After exchanging information, the three returned to their respective stations. Jian Dan shared what she had learned with Tao Chengfeng and immediately sent a report back to the sect. The reply came quickly: just two words—"Already known."
Before the secret realm opened, Jian Dan and Tao Chengfeng gathered all the Tianjian Sect disciples for final instructions.
"You are the future of Tianjian Sect," Jian Dan said, her tone firm. "This expedition is primarily a trial. According to your assigned missions, seek out treasures and rare materials within the secret realm. One-third of your gains will go to the sect. The rest you may keep or exchange for sect points. The sect will not interfere."
"If you encounter Yunhai Sect disciples within the realm, avoid forming teams with them. You do not need to know the reason."
Though her words were commanding, none of the disciples dared question her. They had seen what this Shan Zhēnrén was capable of and responded with one voice, promising to follow orders.
Jian Dan nodded in satisfaction. Explaining things was the most tiresome part, but sect disciples were at least obedient and united.
Tao Zhēnrén, clearly used to her style, made no objection. As co-leaders, it was important they stayed in sync.
As the sun rose between the two mountain peaks, a small black dot appeared in the air. A vortex slowly formed around it, expanding outward—the Chilang Secret Realm had officially opened.
Just then, a late-stage Foundation Establishment rogue cultivator rushed forward, riding his sword toward the vortex. But the vortex had not yet stabilized. As he entered, he was instantly shredded into a mist of blood.
The scene shocked the onlookers, but none of the Golden Core cultivators from the various sects reacted.
"Fool," said Yan Su Zhēnrén lazily, breaking the silence.
When the vortex finally calmed, sect disciples began entering in order. Even the rogue cultivators followed obediently now, no longer trying to rush ahead.
An hour later, the entrance closed.
Inside the secret realm, the transport was randomized. Some were lucky, landing near spiritual herbs and immediately gathering treasures. Others fell into lakes and were chased by spirit fish. Some landed in beast dens and were already fleeing for their lives. Everywhere within the realm, the scenes were the same—opportunity and peril.
Outside, with the disciples inside, the Golden Core cultivators naturally began to mingle, networking and exchanging resources. Some simply gossiped about the other sects.
Jian Dan and Tao Chengfeng were chatting with several others: Yun Rong Zhēnrén from the Alchemy Sect, Su Chui Zhēnrén from the Artifact Sect, Pan Fenglei Zhēnrén from the Purple Heaven Sect, Ge Zhen from the Formation Sect, and Xi Li Zhēnrén from the Beast Taming Sect.
The three representatives from the demon sects stood off to the side, talking among themselves. Aside from Yan Su, Jian Dan didn't recognize the other two.
Liao Kong had gone to find Xiao Zhēnrén Liao Chen. Meanwhile, Ge Zhen Zhēnrén was enthusiastically promoting his latest invention.
"This formation disk is my newest design. It can detect similar objects based on energy fluctuations—useful for finding spirit herbs or spirit beasts so we don't miss opportunities."
"And what do you think the Encyclopedia of Spirit Herbs and the Spirit Beast Compendium are for?" retorted Pan Fenglei Zhēnrén, her tone mocking. She wore a purple robe with a white belt embroidered with arrays, her expression both charming and sharp. "We cultivators have photographic memory. Missing out isn't the issue. The real problem is whether we can fight for it."
Ge Zhēnrén, clearly of the academic type, cleared his throat, determined to defend his invention.
Just then, Jian Dan turned her head sharply toward the distant mountain range, sensing something.
She saw Xiao Zhēnrén Liao Chen riding a wooden-fish spiritual treasure, speeding toward her. Once he landed, he carefully pulled Yue Liang out from his robes.
Jian Dan raised an eyebrow. "What was this about?"
"Shan Zhēnrén," Liao Chen said nervously, "please look at Yue Liang. She's been acting strangely and kept trying to return to you."
The moment Yue Liang saw Jian Dan, she quieted down. As Liao Chen finished speaking, she had already climbed back onto Jian Dan's shoulder, nuzzling against her cheek before sending a soundless message:
"Zhēnrén, the space within the secret realm feels different. I can sense distortion."
Jian Dan narrowed her eyes and turned toward the entrance of the secret realm.
Though it had been sealed for three days, a jagged spatial rift had suddenly opened, as if something had torn through from the inside. The black crack twisted the surrounding scenery, and out from the rift floated orbs of crimson light.
Each orb contained a cultivator. Some were torn apart by the chaotic spatial force before they could be fully ejected. Others who withstood the tearing force drifted outward in a daze. As they cleared the rift's boundary, the red protective barrier around them shattered.
"Yue Liang, go pull them out."
"Got it!"
Yue Liang was already on the move, perching on a Tianjian Sect disciple and carrying them to the defensive formation Jian Dan had erected. Then she turned to rescue the next one.
The other sect leaders reacted quickly as well, each displaying their abilities to retrieve their own disciples.
Yunhai Sect's Xu Meixia looked pale as she worked with another Golden Core cultivator to retrieve their people. Her spiritual sense swept across the area, finally spotting Han Pengfei. Just as she reached out to pull him over, Bai Mo, the other Golden Core cultivator from her sect, snatched him back first.
Yan Su of the Heavenly Demon Palace led his group alone. Though his expression remained as lazy as ever, he summoned his black hawk mount, roughly hauling the unconscious black-robed cultivators to the side.
Liao Kong scattered his 108 prayer beads, creating a net to safely gather fallen disciples. Xiao Liao Chen, face serious, rode his wooden fish as he helped the younger disciples resist the spatial turbulence.
Tao Chengfeng stood on his sword, darting between the crimson spheres. Each time he found a Tianjian Sect disciple, he sent them flying back toward Jian Dan, who used object-control techniques to catch them and toss them into the protective array. Yue Liang worked in tandem, grabbing any Tao missed.
Just then, the spatial rift began to close, but a force on the other side yanked it back open.