Upon sighting hundreds of people entrenched in the desert, Luo Feng didn’t need to ask to know that something had likely gone awry. Zi Hongyuan furrowed his brows and said, "Let’s go over." The members from Changxin Academy and Ivy School were stationed deep within. A glance revealed them, and the group rode over. The enormous Six-leg Demon Horses they rode were ferocious and intimidating. As they neared, they promptly drew the attention of those around them. "Wow, who are they? Riding such luxurious beasts—the Six-leg Demon Horses—how extravagant!" "Did you see the Purple Sun insignia on their backs? They must be from the Purple Sun School in the Flowing Cloud Region." "People from the Flowing Cloud Region are here too?" "What’s so strange about that? With the Secret Realm opening up, treasures might surface. It’s a once-in-a-millennium opportunity. Who wouldn’t be tempted? Members of several major families from Red Maple Lead are here too." "Unfortunately, we are independent Martial Artists without power or influence. There’s no way we can compete with them. We’re just here to get a look." They watched Luo Feng and his group depart with envious eyes, sighing in regret. Luo Feng paid no heed to the surrounding chatter as he made his way inward. Feng Linshan and Zhu Huo had already arrived. They knew the way and did not encounter any members of the Demon Sect en route, which allowed them to travel at a fast pace. Upon seeing Luo Feng and the others, Feng Linshan and Zhu Huo hastily greeted them. "Why did it take you so long to arrive?" "We had a slight hiccup along the way." Zi Hongyuan recounted the attack from the Blood Saber Demon General. "You were attacked by the Blood Saber Demon General!" Feng Linshan, despite his vast experience, couldn’t help but draw in a sharp breath upon hearing what had transpired. From the side, Zhu Huo, the principal of Ivy School, glanced at Luo Feng, a cold light flickering deep in his eyes. How did this kid manage to avoid being killed by the Blood Saber Demon General! he grumbled internally. Zi Hongyuan dismissed it with a wave of his hand. "It’s all in the past. The Blood Saber Demon General didn’t gain any advantage." Surveying his surroundings, Zi Hongyuan asked, "What’s going on here? Why are there so many wandering Martial Artists present?" Feng Linshan sighed. "It’s a long story. There has been a change regarding entry into the Secret Realm. The number of people entering is set to increase." Listening to their conversation, Luo Feng understood the situation’s origins and development. News of the Secret Realm’s emergence had apparently spread even faster than they had anticipated. In just a day or two, it had reached the major cities near Iron Stone City. No one could resist the allure of the treasures within the Secret Realm. The influential factions and Martial Artists from these cities had rushed over upon receiving the news, resulting in the large crowd. "So what do we do now? These people aren’t likely to let us monopolize the Secret Realm," Zi Hongyuan said, his eyebrows knitted. Feng Linshan nodded. "We’ve already discussed and decided to allow members of several influential families into the Secret Realm." Luo Feng was not surprised. No matter how powerful Ivy School and Changxin Academy were, they couldn’t contend with all the factions in Red Maple Lead. Admitting the outstanding disciples of powerful families was a solution that benefited everyone. With no other useful information forthcoming, Luo Feng’s gaze swept across the crowd, evaluating the individuals selected to enter the Secret Realm. Among the ten disciples from Ivy School, Luo Feng recognized only a few, including Young Master Li Hanshan. Qin Honglie was not among them. However, one person, in particular, caught Luo Feng’s attention. This man stood far from Li Hanshan, his aura slightly weaker but still stronger than Qin Honglie’s. He had a sharp chin and small, sparkling eyes. "Zi Yuan, do you recognize this person?" Luo Feng inquired. This small-eyed disciple clearly possessed Young Master-level strength but hadn’t been seen at the summit. Zi Yuan glanced at him, pondered for a moment, then shook her head. "I don’t recognize him. Strange. He’s also a Young Master-level expert, yet he wasn’t at the summit." At that moment, the small-eyed Martial Artist’s gaze shifted to Luo Feng. The corner of his mouth curled into a cold smile, and his eyes flashed with a frightening, sharp glint. "Luo Feng, this person seems hostile towards you," Zi Yuan said softly, her dark brows furrowing slightly. Chapters fırst released on 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡⚫𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢⚫𝘯𝘦𝘵 Luo Feng nodded. He felt the hostility too, though he couldn’t recall when he might have offended the man. Unable to figure it out, Luo Feng decided not to dwell on it. Experts at Qin Honglie’s level no longer warranted his serious concern. Shifting his attention toward the ten disciples from Changxin Academy, Luo Feng’s pupils constricted slightly. His gaze fixed on a young man standing next to the Jadeite Young Master, Xin Wuyue. This individual was about fifteen or sixteen years old, with a fair, beardless face. His eyes sparkled like stars in the night sky. His tall, upright figure was accentuated by the light green robe he wore, and he possessed an extraordinary temperament. What caught Luo Feng’s attention about the green-robed youth wasn’t his delicate features but the subtle aura he exuded. Though he appeared frail, every movement hinted at immense explosive power. His aura was even stronger than Li Hanshan’s! He was clearly at the peak of the eighth-level Hell Realm, yet he projected an illusion of being at the ninth-level Heavenly Court Realm. Red Maple Lead’s First Young Master—Young Master Haitang! With just one look, Luo Feng confirmed the youth’s identity. At this point, Young Master Haitang also noticed Luo Feng’s gaze and turned to offer him a smile. Seeing the smile, Luo Feng was momentarily stunned, the word "beautiful" instantly springing to mind. Though "beautiful" might seem inappropriate for a young man, no other word could adequately describe that smile. It’s strange that I find a man’s smile beautiful, Luo Feng mused, shaking his head. His gaze didn’t linger, shifting to another group. There stood twenty to thirty young martial artists, representatives of Red Maple Lead’s various powerful factions, preparing to enter the Secret Realm. So many experts! Luo Feng was inwardly astonished. Among these twenty to thirty young martial artists, almost all were at the peak of the eighth-level Hell Realm. About sixty percent were quasi-Young Master-level experts, and around forty percent were at the Young Master level. Several appeared as formidable as Li Hanshan, clearly individuals on par with the Four Great Young Masters. This alone wasn’t enough to truly impress Luo Feng. What genuinely astonished him was the presence of three experts at the ninth-level Heavenly Court Realm! How did Red Maple Lead suddenly produce so many top-tier experts? Luo Feng was somewhat baffled. With these three ninth-level Heavenly Court Realm cultivators present, individuals like Li Hanshan and Qin Honglie wouldn’t even come close to the threshold of the Four Great Young Masters. Zi Yuan noticed them and frowned. "Luo Feng, these people aren’t from Changxin Academy or Ivy School. They must be experts from the Twelve Golden Palaces." "The Twelve Golden Palaces?" Luo Feng raised an eyebrow. Those who could enter the Twelve Golden Palaces were all exceptionally talented. No wonder there were so many experts. It seemed these major families were determined to acquire the treasures in the Secret Realm. Zi Yuan nodded, her expression slightly grave. "We must be careful entering the Secret Realm this time. Even if these people are only at the eighth-level Hell Realm cultivation, their actual strength is considerably greater than that of ordinary martial artists." "Why?" Bing Ruolan asked curiously. "The martial arts they practice and the cultivation resources they receive upon entering the Twelve Golden Palaces are extraordinary. Their strength can be imagined from these two aspects alone." Luo Feng nodded. Talent was crucial for a martial artist’s cultivation, but resources were equally indispensable. The rise of every powerful expert is supported by vast cultivation resources. I also need to enter the Twelve Golden Palaces as soon as possible, Luo Feng thought, then shook his head. The Twelve Golden Palaces examinations were held annually, and the next one was still half a year away. Rushing would be pointless. At that moment, Zi Yuan looked towards the crowd in the distance. "Did you see those three ninth-level Heavenly Court Realm experts? They were once among Red Maple Lead’s Four Great Young Masters. Now, they have advanced to the ninth-level Heavenly Court Realm, and their strength is even more unfathomable." "Who are they?" Hearing that these three were former Four Great Young Masters of Red Maple Lead, Luo Feng’s interest was piqued. Zi Yuan said, "The one in black is Zhou Jianyi. He was one of Red Maple Lead’s Four Great Young Masters two years ago and is now seventeen. He’s known as ’Broken Wind Sword.’ I’ve heard his swordsmanship is as swift as lightning, capable of even cleaving the wind! He’s also ruthless and a killing maniac. When he was at Ivy School, he wiped out over thirty bandit lairs, large and small, in the vicinity." Luo Feng followed Zi Yuan’s gaze to a strikingly dressed young man in black robes adorned with gold trim. This person was slender with a slightly pale complexion; at first glance, one might mistake him for a sickly scholar. Yet, Luo Feng could sense the potent killing intent that occasionally emanated from him. Though not yet at the stage of embodying baleful aura, he wasn’t far from it. This man probably has nearly a thousand lives on his hands! A formidable character. Luo Feng’s gaze hardened. As if sensing Luo Feng’s stare, Zhou Jianyi suddenly looked over, his eyes meeting Luo Feng’s. A cold smile touched his lips as he released an icy killing intent. Luo Feng remained unfazed. Zhou Jianyi, slightly surprised, licked his lips. "Interesting." Zi Yuan’s gaze shifted to the second ninth-level Heavenly Court Realm expert. "That man is Hengmu, a disciple of Yuangang Hall. He’s seventeen and was Red Maple Lead’s second top new talent last year. He practices Horizontal Practice martial arts. It’s rumored his body is impervious to blades and spears, capable of directly withstanding all attacks from an eighth-level Hell Realm martial artist. I wonder if that’s true." "Xue Ren, a disciple of Sky Sword Pavilion. This person excels at assassination. He once caused a sensation by assassinating a peak eighth-level Hell Realm martial artist while himself only at the mid-stage of the eighth-level Hell Realm." After Zi Yuan finished introducing the three ninth-level Heavenly Court Realm martial artists, she cautioned, "Luo Feng, if you encounter these three, avoid them at all costs! Especially Zhou Jianyi. He kills purely for thrill, without reason. He’s an absolute killing maniac." Luo Feng nodded. As long as they didn’t provoke him, he had no desire for unnecessary complications. While Luo Feng observed others, a piercing gaze from the distant crowd had been fixed on him all along. Damn brat! I can’t believe you’re so tenacious, actually managing to escape the Red Chain Mountain Range alive! In the crowd, a middle-aged martial artist glared at Luo Feng, his face contorted with savagery. This was Duanmu Xiong, the man who had chased Luo Feng into the Red Chain Mountain Range. He had searched the Red Flame Mountain Range for several days without finding any trace of Luo Feng, assuming him to have been devoured by a demon beast. Just as he was about to return to his family, he heard news of the Secret Realm in the Red Flame Desert and came to investigate. To his utter surprise, he found Luo Feng here. Hehe, for me to encounter you here, it must be fate! Brat, this time, you’re dead for sure! Duanmu Xiong, concealed within the crowd, watched Luo Feng with murder in his eyes.