CHAPTER 62: IMMORTAL SECRET REALM

By the time the Azure Heaven Ship descended, the sun was already leaning westward, bathing the sprawling city below in warm gold. Towers of lacquered wood and jade rose from the streets like guardians of an ancient age, their curved roofs crowned with wind-bells that sang softly in the breeze. The vessel glided toward a vast landing platform at the city’s heart, where an honor guard awaited.

"This is Yunshan City," Grand Elder Haiyun announced as they disembarked, his voice carrying that faint timbre of nostalgia. "Every ten years, the Immortal Secret Realm opens... and for generations, this city has been its gatekeeper. Even after the realm closes, they prepare for the next opening as though it were a royal festival."

Indeed, the streets were already lined with silk banners embroidered with manay beautiful patterns, market stalls overflowing with rare delicacies, and street performers whose illusions danced in the evening light. Yet the locals moved with an easy rhythm—this grandeur, to them, was simply part of the decade’s cycle.

Haiyun led them through the bustling avenues until they arrived before a towering building. It was six stories tall, built of deep red sandalwood and pale green stone, its eaves curling like the wings of a great bird mid-flight. Rows of lanterns glowed warmly under the dusk, each etched with cloud motifs.

"This," Haiyun said with a faint smile, "is the Vermilion Cloud Pavilion. The finest inn in Yunshan City. We’ve reserved the upper floors for Azure Feather Sect’s use. You’ll rest here until the realm opens."

Inside, the air was cool and fragrant with plum blossom incense. Polished floors reflected the lanternlight like still water, and the quiet murmur of distant zithers filled the halls. Servants in pale blue robes bowed as they passed, leading them up a broad staircase to the sixth floor.

The rooms here were spacious, with carved screens for privacy, low lacquered tables set with fresh tea, and balconies overlooking the city’s lantern-lit streets.

Haiyun gestured toward a set of doors. "Tian Lei, this will be your room. It once hosted an envoy from a king-grade sect; the Pavilion keeps it ready for honored guests."

"Since you are the sect Master Disciple, this rooms open for you now" he added as Tian lei nodded.

Tian Lei stepped inside, his gaze sweeping the room’s simple yet refined furnishings—none of it gaudy, all of it touched with the quiet weight of quality. Silk curtains stirred at the balcony door, letting in the distant hum of the city below.

"Rest well tonight," Haiyun said, his tone softening. "From tomorrow onward, there will be no shortage of eyes upon you."

"Why on me?" Tian Lei asked.

Haiyun chuckled. "Your Master, Mu Qinxue, is famous across the sect and beyond—as one of the two peerless beauties, and also the most dangerous woman alive. For decades, she has never taken in a disciple, nor allowed anyone close to her. And now, she has chosen you. Naturally, many will talk."

"But... isn’t that just because her physique make other her slave?" Tian Lei replied.

Haiyun nodded. "Yes. But do you really think people will only see it that way? Rumors don’t care for truth—they thrive on speculation." His smile carried a hint of amusement, but also warning, leaving Tian Lei faintly puzzled.

What is she planning? he thought, recalling the oath Mu Qinxue had made—that no harm would come to him under her protection. Shaking his head, he sat cross-legged on the bed, closing his eyes to cultivate. Outside his door, other disciples wandered the Pavilion’s halls, some exchanging polite words before leaving to explore the city on their own.

Grand Elder Haiyun also remained in his room, preparing for the days ahead.

Time flowed quickly. A week passed, and the day of the Immortal Secret Realm’s opening finally arrived.

At the heart of the city stood the entrance to the Secret Realm—an enormous golden gate, towering like a divine wall, its surface inscribed with ancient runes that pulsed faintly with light.

Around the gate, a grand square had been prepared. Dozens of sects had gathered, their banners fluttering in the crisp air. Elders stood in dignified silence, their disciples forming disciplined ranks. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation; even the faintest whispers carried an edge of excitement.

Tian Lei’s gaze was calm as he took it all in—until it landed on a particular group. His eyes chilled instantly.

The Heavenly Sword Sect.

Standing among their ranks was a young man he recognized all too well—Xiao Feng, the grandson of Grand Elder Xiao Wei. That name alone made Tian Lei’s fingers itch with suppressed killing intent. Xiao Feng was the one who had abused and later killed Yuyan.

Right now, Xiao Feng stood surrounded by fellow Heavenly Sword Sect disciples, his expression arrogant and relaxed. The Heavenly Sword Sect itself was a first-class sect, ranking just beneath the King Grade Sects, and it was clear they had come prepared for this expedition.

Then Xiao Feng’s gaze shifted—landing squarely on Tian Lei as he sensed the killing intent directed at him. At first, he was bewildered, scanning the crowd to find the source. But when his eyes fell upon that unexpected face, recognition struck.

A slow, mocking smile crept across his lips, and a glint of cruelty flashed in his eyes.

Tian Lei... so you’re still alive?

Seeing the man who had vanished from the sect’s prison suddenly standing here, Xiao Feng couldn’t help but smirk in derision, letting the contempt show openly as if to taunt him.

Tian Lei’s lips curved upward, but it was no smile—it was the cold, sharp arc of a predator’s grin. Inside, the decision was already made. When the time came, Xiao Feng would die, and Tian Lei would ensure it happened in the most inhuman way imaginable.

"Keep your killing intent," Grand Elder Haiyun said, his tone low but firm. "You can kill him inside the Secret Realm—no one will stop you there."

Tian Lei’s eyes narrowed as he gave a slow nod. "Kill him? No... I’m going to tear him apart until he begs me to kill him."

Haiyun’s brows rose slightly at the venom in his words. "Do whatever you want, but don’t be reckless. There are many hyenas watching for an excuse to aim at our sect," he warned, before stepping away.

Tian Lei turned without another word, but he could feel Xiao Feng’s gaze locking on him from across the plaza. The young man of the Heavenly Sword Sect stood beside Elder Wei, his smile faint but eyes sharp.

Elder Wei’s gaze also drifted toward the Azure Heaven Sect’s party, settling briefly on Tian Lei. So, this boy is still alive. Eighth level Qi Core Creation... His eyes flickered coldly. Just a step away from the Mortal Realm’s peak. It seems the sect leader was right thye indeed get some legacy or how could he have re cultivate after I crippled him.

We need to kill him before he becomes a danger.

Xiao Feng smirked, as though he had already decided how their next meeting would end. But Tian Lei only offered a small, knowing smile of his own, one that promised far more than mere rivalry.

As the gates of the Immortal Secret Realm loomed ahead, golden and immense, two other figures from Xiao Feng’s side also stepped forward—their eyes glinting with interest as they heard the mental transmission from the elder to kill Tian Lei inside the secret realm.

The murmur of the gathered cultivators fell into a tense hush as a ripple of spiritual pressure swept over the plaza. From the skies above, a majestic chariot of black-gold descended, drawn by four qilin-like beasts whose hooves sparked with lightning. The air itself seemed to bow under their presence.

At the chariot’s forefront stood a man clad in imperial crimson, his armor chased with jade inlays that gleamed under the sunlight. His aura was vast, yet perfectly restrained—each step deliberate, each glance carrying the weight of imperial authority.

"By decree of His Majesty, Emperor Yunxuan," the envoy’s voice carried effortlessly over the crowd, "the Immortal Secret Realm shall be opened this day, under the oversight of the Empire. All sects and clans present—heed the rules, and let no petty quarrel tarnish this sacred opportunity."

No one spoke. Even the leaders of the great sects inclined their heads in formal acknowledgment.

With a subtle gesture from the envoy, an attendant stepped forward and raised a crystalline talisman high into the air. The moment it met the light, the colossal golden gates of the Secret Realm began to tremble. Lines of ancient runes flared to life across their surface, each one pulsing with deep, ancient power.

A low hum resonated through the heavens and earth as the gates slowly parted. Beyond them, a swirling expanse of mist and shifting landscapes could be seen—mountains that pierced the clouds, rivers of liquid spiritual essence, forests glowing with ethereal light.

The envoy raised one hand. "Participants, step forward. Once inside, the gates will not open again for three months. Your fates—are your own."

The various sects began to move in formation. Azure Heaven Sect’s team, with Tian Lei at its center, advanced toward the gates. Across the way, Xiao Feng’s Heavenly Sword Sect party did the same, the two groups passing close enough for their killing intent to clash like invisible blades.