Chapter 152: Chapter 152: Entering Hidden Dragon Valley
There were still two months until Hidden Dragon Valley opened.
During these two months, Qin Ya began his secluded cultivation. He knew that those who could enter Hidden Dragon Valley were all one-in-a-million geniuses, including prodigies on the level of the Imperial Capital’s Seven Great Talents. According to Huaa Que, among the young disciples sent by the two great powers—Purple Cloud Heavenly Mountain and the Vast Sea Divine Palace—there were even Martial Artists whose strength could match those at Celestial Essence Realm Perfection.
With his current strength, it wouldn’t be hard for Qin Ya to gain some benefits in Hidden Dragon Valley. But if he wanted to dominate, it would still be quite a challenge.
Therefore, Qin Ya had to be fully prepared before entering Hidden Dragon Valley.
「Two months later...」
In a mountain forest shrouded in mist and bathed in a crimson glow, where clear streams flowed and birds and beasts cried out, a cave lay steeped in gloomy silence. Suddenly, the cavern lit up. A Purple Fire blazed a path, and a handsome, refined-looking youth slowly walked out.
After two months, Qin Ya had consumed a measure of Ink Jade Divine Marrow and finally broken through, bringing his Cultivation to Earth Element Realm Perfection. Combined with his Cold Flame True Essence, the level of combat power he could now unleash was something even he couldn’t quite fathom.
"You’re ready," Huaa Que said, looking at Qin Ya with a solemn gaze.
"Hah, it’s just a Secret Realm, isn’t it?" Qin Ya said with a wide grin.
"Then let’s go," Huaa Que said with a smile.
...
「Gong Family...」
"Zang’er, this journey is fraught with danger. Are you confident?" In the garden, a white-haired elder’s eyes shone with a Divine Light as he looked at Gong Cang and spoke with gravitas.
"Rest assured, Ancestor. I will not disappoint you."
"That is for the best."
The Lu Family, Xiao Family, Su Family, and other clans with entry slots for Hidden Dragon Valley all dispatched their most outstanding young members to vie for the opportunities within.
Meanwhile, Huaa Que and Qin Ya led the one hundred students from the Academy’s Hidden Dragon List in a grand procession toward Mingxin Academy’s largest Secret Realm: Hidden Dragon Valley!
"Hidden Dragon Valley... Countless opportunities. We’ll just have to see who comes out on top."
"I’ve waited four long years for this moment! No one can stop me. The opportunities in Hidden Dragon Valley will be mine!"
"Hmph. Every single person entering this valley is my rival."
"Haha, Hidden Dragon Valley, here I come!"
...
Within a deep and secluded valley, a massive crowd teemed, everyone craning their necks in anticipation.
They were waiting for the moment Hidden Dragon Valley would open. Suddenly, several figures streaked past the crowd like phantoms, arriving at the very front in the blink of an eye.
These figures were none other than the Seven Great Talents of the Imperial Capital.
"It’s them."
"The Seven Great Talents of the Imperial Capital. They’re here too."
"No matter what, I *will* claim the opportunities in Hidden Dragon Valley."
Many people stared at the Seven Great Talents, a blazing War Intent flashing in their eyes.
The seven of them appeared calm, their bearing extraordinary. Su Chang walked up to Qin Ya, a sharp glint in his eyes. "So Teacher Qin has come as well," he said. "It’s a true shame we couldn’t have a match during the last conference. If we happen to meet in Hidden Dragon Valley, I hope I’ll have the chance to ask for a few pointers. I trust you won’t hold back then."
"Heh. We’re not the only ones entering Hidden Dragon Valley this time," Qin Ya said with a faint smile. "I wonder what kind of masters Purple Cloud Heavenly Mountain and the Vast Sea Divine Palace will send."
"You are right, Teacher Qin. That was short-sighted of me."
’Purple Cloud Heavenly Mountain... the Vast Sea Divine Palace...?’ Behind Qin Ya, Li Peiyi gripped her longsword, the blazing War Intent in her eyes so intense it was almost tangible.
Seeing her reaction, Qin Ya smiled faintly. "Getting excited?"
"Of course. To be able to cross swords with so many geniuses is a great fortune!" Li Peiyi’s lips curled into a slight smile as a razor-sharp aura emanated from her.
"It’s good to have such fighting spirit," Qin Ya said with a faint smile.
Even Nangong Xinzhi, Mo Fengyu, and the others couldn’t help but take notice of her.
’Her Cultivation is only at the Spiritual Element Realm, but her War Intent is incredibly strong. She will surely be extraordinary in the future,’ Huaa Que thought with admiration.
Huaa Que rose into the air, his gaze sweeping over the crowd below. "Once every four years, the Hidden Dragon Valley Secret Realm is about to open," he announced. "Let me emphasize this one more time: the valley will remain open for one month. Within that month, you must return to the valley’s edge. Otherwise, you will be trapped inside."
"Due to the restrictions within Hidden Dragon Valley, no Martial Artist at the Extraordinary Realm or above can enter. Therefore, you can only rely on yourselves to handle any crisis you encounter. I can tell you with certainty that while opportunities in the valley are plentiful, danger is ever-present. The slightest misstep could lead to your eternal doom."
"If you wish to withdraw now, there is still time!"
Hearing this, not a single person flinched. All of their faces were filled with steely resolve.
The path of Martial Arts was always one of immense hardship. If they shrank back from an opportunity right before them simply because of danger, they would be destined to never become truly strong in this life.
They were Martial Artists. The moment they set foot on this path, they were destined to either grow strong or remain weak, to be trampled upon by others. Most of them were young, at that bold and untamable age where they dared to contend, to seize, and to risk everything.
And so, they would not retreat.
"Very good." A gratified expression appeared on Huaa Que’s face.
Immediately, Huaa Que’s expression hardened. His gray robes began to billow without any wind, snapping loudly. He suddenly raised his palm, and the Primordial Qi between heaven and earth began to surge.
In the depths of the valley, a blazing radiance bloomed like a great sun, scattering a million rays of light. The crowd squinted, and then a pale blue curtain of light materialized. Through it, a completely different world appeared before their eyes.
Within a forest, colossal trees soared into the clouds. Birds chirped, tigers roared, and apes cried. Giant beasts, dozens of feet tall, roamed the land.
High in the sky, amid pale red clouds that drifted and swirled, great raptors swept past. With wingspans of over a hundred feet, they pierced the clouds and tore through the air, soaring through the heavens as they gazed down upon the world below.
As far as the eye could see, mountain peak after mountain peak formed a ring, creating an immense valley. On closer inspection, the range looked like a colossal dragon biting its own tail.
This world before them was filled with boundless, magnificent beauty, like a scene from a primordial age.
This was... the Hidden Dragon Valley Secret Realm!
"Everyone, the Hidden Dragon Valley Secret Realm is now open. After you enter, this passage will close. It will not open again until one month from now."
"Farewell, and take care."
The moment he finished speaking, the Seven Great Talents of the Imperial Capital burst into laughter.
"I’ll be going on ahead!" Su Chang said with a laugh, then his body transformed into a streak of light, passing through the luminous curtain and into the Hidden Dragon Valley Secret Realm in the blink of an eye.
"Hmph." Lu Yin snorted and followed close behind.
Seeing this, the others were not to be outdone, and they all flew in one after another.
Qin Ya looked at the scene, which seemed somewhat familiar from his memories, and smiled faintly. His figure flickered and moved forward. The instant he passed through the curtain of light, an invisible force swept over his body. Qin Ya knew it was the restriction inherent to Hidden Dragon Valley.
Anyone whose Cultivation had reached the Extraordinary Realm would be detected and expelled.
After passing through the curtain of light, Qin Ya found himself in a dense forest.
Inside the dense forest, the arrivals looked at one another, then began to survey their new surroundings with curiosity.
