The world twisted as Xuan Yuan stepped into the rift. For a moment, all sound and sight blurred into a rush of white mist and roaring qi. His body felt stretched, compressed, then snapped back into place.
When his vision cleared, he stood on uneven stone ground beneath a sky torn between gold and ash. Strange clouds hung low, heavy with suppressed spiritual energy. The air smelled of blood-soaked earth, yet beneath it lingered a faint sweetness—herbs that only grew on ancient battlefields.
Around him, disciples of the Clear Sky Sect blinked into existence one after another. The neat formation they had entered with instantly scattered, groups breaking apart as young cultivators raced to secure early fortunes. From beyond the haze, Yuan caught glimpses of banners from rival sects. The tension in the air was thick—glares exchanged, hands already drifting toward weapons.
The Southern Secret Realm had opened.
It would remain so for two months. After that, the mist would swallow everything whole, expelling survivors while leaving behind all who failed.
Yuan dusted off his sleeves, looking around lazily. "Hm. Has that rustic 'ancient battlefield with bonus murder vibe.' Definitely not a tourist spot."
The Codex pulsed.
Ding! Special sign-in location detected: Southern Secret Realm – Battlefield Plains. Would host like to sign in?
"Obviously," Yuan murmured.
Sign-in successful. Reward: Heaven-Grade Beast Summoning Token.
A black token etched with bestial runes appeared in his palm, humming faintly with overwhelming energy. The moment he touched it, information surged into his mind.
Beast Summoning Token: Summons a beast of Initial Tribulation Transcendent realm for 72 hours. Beast will obey all commands of the summoner. Token recharges once every 15 days.
Yuan stared at it, slack-jawed. "…Tribulation Transcendent. Seventy-two hours. And reusable? This isn't a cheat—it's an extinction-level panic button with a reset timer." He slipped it carefully into his robe, muttering, "Now let's see which arrogant young master or lingering remnant soul begs to be flattened."
Before he could revel in his new "trump card," the mirror Aunt Lan had given him warmed. Its surface rippled faintly, and her voice came through—steady, sharp, yet carrying that underlying gentleness.
"Little Yuan. Don't dawdle. The realm is vast and dangerous. Remember the map. Keep the mirror close. And don't be reckless."
He blinked, startled, then chuckled softly. "Aunt? I thought this thing was supposed to show your face. What's this, voice-only mode?"
Her voice came again, a little thinner, as though echoing from far away. "The mirror runs on the qi I stored in it. And due to secret realm's interference, it can only transmit sound. Use it sparingly. Once that qi runs out, even this connection will be gone."
Yuan scratched his chin, murmuring. "So basically… Aunt Surveillance, radio edition. Guess I should be grateful you didn't give me one that nags in my head 24/7."
The mirror went quiet again, leaving only silence. He tucked it away carefully.
Before he could move, a figure approached through the mist. A young man in blue-green sect robes, tall and composed, his eyes sharp but not unkind. His aura was already at Foundation Establishment great perfection, steady as tempered steel.
"Junior Brother Yuan," the youth said with a proper bow. "I am Shen Yu, disciple of Elder Mo. Elder has entrusted me with your safety for the duration of the Secret Realm."
Yuan blinked, then grinned faintly. "Entrusted, huh? What, did Elder Mo think I'd trip on the first rock and die? Or maybe he's worried I'll get lost looking for the bathroom?"
Shen Yu inwardly thought, It's because you're weak. Outwardly, his voice remained calm. "You can joke, but I'll follow regardless. The sect has offered me enough benefits for this task. Opportunities in the realm aren't worth more than what I've already been promised."
Yuan tilted his head. "So you're giving up treasure hunting to babysit me? Bold move. What if I wander straight into trouble?"
Shen Yu's eyes glinted, his tone confident without arrogance. "Then my legs will be faster than my sword. Whether to fight or flee, I can keep you safe. That is my specialty—and the reason Elder Mo entrusted you to me."
Yuan studied him for a beat, then shrugged. "A protector with quick legs and zero pride. Not bad. Alright, Shen Yu—you're hired."
Still, something itched at the back of his mind. He slipped a hand into his sleeve, brushing the mirror Aunt Lan had given him. Its surface pulsed faintly, and when he willed it, her voice poured out again.
"Aunt," Yuan muttered under his breath, "who is this guy? He looks reliable enough, but why exactly is he tagging along? Isn't this supposed to be a solo treasure hunt?"
Her reply came without hesitation.
"With your strength weaker than a dog's, how could we possibly rest easy? That's why Shen Yu is there. He believes you're here to claim an inheritance—an ancient legacy of the Xuan bloodline. It's something only you can open, and Elder Mo told him as much. His task is to guard you and keep others from interfering. We've already given enough compensation to his master."
Yuan twitched. "Weaker than a dog? Aunt, please—at least give me cat-level credit. Dogs work too hard; I'm more of the graceful, carefree type."
"..."
"Then again, can he be fully trusted?"
"Don't worry," Aunt Lan continued. "He is shrewd, but of good character. Elder Mo trusts him, and so you can too. When you reach the hidden place, he will stand guard outside while you enter."
Xuan Yuan muttered under his breath, Who's worrying? I can slap 100 of him to death with my golden core cultivation. Anyways, as long as you are happy...
Yuan tapped the mirror "Alright, Aunt. But if he starts acting like a mother hen, I'm holding you responsible."
"Brat," her voice snapped, though warmth threaded beneath it. "Behave."
The mirror dimmed, leaving only the faint hum of stored qi. Yuan slipped it back into his sleeve and glanced at Shen Yu, who was already surveying the mist with sharp eyes.
"Alright then," Yuan said lazily, hands clasped behind his back. "You handle the danger, I'll handle the profound commentary. Deal?"
Shen Yu inclined his head. "Deal."
And together, they stepped deeper into the swirling realm—one sharp and steady, the other eccentric and unreadable—an unlikely pair moving towards supposed secret place only Yuan's blood could unlock.