Demonic radiance shone across the sky. At that moment, a powerful formation seemed to appear around the demonic god's figure, and waves of supremely mysterious power swept outward. Demonic light swirled around it, sinister and eerie. Even the surrounding void seemed to tremble.
With an angry roar, the expert stepped forward. But an invisible force bore down on him. A muffled groan escaped his mouth, and with a thunderous crash, his body slammed flat against the ground. He spat blood, his face pale.
"He failed."
An uproar broke out, but no one was surprised. It had been the same in previous years. Though the seal had opened, not just anyone was qualified to enter the secret realm.
The demonic god's figure was like a guard stationed at the entrance to the secret realm, selecting powerful people to enter.
"So overbearing?" Ning Xuanyuan's gaze flickered as he spoke in surprise.
"It's said to have been left behind by a demonic path great power who surpassed the Human Emperor level. How could an ordinary person withstand it?" Chu Tian said. Yet despite his words, his eyes burned with eagerness, and he looked ready to try.
"In the past, whenever the secret realm opened, there were always those who overestimated themselves and were directly shaken to death," Yan Chen added.
"I see." Ning Xuanyuan nodded, then suddenly glanced at Qin Lang and the others. "Have any of you been inside?"
"No." Qin Lang and the others shook their heads and answered honestly. "There's no pattern to the opening of the Thousand Mysteries Secret Realm. The last time the seal weakened was three years ago, and none of us had reached the Soul Sea Realm back then. Even if we could have entered, we wouldn't have been able to compete with the others."
The suppression of the rules within the Thousand Mysteries Secret Realm prevented experts whose cultivation surpassed the Life Palace Realm from entering. Thus, those who entered were all at the Soul Sea Realm or the Life Palace Realm. For those of too low a level, there was little point in entering.
At that moment, another figure stepped forward, immediately drawing a chorus of startled cries.
Jian Wuya of the Sword Emperor Sect!
Jian Wuya was one of the Sword Emperor Sect's seven Sword Heirs, and his strength was extraordinary. If anyone here could enter the secret realm, Jian Wuya was clearly one of them. Thus, seeing him prepare to enter, everyone immediately turned their attention to him. Even Su Ting and the others watched intently, their gazes flickering.
Jian Wuya strode through the air and walked straight into the sealed area without the slightest hesitation.
In an instant, a piercing sword howl rang out between heaven and earth. Endless sword intent flowed around Jian Wuya's body. Every wisp of sword light radiated the power to cut through anything, as though it could tear the void apart.
Sword intent flowed as Jian Wuya advanced, his entire being seemingly transformed into an unparalleled divine blade, unstoppable.
At the same time, the demonic god's figure seemed to come alive. Terrifying demonic god light erupted, and demonic might descended, enveloping Jian Wuya.
Dazzling sword light burst from Jian Wuya's eyes, and the sword intent around him grew even fiercer. Even from a great distance, it made people's skin prickle.
Sword intent clashed with demonic might, and a strange rumbling rang out in the void. Even more blinding demonic light flashed from the demonic god's figure, as though it were about to step out of the seal.
Then everyone saw a strange black rune appear around Jian Wuya's body. No one recognized the rune; it was unfathomably mysterious.
"It appeared," Qin Lang said in a low voice, his eyes bright.
"What does that mean?" Ning Xuanyuan asked, puzzled.
"The secret realm chooses people on its own. As long as someone can withstand the demonic god's oppressive might, these black runes will appear. Once they form ten or more black runes, they'll qualify to enter the secret realm," Qin Lang hurriedly explained to Ning Xuanyuan.
Curiosity rose in Ning Xuanyuan's eyes, and his gaze fell on the black rune. The next moment, the scene before his eyes shifted. The black rune was no longer a simple pattern, but a terrifying demonic will!
The black rune seemed to possess a life of its own, transforming into a true demonic god that seized the soul.
"So that's how it is!" Ning Xuanyuan's eyes lit up. Bearing the Chaos Origin, he saw the essence of the black rune at a glance.
It was the power of law formed from demonic will!
At that moment, black runes continued to materialize around Jian Wuya's body. Their number had already surpassed ten, reaching twenty-one!
"Twenty-one runes! Jian Wuya's aptitude is enough to rank among the best of the younger generation in the Ancient Eight Domains!" someone in the crowd exclaimed, his voice full of shock.
"As expected of a Sword Heir of the Sword Emperor Sect. I'd say the only ones who can stand alongside him are monstrous talents like Su Ting and Luo Wanwan."
"That's right. They're already the foremost figures of their respective sects. There was never any doubt they'd enter the secret realm."
"He's in!"
Bearing twenty-one runes, Jian Wuya had reached the end of the seal. His figure flashed, and he vanished into the spatial rift.
"Boom!"
A terrifying oppressive force suddenly erupted. Everyone hurriedly looked over and saw another figure walking into the sealed area.
Su Ting of Heaven's Gate Palace!
Terrifying thunderous might rippled from Su Ting, and within those fluctuations was even a trace of destructive air. Lightning flowed over his entire body as he pressed forward like a young thunder god.
Just as with Jian Wuya, black runes materialized one by one as Su Ting advanced. By the time he reached the spatial rift, the number of runes on his body had reached twenty-three! Two more than Jian Wuya!
Clearly, Su Ting's aptitude was even more outstanding than Jian Wuya's!
Su Ting's figure then vanished into the spatial rift as well.
As Jian Wuya and Su Ting entered the secret realm one after the other, they seemed to ignite an unseen rivalry among the various heavenly prides. Li Tianxing, Ao Mo, Teng Yi and the others stepped forward in succession, withstood the demonic oppressive might, and entered the secret realm.
Li Tianxing formed twenty black runes, while Ao Mo and Teng Yi each formed twenty-one.
From this, it could be seen that, setting strength aside and looking only at innate talent and aptitude, Li Tianxing was inferior to Ao Mo and Teng Yi. No wonder Ao Mo had said earlier that Li Tianxing had once been defeated by him and fled.
At this point, the only top-tier favored sons and daughters left were Ning Xuanyuan and his companions, and Luo Wanwan of the Moon Spirit Palace.
"Your Highness Xuanyuan, aren't you going to enter the secret realm?" To everyone's surprise, Luo Wanwan, who had scarcely spoken since appearing, took the initiative to speak, her beautiful eyes turning toward Ning Xuanyuan on the nine-dragon carriage.
Ning Xuanyuan turned his head slightly and looked at Luo Wanwan. He scratched his head out of habit, then grinned. "Fairy, if you want to enter the secret realm, please go ahead. Otherwise, I'm afraid you won't get the chance."