Volume 1, Chapter 174 – The Lingxu Secret Realm Opens

Two days later, dawn broke.

The Myriad-Phenomena Tower remained dormant, silently awaiting the awakening of its tower spirit, Xiao Wan.

At the entrance to Lingxu Blessed Paradise on the western side of the Immortal Palace, however, the atmosphere was entirely different. A hazy glow shimmered in the air.

The first group of more than thirty disciples granted entry had gathered there.

The three personal disciples, Liu Ruyan, Gu Luoli, and Ye Ling’er, stood at the very front.

Liu Ruyan appeared gentle and composed. Flecks of gold glimmered within Gu Luoli’s double pupils as though she were examining the entrance’s spatial structure.

Ye Ling’er pressed her lips together. Her ice-blue hair stirred gently in the morning breeze, and an almost stubborn determination shone in her eyes.

Beside her stood core disciples such as Li Zhiwei, Murong Xue, Zhao Ling’er, Wang Zhaojun, Wang Teng, and Xiao Ya. Each radiated a steady aura, their eyes bright with anticipation.

The most conspicuous figure was A-Yao, standing at the front of the group with her little hand clasped in Liu Ruyan’s.

The little girl wore a well-fitted blue martial outfit today, with an exquisite Hundred Treasures Pouch hanging from her waist. The lotus mark on her forehead glimmered faintly in the morning light.

Her large eyes darted from the entrance to the solemn-looking junior sisters and brothers around her. Her small face brimmed with excitement.

“Everyone.”

Deputy Palace Master Yun Yun stood beside the entrance, her gentle voice carrying clearly to every disciple.

“Although Lingxu Blessed Paradise is now a sect secret realm, it is still fraught with danger.”

“The outer region is inhabited by demonic beasts at the Foundation Establishment stage, while Golden Core and Nascent Soul demonic beasts can be found in the core region. Disciples who have not reached the Golden Core stage must not venture deeper without permission.”

She paused, sweeping her gaze across the disciples. It lingered on A-Yao for a moment before her tone turned solemn.

“The secret realm will remain open for one month.”

“After one month, no matter where you are, you will automatically be transported out.”

No sooner had she finished speaking than a tall, powerfully built figure appeared soundlessly in the square. The newcomer was none other than Elder Mo Lin.

Clearly, he was the leading elder for this expedition.

His arrival bolstered the disciples’ confidence.

“Now, follow Elder Mo Lin inside one by one.”

Yun Yun raised a hand. A pale green secret realm key hovered above her palm, glowing softly.

She infused it with spiritual power, then tapped the hazy glow before them.

“Hummm…”

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The glowing entrance abruptly expanded into a gate of light nearly thirty feet tall, its edges rippling like water.

Beyond the gate, rolling mountains and lush forests could be faintly seen. A wave of pure spiritual energy washed over them.

“Follow me!”

Elder Mo Lin barked the order and stepped through the gate of light first.

“Let’s go!”

Liu Ruyan and Gu Luoli exchanged a glance, each took one of A-Yao’s hands, and followed close behind.

Ye Ling’er, Li Zhiwei, Murong Xue, Xiao Ya, and the others quickly followed them inside.

In mere moments, all thirty-odd disciples had disappeared through the gate of light.

The gate rippled slightly before stabilizing once more, hovering silently in the air.

Yun Yun remained where she was and spent a while longer checking the stability of the secret realm’s entrance before finally turning to leave.

The square fell empty again, with only the slowly revolving gate of light remaining.

Farther away, disciples who had failed to qualify continued watching with envy and longing.

Inside Lingxu Blessed Paradise.

Rolling hills covered in dense vegetation stretched into the distance, with the silhouettes of loftier mountains visible beyond them.

The sky was an unusual pale violet, and the spiritual energy permeating the air was both pure and dense.

Yet compared with the outside world, the air also carried a faint sense of something primitive and untamed, unique to the wilderness.

The entire group appeared together on a relatively flat stretch of grass. Not a single person had been separated from the others.

Clearly, Gu Han had arranged this in advance to ensure no disciple would be isolated and placed in danger.

“We’re… all together?”

“That’s wonderful! I was worried we’d be separated!”

“So this is the Lingxu Secret Realm? The spiritual energy here is so dense!”

As soon as the disciples found their footing, they began surveying this unfamiliar world.

Liu Ruyan immediately drew A-Yao protectively to her side. Her gentle gaze swept across the group, confirming that every fellow disciple was present.

Golden light flickered within Gu Luoli’s double pupils as she used her extraordinary perception to swiftly probe their surroundings.

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“There’s no immediate danger here, and the spatial structure is stable.”

Her cool voice carried an assurance that put everyone at ease.

“Junior brothers and sisters.”

Liu Ruyan stepped forward. Her voice was gentle but clear, instantly drawing everyone’s attention.

“Elder Mo Lin has presumably gone deeper to investigate, so we must make our own arrangements.”

Her gaze swept over the disciples as she swiftly assessed the situation and assigned their roles.

“Most of the disciples entering the secret realm this time are in the middle and late stages of Foundation Establishment.”

“Junior Sister Luoli and I have the highest cultivation, so we will head to the core region.”

She turned to Ye Ling’er, her tone conveying the weight of the responsibility she was entrusting to her.

“Fourth Junior Sister, First Senior Sister is still young. Although she has some cultivation, she lacks experience, so I need you to accompany her while she trains in the outer region.”

The arrangement was entirely reasonable.

Liu Ruyan and Gu Luoli were both at the Golden Core stage, making them better suited to exploring the core region.

Although Ye Ling’er possessed formidable combat strength, she was only at the peak of Foundation Establishment and had no way to contend with Nascent Soul demonic beasts.

Having her protect First Senior Sister while leading the disciples in the outer region was the safest option.

At the assignment, Ye Ling’er pressed her lips together slightly.

She had wanted to follow her two senior sisters into the core region to train. Though it would be dangerous, it would also hone her more effectively.

But the moment she heard that she would be looking after First Senior Sister, her faint reluctance vanished, replaced by a sense of responsibility.

“Don’t worry, Second Senior Sister. I’ll take good care of First Senior Sister.”

She accepted the task solemnly, her voice resolute.

“Good. I’ll be counting on you!”

Liu Ruyan then turned to Li Zhiwei, Murong Xue, Xiao Ya, Zhao Ling’er, and the other core disciples.

“Junior Sister Li, Junior Sister Murong, Junior Sister Xiao, Junior Sister Zhao, you have more experience than most. While training in the outer region, please help look after the other disciples.”

“Yes, Senior Sister Liu,” they answered in unison.

“While exploring the outer region, form teams of three or five so you can watch out for one another. No one is to travel alone.”

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Liu Ruyan gave them one final reminder.

“If an emergency arises, activate your identity jade token at once to send out an alert. Any fellow disciples nearby must provide immediate support. Is that understood?”

“Understood!”

The disciples responded in unison, their voices echoing through the valley, filled with excitement and anticipation.

Liu Ruyan nodded slightly and exchanged a glance with Gu Luoli.

Without further delay, the two transformed into streaks of light and sped toward the secret realm’s core region.

After watching her two senior sisters depart, Ye Ling’er drew a deep breath and turned to face the remaining twenty-odd fellow disciples at the Foundation Establishment stage.

Her cool voice rang out, carrying unquestionable authority.

“Fellow disciples, as Senior Sister Liu instructed, we’ll divide into six teams.”

“Li Zhiwei, Murong Xue, each of you will lead a team and explore to the northeast and northwest.”

“Xiao Ya, lead one team due north.”

“Zhao Ling’er, Wang Zhaojun, the two of you will lead a team east.”

“Wang Teng, lead one team west.”

“I’ll take First Senior Sister and these two junior sisters south.”

She spoke without rushing, her instructions clear and methodical. She had divided them into suitable teams according to each disciple’s strengths and abilities.

“Remember, we are to operate only within the outer region.”

“Our primary tasks are to familiarize ourselves with the environment, gather spiritual materials, record the distribution of demonic beasts, and assess danger levels.”

“If you encounter a danger you cannot handle, retreat immediately and send a signal. Under no circumstances are you to fight recklessly.”

“Contact one another by communication talisman every three days to report your location and situation.”

“Now, set out!”

“Yes, Senior Sister Ye!”

None of the disciples objected to her arrangements.

The six teams soon chose their respective directions and swiftly dispersed.

Ye Ling’er lowered her gaze to First Senior Sister, who had been standing obediently beside her all this time.

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The little girl gazed up at her, large eyes sparkling with excitement. Despite the unfamiliar surroundings, she showed no trace of nervousness.

“Fourth Junior Sister, let’s go this way!”

A-Yao stretched out a small hand and pointed toward a relatively level path leading south.

Ye Ling’er nodded and took A-Yao’s hand, then gestured to the two junior sisters at the middle stage of Foundation Establishment beside her.

The four of them soon headed south.

As she walked, Ye Ling’er spread out her divine sense, remaining alert to any movement around them.

Her burning desire to grow stronger and prove herself had not faded.

But with First Senior Sister beside her, she could only suppress that desire for the time being.

Meanwhile, the disciples began exploring Lingxu Blessed Paradise.

In the main hall of Yaochi Immortal Palace.

Gu Han sat cross-legged on the cloud couch, her eyes gently closed.

Through the System’s connection to the secret realm, her consciousness was “watching” everything taking place inside Lingxu Blessed Paradise.

The real-time images provided by the System were like an invisible heavenly eye, clearly relaying scenes from every corner of the secret realm.

When Gu Han saw how Liu Ruyan, Gu Luoli, and Ye Ling’er had each conducted themselves, the corners of her lips curved upward.

“They did very well…”

She murmured to herself, approval in her voice.

Each of the three disciples had her own strengths. They handled matters thoughtfully and could stand on their own at critical moments.

This was how the personal disciples of Yaochi Immortal Palace ought to conduct themselves.

As for A-Yao…

Her gaze settled on the tiny figure holding Ye Ling’er’s hand, skipping along as she looked around.

Gu Han’s heart softened.

With Ye Ling’er looking after her and the lotus platform protecting her, there was no need to worry about A-Yao’s safety within the secret realm.

It was also time for the little girl to see firsthand what true “training” was like.