Chapter 236 – Learning About the Secret Realm, the Bloody Gamble Duel

Yu Xian bowed slightly. “Disciple obeys.”

What must come, will eventually come.

This journey to the Xuantian Secret Realm was both a path to death and an opportunity for fame!

Yu Xian had already made, in his view, the most thorough preparations.

Since nothing was left unresolved, no regrets or omissions—

Then… fight!

Fu Ning’an nodded slightly, and with a wave of his hand, a wave of Qi wrapped around Yu Xian again. In the next instant, the two vanished from the great hall.

This was Yu Xian’s first time experiencing the technique of teleportation.

For a brief moment, everything went black. He couldn’t feel his body, nor sense anything—like he had plunged into boundless darkness.

But it lasted only for a fleeting instant before everything returned to normal.

He could feel again—and found himself standing with Fu Ning’an outside the Inner Sect’s Martial Hall!

Tens of thousands of zhang in distance, moved through in a mere instant—this was the power of a Nascent Soul cultivator.

His face slightly pale, Yu Xian was stunned beyond words.

Fu Ning’an said calmly, “Teleportation techniques are tied to the Dao of Space. Transmission arrays are based on this very principle. It’s normal for you to feel unwell on your first exposure. Come.”

Yu Xian nodded, suppressing his discomfort, and followed Fu Ning’an into the Martial Hall.

Inside, the grand hall was vast. Built for disciple duels, the space was naturally expansive. Already present were fourteen Peak Foundation Establishment cultivators and six Golden Core experts.

They had been waiting. Upon seeing Fu Ning’an arrive, they all bowed in unison. “Greetings to the Fifth Supreme Elder!”

“No need for formalities,” Fu Ning’an waved his hand, walking to the main seat.

Yu Xian followed, quietly standing on the edge of the fifteen Foundation Establishment disciples, becoming the fifteenth.

Everyone knew Yu Xian had been training under Fu Ning’an, so they weren’t surprised. Still, their gazes toward him carried a heavy seriousness.

Twenty-two days ago, Yu Xian had blown up his courtyard, leaving a massive crater. The news had spread throughout Haotian Sect!

With only a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivation, he unleashed a strike comparable to a Golden Core attack! What terrifying talent and combat strength!

No one dared underestimate this mid-stage cultivator.

Some were already planning to get on his good side—inside the Xuantian Secret Realm, he might just save their life.

“We’re all here,” Fu Ning’an’s voice pulled everyone back from their thoughts.

Yu Xian looked up.

Fu Ning’an said calmly, “You all know the situation. There’s no need to repeat it. I hope each of you returns safe and sound, killing the heretics and returning in one piece.”

“Thank you, Fifth Supreme Elder!” the fifteen disciples bowed deeply.

“Let’s go.”

With that, Fu Ning’an stepped outside.

The six Golden Core cultivators released their magical treasures, which expanded in the wind, each carrying two to three disciples.

Yu Xian sat on a flag-shaped magical treasure controlled by Lu Wanzhen.

One Nascent Soul cultivator, six Golden Core protectors, escorting fifteen Foundation Establishment disciples to the secret realm—an impressive force.

After all, who knew how many would return alive?

Fu Ning’an stood atop a cloud, flying ahead, while the six Golden Core elders followed behind with their disciples.

Yu Xian sat in meditation, silently awaiting their arrival.

He had no understanding of the Xuantian Secret Realm. During these days, he had been too busy enhancing his physique, spiritual power, and merging his Wood and Lightning Qi. He hadn’t had time to investigate.

But that could be remedied—just ask.

“Elder Lu,” Yu Xian asked respectfully, “what exactly is the Xuantian Secret Realm like? Are there things I should be cautious of?”

“Oh?” Lu Wanzhen turned slightly. “You don’t know? Ah, I see. You’ve been engrossed in cultivation.”

Yu Xian smiled. “Indeed, Elder. I haven’t studied it yet. Now that we’re about to arrive, I thought I should ask so I’m better prepared.”

Lu Wanzhen sighed. “The Xuantian Secret Realm is one of ten realms left behind by our sect’s founding ancestor. Unfortunately, only four remain today. Even this one may not last much longer.”

He continued, “The environment inside is similar to the outside world in terms of spiritual energy, but the flow of time is different—it moves fifty times faster than the outside!”

Yu Xian’s eyes flashed.

“Thinking about cultivation speed, aren’t you?” Lu Wanzhen chuckled. “While time flows faster, prolonged cultivation inside leads to internal imbalance and even death. But short-term training—say, a few years—is fine. It’s great for rapid breakthroughs.”

Yu Xian mused silently. This was perfect for him.

Spending a few years inside while only days passed outside—an incredible time-saver.

He also noted that this elder’s evident aging meant either he wasn’t hiding his age or had lived far too long, with even his physique suffering under temporal strain.

In the cultivation world, they say: beware the old and the young.

The old have immense experience and cannot be underestimated. The young, if powerful, are likely prodigies. Both are dangerous.

This elder—clearly the former.

Soon, a gray-haired old man from the opposing sect arrived with his own disciples.

“Haha, Fellow Daoist Fu, you’ve arrived early!”

“You’re not far behind,” Fu Ning’an said calmly.

Their eyes met—hostile yet formal.

The gray-haired elder smiled coldly. “Let’s not waste words. The duel—how shall we proceed? I’ve brought my disciples’ life tokens.”

Fu Ning’an’s gaze hardened. “No need for theatrics. Each side sends one disciple at a time. When one dies, the next enters. Fight until one side is wiped out.”

“Wonderful!” The elder laughed. “I was going to suggest drawing lots, but this is cleaner. Still… what if one of your disciples kills all fifteen of mine? Won’t that hurt morale?”

Kill all fifteen?

Fu Ning’an’s eyes narrowed, glancing at the fifteen heretic disciples.

They were once rogue cultivators—scattered, wild, and ruthless. All had survived in the treacherous world without sect support. Cruel and dangerous.

His own disciples, though carefully selected, lacked the brutal survival experience of these rogues.

But they had the best cultivation methods, techniques, and treasures.

He remained firm. “Indeed, such an outcome is possible. But we won’t back down.”

“Hahaha!”

The old man clapped. “Then so be it! An Wenyan!”

“Yes, Master,” a cold voice responded.

A lean young man with an ordinary face but overwhelming killing intent stepped forward—clearly someone who had killed many.

“This first round is yours. Let’s see if you can keep the winning streak.”

“Yes. I will do my best.”

As the duel was about to begin, Lu Wanzhen resumed explaining.

“The realm is mostly used now for cultivating spiritual herbs. Because of the time dilation, they mature quickly. After early harvesting and replanting outside, they continue growing for over a decade—without much potency loss.”

Yu Xian nodded. “What dangers are inside? Are there forbidden areas? Will we fight one-on-one, or is it a group battle?”

Lu Wanzhen replied, “There are indeed dangers.”

Hazard 1: Central Forbidden Mountain

Core of the secret realm’s time and space array. The closer one gets, the faster time flows—up to one thousand times. Without caution, you could age to death instantly.

Hazard 2: Yin-Yang Lake

Site of a failed Golden Core ascension. The lake is imbued with spiritual resentment. Not a problem for Golden Cores, but Foundation cultivators can easily be possessed.

Hazard 3: Magnetic Peak

Array foundation containing magnetic force. Metal-type treasures are rendered useless here.

Hazard 4: Misty Pine Forest

Covers over 200 li. The mist confuses time and space. Even Golden Core cultivators can get lost.

Hazard 5: Immortality Spring

Located at the base of the Central Forbidden Mountain, the spring supposedly contains an ancient elixir. Its water can boost cultivation but is dangerously coveted.

Hazard 6: Wild Rock Ridge

Similar to Misty Pine Forest. Illusory in nature. Hard to enter or exit.

Hazard 7: Azure Flood Dragon

Ancient protector of the realm. Only appears when provoked. Hasn’t shown itself in many years—lethally dangerous but rarely seen.

“These are secondary,” Lu Wanzhen concluded. “The greatest threat is still the heretic cultivators. Either they die—or you do.”

Yu Xian absorbed every word and bowed his head. “Disciple will give his all to slay the heretics.”

“As for specific rules,” Lu Wanzhen added, “the First Supreme Elder and the opposing Nascent Soul cultivator will decide upon arrival.”

With nothing more to say, he folded his arms and stood quietly.

Yu Xian digested everything, closed his eyes, and calmed his breath.

The other disciples also quieted, waiting in stillness.

The Xuantian Secret Realm wasn’t far. In less than a day of flight, they arrived.

Ahead, atop a jagged mountain, was a distorted gateway—light seemed to be drawn into it.

That was the entrance to the Xuantian Secret Realm.

Usually, a peak Golden Core elder guarded it. But now, due to war with the Blood River Sect, many elders had perished, and the area stood empty.

Both factions had agreed to settle the matter with a fifteen-on-fifteen deathmatch.

Fu Ning’an arrived with his forces.

From the southwest, the opposing elder and his group arrived almost simultaneously.

Clouds drifted as both sides faced each other atop the mountain.

Yu Xian glanced at the opposing elder, unable to gauge his depth—but could sense the immense pressure looming ahead.