Chapter 125: What on Earth is This Brat Trying to Do?!
The Emperor of Great Zhou suddenly turned his head to look at Zhao Jin standing beside him.
Facing the intense gaze of the Emperor, Zhao Jin instinctively shuddered, yet the expression of utmost respect on his face remained entirely unchanged, appropriately tinged with a sudden display of bewilderment and shock.
It was as if Zhao Jin himself was utterly surprised by the appearance of Cheng Guang.
The Emperor stared deeply at Zhao Jin, took a slight breath, and instead of flying into an immediate rage, turned his gaze toward Cheng Zhihai standing nearby, and said with a smile:
"So, it turns out Guang'er has returned."
Cheng Zhihai offered a respectful, slight bow without saying a word.
Under the watchful eyes of both the Emperor and Cheng Zhihai, Cheng Guang steered his flying boat rapidly closer.
Once the boat drew near the city walls of Great Zhou, Cheng Guang brought it to a slow halt. He leaped down from the vessel, wearing a smile as he bowed to the Emperor, "Greetings, Uncle."
Cheng Guang gazed at the calm and majestic visage of the Emperor. Although the Emperor appeared entirely composed on the surface, one could easily imagine that his inner thoughts were far from tranquil.
Cheng Guang did not linger on the Emperor for too long. After a brief appraisal, he turned and greeted Cheng Zhihai beside them.
Regarding Cheng Zhihai's previous conduct, Cheng Guang was genuinely astonished.
In Cheng Guang's view, given his own previous life-or-death disappearance, even if Cheng Zhihai harbored suspicions toward the Emperor, he would never dare to harbor untoward intentions against him, let alone entertain any notions of rebellion.
Yet, to have actively notified the Grand Protector of the Realm was already a remarkable feat—even though one could only wonder how much credit was due to Wu Yuemei.
One thing, however, was certain: Cheng Zhihai was not entirely blindly loyal.
Pondering this, Cheng Guang had already formed a plan in his mind. In the future, he might subtly guide Cheng Zhihai so that when the world descended into chaos, he would cast aside his enduring loyalty to the Great Zhou Emperor and strive to seize a share of the world's destiny for himself.
While Cheng Guang was lost in thought, the Emperor looked upon him, his majestic and stern countenance smoothly shifting to display a hint of paternal concern.
"Guang'er, where have you been these past few days? Why hasn't any news been sent back?"
"There have been numerous rumors swirling around the capital recently, claiming that you were assassinated..."
At this point, the Emperor's tone grew slightly stern as he addressed Cheng Guang, "Guang'er, just name whoever dared to assassinate you, and Uncle will make decisions for you."
As he spoke, the Emperor swept a glance toward Zhao Jin by his side, his expression turning even colder.
Zhao Jin trembled imperceptibly and lowered his head deeply.
He knew all too well that at a time like this, his days were likely numbered.
Just as he assumed that Cheng Guang, the Heir of the Grand Protector, would soon point the finger directly at him, he heard Cheng Guang laugh and say:
"Uncle jests. Who would ever dare to assassinate me?"
"I was merely being playful and stayed out a bit longer. I have no idea who spread such a rumor in the capital, to the point of even deceiving you, Uncle."
Hearing this, Zhao Jin could not help but raise his eyes slightly to look at Cheng Guang, astonishment flashing across his face.
Meanwhile, the Emperor's expression froze, the corners of his mouth twitching imperceptibly before he burst into a hearty laugh.
"Uncle isn't that foolish. Guang'er is blessed with great fortune; how could you be so easily assassinated?"
"What Guang'er said is entirely right. Throughout the entire Great Zhou, who would dare to lay a hand on you?"
With a smile, the Emperor patted Cheng Guang's shoulder, then cast his gaze toward Ning Qian雪 standing on the flying boat behind Cheng Guang. Narrowing his eyes slightly, he said:
"Guang'er, I certainly must attend your wedding this time. You mustn't refuse to welcome your Uncle."
Cheng Guang smiled, "Naturally, you are welcome."
The Emperor nodded with a smile, his hands clasped behind his back, and turned to Cheng Zhihai, saying, "Zhihai, Guang'er's wedding must be meticulously prepared. Tell me whatever needs to be done on my part, and I will grant it."
Hearing the Emperor's words, Cheng Zhihai bowed respectfully with cupped hands and accepted the command.
After exchanging a few more polite remarks with Cheng Zhihai, just as the Emperor was about to step down from the city wall, he suddenly sensed something. His footsteps paused slightly, and his gaze turned toward the southeastern direction of the capital.
In the southeastern skies above the capital, a mysterious and vast aura gradually manifested, expanding explosively within the span of a breath.
In the firmament, the clouds parted, and golden light pierced through the layer like sharp swords, pouring down onto the earth, only to be seemingly blocked by some transparent, invisible entity mid-air.
Under the shroud of golden radiance, the outline of a circular, cavern-like opening was revealed on that transparent barrier.
As the circular opening became increasingly clear under the brilliant illumination, a sound resembling a thunderous drumbeat suddenly echoed across the heavens and earth.
Boom!
As the sound faded, it was as if celestial music began to play, accompanied by miraculous visions: immortals seated upon lotus thrones, cranes riding the clouds, and divine light illuminating all directions like a blazing sun.
At this very moment, an immense aura surged forth from within that opening.
Sensing that aura, the Emperor felt as though his cultivation, which had stagnated for so long since his breakthrough to the Celestial Realm, stirred ever so slightly.
The Emperor's eyes widened in shock as he stared at the distant place where the golden light scattered, his expression shaken.
"What on earth is this aura? Just a mere wisp of it is enough to make my cultivation subtly increase?!"
Internal horror gripped the Emperor. Staring at the natural phenomenon in the distance, his eyes lowered as if connecting the dots to something, and he muttered to himself:
"Is this... a secret realm?"
The moment this thought crossed his mind, the matter regarding Cheng Guang was instantly cast to the back of the Emperor's mind.
Why had he chosen to move against Cheng Guang in the first place? Wasn't it because the influence of the Grand Protector's Manor was simply too overwhelming?
Wasn't it because the Grand Protector's formidable strength left him, a Celestial Realm master, with a profound sense of insecurity?
Wasn't it because he feared that if anything were to happen to him and the throne was eventually passed down to Wu Leng, she would fail to suppress the Grand Protector?
Yet, right before his eyes, the appearance of a secret realm offered a way to resolve all of the Emperor's worries through an alternative path—one where he didn't even need to eliminate Cheng Guang.
As long as he could further elevate his strength and surpass the Grand Protector, perhaps his lingering chronic internal injuries could be healed, and every difficulty currently plaguing him would be readily solved.
As for the aftermath of this incident?
Cheng Guang was unharmed.
Even if the Grand Protector's Manor had discerned some of his intentions, constrained by various factors, rebellion was unlikely.
Cheng Guang was playing the fool; Cheng Zhihai was playing the fool.
Thus, he could entirely pretend that nothing of the sort had ever happened.
After a moment of contemplation, the Emperor's gaze suddenly fell upon Zhao Jin. "Zhao Jin."
Hearing the Emperor's voice, Zhao Jin shuddered slightly, hurriedly stepping forward with lowered head, respectfully awaiting orders.
The Emperor stared coldly at Zhao Jin. Although he now felt that Zhao Jin's failure to kill Cheng Guang might actually be a blessing in disguise, otherwise, once this secret realm—capable of aiding Celestial cultivation with just a trace of its aura—appeared without the deterrent force of the Grand Protector, who knew how many petty villains it would attract to wreak havoc in Great Zhou.
Right now, the Grand Protector could help him fend off many troublesome figures.
At the same time, since Cheng Guang was unharmed, the Grand Protector would still heed his commands.
With the Grand Protector guarding the borders, the Emperor could journey to the secret realm alone to seek the secrets of cultivation advancement.
Thinking this, the Emperor's expression relaxed considerably, his mind utterly consumed by the sudden appearance of the secret realm.
"Zhao Jin, go and set up protective barriers around the perimeter of the secret realm."
The Emperor commanded Zhao Jin.
Zhao Jin excelled in the Dao of barriers and formations; formations laid down by him could to a great extent isolate the aura emanating from the secret realm.
If a secret realm whose mere leaked aura could boost Celestial cultivation were made public to the world, it was impossible to say how many Celestial experts it might attract.
Even some ancient, dusty old monsters might be stirred by this secret realm and claw their way right out of their coffins.
Although Zhao Jin had some problematic traits at the moment, he still possessed utility.
The Emperor would not punish him immediately.
Hearing the Emperor's instructions and realizing that the Emperor was not pressing the issue of why he was so certain the esteemed Heir of the Grand Protector had been killed yet was still alive today, Zhao Jin breathed a sigh of relief.
He immediately rose, transforming into a streak of rainbow light that sped toward the direction of the secret realm.
Simultaneously, Cheng Zhihai noticed the sudden burst of golden light in the distant sky, his expression shifting, his eyes narrowing in astonishment.
Within the borders of Great Zhou, secret realms appeared from time to time, but never with such a massive commotion as today.
Cheng Zhihai likewise sensed the aura leaking from the cavernous opening beneath the golden radiance, though he did not react as exaggeratedly as the Emperor.
Perhaps it was because Cheng Zhihai's cultivation had not yet reached the Celestial Realm.
He merely perceived that the aura emanating from the opening, while faint, possessed terrifyingly immense power.
Just as Cheng Zhihai intended to say something to the Emperor, he suddenly saw the Emperor take a single step forward, his figure flashing toward the distant secret realm.
The Emperor appeared extremely eager.
As the Emperor's figure materialized right at the mouth of the secret realm's entrance, several powerful auras swept across the surrounding heavens and earth from all directions, probing the territory of Great Zhou.
These auras predominantly originated from Celestial Realm masters, mostly powerful figures from various sects within Great Zhou.
Standing above the secret realm, the Emperor observed the entrance, showing no surprise whatsoever at the sweeping, probing auras around him.
Ignoring them entirely, he silently cast his gaze deep into the secret realm.
Within the majestic and solemn eyes of the Emperor, a faint divine golden light flickered. He seemed capable of piercing through the layers of spatial water-films at the realm's entrance to clearly discern the scenery within.
After observing for only a brief moment, the Emperor's eyes glazed over in shock, and he drew a sharp breath.
"There are actually living people inside...?"
The Emperor muttered in astonishment.
The entities within secret realms were unpredictable, and the dangers were unfathomable.
Though deeply intrigued by this secret realm, the Emperor had not rashly ventured inside; after all, once an accident occurred within a secret realm, no one could save him.
While yearning to further elevate his strength and heal all the chronic injuries within his body, the Emperor was not reckless.
He intended to first observe what the secret realm contained, gain a general understanding, and only then enter. By doing so, should he encounter any danger, even if he were outmatched, his Celestial Realm cultivation would at least allow him to retreat safely.
Yet, upon perceiving the scenery within the realm, the Emperor was profoundly shocked.
There were actually living beings inside.
Entities like secret realms had begun appearing countless ages ago, intermittently manifesting in the world in scattered locations.
Perhaps this particular secret realm had appeared somewhere in this world ten thousand or even a hundred thousand years ago.
However, with so much time elapsed, even a Celestial Realm being could not survive for ten thousand years.
Even a span of a thousand years was excruciatingly difficult to endure within a secret realm for a Celestial master.
Gazing at the scenery inside, the Emperor could scarcely imagine that living beings still existed within this realm.
Judging by their appearance, their numbers seemed quite substantial.
If so many people existed merely on the outer perimeter, what about the depths of the secret realm? Were there even more living beings?
The Emperor's lips parted slightly in shock, his dignified and stern countenance struggling to maintain composure.
At that moment, Zhao Jin, having completed the barriers by the Emperor's side, inverted a green porcelain bowl in the firmament, enclosing both the secret realm and the Emperor completely within it, isolating the inner and outer worlds.
"Your Majesty, the protective barriers have been set."
Zhao Jin reported respectfully to the Emperor.
Raising his eyes to the firmament, the Emperor nodded slightly before he could even utter a word.
Outside, by the cloud layers, a rumbling sound suddenly erupted, revealing the aged face of a newcomer amidst the clouds.
"Wu Shang, you're going too far with this, aren't you? Do you really intend to monopolize such a secret realm all by yourself?"
The Emperor was no stranger to the voice of the newcomer.
It was Li Long虎, a Celestial master of Great Yan.
Li Long虎's reaction had certainly been swift.
Aside from being slightly surprised by Li Long虎's speed, the Emperor had not anticipated that the aura leaking from the secret realm could ripple outward across such a vast distance in such a brief instant.
Lifting his gaze to the firmament, the Emperor immediately sensed several more auras speeding over from afar.
For now, the true bodies of these Celestial masters had not arrived; they had merely manifested a portion of their willpower through divine abilities.
Quietly sensing the surrounding Celestial auras, before the Emperor could speak, several more voices rang out.
"Emperor of Great Zhou, stop trying to hide this secret realm. The moment it manifested, producing such monstrous phenomena and stirring the cultivation of us Celestial masters, a secret realm like this cannot be concealed."
"If you refuse to dismantle your barrier voluntarily, we can help you."
As the words fell, the majestic and stern visage of the Emperor remained utterly unchanged.
He had underestimated the reaction speed of the surrounding Celestial masters.
And he had underestimated the range affected by the secret realm's aura.
Originally, the Emperor had intended to monopolize the secret realm for himself, but under the current circumstances, sole possession seemed entirely impossible.
---
The Emperor of Great Zhou pondered inwardly, casting a glance at the hazy figures in the firmament before looking back at the numerous living beings dwelling within the secret realm. His eyes flickered slightly, a corner of his mouth curved upward, and a smile appeared on his majestic, stern face.
Perhaps, having other Celestial masters coveting this secret realm was not necessarily a bad thing.
The Emperor instructed Zhao Jin, "Dismiss the barrier."
Hearing this, Zhao Jin was stunned. He had only just finished setting up the barrier, yet His Majesty was telling him to take it down?
Wasn't that just wasting all his effort?
Perplexed internally, Zhao Jin dared not show the slightest bit of dissatisfaction on the surface. With a respectful nod to the Emperor, he retrieved the green porcelain bowl.
With the barrier lifted, the aura of the secret realm poured outward into the surroundings without any obstruction.
A somewhat eerie, ethereal fragrance spread outward like a tangible substance.
Sensing the aura diffusing from the secret realm, the Celestial masters watching from the firmament shuddered, their eyes widening before transforming into ecstatic joy.
For they could feel that merely sensing the aura emanating from the secret realm caused their cultivation bottlenecks to subtly loosen.
If they could obtain whatever entity lay within the secret realm, would their cultivation not advance even further?
All the Celestial masters whose cultivation had stagnated since reaching this realm grew intensely excited.
As time passed, the crowd surrounding the secret realm grew larger and larger.
Aside from the overt Celestial masters of the various dynasties, secluded and obscure Celestial figures who rarely showed themselves also quietly appeared, hiding in the shadows to observe everything.
Countless aristocratic families and sects, stirred by the aura of the secret realm, flocked toward the location.
The Imperial troops that the Emperor had previously stationed near the capital to deal with the Grand Protector's Manor conveniently served to maintain order at this moment.
Under the stern gazes of the Great Zhou imperial guards, aside from the Celestial masters who maintained their nonchalant composure, all the other aristocratic families and sect experts who had rushed to the scene dared not utter a sound, silently acting like turtles hiding in their shells.
To them, the secret realm was paramount at this moment.
Though fraught with extreme danger, the secret realm was simultaneously filled with boundless opportunity.
If a place possessed such irresistible attraction for Celestial Realm powerhouses, wasn't it a veritable blessed land for them?
For cultivators whose cultivation had been trapped for decades or even a century without the slightest advancement, this suddenly manifested secret realm was an unmissable existence.
Ever since the Emperor commanded Zhao Jin to dismantle the barrier, the aura of the secret realm billowed outward unchecked.
As time drifted by, the crowd swelled further.
Standing high in the firmament, looking down at the secret realm and the gathered throngs, the expressions of the various Celestial masters were far from pleasant.
Li Long虎, in particular, looked the most grim.
The sole purpose of his initial remark had merely been to prompt the Emperor to dismantle the barrier and open a crack—to give them, the Celestial masters, a chance to carve up the secret realm.
Yet he had never expected—
The Emperor had indeed dismantled the barrier, but he didn't just dismantle it; he left no backup precautions whatsoever, allowing the aura of the secret realm to diffuse boundlessly in all directions.
In just this short span of time, it had drawn so many powerhouses from across the world.
The longer it dragged on, the greater the number of attracted experts would grow.
The vast majority of these powerhouses had not reached the Celestial Realm, which was fine.
However—
It was surely only a matter of time before the overwhelming majority of Celestial masters across the entire realm were drawn by this aura and sped toward the secret realm.
Even with his own strength as a Celestial master, Li Long虎 could not guarantee that amidst a throng of other Celestials, he would successfully seize food from their mouths.
An entity that caused cultivation bottlenecks to loosen merely by sensing it, merely by taking a single breath of its fragrance, would undoubtedly drive every single Celestial mad!
Li Long虎's expression turned unsightly, his lips twitching as he wanted to say something, yet finding no words suitable to utter.
Apart from Li Long虎, whose complexion darkened as he watched the gathering crowds multiply, nearly all the other Celestial masters who had arrived alongside him bore gloomy expressions.
Each of them suspected that Wu Shang, the Emperor of Great Zhou, had done this entirely on purpose.
Far from the secret realm—
Standing atop the city walls of the Great Zhou capital, Cheng Guang had kept his gaze locked onto the secret realm ever since its initial manifestation, refusing to shift it even slightly.
Sensing the aura emanating from the secret realm, a frown etched across his brow.
For reasons unknown, aside from being immensely powerful and seductive, this aura faintly exuded a sense of eerie bizarreness.
His intuition told him that the aura radiating from this secret realm was akin to a sing-song girl dancing gracefully and alluringly, seemingly trying to entice something.
Yet upon closer contemplation, that sixth sense vanished instantly—leaving no trace or origin, as if it had never existed at all.
Though Cheng Guang's cultivation had not yet reached the Celestial Realm, he was still entirely capable of perceiving the terror and might contained within that aura.
The vast majority of powerhouses gathered around that secret realm, lacking Celestial cultivation, were drawn there precisely because of the terrifying power and allure of this aura.
When this secret realm first appeared, the commotion it created was immense, and the dangers within were extraordinary.
Just recalling the system's task notifications—thinking about how the vast majority of experts entering this secret realm would vanish without a trace—made Cheng Guang's scalp tingle.
In this brief amount of time, the airspace above the secret realm was already densely packed with people.
And even more individuals were rushing in upon hearing the news.
Not only were there aristocratic and sect forces from within the Great Zhou borders, but people from the other three great dynasties as well as lesser dynasties were arriving as well.
If such a massive multitude of experts entered the secret realm together and subsequently vanished without a trace, it was little wonder the world would descend into chaos in the future.
Taking a deep breath, Cheng Guang looked toward the Emperor standing near the entrance of the secret realm, and another thought suddenly struck him.
According to the system's task prompts, in the original timeline, the Emperor had not vanished; it could be foreseen that because the Emperor had been attacked by the Demon Emperor and suffered severe injuries, even though the secret realm had manifested and held immense attraction for Celestials, knowing his inability to compete, the Emperor had chosen not to enter.
At the time, he might have felt deeply disappointed.
Yet, he had unexpectedly escaped disaster by sheer luck.
Otherwise, Great Zhou might not have lasted until Wu Leng matured, and would have been trampled flat by Prince Nanming long ago.
As Cheng Guang was pondering, Cheng Zhihai looked toward the distant secret realm, patting his forehead with a visibly troubled expression.
"Guang'er, that secret realm is causing quite a commotion. The borders of the Great Zhou Dynasty probably won't be very peaceful over the next few days. Head home now and don't come back out."
"I'm going to go take a look."
With that, Cheng Zhihai looked toward Ning Qian雪 on the flying boat, offering an apologetic smile, "Qian雪, your wedding with Guang'er will likely have to be delayed a bit."
Ning Qian雪 shook her head with a smile, "It's fine, there's no rush for this moment."
Saying this, Ning Qian雪 cast her gaze into the distance, her bright eyes blinking. It was clear she held no small amount of interest in the suddenly appeared secret realm.
Meanwhile, Cheng Guang's train of thought was interrupted. He looked at Cheng Zhihai and said helplessly, "Dad, you're not planning to enter the secret realm, are you?"
"There are so many Celestial masters in there; you shouldn't go in."
Hearing Cheng Guang's words, Cheng Zhihai's weathered face flushed slightly, and he instinctively wanted to retort, but casting a glance at the Emperor near the secret realm, his eyes lowered.
His mood was far from good.
Although Cheng Guang had emerged unscathed this time, from the Emperor's conduct, Cheng Zhihai could tell that the Emperor intended to move against Cheng Guang.
Even if he didn't wish to completely eradicate the Grand Protector's Manor, at the very least, he did not want the Manor to retain an unbroken lineage, nor did he want it to stand tall and proud.
To the Emperor, perhaps a half-dead, utterly powerless, obediently compliant Grand Protector's Manor was the best kind of manor.
This incident should naturally have had some follow-up consequences.
However—
Before those consequences could transpire, the sudden appearance of the secret realm completely disrupted all progress.
Cheng Zhihai had no idea how he should face the Emperor right now. Facing the sovereign as a minister, he confronted the agonizing choice: *When the ruler commands a minister to die, the minister must die.*
For Cheng Zhihai, he could die.
But Cheng Guang must never come to harm.
Just as he was preparing to have a showdown and communicate thoroughly with the Emperor later on, an event like this had occurred instead.
Cheng Zhihai could not fathom what the Emperor was thinking at this moment.
If the Emperor could move against Cheng Guang this time, he might do so again next time.
Cheng Guang had survived this time.
What about the next?
Could he survive again?
Everything was filled with unknowns.
Cheng Zhihai slowly clenched his fists, then abruptly relaxed them.
Shaking his head, Cheng Zhihai said, "I won't go in. Guang'er, you go back first."
With those words, Cheng Zhihai took a single step forward, streaking toward the direction where the secret realm had appeared.
Simultaneously departing alongside him—
Were the numerous constables from the Hall of Lighting Lamps within the capital.
Watching Cheng Zhihai leave, Cheng Guang mused quietly, then steered the flying boat toward the Grand Protector's Manor.
This secret realm was not something Cheng Zhihai could handle, but he himself could go.
However, he could not bring Ning Qian雪 and Qing Luan along.
Even though Cheng Guang knew how to preserve himself within the secret realm, he had no idea what events might transpire inside.
Bringing more people meant incurring more encumbrances.
Guiding the flying boat to a halt above the Grand Protector's Manor, once everyone disembarked, Cheng Guang did not enter the estate. After instructing Qing Luan to arrange accommodations for Ning Qian雪,
He summoned Qin Beifeng and sped toward the location of the secret realm.
Others could be left behind, but Qin Beifeng—a powerhouse at the peak of the Ninth-Rank Martial Emperor Realm—could not be omitted.
Beneath the Celestial Realm, Qin Beifeng was virtually invincible.
Though insignificant amidst a gathering of Celestial masters, he could still play a tremendous role.
When Cheng Guang and Qin Beifeng arrived at the site of the secret realm, they discovered it was a vast plain.
Overgrown with wild grasses and shrubs, a few stray, timid wild dogs tucked their tails, cowering and trembling from the terrifying auras of the surrounding powerhouses.
The scorching sun hung high in the sky, unbroken by a single cloud, with not a breath of wind stirring.
The air carried a faint, dry heat—whether brought by the blazing sun or the sheer multitude of assembled experts, the atmosphere felt stifling.
The closer Cheng Guang approached the secret realm, the more clearly he could see that the miraculous phenomena surrounding the realm remained unscattered, the air shimmering like the surface of water as ripples spread outward in endless circles.
The Emperor of Great Zhou, Li Long虎, emperors of other dynasties, and various Celestial masters were all entrenched high in the sky.
Gazing into the secret realm with eyes glittering with divine light, they continuously scrutinized the interior, subtle hints of greed and yearning welling up within them.
Those emotions surfaced for barely a second before being ruthlessly suppressed.
Celestial masters were already supreme existences between heaven and earth.
Even if some Celestials possessed no ties to imperial courts or royal lineages, once their cultivation reached the Celestial Realm, worldly wealth became virtually indistinguishable from floating clouds.
There was very little within the mortal world capable of evoking even a trace of greedy longing in a Celestial master.
Yet this secret realm could.
A mere wisp of leaked aura and fragrance was enough to reduce Celestials to such a state.
One could only imagine just how precious the entities within truly were.
Observing the secret realm, not a single Celestial rushed to enter it first, nor did any of them deign to look at the multitude of non-Celestial experts present.
To them, every single powerhouse beneath the Celestial Realm was nothing more than a mob of rabble.
They posed zero threat whatsoever.
After observing for a moment, subtle whispers broke out among them:
"Although this secret realm lies within Great Zhou, it ought to be shared by the world."
"Emperor of Great Zhou, you don't have any objections to that, do you?"
The Emperor smiled silently, offering only a slight nod.
After a moment of silence, he continued:
"As for how the secret realm is to be allocated—shall we all enter together, or...?"
Before the Emperor's voice had even faded, Li Long虎 shook his head.
"Who knows what lies within this secret realm?"
"There are living people inside; whether those are people from the last time a secret realm opened who never came out, or figures from ancient times, remains entirely unknown."
The Empress of Great Wei arrived fashionably late. Dressed in a magnificent purple-brocade phoenix skirt, draped in a snow-white mink-fur cloak, she sat suspended in mid-air, gently resting her delicate chin in one slender hand, her shapely, snow-white calves crossed over one another.
It was an attire that was both dignified and utterly alluring.
Yet at this moment, not a single Celestial master was wasting time admiring the Empress's beauty.
Perhaps for Celestials, enhancing their cultivation and strength was their sole, supreme desire.
"Aren't you all just worried about the dangers inside?"
The Empress of Great Wei parted her red lips and spoke slowly, casting a glance filled with regal disdain toward the multitude of experts below, before continuing:
"Why not just let them go in first and test the waters?"
As the Empress spoke, the expression of the Great Zhou Emperor shifted instantly.
Among the masses below, the people of Great Zhou formed the vast majority.
Those from distant lands might have reacted when the secret realm first appeared, but they could never have rushed over this quickly.
Only the people of Great Zhou could respond with the utmost speed.
The implication of the Empress's words was unmistakably clear: she wanted to use the people below as cannon fodder.
Though the Emperor cared little for the lives of aristocratic and sect experts, his subjects were being arbitrarily exploited in this manner. Viewing himself as an enlightened ruler, the Emperor found this unacceptable.
Releasing the aura of the secret realm completely had been a move to attract more Celestials, muddying the waters so he could maneuver in the shadows—that was one reason.
Another vital purpose was to use those very Celestials as his own stepping stones.
Yet the Emperor had never expected that before he could even voice his plan, the Empress of Great Wei had already set her sights on the experts below, treating them as mere stepping stones.
The Emperor's majestic and stern countenance glared sidelong at the Empress.
Clearly, anyone capable of cultivating to the Celestial Realm was no fool.
Their mental fortitude far surpassed ordinary people.
No matter how intensely they coveted the treasures within the secret realm and yearned to enter early to contend for opportunities, faced with unknown risks, everyone temporarily reined in their eagerness.
When the Empress proposed her idea, Celestial masters from the other dynasties nodded slightly, deeming the method viable.
"Makes sense. Wu Shang, don't take it to heart. If they go in first this time, who knows, they might even secure some opportunities—don't assume it's all just danger."
Someone offered a casual word of consolation to the Emperor.
The Emperor's expression darkened, internal dissatisfaction churning within him, though he kept his mouth shut and remained silent. After a moment, he spoke up once more:
"Aren't you worried that the entities within the secret realm capable of boosting our cultivation might be seized by them instead?"
Hearing the Emperor's words, Li Long虎 merely chuckled and shook his head.
"Then they would only be keeping it safe for us temporarily."
The surrounding Celestial masters nodded slightly in agreement. It was evident they held zero regard for the experts gathered beneath them.
After deliberating for a few more moments, figures that had remained hidden within the firmament slowly materialized.
A fierce, oppressive aura swept outward like a violent storm, causing the complexions of everyone present to shift slightly.
Standing in the distance, Cheng Guang observed quietly, remaining a calm spectator.
Raising his eyes, he scanned the multitude of Celestial masters gathered above the secret realm.
There was the Emperor of Great Zhou, Li Long虎 of Great Yan, the Emperor of Great Yuan, the Empress of Great Wei, Celestial masters from various major sects, and roughly a few decaying old figures whose aging bones looked half-buried in the earth.
Standing high above, even while doing nothing at all, the sheer gathering of so many Celestial masters together formed a sufficiently shocking spectacle.
Against the backdrop of the miraculous heavenly phenomena and the falling golden light above the secret realm, these Celestial masters resembled true immortals, each transcending the mundane.
Both Cheng Zhihai and Qin Beifeng had already attained the peak of the Ninth-Rank Martial Emperor Realm, standing mere inches away from the Celestial Realm.
Yet compared to these Celestials, they still appeared as insignificant as ants.
*Beneath the Celestial Realm, all are mortals.*
This phrase was by no means an empty boast.
"Heir."
Sensing the aura emanating from the Celestial masters high above, Qin Beifeng took a step forward, shielding Cheng Guang behind him.
He blocked the vast majority of the pressure radiating from the Celestials on Cheng Guang's behalf.
Under such oppressive Celestial pressure, Qin Beifeng's complexion turned slightly pale, and he found the burden distinctly uncomfortable.
Thus, he instinctively assumed Cheng Guang could not withstand this Celestial might, stepping forward without hesitation.
Yet, after shielding Cheng Guang, he glanced back to check his expression.
Only to find Cheng Guang's face entirely serene—as calm as if the pressure bearing down upon them was not the might of numerous Celestials, but merely a passing drizzle.
Qin Beifeng clicked his tongue slightly in wonder.
He could not fathom how Cheng Guang managed to remain so unfazed at this moment.
Just as he was about to speak again, an aged voice sounded beside his ear.
The voice was neither loud nor soft; clearly echoing from the high heavens, it resonated right beside their ears as distinctly as a whisper, ensuring everyone heard it clearly.
"Everyone, we have discussed this secret realm. It ought to be shared by the world. Those wishing to enter the secret realm may now act freely."
Before the Celestial masters overhead made any move, not a single lesser expert dared to stir.
However, now that a Celestial master had spoken overhead, permitting them to enter the secret realm, everyone suddenly became even more hesitant.
Some experts who had previously been itching to move shrank their necks upon hearing the aged voice, not daring to utter a sound.
From their perspective, the secret realm was primarily a feast for the Celestials to devour the meat.
As for people like them, being able to slurp a bit of soup would make them utterly content.
Who had ever dared to dream of drinking the broth first?
Yet now—
Listening to the tone of that Celestial master, it was unmistakably an attempt to have them, the lesser folk, enter the secret realm ahead of time.
Why would they do such a thing?
If even these high and mighty Celestials were afraid, wouldn't people like them entering the secret realm be tantamount to seeking death?
For a time, the atmosphere grew several degrees quieter.
The Celestial master who had spoken earlier felt as though he had been humiliated.
Before he had even spoken, the crowd below had been eager to enter the secret realm.
Yet the moment he spoke, those same people fell dead silent—acting as if they were corpses.
Listening to the faint chuckles rippling around him, that Celestial master finally lost his composure. A terrifying, surging qi erupted from his body as he suppressed his voice and commanded:
"If you don't wish to enter the secret realm, then get lost, all of you!"
As his words fell, it was like a thunderclap striking the crown.
Unprepared, many experts felt their eardrums vibrate and experienced a stabbing pain deep within their minds.
Meanwhile, Qin Beifeng, having anticipated it, shielded Cheng Guang and successfully fended off the Celestial's roar, leaving Cheng Guang largely unaffected.
"Heir, let's withdraw. A secret realm that even Celestials dare not enter casually is bound to be extraordinary."
Qin Beifeng advised Cheng Guang.
Worry was etched deeply across his brows.
Hearing Qin Beifeng's words, Cheng Guang merely smiled faintly, his expression calm and devoid of nervous tension.
"Withdraw? Not necessary."
"Originally, I was wondering how I was going to enter this secret realm. Now that these Celestials are handing me such an opportunity, I can't let it go to waste."
"Uncle Qin, let's go."
With that, Cheng Guang took a step forward, emerging from the crowd in full view of everyone.
Step by step, he ascended into the sky, walking toward the entrance of the secret realm.
Seeing Cheng Guang step forward, the already quiet atmosphere grew even more deathly still.
Someone recognized Cheng Guang and drew in a sharp breath.
"That is..."
"The Heir of the Grand Protector?!"
"Why has he come out? Is he actually going to be the first to enter the secret realm?"
"Aren't he afraid of a secret realm that even Celestials don't dare to enter casually?"
Low murmurs of astonishment rippled through the crowd.
Gazing downward, the Emperor of Great Zhou immediately spotted Cheng Guang's figure, watching him step out from the crowd and ascend toward the secret realm entrance.
He froze noticeably.
Frowning deeply, he nevertheless uttered not a single word.
Beside the Emperor, the Empress of Great Wei stared at Cheng Guang, finding him faintly familiar. After a brief recollection, her red lips curved into a smile, and she began to appraise Cheng Guang with keen interest.
Compared to the reactions of those two, Cheng Zhihai's reaction was far more dramatic.
He had initially led the constables of the Hall of Lighting Lamps to the scene solely to maintain order; when too many experts gathered, things invariably became unstable.
If they fought among themselves, fine, but Cheng Zhihai would never permit them to harm the citizens of Great Zhou.
His original intention was to pack up and leave once these experts entered the secret realm.
Yet he had never anticipated—
The very first person preparing to step into the realm boundary—
Turned out to be someone exceedingly familiar to him.
Looking closer—
Good grief.
Wasn't that his own son, Cheng Guang?!
Was he really eating melons right at his own doorstep?!
"What is this brat trying to do?!"
"He just told me not to enter the secret realm, yet he's going in himself?!"
Cheng Zhihai's stern, rigid face instantly collapsed.
Just as he prepared to cry out and stop Cheng Guang, Qin Beifeng took a stride forward and soared into the sky.
Seeing Qin Beifeng stand up, Cheng Zhihai breathed a sigh of relief.
In his view, Qin Beifeng was undoubtedly going to stop Cheng Guang.
How could he possibly dabble in such a secret realm?
Even if one intended to enter a secret realm that terrified Celestials, one certainly shouldn't go in first!
Thinking this, Cheng Zhihai muttered to himself:
"At least Qin Beifeng has some sense..."
Before the thought had even finished forming, before the words had even faded,
Cheng Zhihai's mouth began to twitch violently, and his fingers clenched into tight fists.
For Qin Beifeng, after ascending into the sky, had shown not a shred of hesitation—following right behind Cheng Guang's footsteps, leaping straight into the secret realm.
"Qin Beifeng, what in the world are you plotting?!"
Roaring in fury, Cheng Zhihai leaped forward, closely tailing behind Qin Beifeng and Cheng Guang, plunging straight into the secret realm.
Following this sequence of events—
The atmosphere grew even more dead silent.
Even the Emperor of Great Zhou wore a slightly unnatural expression.
After a brief, heavy stillness.
The crowd, who had initially harbored thoughts of retreating, seemed suddenly spurred into action by Cheng Guang's stunt.
"Damn it, screw it! If someone of the Grand Protector Heir's status dares to take a gamble, what am I afraid of?!"
"Nothing ventured, nothing gained!"
"There are entities in this secret realm that even Celestials are salivating over! Even if I only get a tiny fraction, I'll be set for life!!"
"Charge in!!"
Following a chorus of frantic, desperate shouts, figures surged upward from the firmament like a swarm of dense flies, hurtling toward the entrance of the secret realm.