Soon, the sect master and several elders arrived, their robes fluttering as spiritual energy rolled through the air. The chatter among the disciples died immediately. Even the wind seemed to still as the sect master stepped forward, his presence alone demanding respect. Kai stood among the crowd, arms folded loosely, his expression unreadable as the sect master began to speak. “Young disciples of the Immortal Forging Sect.” the old man began, his voice deep and powerful, carrying easily across the courtyard. “Today, you embark on a journey that will shape your future. The Secret Realm opens only once every three years. Inside it, countless opportunities await, treasures, inheritances, and trials that will test not only your strength but your wisdom, unity, and will.” He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing. “Listen carefully. Once you enter the realm, all external protections vanish. The sect cannot shield you there. You will face disciples from other sects, some s

The moment Kai went through the glowing portal, the world around him twisted violently. Light bent, gravity flipped, and for a few dizzying seconds, he felt like he was falling through water and fire at the same time and then, silence engulfed him.He hit solid ground with a dull thud and straightened slowly, brushing dust off his robe. Around him stretched nothing but endless wilderness. No mountains, no rivers, no people, just cracked earth stretching to the horizon and faint gusts of wind stirring yellow sand.“Great,” Kai muttered, turning a slow circle. “Dumped in the middle of nowhere.”The sky above was a strange shade of blue, streaked with faint veins of golden light. The air itself shimmered with dense Qi, so thick it almost distorted his vision. He could feel it brushing against his skin, sinking faintly into his body, but since he didn’t cultivate Qi, it meant nothing to him.Still, the pressure in the air was heavy. “No wonder most people die in here,” he said softly, sca

Kai sat under the tree, chest still heaving, his wet hair plastered to his forehead, and stared at the rippling stream beside him. The cool breeze brushed over his skin, carrying the scent of moss and damp soil, it was just him, the forest, and his own ragged breathing.He stared at his reflection in the water again, dusty face, bloodshot eyes, and a crooked smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “You look like you got spat out by the realm itself,” he muttered, flicking a drop of water at his reflection.But as he sat there, something else began to creep into his mind, an unwelcome realization.He’d been reckless. Always had been.Whether it was during battles, training, or even day-to-day movement, he burned through his energy like it was endless. Punch harder. Move faster. Push beyond limits. That was how he’d always fought. But the truth hit him like a rock now that he had time to think.He’d been wasteful.“Damn it,” he muttered, dragging a hand through his hair. “No wonder I n

Abigail paused for a second, Jian Tao’s question echoing in her mind. He was right again. In their excitement to form an alliance, she hadn’t even thought about what would happen once they actually found the treasures. She turned toward him, her expression softening. “Good catch,” she muttered under her breath, silently thanking him in her heart before glancing back at the three women from the Moonlight Enchantress Sect.“Alright,” she said, folding her arms. “Let’s settle something first. What happens if we do find the inheritance or other treasures? Who gets it? How do we split?”Selene, ever calm and composed, blinked slowly, as if the thought had already crossed her mind but she had been waiting for Abigail to bring it up. “That’s simple,” she replied smoothly, her silver eyes glinting. “If the inheritance can be shared, say, if it’s a technique or a map we’ll divide it evenly. But if it’s bound by destiny or resonance, it goes to whoever it recognizes. Fair?”Rina, the quiet one,

The crowd rippled with murmurs as Abigail strode forward, her boots crunching against the broken earth. The faint hum still echoed through the ruins, the air thick with energy that made weaker disciples’ knees tremble.“Abigail, wait...!” Luna’s voice rang out, sharp with alarm.Rina gritted her teeth. “She’s insane! We don’t even know what that thing is!”Selene reached out a hand as if to stop her. “Abigail...!”But Abigail only tilted her head slightly, not slowing, her tone calm and confident. “It’s fine. I’ve got it.”Her grip on the sword tightened, the faint light of the ruined village reflecting in her eyes. Her hair brushed against her cheek as a breeze passed, carrying the faint hum that made everyone flinch everyone except her.The other disciples, gathered in groups across the ruins, stepped aside to clear a path, though not out of respect.“Ha,” one sneered under his breath. “Another idiot with a death wish. so just because she's the Immortal Forging Sect disciple, she t