Long Ren heard Ding Fan's words and felt a surge of gratitude in his heart. He said to Ding Fan gratefully:

"Then I thank you in advance, big brother. However, there is still one more matter..."

Long Ren's face showed a hint of embarrassment, as he seemed to struggle to express something to Ding Fan and didn't know how to say it for a moment.

Ding Fan saw this from his brother Long Ren, smiled calmly, patted Long Ren's shoulder, and said:

"No need to be embarrassed, worthy brother. Whatever it is, just say it."

"It's like this, big brother. This time Xuantian Secret Realm has been a rule of our Thirty-Six Caves for ages. Although I want you to enter, this matter must be agreed upon by half of the sect masters of the Thirty-Six Caves."

Long Ren said somewhat awkwardly. Although he is the leader of the Thirty-Six Caves, the Lake Master, he must act justly and fairly. This was a rule he personally set to ensure the future better development of Thirty-Six Caves. Therefore, even as Lake Master, he cannot show favoritism or abuse his power.

Ding Fan was stunned by what he heard and directly asked: "Then what should I do?"

"Actually, it's quite simple. Big brother, you only need to participate in the selection competition just like those outstanding disciples of the Thirty-Six Caves. As long as big brother achieves a top-six result in the selection competition, the sect masters of the Thirty-Six Caves won't say anything. Just show those sect masters you have the capability, and moreover, if big brother enters Xuantian Secret Realm, you can take care of our disciples; the sect masters of Thirty-Six Caves naturally won't say anything and won't disagree."

Long Ren explained and paused for a moment, then continued:

"With your strength, big brother, not to mention a top-six result, even securing first place is definitely possible. In essence, you just need to go through the formalities."

Long Ren said with a trace of embarrassment to Ding Fan. Originally, he wanted to repay Ding Fan, but he had to trouble big brother like this. Naturally, Long Ren felt somewhat uneasy in his heart but had no choice, as entering Xuantian Secret Realm is a significant matter for the Thirty-Six Caves and cannot be taken lightly.

Ding Fan heard Long Ren's words, smiled calmly in his heart. He had thought it was something challenging, but it turned out to be just participating in a selection competition, which was no problem. Although Long Ren didn't elaborate on some matters, Ding Fan understood that Long Ren had his difficulties, and naturally, Ding Fan was understanding.

Ding Fan immediately agreed:

"No problem, I'm just curious to see how excellent the outstanding disciples of the Thirty-Six Caves are."

Long Ren looked at Ding Fan with a face full of smiles, feeling a sense of relief in his heart. He couldn't help but extend his hands, tightly grasping big brother Ding Fan's hand, and said somewhat apologetically:

"Sorry, big brother, for the trouble!"

"No need to be polite." Ding Fan smiled calmly. He didn't mind it at all; instead, he greatly appreciated this brother, for he knows how difficult it is for cultivators to have a chance to enter Xuantian Secret Realm. It's an almost impossible feat for any influential cultivator throughout the Cultivation World.

At the end of the day, he was favored because of his brother. But Ding Fan didn't say much more. Previously, if it weren't for him breaking the Nine Stars and Eight Stars formations of the Wild Wolf Gang, there wouldn't be Long Ren's Thirty-Six Caves here now. Thinking about it this way, Ding Fan saw no need to dwell on such matters between brothers and did not count so meticulously.

Later, Long Ren carefully explained to Ding Fan the details of the selection competition. These things were not only Ding Fan, but also known to those competing disciples of Thirty-Six Caves. Therefore, Long Ren didn't cheat for Ding Fan and indeed didn't feel like he had to do such a thing. He completely trusted big brother's strength, believing Ding Fan was undoubtedly a dragon among men, surpassing ordinary cultivators.

Even he himself could not be better than big brother. It was evident that with big brother's strength, securing first place in the Thirty-Six Caves selection competition would not be impossible. For big brother is not only excellent in cultivation but also a Grade Nine Alchemist, and even a High Level Formation Master!

Though Long Ren was unsure whether big brother was a High Level Formation Master, he was confident that big brother could break both the Eight Star and Nine Stars formations, making him either a High Level Formation Master or close to it. Moreover, being a Grade Nine Alchemist was a fact! Such strength is not something ordinary cultivators can compare to.

Even he couldn't compare to big brother, even with Elder's deeply profound strength. He had utmost respect for big brother; else he wouldn't have suggested that big brother enter Xuantian Secret Realm.

...

In the middle of the courtyard's square, nearly a hundred cultivators had gathered. These cultivators were all outstanding young disciples from all sects of Thirty-Six Caves, each possessing a remarkable air of dragon and tiger spirit and none with cultivation lower than the Emergence Stage. Some were even at the Nascent Soul Late Stage, merely a step away from Spirit Severing Stage cultivation.

The square was extremely spacious, and despite nearly a hundred excellent young cultivators standing there, it did not feel crowded at all but instead appeared very roomy. If the square were fully occupied by cultivators, there wouldn't be less than a thousand even with eight hundred or so. The square's southern side had a uniquely decorated and grand yet simple platform.

Above the platform, bricks and tiles shield the area, and below, rows of seats are already arranged. Among these, thirty-six cultivators have taken their seats. These thirty-six individuals are mostly middle-aged men, but there are also quite a few elders. The cultivation levels of these people are astonishing; the lowest among them is at the Spirit Severing Mid Stage, with many at the Spirit Severing Late Stage, and a number at the Early Transcendance Tribulation Stage. There are even some elders at the Mid Tribulation Stage.

Such cultivation ranks them at the pinnacle in the Cultivation World, representing outstanding achievements anywhere you look. Whenever they appear, they are entities capable of dominating a region.

These thirty-six cultivators are none other than the thirty-six sect leaders of the Thirty-Six Caves.

At times, these sect leaders engage in conversation with each other. Evidently, today is significant for them as it marks the day of selection to enter the Xuantian Secret Realm. Even though they are sect masters, it's never easy for even the most powerful sect to secure a place in the Xuantian Secret Realm for their disciples.

They are fortunate to be part of the Thirty-Six Caves, which is why they feel grateful towards the Lake Master. Occasionally, they observe the talented disciples selected by various sects below, offering comments to one another.

Below, the young cultivators stand, feeling both excited and anxious, occasionally observing each other because their competitors are among them. The one attracting the most attention is the young cultivator at the forefront dressed in a blue robe. The blue-robed youth has an impressive demeanor, stands tall with a slight hint of pride on his face. This cultivator is evidently at the Nascent Soul Late Stage.

For the sect disciples, reaching the Nascent Soul Late Stage is fairly strong; note that this blue-robed cultivator is not far from the Spirit Severing Stage in cultivation, it's just a matter of time.

Such an outstanding cultivation level draws numerous gazes, filled mostly with envy and awe. After all, the cultivators in the square are all participating in the Thirty-Six Caves selection competition, knowing this is the first time in five years that the Xuantian Secret Realm has reopened.

Everyone knows missing this chance to enter the Xuantian Secret Realm means waiting indefinitely. The interval of its opening doesn't follow a fixed time pattern, but this is the shortest gap, reopening after just five years, making these young cultivators exceptionally lucky.

The Xuantian Secret Realm has age restrictions; only cultivators under twenty-five can enter. Exceed the age limit and the prohibition inside will directly execute, regardless of your cultivation strength.

The only outcome is execution!

Indeed, the cultivators in the square have good fortune, as quite a few are twenty-five years old. If postponed another year, they'd lose this opportunity. Thus, everyone cherishes this chance greatly.

Some are younger or have weaker cultivation; they know their chances of entering the Xuantian Secret Realm are slim, but wouldn't miss the rare grand competition of the Thirty-Six Caves to test their strength.

Competing against experts is beneficial; it aids one's cultivation mindset and enhances growth. Facing adept opponents reveals one's shortcomings and tempers arrogance.

These cultivators, even in the Cultivation World, are exceptionally superb. Climbing the Giant Peak proves their capability, while those failed to ascend wait dejectedly below.

For them, participating in the Thirty-Six Caves grand competition is impossible, even watching is out of reach.

Soon, the time for the Thirty-Six Caves competition approaches, with young cultivators in the square starting to converse.

"How many can enter the Xuantian Secret Realm this time?"

"Reportedly, only six!"

"What? Just six! That's too few!"

"It's decent enough; the last batch had just six enter. But only three returned alive!"

...

Upon hearing this, many gasped. While they've longed for the opportunities in the Xuantian Secret Realm, survival is key. To hear only three of six in the last batch survived is terrifying!

Everyone knows the previous entrants were outstanding, likely akin to this blue-robed youth. Such high prowess, yet half were lost within the Xuantian Secret Realm!

The danger of the Xuantian Secret Realm is evident!