The Heaven-Gazing Secret Realm opens only once every thousand years.
It will only be open for a few months.
The opening of this secret realm is arguably the grandest event in the entire Heaven-Gazing Domain.
Not to mention cultivators within the Heaven-Gazing Domain, even cultivators from outside the Heaven-Gazing Domain would likely flock here like a tidal wave.
besides...
Cao Zhengyang hesitated for a moment before speaking.
" Lin Xuan, do you know why our four major sects are the four major sects of the Heaven-Gazing Domain, and why they remain unshakable to this day?"
Lin Xuan really didn't know about this topic.
He raised an eyebrow, curious.
I would like to hear more details.
Cao Zhengyang didn't seem to be hiding anything.
He sighed.
"The reason why the four major sects have been able to stand until now is because we have a deep connection with the former Heaven-Gazing Sacred Sect."
"The four sects also hold the key to unlocking the burial site of that Saint King Domain Lord— Heaven-Gazing Ridge!"
Heaven-Gazing Ridge!
The burial place of the Saint King!
Lin Xuan instantly perked up.
Cao Zhengyang continued speaking.
" Heaven-Gazing Ridge... This place is not only the burial place of the Saint King, but also hides the legacy left by that Domain Lord. Moreover, the sect treasury of the Heaven-Gazing Sacred Sect during its heyday should also be located within Heaven-Gazing Ridge."
"That was the last treasure that the Domain Lord left to the entire Heaven-Gazing Domain before his fall!"
"It is said that as long as one gains the recognition of the remnant will of that domain lord, one can take away the inheritance within, and even more unparalleled fortuitous opportunity await."
Upon hearing this, Lin Xuan keenly realized something.
A hint of doubt appeared in his eyes.
"It is said? It should be?"
"After all these years... has no one from the four sects ever seen that domain lord's sect treasure vault?"
At this point, Cao Zhengyang couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed and helpless.
He shook his head.
Never.
"Firstly, because Heaven-Gazing Ridge has a total of 108 Heavenly Steps, each of which is extremely difficult to traverse."
"Secondly, it's because the corpse of that Saint King is still there. For so many years, it has been constantly emitting an irresistible pressure, and the entire secret realm is in constant turmoil. Since the secret realm stabilized until now, in the past ten thousand years, the four major sects have only entered it seven times."
"Five attempts ended in failure, and the other two times, we only made it halfway before being forced back out by the oppressive force after gathering our treasures and spirit medicine... However, another thousand years have passed. Last time, the four sects had already penetrated quite deep, and that oppressive force is gradually dissipating. By now, the entire secret realm should be completely unobstructed!"
At this point, Cao Zhengyang couldn't help but get a little excited.
"This time, it's Zhenzhen opportunity to explore and search for treasure!"
certainly...
Of these limited attempts, the Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect was the one that returned empty-handed the most.
Although other sects didn't gain much from the last exploration of the secret realm, it was still much more than what the Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect gained.
Moreover, the Heaven-Gazing Sacred Sect was once an enormous entity.
Even a small benefit is enough for the sect to live comfortably now.
It was through these small, incremental steps that the Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect gradually widened the gap between itself and other sects.
Not to mention, the Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect was already on the decline.
Lin Xuan listened, seemingly lost in thought.
Cao Zhengyang pursed his lips and steered the conversation back to the Heaven-Gazing Secret Realm itself.
"Although climbing the Heavenly Ranks is very difficult, it's not entirely without its advantages."
"The higher the level you climb, the more Spiritual Qi you gain for body tempering, and..." He pondered, frowning as if unsure how to explain, but ultimately shook his head and stated bluntly, "Furthermore, the sects of those who climb will benefit more after the secret realm closes."
"Involving sects?" Lin Xuan was somewhat surprised.
This was the first time he had ever heard of a secret realm being able to identify a sect and provide support to it.
Cao Zhengyang nodded.
"That's right."
"I don't know exactly how the secret realm is determined, but it has never been wrong."
"Based on these calculations, the concentration of Spiritual Qi within the sect has changed to varying degrees within five hundred years after the secret realm closed."
"The higher the Heavenly Staircase a climber ascends, the more Spiritual Qi their sect receives!"
"Some speculate that... the Heaven-Gazing Secret Realm has developed sentience, and that within the entire realm lies a dragon vein belonging to the Heaven-Gazing Domain!"
Dragon Vein!
It's not Spirit Vein!
If that's the case, it could explain the source of Spiritual Qi.
But... if that's the case, competition is bound to be fierce.
Even though Lin Xuan was only a newcomer to the Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect, he could tell that the opening of the Heaven-Gazing Secret Realm was extremely important to the Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect.
It couldn't be more important!
"It is indeed very important."
Cao Zhengyang nodded, agreeing with Lin Xuan's idea.
He sighed again, looking at his aged hands, a deep sense of resentment appearing in his eyes.
"This opening of the secret realm is the most important and the one that cannot be missed."
"This time, all the Peak Master, elders, and even the Direct Disciple and True Disciple of the Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect will seize this opportunity and will all enter the secret realm."
"And I will go with you."
Upon hearing this, He Qinglang's expression changed abruptly.
He frowned, his tone urgent.
"Master, you..."
No need to say more.
Cao Zhengyang shook his head, refusing to let He Qinglang continue.
Seeing He Qinglang's genuine anxiety, his gaze softened considerably, and he let out a soft sigh.
" Tong'er, don't worry about me."
"I know my own body best."
"Now, I have no hope of becoming Great Saint. In the future, I can only languish at the Half-Step Great Saint. But it's different for you. Ximu Peak still needs you to hold on!"
He spoke slowly and deliberately, each word clear and distinct, conveying unspeakable emotions and a heavy heart.
"If I can find some fortuitous opportunity in this Heaven-Gazing Secret Realm that will allow you and Lin Xuan to advance further and solidify my Ximu Peak, then I will have fulfilled my greatest wish."
After speaking, Cao Zhengyang paused, turned to look at Lin Xuan, and spoke softly.
" Lin Xuan, Ximu Peak, I'm entrusting you and Tong'er with these tasks."
"Just consider it an act of coercion by this old man... I only hope that, in consideration of my utmost effort this time, you will protect this place, okay?"
Lin Xuan did not feel like he had been kidnapped.
He shook his head and said seriously, "Even if you hadn't said so, Peak Master, I would have done it."
Upon hearing this, Cao Zhengyang stared blankly at Lin Xuan, then suddenly smiled, full of relief.
"Good."
"Good."
"Then... I'm relieved."
And then, as if to verify what Cao Zhengyang had said, [something happened].
Within a short period of time, the atmosphere of the entire Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect changed completely.
Ximu Peak is located near the sect's mountain gate.
Within Ximu Peak, almost every day one can see streaks of light streaking across the sky, powerful auras returning from the outside world and entering the great formation unimpeded.
Those were other powerful figures from the Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect.
As the Heaven-Gazing Secret Realm opens.
All cultivators returned to the sect!