Arrival

The setting sun was like blood, its rays bursting forth and painting the horizon in dazzling splendor. The lingering glow spread wide, the clouds layered and beautiful, shifting rapidly in an endless display.

Looking down, mountain ranges stretched without end, glittering beneath the afterglow of the setting sun. Rivers surged onward, vast and majestic, their shimmering waters blending with the sunset and flashing past in an instant.

Zhang Tie stood on the deck, taking in the scenery beneath the setting sun. A bold ambition to compete with the heavens rose within him. At that moment, his pursuit of strength and immortality became even firmer.

After more than two hours, everyone's gazes converged on the same place. True Man Miao and True Man Zhao drifted down from the fifth-floor pavilion and arrived at the front of the deck.

Zhang Tie immediately understood. They must be about to reach the location of the secret realm.

Sure enough, just over a dozen breaths later, the flying ship slowly began to decelerate, like a weary bird returning to its nest, while gradually descending as well. Before long, the disciples excitedly spotted a vast, boundless canyon below. The canyon blazed with lights and bustle, figures moving everywhere. It seemed that other sects had already arrived.

The flying ship came to a steady stop a hundred meters above the canyon. The disciples quickly formed neat ranks and silently awaited the True Men's orders.

At that moment, a bold, booming voice rang out from below like a great bell. "Fellow Daoists of the Hundred Skills Sect, welcome, welcome!" A figure abruptly appeared before the flying ship. He wore a vivid flame-red robe, and his red hair danced in the wind like burning fire. His face was covered in thick, bramble-like whiskers, while even his exposed skin was crimson, as though it had been scorched by blazing flames. He exuded a scorching, wild aura.

True Man Miao and True Man Zhao moved like lightning, instantly flying before the red-faced old man. They cupped their fists and bowed. "Greetings, Fellow Daoist Yi."

Then the red-faced old man drew out a mysterious token, his expression focused as he slowly poured powerful Spiritual Qi into it.

A dazzling beam of light shot from the token like lightning toward the ground below. A huge, imposing red barrier suddenly appeared beneath them. It trembled slightly, as though a sleeping beast had been gently roused, then slowly opened an incomparably wide gap where the beam had entered, like the gaping maw of a colossal beast.

Led by the red-faced old man, the three of them swiftly flew inside. The flying ship followed closely behind, like a loyal bird trailing after its master.

When they reached an open, level stretch of ground, the flying ship slowly descended like a light leaf before landing steadily. True Man Zhao's gaze grew solemn as he skillfully took out a set of formation flags and arranged them around the flying ship with fluid movements.

He then said sternly, "Return to your rooms and rest. Do not go out unless necessary." The disciples answered in unison, their voices neat, loud, and resolute, before returning to their rooms in orderly fashion.

Then everyone watched as True Man Miao and the red-faced old man stood side by side and flew away together, their figures gradually vanishing into the distance. True Man Zhao returned to the fifth-floor pavilion of the flying ship.

The night passed silently. The next morning, sunlight fell gently across the flying ship like a golden veil. The disciples gathered neatly on the deck, all of them alert and spirited, their eyes filled with anticipation and tension.

True Man Miao's robes fluttered as he lightly waved a sleeve. Twenty silver tokens flew out of his Storage Pouch. They glimmered with mysterious light, spreading evenly through the air and hovering steadily before each person.

"These are the tokens to be used in this sect's Secret Realm Grand Competition. Keep them safe and be cautious. Since the secret realm's opening time may vary by one or two months, the various sects will arrive over the next few days. Stay on this flying ship and wait peacefully. Do not wander about carelessly, lest unnecessary trouble arise."

True Man Miao paused slightly before continuing, "Some of you already know one another and share close ties, while others have never met and know nothing about each other. Before entering the secret realm, you may get acquainted and deepen your mutual understanding and trust. If anything urgent arises, come to the fifth floor to find either me or True Man Zhao."

Everyone cupped their fists and acknowledged the order, then turned and returned to their rooms.

That day, Zhang Tie was in his room, calmly reading with complete focus.

Suddenly, a light knock sounded at the door, especially clear in the quiet room. Zhang Tie rose at the sound and steadily opened the door. Looking up, he saw a handsome long-haired youth.

The youth cupped his fists and gave a slight bow. "I am Jiang Yun. I live to the left. May I ask how I should address you, Senior Brother?"

Zhang Tie stepped aside to invite the youth into the room and gestured for him to sit. Then he said, "I am Zhang Tie. What brings you here, Junior Brother Jiang?"

"Brother Zhang, there is no need to worry. I simply do not know when the secret realm will open, and I could not help feeling anxious, so I came to make your acquaintance. First, to pass this difficult waiting period, and second, in case we are transported to the same place in the secret realm, so that we may look after one another and have someone to rely on." Jiang Yun smiled, his tone sincere.

"Junior Brother Jiang makes sense. You have considered things thoroughly. But how much do you know about the other sects and the secret realm trial?" Zhang Tie asked curiously.

"Besides the information in the secret realm manual that both of us possess, I do know some hidden matters that are not mentioned there. I can tell Senior Brother Zhang about them. They may be of some help to you," Jiang Yun said.

"Please enlighten me, Junior Brother Jiang. Zhang is all ears." Zhang Tie looked at Jiang Yun with a serious, attentive expression.

"It is not some secret that cannot be revealed. I only happened to hear it from others. After all, entering the secret realm means facing death nine times out of ten, and it is filled with endless dangers and challenges. Therefore, for someone like me, with only the ninth layer of Qi Refining, the moment I am transported inside, I will find a concealed and safe place to hide, activate a concealment formation, and focus solely on cultivation.

That is because the Spiritual Qi within is more than ten times denser than outside, and deeper within, it may be dozens of times denser. One should seize this rare opportunity to break through to Foundation Establishment. After reaching Foundation Establishment, one should calmly stabilize one's realm and never entertain thoughts of searching everywhere for treasure. At present, this is the method recognized by all sects as having the highest survival rate," Jiang Yun explained in detail.

"Then according to Junior Brother Jiang, would that not be rather safe? Would it not also be difficult for the token to be snatched away?" Zhang Tie asked with a slight frown.

"Of course, it is not that simple. How could it be so easy? The tokens are all carefully made to the same standard. When entering the secret realm, one must drip one's own blood onto the token to activate it. And whenever two tokens are within ten li of each other, they will clearly reveal the other party's location," Jiang Yun said solemnly.

"Then isn't it simple? Just throw the token away," Zhang Tie said without thinking.

"You are being far too naive. Since it is activated with your own blood, if someone else takes your token and activates it, they can easily find you. You would be like a bright lamp in the darkness, with nowhere to run," Jiang Yun said helplessly, curling his lip.

"Then luck truly seems quite important." Zhang Tie could not help sighing deeply.

"Of course. But this is already the method with the highest known survival rate. Also, if you encounter people from the Crimson Fire Sect, never blindly fight them head-on. Not only are their cultivation arts powerful and formidable, but they also carry numerous treasures that make others envious. If you encounter them, either flee as fast as possible to preserve yourself, or hand over your token and Storage Pouch in exchange for a slim chance at survival," Jiang Yun warned again.

Zhang Tie nodded solemnly but said nothing. He knew a little about this himself. Among the many sects, the people of the Crimson Sun Sect were the ones least worth provoking.

Zhang Tie and Jiang Yun talked for a long time, discussing the path of Immortal Cultivation and the many dangers of the secret realm, sect secrets and strange tales from the world. They exchanged communication jade slips so they could contact and support each other at critical moments. Finally, Jiang Yun rose to take his leave and departed from the room.

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