Every Secret Realm had a unique method for entering its core areas and accessing what was hidden at its heart.

    Similarly, this Secret Realm also had its own unique method.

    ...

    In the Qi Gathering and Foundation Establishment realms, burning Essence Blood was the most effective way to temporarily increase one''s power as a last resort.

    However, for those who had reached the Golden Core realm, manifesting their Heavenly Palace outside their body was only when they were in a life and death situation!

    Yet, Lucian chose to take it out of his sea of consciousness because he felt if he missed this chance, in the future his power wouldn''t match to those sons of Heaven.

    At this moment, Lucian''s Heavenly Palace appeared above his head from his sea of consciousness.

    His Heaven Palace seemed tiny next to the ancient temple. Even the door of the temple was bigger than Lucian''s entire palace!

    Gritting his teeth, Lucian raised his hand and pointed towards the temple doors.

    His Heavenly Palace immediately responded, floating forward through the air. It sped up and was about to slam into the jade surface.

    At this moment, however, instead of crashing into the doors, the Heavenly Palace actually passed through as if the solid door wasn''t even there!

    The Heavenly Palace phased right into the temple, disappearing from view!

    "W-WHAT THE FUCK!?" Lucian gasped in shock. He had expected his palace to get some damage from the impact, not pass through unharmed.

    Lucian immediately wanted to pull back his Heavenly Palace, but it was too late. The palace had already phased through the temple doors.

    He immediately closed his eyes, using his spiritual connection to see through his palace''s perspective.

    Inside the ancient temple, a thick spiritual mist swirled, obscuring most details. But as Lucian''s vision adjusted, his pupils shrank.

    At the center of the chamber floated another Heavenly Palace like structure!

    This new palace was slightly larger than Lucian''s own, perhaps by 10 centimeters. But it was not solid, but rather a faint outline of pure energy. Its edges were hazy, as if it existed between reality and illusion!

    Suddenly, tendrils of energy shot out from it, wrapping around Lucian''s Heavenly Palace. He felt a sharp pull in his sea of consciousness as his palace was pulled closer.

    Was this some kind of trap!?

    He gritted his teeth, fighting against the pull with all his might.

    But against his will, the two palaces began to merge, the illusionary one enveloping Lucian''s solid structure! Enjoy new adventures from My Virtual Library Empire

    At this moment, he realised he couldn''t even move his body, and could only helplessly watch as the merging process continued.

    Lucian''s heart was beating like a war drum, but he forced himself to stay calm and observe.

    Within the time it took to finish a cup of hot tea, the size of his Heavenly Palace, with the Dao Lotus at its center, had increased significantly.

    The original 209cm structure now stretched to an impressive 219cm in height and width. The deep crimson color deepened, taking on an almost blood-like hue.

    Lucian''s initial panic had already faded as he watched the transformation unfold.

    The merging wasn''t violent or destructive; instead, it felt more like his palace was being nourished and enhanced.

    She had long purple hair that cascaded down her back like a waterfall.

    Her lips were as red as fresh blood, and an air of arrogance rested between her brows. Her phoenix gaze was fixed on the entrance to the secret realm.

    "It''s about time this fucking portal opened," She muttered with impatience.

    Just as her voice fell, the first ray of sunlight touched the entrance. A soft glow began to emanate from the ground, slowly growing brighter. The space distorted, forming a swirling vortex of energy.

    All the cultivators present immediately opened their eyes, their attention drawn to the phenomenon.

    Elders from the sects stood up, their robes rustling in the morning breeze. Members of smaller cultivation families were also looking ahead with great anticipation.

    At the same time, as the Secret Realm''s space reconnected with the outside world, in many demonic and righteous sects and families, inside the Life Jade halls, numerous Life Plates suddenly shattered, making the disciples guarding the halls turn pale.

    ***

    Soul Devouring Sect,

    Inside an underground cave was a small lake filled with blood of Cultivators and Spiritual Beasts.

    The cave was filled with rotten bones, giving off a putrid stench.

    In the middle of the lake, a pale old man was floating cross-legged above the surface. His skin was as white as paper, and his long white hair flowed down his back. His body was as thin as a withered willow tree. His eyes were closed in deep meditation.

    Suddenly, a middle-aged man entered the cave and bowed deeply at the shore.

    "S-sect master, your disciple, h-he," the middle-aged man stammered, his body trembling.

    "What happened?" The old man opened his eyes and asked hoarsely.

    The middle-aged man, still bowing, said, "Aldric, his life plate shattered."

    Bang!

    His body was violently smashed against the cave wall, causing him to spit out a mouthful of fresh blood.

    "WHO DARES?" The old man roared as he rose from the bloody lake. In an instant, he flew out of the cave and headed in the direction of the Secret Realm.

    ***

    As the Secret Realm''s entrance fully opened, cultivators began emerging one by one.

    The elders and family members waiting outside watched with bated breath, searching for familiar faces among those exiting.

    However, as more time passed, their expressions grew increasingly worried.

    When the Secret Realm opened over a thousand cultivators had entered, but now less than a hundred came out!

    The atmosphere became tense as they realised their disciples or family members would never return.

    Those who did emerge immediately spotted their own elders and flew towards them.

    Amidst this commotion, Lucian also exited the Secret Realm. His blood-red eyes scanned the crowd, quickly spotting Alisa in the distance.

    She stood with the Azure Sword Sect members, her face lighting up like a cherry blossom as she saw Lucian safe and sound.