Chapter Thirty-Seven: The Great Dream Shattered

After entering the space of the stone tablet, Song Yue simply lay down on the ground, gasping for breath. The fierce battle just now, followed by his desperate escape, had nearly exhausted all his strength, even his reserves were almost spent. At this moment, he was too drained to speak; sweat soaked his hair, streaming down in droplets.

But it was good. He had succeeded.

As for what to do next, he would decide once he regained his composure. Weakly, he glanced at Qian Qianxue and Miao Qiang, both looking anxious, and said, “I'll explain later. Let me catch my breath first…”

Outside.

After sixty-three rounds of pursuit, the disciples of Kunlun Sect had lost their quarry. They gathered here, some tending to the man whose eye had been blinded. The pain was so intense that he dared not cry out, instead whimpering and gritting his teeth, which only made the atmosphere more oppressive.

The vice leader of Kunlun Sect had arrived, his expression dark and icy cold. Everyone was beside themselves with rage, the resentment choking their chests. Who could have imagined that a young martial artist, surrounded by so many of them, could charge through like a wild ox, killing three high-level cultivators and severely injuring another? In the end, he even frightened two Foundation Establishment cultivators into fleeing. The two Foundation Establishment cultivators and the wounded high-level cultivator, upon encountering the main force, looked like defeated dogs—utterly disgraced.

Yet, after the two Foundation Establishment cultivators recounted what had happened, those who were dissatisfied fell silent. If it were them, facing such a bizarre and terrifying martial artist, one possessing both immense destructive power and abilities of a cultivator, would they truly have the courage to confront him head-on? If their numbers were few, fear would surely take hold.

“Vice Leader, we found an ancient stone tablet over there!” a disciple reported loudly.

The vice leader frowned. “That tablet has always been there. It’s nothing new.”

“But… there are faint traces nearby, and the man seemed to have disappeared in that area…” the disciple hesitated.

“So you’re saying the murderer slipped into the stone tablet?” someone retorted unhappily.

Yet, as soon as the words were spoken, many present fell into thought, their expressions shifting.

The vice leader pondered for a moment, then said in a deep voice, “Report the situation to the leader. Some of you keep searching; the rest stay here with me.”

The group then moved to the tablet, finding indeed faint signs of recent activity.

“Did he really slip into the tablet?” someone questioned.

“Don’t be ridiculous! That tablet has always been here. No one can decipher its inscriptions. I’ve heard elders say it’s a boundary marker, used in ancient times to distinguish regions!” An elder from Kunlun Sect gave the group some history.

Soon, the disciples sent out to search returned, all reporting that they found no trace.

“Judging by the lingering murderous aura, the target vanished in this area,” said someone skilled in tracking.

“We’ll wait here! I refuse to believe he can disappear into thin air!” the vice leader growled.

—

Outside.

Meng Xudong quickly arranged for Grandmaster Miao Qiang’s family, warmly welcoming them into his own small estate. Song Yue and Qian Qianxue clearly could not return. Their party waited at the base until closing time, then left in disappointment.

Having settled the Miao family, Meng Xudong promptly took his leave—he had much to do. There was no need to worry about Qian Qianxue; when Deputy Dean Peng from the Academy of Cultivation failed to find her upon exit, he nearly lost his wits, almost rushing inside to search. Finally, after Meng Xudong explained, Peng sighed and left to contact the Qian family.

Meng Xudong’s first task was to meet the Master. He wanted to inform him in detail about the events in the Kunlun Secret Realm. Before this, he and Xiao Qi had exchanged contact information, comrades-in-arms in the secret realm, now friends.

Arriving at the Master’s house, Meng Xudong explained his purpose through the video doorbell, after which the lady of the house invited him in.

He met the Master for the first time up close, the famed scholar whose reputation filled the world. Somewhat nervous, he nonetheless politely explained what had happened in the secret realm.

What puzzled Meng Xudong was that the Master showed little expression, only raising his eyebrows slightly when hearing that Song Yue had entered the underground palace and was the last to emerge.

Too calm.

Leaving the Master’s home, Meng Xudong felt somewhat disappointed. Was this the famed scholar? Hearing that his disciple was in trouble, he showed no surprise at all… If he’d known, he might not have come.

He felt the Master’s reputation was somewhat unearned.

After Meng Xudong left, the lady entered the study and, seeing the Master deep in thought, asked, “Why are you still hesitating?”

The Master looked up at her. “Why are you so anxious?”

She glared at him. “Don’t tell me you’re not worried!”

“He can look after himself,” the Master replied.

She almost burst out laughing in exasperation. “You think an eighteen-year-old can protect himself against all those Foundation Establishment cultivators in the secret realm?”

The Master nodded. “He can.”

“Are you going or not? If you won’t go, I’ll divorce you!” she threatened.

The Master was speechless, staring at her.

She softened her tone. “I’m just worried. I’ll go with you!”

He shook his head. “You’d only make trouble. Stay home; I’ll go.”

“That’s more like it!” she breathed a sigh of relief, then added, “Your injuries have never fully healed, so be careful. Don’t fight if you can help it. Just bring the boy back safely.”

“Don’t worry. I’m a reasonable man,” the Master said.

He then drew a palm-sized stone tablet from the drawer.

If Song Yue were here, he’d be shocked—the Master’s tablet looked incredibly similar to his own Jade Void Heavenly Tablet.

The Master quietly activated his cultivation technique, and an energy portal appeared abruptly in the study.

He glanced at his wife. “Don’t follow.”

She nodded. “I’ll wait for you at home.”

The Master stepped through the portal, which vanished behind him.

—

Star Martial Pavilion.

A spacious, luxurious conference room, filled with people. Lin Huan, Jossis, Xiao Mo, and Shen Zhuo, the four aliens, were recounting the events in the Kunlun Secret Realm to Zhang Zixing’s father, Zhang Jian.

Zhang Jian’s expression was grave. The assassin he’d sent hadn’t returned, and his son… was also missing. Reason told him something had happened, though it was hard to accept. How could a young martial artist possibly defeat Zhang Zixing, who had nearly entered the second stage of martial mastery? Even if Song Yue was odd, how could the assassin have failed? Not to mention that Zhang Zixing had Ouping, a high-level cultivator skilled in mental attacks, beside him.

Could they really have chosen to stay in the secret realm for sixty years?

Zhang Jian dismissed the idea; he knew his son’s character well. Whoever else stayed, Zhang Zixing would never choose to remain.

“You say Song Yue… didn’t make it out either?” Zhang Jian asked Lin Huan.

“Yes, Mr. Zhang. After Zhang Zixing and Ouping went missing, Song Yue appeared briefly. If he didn’t return, it may be related to the deaths among the secret realm’s inhabitants…” Jossis explained, “There’s a force called Kunlun Sect in the secret realm. I heard several Foundation Establishment cultivators died, and it might be connected to Song Yue.”

Lin Huan glanced at Jossis, who added, “Of course, that’s just my personal guess.”

Anyone with sense could link this to Zhang Zixing. If Song Yue could kill Foundation Establishment cultivators, Zhang Zixing was no match.

Lin Huan was displeased with Jossis’s speculation; on the way back, she had told Jossis and Shen Zhuo—only speak of what we know, say nothing about what we don’t! She didn’t want to mislead Zhang Jian, nor offend someone who might become an unrivaled martial grandmaster.

Song Yue was trapped in the secret realm now, but what if he survived? Sixty years later, when he returned, if he learned of this, who could say what might happen? Lin Huan didn’t want trouble.

Yet Jossis had said it.

Zhang Jian’s expression darkened. If Song Yue was indeed involved in the deaths of Kunlun Sect’s Foundation Establishment cultivators, then Zhang Zixing, Ouping, and the assassin he’d sent were almost certainly gone.

He stood, politely nodded to the group. “Thank you for the information. I’ll see that you’re properly received…”

Lin Huan rose. “No need, Mr. Zhang. We must hurry to another secret realm in the West, so we won’t linger.”

The others also took their leave.

Zhang Jian didn’t press; afterward, he gathered his trusted aides and relayed the situation.

They were incredulous, yet helpless. If Song Yue had emerged intact, things could be handled—just capture him and interrogate him. Surely they could uncover the truth.

But the problem was… Song Yue hadn’t returned. He was trapped in the secret realm. Even if they wanted revenge, who could they target?

One of Zhang Jian’s confidants hesitated, “Should we… suppress the Song family’s business?”

Another said, “Are you confused? We have no evidence. Acting rashly would seriously damage the reputation of Star Martial Pavilion!”

The more seasoned members agreed: acting against the Song family without cause was unwise.

Zhang Jian remained silent, his hands clenched beneath the table. That was his own son—alive or dead unknown, the prime suspect also trapped. The frustration was just like that of Kunlun Sect’s people in the secret realm.

Finally, he calmed down, instructing his aides to discreetly seek connections and get more reliable information from the Academy of Cultivation.

If Song Yue truly was involved, he would spare no effort to destroy the entire Song family, making them pay for his son.

—

Inside the stone tablet space.

Song Yue gave Qian Qianxue and Miao Qiang a brief account of what had happened.

Finally, mentioning the Jade Void Heavenly Tablet, he asked Miao Qiang, “Have you ever heard of this, Teacher Miao?”

Miao Qiang smiled bitterly. “It’s rare in the secret realm, but I’ve heard of it. People say it’s a boundary marker from ancient times, used to divide regions. Who would’ve thought there’s space inside, and nine portals leading God-knows-where…”

Seeing that Miao Qiang knew nothing more, Song Yue was resigned. Did he really have to go in and see for himself? But what if he entered and couldn’t return?

He’d hoped to see the Master and ask him about it, but that seemed unlikely now.

Song Yue tried to resonate his internal energy with the tablet, hoping to sense the outside. After several attempts, he failed.

Going out was impossible; if he stepped out only to find himself surrounded, he feared not social embarrassment, but being shot.

At last, Song Yue gritted his teeth, stood up. “Whatever. We can’t stay here forever. You two wait here; I’ll take a look.”

Qian Qianxue immediately stood up. “I’ll go with you.”

Song Yue considered, then nodded. “Let’s go together.”

Miao Qiang, though not fully recovered, was much improved. “Let’s all go. If we can’t return, at least we’ll be together.”

Song Yue approached the door marked ‘One,’ resonated with it, and it indeed opened.

But as he resolved to enter, he found that although the door was open, he still couldn’t get in. A gentle force blocked him.

Song Yue: “…”

Miao Qiang and Qian Qianxue were also speechless.

Having steeled himself only to be barred entry—it was a waste of emotion! Was he really going to hide in the tablet space for who knows how long? They didn’t have enough provisions.

Unwilling to accept it, Song Yue tried the other portals. From one to eight, none would admit him.

Finally, he came to the ninth portal, almost without hope.

Clearly, entering these portals required something—most likely strength.

He couldn’t; nor could Grandmaster Miao Qiang.

As the ninth door opened, Song Yue stepped forward without thinking.

The next moment, he was stunned.

He’d succeeded!

Before him stretched a boundless and unfamiliar world, vast as the sky and earth. The spiritual energy here couldn’t merely be called dense—it was everywhere, as ubiquitous as air.

“What is this place?” Song Yue was shaken.

The Immortal Realm?

Had he arrived in the Immortal Realm?

Then he noticed Qian Qianxue and Miao Qiang hadn’t followed.

He panicked.

Calming himself, he guided the mysterious energy within, seeking the now-invisible portal.

Suddenly, an energy door appeared before him.

Song Yue breathed a sigh of relief and stepped through.

He returned.

The moment he appeared, Qian Qianxue, eyes red, froze. Then suddenly rushed forward, hugging Song Yue tightly, not caring that Miao Qiang was right there, choking out, “Song Yue, you scared me to death—I thought I’d never see you again!”

Song Yue hesitated, then gently patted her back. “It’s alright, I’m back.”

Qian Qianxue recovered, blushing as she withdrew, hastily explaining, “I was a bit frightened.”

At this, Song Yue didn’t tease her, but changed the subject, “Why couldn’t you get in?”

Miao Qiang smiled bitterly. “A force barred us. Maybe only certain people can enter.”

Qian Qianxue looked at him with curiosity. “What’s it like over there?”

“I only had a glimpse, saw you weren’t there, so I came back,” Song Yue said. “But the spiritual energy there is so dense, it’s everywhere—you don’t even need to gather it deliberately.”

Qian Qianxue’s face filled with longing. “What must that be like?”

Song Yue thought for a moment. “Come, let me hold your hand. Maybe I can bring you in!”

He took Qian Qianxue’s hand and led her toward the ninth portal.

Her face was hot, but she didn’t pull away—curiosity about that world won out. And holding hands wasn’t so strange between a man and a woman.

Song Yue tried, but both were disappointed.

He could enter; Qian Qianxue could not. Even holding her hand, he couldn’t bring her in.

Returning, Song Yue smiled bitterly. “Looks like I’ll have to go there to find food and cultivation materials for us. We’ll have to stay here for a while—Kunlun Sect won’t give up soon.”

Miao Qiang said, “At this point, there’s no other way…”

Just as Miao Qiang finished speaking, the stone tablet where Song Yue stood suddenly trembled, and a gentle voice rang out inside—

“Song Yue, can you hear me?”

Song Yue was stunned.

The Master?!!!

How could it be the Master?

And… was the Jade Void Heavenly Tablet this advanced? Could it be used as a telephone?

But… what should he do?

“I can.”

After a few seconds, Song Yue replied, visibly excited.

Qian Qianxue and Miao Qiang held their breath, not daring to make a sound.

Miao Qiang didn’t know who spoke, but seeing Song Yue’s excitement, he guessed the identity.

Lu Shengfu!

It was that legendary figure.

He’d heard rumors that Lu Shengfu had deep ties to the Kunlun Secret Realm, able to come and go freely without using the realm’s gate.

But he’d never met him.

Miao Qiang had kept to himself in the secret realm for years, his social circle small. Martial artists were rarely welcomed, and reaching Grandmaster was a great achievement—beyond that, even Miao Qiang knew nothing.

No wonder others looked down on them.

Qian Qianxue instantly recognized the Master’s voice. Though not his student, she’d watched every rare video of him circulating online, many times over.

She was deeply puzzled—how could the Master’s voice appear in the tablet space?

What was really going on?

“Good. Do nothing, don’t go out. Wait for me.”

The Master’s voice was as gentle and calm as ever.

But to Song Yue it was heavenly.

He didn’t know what was happening, but he understood that his grand plan to have a brood of children with Brother Qian in the secret realm… had been shattered.

———

Just one long chapter today. There’s an engagement tonight; please forgive me.