625 They’re All Old Friends!
Even myths and legends, with their tales of immortals and gods, might not speak of such powers, Xiang Mingfeng thought.
The old man chuckled. “When I first learned of this, my reaction was much like yours. The potential of a king domain, or perhaps the potential of a martial artist, is boundless. This is why those talented martial artists with vast resources and backgrounds tread cautiously when selecting their cultivation techniques. Every step, every choice, shapes their future and the realm’s evolution.”
The old man shifted his focus. “For upcoming martial artists who haven’t reached the visceral prefecture realm, Pingwang county’s secret realm offers a rare opportunity. It provides a glimpse of the higher martial arts realms, aiding in both realm breakthroughs and plotting the future martial path.”
He elaborated, “Because of Pingwang’s unique properties, martial artists from the blood refinement realm, bone pattern realm, and visceral prefecture realm all gather there. Few king-level martial artists dare enter due to the high risks. They could easily perish.”
Xiang Mingfeng nodded in understanding. “We, at the visceral prefecture realm, are the leaders. Our goal is to lead the three sects’ martial artists against the six clans in Pingwang, ensuring they don’t control too many spirit stone mines.”
The old man highlighted the significance of the spirit stone deposits in Pingwang. Previously, the secret realm was of moderate importance. But now, with its abundant spirit stone deposits, it has become crucial, especially during these times.
The old man hesitated before adding, “The journey into Pingwang’s secret realm is full of danger. You won’t only be contending against top-tier talents but anyone else who could pose a threat. Whether you choose to embark on this journey or not, the True Path Sect will always welcome you.”
Before he could finish, Xiang Mingfeng interrupted, “I’ve made up my mind. I’m going. Otherwise, I’ll never catch up to him, forever stuck on the sidelines.”
He remembered the battle at Spirit Gate, where Qin Huai single-handedly took on nine elite opponents, easily defeating them. The mere memory sent shivers down his spine.
“Additionally, keep an eye out for certain opponents,” the old man cautioned. “Apart from the six royal clans, there are prodigies within the three sects. Especially watch out for our True Path Sect’s Zhang Youji.”
After mentioning that name, the old man’s expression darkened.
“That boy Zhang Youji didn’t study our sect’s revered five lightning technique or its secret methods. Instead, he mastered techniques related to stealth and assassination,” the old man remarked, his voice tense. “In Pingwang’s secret realm, he’ll thrive, moving through it like it’s his playground. While I doubt he’d try to kill you, he might attempt to deceive you.”
As the old man’s voice grew more strained, Xiang Mingfeng could almost hear teeth grinding. It was clear that there was a deep history between this old man and Zhang Youji.
The elder continued, his tone grave, “There are others you should be wary of in the secret realm: Daoist Master Flame, who controls four types of otherworldly flames; Black Water Jiang Zun, who consumed an entire river; the leader of the Skyglow Sect, known for his vast following and unpredictable actions; the Lotus Lord; and a mysterious man in black robes, whose brutal attacks are heralded by a bull’s roar. Lastly, there’s a sect from Hundred Weapons Mountain. They use armor in their martial techniques, so be careful.”
Xiang Mingfeng chuckled, recognizing many of the names as allies.
“What’s so funny?” the old man asked.
“It’s just that many of Great You’s prodigies are gathering here. Pingwang county’s secret realm will certainly be lively.”
The old man sighed. “I just hope we don’t lose too many promising talents. We may have more geniuses than ever, but so do the six royal clans.”
He paused before adding, “And there’s talk of someone from the royal family who’s destroyed the King Bone Holy Altar. Many believe it’s Prince Qing Cang. If you cross paths with him, avoid confrontation and just run away.”
As they spoke, the ancient city before them buzzed. Another shift occurred in the secret realm, altering everyone’s realm within.
“It’s been just six hours since the last change,” the elder noted.
…
High above, the king corpse floated amidst the clouds, allowing Qin Huai a bird’s-eye view of the secret realm’s changes.
He’d been monitoring it for a week. People continued to flood in, yet the realm’s patterns remained elusive. The timing was inconsistent, and Qin Huai struggled to find any logic in its sequence.
However, Qin Huai, using the insights gained from the temporary camps near the mystic realm, was familiar with its nuances, including the knowledge imparted by the old man from the True Path Sect. The secret realm had been around longer than even the Great You, and it posed significant dangers.
Shaking his head, Qin Huai said, “This realm is treacherous indeed.” He decided, “I’ll send the king corpse ahead to scout.”
Having already showcased his prowess in the spirit world, Qin Huai felt confident, especially in the blood refinement and bone pattern realms. Still, he believed in caution. After all, he mainly used the king corpse as a shield — its offensive capabilities were secondary.
Observing below, he noticed the powerful visceral prefecture realm experts from the three sects entering the secret realm.
Without hesitation, Qin Huai descended rapidly, aiming for the secret realm. He mused about the possibility of utilizing the blood sea from the king corpse to envelop all of Pingwang county. Would the act of a visceral prefecture realm martial artist refining spirit stones bring him unforeseen benefits?
Suddenly, Qin Huai sensed an odd resistance. It felt as if he had broken through an invisible barrier, causing the air to shift. Before he could identify the change, he felt ensnared by unseen chains.
He swiftly maneuvered in the air, trying to evade them, but to no avail. The chains tightened around him, seemingly pulling him in, only to vanish as quickly as they appeared.
Reflecting on the event, Qin Huai surmised, “That might have been the domain power of Pingwang’s governor.”
The power was distinct, bearing no resemblance to what he had felt from the white-robed king. It felt like they belonged to entirely different realms or martial arts systems.
He murmured in appreciation, “This king domain… It truly is remarkable.”
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