At the entrance to the Secret Realm, Miao Yulang stood guard with a group of cultivators. Their expressions were grave. Several Core Formation Cultivators had gathered together, each wearing a different look, while a pale cyan light screen enveloped them.
Several Core Formation Cultivators from the Miao Family had entered the Secret Realm. Not long ago, the Lifebond Soul Lamps of two Core Formation Stage clansmen had gone out.
The air suddenly rippled and twisted. A short, stout middle-aged man appeared—it was Wang Qingshan, his appearance altered.
His face was filled with terror, as though he had encountered something dreadful.
The moment he appeared, the Miao Family cultivators immediately surrounded him.
"Senior Miao, what is the meaning of this?"
Wang Qingshan said with a frown. After shaking off Zhou Yujiao, he had immediately used the secret art of becoming one with his sword to flee.
"Fellow cultivator, we are merely acting under orders from the royal clan. No cultivator who entered the Secret Realm to hunt for treasure may leave this place without permission."
Miao Yulang said coldly.
A forbidden ground lay right on the Miao Family's doorstep. If Miao Yulang claimed he had no desire for the heavenly treasures within it, that would be a lie. Still, he did not dare forcibly detain every cultivator leaving the Secret Realm. But if he detained them in the royal clan's name, there would be no issue.
Even if the royal clan held him accountable afterward, Miao Yulang could claim that he had been preventing Demonic Beasts from possessing cultivators.
"The royal clan? We aren't allowed to leave on our own?"
Wang Qingshan frowned. With Nascent Soul Cultivators present, he did not dare flee.
"Rest assured. If the royal clan permits you to leave, this old man will not stop you. Before