morning of the third day.

Many Outer Sect Disciples who had signed up arrived at the back mountain.

Hu Nan also followed Qin Changsheng's instructions and mingled among the many Outer Sect Disciples.

At the very front of the crowd stood the Eldest Senior Brother of the Outer Sect, Lin Hao.

He wore high-grade Outer Sect attire embroidered with cloud patterns, his handsome face and brow carrying an innate arrogance. Surrounded by several trusted Disciples, his aura was fully unleashed, causing the surrounding Disciples to instinctively move away, not daring to approach easily.

Beside Lin Hao, Wu Feng stood with his hands down, his expression cold and stern.

Zhao Hu, beside him, looked much more disheveled than usual.

His once powerful left arm was gone, and though the wound had healed, it was still wrapped in thick bandages.

Even so, he still gripped the long saber at his waist tightly, following closely behind Lin Hao. He likely hoped to use the Secret Realm Opportunity to find resources to regrow his arm or increase his strength.

Qin Changsheng also understood that Zhao Hu's severed arm was most likely related to the previous loss of the Spirit Sand.

Qin Changsheng also spotted Lin Yao, Zhang Han, and other fellow villagers in the crowd.

Lin Yao looked slightly nervous, but she couldn't hide the anticipation in her eyes. She whispered with the Disciples beside her from time to time, seemingly discussing their route in the Secret Realm, clearly hoping to use this chance to find treasures to boost her strength.

Besides these familiar faces, there were many new ones on the field.

There were top Outer Sect Disciples with powerful auras, clearly aiming for Heaven And Earth Treasures like the spirit cleansing grass;

There were also Outer Sect Disciples like Zhang Han and the others, mostly traveling in groups, their eyes full of apprehension, only hoping to find some low-grade spiritual materials on the outskirts of the Secret Realm to make the trip worthwhile.

Before long, several streaks of sword light flew across the sky.

As the sword lights descended, Elder Qingxuan and Fairy Qingling appeared with a few others.

Beside Elder Qingxuan was a beautiful young girl.

This young girl was Fairy Qingling's Disciple, Jiang Lijuan.

She was also the Eldest Senior Sister of the Outer Sect, and her cultivation had already reached the Qi Refining Great Perfection.

Fairy Qingling scanned the area and said softly, "The time is near, the Secret Realm entrance will open immediately. Everyone, remember the Sect rules and act within your capabilities."

After speaking, she struck a stone tablet not far away with a burst of magical power.

The faint light around the stone tablet suddenly surged, and a ten-foot-tall light gate slowly emerged. Behind the gate, Spiritual Qi surged, and one could vaguely see lush trees and gurgling streams; it was the entrance to the Spirit Creek Secret Realm.

The Disciples present instantly became excited, preparing themselves to rush into the Secret Realm at the Elder's command to fight for their own Opportunity.

"You may enter!" Elder Qingxuan announced.

As Elder Qingxuan finished speaking, Lin Hao was the first to dash out like an arrow from a bow, his green robes fluttering in the Spiritual Qi as he reached the Secret Realm entrance almost instantly.

Wu Feng and Zhao Hu followed closely behind, with several trusted Disciples surrounding them in a tight formation, protecting Lin Hao as they charged into the Secret Realm, fearing others might take the lead.

Hu Nan followed Qin Changsheng's instructions, moving slowly with the flow of people, neither racing ahead nor falling behind.

Fairy Qingling watched the Disciples swarming in with an indifferent expression, then turned to her Personal Disciple, Jiang Lijuan.

"Entering the Secret Realm this time, besides training, you need to help me find a 'Golden Condensation Grass'."

"This grass mostly grows in the damp, shaded valleys of the Secret Realm and has a faint purple spiritual glow."

What Fairy Qingling asked Jiang Lijuan to find was an ingredient for refining a foundation establishment pill.

Jiang Lijuan bowed and accepted the order, her expression solemn. "Rest assured, Revered Master."

"Go then!" Fairy Qingling waved her hand.

Jiang Lijuan circulated her Spiritual Qi and dashed out agilely, avoiding the crowded crowd in front and quickly entering the Secret Realm along the edge of the light gate.

Elder Qingxuan looked at Jiang Lijuan's back and said to Fairy Qingling, "This grass is rare, and the dangers within the Secret Realm are unknown. Isn't it too risky to let Lijuan search for it alone?"

Fairy Qingling shook her head slightly, her gaze fixed on the light gate. "She needs to train alone to grow, and she has the ability to protect herself. Moreover, the Secret Realm is not only about Opportunities but also a test of these Disciples' Heart-Nature and strength."

...

After entering the Secret Realm, many Outer Sect Disciples quickly rushed toward its depths.

Eldest Senior Sister, Jiang Lijuan, Zhang Han, and the others had long since disappeared from sight.

Only Lin Hao stood with his hands behind his back on a large boulder not far from the entrance, his aura at the Peak of the Level 10 Qi Refining Stage flickering around him.

Behind him, Wu Feng and several trusted Disciples spread out in a fan shape, firmly guarding the only path from the entrance to the dense forest, looking alert but showing no intention of moving deeper.

Looking at the deep forest, Zhao Hu finally couldn't help but step forward and ask in a low voice behind Lin Hao, "Eldest Senior Brother, we've been in here for a while now. Why are we still standing here?"

"Shouldn't we go in and fight for treasures?"

Zhao Hu didn't understand at all why Eldest Senior Brother, Lin Hao, hadn't made a move after entering the Secret Realm, only guarding the exit.

"Fool!" Lin Hao turned abruptly, his cold gaze sweeping over Zhao Hu. "With your shortsightedness, how can you even dream of coveting the Secret Realm's Opportunities? Stand there quietly and stop your clamoring!"

The low scolding wasn't loud, but it carried full Pressure. Zhao Hu's whole body stiffened, and he instantly fell silent, lowering his head and not daring to speak again, though confusion and a sense of grievance swirled in his eyes.

He truly didn't understand the point of guarding the entrance instead of looking for treasures deep in the Secret Realm.

Seeing this, Wu Feng stepped forward half a pace and explained to Zhao Hu in a low, instructive tone, "Zhao Hu, use your brain. How many exits does this Secret Realm have?"

Zhao Hu was stunned and looked up at Wu Feng, his eyes full of bewilderment. "Only one exit? So what?"

"So what?" Wu Feng glanced at him and continued, "All Disciples who enter the Secret Realm, no matter how many Opportunities they find or which area they venture into, must ultimately leave through this entrance."

"Eldest Senior Brother intends to wait here. When the other Disciples finish exploring the Secret Realm and return with their gains, we will 'conveniently' take their things."

These words were like a clap of thunder, instantly waking Zhao Hu up.

His pupils constricted as he turned to look at the arrogant Lin Hao on the boulder, instantly understanding the scheme.

Compared to venturing deep into the Secret Realm to risk fighting for resources, guarding the exit to rob others was undoubtedly an easier and more lucrative method!

It allowed them to avoid the Restrictions and Yao Beasts in the Secret Realm while reaping the spoils of others' efforts, taking everything the other Disciples had earned.

One had to know that Eldest Senior Brother, Lin Hao's background was very powerful. Those robbed Disciples would definitely not dare to speak out after leaving.

Even if the Sect found out, with Lin Hao's background, nothing would happen.

Having thought this through, the confusion in Zhao Hu's eyes vanished completely. He whispered, "I understand! Eldest Senior Brother is indeed far-sighted. I was foolish before!"

Lin Hao snorted coldly and turned back toward the entrance, a playful curve appearing at the corner of his mouth.

What he wanted was never just a few Spiritual Plants in the Secret Realm, but the Opportunities of those Disciples.

If he took people in alone, it would likely be difficult to obtain the spirit cleansing grass.

But by waiting here like this, he would definitely be able to obtain the spirit cleansing grass.

As long as he didn't rob Disciples with influential backgrounds, nothing would go wrong.

Meanwhile, Qin Changsheng, who was controlling his Incarnation, heard Zhao Hu and Wu Feng's conversation clearly.