Volume 1, Chapter 102 – Setting Out for the Secret Realm

In the blink of an eye, the appointed half month had passed.

That morning, the sun rose amid myriad rays of rosy light.

On the white jade plaza before the main hall of Yaochi Immortal Palace, the atmosphere was solemn yet charged with excitement.

All one hundred and thirty-six disciples, including twenty members of the demon race, had assembled!

They wore the uniform robes of Immortal Palace disciples, moon-white with gold-trimmed patterns. Standing in perfect formation, they made an impressive, spirited sight.

After another half month spent consolidating their cultivation and honing their teamwork, their auras had grown more refined, their gazes as keen as hawks’.

More importantly, they had spent long years cultivating and sparring inside the tower and had now familiarized themselves with their newly acquired artifacts.

They were no longer the fledglings they had once been, possessing cultivation but lacking practical combat experience.

They had undergone their first tempering and become an elite force beginning to show its edge!

At the very front of the formation stood the three personal disciples.

Liu Ruyan wore the robes of a personal disciple, her bearing gentle and composed. Her early-stage Golden Core cultivation remained carefully concealed.

Gu Luoli cradled the Dragon Abyss Sword in her arms, her double pupils subdued and her aura as deep and still as an abyss. With her late-stage Golden Core cultivation, she had already become the unspoken leader of the group.

Ye Ling’er’s long ice-blue hair, ethereal bearing, and late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation made her stand out among the disciples.

Behind them stood more than twenty outstanding disciples at the middle and late stages of Foundation Establishment, including Zhao Ling’er, Wang Zhaojun, Xiao Ya, Wang Teng, Li Zhiwei, and Murong Xue.

Behind them were over a hundred disciples at the early stage of Foundation Establishment or the peak of Qi Refinement.

Every one of them stood straight, their gazes fixed on the raised platform, their eyes burning with fighting spirit and anticipation.

On the platform, Gu Han stood with her hands clasped behind her back.

Today, she had changed into the more formal ceremonial robes of the Palace Master.

The robes were still primarily white, but their patterns were more elaborate and regal. A crown adorned with stars held part of her silver hair in place, while the rest cascaded down her back like a waterfall.

Gone was some of her usual cool nonchalance, replaced by the supreme majesty of one who ruled an entire domain.

Beside her stood eleven elders in a row, including Yun Yun, Li Hanyi, Yun Miaoyi, Die Wu, Mo Lin, Fushan, and Jin Feng.

The elders all wore solemn expressions today. Their restrained auras made them seem like sharp swords on the verge of being drawn.

A-Yao stood to one side, holding Yun Yun’s hand.

The little girl was also wearing a miniature set of disciple robes today, her hair tied into two small buns. Her tiny face was drawn taut as she did her best to look “serious.”

But her large, darting eyes still betrayed her curiosity and excitement.

Gu Han’s gaze slowly swept over every young, resolute face below the platform.

“Today, you will represent Yaochi Immortal Palace in your first formal appearance before the various powers of the Southern Region.”

Her voice was clear and calm, yet it carried distinctly to every person present, imbued with a strangely inspiring power.

“Within the secret realm, there are not only precious natural treasures and ancient inheritances, but also all manner of strange creatures and deadly forbidden grounds.”

“Opportunity and danger exist side by side. Whether you live or die will depend on fate.”

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Her tone remained calm, but every disciple’s heart tightened, and the resolve in their eyes grew stronger.

“I want you to remember three things.”

Gu Han raised three fingers, her tone suddenly turning stern.

“First, your fellow disciples are your brothers and sisters! Fighting among yourselves is strictly forbidden within the secret realm. Anyone who harms a fellow disciple for personal gain will be severely punished without exception!”

“Second, opportunities go to those with the ability to seize them, but you must know your own limits. No treasure, however valuable, is worth more than your life.”

“Third, and most importantly…”

Her lightning-sharp gaze swept across the entire plaza.

“Disciples of Yaochi Immortal Palace do not provoke trouble, but neither do they fear it!”

“If anyone comes looking for trouble, you have no need to tolerate it. Fight back!”

“If you can’t beat them, call for help! Call your senior brothers and sisters, or call the elders!”

“The dignity of Yaochi Immortal Palace will not tolerate contempt! And no disciple of Yaochi Immortal Palace will be bullied by outsiders!”

“Do you all understand?!”

“Understood!”

“Understood!”

“Understood!”

Their thunderous responses rose in wave after wave!

Every disciple felt their blood boil, as though a fire had ignited in their chest!

The Palace Master’s words were domineering and unabashedly protective, but that was exactly why they struck home!

Why had they cultivated so bitterly for so long, if not for this moment?

Was it not so they could stand proudly before others and declare, “I am from Yaochi Immortal Palace”?

“Very good.”

Gu Han nodded slightly, the faintest hint of a smile appearing on her face. She turned to the elders beside her.

“Which of you is willing to lead the expedition?”

The moment Gu Han finished speaking, Mo Lin and Fushan were the first to volunteer.

“Palace Master, let me, Fushan, go! I guarantee I’ll protect the disciples!”

“Forget it. You’re not reliable, old ape. Palace Master, Mo Lin is willing to go!”

Yun Miaoyi, Die Wu, Jin Feng, Qingluo, Canghai, Hongying, Xuanya, and the others also stirred with interest.

Clearly, everyone wanted to go!

Gu Han was deeply gratified by their enthusiasm. Just as she was about to appoint Mo Lin…

A voice as cool as snow spoke first.

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“I’ll go.”

Everyone turned toward the speaker. It was Li Hanyi, standing beside Gu Han.

Her voice was not loud, yet it cut cleanly through every restless current of aura and unspoken thought.

For a moment, the platform became so quiet that a falling needle could have been heard.

Mo Lin and Fushan exchanged glances. Fushan scratched his head and muttered,

“If the Grand Elder wants to go, then there’s definitely nothing left for us…”

The other elders immediately abandoned the idea as well.

Everyone knew that in terms of strength, no one in the Immortal Palace except the Palace Master and Deputy Palace Master could match the Grand Elder.

Having her lead the expedition would undoubtedly provide the greatest deterrent and ensure the disciples’ safety better than any other choice.

Except…

The Grand Elder seemed never to have left Yaochi Immortal Palace before, let alone led the disciples on a long journey.

Gu Han also turned slightly to look at Li Hanyi.

A trace of curiosity and a faint smile flickered in the depths of her eyes beneath her silver hair.

“Hanyi, you want to lead the expedition yourself?”

“Mm.”

Li Hanyi nodded lightly. Her voice remained cool, but it now held a subtle emotion that had not been there before.

“I’ve stayed on the peak for a long time.”

“I also want to…”

Her gaze shifted into the distance, as if piercing through Yaochi’s spiritual mist to see that place in the Southern Region where storms were soon to gather.

“See what the outside world looks like.”

“And see whether my sword is still sharp out there.”

Her final sentence was very soft, yet it carried the hidden edge and pride of a sword cultivator.

Gu Han listened in silence, watching the almost wistful expression that so rarely appeared on Li Hanyi’s exquisite profile.

“Very well.”

The corners of Gu Han’s lips curved upward, and her clear voice rang across the plaza.

“The Grand Elder will personally lead this expedition into the secret realm!”

“All disciples at Foundation Establishment and above will accompany the Grand Elder!”

“We obey the Palace Master’s command!”

The disciples below responded in unison, their voices shaking the heavens.

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Many of them, especially Murong Xue, Li Zhiwei, and the others from Snow Moon Peak, had eyes shining with delight and excitement.

Having their own Master personally lead the expedition undoubtedly gave them the greatest confidence and was a tremendous honor!

Li Hanyi nodded slightly, accepting the responsibility.

She took a single step and appeared in front of the disciples’ formation.

She said nothing more, merely sweeping her calm gaze across their young faces.

“Board the vessel.”

The simple command left her lips with unquestionable authority.

“Yes, Grand Elder!”

The disciples answered in unison, their voices perfectly synchronized.

The Cloudsea Spirit Vessel hovered silently in midair, its entire hull gleaming.

Its three-hundred-meter hull resembled a dormant behemoth, radiating steady and majestic spatial fluctuations.

At Li Hanyi’s command, every disciple at Foundation Establishment and above began circulating their spiritual power. This included the three personal disciples, Liu Ruyan, Gu Luoli, and Ye Ling’er.

There were also more than twenty outstanding disciples at the middle and late stages of Foundation Establishment, including Zhao Ling’er, Wang Zhaojun, and Xiao Ya, along with over eighty disciples at the early and middle stages of Foundation Establishment.

All one hundred and three of them rode their artifacts into the air and boarded the spirit vessel like birds returning to the forest.

After years of tempering within the Myriad-Phenomena Tower, these disciples had long since shed their childish immaturity and restlessness.

Although most of them were only a little over ten years old in actual bone age, with some, such as Li Zhiwei, only seven or eight,

the long years they had experienced inside the tower had made them grow taller, stripped the childishness from their faces, and lent steadiness to their gazes.

At first glance, they all appeared to be young men and women of thirteen or fourteen, or even fifteen or sixteen. Their every movement was disciplined and orderly.

Yet when they stepped onto the spirit vessel’s deck and entered its spacious, brightly lit cabin, many of the disciples still could not suppress quiet gasps of amazement.

Although this was already their second time aboard, the luxury and comfort of this earth-rank high-grade flying artifact continued to astound them.

The cabin’s interior had been expanded through formations, making it far more spacious than it appeared from the outside.

The floor beneath their feet was made of smooth, warm spirit jade, while luminous pearls embedded in the surrounding walls cast a gentle glow.

Rows of comfortable seats were arranged neatly throughout the cabin. Small spiritwood tables stood between them, already set with fresh spirit fruit and spiritual spring water.

Zhao Ling’er pulled Wang Zhaojun toward a window seat, while Xiao Ya sat alone a little farther back and had already taken out her Thousand Mechanisms Disk to tinker with it.

Wang Teng sat with Li Haoran, quietly exchanging insights into sword techniques.

Liu Qingqing, Bai Zhi, and the other female disciples gathered together, softly discussing what they might encounter inside the secret realm.

Ye Ling’er sat with Liu Ruyan and Gu Luoli.

Gu Luoli cradled the Dragon Abyss Sword in her arms, her eyes closed as she rested.

Liu Ruyan wore a gentle expression as her warm gaze swept over the vibrant junior brothers and sisters inside the cabin.

Ye Ling’er sat quietly, gazing through the window at the Immortal Palace outside. Her heart held both anticipation for the unknown journey and a faint reluctance to leave.

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This was the first time she had left her Master since arriving in the Southern Region.

“Fourth Junior Sister, are you nervous?”

Noticing her mood, Liu Ruyan asked softly.

Ye Ling’er came back to herself and shook her head.

“With Second Senior Sister and Third Senior Sister here, as well as the Grand Elder leading us, I’m not nervous.”

She paused, then continued more quietly,

“It’s just… this is my first time going so far away from Master…”

Liu Ruyan smiled in understanding and patted the back of her hand.

“Master may not be beside us, but she must be watching over us.”

“Mm!”

Ye Ling’er nodded firmly, her gaze becoming resolute once more.

Once all the disciples had settled in, the spirit vessel trembled faintly before slowly ascending.

Through the portholes, they watched Yaochi Immortal Palace gradually shrink below them.

The majestic main hall, the vast, mist-shrouded waters of Yaochi, the distinctive peaks, and the Enlightenment Tea Tree on the island in the center of the lake, radiating hazy Dao Resonance…

Everything appeared tranquil and sacred beneath the morning light.

“Goodbye, Immortal Palace…”

Aboard the spirit vessel, the disciples murmured the words almost in unison.

“We respectfully see off the Grand Elder! We respectfully see off our senior brothers and sisters!”

In the plaza, the Qi Refinement disciples remaining behind shouted together, their voices filled with envy and well wishes.

Holding Gu Han’s hand, A-Yao stood below and gazed longingly as they boarded the beautiful vessel.

Her little mouth unconsciously formed a pout as she tugged at the hem of Gu Han’s robes.

“Master Mama, A-Yao wants to go too…”

Gu Han bent down and gently stroked her head.

“A-Yao is still little. Once A-Yao grows a little older and your cultivation improves, you can go the next time a secret realm opens, all right?”

“Oh… all right…”

A-Yao answered dejectedly, but soon rallied and waved vigorously at the spirit vessel.

“Second Junior Sister! Third Junior Sister! Fourth Junior Sister!”

“And all my other junior brothers and sisters! You all have to come back safely!”

Her clear, childish voice echoed across the plaza.