After obtaining the clues, Xuanlu Pass dispatched people to investigate. Because the entrance to the secret realm was exceedingly well hidden, it took a long time and extensive searching before they finally confirmed its true location.
Gathering manpower this time was precisely in preparation to enter the secret realm and explore it.
Those entering the secret realm together were far more than just their small group; many had yet to arrive, and leading them would be Core Formation stage experts from the various major sects.
According to the clues they had obtained from the demonic cultivators, the true nature of this secret realm was likely an ancient cultivator's abandoned abode.
The expanse within the ancient cultivator's abandoned abode was vast. In several core locations deep inside—the actual cave dwellings of the ancient cultivator—intact protective formations still remained, rendering them incomparably perilous. Even back then, the demonic sects had failed to explore them fully.
There were bound to be supreme treasures inside the ancient cultivator's cave dwellings capable of tempting Core Formation cultivators, but those were beyond Qin Sang's ambitions. For now, he was content just to listen and drool along with everyone else.
As for Qin Sang and the others, upon entering the secret realm, their primary purpose would be to sweep the areas outside those few critical locations.
The Core Formation cultivators had their eyes fixed squarely on the ancient cultivator's cave dwellings, vying for the relics within. Treasures elsewhere could hardly stir their interest, nor were they willing to waste excessive energy outside, lest the relics inside the dwellings be seized first by someone else.
At the very least, before the ancient relics were fully claimed, no Core Formation cultivator would fight over what lay outside. How much they could gain would depend entirely on Qin Sang and the others' own abilities.
Although the abandoned abode might have already been scoured once by the demonic sects, ten thousand years had passed. Even an ordinary spirit herb left unpicked in the secret realm, so long as it had survived until now, would transform into a divine herb coveted by all!
Granted, as the first batch of cultivators entering the secret realm, they were certain to encounter numerous unknown dangers; losing one's life through a single careless misstep was hardly uncommon.
Likewise, their chances of finding treasures would be far greater than those who arrived later.
Weighing the pros and cons, entering the secret realm in the first wave was undeniably an immense opportunity—naturally a prized assignment that everyone fought over. Qin Sang and the other two counted among the meritorious discoverers of the secret realm, which was why they had secured a spot without lifting a finger.
Upon learning the mission's true objective from Mu Yifeng, Qin Sang had naturally agreed without hesitation. When he inquired about Yunyouzi, it turned out he was traveling with them as well.
Afterward, they waited patiently in the Tianjing Secret Realm. More and more people gathered over time, and among them was someone Qin Sang hadn't anticipated—Yu Daiyue.
"Senior Brother Yu, it's been over twenty years since we last saw each other!"
Hearing that Yu Daiyue had arrived, Qin Sang immediately stopped his cultivation and walked out of his cave dwelling to welcome him, greeting Yu Daiyue with genuine warmth.
They had entered the Ancient Immortal Battlefield together back then. Yu Daiyue had invited him to travel as companions, but Qin Sang declined. Qin Sang had become a Shadow Guard, while Yu Daiyue had willingly lived as a rogue cultivator in search of an opportunity to break through—yet now, he had joined the Shadow Guard as well.
However, Qin Sang noticed that while Yu Daiyue's aura was somewhat stronger than twenty years ago, he had not broken through to the middle Foundation Establishment stage. Clearly, his hopes had gone unfulfilled over the years, leaving him trapped at his bottleneck.
Twenty years ago, Yu Daiyue had been even stronger than Mu Yifeng. Now Mu Yifeng had already broken through to the middle Foundation Establishment stage, while Yu Daiyue lagged far behind.
Qin Sang caught the lingering gloom between Yu Daiyue's brows, and his complexion was far worse than before. Inwardly, Qin Sang could not help but sigh, wondering how much of Senior Brother Yu's spirited ambition remained after twenty years of wear and tear.
Naturally, he would not bring up such sore spots. Pretending not to notice Yu Daiyue's cultivation level, he did not mention cultivation in the slightest.
Seeing Qin Sang, Yu Daiyue masked the gloom on his face and forced a smile. "Twenty years apart, and Junior Brother Qin's cultivation has grown far deeper than before. It won't be long before you catch up to me. Having hope for Core Formation in the future is truly worth celebrating. As for me, I haven't advanced an inch in twenty years; I fear I have no hope of breaking through to the middle Foundation Establishment stage in this lifetime."
Having said that, Yu Daiyue gave a soft sigh, unable to conceal the despondency in his voice.
Qin Sang consoled him, "Senior Brother Yu, please don't lose heart. Who can say for sure when opportunity will strike? We're heading to an ancient cultivator's abandoned abode this time, and I hear there's no shortage of ancient relics inside. Perhaps your opportunity will arrive, and after obtaining one or two, you might break through the very next moment."
"To be honest with you, Junior Brother Qin, I fought for this chance precisely because I harbored such hopes. It's just that... the chances are slim!"
Yu Daiyue gave a dry, self-deprecating laugh and cupped his hands. "I only hope your words bring me luck."
After Yu Daiyue's arrival, they waited two more days.
Counting Qin Sang, twenty-seven Shadow Guards had now gathered in the Tianjing Secret Realm. Aside from the three major sects, the other sects at Xuanlu Pass had also dispatched disciples to take part. Every single one was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, including experts at the late Foundation Establishment stage.
Once all twenty-seven had assembled, no one else arrived.
They waited another day. Toward evening, everyone cultivating in their cave dwellings felt a sudden pang of dread almost simultaneously. Immediately after, a powerful surge of energy emerged within the Tianjing Secret Realm, sweeping across the entire expanse.
The crowd awoke from their meditation one after another and darted out of their dwellings.
In an instant, all twenty-seven took to the air above the mountaintop, hovering midair. Exchanging glances, they fixed their gazes intently upon the entrance of the Tianjing Secret Realm, quietly on guard.
A moment later, a massive vortex abruptly formed in the sky near the entrance. From within came deafening roars, as though a ferocious demon beast lay on the other side.
The vortex grew larger and larger, until a colossal flood dragon head poked through. Its scarlet, serpentine tongue flicked in and out, and its slitted pupils bore a sinister gaze that peered into the Tianjing Secret Realm.
"Disciple Teng Nan pays respects to Martial Uncle!"
Guarding the entrance of the secret realm, Teng Nan shuddered at the sight of the flood dragon's head and immediately bowed low in homage.
The flood dragon's gaze locked onto the gathering of cultivators.
Under the wicked flood dragon's stare, Qin Sang felt a chill rise from the depths of his heart. The beast looked like a great demon, yet for some reason gave him a strange impression. Hearing how Teng Nan addressed it, could it be the mount of some Golden Core Master from Shangyuan Qingjing Palace?
Just then, the flood dragon actually spoke. Its voice resounded like thunder, rattling the vast Tianjing Secret Realm. "Has everyone arrived?"
The voice carried a vigorous, aged tone that sounded quite familiar. Startled and puzzled, Qin Sang turned to look at Yu Daiyue and saw the same expression on his face.
Daoist Xuan Yu of Shangyuan Qingjing Palace!
Qin Sang instantly recalled him. It was said that several of the Golden Core Masters stationed at Xuanlu Pass were taking part this time; it seemed Daoist Xuan Yu was one of them. Would Che Yutao be traveling with them as well?
A late Foundation Establishment cultivator stepped forward and answered in a deep voice, "Reporting to Martial Uncle, all twenty-seven are present."
"Good!"
The flood dragon nodded its massive head and withdrew through the vortex. "Come out, all of you. Time is short. This poor Daoist shall take you on the Three-Flood-Dragon Carriage."
The cultivator turned back to the crowd and said in a grave voice, "Fellow Daoists, it is time to depart."
*Whoosh! Whoosh!*
Figure after figure cut through the air. Qin Sang darted to the entrance, nodded in farewell to Teng Nan, and stepped into the vortex.
Chapter 225