Yun Sha gazed at Zhen Huan, concern flickering behind her confident smile. "Zhen Huan… that man's father was in the Void Refinement realm. Can you really handle someone like that?"
Zhen Huan sheathed his sword slowly, blood still dripping from its edge. "If I didn't believe I could, I wouldn't have done it."
He grinned, reckless and bright. "Let's find the others."
Yun Sha chuckled and nodded. "Alright, let's go."
The two advanced deeper into the first floor of the Secret Realm, making their way toward the central area. Mist clung low to the ground, and the scent of damp earth mingled with the wild spiritual energy of the realm.
Suddenly, a dense surge of qi erupted from their left.
Yun Sha flinched. "T-that spiritual pressure… Someone just broke through to the 9th layer of Soul Transformation!"
Zhen Huan's eyes narrowed. "Let's go. We may find out who it is."
Without hesitation, they rushed toward the source.
---
Meanwhile, outside the Secret Realm—Qing Chen's Room
Qing Chen lay in silence, staring at the ceiling as faint moonlight leaked through the window.
"Zhen Huan… you'll be safe, won't you?" she whispered, clutching the pillow close.
Her breath hitched.
"Hmph. Why do I even care?"
She turned away, but her golden eyes shimmered with suppressed worry. "But if something did happen to you…"
Suddenly, her spiritual senses flared.
A tremendous pressure blanketed the outer region of Thunder City.
"Void Refinement…" she muttered, sitting upright.
Her gaze turned cold. "Who's releasing their aura so recklessly? Is this intimidation?"
She stood and walked to the edge of the window, scanning the sky. Her hand hovered near her sword.
"If they dare try anything… I'll bury them myself."
But no threat came. The pressure faded.
Still alert, she returned to bed, her fingers tightening around the pillow.
Her final thoughts before sleep slipped from her lips like a prayer.
"Idiot… come back in one piece."
---
Back Inside the Secret Realm
Zhen Huan and Yun Sha reached the location where the spiritual eruption had originated—but the area was deserted.
Zhen Huan frowned. "The energy came from here. Where is everyone?"
Yun Sha looked around, confused. "I don't sense anything now… no presence, no qi trail, not even a scent. Could they have already left?"
Zhen Huan's gaze swept the trees. "No. They're still here. Just hidden."
"Hidden? But how?" Yun Sha's eyes narrowed. "I can't even feel a flicker of spiritual energy."
Zhen Huan murmured, "Disguise technique. Someone here is masking their presence."
He turned slowly, eyes sharp. Then—he heard it.
A faint cry.
"…Ah…"
Zhen Huan's expression changed. "Yun Sha! Someone's here! A girl… she cried out!"
A realization struck him.
Divine Eyes of the Immortal Tree.
Without hesitation, he activated the skill. The world around him shifted—layers of illusion peeled away, and every current of spiritual energy became clear as day.
"I see them…" he whispered.
Five cultivators, completely hidden with concealment arts. One of them held a girl in his arms, unconscious.
Zhen Huan's heart dropped.
Meng Ruo.
"Damn them," he growled.
The cultivators noticed the moment their illusion failed.
Four of them lunged at him with deadly speed, weapons glowing with Void Refinement might. The fifth, holding Meng Ruo, leapt into the trees to retreat.
"Zhen Huan!" Yun Sha cried, rushing to his side.
"They're all Void Refinement cultivators," she warned, drawing her blade.
Zhen Huan's eyes burned like twin suns. "Then let's send them to hell. Together."
He leapt forward, slashing with Inferno Slash – First Form. Flames erupted, lighting up the trees in a scarlet blaze.
The four cultivators blocked with spirit-infused weapons, forced back but not wounded.
Yun Sha arrived a breath later, slashing her saber in a shimmering arc of ice energy.
Together, they met the enemy head-on.
Steel rang against steel.
Wind roared.
Flames surged.
Each blow from Zhen Huan grew fiercer—his Immortal Wood Body enhancing his strength and speed. His sword carved through illusions, through techniques, through the arrogance of those who underestimated him.
But the Void Refinement realm was no joke.
He and Yun Sha fought in perfect sync, yet the battle dragged into a furious storm.
The fifth cultivator, carrying Meng Ruo, turned once more to flee.
Zhen Huan spotted him from the corner of his eye.
His voice thundered with fury, "You're not going anywhere!"
He planted his foot, sword blazing, and used Wind Steps, vanishing in a burst of air.
In the next instant, he appeared in front of the escaping cultivator.
Their eyes met.
And Zhen Huan's blade surged with both Inferno Slash and Rebound Slash.
"Die."