Chapter Eighty-Six: The Secret Realm Emerges

"Red Robes, let's go!" Master Yuling stood atop her flying sword and called out.

Gu Weiyu recalled her previous experience of being "carried" and, feeling a bit apprehensive, positioned herself behind her master.

With Gu Weiyu in tow, Master Yuling flew swiftly on her sword, soon arriving before the Sect Leader's grand hall. She stowed away her flying sword beneath her feet and entered directly.

Gu Weiyu let out a breath of relief. Thankfully, her master's speed was more reasonable this time. She followed Master Yuling into the hall.

Outside the hall, both outer and inner sect disciples watched with envy in their eyes. They wished they, too, had a master at the Core Formation stage.

"Yuling, this time you and Qingpu will have to shoulder the burden," the Sect Leader, Master Qianhe, instructed Master Yuling and Master Qingpu. Then he stepped outside, offering words of encouragement to those about to enter the Voidless Secret Realm.

"May the disciples of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect leap through the dragon gate and return laden with success!" Master Qianhe's voice echoed before the grand hall, resonating in the hearts of all present.

Many disciples still in the Qi Refining stage were stirred by his words, their blood boiling as they prepared for the coming challenge.

"Set out!"

A tower ship appeared in midair. Everyone boarded it in turn, choosing seats beside familiar companions and engaging in conversation.

As for Master Yuling and Master Qingpu, both Core Formation experts, they naturally did not sit among the Qi Refining novices but occupied an elegant chamber on the second deck.

Once all cultivators had boarded, the tower ship soared into the sky, departing from Lingxiao Peak where the grand hall stood, heading southwest.

Ten Thousand Swords City.

Chu Xingyun stood atop the high city walls, watching the tower ship glide through the distant sky, his gaze deep and contemplative.

"Yunlang, are we really letting that girl enter the Voidless Secret Realm?" Xin Niang's voice was tinged with reluctance.

After all their efforts to find her, knowing she was aboard the ship, they could only watch helplessly.

"Sword cultivators are all madmen—I want nothing to do with them," Chu Xingyun muttered. "That girl can't stay hidden in the Ten Thousand Swords Sect forever."

"Yunlang, where do we go now?" Xin Niang sidled up to him, resting her head on his shoulder.

"We'll return to Qin County first. We'll leave someone here to keep watch," Chu Xingyun replied, embracing Xin Niang with gentle affection.

———

On the first deck of the tower ship, Gu Weiyu sat with Wan Gu and the others, chatting idly.

Gu Weiyu had once again donned her human-skin mask, remaining unmoved by the curious glances within the ship.

Wan Gu couldn't help but ask, "Sister Lian, why did you put that thing on again?"

He remembered his first encounter with Gu Weiyu—he had nearly been frightened out of his wits.

"I simply want to," Gu Weiyu replied calmly from her corner seat.

Wan Gu fell silent, shifting the topic.

"We agreed to watch out for each other. Don’t forget once we enter the secret realm."

Wan Gu repeated his old refrain, reminding everyone of their team pact. The others nodded and agreed, giving him face.

"Wan Gu, do you know what dangers await us in the secret realm?" Lin Haoran asked, his wide eyes full of curiosity.

Wan Gu stroked his chin, uncertain. "Well—I’ve heard the trial tower inside the secret realm is particularly mysterious..."

"Are you talking about the Seven Treasure Trial Tower?" Liu Ruyan interjected. Her master, Fairy Yuyao, had mentioned it to her.

Gu Weiyu's gaze flickered; she remembered what her own master, Yuling, had told her:

"There’s a seven-story tower inside the secret realm—a spiritual treasure called the Seven Treasures. Everyone who enters the secret realm gets one chance to enter the Seven Treasures. Whether you gain fortune depends on your own ability..."

"Isn't there supposed to be great opportunities in that Seven Treasure Trial Tower?" Lin Haoran was still confused. If there’s fortune, how could there be danger?

"You fool! Precisely because the Seven Treasures hold great fortune, it's dangerous inside! Everyone sees those who exit the tower loaded with rewards, but who knows how many vibrant lives are forever lost within!" Wan Gu said solemnly. "If it’s yours by fate, you’ll have it; if not, don’t force it. My master told me opportunities are mysterious—never force them."

The others aboard showed mixed expressions. Some were ambitious, eager for great fortune, while others resolved to act with caution, prioritizing survival.

Gu Weiyu glanced at Wan Gu, thinking his master understood well.

The tower ship traveled for a full day and night before finally reaching its destination, halting on a broad grassland.

"Look over there—isn’t that the Beast Taming Sect’s tower ship?"

"Let me see, let me see!"

"The Loose Cultivator Alliance’s ship has arrived, too..."

"I see a demonic sect as well—isn’t that the Heavenly Fiend Gate’s ship?"

Everyone crowded to the windows, craning to see outside. Many began to show off their knowledge in hopes of impressing others.

Gu Weiyu felt as if three hundred ducks were quacking nonstop inside the ship.

"Silence!"

Apparently, the first deck had grown too noisy—a voice, rich with Core Formation pressure, rang out.

The excited crowd immediately fell silent, each returning to their seat, the chaos below vanishing.

Gu Weiyu took advantage of the lull to glance out the window. She noticed that the tower ships had stopped in a peculiar arrangement: the demonic sects and the righteous sects formed separate clusters on either side, with the Loose Cultivator Alliance occupying the central position—an obvious divide between the two forces.

After a while, she returned to her seat, though Wan Gu and Lin Haoran remained at the window, enjoying the view.

"Everyone, disembark in order," Master Qingpu’s voice sounded from within the tower ship.

Gu Weiyu and her companions responded, descending from the ship and forming orderly rows.

Other sects followed suit, as did the demonic sects and loose cultivators.

Gu Weiyu’s gaze fell upon her master, watching as she and Master Qingpu stepped out of the ranks to join the other Core Formation experts.

As the sun rose, strange colors seeped from the distant mountains, as if some giant beast were approaching.

"The secret realm is about to appear!" whispered a knowledgeable Qi Refining disciple in the crowd.

Gu Weiyu looked ahead to find that, at some point, eight Core Formation masters had moved to the forefront.

They stood at different points, forming intricate hand seals and casting them toward the emerging massive presence.

Then, Gu Weiyu and the others saw a swirling black vortex slowly take shape before them.

"Danyang Sect disciples, come forward!" called the Core Formation cultivator of Danyang Sect.

The Danyang Sect disciples lined up, each receiving a wooden token before walking toward the black vortex in turn.

Next came the disciples of Ten Thousand Swords Sect, Thousand Formations Sect, Spirit Talisman Sect, and so forth, each approaching the vortex.

Every disciple who neared the vortex was swept in by its whirl, vanishing from sight.

Everyone understood—this was the entrance to the Voidless Secret Realm.

After the Loose Cultivator Alliance entered, it was finally the demonic sects’ turn.

"Hmph!" A demonic cultivator grumbled. Why must their sect always be last?

Gu Weiyu knew nothing of the turmoil outside. She queued up and approached the vortex; a tremendous force pulled at her, and then everything went black…