Three Heavens (2)

"The secret realm entrance?! It appeared so suddenly!" The others snapped back to their senses as well, cries of shock rising and falling one after another.

Second Senior Brother had been prepared for this all along. The Profound Heaven Sect disciples marveled inwardly, utterly convinced by Shen Yuxi's foresight.

"He could even foresee the appearance of a secret realm?" True Person Yu Qing frowned slightly and sank into deep thought. His curiosity and awe toward Shen Yuxi's unfathomable nature deepened further.

When he had come to the Flower-Appreciation Gathering this time, he had indeed intended to test Shen Yuxi's ability of foresight. Yet from the looks of it, the power of this Heaven-Peeking Treasure far exceeded his imagination.

The sudden news of the secret realm instantly stirred up a wave of panic among the crowd. Shouts and discussions rose one after another like a noisy swarm of bees, turning the atmosphere within the cave tense and chaotic. It gave Gu Yinchen quite the headache.

The timing of this secret realm's appearance was truly terrible. It had not appeared early or late, but had chosen this exact moment to show itself. It was not that Gu Yinchen wanted to monopolize a rare secret realm; he was not such a narrow-minded man. Medicine King Valley was full of medical cultivators, and even if they claimed it for themselves, they might not gain much from it.

The Flower-Appreciation Gathering had been held under the banner of appreciating flowers, and many sects had sent young juniors to attend. These young cultivators were mostly vibrant and full of curiosity and the desire to explore the unknown. If he openly declared that everyone who saw the secret realm had a share and could enter as they pleased, those fledgling calves who feared not tigers would truly dare to rush inside.

But what if they encountered some misfortune within the secret realm? This secret realm had appeared without the slightest warning, with no records to consult beforehand. Everything inside—its level of danger, the distribution of resources, its hidden opportunities and trials—was entirely unknown.

Under such circumstances, if they did not first conduct a detailed and thorough investigation, who would dare casually let these young juniors risk their lives? Every young cultivator was the future and hope of their sect, bearing countless expectations and painstaking efforts. If anything happened to them, it would be an enormous loss.

Now that people from every faction had already arrived, directly telling them to return and wait seemed impossible to justify. Not only would it make Medicine King Valley seem inhospitable and lacking in proper courtesy, it might also inadvertently arouse suspicion and create needless trouble.

Yet Medicine King Valley had always focused on the study of medicinal principles. They were highly experienced and skilled in alchemy, medicine-making, and treating injuries and illnesses. But when it came to exploring secret realms, they possessed neither much experience nor any particular expertise. They had never deeply studied the characteristics and laws of various secret realms, nor did they have effective methods for dealing with the complex dangers within them.

This sudden situation was undoubtedly a thorny problem for Medicine King Valley, leaving Gu Yinchen caught between a rock and a hard place.

Fortunately, Gu Yueyao was the one presiding over matters at this moment. She swiftly calmed herself, her mind racing as she made a decision.

She first raised both hands and gently pressed them downward toward the panicked crowd, signaling everyone to settle down. Then, in a steady and resolute voice that rang through every corner of the cave like a great bell, she soothed them. "Fellow Daoists, please remain calm! The matter of this secret realm arose suddenly. We will certainly handle it properly and give everyone a satisfactory answer."

The once noisy, clamorous crowd gradually quieted at her words, waiting for her to continue.

Gu Yueyao made a prompt decision and walked gracefully toward the Profound Heaven Sect group. She bent slightly and respectfully bowed to True Person Yu Qing.

She lifted her head, her eyes clear and bright, filled with sincerity. In a soft voice, she said, "True Person, this secret realm's sudden appearance has truly caught everyone off guard. Regarding matters related to secret realms, a great sect with profound foundations like the Profound Heaven Sect has accumulated far more experience than small sects like ours. Any advice you offer will surely be much more reliable.

"I hope True Person will not begrudge us your guidance. Yueyao will be deeply grateful."

Indeed, in the cultivation world, great sects like the Profound Heaven Sect had accumulated enormous experience in exploring secret realms through the passage of countless years. Not only did they possess abundant records in their ancient texts, their disciples had also trained within all manner of secret realms and held a deep understanding of their various traits and potential dangers. They were worlds apart from ordinary small sects.

On one hand, Gu Yueyao truly hoped to obtain a way to deal with the situation from the Profound Heaven Sect. On the other, she was cleverly using the opportunity to remind everyone present—at this moment, the master of the Profound Heaven Sect was right here. How this secret realm should be arranged was not something small sects like theirs could decide on their own.

This reminder appeared subtle, yet it contained an invisible deterrence. It allowed everyone to swiftly understand the proper boundaries and rules for such an occasion amid the chaos, preventing them from acting improperly in a moment of impulse and sparking unnecessary disputes.

Everyone present understood that under these circumstances, there truly was no one more qualified to make the decision than the master of the Profound Heaven Sect.

Seeing that he truly could not shirk this responsibility, True Person Yu Qing sighed faintly and stepped forward with a grave expression. He formed a seal with both hands and circulated his spiritual power. Vast, powerful spiritual energy flowed from his body like a surging flood, yet also like countless fine spider threads, slowly extending toward the secret realm entrance to probe it.

After investigating for a time, he had reached a preliminary conclusion. The secret realm entrance was in an extremely unstable state. Under such conditions, it would not remain open for long—by rough estimate, perhaps only a few days.

From the information returned by his spiritual power, the secret realm had restrictions. Cultivators above the Nascent Soul Realm could not enter. However, the degree of danger within the secret realm remained impossible to predict.

Exploring a secret realm had never been a simple matter. A probe using spiritual power alone could obtain only extremely limited information. Even a great sect master with profound cultivation like True Person Yu Qing could not grasp the full picture of the secret realm within such a short time.

But just because True Person Yu Qing did not know did not mean Shen Yuxi did not know! He was quite conscientious in his role as a walking Baidu: "The secret realm will be open for three days. When the flowers wither, it will close. As long as you don't court death, you won't die. There are no enemies inside, only demon beasts.

"I don't know about anyone else, but Eldest Senior Brother, who is in the Nascent Soul Realm, will definitely be able to come and go freely inside, like a fish in water.

"There is no earth-shaking great inheritance that can let someone ascend to heaven in a single step. The greatest harvest will just be encountering some rare spirit beasts and spirit plants. Whether you can obtain them depends entirely on your own luck and ability. Over."

Then he mused inwardly again, Come to think of it, this Valley Master Gu really has incredible luck. He only obtained a single Three-Heavens Vine, yet it somehow carried a fragment of the Three-Heavens Secret Realm with it. He really struck it rich—a massive windfall.

The complete Three-Heavens Secret Realm was originally located in the Sky Ruins Illusory Domain, and it was extremely dangerous. Even the powerful local factions over in the Illusion Domain had to weigh things again and again whenever the secret realm opened, hesitating for ages and considering thrice whether to enter and explore.

But a secret realm formed from such a tiny fragment... was nothing to fear.

In the end, combining the information he had "heard" from Shen Yuxi, True Person Yu Qing slowly raised his head after a long while. His gaze was firm and calm as he gave a fair answer. "This secret realm entrance is unstable and will remain open for only three days. Furthermore, it only permits cultivators below the Spirit Transformation Realm to enter. If the young talents present have sufficient confidence in their own strength, you may as well give it a try.

"However, what dangers may exist inside remains unknown. You must all consider matters carefully on your own and must not act rashly."

Gu Yueyao quietly listened to True Person Yu Qing's words. Her delicate brows furrowed slightly, and after pondering for a moment, she walked gracefully to the center of the cave.

She looked around, her gaze sweeping over every cultivator present, before speaking in a crisp yet steady voice. "Medicine King Valley is willing to open this secret realm. Fellow Daoists may choose for yourselves whether to enter.

"However, the secret realm appeared suddenly, and we currently know very little about it. Therefore, if any Fellow Daoist wishes to enter, you must first report the matter to your respective sect. Only after receiving approval from your sect elders may you enter the secret realm."

At this point, Gu Yueyao paused briefly, then continued with an earnest gaze. "Rest assured, everything obtained within the secret realm belongs entirely to you. Medicine King Valley will not interfere in the slightest.

"However, let us speak plainly beforehand. The secret realm is fraught with danger. If any Fellow Daoist suffers misfortune inside, please do not blame Medicine King Valley.

"We are opening the secret realm in hopes of providing everyone an equal opportunity to seize their chance, not because we intend to place anyone in danger. We hope for everyone's understanding."

Gu Yueyao's voice echoed through the cave, reaching every person's ears clearly. Upon hearing her words, the crowd wore varying expressions. Some hesitated, while others were eager to try.

Afterward, everyone sent voice transmissions to their respective sects, reporting the situation here to their elders in detail.

For the sects led by elders, the elders' expressions also grew serious at this time. Before them lay what seemed like an opportunity, but the hidden risks could not be underestimated. The elders quickly gathered together and discussed in low voices, drawing on their abundant experience and understanding of their disciples' strengths to make their decisions.

The Profound Heaven Sect group made their decision at once, without the slightest hesitation—they would enter the secret realm.

Had they not heard Second Senior Brother? This was a secret realm from the Outer Domain. They had traveled the path of cultivation for so long, yet had never seen what an Outer Domain secret realm looked like. How could they let such a rare opportunity slip by? Of course they had to go broaden their horizons.

This time, even Chu Shihan, who had always acted cautiously, raised no objection. After all, as cultivators, they should possess such courage and passion for exploring the unknown. Besides, judging by Shen Yuxi's confident attitude, this secret realm was likely not an exceedingly dangerous place.

Since that was the case, if they let this opportunity pass for nothing and did not experience the wonders of an Outer Domain secret realm, it would instead feel like they had suffered a huge loss.

As the host, in order to prevent the various factions from harboring needless suspicions toward Medicine King Valley and to silence the babble of public opinion, Gu Yueyao resolutely decided to enter the secret realm alongside everyone as Medicine King Valley's representative.

She understood that only by doing so could she display Medicine King Valley's sincerity and ensure that the turmoil caused by the secret realm would pass smoothly.

Seeing this, Gu Xiaoyue also volunteered to enter.

What lay before him was undoubtedly a once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity. Gu Yueyao was a pure medical cultivator whose cultivation focused on the medical path, leaving her relatively lacking in offensive methods.

If he could look after her somewhat within the secret realm, not only might Gu Yueyao's attitude toward him change from coldness to favor, he might also use the chance to make his master, Gu Yinchen, reassess him. In turn, his master's impression of him might gradually warm again, restoring the regard he had once shown him.

Besides, secret realms had always been dangerous places, full of hidden crises and peril at every turn. Any accident happening inside, even injuries or deaths, was simply perfectly normal. Certain things would also be easier to do.

At that thought, a trace of ruthlessness suddenly flashed through Gu Xiaoyue's eyes.

During the previous competition, Tan Yin had caused him to lose all face. Not only that, Li Huai, an obscure little disciple from the Heavenly Sword Sect, had actually been bold enough to openly reveal his desire for Gu Yueyao. Whenever Gu Xiaoyue thought of these things, the fury in his heart surged like raging tides, impossible to suppress.

He ground his teeth inwardly, having already made up his mind. If he did not show them some color within this secret realm and make them understand how formidable he was, would they truly think Gu Xiaoyue was someone they could bully?

Gu Yinchen stood at the edge of the crowd, his gaze never leaving his daughter. Gu Yueyao was packing with several fellow disciples. Sensing the unwavering gaze upon her, she looked up and gave her father a faint smile, signaling that she was fine.

But how could Gu Yinchen possibly be at ease? His daughter had always focused on medical cultivation. Within a secret realm full of dangers, her ability to protect herself was truly worrying.

Gu Yinchen genuinely could not rest easy about Gu Yueyao entering the secret realm alone.

His gaze shifted slightly toward Gu Xiaoyue in the distance. The other man stood there with his arms crossed, the corner of his lips holding an indistinct smile, as though plotting something again.

Gu Xiaoyue's desire for his daughter was as plain as day. Entrusting his daughter to him would be like sending a sheep into a tiger's mouth, with consequences too dreadful to contemplate.

He took a deep breath and searched through the crowd with his eyes. After weighing the matter over and over, his gaze finally settled on the Profound Heaven Sect group, on the only female disciple among them—Lin Mumu.

Among the Profound Heaven Sect disciples who had come this time, Lin Mumu appeared the kindest and should be easy to speak with.

She was lowering her head to inspect her sword, her expression focused. Her entire hairstyle had already been undone and retied into a neat ponytail that fell over her shoulder, making her appear exceptionally valiant.

Gu Yinchen steadied himself and slowly approached under the cover of the crowd.

"Miss Lin," he said in a low voice, just loud enough for her to hear.

Lin Mumu glanced sideways. Seeing that it was the master of Medicine King Valley, she gave a slight nod. "Does Valley Master Gu need something?"

"My daughter is entering a secret realm for the first time and lacks experience. We medical cultivators are insufficient at protecting ourselves. Should danger arise, I hope Miss Lin can look after her somewhat."

As he spoke, Gu Yinchen carefully avoided everyone's gaze. Seemingly casually, he raised a hand. His sleeve shifted, and a small storage ring slid into his palm. Using the motion of arranging his sleeve, he attempted to slip it discreetly into Lin Mumu's hand.

Lin Mumu was the disciple of True Person Yulan, the Profound Heaven Sect's Seventh Elder. She possessed extraordinary talent and remarkable strength.

Two years ago, entrusted by the local people, she had gone to Blackwind Gorge intending to capture the Blackwind Fourteen Bandits, only to be trapped by the fourteen bandits' scheme. Yet she remained calm in the face of danger and, all alone, used her masterful Silver Bamboo Sword Technique to slay all fourteen bandits.

After that battle, her name became renowned for a time, and she became one of the most outstanding members of the younger generation in the cultivation world.

There was naturally no question of her cultivation. As fellow women, they could also look after one another more easily within the secret realm.

Furthermore—though Lin Mumu was currently only at Foundation Establishment, one should not forget that the Profound Heaven Sect had also brought three Golden Core stage cultivators and one Nascent Soul Realm expert. If he could truly establish a connection with Lin Mumu, then should Gu Yueyao encounter danger within the secret realm, he need not worry that the others from the Profound Heaven Sect would stand by and watch her die.

Lin Mumu did not particularly mind looking after Gu Yueyao a little when it was within her ability. After all, Gu Yueyao might become her future sister-in-law. Still, that was merely out of curiosity; there was no harm in caring for her on a whim. Whether she helped or not, no one else had the right to criticize her.

However, once she accepted the other party's gift, the nature of the matter would become entirely different. What had originally been care born of goodwill would transform into a heavy responsibility.

In a place as dangerous as a secret realm, even someone of exceptional strength would never dare boast that they could emerge alive with absolute certainty, much less promise to keep another person safe.

At the very least, Lin Mumu did not dare make such a promise.

Lin Mumu's gaze flickered. She glanced at Gu Yueyao in the distance, then withdrew her eyes. She did not reach out to accept the ring, only saying softly, "Valley Master, rest assured. If we are fortunate enough to encounter Senior Sister Gu within the secret realm, we will naturally look after one another. There is no need to be so courteous."

Seeing this, Gu Yinchen offered the storage ring again, but Lin Mumu firmly refused to accept it. If they continued to remain deadlocked, they would likely draw others' attention.

Left with no choice, Gu Yinchen could only give up. His fingers paused briefly before he nodded. "With those words from you, this old man can be a little more at ease."

Though he had only received a verbal promise, something was still better than nothing. It was far better than having no hope at all.

Little Theater:

Lingshu Heaven Domain: This flower is treasure from head to toe! Super rare!

Sky Ruins Illusory Domain: ? Isn't this just fodder for spirit beasts? Our back mountains are covered in it. You do not even need to wash it—just let the spirit beasts chew on it. It is great for raising beasts.

Lingshu Heaven Domain: Shut up!

Cloudwave Spirit Domain: ? I think the Illusion Domain makes perfect sense? What do you think?

Secluded World Domain: Nothing wrong with it. Why are you acting like you have never seen the world? Aren't you the heart of the Nine Domains? This is what our heart is like?

Lingshu Heaven Domain: ...All you domains rich in spirit herbs, shut up. I'm muting you! All of you, muted!

Illusion/Spirit/Secluded: Oh, a domain's defenses have been broken. We won't say which one.