The Xuan You Secret Realm was about to open, stirring waves of unrest from all directions as talents from the five continents gathered at their respective entrances.
Northern Plains, Wanzai Snow Peak.
The biting cold wind sliced through the air like a blade, tousling the fragmented strands of hair across the forehead of a pale, cold girl.
She wore a pristine white robe, unstained by dust, her slender figure blending seamlessly into the boundless icy expanse. Her aura was one of aloof elegance, solitary and striking.
“Clan Leader.”
She approached the peak and bowed deeply to a figure ahead—equally slender and upright—her voice calm and steady, her face unreadable, devoid of any emotion.
Bai Lu stood silently atop the snowy summit, her fingers gently caressing Wu Zhaohua’s Three Tribulations Return-to-Truth Record. Her eyes were distant and profound.
Sensing the girl’s arrival, she slowly returned to the present, expression unreadable as she calmly tucked away the cultivation method.
“Go.”
She spoke no more, only letting the two words slip out lightly, her gaze returning to the vast snowy plains, seemingly with little attachment to this Saintess in whom she had placed such hopes.
The girl nodded faintly, expression still void of joy or sorrow.
With swift decisiveness, she turned and vanished into the swirling snow after a few light steps.
This was the unique communication style of the Northern Plains White Dragon Clan—almost indifferent, bordering on cold.
Western Desert, Wild Sand Bastion.
“Clan Leader, we’ve come to bid farewell.”
Two tall, agile Dragon daughters with sun-kissed skin strode forward.
Their towering figures were as nimble and powerful as the Black Dragons of the Eastern Wasteland.
Compared to the Eastern Dragon Clan, their curves were less pronounced, but their muscles were sleek and well-defined, with broad shoulders and narrow waists, exuding a wild and potent beauty.
What drew even more attention was that the two were identical—undeniable twins.
“Ah, Cang Jing, Cang Ling,” the Yellow Dragon Clan Leader turned, appraising the clan’s most outstanding young prodigies with satisfaction and expectation shining in his eyes.
“Within the Secret Realm, remember to support each other. This trial is to broaden your horizons and temper yourselves.”
“If you encounter danger, think carefully before acting. Plan before you move. Do not let youthful recklessness lead you astray.”
Her voice was grave, laden with sincere warning.
The lively Cang Ling immediately cupped her fists, grinning cheerfully. “Clan Leader, don’t worry, we understand!”
The calm Cang Jing merely cupped her fists and nodded succinctly, “Naturally.”
Central State, beneath Tiandu Peak.
Verdant mountains layered upon one another, bustling with voices.
The major sects and forces of Central State had gathered, each occupying their own territory—maintaining distance yet simmering with underlying tension and competition.
Suddenly, a vast sword light tore through the clouds like a rainbow piercing the sun, its fierce sword intent enveloping the entire scene, drawing every eye.
Wu Zhaohua appeared in white robes, radiating peerless grace. Her slender feet lightly stepped upon an ancient sword that shimmered with flowing light. Her flowing sleeves billowed, as if a sword immortal had descended to the mortal world.
Behind her followed her eldest disciple, Xiao Yue, who bore a respectful expression and an elegant aura.
“Everyone, I hope you have all been well.” Wu Zhaohua alighted gracefully, the ancient sword transforming into a stream of light that merged into her body.
She surveyed the many familiar and unfamiliar faces with a calm tone, but carried an undeniable commanding presence.
“Greetings, Sect Master!”
“Fairy Zhaohua’s elegance surpasses even before!” “Congratulations on the Sect Master’s advancement to Celestial Immortal form.”
Immediately, leaders and elders of various sects stepped forward respectfully, lowering their postures considerably.
Wu Zhaohua returned their bows with a slight nod, but her gaze seemed to casually sweep the crowd, as if searching for someone.
Yet after several attempts, she failed to find the figure she sought. A faint trace of disappointment flickered in her eyes.
Given the personality of that Black Dragon, there was no way Jiang Huai would miss entering such a Secret Realm.
Could he be entering from another portal? This was already the largest entrance in Central State.
Xiao Yue keenly noticed the subtle change in her master’s expression and was about to quietly inquire when a sudden and overwhelming shift occurred.
An oppressive, domineering, and terrifying aura descended abruptly from the sky.
It was as if a massive black cloud instantly blotted out the sunlight, causing all cultivators present to pale.
Those of weaker cultivation felt their blood surge uncontrollably, nearly losing their footing.
A colossal black dragon, its scales shimmering with a cold, ghostly light, tore through the clouds and thundered down onto the largest open space at the foot of Tiandu Peak.
It coiled its massive body and released a deafening dragon roar.
“Make way! Make way! Everyone, clear a path for my lord husband!”
Qin Qingyue’s crisp yet outrageously arrogant voice echoed through the roar, harsh and nerve-wracking.
“My lord husband is entering the Secret Realm too! Ordinary folks, step aside quickly!”
Her voice reverberated through the mountains, brimming with unquestionable authority.
All present were both frightened and awed by this notorious disaster dragon. Speculations flew wildly about who this “lord husband” of hers might be.
Only a few well-informed individuals wore expressions of sudden understanding or strangeness.
Qin Qingyue ignored all the gazes as her massive form pushed brutally forward, toppling several sect forces with whom she had grudges, forcibly claiming the most prominent, central spot.
“You…”
The elders of those sects flushed red with anger but dared not retaliate and had no choice but to retreat begrudgingly.
In the cultivation world, strength is supreme—even grudges must be swallowed.
Under countless suspicious, curious, and fearful stares, Jiang Huai looked helpless and embarrassed as he awkwardly climbed down from the huge, terrifying dragon head.
What kind of social dragon clan is this? They just showed up and are already making such a scene?
Just as he steadied himself, two graceful figures lightly descended beside him, standing one on each side.
On the left, Su Yingman smiled sweetly, her eyes flowing with natural charm.
On the right, Zhuxin wore dazzling red armor, her cold but fierce face radiating a wild elegance.
This scene left countless onlookers dumbfounded.
These were the famous Wu Zhaohua of the Blazing Sect, who had been taken away as a consort, and Su Yingman from the Hehuan Sect.
Both were well-known figures. How could that Black Dragon tolerate her lord husband having concubines?
From a distance, Wu Zhaohua’s lips twitched almost imperceptibly, a pang stabbing her heart.
Her White Moonlight seemed sullied by these three.
Beside her, Xiao Yue stared wide-eyed at Jiang Huai, then glanced incredulously at her master, her eyes full of questions and confusion.
Isn’t Jiang Huai our master’s disciple? How did he end up there? No wonder it’s been so long since she last saw him.
“Wasn’t Master heartbroken over this before, nearly vowing to have a deadly grudge against that disaster dragon?”
“Now he’s right in front of us, so flashy and brazen. Why doesn’t Master just snatch him back?”
Wu Zhaohua’s eyes slightly narrowed, as if she didn’t see that glaring scene at all. She quietly watched the mountain peaks and clouds, waiting for the Secret Realm to open.
Jiang Huai naturally felt the most familiar overwhelming sword intent and instinctively glanced toward the Wenxuan Sect.
“Don’t look at her.”
Qin Qingyue transformed into human form, lightly flicking her dragon tail to block Jiang Huai’s line of sight.
Jiang Huai gently moved her tail aside and asked, “Didn’t you say we could be friends?”
“Who said that?” Qin Qingyue tilted her head, a look of surprise on her face.
“You said that on the Xianzhou before,” Jiang Huai reminded her.
“You must be mistaken.” Qin Qingyue cut him off resolutely.
She was never reasonable.
Suddenly, as if recalling something, she pulled out a huge, dazzling golden plaque from her Storage Space.
With a clang, it stood upright at the highest point of the mountain.
The next moment, she cleared her throat, and her voice, imbued with spiritual power, rang out crisply and arrogantly, echoing through the clouds:
“The Nine Heavens Palace is recruiting! I, this Dragon Lord, am the Palace Master of Nine Heavens Palace!”
“This handsome gentleman by my side is my lord husband, the Young Palace Lord of Nine Heavens Palace!”
“We are now recruiting elders, disciples, and guest elders! Generous treatment, plenty of spiritual treasure cultivation methods! Those with special physiques, interviews available!”
“The Nine Heavens Palace is recruiting! I, the Dragon Lord, am…”
The glowing light on the huge plaque recorded her words, starting to loop them endlessly, the sound waves rolling across the mountains and lasting without end.
Jiang Huai felt his ears burn as his gaze drifted elsewhere, pretending to study a resilient little weed growing from the ground.
This grass really is something.
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