The news of the secret realm trial was like a gust of wind, ruffling the calm lake surface of Qingxu Temple and igniting the flame in Tang Xiaoqi's heart to become stronger. He knew that in the days ahead, he must give his all to prepare for this opportunity. The secret realm ahead was both a challenge and a crucial turning point on his cultivation path. He had to break through it!
He raised his head, his gaze searching through the noisy crowd, spotting Third Senior Sister Liu Yun being surrounded by several familiar disciples, seemingly discussing team formation matters; he also saw First Senior Brother Mu Qingfeng standing slightly farther away, his expression calm, as if also contemplating something.
Entering alone would undoubtedly be extremely dangerous. He needed teammates, more thorough preparation.
Cultivation-wise, he had just entered the Qi Refining fifth layer, likely placing him at the bottom among the many participating disciples. Techniques—the sword art was newly learned, and Pot Dao was still embryonic, lacking effective attack and self-preservation spells. Equipment—apart from that mysterious frying pan and a few scattered talismans given by Third Senior Sister and Second Senior Brother, he had almost nothing.
The surrounding disciples had already begun eagerly seeking teammates, discussing precautions within the secret realm, or hurriedly heading to the stewards of their respective halls to inquire about registration details. Xiaoqi did not act immediately; he needed to calm down and carefully plan.
'This is an opportunity, one that must be seized!' he thought to himself.
He touched the warm, smooth jade pendant on his chest, then thought of the heavy frying pan in the corner, a flicker of determination flashing in his eyes.
Risk? Of course he knew there was risk. The temple master's words were by no means alarmist. But the path of cultivation—how could one hesitate due to fear of risk? Back then, when his father faced powerful enemies, guarding the family to the last moment, had he ever shown fear?
Moreover, actual combat! His cultivation thus far had mostly involved sparring with fellow disciples or dealing with low-level demonic beasts in the back mountain; he had never experienced a true life-and-death struggle. Within the secret realm, dangers lurked everywhere—it was precisely the best place to temper himself and test the results of his recent cultivation. Both the 'Breeze Brushing Willow Sword Art' and his budding 'Pot Dao' needed the refinement of actual combat.
Secret realm! There, the spiritual energy would be denser, with spiritual herbs and ores hard to find in the outside world, and possibly even the inheritances of predecessors! For someone like him, lacking resources and urgently needing to rapidly improve his strength, this was undoubtedly a heaven-sent opportunity. If he could gain something, whether used for his own cultivation or exchanged for contribution points to obtain what he needed, it would greatly accelerate his cultivation pace.
Xiaoqi stood in place, his heart also surging with excitement. All those at the mid-stage of Qi Refining or above could participate; he had just broken through to the Qi Refining fifth layer, exactly meeting the requirements!
Discussions, excited shouts, and voices negotiating team formations rose and fell, filling the entire Qingxu Temple with a tense yet fervent atmosphere.
'...'
'Form a team! We must form a team! It's too dangerous alone!'
'I heard last time a senior brother found a hundred-year-old Crimson Blood Ginseng inside, directly exchanging it for a large amount of contribution points!'
'I've been stuck at the peak of Qi Refining sixth layer for so long; this time I must seize the opportunity to break through to the late stage!'
'Finally, we've waited for the secret realm to open again!'
After the announcement, Temple Master Xuan Xian drifted away. Yet the square seemed to have exploded into a boiling pot.
'Within the secret realm, gains depend on each individual's opportunity and ability,' Temple Master Xuan Xian finally said. 'The spiritual herbs and ores obtained, except for a certain share of some rare varieties that must be handed over, the remainder belong to the individual. If fortunate enough to obtain the legacy of predecessors, that too is your fortune. I hope those interested will consider carefully and act according to their capabilities. Registration matters will be handled by the stewards of each hall, with a three-day deadline.'
However, the warning of risks could not extinguish the desire in most hearts. The path of cultivation was inherently like sailing against the current, contending with fate. If one did not even dare to undertake such risks, how could one speak of climbing to higher realms?
These words were like cold water poured down, slightly cooling the heads of some overly excited disciples. Although the secret realm was good, it was by no means a place for leisure. Every time the secret realm opened, disciple injuries were inevitable, and occasionally news of fatalities would circulate.
'Among fellow disciples, mutual assistance should come first. Yet the secret realm is vast, and there will inevitably be areas beyond our care. Moreover, in the past, there have been incidents of fellow disciples contending for resources, even encounters with rogue cultivators who infiltrated from outside to plunder. Therefore, those who wish to enter the secret realm must have the resolve to face danger and protect themselves.'
His gaze swept over the many young faces below the stage, his tone becoming somewhat more serious: 'However, remember: opportunity often coexists with risk. Within the secret realm, the path is not smooth. Not only are there native demonic beasts of considerable strength lurking within, but the terrain is complex and the environment ever-changing. One must also be wary of... unpredictable human hearts.'
Temple Master Xuan Xian raised his hand, gesturing downward to suppress the noise, and continued solemnly: 'This opening of the secret realm will last for one month. All disciples of our temple whose cultivation has reached the mid-stage of Qi Refining or above may voluntarily register to participate.'
It could be said that the Cloud Mist Secret Realm was one of the most important opportunity grounds for low-level disciples of Qingxu Temple!
Xiaoqi stood among the crowd, his heart also trembling. Although he had not been a disciple for long, he had long heard of the great fame of the 'Cloud Mist Secret Realm'. This was an independent small world controlled by Qingxu Temple, said to have been transformed from a fragment of a cave paradise opened up by a great power in ancient times. Every three years, it briefly intersects with the main world, opening an entrance. Within the secret realm, spiritual energy is far denser than the outside world, nurturing countless rare spiritual herbs and mineral resources. Moreover, legends persist that some senior cultivators have passed away within it, leaving behind cultivation technique inheritances or personal magical artifacts.
As soon as the words 'Cloud Mist Secret Realm' were spoken, suppressed exclamations and commotion instantly erupted below the stage. Excitement and yearning immediately surged onto the faces of many young disciples; even some usually steady senior disciples had eager light flickering in their eyes.
Temple Master Xuan Xian, with his crane-like white hair and youthful face, exuding an aura of profound depth, spoke in a calm yet clear voice that carried across the entire square: 'Disciples, our Qingxu Temple's triennial 'Cloud Mist Secret Realm' will officially open at the beginning of next month.'
On this day, the lingering echoes of the morning bell had not yet faded when Temple Master Xuan Xian personally came to the main hall square—an extremely rare occurrence—and announced an important matter to all inner and outer sect disciples.
Tang Xiaoqi immersed himself in the practice of 'Willow Catkins Drifting with the Wind' and his preliminary exploration of 'Pot Dao', his days passing by swiftly and contentedly. Just as he was gradually adapting to the power of the Qi Refining fifth layer and gaining deeper insight into the 'Breeze Brushing Willow Sword Art', news like a massive stone dropping into a deep pool rapidly spread throughout Qingxu Temple, stirring up enormous waves.