Everyone knew the situation was critical, so no one objected to the decision to ride immediately to the Red Flame Desert. Once the decision was made, the entire Changxin Academy bustled with activity as everyone prepared to set out. After Luo Feng and his party emerged from Changning Hall, Zi Hongyuan asked them, "Is there anything else you need to prepare?" Luo Feng shook his head. He kept all his important items in his storage ring; aside from a few sets of clothes, his room was empty. Nearby, Zi Yuan, Bing Ruolan, and He Qin also shook their heads. All three possessed spiritual storage artifacts. Zi Hongyuan nodded. "In that case, let’s leave immediately!" News about the Secret Realm had leaked. Setting off together would draw too much attention. Therefore, after some discussion, the representatives of Changxin Academy, Ivy School, and the four major academies of Flowing Cloud Region decided to split into three groups to travel to the Red Flame Desert. Luo Feng and the others, understanding the urgency, readily agreed. After bidding Feng Linshan farewell, the group quickly reached the entrance to the Changxin Academy valley. Standing at the valley entrance, Feng Linshan took out a stone whistle and blew into it with a full breath of Yuan Qi. The stone whistle emitted a faint sound, and the sound waves spread out in all directions like ripples on water. Moments later, a series of resounding neighs echoed as the Six-leg Demon Horses, stabled at the academy, galloped over and stopped before them. "What’s this?" Luo Feng asked, looking at the strange stone whistle in Feng Linshan’s hand. "It’s a Beast Whistle," Zi Yuan explained from the side. "It can turn Yuan Qi into sound. Six-leg Demon Horses can identify their master through sound." Luo Feng nodded. There were so many wondrous things in the True Martial Continent he had yet to encounter. Zi Hongyuan mounted a Six-leg Demon Horse, ready to announce their departure, when he suddenly noticed Luo Feng still standing aside. Only then did he remember that Luo Feng had crossed the Red Chain Mountain Range on foot and didn’t have a mount. Luo Feng scratched his head. "Dean," he said awkwardly, "perhaps I can use my Qinggong to follow behind you." Luo Feng believed that with his Teng Dragon’s Step, he wouldn’t fall behind the Six-leg Demon Horses. "No!" Zi Hongyuan refused firmly. Frowning, he said, "We’re going to the Red Flame Desert, a place fraught with danger. We must conserve our strength. Otherwise, if something unexpected happens and our Yuan Qi is depleted, the consequences will be unthinkable!" Hearing this, Luo Feng realized his oversight and nodded. "Luo Feng, ride with me," Bing Ruolan suddenly offered. Knowing this wasn’t the time for modesty, Luo Feng leaped up behind Bing Ruolan. Nearby, He Qin, the Heavenly Fragrant Woman, started to speak, "Luo—" But seeing the two sharing a horse, she closed her just-opened lips and shook her head with a wry smile. She had also wanted to offer to ride with Luo Feng, but she’d been a step too slow. The Six-leg Demon Horse, possessing Demon Beast blood, only allowed riders it acknowledged. Angered by the sudden additional person on its back, it snorted hot white air from its nostrils, its six hooves stomping violently as it tried to throw Luo Feng off. "Still going to throw a tantrum with me?" Luo Feng raised an eyebrow, his palm landing lightly on the horse’s back as he applied a bit of force. The Six-leg Demon Horse froze, its wolf-like claws sinking half a foot into the earth. Its six legs trembled violently, and with a whimper, it collapsed to its knees with a THUD. Its proud head lowered slowly to the ground, and it dared not struggle further. "That’s more like it." Luo Feng withdrew his hand. Bing Ruolan and the others were already accustomed to such displays from Luo Feng, but the other martial artists nearby were thoroughly shocked by the scene. A Six-leg Demon Horse possessed strength equivalent to a third-level Demon Beast; overpowering one with brute force alone was no easy feat. Zi Hongyuan nodded, tugged the reins, and said, "Let’s depart." The Six-leg Demon Horses neighed, kicking up their hooves, their speed instantly increasing. They transformed into dark phantoms, vanishing into the distance swift as wind and lightning. Bing Ruolan didn’t immediately set off. This was the first time she had ever shared a mount with a man. Their bodies were so close she could feel his warmth, causing her heart to pound uncontrollably. Her beautiful, refined face flushed as red as a sunset cloud. Bing Ruolan was grateful she was facing away from Luo Feng. She bit her lip and said softly, "Luo Feng, the Six-leg Demon Horse is very fast. When we pick up speed, the wind will be strong... you should hold onto me..." By the end, her voice was almost inaudible, but Luo Feng heard her clearly. Luo Feng nodded and gently wrapped his arms around Bing Ruolan’s slender waist. The moment his hands touched Bing Ruolan’s waist, Luo Feng’s mind couldn’t help but stir. Her waist was so slender, it felt as if his hands could completely encircle it. Even through her clothing, he could sense the exquisite softness beneath his palms. What am I thinking? Luo Feng mentally chided himself, shaking his head with a smile to dispel the distracting notions. "Sit tight. We’re off!" Bing Ruolan dared not say more. She tugged the reins, and their Six-leg Demon Horse immediately galloped forward, her slightly trembling voice carried away by the wind. The Six-leg Demon Horses were immensely powerful, rich in Demon Qi, and as swift as the wind. The group of six had set out from Changxin Academy at dawn. After traveling over ten thousand miles in a single day, they arrived at the edge of Red Maple Lead. Though possessing Demon Beast bloodlines, the Six-leg Demon Horses were ultimately creatures of flesh and blood and naturally grew tired. After a full day’s journey, Zi Hongyuan ordered a halt for rest. At the edge of a forest, Luo Feng and the others sat down to rest while their Six-leg Demon Horses ventured into the woods to hunt for food. Despite ’horse’ in their name, Six-leg Demon Horses were essentially Demon Beasts. They preferred to consume meat rich in Yuan Qi, especially that of lower-level Demon Beasts. After a short rest, seeing that Luo Feng and the others had awakened from their meditation, Zi Hongyuan said, "We’re about to leave Flowing Cloud Region. The road ahead will be perilous, so be extremely careful!" "Father, are you worried that Demon Sect members might appear?" Zi Yuan asked. Zi Hongyuan nodded. "The West Desert Demon Sect has become increasingly active lately, even interfering in the affairs of various academies. The Red Flame Desert is very close to the West Desert, so Demon Sect disciples are certain to be present. News of the Secret Realm has already spread; it’s possible the Demon Sect forces have learned of it. Though we’ve split into groups, we must remain vigilant." Hearing this, He Qin and the others frowned, all recalling the events of the New Talent Conference. Sensing the heavy atmosphere, Zhou Zhiyun smiled. "Don’t worry excessively. Even if Demon Sect disciples appear, we’ll be there to handle them. At this pace, we should reach the Red Flame Desert by tomorrow. For now, focus on the Secret Realm and try to secure a treasure or two." Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵※𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮※𝓷𝓮𝓽 "Dean Zhou, what exactly is a Secret Realm like?" Luo Feng asked. Zhou Zhiyun pondered for a moment before saying, "I can’t give you a definitive answer, as every Secret Realm is unique. Some might be self-contained minor worlds, while others could be merely the ruins of an ancient cultivator’s dwelling. Regardless, all Secret Realms are inherently perilous, often containing various traps, protective formations, and even illusions. In essence, anything can happen once you’re inside, so you must be exceptionally careful!" "Understood." Luo Feng and the other three nodded. Zhou Zhiyun continued, "Inside the Secret Realm, apart from the traps and mechanisms, you must also be wary of students from other academies. Luo Feng, this applies especially to you. Qin Honglie’s father, Qin Haoyan, is an elder of Ivy School. Since you injured Qin Honglie, you might become a target of resentment." Luo Feng understood Zhou Zhiyun’s warning. An innocent man can get into trouble simply for possessing a treasure. Killings were common in Secret Realms, especially targeting those who found valuable items. Such individuals had to be even more vigilant. Luo Feng touched his nose but didn’t comment on the matter concerning Qin Haoyan. After a brief rest, they prepared to set off. Zi Hongyuan took out the stone whistle and summoned the Six-leg Demon Horses. Shortly afterward, four Six-leg Demon Horses emerged. Each exuded a murderous aura, fresh blood dripping from their sharp-toothed maws. Traces of Evil Qi still clung to them, clear evidence of a recent slaughter. Zi Hongyuan frowned. "Hmm? Why is one missing?" Noticing only four Six-leg Demon Horses had appeared, he blew the whistle again. After waiting for a moment, the missing Six-leg Demon Horse still hadn’t appeared. "Could it have been killed by another Demon Beast?" Zhou Zhiyun asked, her eyebrows knitting together. "I’m afraid not," Zi Hongyuan replied. "We didn’t hear any sounds of fighting. Unless a fourth-level Demon Beast appeared, nothing could have silently killed a Six-leg Demon Horse." Zi Hongyuan’s expression turned grim. Six-leg Demon Horses could travel ten thousand miles a day, making them incredibly convenient. Due to their low reproduction rate, however, they were rare and extremely valuable. Losing one was a significant blow to the academy. Hearing this, a peculiar light flickered in Luo Feng’s eyes. He had encountered fifth-level Demon Beasts before; the more powerful the Demon Beast, the stronger its Demon Qi. If a fourth-level Demon Beast had indeed killed a Six-leg Demon Horse, it couldn’t have happened so silently; there would have been a considerable commotion. With this thought, Luo Feng immediately released his Soul Power to scan the surroundings. A moment later, Luo Feng looked up at Zi Hongyuan. "Dean, I fear the Six-leg Demon Horse wasn’t killed by a Demon Beast." "What do you mean?" Zi Hongyuan’s gaze grew grave. "People are approaching," Luo Feng said, his gaze fixed on the nearby forest. "And quite a number of them." Seeing Luo Feng wasn’t joking, Zhou Zhiyun’s delicate eyebrows arched slightly. "I’ll go take a look," she said in a cool voice. The moment she finished speaking, Zhou Zhiyun lightly tapped her toes on the ground. Her skirt billowed as her figure, light as a feather, soared into the air. A moment later, Zhou Zhiyun glided back down, her expression somewhat cold. "Luo Feng is correct. People are approaching—about thirty or forty of them. It’s highly probable there are Spiritual Rotation Realm masters among them!" Hearing this, Zi Yuan gasped, "Spiritual Rotation Realm masters?" Zi Hongyuan took a deep breath. "Could they be Demon Sect disciples?" Zhou Zhiyun nodded. "Some of them carry Blood Sabers; they should be Blood Saber Guards of the Blood Demon Sect." "Blood Saber Guards!" Zi Hongyuan’s eyes widened. "That means the one leading them is the Blood Saber Demon General, one of the Blood Demon Sect’s One Hundred and Eight Blood Demon Generals! They’ve actually tracked us here!" "It must be him!" Zhou Zhiyun said, her expression grave. "He’s a fifth-level Spiritual Rotation Realm master, and his Blood Saber Guards are at least at the seventh level of the Essence Storage Realm. Bringing so many people this time... they’re likely targeting Luo Feng and his group, intending to wipe us all out in one fell swoop!" Zi Hongyuan snorted coldly, a fierce battle intent igniting in his eyes. "Then we’ll see if they have the capability!" he declared. "I didn’t get my fill during the battle at the New Talent Conference; this is a perfect chance to continue! Luo Feng, you and the others prepare for battle as well. Our opponents have Spiritual Rotation Realm masters, so we might not be able to protect you later. You’ll have to rely on yourselves." Before Zi Hongyuan’s voice fully faded, sharp whistling sounds of tearing air suddenly erupted around them. Two figures shot out first, swift as lightning, blood-red energy swirling ceaselessly around them.