Chapter 11: The Secret Realm Unveiled, All Eyes on the Luminary

Northwestern Territory, at the foot of Mount Qi.

In recent days, the spatial fluctuations here have grown increasingly frequent, as if the secret realm could open at any moment.

More and more cultivators from various places have gathered.

Most of these cultivators are disciples from the major sects of the Northwest Domain, and many of them are the elite among their peers.

After all, exploring a secret realm is no trivial matter for these powers; naturally, they dispatch their finest disciples.

Though called exploration, it is essentially a fierce competition.

The top-tier sects need no introduction; they usually acquire abundant resources from the secret realms.

They often don’t even need to exert themselves, as many flatterers willingly present them with treasures.

Those sects of average strength must rely on themselves, and only with good fortune can they gain considerable rewards.

“Brother Liu! I never expected you’d be here!”

“Brother Fang! What a pleasant surprise!”

“The Qi Mountain secret realm opens once every three years. Last time, Brother Liu, you obtained many treasures. This time, you’ll surely return with a full bounty.”

“Not at all, Brother Fang, you flatter me. It was just luck, and as you know, most of what I got was offered to the Lingxiao Sect.”

“By the way, why haven’t I seen any Lingxiao Sect disciples this time? Haven’t they arrived yet?”

“Perhaps they don’t care to come. After all, as the top sect in the Northwest Territory, their resources are unimaginably vast.”

“Even the treasures in the Qi Mountain secret realm might not catch their eye.”

“That’s true. Even if they don’t send disciples, many people come bearing gifts to seek their protection.”

“The unfortunate ones are people like us — we work hard but receive little, and what we can claim ourselves is pitifully scarce.”

“Sigh… It’s only because we lack strong power.”

As they exchanged greetings, Chu Linger and Lin Yi arrived at the same spot.

Thanks to Chu Linger’s careful care, Lin Yi’s injuries had mostly healed.

Their appearance immediately drew the attention of many disciples from other sects nearby.

Especially when they saw Chu Linger, some female disciples’ eyes shone with intense envy, though more often it was jealousy.

After all, to become the wife of the Young Lord of Lingxiao Sect was the dream of countless women.

Some of the female disciples couldn’t help but whisper.

“Look, look! Chu Linger is here!”

“I wonder if she saved the world in a past life to be able to marry the Young Lord of Lingxiao Sect.”

“Why don’t I have such luck? In terms of looks, figure, and strength, I am not inferior to her in any way.”

“Too bad… it’s just because your name isn’t Chu Linger.”

Since Ye Fan’s broken engagement only happened a few days ago, these people were unaware of the details.

They still regarded Chu Linger as Ye Fan’s fiancée and treated her with great respect.

Besides the female disciples, many others stepped forward to greet her warmly.

“Oh! Isn’t this our fairy-like Chu Immortal?”

“Long time no see; you’re even more radiant than before!”

“Of course! Don’t you know who Chu Immortal is? She’s Ye Shao’s fiancée—naturally a beauty of the highest order!”

“Chu Immortal, it’s unexpected you personally came to the Qi Mountain secret realm this time!”

“No wonder we didn’t see any Lingxiao Sect disciples. It must be that Chu Immortal represents the Lingxiao Sect.”

Faced with their flattery, Chu Linger was momentarily stunned but quickly regained her composure.

She figured they still didn’t know she and Ye Fan had fallen out, which was a blessing in disguise for her.

Chu Linger glanced around and indeed saw no Lingxiao Sect disciples.

With this, she could freely rely on her former identity as the Young Lord of Lingxiao Sect’s wife.

With this status, she was certain to obtain abundant resources from this Qi Mountain secret realm expedition.

Bringing these resources back to the Linghan Sect would easily resolve their crisis and grant them a foothold.

Thinking of this, a faint smile curved her lips.

“Ye Fan, even without you, I will live well.”

“Just wait, one day I, Chu Linger, will make you kneel before me and repent!”

Several hours later, as dusk approached, the scene remained quiet.

Many grew disappointed and even considered returning to their inns to rest.

Just as the last rays of the setting sun slipped behind the western hills, a sudden fierce wind swept through the land!

Immediately, the entire Qi Mountain range began to tremble violently.

The sky rumbled with thunder, and countless thunder serpents as thick as bowls writhed wildly through the clouds.

Suddenly, a crimson beam of light descended from the heavens, piercing through the valley.

“An extraordinary omen from the heavens! The secret realm is about to open!”

Someone in the crowd cried out excitedly.

Then, everyone rushed toward the valley where the red light had descended.

They could clearly sense the most intense spatial fluctuations coming from that direction, almost certainly the location of the secret realm’s opening.

Without hesitation, Chu Linger and Lin Yi followed the crowd.

“Chu Immortal, please stay just behind us. The Qi Mountain secret realm is fraught with danger.”

“There are even some powerful spiritual beasts inside.”

“But rest assured, disciples of the Qingyun Sect will protect you.”

“Brother Fang, that’s not fair! Protecting Chu Immortal is not just Qingyun Sect’s affair.”

“The Divine Blade Sect is also willing to follow and protect the Immortal!”

“Once inside, Immortal, you just need to wander around and enjoy the secret realm.”

“As for the rare treasures, we will retrieve them and present them to you!”

Many disciples from various sects eagerly volunteered to help Chu Linger seek treasures.

This feeling of being the center of attention made Chu Linger feel somewhat elated.

With their help, she was confident this trip to the Qi Mountain secret realm would be a success!

Soon, everyone arrived at the valley.

At its center was a massive vortex, emitting faint traces of ancient aura—a hallmark of most secret realms.

Many secret realms are remnants of ancient times, buried and concealed by the flow of time.

Only during special periods, influenced by spatial fluctuations, do they briefly manifest, just like the Qi Mountain secret realm.

As the second young miss of the Linghan Sect, Chu Linger naturally knew about the Qi Mountain secret realm, though this was her first time visiting in person.

However, Lin Yi, the prodigy of Linghan Sect, had explored it during the last opening and was quite familiar with the place.

“Chu Immortal, for safety, let us scout ahead first.”

With that, disciples from Qingyun Sect entered one by one, followed closely by those from the Divine Blade Sect.

Chu Linger and Lin Yi exchanged a glance, confirming all was well, then stepped into the vortex together.