CHAPTER 47: CHAPTER 47: SECRET REALM PHANTOM

The events in the flower hall quickly spread among the people, so when Gu Qingqing and the others followed Zhuo Tingqiu to the courtyard where the banquet was held, they were met with occasional subtle glances.

Fortunately, Nan Hua and the others were long accustomed to such looks and simply ignored them.

"I want to thank everyone for coming to my son’s birthday banquet today. Taking this opportunity, I also want to announce some good news to you all, my son will become the official heir of the Zhuo Family in the future. I hope everyone will take good care of him!" Zhuo Zhen Song, as the Master of the Zhuo Family, personally announced Zhuo Tingqiu as the heir.

Those who came had more or less heard some rumors, so they weren’t too surprised by Zhuo Zhen Song’s words. However, some thought it was a bit early to declare Zhuo Tingqiu as heir, as he’s only ten years old and there’s a long way to go before he grows up. Any mishaps could be detrimental to the Zhuo Family!

Zhuo Zhen Song naturally knew this but had no intention of explaining.

After the main event, it was time for everyone to socialize. The food and wine prepared by the Zhuo Family were quite good, and people ate while networking, creating a very harmonious atmosphere.

Gu Qingqing and the others were arranged to sit together. Nan Hua and the others didn’t really need to eat, spending most of their time feeding Gu Qingqing.

Suddenly, Nan Hua paused his hand that was fanning and looked up at a certain point in the sky, as did Mu Chen and Rong Ye. Those present with higher cultivation also sensed something and raised their heads to gaze at the sky.

Just as everyone was uncertain, a scene suddenly appeared in the previously clear blue sky.

In the picture, one could vaguely see a magnificent palace, a medicinal garden filled with spirit flowers and herbs, demon beasts playing in the woods, and a giant tree.

"Is this a mirage?" Rong Ye looked at the scene in the sky, raised an eyebrow, and said uncertainly.

"No, it’s a Secret Realm!" Nan Hua’s expression was serious, his voice very soft.

"Secret Realm?" Rong Ye and Mu Chen both spoke at the same time, their tones full of surprise.

"Judging from the scene, it doesn’t seem to be an ordinary Secret Realm; it might very well be an Immortal Secret Realm. How can it appear in the Xuantian Continent?" Jun Wu, who had seen Secret Realms before—there’s even one in their Holy Land—could tell with a glance that the place was extraordinary and couldn’t help but ask.

"The Xuantian Continent was once glorious, but in the past ten thousand years, the Heavenly Dao has weakened, leading to its gradual dormancy. Plus, there are many mysterious places here, so it’s not surprising for such a Secret Realm to appear," Nan Hua, knowing more, kept his eyes on the picture in the sky while explaining to the others.

Upon hearing this, Jun Wu, Mu Chen, and Rong Ye looked at the scene above with some astonishment.

However, the scene didn’t last long before it disappeared.

In the courtyard, all attention was no longer on the banquet but rather on discussing the apparition just witnessed. Some recognized it as a Secret Realm, causing exclamations and fueling curiosity.

"With the virtual image of the Secret Realm appearing, the Secret Realm should reveal itself soon, right?" Rong Ye, usually indifferent to such things, asked, relying on Nan Hua for an answer.

Nan Hua shook his head, "No, the virtual image is still quite blurry. In my estimation, the Secret Realm might not appear for another four or five years!"

"Does it have to take that long?" Mu Chen asked.

"This is a Secret Realm that’s never appeared before. Given what’s inside, it might be separated by a plane from the Xuantian Continent. To open it, it needs to be accepted by the Xuantian Continent, which is a difficult process and naturally takes a long time," Nan Hua said, shaking the fan in his hand.

Mu Chen and Rong Ye thoughtfully nodded.

"It seems we need to quickly return to the sect and inform the Master of this incident to see what he thinks." Nan Hua was highly interested in the Secret Realm and appeared eager, but such matters must await Wen Guiyun’s decision.

"Once this birthday banquet concludes, our mission will be completed, so we can naturally return to the sect," Rong Ye glanced at Zhuo Tingqiu and said.

Nan Hua nodded, saying nothing more.

Gu Qingqing, having listened to the conversation, saw Nan Hua no longer speaking, so she gestured with her hand, asking, "Senior Brother, what is the Secret Realm you’re discussing?"

Compared to Nan Hua and the others, Gu Qingqing was less knowledgeable about many things.

"A Secret Realm can be understood as a small world. Some are naturally formed, while others are created by Immortals or powerful figures. They constitute their own space, like what we just saw. Inside, there might be rare spirit flowers and herbs or even inheritances from powerful beings—major opportunities," Nan Hua patted Gu Qingqing’s head, explaining with a smile and patience.

Gu Qingqing nodded, half understanding. She looked up at the spot where the virtual image of the Secret Realm appeared and gestured, "Just now, I felt a slight call from inside, but it was too faint, so I’m not sure."

"Hmm?" Seeing Gu Qingqing’s gesture, Nan Hua was a bit surprised, "Does it have something to do with your seal?"

The biggest concern they had was the seal inside Gu Qingqing, and her saying she felt a call was most likely related to it.

Gu Qingqing nodded.

"It seems we must venture into this Secret Realm indeed. But we don’t know what the entry conditions are for this Secret Realm," Nan Hua furrowed his brows.

"No matter what they are, if there are things inside that Little Qingqing needs, we’ll go in regardless of the difficulty!" Rong Ye was keen on anything that could help Gu Qingqing speak and spoke directly.

Mu Chen and Jun Wu nodded in agreement beside him. Nan Hua looked at Gu Qingqing, patted her head again, "That’s right, for Little Qingqing’s sake, we’ll enter no matter the difficulty!"

...

Zhuo Tingqiu’s birthday banquet ended with people absent-minded, and Gu Qingqing and the others also took their leave of Zhuo Tingqiu.

"Master Zhuo, today’s Secret Realm probably is an Immortal Secret Realm. If my estimate is correct, it will open in about four or five years. Master Zhuo should prepare early." Due to Zhuo Tingqiu’s relationship with Gu Qingqing, Nan Hua didn’t mind doing Zhuo Zhen Song a favor, as the more people protecting Gu Qingqing, the better it would be for her.

Zhuo Zhen Song trembled at the words, looking at Nan Hua in shock, entirely unprepared for it to be an Immortal Secret Realm. However, he knew Nan Hua and the others had extraordinary identities and knew a lot, so they likely wouldn’t lie about this!

He quickly realized this would also be a challenge for the Zhuo Family. If they could seize this opportunity, the Zhuo Family might advance further!

"Thank you, Mr. Nan, for the information!" He cupped his hands and slightly bowed to Nan Hua with great respect.

Nan Hua sidestepped slightly, avoiding Zhuo Zhen Song’s gesture.

"As long as Master Zhuo understands, we’ll take our leave now. Until next time!" Satisfied with Zhuo Zhen Song’s attitude, Nan Hua smiled.

"I wish you all well!" Zhuo Zhen Song cupped his hands again.

Gu Qingqing waved at Zhuo Tingqiu and then turned to get into the carriage.

The Heavenly Qilin Horse took off into the sky under the watchful eyes of Zhuo Zhen Song and Zhuo Tingqiu, flying toward the Ten Thousand Miles Mountains.