As the group dispersed to settle in, Han Yu slipped his hand into his robe and pulled out his communication jade slip.

He infused it with a thread of Spirit Qi, sending out a message toward Meng Jueyan. His eyes flickered with hope as he waited.

But instead of the usual sensation of a message transmitting, he felt something far different.

It was as if invisible blades had shredded his intent apart, tearing the message before it could leave his grasp. The sensation was not painful, but it left a strange discomfort in his chest, like threads snapping all at once.

Han Yu frowned, his heart sinking. 'This is the interference High Elder Qing had warned about.'

The turbulent Qi of the realm seemed to twist and shred communications, rendering them unreliable. He wondered if perhaps another time, or another place, the message might succeed, but for now, it was useless.

He let out a slow breath, pocketing the jade slip. 'Maybe I'll stumble onto her.'

If Meng Jueyan had entered, he would have to find her within the realm itself.

By then, more groups were being called together.

Some disciples were forming their own parties, eager to venture out at once. Others, especially the strongest among the Core Disciples, chose to go alone, their pride and confidence pushing them toward solitary exploration.

A few formed duos, pairs of trusted companions who preferred each other's company to a larger group.

Han Yu, however, was already spoken for.

He and Wu Shuan would lead a small squad of inner court disciples. They had already proven themselves in the side complexes, and now their names carried a bit of weight. Other disciples looked to them with a mixture of respect and expectation.

As they were preparing, Han Yu spotted Xuan Qing and Senior Brother Duan nearby. The two had not yet departed.

He approached them quickly and bowed. "Senior Sister, Senior Brother, do you have any recommendations for where we might go first?"

The pair exchanged a glance.

Senior Brother Duan was the first to respond, his voice steady. "The elders have provided us with several marked locations. Some are ruins scattered within the forest, others in the hills not far from here. For you, I would advise one of the forest sites. They are less dangerous, though not without risk. You will find herbs and perhaps some minor spirit beasts there."

Xuan Qing added softly, "Do not underestimate even those places. A careless step can still kill. But if you tread carefully, they are the safest options."

Han Yu bowed again. "Thank you. We will proceed with caution."

The two inner court elites nodded, before turning toward their own assignment. They had been tasked with investigating ruins that carried greater significance, places marked by the elders as potentially dangerous but valuable. Their duty was different, their burden heavier.

As Han Yu returned to his group, Wu Shuan gave him a firm look. "So, the forest it is?"

Han Yu nodded. "Yes. We will start there. If fate favors us, we may find something of worth."

Though seeing that the disciple's seemed a bit tense, Han Yu tried to lighten the mood. "Forest, ruins, beasts, or traps, it makes no difference. As long as I can swing my fists and wave my halberd, we'll be fine. Let's get going before the good stuff is gone!"

His companions laughed nervously at his blunt words, though the tension in their shoulders eased just a bit.

Wu Shuan, however, kept his expression composed.

Han Yu's eyes drifted once more to the illusionary sky above, then to the endless forest awaiting them. The realm stretched out endlessly, filled with unknown dangers and opportunities.

He clenched his fists quietly. 'This was it... the real trial.'

And as his group made ready to depart, he felt the faint stirrings of both excitement and dread mingling in his heart.

A while later...

The forest loomed before them like a slumbering giant, its canopy thick enough to blot out even the illusionary light of the realm.

Han Yu stood at the forefront of the small group, the faint sound of rustling leaves echoing through the stillness. He glanced back at Wu Shuan and the other disciples, ensuring everyone was ready before they set out.

Each member of the six-person squad carried enough rations, talismans, and medicines to last for several days. The mission, as laid out by Senior Brother Duan, seemed straightforward on paper—investigate the meadow, identify and harvest the spirit herb, and return with a report.

Yet none of them were naïve enough to think things would proceed that easily. This was the inner realm of a tomb that had possibly devoured who knows how many cultivators across the ages.

Anything, from ancient remnants to hidden formations, could be waiting for them beyond the first hill.

Wu Shuan double-checked his recently acquired spatial storage pouch and nodded toward Han Yu. "We have enough supplies. Even if we're delayed for three days, it should be fine."

Han Yu returned the nod, fastening his halberd to his back. "Good. Remember to keep a perimeter of ten paces between each person once we enter deeper. The Qi in this forest feels… uneven."

He was right.

The Qi here did not flow like it did in the outerworld or even in the side complexes they had previously explored. It pulsed in irregular waves, sometimes thin as mist, sometimes as dense as molten syrup.

Its density in the air seemed to vary, but it was still greater than the outside world, making it a good place to cultivate in general.

Even though the illusionary sky above them shone with a soft and steady brightness, the forest below seemed to breathe in its own rhythm, a slow pulse that carried a subtle sense of unease.

One of the younger disciples, a woman named Luo Ruyan, adjusted the strap of her satchel and sighed. "I wish Fatty Kui were here. At least we wouldn't have to carry half of this."

Another disciple, Yuan Ping, chuckled softly.