Sword Erosion Secret Realm

"Senior Brother, are there any requirements for entering the Trial Secret Realm?" Lu Nan asked curiously as they weaved through the crowd.

The two soon found a good spot from which they could basically see the center of the plaza clearly.

Fang Rongxuan stopped and turned back. "At minimum, the ninth layer of Qi Condensation, and below Foundation Establishment."

"That simple? There are no other requirements??" Lu Nan asked in surprise.

"Simple? Do you know how many Qi Condensation Perfection cultivators there are in the sect right now?" Fang Rongxuan shot Lu Nan an irritated look.

"Don't know!!!"

"There are no more than three thousand Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters at Qi Condensation Perfection in the sect right now.

And that includes Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters from several previous batches. Do you know how many Outer Disciples the Sword Sect has?"

"Thirty thousand!" Fang Rongxuan emphasized. "And that doesn't even include the Servant Disciples. If they were counted, the number would be at least three times higher."

Lu Nan's pupils contracted. Only then did he grasp the significance behind it.

"Besides those two, are there any other requirements??"

Fang Rongxuan shook his head. "There aren't any others, but without Qi Condensation Perfection cultivation...

Entering the Secret Realm means becoming cannon fodder. You wouldn't even know how you died."

At that, he sighed. "Yet every year, there are always fools who don't know whether they're dead or alive, charging in as if their lives mean nothing!"

"Why is that? Isn't Earth Vein Qi only useful to those at Qi Condensation Perfection?" Lu Nan asked in confusion.

"It's simple! Besides Earth Vein Qi, there are also plenty of heavenly treasures within the Secret Realm.

Those things might not catch the eyes of high-level cultivators, but for people like us who haven't reached Foundation Establishment yet...

They're priceless treasures!"

Lu Nan's eyes lit up. "So the sect doesn't forbid disciples below Qi Condensation Perfection from entering the Secret Realm?"

"Junior Brother, don't tell me you're thinking of going in?" Fang Rongxuan's eyes abruptly widened.

He then advised him, "Junior Brother! Listen to your Senior Brother. The waters of the Secret Realm run deep.

You can't handle them. Listen to advice, and you'll eat your fill!"

"Hahaha! Senior Brother worries too much. I was merely asking out of curiosity."

Lu Nan laughed it off, but inwardly pondered how he could sneak into the Secret Realm.

After all, he was extremely interested in that Earth Vein Qi.

Fang Rongxuan scrutinized him suspiciously, only slowly nodding after making Lu Nan somewhat uncomfortable with his stare.

"Good!" He then turned to look toward the center of the plaza.

At the same time, the Sword Sect's higher-ups began speaking. A line of luxuriously dressed figures stood suspended above the plaza.

"All disciples participating in the Secret Realm Trial, step forward!" An Old Man in Blue took a step forward and looked down as he called out loudly.

The moment his words fell, countless disciples stepped forward in unison.

Seeing this, the Old Man continued loudly, "The Sword Erosion Secret Realm opens once every ten years, and it contains countless opportunities.

With the Secret Realm opening this time, innumerable people seek their fortunes within it.

Yet opportunities belong to the capable. When the time comes, you will encounter many enemies.

Some will be fellow disciples, while others will come from other sects."

The Old Man in Blue paused before continuing, "This old man's requirement is simple. Though it is a Secret Realm, you must not harm fellow disciples.

After entering the Secret Realm, you must also watch over and help one another."

"Yes!!! We shall obey the Grand Elder's orders!" the disciples below replied loudly.

"The Sword Erosion Secret Realm is rich in Erosion Beasts. Slaying them grants Earth Vein Qi.

Its auspicious lands may also produce Earth Vein Qi.

But there can only be ten winners, and only ten people can achieve Earth Vein Foundation Establishment!"

As he spoke the final words, the Old Man in Blue's tone grew several degrees more solemn.

"Once you enter the Secret Realm, life and death will be left to fate. If anyone wishes to withdraw, step forward now!"

After speaking, he waited several seconds. Seeing that no one below withdrew...

The Old Man nodded in satisfaction and waved a hand. Countless azure lights floated before the disciples.

"These are Azure Lotus Sword Tokens. They can help you gather Earth Vein Qi."

Hearing this, the disciples hurriedly took the azure Jade Tokens floating before them.

After everyone had accepted their Jade Tokens, the Old Man in Blue looked up at the sky.

A powerful aura then erupted from his body. He took out a Bronze Fragment Key and tossed it into the heavens.

"Open!" The Old Man in Blue immediately formed several hand seals.

A pitch-black rift appeared.

It gradually expanded, forming a massive passageway in the blink of an eye.

Through the passageway, the crowd could vaguely see shadowy scenes on the other side.

"The Secret Realm will remain open for fifteen days. No matter what happens, you must leave within those fifteen days.

Otherwise, you will remain in the Secret Realm until its next opening!"

After saying this, the Old Man in Blue added, "Disciples, set out!!!"

As his words fell, the disciples transformed into streaks of light and flew into the passageway.

The Old Man in Blue also turned and returned to the pavilion. "I wonder how many from our sect will make it into the top ten this time!"

"With Wan'er here, our Sword Sect will surely claim a place!"

"That Ye Shuang isn't bad either, and neither is Nangong Wutian!"

"Do the other two sects have any geniuses??"

"I heard the Artifact Refining Sect has produced someone called Chi Wu, but the specifics are unknown!"

"The Soul Refining Sect has produced a Chi Mei'er. Rumor has it that this girl possesses a top-grade fire Spiritual Root."

As everyone discussed matters, the woman in white seated in the place of honor was staring intently at someone in the plaza.

Her unusual behavior was quickly noticed by the others.

"Sect Leader, what is this??" Qingchuan followed her gaze, yet found nothing unusual.

"Tell me, is a youth with only a low-grade Spiritual Root worth this sect's focused cultivation?" the woman in white asked faintly.

Almost as soon as her words fell, someone voiced opposition.

Yet Qingchuan asked, "Sect Leader, is there something extraordinary about this youth?"

"A First-Rank Talisman Master!"

Everyone was stunned. Qingchuan was even more astonished. "Sect Leader, this youth is in our sect??"

The woman in white said nothing. Seeing this, Qingchuan immediately said, "This old man will immediately send people to investigate. We will certainly find this youth!"

"There is no need! The little fellow is quite cautious, so let him be.

If he can rise another level, this sect will accept him as a disciple!" The woman in white shook her head.

Though the Elders were curious, they said nothing further.

Looking at the enormous passageway in the sky, Lu Nan's heart itched unbearably.

But he did not want to expose himself either, which was truly irritating.

"Senior Brother, surely we're not just going to wait here??" He could not help turning to look at Fang Rongxuan beside him.

Seeing Fang Rongxuan nod, he asked, "We can't watch what's happening inside the Secret Realm in real time?"

"No!"

"Fine then. Why are there still so many Senior Brothers and Junior Brothers around us who aren't leaving??"

Fang Rongxuan gave a mysterious smile. "Junior Brother, follow me!!!"

"Come, come, come! Place your bets!

Will Senior Sister Su Wan make it into the top ten? Odds are one to two."

Hearing the shout, Lu Nan's mouth twitched as he looked at the interested Fang Rongxuan beside him.

"Senior Brother, don't the people above do anything about this?" As he spoke, he pointed toward the pavilion.

Fang Rongxuan merely smiled. "Of course they do not! Otherwise, these people wouldn't dare act like this.

Junior Brother, would you like to place a bet too??"

"No, no!! Senior Brother, go ahead. I'll head back first.

It would be more practical to read a few more books!"

"Fine! Then your Senior Brother won't mind you anymore!!" Fang Rongxuan said as he squeezed into the crowd.

Lu Nan, meanwhile, left the crowd and headed toward the Book Collection Pavilion.