The Secret Realm Opens

Zhang Zishi's words directly granted Shen Yi eligibility to attempt Foundation Establishment in the secret realm. Although Wang Shangyi had reservations, he was powerless to object. He could only summon the outer sect elites and personally impart cultivation techniques, sparing no expense in nurturing new talent to secure more resources within the secret realm.

Shen Yi stopped taking on external missions to earn sect contribution points. He was now highly favored by Zhang Zishi's faction, with many secular families visiting daily. To maintain a low profile, Shen Yi declined all invitations, which greatly pleased Zhang Zishi, who felt Shen Yi was indeed worth cultivating.

Three months passed in the blink of an eye.

In front of the Qingxuan Sect's mountain gate.

One hundred disciples at the peak of Qi Refining gathered, subtly divided into two factions, glaring at each other with hostility.

"Today, we gather the elites and geniuses of our Qingxuan Sect to journey to the Foundation Establishment secret realm bestowed by the Upper Sect, Qingyun Sect. I hope you will seize this opportunity and achieve the great Dao of Foundation Establishment!"

Zhang Zishi's voice boomed like a bell, resonating in everyone's minds. His highly motivational words instantly stirred many cultivators, who clenched their fists.

Following this, Wang Shangyi waved his hand, and one hundred jade slips were distributed, landing in the hands of those present.

Shen Yi received a jade slip. As spiritual energy flowed into it, he immediately saw a detailed introduction to the secret realm.

The Foundation Establishment secret realm was a supreme artifact refined by a Nascent Soul mighty figure of the Qingyun Sect, which had condensed a world within it, containing the power of heaven and earth. It also held numerous nodes of natural laws. By attempting Foundation Establishment there, one could induce a spiritual energy tide.

However, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth needed a catalyst to be summoned. What this catalyst was depended on individual fortune. For those with destiny, even a grain of sand could be enough to trigger a great surge of spiritual energy. The most crucial point was that the secret realm had a limited capacity for spiritual energy. Generally, without disciples achieving an astonishing eight spiritual energy tides, it was sufficient for about forty individuals to successfully establish their foundation.

Therefore, the earlier one attempted Foundation Establishment, the better. Delaying could lead to failure as the secret realm might be unable to bear it.

"If any fail to establish their foundation but successfully return from the secret realm, the sect will still provide Foundation Establishment Pills to aid their Human Dao Foundation Establishment."

Shen Yi did not register Zhang Zishi's final words. His mind was filled with only one thought: Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment!

Taking a deep breath, Shen Yi collected his thoughts and awaited departure.

The sky suddenly darkened. The crowd looked up to see a flying boat, vast enough to blot out the sun. This was the only flying boat the Qingxuan Sect possessed, and it was surprising that the sect was willing to let them use it.

Zhang Zishi stepped onto the flying boat, followed closely by Wang Shangyi. Then came the hundred Qi Refining disciples. Once the last person boarded, the flying boat vibrated and slowly ascended, heading towards the Foundation Establishment secret realm.

"Fellow cultivator Zhang, I have been waiting for you for a long time."

Before the flying boat could land, a person suddenly appeared on it. Dressed in a red robe, with a pale complexion and a slight hunch, his eyes held a chilling glint as he scanned the crowd.

"Ouyang Li, this doesn't seem to be a secret realm belonging to your Blazing Fire Sect!"

Zhang Zishi's gaze darkened as he stared at the elder before him, also noticing the dense crowd below the flying boat.

"Heh heh, the Upper Sect has shown mercy and granted my sect an additional hundred spots, allowing us to enter this secret realm alongside your Qingxuan Sect."

Ouyang Li chuckled sinisterly, looking at the Qingxuan Sect members with an air of dominance.

"Hmph! Since that's the case, then watch your disciples carefully. Be wary of them suffering losses within the secret realm."

Zhang Zishi said menacingly, his resentment towards Wang Shangren deepening. If not for his insistence on establishing the Yunxuan Sect, the Qingxuan Sect wouldn't be bullied by others.

"The Blazing Fire Sect, I hear they have four Golden Core cultivators in one lineage. Great Elder Ouyang Li has the cultivation of the sixth level of Golden Core, and Sect Master Ouyang Jie is at the eighth level of Golden Core."

"Our Qingxuan Sect's strength was already inferior to the Blazing Fire Sect. Now, with the Great Elder seemingly on the verge of leaving the sect, the future of the Qingxuan Sect is uncertain."

"What does that have to do with me? Once I achieve Earthly Dao Foundation Establishment, I believe the Qingyun Sect will also extend an invitation to me."

The Blazing Fire Sect's sudden involvement disrupted the Qingxuan Sect's plans and put pressure on their disciples.

"This situation is troublesome, but it might not be entirely bad."

Shen Yi looked at the hundred Blazing Fire Sect disciples below and quickly calculated in his mind, thinking of using a borrowed knife to weaken the Qingxuan Sect's strength.

"Since we've arrived, open the secret realm now and begin the trial earlier!" Ouyang Li raised his right hand, and a fragment of a jade slip flew out, hovering in mid-air.

Seeing this, Zhang Zishi also took out a jade slip fragment and tossed it out. The two fragments met in mid-air, forming a complete jade slip. They injected spiritual energy into it, and the jade slip emitted a beam of light.

The light flashed, and a screen appeared, slowly tearing open a rift. This was the entrance to the secret realm.

This scene attracted the attention of all the Qi Refining cultivators. As Shen Yi looked, Zhang Zishi's voice echoed in his ears.

"There are over thirty entrances to the secret realm, with each entrance capable of accommodating a maximum of ten people. Be extremely cautious of the dangers within. Opportunities are limited. If you encounter disciples of the Blazing Fire Sect, kill them if you can. As for Wang Shangyi's faction, there's no need to show mercy either!"

Shen Yi glanced at Zhang Zishi in surprise. He hadn't expected him to allow infighting among fellow disciples for the sake of power. He then looked at Ouyang Li and Wang Shangyi, who were also whispering to the disciples behind them, likely giving similar instructions.

Entering this rift would lead to various passages within the secret realm, and through these passages, one would truly enter the secret realm itself.

"The secret realm will close in three months. By then, I expect all of you to return alive!"

Ouyang Li's gaze swept over the Blazing Fire Sect disciples, filled with encouragement.

As the entrance opened, the Blazing Fire Sect disciples immediately surged forward, heading straight for the entrance.

On the Qingxuan Sect's side, many disciples also rushed out instantly. Shen Yi did not charge to the front but followed behind many Qingxuan Sect disciples, stepping in together.

Soon, disciples from both major sects entered the rift one after another and disappeared, leaving only the three elders. The three glanced at each other, said nothing, and sat cross-legged at the entrance, maintaining vigilance and guarding it.

Inside the secret realm, there were numerous passages of varying sizes. The Qingxuan Sect disciples, already divided into two factions, did not stick together now. Many disciples chose to leave alone, while the Blazing Fire Sect members formed groups of three to five.

Shen Yi's expression was vigilant, tinged with nervousness. Acting alone, he could not afford any carelessness.

As soon as he entered the secret realm, he felt a chill emanating from all around. Waves of cold air continuously rose from beneath his feet, as if trying to seep into his body and freeze his Blood Essence. Fortunately, his Undying Skin had reached great perfection, allowing him to resist the cold.

The cultivators around him were not so fortunate. Upon entering, they shivered from the cold and quickly circulated their spiritual energy to force the chill out of their bodies.

"I wonder what the catalyst here is?"

Shen Yi pondered, simultaneously emitting a powerful aura and heading towards the distant snow-capped mountains.