Secret Realm

At the head was a young man in a golden brocade robe, with sword-like brows and star-bright eyes. His aura was as deep as an abyss—he was astonishingly at the peak of the tenth level of Foundation Establishment! Ten Inner Sect disciples followed behind him, each with an impressive aura; the weakest was already at the sixth level of Foundation Establishment.

"First Peak, Chu Jingtian." Zhou Ming's voice was grave. "He is the Sect Master's personal disciple, publicly acknowledged as the number one among the younger generation of the Nine Peaks. It is said that one foot of his has already stepped into the Golden Core stage. After this grand competition, he will most likely enter seclusion to form his core."

The people of First Peak walked straight to the very front of the plaza and took the best spots. Their expressions were arrogant, and they treated the disciples of the other peaks around them as if they were invisible.

Immediately afterward, Second Peak arrived as well.

Leading them was a woman in white. Her features were cold and refined, a longsword strapped to her back, and her aura had likewise reached the tenth level of Foundation Establishment.

She was Su Xue, the daughter of Second Peak's Peak Master.

"Senior Sister Su Xue is a genius of the sword path. It is said that she has already comprehended the rudiments of Sword Intent." Zhou De continued his introduction. "She and Chu Jingtian have always been powerful rivals competing for first place."

Third Peak and Fourth Peak arrived almost at the same time.

Third Peak's leader was a sinister-looking young man in black at the ninth level of Foundation Establishment. He was Lu Yun, the Third Senior Brother Lin Qing'er had mentioned before.

His gaze swept over Fifth Peak's side, lingering especially on Lin Qing'er. A trace of chilling malice flashed through his eyes.

Fourth Peak's leader, meanwhile, was a refined young man who looked like a scholar. At the ninth level of Foundation Establishment, he held a folding fan and wore a warm smile.

Yet Qin Yuan could sense that beneath that smile lay a sharp edge that lost to no one.

The last to arrive was Seventh Peak.

When the people of Seventh Peak stepped into the plaza, Qin Yuan's gaze narrowed slightly.

Their leader was a bald, burly man built like an iron tower, his face covered in thick flesh. A seemingly guileless smile hung on his face, but the cold glint in his eyes made one shudder.

"Seventh Peak's personal disciple, Xiong Li." Zhou Ming lowered his voice. "At the peak of the tenth level of Foundation Establishment, he is famous for his strength. It is said that he once shattered the skull of a third-rank demonic beast with a single punch."

Xiong Li swept his gaze across the entire plaza before it finally landed on Qin Yuan. The smile on his face deepened, but there was not a trace of warmth in his eyes.

Qin Yuan could clearly sense the killing intent hidden beneath that smile.

The task Seventh Peak's elder had given him was likely to "deal with" Qin Yuan in this secret realm.

"Qin Yuan?" Xiong Li suddenly spoke, his voice resounding like a great bell. "I heard you crippled Liu Feng with one punch. Interesting."

He looked Qin Yuan up and down, a hint of puzzlement flashing through his eyes—he actually could not see through Qin Yuan's cultivation! But on second thought, Qin Yuan must have used some treasure or secret technique to conceal his aura. He had only been at the sixth level of Foundation Establishment three days ago. Even if he had made another breakthrough, there was no way he could have reached the peak of the tenth level.

"You flatter me, Senior Brother Xiong," Qin Yuan said blandly.

"It is not flattery." Xiong Li grinned. "I hope we run into each other in the secret realm, so we can have a good little 'spar.'"

He bit down heavily on the word "spar." Anyone could hear the meaning behind it.

Over on Third Peak's side, Lu Yun also spoke coldly. "Qin Yuan, you poached a disciple from my Third Peak. We need to settle that score too."

He was referring to Lin Qing'er.

Lin Qing'er stood among Fifth Peak's group with her head lowered, not daring to look at Lu Yun.

Liu Han stood among Third Peak's group. Looking at Qin Yuan and Lin Qing'er, she let out a soft sigh.

She knew that from the moment Lin Qing'er chose to leave Third Peak, the two sides had already become enemies.

The people from the other peaks watched the scene and began whispering among themselves.

"Both Third Peak and Seventh Peak are targeting Fifth Peak. Fifth Peak is in trouble now."

"That Qin Yuan may be formidable, but he is only one man. Xiong Li and Lu Yun are experts at the ninth and tenth levels of Foundation Establishment. Fifth Peak is probably facing disaster this time."

"I heard Qin Yuan was only at the sixth level of Foundation Establishment three days ago. Even if he broke through again, the eighth level would be his limit. How could he possibly be a match for Xiong Li and the others?"

"What a pity. Fifth Peak finally produced a genius, only for him to likely fall in this grand competition."

Amid the discussions, the elder presiding over the grand competition stepped onto the high platform and called out, "The time has come! Disciples of every peak, prepare to enter the Xuan Yuan Small Realm!"

He swept his gaze over the crowd and continued, "I presume everyone knows the rules: death within the secret realm means being teleported out and eliminated. The final rankings will be determined by the number of eliminations and the resources obtained. Now, board the Flying Boats!"

Nine enormous Flying Boats hovered above the plaza, each one engraved with the emblem of its respective peak.

Qin Yuan led the people of Fifth Peak aboard the Flying Boat that belonged to them.

The Flying Boat was not large, but it could hold more than a dozen people. The hull bore Fifth Peak's mountain-shaped emblem, while at its prow stood a statue of a blue luan spreading its wings to take flight.

"Set off!"

At the elder's command, the nine Flying Boats rose into the air at once, turning into nine streaks of light as they flew toward the depths of the Xuan Yuan Sect's rear mountain range.

On the Flying Boat, Zhou De explained to Qin Yuan, "The Xuan Yuan Small Realm was originally a natural secret realm. A thousand years ago, one of the sect's great powers took control of it and transformed it into a trial ground. The space inside is vast, with mountains and rivers, demonic beasts, and all kinds of heavenly treasures placed there by the sect."

"Our targets are the core region's Hundred Herbs Garden and Spirit Beast Valley." Zhao Tiezhu cut in. "Spiritual herbs cover the ground there, and there are quite a few rare demonic beasts as well. If we can take them, a place in the top three will definitely be secure."

Qin Yuan nodded. "Then we are heading for the core region."

After flying for roughly half an hour, the Flying Boat descended into a valley.

Mountains surrounded the valley on all four sides, while a flat meadow lay at its center. The elders of the Nine Peaks were already waiting there. They stood in a circle, and at its center, space twisted slightly. Through it, they could vaguely see the scene of another world—that was the entrance to the Xuan Yuan Small Realm.

"Disciples of every peak, prepare to enter!" the presiding elder called loudly.

The nine elders acted at the same time, pouring nine surging streams of Spiritual Energy into the distorted space at the center. The spatial fluctuations grew violent, then gradually stabilized into a light gate three zhang tall.

"Enter!"

The disciples of every peak stepped into the light gate one after another.

Qin Yuan led Fifth Peak's group and stepped through in a single stride.

The instant he passed through the light gate, Qin Yuan felt as though he had crossed a curtain of water, and the scenery before his eyes changed in an instant.

They appeared at the edge of a dense forest. Ancient trees towered into the sky, vines twisted around one another, and the air was filled with rich Spiritual Energy, at least three times denser than outside.

"This is the outer region of Misty Forest." Zhou Ming looked around and swiftly identified their location. "Once we cross this forest and climb over two more mountains, we will reach the core region."

Qin Yuan nodded and released his Spiritual Sense.

Everything within a thousand zhang fell within his perception. There were quite a few low-rank demonic beasts in the forest, mostly first-rank and second-rank, with the occasional aura of a third-rank demonic beast. Farther away, he could "see" disciples from the other peaks appearing throughout the forest as well, none of them very far apart.

"It seems we were scattered randomly after entering," Qin Yuan said. "But we are not far apart, so we will meet up soon enough."

Sure enough, no sooner had he spoken than footsteps sounded nearby.

A five-person squad from Third Peak emerged from the woods. When they saw Fifth Peak's group, they froze for a moment, then immediately assumed guarded stances.