Journey to the Ancient Secret Realm

Night was as dark as ink, with countless stars adorning the firmament. The Purple Radiance Prince's Manor was brightly lit as well, brilliant as day.

Xu Tianchen sat in the seat of honor in the reception hall, turning a token over in his hand. Intricate cloud patterns were carved upon it. This was the life-saving token for entering the Ancient Secret Realm, and two identical tokens lay on the table before him.

"Your Highness, Hall Master Jing has arrived with his nephew, Ao Hongchen. Chancellor Chen has arrived with his nephew, Li Zhengdian."

Shadow Ghost entered the hall and reported to Xu Tianchen.

"Good. Come with me to welcome them."

Xu Tianchen rose from his seat and headed toward the gates with Shadow Ghost.

"Hall Master Jing, Chancellor Chen, you have worked hard. Please come in and have a seat."

Xu Tianchen was the first to spot Jing Hongchen and Chen Songting, each accompanied by a child, and greeted them.

"Your Highness, you are too courteous. I will not be going in. You should take the two of them inside and help them get acquainted."

Chen Songting spoke first. As he spoke, he gave Li Zhengdian a push forward and told him, "Why are you not greeting His Highness yet?"

Li Zhengdian wore a moon-white robe and appeared refined and scholarly. His pale golden eyes looked especially lively. He bowed to Xu Tianchen.

Just as Chen Songting pushed Li Zhengdian forward, Jing Hongchen gave Ao Hongchen a meaningful look. Ao Hongchen possessed a steadiness that did not suit someone of his age. He instantly understood Jing Hongchen's meaning and took a small step forward as well.

He bowed at nearly the same time as Li Zhengdian. His movements were impeccably precise, without the slightest flaw. The two spoke in unison.

"Greetings, Your Highness."

"No need for such formalities."

Xu Tianchen stepped forward and helped them both up, a faint smile appearing on his face as his gaze swept over them.

"There is no need to be so formal. Since Father has entrusted this important task to me, and you two were recommended by your elders, that means your abilities have been recognized. There is no need to be nervous. You came today so that we could get to know one another."

"We shall follow Your Highness's orders without hesitation!"

The two looked at Xu Tianchen with resolute eyes and declared their loyalty in unison.

Xu Tianchen nodded as well. He had initially thought he might need to show off a little to intimidate them, but he had not expected them to be so sensible. Their elders had probably told them some things about him.

Otherwise, the spirit of youth was the most difficult thing to predict.

"Since these two youngsters have already met Your Highness, I shall take my leave."

Seeing that the three had gotten along quite pleasantly upon their first meeting, Jing Hongchen requested leave from Xu Tianchen.

"Why are you leaving, Hall Master Jing? Will you not stay? We are leaving together tomorrow anyway."

Xu Tianchen looked at Jing Hongchen in confusion.

"No, I still have matters to attend to at home. I shall take my leave first. Please remain here, Your Highness."

After Jing Hongchen finished speaking, Chen Songting immediately followed by taking his leave as well.

Xu Tianchen agreed. Once they had departed, he led the two youths into the reception hall.

Once the three were seated, the maidservants filed in one after another, bringing exquisite dishes and fine wine.

After several rounds of wine, Xu Tianchen set down his cup and looked at the two. His gaze became somewhat sharp.

"Gentlemen, let us be clear from the start. Since you have both said you will listen to me, I do not wish for disagreements between us to cause this exploration to end prematurely. Of course, I am not someone who refuses to listen to advice. I will consider your suggestions as well."

Hearing Xu Tianchen say this, Ao Hongchen hurriedly set down his cup and looked at him.

"Rest assured, Your Highness. Such a thing will never happen. Wherever Your Highness's sword points, my cannon shall aim."

Hearing those words, Li Zhengdian hurriedly swallowed what was in his mouth. He opened his mouth, thought for a moment, and finally said:

"Me too."

"Good. Quickly imprint your spiritual marks upon these tokens. Within the secret realm, they may save your lives if you encounter danger."

Xu Tianchen took out two tokens from his Soul Guidance Device and used soul power to send them flying toward the two. They finally landed steadily on their tables.

Both of them knew that achieving such control required absolute mastery over one's soul power, along with exquisite control over powerful spiritual power. This display truly shocked them.

They understood that Xu Tianchen's soul power and spiritual power were not only greater than theirs, but that his control was more refined as well.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

The two imprinted their spiritual marks upon the tokens, then put them away.

"Good. Let us raise this cup and wish for complete success in tomorrow's journey into the secret realm!"

Xu Tianchen raised his cup high toward the two, his tone filled with anticipation for tomorrow's expedition into the secret realm.

The two raised their cups as well. The night at the Purple Radiance Prince's Manor gradually passed in such an exceptionally harmonious atmosphere.

As the first rays of sunlight shone upon the earth, Xu Tianchen and the other two had already made their preparations. They first met up with Jing Hongchen, who had arrived at the Purple Radiance Prince's Manor ahead of time.

The four then headed to the Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion's encampment south of Mingdu. After meeting Captain Luan Feng, they set off in grand procession toward the location of the secret realm.

What surprised the group was that not long after they set out for the secret realm, they encountered Long Xiaoyao, who had come specifically to protect Xu Tianchen.

And Xu Tianchen's group was not the only one setting out. Other factions had sent their own people as well. Even without life-saving tokens, no faction was willing to give up on exploring a secret realm connected to gods.

On Shrek's side, the ninety-eighth-ranked Taotie Douluo Xuan Zi and Bright Phoenix Douluo Yan Shaozhe led seven students toward the secret realm. Zhang Le Xuan was among those seven students. In the end, they had still not listened to Mu En's words.

The Body Sect had their sect master, the ninety-eighth-ranked Body Douluo Du Bushi, personally lead the expedition. He brought not only two Body Sect geniuses, but also the Heavenly Soul Empire's team.

The Star Luo Empire sent the ninety-fifth-ranked Shattering Star Douluo and the Consecration Hall's deputy hall master, the ninety-fifth-ranked Medicine Immortal Douluo Wang Xian'er, along with their sole seedling who possessed a life-saving token. They even planned to form an alliance with Shrek's people after entering the secret realm, acting together to obtain treasures.

As for the Dou Ling Empire, since its emperor did not concern himself with such matters, Tianyang Douluo and several ministers selected more than ten members to go. Since it concerned deities, they could not truly refuse to go.

All the major factions across the continent, so long as they had a name and knew of the secret realm's emergence, sent people there.

Except for the Clear Sky Sect!

Da Ming and Er Ming, who were currently in charge of the Clear Sky Sect, were anxiously pacing in circles. Why had they still not received their beloved Xiao Qi? Moreover, for some unknown reason, not only could they no longer contact the God Realm, they could not reach Tang Hao or Ah Yin either.

The two had even made a special trip to the Chen Clan's location because of this matter. Yet the Chen Clan could not contact Tang San either. The two soul beasts had no choice but to wait quietly like this, ignoring all information from the outside world.

The rest of the Clear Sky Sect believed that their ancestor Tang San was the strongest god of all and had no need for the power of other gods, so they did not send anyone out.