“You go back and get reinforcements. If you follow me, you’ll only get in the way. Go call Master and Junior Sister over and see if we still have time.” Dong Huiting said angrily.
“The Entrance to the Secret Realm is about to disappear!” Bai Wuzhuang pointed with her small hand and shouted.
Dong Huiting turned to look, and sure enough, the Entrance to the Secret Realm on the tree trunk was already shrinking, soon to close.
“You’ve kept me around all these days just for this, haven’t you? My Yin-Yang Eye will definitely be useful now, let me help.” Bai Wuzhuang said.
“Tch! Stick close to me! But if you’re going to die, do it far away from me, I won’t save you.” Dong Huiting clicked her tongue, scolded, and made her position clear.
She then grabbed Bai Wuzhuang by the arm, and the two of them dove straight into the Entrance to the Secret Realm.
Their vision turned bright white, space twisted, as if being sucked into a whirlpool.
After a bout of violent shaking, they were spat out into a strange place.
“Ugh~”
Bai Wuzhuang felt dizzy from the tossing and couldn’t even stand straight.
But Dong Huiting reached out with a strong arm and quickly supported Bai Wuzhuang, patting her back.
A faint chill of frost came from Dong Huiting’s palm, instantly dispersing Bai Wuzhuang’s dizziness and restoring her clarity.
This was Dong Huiting’s Unique Cultivation Method, mainly using Ice Battle Qi, its effects domineering and insidious.
Bai Wuzhuang had no idea where this small sect had found such a top-tier cultivation technique.
“Whew~”
Bai Wuzhuang patted her chest and let out a long breath.
“Still alive? If you are, let’s move.” Dong Huiting said coldly.
The two looked around, observing their surroundings.
The so-called Secret Realm was an underground cavern, nothing but sand and dirt, with no sign of any treasure.
Around the pitch-dark cave, tiny candlelights flickered, illuminating everything. There was only one tunnel leading to the unknown.
They had no choice but to move forward. After walking for a while, they reached the end, where a wooden door blocked their path.
Dong Huiting grabbed the handle and found the door wasn’t locked. She took a deep breath, then pushed the door open and entered.
A gust of wind blew into the room. Gentle candle flames flickered, and inside was an unexpectedly cozy wooden cabin.
The decor looked like a small tavern for travelers to rest in along the road.
Stranger still, several tables inside already had groups of people seated.
Bai Wuzhuang hid behind Dong Huiting, quickly observing the people—their attire clearly marked them as people of the martial world.
Weapons were laid out on the tables, their gazes cold and resolute, always ready to fight—obviously not ordinary passersby.
While Dong Huiting and Bai Wuzhuang watched them, those people were also watching the two of them.
But there was a trace of disdain and contempt in everyone’s eyes, clearly looking down on them.
“Oh? Two such beautiful ladies have arrived. Greetings, I am the Young Master of the Qingfei Gang, Qing Shaofei. May I ask your names?”
A handsome young man in white robes stood up, face full of friendliness, his smile bright as he greeted them proactively.
Qingfei Gang? Bai Wuzhuang had heard of them—a somewhat famous orthodox sect, but tens of thousands of miles from here. How could they appear here?
“I am Dong Huiting of the Sword Sect of Demon Apprehension. May I ask if Young Master Qing knows what’s going on here?” Dong Huiting cupped her fists, introduced herself coldly.
“No need to be so formal. You two must have entered through the Secret Realm Gate, right? Everyone here is a fellow cultivator who accidentally entered the Secret Realm. Honestly, we don’t know what’s happening either. We’re all trapped in this inn and can’t leave. According to those who arrived first, every one of us came out through that door.” Qing Shaofei explained without holding back.
“…”
Dong Huiting looked puzzled and turned to pull the door handle.
But the decayed wooden door didn’t budge, as if fused with the space itself.
“Miss Dong, we’ve already tried. There’s no way back now.” Qing Shaofei said.
“Then what do we do? Just wait here to starve to death?” Dong Huiting asked.
“No need to worry. We’ve found some clues in the Secret Realm. It seems the Ancient Cultivator who created this place left us some hints. Legend says that only by gathering twelve Qi Cultivators can the Trial truly begin.” Qing Shaofei explained.
“Twelve people?” Dong Huiting scanned the hall again.
There were definitely more than twelve people in the hall, but some were just the henchmen and followers of Qi Cultivators, ordinary people like Bai Wuzhuang.
Counting only those exuding faint spiritual energy—Qi Cultivators—plus herself, there were only eleven. So, one was still missing.
“Ladies, I have a proposal. Why don’t you join forces with our Qingfei Gang for now? We can advance and retreat together.” Qing Shaofei smiled.
“No need, farewell.” Dong Huiting refused flatly, stopped chatting, and pulled Bai Wuzhuang away.
As expected of a woman who’d been fooled by a scumbag before, she no longer trusted these seemingly upright, handsome young men and stayed on guard the whole time.
But as they passed by Qing Shaofei, in a moment Dong Huiting didn’t notice, Bai Wuzhuang caught a change in his expression.
His face turned lecherous, his smile curling up, his eyes shining with a predatory light, revealing a beast-like, primal desire.
Bai Wuzhuang was so frightened she didn’t dare look again.
But just that fleeting detail was enough for her to see through the real nature of this so-called young master—a true wolf in sheep’s clothing.
But why was his target her?
With Dong Huiting, a tall, stunning beauty, right in front, she herself was just a sickly, white-haired oddball, barely any flesh on her bones.
The two of them sat down at a table in the corner, away from the strangers.
“This is a Twelve-Person Secret Realm. The Entrance to the Secret Realm appeared all over the world, pulling in Qi Cultivators from different places. Judging by their young age and balanced strength, it seems the Entrance to the Secret Realm doesn’t appear before the old powerhouses.”
Bai Wuzhuang sat there pondering, organizing all the information she’d just gotten, and told Dong Huiting.
“Hmph, you think I don’t know? Need you to say it? Stop pretending to be smart.” Dong Huiting crossed her arms and raised her nose, not appreciating it.
“I’m just a little trickster. All I can do is use my brain to help you.” Bai Wuzhuang said self-deprecatingly.
“Quite proud of that, huh? I didn’t let you talk, so don’t talk. If you dare to speak nonsense, I’ll beat you to death. Keep a close eye on these people for me.” Dong Huiting glared at her threateningly.
“Okay.” Bai Wuzhuang replied.
Dong Huiting got up and rummaged through the wooden cabinet nearby, actually finding some dried meat and peanuts, and even a teapot and tea leaves.
There were mostly wine flasks on the cabinet, but since neither of them drank, they left them alone.
They lit the fireplace, brewed tea in the Secret Realm, ate some snacks, and quietly waited for the last person to arrive.