Chapter 260: The Wanderers

Because of Jiang Bizhou’s intervention, the monstrous beast above Linnan City was able to complete its blood feast. As crimson light dispersed, the people below—whose life essence had been drained—collapsed lifelessly to the ground.

At the same time, a surge of powerful spiritual energy burst forth from within Tiandang Mountain.

Jiang Bizhou smiled faintly.

“The secret realm is opening. I wonder which lucky soul will obtain the treasures inside this time. Elder Gu, don’t be so tense—this is a rare ancient tea I plucked from the Abyss of Ink. It might even benefit your cultivation.”

Terror flashed in Gu Ming’s eyes.

He felt like a puppet, forced to play along with Jiang Bizhou’s words. A chilling dread crept into his heart. He had heard tales of Jiang Bizhou’s unpredictable, eccentric temperament, but seeing it firsthand today only confirmed how dangerously mad this man truly was.

Back in Linnan City, after the blood orb fully formed, Peach Blossom Fairy didn’t hesitate. She tossed it directly into her mouth.

A dense red glow wrapped around her body.

At that very moment, red light flared within Tiandang Mountain.

The Tiandang Mountain Secret Realm had opened.

“It’s finally here.” Peach Blossom Fairy’s eyes sparkled with longing. With a wave of her hand, the head of Liu Shan, now reduced to a severed skull, reappeared beside her.

She shook her head.

Liu Shan’s mental strength had proven inadequate—he had been completely overtaken by the demon armor. Still, the boost to his strength made him a valuable pawn.

“Let’s go.” With those words, she waved her hand, enveloping Liu Shan, and in a flash, they both vanished from Linnan City.

Among those most demoralized at the moment were Wang Feng and his group.

At first, everyone had been uplifted by Elder Gu Ming’s appearance. But now, seeing him under someone else’s control, their confidence had crumbled.

Worse yet, the surroundings were crawling with heretics. Even if they entered the secret realm, could they truly come out alive?

Wang Feng sensed this doubt. But what could he say? He couldn’t just encourage everyone to walk into their deaths.

“The Tiandang Secret Realm has opened. Wang Feng, take your team in,” a stern voice suddenly rang out.

Wang Feng looked up sharply. His eyes lit up.

“Palace Lord Chu!”

Chu Yan nodded slightly. He didn’t even glance at the others, but instead walked straight into the sky, ascending step by step until he stood before Jiang Bizhou.

He gently placed his palm on Gu Ming.

In an instant, the restraints on Gu Ming vanished.

Chu Yan smiled as he looked at Jiang Bizhou.

“So you really made it back alive from the Abyss of Ink.”

“I knew someone from Heavenly Firmament Holy Land would show up. Palace Lord Chu, it’s been a while,” Jiang Bizhou replied with a nod. With a flick of his hand, the tea set on the table vanished and was replaced by a brand-new one.

“Would you care to join me in watching this fine little drama?” Jiang Bizhou asked warmly.

Chu Yan smoothed out his robes and calmly sat across from him.

“Well, since you’re so interested, I won’t ruin your mood.”

“Palace Lord Chu, you’re as gracious as ever!” Jiang Bizhou gave a thumbs-up.

As the two chatted casually in the sky, numerous beams of light shot toward Tiandang Mountain.

They said fortune favors the bold—with heretics running rampant and chaos spreading, many cultivators knew this might be their last chance to rise. Clenching their teeth, they charged into the secret realm.

In contrast to the outer chaos, the interior of the mountain seemed quiet and still.

“Senior Sister, wait inside the Purple Clear Palace. If I manage to enter, I’ll release you from within,” Chen Fei said as he glanced at Leng Yue.

Leng Yue thought for a moment and shook her head.

“No need. If you enter, use your demonic aura to blend in with the heretics. You might learn more that way. I’ll wait for the right moment to come out.”

Chen Fei nodded.

“Good idea.”

It was clear—the heretics held the advantage. Charging in recklessly would only lead to death.

But infiltrating them? That was Chen Fei’s specialty.

Heretic circles were far more brutal. Arguments could easily escalate into fights. Their mental states were unstable, and killing out of annoyance wasn’t uncommon. For Chen Fei, chaos was opportunity.

Just as he was preparing to store Leng Yue inside the Purple Clear Palace…

A terrifying pressure swept in from afar. Chen Fei tensed up.

Then—he saw a pair of eyes.

Lifeless, hollow eyes.

Meeting their gaze sent a chill down his spine. His skin crawled.

“Run!” Leng Yue’s voice snapped with urgency.

Chen Fei immediately pulled himself out of the trance and grabbed Leng Yue’s hand, shoving her into the Purple Clear Palace.

Without hesitation, he dashed into the red light of the secret realm!

The moment he disappeared, a rusted, jagged longblade slammed into the ground, splitting the earth.

“He dodged…” muttered the figure behind the blade. Its body was gnarled and tree-like, holding the weapon tightly, eyes fixed on where Chen Fei vanished.

After a moment, the figure shook its head and stumbled forward, its body soon engulfed by the red glow of the secret realm.

“Senior Sister, can you hear me?” Chen Fei called out using his connection through the Void Heaven Cauldron and Purple Clear Palace.

Leng Yue’s voice came through shortly after.

“I can. Have we entered the secret realm?”

“Yes,” Chen Fei replied as he looked around.

If not for the dizziness he’d experienced while entering, he might have thought he was still outside.

The terrain mirrored Tiandang Mountain almost exactly—just without the poisonous mists. He was lucky too—he had arrived in a valley, sheltered from view.

With a flick of his hand, Chen Fei activated the Evil Mark, instantly shifting his aura. In a flash, he took on the appearance of a roguish, wickedly handsome heretic.

“Senior Sister, what was that just now?” Chen Fei asked, unable to hold back his curiosity.

After a pause, Leng Yue’s voice returned:

“That was a Wanderer—and a powerful one. Unless absolutely necessary, do not engage him.”

Chen Fei’s heart trembled.

That one glance from the wanderer had left him trembling. He wasn’t just dangerous—he was lethal.

He made a mental note: If I see one again, run first—don’t hesitate.

Looking around and getting his bearings, Chen Fei moved forward.

The Tiandang Secret Realm was different from others. As Leng Yue had said, it was once an ancient battlefield. Scattered across it were ancient ruins, many of which still contained dangerous seals and restrictions.

But those same traps hid powerful treasures. It was the essence of the phrase: riches are found in danger.

His eyes locked onto a tower in the distance.

It was shrouded in mist, far enough that only a vague outline was visible. Something about it sent a chill down his spine.

He approached cautiously.

Soon, he reached a field of ruins—shattered buildings from a once-prosperous ancient city, now reduced to rubble by war.

Amid the desolation and eerie silence, a deep sense of sorrow and foreboding lingered in the air.