Qin Qingyue’s swift and decisive recruitment initially only drew a crowd of onlookers whispering among themselves.
Most disciples from the major sects, confident in their own status, did not approach the suddenly emerged Nine Heavens Palace.
However, the repeated announcements of “Abundant Spiritual Treasure Gongfa” and “Interviews for Those with Special Physiques” eventually stirred the curiosity of some.
Gradually, several plainly dressed, even somewhat shabby female wandering cultivators timidly edged closer.
Most of them were low-rank cultivators without backing, or disciples from minor sects who were neglected.
They came with nothing to lose, hoping to grab a lucky chance in the Secret Realm and perhaps find some good treasure.
The imposing presence and bold declarations just displayed by Qin Qingyue were perhaps an unimaginable opportunity for them.
“Se… senior,” one of the youngest-looking, round-faced female cultivators in the early Foundation Establishment stage mustered her courage and spoke in a voice as soft as a mosquito’s buzz.
The inexperienced dared to challenge the tiger, while the higher cultivators stayed distant from Qin Qingyue.
Instead, it was these juniors who stepped forward to inquire, seeking a chance.
Before Qin Qingyue could say more, Su Yingman approached with a warm smile.
She naturally exuded a friendly aura, speaking softly, “There’s no need to be nervous. Our Nine Heavens Palace is recruiting.”
“Come, let me explain everything here.”
She skillfully led the hesitant female cultivators aside to talk quietly.
In just a few words, their tension eased, and hope slowly brightened in their eyes.
A newly established sect, led by a Palace Master with the appearance of a Celestial and a Grand Success stage cultivator, with a Vice Palace Master who had one Houtian and one Grand Success, and a Young Palace Lord—no disciples yet.
In such a setup, the early entrants would undoubtedly hold the greatest advantage.
The resource tilt was obvious.
Su Yingman calmly began to bring these female cultivators into the fold. Regardless, increasing the sect’s numbers was the first priority.
Amidst the somewhat chaotic recruitment, an unusual change suddenly occurred in the sky.
A deep, muffled roar echoed from the depths of the void, like the heartbeat of a primordial beast.
Before the crowd not far ahead, the space violently distorted, streams of colored light penetrating, and a huge entrance slowly took shape.
Within the portal, chaotic energy swirled, as if leading to another ancient era.
“The Xuan You Secret Realm has opened!” an exclamation broke out from the crowd.
As the gate stabilized, an invisible pressure spread, clearly felt by every cultivator present.
Wu Zhaohua’s eyes sharpened; she stopped paying attention to the commotion around Qin Qingyue and looked toward Xiao Yue, giving a slight nod—everything understood without words.
Xiao Yue’s expression turned serious. She took a deep breath, determination flashing in her eyes.
She formed two fingers like a sword; sword aura surged around her, transforming into a clear flowing light as she decisively charged toward the light gate.
The moment her figure entered the gate, her sword light lightly collided with the Secret Realm’s pressure, rippling briefly before she disappeared steadily inside.
Xiao Yue passed through the pressure and entered the Secret Realm.
Jiang Huai did not immediately follow but watched as other cultivators rushed toward the gate.
Among them, some Foundation Establishment cultivators struggled to endure the overwhelming pressure and were pushed back by an invisible force, unable to enter.
Jiang Huai understood then why disciples from other sects did not rush in blindly but selected elite members—there was such a threshold.
“Go. Protect yourself well.”
“Trust no one,” Qin Qingyue said with a complex expression, repeatedly emphasizing.
Jiang Huai nodded toward her and smiled, “Understood.”
Zhuxin stood nearby, looking at the light gate, pressing her lips tightly. She stepped forward and tugged lightly at Jiang Huai’s sleeve.
She seemed to want to say something but hesitated under so many eyes, finally lowering her voice and quickly saying, “Husband Lord, if you see our daughter inside, please look after her a bit more.”
“She’s stubborn and unlikely to yield easily. Could you please not argue with her?”
Zhuxin had not seen Zhu Siyao this time, probably because she was near the Blazing Sun Sect’s Secret Realm Entrance.
Zhuxin was worried about Zhu Siyao’s safety and also afraid she might give Jiang Huai trouble.
Jiang Huai was slightly startled but then nodded seriously:
“Don’t worry, I’ve got it.”
By rank and relationship, he indeed should take good care of Zhu Siyao.
Without further hesitation, Jiang Huai stepped toward the light gate.
The closer he got, the heavier the pressure from ancient times pressed down on him, like a mountain weighing on his shoulders, testing every challenger’s foundation.
Yet Jiang Huai’s steps were steady, his expression calm.
The Chaos Dao Platform in his dantian slowly rotated, emanating an aura of primal chaos and all-encompassing tolerance.
The pressure that made ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators falter brushed over him like a breeze, not causing the slightest ripple.
Under countless gazes, Jiang Huai’s figure touched the light gate like a drop of water merging into the sea, quietly disappearing without a sound.
The entire process was effortless and graceful, as if the Secret Realm’s pressure didn’t exist at all.
He had stepped into an unknown world.
This was a special realm, said to be formed from fragments of a Small World shattered after an ancient great war.
The moment Jiang Huai entered, he felt something strange and instinctively looked up.
The sky was gloomy, thick dark clouds lingering heavily, weighing down on everyone’s hearts, inexplicably oppressive.
This was his first solo trial, so he was especially cautious, carefully sensing everything around him.
This wasn’t right. According to Qin Qingyue, this Small World should be no different from the outside, so why was it so dark and dead?
Before he could ponder further, he reined in his thoughts and cautiously moved deeper into the Secret Realm.
Along the way, he encountered several Beast without awakened intelligence, all effortlessly cut down by Jiang Huai with the Wenxuan Swordsmanship.
After gathering a few relatively precious Immortal Materials, the unsettling feeling grew stronger.
This Secret Realm seemed too empty.
Many Immortal Materials had no powerful Beast guarding them, and he passed by a few female cultivators from other sects.
They only glanced at Jiang Huai with slight covetousness before wisely keeping their distance.
On one hand, everyone sensed the abnormality here, rushing to snatch the visible resources.
On the other, who dared to rob the husband of the Evil Dragon Palace Master?
The price for failure was likely extinction of their sect.
Jiang Huai thought briefly that lingering on the outskirts was pointless.
He did not value these scattered Immortal Materials and felt no attachment.
Just casually scanning the surroundings, he moved with a swift motion toward the Secret Realm’s core, without pausing.
Perhaps something good lay in the deepest part.
Not far behind him, a furtive figure silently emerged from behind the scattered stones.
Zhu Siyao’s gaze locked on the shadowy figure ahead, biting her lip lightly, her delicate hand clenched tightly.
Finally found you! So you’re only early Foundation Establishment!
Just wait! You villain who stole my mother!
The graceful young girl’s eyes flashed with stubbornness and resentment as she silently trailed, searching for a chance to strike.
Jiang Huai’s footsteps faltered imperceptibly as his sharp senses caught a faint, almost imperceptible gaze.
He casually turned his head, eyes like lightning sweeping across the desolate scattered stones and ancient forest behind him.
“Is someone there?”