Mysterious Sky Secret Realm!

Li Qingshan quietly emerged from underground, breathing in the slightly bloody and decaying air of the outside world once more.

He immediately circulated the Lesser Heaven-Veiling Secret Art at full power, suppressing and disguising his cultivation to the seventh level of Qi Refining. His aura appeared ordinary, making him inconspicuous in the crowd.

Furthermore, he looked to be in his thirties, a stark contrast to his appearance at the Qi Refining stage. Thus, even someone familiar with him might not recognize him if they stood before him.

I need to find out Zhang Yuzhen's whereabouts first! Although the Lesser Heaven-Veiling Secret Art is incredibly miraculous and my identity shouldn't be exposed, who knows what kind of divine abilities Golden Core true experts possess?

Li Qingshan thought to himself.

He felt some hesitation about returning to the Spring Autumn Sect.

If his identity were exposed, returning would be walking into a trap.

However, he was truly unwilling to give up the Spring Autumn Sect as a sanctuary. He could cultivate peacefully within the sect and obtain many precious resources.

How could a rogue cultivator live as comfortably as a sect disciple?

Yet, when he arrived at the ancient battlefield, the scene before him made his heart clench.

The desolate ancient battlefield was now bustling with people!

Various streams of light darted back and forth, with countless cultivators gathered here, their cultivation ranging from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment. He could even vaguely sense several terrifying spiritual pressures belonging to Golden Core true experts hidden within the high-altitude clouds.

The air was filled with an atmosphere of tension, excitement, and danger.

"Greetings, fellow Daoist. What has happened here? Why are so many fellow cultivators gathered?" Li Qingshan grabbed a hurried-looking rogue cultivator at the Qi Refining stage, feigning curiosity.

The rogue cultivator glanced at him, seeing he was also at Qi Refining, and quickly said, "Did you just come out of seclusion, fellow Daoist? The Mysterious Sky Secret Realm has opened early! A once-in-a-millennium great opportunity!

It's said to contain treasures from ancient great sects, medicinal gardens, and even opportunities for Core Formation and Nascent Soul!

The eight major powers joined forces to barely open the entrance, and now all qualified cultivators are allowed to enter! I won't chat with you further; if I'm late, I won't even get the broth!"

With that, he hurried into the crowd.

Mysterious Sky Secret Realm?!

Li Qingshan's heart trembled. He had seen fragments of its record in the sect's archives. Legend had it that it was a trial ground created by a colossal sect named "Mysterious Sky Sect" in ancient times.

It was later destroyed and hidden due to a great war, only reappearing once every thousand years. It indeed contained countless opportunities but was also fraught with danger, causing bloodshed every time it opened.

Li Qingshan's thoughts raced, and he secretly mused, This is a golden opportunity! The resources within the secret realm are far beyond what the outside world can offer, especially for me at the Foundation Establishment stage. If I can gain something, the path to Core Formation will be much smoother!

But the risks were equally immense.

The eight major powers were gathered, their elites all present, and internal strife would inevitably be fierce. Not to mention the ancient restrictions and unknown dangers within the secret realm itself.

Forget it, I won't go! I have the Wish-Fulfilling Gourd, and by cultivating step by step, I don't lack cultivation resources. The Mysterious Sky Secret Realm is still too dangerous. I'll leave here first!

Li Qingshan hesitated for a moment before deciding to leave.

Venturing into the secret realm trial did not align with his cautious style.

He was getting older, and survival was the most important thing!

Just as he was weighing the pros and cons, intending to distance himself from this place of trouble and find a safe corner to observe before making further plans, an unexpected event occurred!

A chilling pressure suddenly descended. Three cultivators clad in black robes embroidered with ferocious ghost-head patterns appeared like specters on the periphery of Li Qingshan and the group of rogue cultivators.

The leader had a pale complexion and sinister eyes, revealing he was at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage. The other two were also at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage.

"Hmph, a bunch of Qi Refining trash, daring to covet the secret realm's opportunities?" the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage demonic cultivator sneered. "Perfect, you'll be cannon fodder to scout for my Yin Luo Sect! Be sensible and follow us obediently, or we'll send you on your way right now!"

A powerful spiritual pressure enveloped them. The group, mostly at Qi Refining, immediately turned pale and trembled, none daring to resist.

Demonic cultivators were known for their ruthless methods; killing was commonplace.

Li Qingshan's eyes turned cold, and killing intent surged within him.

With his current strength, instantly killing these three Foundation Establishment demonic cultivators was not difficult.

But just as he was about to act, an even more terrifying divine sense, vast and unfathomable like an abyss, swept over him from high above, causing his hair to stand on end!

Golden Core demonic cultivators!

And more than one!

He immediately suppressed all his aura, lowered his head further, and, like the other rogue cultivators, displayed fear and obedience.

Impatience now will ruin great plans! Acting now will surely attract the attention of Golden Core experts, leading to certain death! I'll feign compliance for now and find an opportunity to escape after entering the secret realm!

Seeing no resistance, the Foundation Establishment demonic cultivator from the Yin Luo Sect nodded with satisfaction and sneered, "You know what's good for you! Follow us! When we enter the secret realm, you'll obediently scout ahead. If you find any treasures, report them promptly, and perhaps we'll spare your lives!"

Thus, Li Qingshan and the other dozens of captured rogue cultivators were driven like livestock towards the core area of the ancient battlefield.

The closer they got to the center, the more oppressive the atmosphere became.

The cultivators from the eight major powers occupied distinct positions, with strong vigilance towards each other.

To the east, led by a stunningly beautiful woman in palace attire, around thirty years old, was Zhang Yuzhen, a Golden Core elder of the Spring Autumn Sect!

Behind her stood dozens of disciples with sharp auras, including Ye Lingshuang. She remained as cold as frost, her aura seemingly more refined, indicating her cultivation had advanced further in the past year.

Li Qingshan also spotted a few familiar faces, such as Zhang Ming and others.

To the south, the Beast Taming Sect cultivators had various ferocious and powerful spirit beasts lying beside them. To the west, the Five Elements Sect disciples' spiritual energy flowed in harmony with the five elements. To the north, the Pill Cauldron Sect cultivators were surrounded by medicinal fragrance. To the northeast, the Moon Gazing Pavilion consisted mostly of female cultivators with graceful movements.

The remaining three directions were occupied by the three demonic sects: the Heavenly Demon Sect cultivators exuded dense demonic energy; the Kui Ba Sect had many body cultivators with robust vital energy; and the Yin Luo Sect was shrouded in an unsettling ghostly aura.

The eight great powers of the Eastern Wasteland had all arrived!

The auras of the Golden Core cultivators from each sect subtly clashed in the air, forming a delicate balance.

Li Qingshan mingled among the captive rogue cultivators, head bowed, while quietly spreading his powerful divine sense to capture fragments of conversation from those around him.

"I heard there's been unusual activity in the core area of the secret realm this time; some incredible treasure might be manifesting..."

"Hmph, no matter how good the treasure is, you have to be alive to take it! Every time this realm opens, less than thirty percent come out alive!"

"The eight great sects have an agreement: no Golden Core cultivators allowed inside; it's all up to the disciples to compete..."

"What kind of bullsh*t agreement is that? It's clearly the Mysterious Sky Secret Realm itself that restricts Golden Core cultivators from entering, otherwise those masters would have charged in long ago!"

"It's said the restrictions inside are terrifyingly powerful; many places require human lives to fill the gaps..."

"The Yin Luo Sect is grabbing cannon fodder again, how despicable!"

"Which sect doesn't do that? They just don't make it as obvious as they do..."

Various pieces of information flowed into Li Qingshan's mind, giving him a clearer assessment of the situation.

Just then, the massive, distorted gate of light ahead suddenly erupted with brilliant radiance, and the spatial fluctuations grew violent!

"The entrance to the secret realm has stabilized!" someone shouted.

"Disciples of all sects, prepare to enter!" Zhang Yuzhen commanded in a deep voice, her words echoing in every direction.

"Cannon fodder, it's your turn! Charge in for me!" A Foundation Establishment demonic cultivator from the Yin Luo Sect sneered, casting a spell to force Li Qingshan and the other rogue cultivators to rush toward the dazzling entrance of the secret realm first.

Li Qingshan blended into the crowd, his eyes incomparably calm. Opportunity and danger always coexisted!

Although he had no intention of entering the secret realm, since he was already here, he would see if he could seize some fortuitous encounters.

The moment he charged toward the gate of light, he cast one last glance in the direction of the Spring Autumn Sect, seeing Ye Lingshuang and the others transform into streaks of light, following closely behind as they surged into the realm.

The next instant, the world spun and space shifted; Li Qingshan's figure had already appeared within a strange and unfamiliar land!