Chapter 68: Chapter 68: The Arrival of the Secret Realm that Sweeps Across the Entire State_1
The Peacock Sword Sect’s mountain gate was broken because of the impending arrival of a Gigantic Secret Realm, leading to the failure of the Soul Device—the Mountain Gate Formation.
As for why it arrived ahead of schedule, it was undoubtedly because the high officials at the Court could no longer bear the wait. Another half-month would have been sheer torture for them.
Therefore, a certain treasure had been transported over to expedite its reception.
The good news was its success; the Secret Realm had indeed arrived early. The bad news was that no one had anticipated it would be so swift. Everyone had still been locked in a fierce battle when, suddenly, the Secret Realm was about to crash down, catching them completely unprepared.
Luo Yu of the Xuan Yin sect reacted the fastest and immediately tried to seize Wang Linchi. However, Yan Ming King was not slow either and quickly caught up.
"Where are we going next?" Wang Linchi asked.
Yining Prefecture had long been reduced to ruins, and the other prefectural cities within Yingzhou were in no better state. Each city was fragmented and controlled by different factions, making any rash entry inadvisable.
"Let’s get out of the Secret Realm’s range first," Yan Ming King said in a muffled voice.
It wasn’t just Wang Linchi evacuating; his Ming King Palace and numerous female confidantes were also part of the retreat, forming an extremely large contingent.
"I’m afraid that might be difficult."
Wang Linchi looked up. A Gigantic Secret Realm appeared to be materializing. Judging by its sheer size, it looked as if it would envelop all of Yingzhou.
"I recall that after a Secret Realm descends, it only pulls people in during its initial unstable phase, correct?" Wang Linchi suddenly asked.
"Yes, what’s wrong?" Yan Ming King glanced up at the emerging Secret Realm in the sky, somewhat puzzled.
"Then why does this one look like it’s going to spread out right on top of our Yingzhou territory?" Wang Linchi said.
Wang Linchi didn’t know the origin of Secret Realms, but he knew one thing: once a Secret Realm stabilized in their world, it would form an entrance. These entrances took various forms—some were rings of light, some were manifested as flora or structures, and others could even conceal themselves.
It was just like the Gigantic Secret Realm, the Shadow Realm; its entrance was hidden. The Dajing Court had been unable to find it, which was why the Shadow Covenant had been able to continuously infiltrate the Court.
"This is the first descent of a Gigantic Secret Realm in our Yingzhou. We’re also just fumbling in the dark here," Yan Ming King said helplessly. In essence, he was admitting he didn’t know either.
"Something’s wrong. This Gigantic Secret Realm is abnormal," Xu Shou, who was nearby, also spoke up. He had reacted quickly after being lured away, spotted the sign Yan Ming King had left for him, and then rushed to rejoin their retreat.
"A normal Secret Realm’s descent wouldn’t cause such a massive disturbance. Based on original estimates, it should have, at most, settled over the Peacock Sword Sect’s mountain gate. Now it’s blanketing all of Yingzhou. This completely defies logic."
Xu Shou had witnessed such events during his travels to other prefectures in his younger years. However, those were small Secret Realms, not Gigantic ones. During that time, he had also researched the descents of Gigantic Secret Realms. While his information wasn’t complete, he was certain they never caused disturbances that could engulf an entire prefecture.
No one asked how Wang Linchi’s parents had detected this Secret Realm back then, or how they had made contact. If Wang Linchi knew, he wouldn’t be fleeing with them now.
Wang Linchi had his own speculations about this. He suspected that, back then, this Gigantic Secret Realm likely had no intention of descending upon their world and was instead adrift in the void. A group of youngsters must have used certain items to make contact with this Secret Realm and eventually crafted a key to serve as a conduit. Ultimately, due to infringing upon certain interests, some died and others were injured. It was only because Fang Cheng was a disciple of the Peacock Sword Sect, possessed some background, and perhaps hadn’t provoked too many powerful entities, that he managed to escape that fate. The truth of what happened was likely lost to time.
After all, those involved were all dead, and Wang Linchi couldn’t divine the past or future. Of course, even those Awakeners capable of divination might not have been able to uncover it; otherwise, the situation wouldn’t have deteriorated to this extent.
"Uncle Xu, do you have any good suggestions?" Yan Ming King asked hurriedly.
"Leave Yingzhou. If we get drawn in, it’s almost certain death," Xu Shou said gravely.
He had previously been conscripted for a battle within a Gigantic Secret Realm. Despite his strength, he suffered considerable injuries and only managed to complete his conscription task before retreating. It’s important to note that his Soul Resemblance, Soul Kind, and Soul Skills were all geared towards enhancing power and physique. Yet, he could only function as a common soldier within that Gigantic Secret Realm. This alone was enough to demonstrate the terrifying nature of such realms.
If an Elite Gold Level Awakener specializing in physique found it so arduous, it would be even more challenging for others. Prodigies might seem numerous, but when compared to the overall population, they were truly insignificant.
"I’m afraid it’s too late." Wang Linchi, through his Thought Field, sensed that something was already amiss in their surroundings. The sensation was like being the filling in a sandwich, with them as the jam, pressed between two layers.
"Leaving Yingzhou within ten minutes is impossible unless a Morning Star Level Awakener intervenes," Yan Ming King stated. They were currently in the heartland of Yingzhou; escaping so quickly would be incredibly difficult. Even the speed of an Elite Gold Level Awakener wouldn’t be sufficient. Besides, even if he could escape, Yan Ming King wouldn’t. He couldn’t abandon his Ming King Palace and his confidantes.
"In that case, there’s no other option. We can only hope for the best luck," Xu Shou replied. He naturally wouldn’t leave either; his daughter was still in the group.
"Gigantic Secret Realms aren’t perilous everywhere, especially newly descended ones. The native inhabitants usually don’t harbor much malice towards outsiders like us; they too are likely terrified by the environmental changes."
"If we aren’t separated, I suggest we try to complete the Secret Realm’s mission as quickly as possible and then exit."
"If that proves impossible, we can disguise ourselves as natives and survive until the time limit expires, which would also allow us to leave."
Xu Shou began to share some of his survival experience within Gigantic Secret Realms. "There are only three ways to exit a Secret Realm."
"First, complete the Secret Realm’s mission. Upon entering, both the Secret Realm and the world will concurrently issue tasks. Completing them not only allows one to leave but also grants corresponding rewards. The higher the mission completion rate, the more bountiful the rewards."
"Second is the time limit. One cannot remain in a Secret Realm indefinitely. Thus, once the allotted time expires, individuals are expelled. However, the higher the Secret Realm’s energy level, the longer one can stay."
"The third method, naturally, is to use a Soul Kind or Soul Resemblance. For example, the Epic Level Soul Kind, ’Secret Land Return,’ which Wang Linchi had seen before, could be used to forcibly exit a Secret Realm."
Wang Linchi silently calculated his next steps, especially since, according to Xu Shou, there was a possibility they could be separated.