Ye Feng stood in the small courtyard, circulating the Azure Origin Art to examine the True Qi within his body.
Three days passed, yet the True Qi in his Dantian remained at the peak of the Qi Gathering Realm Third Layer, without the slightest improvement.
He helplessly let out a sigh. This body's aptitude was truly terrible. Even with a Profound-grade Low-tier technique, his cultivation speed could not be considered fast.
"Fortunately, the Earth Sun Secret Realm is about to open." Ye Feng put away his technique, his gaze turning resolute.
"As long as I can find Treasure Herbs in the Secret Realm capable of changing my aptitude, this minor problem can be solved."
No longer dwelling on his current cultivation bottleneck, he turned and went back inside to change into a light, azure martial outfit.
It was convenient for moving around and suited the complicated environment of the Secret Realm.
After getting ready, Ye Feng headed straight for the Inner Court Martial Pavilion. Today was precisely the day registration opened for the Earth Sun Secret Realm.
As soon as he approached the Martial Pavilion, Ye Feng heard a burst of noisy discussion.
The area outside the Martial Pavilion was packed with Inner Sect disciples. Most of them were at the fifth or sixth layer of the Qi Gathering Realm, each craning their necks to peer inside, their faces filled with envy and awe.
"I heard that only disciples at the seventh layer of the Qi Gathering Realm or above are allowed to participate in the Earth Sun Secret Realm. With our level of cultivation, going there would just be serving ourselves up on a platter."
"Exactly! The Secret Realm has not only miasma, but also powerful demon beasts and disciples from other sects. Even seventh-layer disciples have to tread carefully. The slightest mistake could cost them their lives."
"I'm just here to watch the excitement. I heard all the top prodigies of the Inner Sect will come to register. It'll be worth it just to see them in person!"
Ye Feng passed through the crowd and prepared to enter the Martial Pavilion.
The disciples around him noticed the aura coming from his body, and the noise suddenly quieted somewhat as every gaze fell on him.
"Isn't that Ye Feng? He's only at the third layer of the Qi Gathering Realm, right? Why is he here to register too?"
"Could he not know the Secret Realm's requirements? The Elder will definitely drive him out later. What an overestimation of his own abilities."
"Just wait and see. He'll be humiliated in a moment."
The whispers reached Ye Feng's ears, but he paid them no attention. He pushed open the Martial Pavilion's doors and walked straight inside.
The atmosphere within the Martial Pavilion was far more solemn than outside. More than a dozen Inner Sect disciples stood scattered around, the weakest aura among them belonging to someone at the seventh layer of the Qi Gathering Realm. One familiar figure made Ye Feng glance sideways.
It was Ding Hao.
Ding Hao had now broken through to the fifth layer of the Qi Gathering Realm. By ordinary standards, he was not qualified, but he could contend with seventh-layer Qi Gathering Realm cultivators across a realm, so he clearly met the sect's unspoken rule: "Those capable of fighting above their level are allowed to participate."
After all, the sect had established the seventh-layer threshold mainly to control the range of disciple casualties, not to completely bar talented geniuses with potential.
As soon as Ye Feng entered, the Pavilion Guard Elder, who was speaking with an Elder in gray robes, recognized him and hurriedly waved. "Ye Feng, over here!"
Ye Feng quickly walked over.
The Pavilion Guard Elder introduced him with a smile. "Ye Feng, this is Elder Yin Dang, the Elder leading this expedition to the Earth Sun Secret Realm. He's responsible for registration and all subsequent matters concerning the expedition."
"Greetings, Elder Yin Dang." Ye Feng bowed, his manner respectful.
Elder Yin Dang had only recently emerged from secluded cultivation and had never heard the rumors about Ye Feng. Seeing that Ye Feng was only at the third layer of the Qi Gathering Realm, he faintly furrowed his brows, his tone carrying a hint of doubt.
"You also want to register for the Earth Sun Secret Realm? The Secret Realm is perilous. Disciples below the seventh layer of the Qi Gathering Realm have an extremely low survival rate once they enter. Are you certain you can handle it?"
The Pavilion Guard Elder hurriedly stepped forward to explain. "Elder Yin Dang, you may not know this, but Ye Feng is a rising star of our Inner Sect. When he had just broken through to the first layer of the Qi Gathering Realm, he defeated Ding Hao, who possessed the Nascent Blade Intent, while fighting above his level. His strength far surpasses his apparent cultivation. Since Ding Hao is qualified to register, Ye Feng naturally has no problem."
Elder Yin Dang froze for a moment, then turned to look at Ding Hao in the distance.
Ding Hao felt the gaze and his expression turned somewhat ugly, but he could only tacitly accept it.
The fact that he had lost to Ye Feng was undeniable. He had no way to refute it.
Only then did Elder Yin Dang put aside his doubts and nod. "I see. It was my mistake to worry. I've noted down your name. Do your best after entering the Secret Realm, and be careful."
As he spoke, he registered Ye Feng's name on the list.
Seeing this, the surrounding Inner Sect disciples revealed looks of astonishment.
They had not expected Ye Feng to truly be qualified to register, nor had they expected even the Elder leading the expedition to acknowledge him.
Some scrutinized Ye Feng with amused looks, but no one dared to voice a taunt.
A disciple who received special treatment from an Elder was certainly not someone they could casually provoke.
Ye Feng paid it no mind. He found a corner and stood there, closing his eyes to rest while waiting for registration to end.
Not long afterward, an even greater commotion suddenly came from outside the Martial Pavilion, nearly drowning out the discussions within.
Several registering disciples crowded around a figure as they entered, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
"It's Zhao Yu! Zhao Yu, the Inner Sect First!"
"My heavens, he actually came too! I heard he reached the tenth layer of the Qi Gathering Realm long ago and is only one step away from the True Condensation Realm. He must be entering the Secret Realm this time to seek the opportunity to break through to the True Condensation Realm, right?"
"That's not all! I also heard that Zhao Yu once slew a Rogue Cultivator in the True Condensation Realm while fighting above his level. Among those in the same realm, no one is his match. His presence is far too powerful!"
Ye Feng opened his eyes and looked toward the newcomer.
It was a young man dressed in a pale azure robe. His features were handsome and his expression placid, as if the surrounding uproar had nothing to do with him. After entering the Martial Pavilion, he merely nodded slightly at Elder Yin Dang and said a simple "Elder Yin Dang," before casually finding a seat by the window. He closed his eyes to rest and did not speak with anyone.
The surrounding Inner Sect disciples instantly became restrained, even lowering their breathing.
Zhao Yu's presence was simply too powerful, making them instinctively feel pressured.
Ye Feng glanced at Zhao Yu once, then withdrew his gaze.
The aura around Zhao Yu was indeed profound. The cultivation of the tenth layer of the Qi Gathering Realm was no empty boast, but that was all.
Zhao Yu seemed to sense his gaze. He opened his eyes and glanced at Ye Feng, a trace of barely perceptible interest flashing through them before he closed his eyes again.
At that moment, the floor of the Martial Pavilion suddenly began to tremble faintly. Accompanied by heavy footsteps, a burly figure walked in.
The newcomer stood eight feet tall, his muscles bulging. His black martial outfit was stretched taut over his powerful frame, and with every step he took, the ground seemed to shudder.
"It's Li Yue! Li Yue, the Inner Sect Second!"
"He focuses solely on body refinement. His strength is terrifyingly absurd. They say he can smash a demon beast of the same realm to death with his bare hands, and his physique is even stronger than a demon beast's!"
"I also heard that he and Zhao Yu don't get along. But they merely dislike each other; they won't fight over personal grudges in the Secret Realm. After all, their core goal is the same—to obtain resources and break through to a higher realm."
Li Yue walked up to Elder Yin Dang and spoke in a booming voice. "Elder Yin Dang, I'm here to register."
Elder Yin Dang nodded and registered his name.
Li Yue turned around, swept his gaze over the surrounding Inner Sect disciples, and announced loudly, "Those who want to join my team can register now. Follow me, and I can guarantee your safety in the Secret Realm. However, you'll have to give me thirty percent of the resources you obtain."
Quite a few seventh- and eighth-layer Qi Gathering Realm disciples brightened at once and hurried forward to register.
Li Yue's strength was plain for all to see. Following him would indeed improve their chances of survival. Giving up thirty percent of their resources in exchange for safety was a very worthwhile deal.
Watching this scene, Ye Feng still did not move.
He was accustomed to acting alone and had no need to join someone else's team.
With Li Yue's registration complete, registration for the Earth Sun Secret Realm was also nearing its end.
The lineup of participating disciples had essentially been decided: top disciples at the seventh layer of the Qi Gathering Realm or above, led by Zhao Yu and Li Yue, along with special individuals like Ye Feng and Ding Hao, who possessed the ability to fight above their level.
The atmosphere within the Martial Pavilion gradually grew heavy. The disciples were either expectant or nervous.
The journey into the Earth Sun Secret Realm was both an opportunity to obtain fortuitous encounters and a challenge filled with unknown dangers.
Everyone understood that once the Secret Realm opened, what awaited them would not only be abundant resources, but also fierce competition.
And perhaps even a trial of life and death.
Before you continue