Deep within the heart of the Secret Realm.
At the center of the cave hovered a pulsating, green-colored orb—the Secret Realm Core.
Suddenly a tall boy with a saber on his back stepped forward—Qin Nan. His presence was aggressive, unyielding.
"Chen Xiao, you think just because you're from Mystic Mountain, you can do whatever you want? Don't forget this Secret Realm doesn't belong to your sect."Qin Nan said.
Chen Xiao's lip curled.
"So what if you're from the Qin Clan? Reaching the Eighth Layer of the Martial Master Realm has clearly gone to your head."Chen Xiao said.
Before the tension could snap, another voice cut through, more tempered but equally firm.
"Qin Nan, help me get the Secret Realm Core"Qin Lin said, stepping forward.
His demeanor was less volatile, more composed, but the grip on his sword hinted at readiness.
Qin Nan turned to Qin Lin, his younger brother, eyes flashing.
"Don't get in my way, Qin Lin, or I'll forget you are my little brother."Qin Nan said angrily.
"Do your sibling rivalry somewhere else. We don't have much time. The Secret Realm will close soon."Chen Xiao sneered, his patience wearing thin.
Mo Chen nodded slightly.
"If no one takes control of the core, we'll all be ejected shortly."Mo Chen said.
Qin Lin stepped closer to the green orb, stopping just within arm's reach.
"We only have time for one person to try subduing the core. If they fail, the core will reject all others, and we'll be forcibly removed from the Secret Realm."Qin Lin said.
His words settled heavily on everyone's shoulders. It wasn't just a matter of power now—it was a matter of timing, of trust, and of opportunity.
But the challenge was not simple. To attempt subjugating the core, one had to inject their consciousness into it. During this time, the Cultivator's physical body would be utterly defenseless. Any of the others could kill them before they even returned to themselves.
That was the dilemma. No one trusted each other enough.
Chen Xiao paced a short circle, hands twitching with restraint. Mo Chen didn't move, observing with a scholar's detachment, while Qin Nan and Qin Lin exchanged glares like drawn swords.
Seconds turned into minutes. Minutes turned into hour.
But no one moved.
Soon the core pulsed with one final burst of light—then exploded in a flash of green radiance.
All four Cultivators were blinded momentarily. When the light faded, the orb was gone.
And so was the realm.
From across the Secret Realm, every Cultivator felt the same force at the same time. A swirling gust of wind, a low hum through the air, then the space around them twisted violently.
One by one, the Cultivators of the Secret Realm felt their feet leave the ground, their vision blur, and their bodies be pulled by an invisible force.
In the next moment, all Cultivators were ejected from the Secret Realm.
---
Outside the Secret Realm.
As the golden light of the closing Secret Realm shimmered in the sky above the Dark Tree Forest, a rush of Cultivators spilled out onto the grassy terrain. Within seconds, dozens of figures materialized—some injured, some exhausted, some elated. Martial Grandmasters from the various powerful sects and clans were already prepared. Without hesitation, they moved quickly to secure their disciples and trusted allies, grabbing them and retreating from the area without delay. It was well known that the moment the Secret Realm closed, competition could erupt into bloodshed if any valuable treasures had been found.
Among the crowd, tension ran high. Some people stood still, glancing around with furrowed brows and anxious eyes, waiting for comrades, siblings, or protectors who did not emerge. Silent worry painted their expressions, and a heavy air of loss settled over the returning cultivators.
Moments later, two figures emerged near the edge of the dispersing group—Xiao Wei and Shi Man. Xiao Wei, his robe tattered and stained with blood, bore the marks of recent battle. Sword cuts stretched across his body, from his arms to his legs, a clear testament to the brutal fight he had endured. Shi Man stood beside him, healthy but clearly weary, his bow strapped to his back, eyes searching the field for someone specific.
Just as Xiao Wei prepared to slip away into the crowd, Shi Man grabbed his arm.
"Brother Wei, this way! I want to introduce you to my big brother."Shi Man said.
Before Xiao Wei could respond, he was already being pulled through the crowd, weaving past clusters of people until they arrived at a secluded spot where two men stood waiting. One of them was Shi Feng, a strong-featured young man, dressed in black robes. The man beside him, however, was an elder with graying hair, a thin beard, and a gaze like a sharp blade, he was Old Yang.
Shi Man bowed respectfully.
"Hello, Senior Yang. Big Brother, I'm back."Shi Man said.
Xiao Wei followed suit, bowing politely.
"Greetings, seniors."Xiao Wei said.
Shi Feng, Shi Man's older brother, raised a brow and looked at Xiao Wei with a complex expression. His eyes scanned the bloodied robes and fresh scars across Xiao Wei's body.
"I warned you, I told you that you might die in the Secret Realm. And look at you—you're half-dead."Shi Feng said, his tone sharp and full of judgment.
Xiao Wei didn't react outwardly, but his thoughts stirred like a storm beneath calm waters.
'If not for your ancestor, I would have lived peacefully'Xiao Wei thought.
But he said nothing. He simply stood silently, his face composed and respectful.
Senior Yang didn't comment on the exchange. His hands were behind his back, and he remained fixated on the horizon, clearly waiting for the rest of his disciples to emerge.
Shi Man tilted his head curiously.
"You know each other, big brother?"Shi Man asked.
Shi Feng gave a slight nod.
"I've seen him a few times. Just passing interactions. When I heard he was going into the Secret Realm, I gave him some advice not to overestimate himself"Shi Feng said.
Shi Man frowned and turned to his brother.
"Big Brother, if he hadn't gone into the Secret Realm, I wouldn't be standing here right now."Shi Man said.
Shi Feng narrowed his eyes.
"What do you mean?"Shi Feng asked.
Shi Man took a deep breath and began to explain.
"A few days ago, I was fighting a Tier 2 Level 8 monster. I barely managed to kill it and was recovering when five Martial Master Realm Cultivators ambushed me. They not only wanted the monster core and whatever herbs I had gathered but my life too . I was completely outmatched. I was sure I was going to die."Shi Man explained.
Shi Man voice grew tighter as he continued.
"Then Brother Xiao Wei showed up. He jumped in without hesitation to protect me. He fought them, even though all five were stronger than him. He got all those wounds in the battle while protecting me. If it weren't for him—and a mysterious archer who helped us from a distance—I wouldn't have survived."Shi Man added.
Shi Feng turned his full attention to Xiao Wei for the first time. For a moment, he said nothing, simply observing the calm and silent youth. His previous disdain was tempered with something akin to curiosity.
"You fought five Martial Masters? And lived?Shi Feng asked.
Xiao Wei didn't reply immediately.
"I didn't win alone. I had help. But I did what I could."Xiao Wei said.
Shi Feng exhaled slowly, clearly reconsidering his earlier attitude. He didn't apologize, but the change in his expression spoke volumes.
"Still, you were lucky. That sort of bravery can also get you killed."Shi Feng said, shifting his gaze away.
Shi Man smiled and clapped Xiao Wei on the shoulder.
"He was amazing, big brother. We should invite him to our clan in Fu City when this is all over."Shi Man said.
Shi Feng didn't argue but he still don't belive a Martial Apprentice Realm Cultivator can fight a Martial Master Realm Cultivator.
Hos brows furrowed, and he looked intently at his younger brother, searching for any sign of exaggeration or jest.
"Are you telling the truth, Shi Man? A Martial Apprentice Realm Cultivator fought five Martial Master Realm Cultivators?"Shi Feng asked.
Shi Man nodded firmly, his eyes full of sincerity.
"Why would I lie, big brother? I was there. I saw it all with my own eyes. Brother Xiao Wei rushed into the fray without hesitation. He risked everything to save me."Shi Man said.
Xiao Wei stood quietly beside them, hands folded behind his back, his face calm despite the stares he was drawing. His robes were still torn in several places, stained with blood from the sword wounds that marred his body. Though he showed no pain outwardly, it was clear he had suffered.
Shi Feng turned his gaze to Xiao Wei, his expression softening with newfound respect.
"Thank you, Little Brother Wei. I owe you for saving my little brother."Shi Feng said, his voice much gentler now.