The Life and Death Ravine is not located within Thousand Souls City, but rather in a special space tens of thousands of miles outside the city.
This space is hidden in a desolate mountain range. From the outside, it looks like an ordinary canyon. The canyon is filled with grayish-white mist all year round, making visibility extremely low. It is also protected by layers of restrictions. Cultivators below the level of Eternal True God will lose their way if they step into it.
When Han Xuanji and Hun Qianling arrived, nearly a hundred people had already gathered outside the canyon.
These people were scattered in twos and threes at the entrance of the valley. Some closed their eyes to rest, some talked in hushed tones, and some checked the magical Law Artifact they carried.
Most of them were at the level of Eternal Dao Master, and occasionally one or two with a more profound aura could be seen, who should be at the level of Eternal True Lord as guards.
Upon seeing Han Xuanji's arrival, these people all stepped forward to express their gratitude.
"Young Master Han! Young Master Han has arrived!"
A young cultivator's eyes lit up, and he quickly stepped forward to greet him.
He was dressed in a long blue robe, had a handsome face, and his cultivation level was around the fourth level of the Eternal Dao Master. His face was full of excitement.
"Young Master Han, my name is Li Mubai, a Rogue Cultivator. I was able to enter the Life and Death Ravine entirely thanks to your generosity! I will never forget your great kindness!"
He then bowed deeply.
Han Xuanji was slightly taken aback. Before he could speak, seven or eight more people surrounded him.
"Young Master Han, me too! The Life and Death Ravine last opened more than a hundred years ago. My cultivation was not strong enough then, so I missed it. I thought I would have to wait another ten thousand years. I didn't expect Young Master Han to open the secret realm ahead of schedule. I will remember this kindness!"
"Yes, most of us are Rogue Cultivator without any background, or disciples from small sects. If it weren't for Young Master Han, how would we have had the chance to enter the Life and Death Ravine?"
"Young Master Han, I am deeply grateful and will not thank you enough. Please do not hesitate to ask if you need my assistance in the future!"
Everyone chimed in with their own words, their expressions filled with sincere gratitude.
Han Xuanji glanced at it and understood.
The Life and Death Ravine is a secret realm controlled by the Soul Household, opening only once every ten thousand years or so. Each opening has a limited number of slots, and the price is exorbitant.
The fact that these people are here means they either paid a high price for a spot or obtained entry through some channel.
But regardless of the method, the prerequisite is that the secret realm must be opened.
And he was the one who caused the secret realm to open ahead of schedule.
Hun Qianxue, in the name of the patriarch, defied the objections of the elders and opened the Life and Death Ravine ahead of schedule.
The publicly stated reason was "to cultivate talents within the clan," but those in the know understood that the real reason was that Han Xuanji needed to enter and comprehend the Dao of Life and Death.
No matter how much money these cultivators spent or how many connections they pulled, in the end, they all benefited from Han Xuanji's influence.
Furthermore, in order to open the program as soon as possible, the price of the available spots has been reduced significantly.
"Please, everyone, there's no need for such formalities."
Han Xuanji cupped his hands slightly, his expression calm. "The secret realm opened ahead of schedule because the Soul Household patriarch was considerate of the difficulties faced by cultivators; Non-Self my achievement alone. Everyone's presence here is due to their own fortuitous opportunity and strength, so there's no need to thank me."
He spoke modestly, but the crowd didn't buy it.
"Young Master Han is too modest! If you didn't hold a prominent position in the Soul Household, why would the Clan Head open the secret realm ahead of schedule for just one person? We all know the reason."
"That's right, Young Master Han, there's no need to be so modest."
Hun Qianling, watching from the side, couldn't help but chuckle. She leaned close to Han Xuanji's ear and whispered:
"These people are genuinely grateful to you, so just accept it."
Hun Qianling rolled her eyes at him, pulled him aside, and whispered:
"The opening of the Life and Death Ravine ahead of schedule this time is all because of you. You have no idea how much my brother had to say at the meeting about this."
When those old guys heard that the secret realm was to be opened ahead of schedule, they were all heartbroken, saying things like, "It's only been a little over a hundred years since the last opening, and we haven't even recouped the resources we consumed yet," and "If word gets out that the Soul Household has no rules, they'll say we're opening it ahead of schedule just for one person."
She mimicked the tone of the clan elders, shaking her head and swaying her body perfectly.
Han Xuanji chuckled, "So how did you finally agree?"
How else could I agree?
Hun Qianling curled her lip, "My brother said that Han Xuanji is a meritorious official of the Soul Household. He even gave away the Purple Soul Grotto-Heaven. What's wrong with a secret realm? Besides, the cost of opening this time will come from the private treasury of the family head's lineage. It won't cost the clan's money."
The old folks immediately shut up when they heard they didn't have to pay out of their own pockets.
Han Xuanji shook his head, his opinion of Hun Qianxue rising even higher.
This patriarch certainly has the courage to do things.
"By the way, you've heard about what happened at the Heavenly Martial Sect, haven't you?"
Hun Qianling suddenly thought of something.
Han Xuanji nodded.
Although he spent most of the year in seclusion, he still heard about the major events happening in the outside world.
" The Soul Household, in the name of the City Lord's Mansion, seized all of the Heavenly Martial Sect's properties in Thousand Souls City."
The disciples either switched to other sects or left Nine Mysteries Prefecture.
Several elders were dissatisfied and wanted to complain to the Nine Mysteries Holy Lord, but the Soul Household simply placed a projection of Wu Tianqiong leading his men to intercept and kill the family head on the table, and those people immediately fell silent.
A hint of smugness flashed in Hun Qianling's eyes. "The evidence is conclusive. No matter where this goes, the Soul Household is in the right. Even the Nine Mysteries Holy Lord sent someone to ask a few questions. After learning that Wu Tianqiong made the first move, he didn't say anything more."
Han Xuanji nodded slightly.
The Nine Mysteries Holy Lord is the supreme ruler of the Nine Mysteries Prefecture. Although Thousand Souls City is the territory of the Soul Household, it is still under the jurisdiction of the Nine Mysteries Holy Lord and cannot expand its power recklessly or take action against other forces.
" Heavenly Martial Sect was already past its prime."
Hun Qianling sighed, "It's a pity that some people just can't see the situation clearly and insist on trying to stop a chariot with their bare hands. Even that S-Rank Talent, Wu Congshan, was expelled from the Lineage."
At this point, her tone became somewhat smug:
"But who told him to go against you?"
Hearing this, Han Xuanji remained expressionless; those who opposed him usually met with a bad end.
Especially those who insist on opposing him.
However, he never took Wu Congshan seriously. He was expelled from the Soul Household and the Heavenly Martial Sect was destroyed. He didn't care what happened to him.
"Alright, it's almost time."
Hun Qianling glanced at the sky, then tugged at Han Xuanji's sleeve.
"Let's go, I'll take you in. I've already figured out the route to the core area, just follow me."
The two walked towards the entrance of the valley.
The mist at the valley entrance slowly dissipated under the control of the Soul Household guards, revealing a narrow passage leading to the entrance of the secret realm.
The passageway was engraved with dense array patterns that emitted a faint glow.
Han Xuanji and Hun Qianling walked ahead at a leisurely pace.
"Oh, right."
As Han Xuanji walked, he asked, "What's so special about the core area of Life and Death Ravine?"
Hun Qianling thought for a moment and said seriously:
"The core area is said to be the complete legacy left behind by a Peak Eternal True God."
That powerful figure was skilled in the Dao of Life and Death during his lifetime, and left behind his life's insights.
If one can comprehend even one or two of these principles, it will greatly benefit one's understanding of the Dao Principle of Life and Death.
However, those insights are profound and obscure, and not everyone can understand them.
Last time it opened, dozens of people entered the core area, but only a handful gained anything.
Han Xuanji nodded, secretly making plans in his mind.
His main purpose for this trip was to sign in at the core of the Life and Death Ravine.
Passing on traditions should be a natural thing.
The key is still understanding the Principle and breaking through realms.
With system assistance, it shouldn't take as long as in the simulation.
For him, the time saved was extremely valuable.