Cangwu City.
In the inn, Zhao Ying was still chatting with Zhao Yi. Despite having not seen each other many times before, they had plenty of topics to discuss.
Both tried to steer clear of the Zhao Familyâs massacre, but every word seemed to touch on memories of the past.
Overall, both were happy to meet each other this time.
Family is the closest bond in this world.
Zhao Yi thought heâd never have family again, but now he did, and he could put aside any unhappiness.
As he inadvertently turned to look out the window, the flickering candlelight startled Zhao Yi, reminding him of tonightâs sect competition, "Aunt, I have to go now."
"Going where? Iâve thought about it, tomorrow weâll thank the Sect Leader and leave Cangwu City. Iâve planned the itinerary, and youâll return when you can avenge. Youâre now at the Body Refining Seventh Layer, and will surely reach the Profound Realm by the age of 40. Twenty years is fleeting, and we can wait."
After speaking, Zhao Ying glanced at Ye Fei.
Ye Fei nodded, "Iâll accompany you."
Zhao Ying smiled contently, then turned her gaze to Zhao Yi.
Zhao Yi quickly explained, "Aunt, I must hurry back to the sect for the sect competition, I really have to go, Iâll visit you tomorrow."
"Sect competition?"
"Did you join that Elderâs sect?"
Zhao Ying and Ye Fei spoke one after another.
The former asked curiously, while the latter was surprised despite being in a questioning tone.
Zhao Yi responded, "Yes, after I fled to Cangwu City, I planned to sell myself off and quietly do work for others for the rest of my life. The Sect Leader found me, bought me back, and helped me rebuild my meridians. I am now a disciple of the Immortal Sect. Aunt, Iâll leave now and see you tomorrow."
"Immortal Sect!"
Both were startled.
The name of the Immortal Sect had been frequently heard in the past month.
The Sect Leader was a bold character.
Zhao Ying couldnât help but exclaim, "I didnât expect him to be the Sect Leader of the Immortal Sect."
Ye Fei quickly said, "Go on, thereâs plenty of time in the future. You canât miss the sect competition. It will determine the resources you will have in the future."
Ye Fei laughed.
He was happy for Zhao Yi.
He knew that the Sect Leader was strong enough to have killed Wei Qianjue.
At East Lake, there were hardly any opponents.
Speaking of Flying Dragon Association, even Extreme Realm Mountain would not dare to cause trouble easily.
Zhao Yiâs ability to join a sect like the Immortal Sect was something others sought desperately but could not achieve, and to cultivate within it was truly extraordinary.
Zhao Yi did not explain, hugged his aunt, and returned to the Immortal Sect.
When he returned to the Immortal Sect, the plaza had already started to gather many people.
Upon seeing Zhao Yi, everyone waved, "Senior Brother Zhao, itâs up to you!"
"Hurry up!"
With everyone calling out, Zhao Yi quickly ran over and handed the Flying General Sword back to Wen Ping, and said, "Thank you, Sect Leader!"
Wen Ping nodded, took the sword, "Alright, go to your place. In another quarter-hour, the Secret Realm will be opened."
After Zhao Yi joined the group, Wen Ping continued, "Listen carefully, the Secret Realm has three pathways. Those cultivating Flood Dragonâs Fury, take the first; those cultivating Flame Technique, take the second; those cultivating Sword Control, take the third. Remember, your enemies are not your fellow sect members but external foes."
"External foes!" Everyone was shocked, the imagined scenes of the competition disappeared from their minds.
Disciple sparring!
To determine who is the strongest in the unique techniques of the Immortal Sect.
This was much more interesting than mere comparison of realms.
But no one expected, this competition turned out to be a trial.
Wen Ping didnât continue to ramble, and announced further rewards, "The victor will be rewarded with the Fire Dragon Skill and any magical treasure from the Immortal Slaying World, so bring out your best state."
With that, Wen Ping waited for time to pass.
Shortly, the hour of midnight arrived!
The entrance to the Secret Realm began to swirl with lights. Wen Ping reminded once again, "Everyoneâs realm and abilities are restricted, so itâs best to give yourself a realistic power assessment. Although there are still rewards for losses, I hope you wonât be eliminated by the trial right from the start!"
"Certainly not!"
"Letâs go!"
Everyone responded, and subsequently walked into the Secret Realm.
As they all entered, the entrance of the Secret Realm vanished suddenly.
Wen Ping then headed straight to the Viewing Room, bringing a cup of Spiritual Water to those watching the competition.
Upon arriving at the Viewing Room, the lady of Huan Chengâa very dignified, gentle womanâasked, "Sect Leader Wen, hasnât the competition begun yet?"
This was Wen Pingâs second time seeing Lady Huan Cheng, Gong Yuxin.
The first time was during his coming-of-age ceremony.
The whole family still felt strange to Wen Ping now, the couple was completely opposite in character, yet had been living together for twenty years.
Gong Yuxinâs question was also on everyoneâs mind. After handing over the water, Wen Ping said, "It has already begun."
Biyue Piaoling asked, "Then weâll sit here?"
Wen Ping did not explain but immediately let the system show the situation inside the Secret Realm on the screen. When the image appeared on the screen, everyone was taken aback.
If it hadnât been Immortal Sectâs members appearing there, they would surely have quickly asked Wen Ping what was happening.
But now, everyone felt, this must be the Elderâs means.
Similar to the Hundred Sects Allianceâs magical treasures, all could view scenes from another location.
"Everyone sit down."
After speaking, Wen Ping sat in the front row, his gaze fixed on the screen.
The first were the three doors, each choosing their own to enter.
"Our son!"
Gong Yuxin, seeing Huan Shan, happily said to Huan Cheng beside her.
Seeing was all it took, her tone surprisingly carried a bit of pride within.
Biyue Piaolingâs expression also changed slightly, for he discovered that it wasnât just disciples in the sect competition, even elders participated!
Biyue Piaoling puzzledly asked, "Sect Leader Wen, why do elders participate in your competition?"
Wen Ping responded, "Itâs not just a competition, but a trial. Everyoneâs realm is restricted to the 13th Layer Realm, in the Profound Realm, only capable of exerting Body Refining Realm power!"
"Restricted realm?"
Biyue Piaoling and others were inwardly astounded.
Restricting the Profound Realm to the Body Refining Realm, such power is truly formidable.
But whatâs the purpose of doing this?
However, he didnât ask further, but focused on the screen, watching one by one as people chose their paths forward.
The answer is always revealed later.
...
Within the Secret Realm.
"Three paths, you have a map in hand. Every now and then a place will be marked as restricted. For the first marked restricted area, you can linger for 100 breaths; if you exceed this time, youâll be eliminated and teleported back to the Immortal Sect. For the second, you can linger for 70 breaths... Only when you leave the first checkpoint, will the expansion of restricted areas stop."
The words echoed in everyoneâs ears.
Simultaneously, a map appeared in everyoneâs hands.
After a glance, they found themselves at the very edge, while the destination was the last place marked on the map.
The next moment, the scene before their eyes shifted.
A barren desert unfolded before them!
Desolate!
Bleak!
And eerily silent.
Zhao Yi, the sole one who chose to enter the path of âAngerâ, stood awkwardly in the center of the group as the scene transformed.
Facing everyoneâs startled gaze, he felt extremely awkward.