Entering the Spiritual Realm

Dawn broke in the east, brightening the world as a crimson sun burst through the clouds. It gilded the thick, silk-like clouds with brilliant golden edges, creating a breathtaking view.

Within the mountain forest, birds sang amid fragrant flowers as a gentle breeze blew. A thin veil of mist still lingered over the peaks, through which lush green pines and cypresses faintly revealed their contours. The long, shrill cries of cranes echoed now and then as they stretched their necks to drink from the lake below.

At the mountain's summit, several Golden Core grandmasters, led by Qin Yu and Yin Shixiu, waited silently. Their eyes were fixed on the sky in the distance, where faint ripples expanded slowly like an invisible door about to open.

Behind the grandmasters, the rest of the group also gazed up at the sky.

“Is that where the Yanyang Spiritual Realm is located...?”

“Phew, I only hope to gain something after entering.”

Shi Yu tilted her head up. The ripples were faint—if the whole sky were compared to the surface of a lake, these ripples were like nothing more than a fish lightly nibbling at a float.

Once their group had assembled, they had boarded a cloud boat behind Yin Shixiu and flown south for about half an hour to reach this place. Hengze Prefecture mostly consisted of plains and lakes with few high mountains, but the location of the Yanyang Spiritual Realm was a rare, picturesque spot blessed with both mountains and waters.

Since the entrance to the spiritual realm opened midair, everyone waited on the mountain peak.

Aside from them, many cultivators had gathered at the foot and slopes of the mountain—some out of curiosity, others hoping to fish in troubled waters. However, with Golden Core grandmasters presiding, none dared to step out of line, so Qin Yu, Yin Shixiu, and the others paid them no mind and allowed them to gather.

Besides the top ten competitors from the competition, seven other young people were entering the realm. All seven belonged to the Hengze Prefecture Alchemist Association. Taking advantage of the association's privileges, they received Yanyang Tokens to enter without having to compete, though they could only remain for five days, the same as the tenth-place competitor.

Led by Yin Wenzhou, these seven followed closely behind him with reverent and eager attentiveness.

Qin Qingmu, the daughter of the City Lord, stood beside Yin Wenzhou with a charming smile. “Brother Yin, this is my first time entering the spiritual realm. I hope you will offer me some guidance.”

Yin Wenzhou smiled. “Rest assured, Qingmu. With me here, I will surely keep you safe.”

Qin Qingmu had just returned from Shiyan Academy. The two had previously had little interaction, and their respective factions were competitors, yet they now appeared quite close. It seemed they had kept in touch privately over recent days.

Shi Yu paid no attention to the others. However, the evil cultivator Pei Yanji stood alone, isolated by everyone else. When his gaze swept over her, it gave her a feeling like thorns on her back.

I wonder what it will be like inside the secret realm, she thought to herself. In any case, I must stay far away from this man.

...

Midair, the faint ripples flickered unsteadily, showing no sign of expanding for a long time.

Shi Yu turned her head slightly and noticed that both Qin Yu and Yin Shixiu looked grave. Could something have gone wrong with the spiritual realm? Why hasn't it appeared yet? she wondered silently.

Recalling how President Song and the others had casually mentioned before that all secret realms eventually collapse—and the Yanyang Spiritual Realm was no exception, having shown signs of decay decades ago—Shi Yu could not help but grow vigilant.

Two hours passed like this, and the crowd grew visibly anxious as hushed whispers broke out continuously.

It was not until noon that the ripples in the sky suddenly cracked open, revealing a deep black hole. About the size of a fist, it possessed what seemed like infinite suction, greedily devouring the surrounding spiritual Qi.

Influenced by this, violent winds abruptly swept through the area, bending the forest trees in unison as leaves rustled wildly.

Yin Wenzhou’s eyes narrowed, and he finally spoke up: “The entrance is opening!”

“Everyone! Make your move!”

As soon as Yin Wenzhou spoke, he summoned his natal magic treasure and channeled spiritual Qi toward the black hole in midair from afar.

The other Golden Core grandmasters immediately followed suit, summoning their respective magic treasures. Surging spiritual Qi transformed into colorful bands of light that streamed toward the black hole.

Like a ravenous beast, the black hole devoured spiritual Qi from all directions, gradually expanding from fist-sized to bowl-sized, then basin-sized, until it reached nearly ten feet in diameter.

By now, the suction inside the black hole grew immensely powerful, even pulling in the surrounding air to form a terrifying vortex. The expanding ripples shook in wide circles, turning the sky into what looked like a trembling sheet of cloth.

Wild winds howled and heaven and earth changed color. Sunlight dimmed, replaced by a gloomy atmosphere whipped up by swirling sand and dust. Shi Yu nearly lost her footing in the gale. Flipping her palm, she summoned the Yinhuang Bow and pressed it against the ground to anchor herself.

Amid the dark sky and murky surroundings, the Yinhuang Bow radiated a piercing crimson-gold glow, drawing numerous glances from those around her.

Yin Shixiu, Qin Yu, and the others had grim expressions, not daring to slacken for a second as they continuously poured in spiritual Qi.

Yin Wenzhou had entered the spiritual realm the most times and was quite experienced, yet he had never witnessed such a scene before. His heart pounded in alarm. The spiritual realm's aura is becoming increasingly unstable. It really is on the verge of collapse.

He cautioned Qin Qingmu beside him, “Qingmu, unexpected accidents might occur during this trip. Be extremely careful and do not separate from me.”

Saying that, he cast a subtle glance toward Pei Yanji.

Yin Shixiu and Qin Yu had been worried that the evil cultivator Pei Yanji might harbor sinister intentions inside the realm. Thus, they set aside their rivalry and instructed their juniors, Yin Wenzhou and Qin Qingmu, to join forces so Pei Yanji would have no opening to exploit.

Both being at the Foundation Establishment Realm, Yin Wenzhou's aura was even slightly superior to Pei Yanji's. Teaming up with Qin Qingmu made them reasonably safe. As for the rest... they could only rely on their own luck.

Qin Qingmu took two steps closer to him and gave a soft assent.

Yin Wenzhou turned to the juniors behind him and added, “You all must stick close to me at all times as well.”

They respectfully answered in unison, “Yes, Senior Brother Yin.”

Right at that moment, a strange noise suddenly rang out from inside the black hole, sounding as if something were crashing against its boundaries. As the clatter grew louder, the barrier grew weaker, as though it could shatter at any moment.

A blazing, pure aura spilled through the cracks.

“Look! What’s that?” someone exclaimed in shock.

Everyone looked up to see streaks of crimson light flashing inside the black hole, accompanied by what appeared to be countless rotating golden runes. The runes exuded an ancient, mysterious aura that struck awe into everyone watching.

“The spiritual realm is open!” Yin Shixiu shouted loudly. “Young friends, head inside quickly!”

The moment the words left his mouth, Pei Yanji took the lead. Stamping his foot heavily, he vaulted into midair, his body transforming into a streak of light before being sucked into the black hole.

“That fellow!” Seeing him enter first, Yin Wenzhou dared not delay. Grabbing Qin Qingmu, he rushed in right behind him. The association members following Yin Wenzhou and the others did not hesitate either, quickly keeping up.

Shi Yu stowed the Yinhuang Bow, stared at the black hole, and executed the 《Swallow Walking Art》. Her silhouette plummeted into the black hole like a swallow in the rain.

The moment she stepped into the black hole, Shi Yu felt as though she had entered an endless vortex. Surrounding space twisted continuously, accompanied by piercing screeches echoing in her ears.

Startled, she hastily circulated her spiritual Qi to guard her mind.

However, she discovered her spiritual Qi could not flow at all, as if sealed away by some force. She tried to summon a magic treasure, but could not produce one either, leaving her with no choice but to let the powerful suction pull her deep into the black hole.

After a moment’s thought, Shi Yu simply ceased struggling, tumbling and falling through the vortex like a fish going with the stream.

Before long, Shi Yu felt her body stop spinning. The darkness before her eyes gradually dissipated, replaced by a sight dominated by shades of vivid crimson.

“So this is the Yanyang Spiritual Realm...” Shi Yu rubbed her still-dizzy head, gazing in astonishment at the scene before her.