Everything was ready. With preparations complete and confidence steady in our hearts, the three of us stepped across the invisible boundary and entered the hidden realm.
The world inside greeted us quietly, almost deceptively so. At first glance, it resembled an ordinary forest, towering trees, tangled roots, and uneven earth, but a second look revealed its true nature.
The vegetation was far more vibrant than anything outside: leaves shimmered in shades of deep purple and sapphire blue, vines glowed faintly red beneath filtered light, and strange flowers bloomed with translucent petals that looked poisonous at a glance… though my instincts warned me that not all of them were. The air itself felt different, thicker, richer, carrying a low hum of spiritual energy that brushed against my skin.
It was my first time inside a hidden realm, and I couldn't help but feel a quiet thrill. This place had not yet been exhausted by stronger cultivators. It was raw, untamed, and full of opportunity.
Qingwu and Qingying flanked me naturally as we moved forward, our pace slow and deliberate. No one spoke. Instead, we communicated through subtle gestures and shared awareness, alert to every rustle and shift of qi around us.
As we walked, we gathered herbs and basic materials along the way, spirit moss clinging to rocks, faintly glowing roots, and several low-grade medicinal plants that would be useful later. From time to time, I activated my Perception Eyes, letting my vision pierce deeper into the forest, tracing faint trails of aura left behind by moving creatures.
Hours passed like this, steady movement, quiet harvesting, and careful observation.
Then I felt it.
Two overlapping auras ahead, close, restless, and heavy with physical strength.
I slowed and raised a hand. Qingwu and Qingying stopped instantly.
Through the brush, we spotted them.
Two spirit beasts, a Mudpaw Bear and an Ironpaw Bear, locked in what looked like either a clumsy fight or rough play. They were not fully grown, their bodies still compact, more like oversized bear cubs than true beasts of terror.
Even so, the pressure rolling off them was unmistakable. At this stage, each was already comparable to a 1st Stage Qi Condensation cultivator.
The Mudpaw Bear had thick brown fur, matted in places with soil and damp earth, especially around its paws, which looked perpetually coated in mud. Every stomp sent dirt scattering.
The Ironpaw Bear, by contrast, had darker fur, with its paws and claws carrying a faint metallic sheen, as if iron had been woven directly into its flesh. When it struck, there was a dull clang beneath the impact.
They were strong, but inexperienced.
Perfect.
I gave a subtle hand signal.
Qingwu and Qingying's expressions sharpened immediately. They shifted positions soundlessly, fanning out to either side as I reached into my storage ring. One by one, puppets emerged, constructs of wood, metal, and talisman-etched joints, activating with faint clicks as they took formation.
Even pups like these could not be underestimated. A direct confrontation would be reckless.
Timing was everything.
The bears noticed us a heartbeat too late.
At my signal, the puppets moved, cutting off every escape route with mechanical precision. The sudden appearance startled the two beasts badly. They roared, high-pitched and raw, and attempted to flee, only to find their paths blocked again and again.
Before they could gather themselves, I struck.
Two Sleeping Talismans flew from my hand, slapping cleanly onto the Mudpaw Bear's flank and shoulder. It thrashed, staggered, then collapsed with a heavy thud, mud splashing outward as its breathing slowed into a deep, steady rhythm.
The Ironpaw Bear proved slightly more resistant. The first talisman dulled its movements, but it snarled and swiped wildly, metal claws scraping sparks against a puppet's frame. I didn't hesitate—another talisman flashed out, sealing the effect. Moments later, it too slumped to the ground, unconscious.
Silence returned to the forest.
I exhaled slowly.
"Clean," I said quietly.
Qingwu nodded, eyes bright with approval. Qingying smiled faintly, already alert for any unexpected movement nearby.
I stepped forward and took out two spirit beast storage rings. Channeling qi carefully, I guided each sleeping bear into its own ring. The light shimmered briefly, then faded as the beasts were safely stored, unharmed and stable.
Just like that, it was done.
The Mudpaw Bear—secured.
The Ironpaw Bear—secured.
The first two spirit beasts I had come for were now ours.
I looked at Qingwu and Qingying, a satisfied smile forming. "That's a good start."
The hidden realm stretched endlessly ahead, deeper shadows concealing greater prey, rarer treasures, and more powerful beasts waiting to be found.
And this was only the beginning.
We made camp not far from where the bears had been captured, choosing a quiet hollow shielded by old trees and natural stone.
Night settled gently over the hidden realm, the forest humming with distant life. We rested, recovered, and, true to habit did not neglect cultivation.
Beneath the muted glow of spirit lamps, qi circulated in steady, practiced rhythms. My Thick Dao Tool inserted into them with familiarity, resonance deepening as cycles completed. By the time the night waned, each of the twins had received two fills of Milky Dao Seeds, their foundations further reinforced, their auras calmer, denser, and more aligned than before.
—
At dawn, we set out again.
The forest thinned as we advanced, trees giving way to open land. Soon, the terrain opened into a vast plain, rolling gently beneath a sky washed in pale light.
Tall grass, yellow and green swayed like waves, hiding movement and carrying the scent of beasts on the wind. Low hills dotted the distance, broken by sparse trees that offered little cover. It was a place made for speed, for hunting, and for ambush.
We moved carefully.
That was when we saw them.
Far ahead, a pack of wolves cut through the grass, their movement fluid and disciplined. I activated my Perception Eyes, letting my vision pierce the distance and sort through the overlapping auras. Among the ordinary wolves, two stood out clearly.
A Breeze Wolf, light-footed and agile, its aura faintly green and constantly shifting.
And a Frost Wolf, colder, heavier, its qi exhaling pale mist with every breath.
Perfect.
I slowed our pace and began forming a plan. Charging the pack head-on would scatter them completely, risking the loss of our targets. Instead, we followed from behind at a safe distance, matching their movement, waiting patiently as the terrain subtly shifted in our favor.
When the moment came, it came fast.
I gave the signal.
Puppets surged forward in a controlled burst, not attacking the whole pack but cutting angles, forcing confusion.
The wolves howled and scattered as expected, but Qingwu and Qingying moved with flawless timing. Through precise control, they drove a wedge between the pack, steering the Breeze Wolf and Frost Wolf away from the others, funneling them toward uneven ground where speed would fail them.
We pursued.
Up close, the details became clear.
The Breeze Wolf was slightly larger than a normal cub, its pale fur streaked with faint green highlights, movements light and almost playful despite the panic.
While, the Frost Wolf matched it in size but felt heavier, its white-gray fur dusted with lingering frost that cracked softly underfoot.
They ran hard, but not far.
Ahead, broken terrain hemmed them in. Qingwu and Qingying repositioned the puppets instantly, sealing off escape routes.
I didn't hesitate.
Sleeping talismans flashed through the air, landing cleanly. The Breeze Wolf stumbled first, collapsing into the grass. The Frost Wolf resisted a heartbeat longer before sagging, breath frosting the air as it slipped into slumber.
Silence returned to the plains.
I stepped forward and activated two spirit beast storage rings, carefully drawing each sleeping wolf inside. The rings pulsed once, then stilled.
Done.
The Breeze Wolf—secured.
The Frost Wolf—secured.
Only one remained now: the Ember Tiger.
With the day still young, we chose a defensible rise at the edge of the plains and set camp once more. The grass whispered around us, the hidden realm watching quietly as we rested, four spirit beasts claimed, plans sharpening, and the final hunt waiting just beyond the horizon.
As always, the night did not pass in idleness.
Beneath the muted glow of spirit light, cultivation resumed, quiet, practiced, intimate in rhythm rather than excess. My Thick Dao Tool inserted between Qingwu and Qingying in alternate movement, with gentle movement, qi circulating in smooth, disciplined cycles.
By dawn, two fills of Milky Dao Seeds are inside each of them, made their auras steadier, deeper, and more responsive than before.
—
At first light, we continued on.
The land changed as we traveled, life thinning with every step. By midday, we reached the base of a volcano. The soil turned dark and ashen, stones cracked and heat-scarred. Vegetation was scarce, yet here and there stood stubborn fire-aspected trees, their trunks blackened, leaves glowing a vivid red like embers that refused to die. The air itself felt heavier, tinged with warmth and latent fire qi.
I activated my Perception Eyes.
Ahead, near the volcano's lower slope, a brilliant red aura pulsed slowly, dense and steady, from inside a cave.
Is that the spirit beast I am looking for?
We climbed carefully, boots crunching softly over loose stone until we reached a narrow cave opening carved into the rock. Heat bled from within.
For safety, I released a light scout puppet, agile and nearly soundless. It slipped into the cave, relaying images moments later.
The Ember Tiger lay within, asleep.
Its body rose and fell with each breath, faint sparks drifting from its striped fur. Even at rest, it radiated pressure.
We withdrew and planned quickly. No reckless charge. No loud techniques. Puppets first, sleeping talismans prepared in advance, layers of restraint ready. Once everything was set, we moved.
Slowly.
Puppets entered ahead of us, spacing precise, footsteps measured. We were nearly in position when fate shifted.
The Ember Tiger's eyes snapped open.
A thunderous growl shook the cave, heat surging outward. It lunged, claws flashing. Two puppets shattered under the impact, stone and metal torn apart by raw strength. Still, it was only a common-tier beast, powerful, but not beyond control.
I signaled.
Qingwu and Qingying responded instantly, directing the remaining puppets to harass and contain, drawing its focus. While the tiger roared and struck, I slipped behind it, movements tight and controlled.
The first Sleeping Talisman struck, burned away by the beast's aura.
The second hit, its movements slowed, paws scraping stone.
The third landed cleanly.
The Ember Tiger staggered, growl fading into a low rumble before its massive body finally collapsed, heat dissipating into the cavern air.
No hesitation.
I stepped forward and activated the spirit beast storage ring. Light flared once, and the Ember Tiger vanished into containment, sealed without harm.
Silence returned to the cave.
The Ember Tiger—secured.
Five spirit beasts—secured.
We stood there for a moment, breathing steady, the volcano's warmth rolling over us. The hunt was complete.
With all the targeted spirit beasts secured, we did not linger.
We turned back toward the exit of the hidden realm, the same place where we had first entered. Four days had already passed inside; returning would likely take another four.
With our objectives complete, we set a steady, unhurried pace, neither rushing nor dawdling, allowing ourselves to take in the strange beauty of the realm now that the pressure of the hunt was gone.
Along the way, we gathered generously. Rare herbs, mineral-rich stones, and unusual materials were collected whenever they caught my eye.
Near the volcanic region, I harvested several fire-aspected tree trunks and a large quantity of fire stones, already envisioning their use.
Combined with formations at home, they would be perfect for creating an endless hot spring, one where the water would remain at a constant, ideal temperature year-round.
As we crossed the great plains once more, a sudden sound cut through the wind.
Screams.
Without hesitation, Qingwu, Qingying, and I rushed toward the noise. The tall grass thinned into a sparse forest, and there we found them, three young women, likely in their mid-twenties, backs pressed close together.
A pack of wolves circled them, eyes gleaming, teeth bared. From the markings and movement, I recognized them immediately.
The same pack we had encountered days ago.
I didn't waste words.
With a thought, puppets surged forward, intercepting the wolves and breaking their formation. The sudden pressure gave the three women an opening. They exchanged a quick glance with us, nodded once, and joined the fight without hesitation.
Their coordination was sharp.
Steel flashed, qi surged, and the battle turned swiftly.
Qingwu and Qingying directed the puppets with precision, cutting off flanks and forcing the wolves into disadvantageous positions.
The three young women fought back-to-back, striking cleanly, conserving movement. One by one, the wolves fell. When the pack realized the tide had turned, the remaining beasts let out sharp howls and fled into the grass.
Silence returned.
I immediately repositioned several puppets around us, forming a loose defensive perimeter in case of a second wave. Only then did I turn my attention fully to the three young women.
They stood catching their breath, clothes torn in places, weapons still in hand, but their eyes were clear, alert, and far from weak.
Interesting.
I began to assess them more carefully, my Perception Eyes tracing the flow of their qi, noting where it faltered and where it remained steady. Their auras were strained but not broken, minor injuries, exhaustion, and depletion rather than fatal wounds. As I examined them, the three women relaxed slightly, realizing we were not enemies.
They introduced themselves one after another.
Yinqing, calm and composed despite the blood on her sleeve.
Yinxuan, sharper-eyed, clearly the most alert of the three.
And Yinyin, the youngest in demeanor, still breathing a little fast from the fight.
They were disciples of the Pure Fragrance Sect, a branch under the larger Pure Lotus Sect. Pure Fragrance Sect headquarters was located in Xuanlian City.
They had entered the hidden realm seeking opportunity and tempering, staying inside for nearly two weeks. By their own words, they had already finished their objectives and were on their way back to the exit when the wolf pack ambushed them.
As we spoke, I took out healing pills and qi-replenishing medicine, handing them over without hesitation. They accepted gratefully, sitting down to treat their wounds and restore their strength. The effects were immediate, color slowly returned to their faces, their breathing steadied, and their qi began to circulate more smoothly.
Throughout it all, Qingwu and Qingying remained on guard, eyes scanning the surroundings, puppets positioned subtly among the trees. They said nothing, but their presence alone ensured no further danger would interrupt the recovery.
Once the treatment was complete and the three women could stand without strain, we exchanged a brief look. Our destinations were the same, the exit of the hidden realm lay ahead.
After a short discussion, we agreed to travel together.
Strength in numbers, after all, was never a bad choice, especially in a place like this.