Six days later,
Elder Feng loudly said, "We're almost there!"
Following that, the flying vessel descended through the cloud layer, and everyone imdiately saw a massive lake beneath them.
"You can see the lake below, right?" Elder said.
Soone imdiately nodded repeatedly, "Yes, Elder, is there a story behind this?"
Elder replied indifferently, "This lake was ford when the Royal Family's Ancestor killed the Sea Dragon Nascent Monarch."
"How… how large was it!?" the disciple had his mouth slightly agape, looking incredulously at the landscape below. Even Lucian was surprised.
"It is said to be two thousand ters long and five hundred ters wide."
"Is this the power of the Royal Family?"
And then Elder Feng replied, "Indeed. Even though that Ancestor was severely injured back then, we do not know if he is still alive or not. So, if you encounter a mber of the Royal Family, ignore them. Our sect can not afford to offend them right now."
Upon hearing this, the disciples fell silent.
At that mont,
"We have arrived! Our destination is that small island hidden in mist!" Alisa softly announced.
Everyone soon saw a small island in the distance.
"That island serves as the entrance to the Secret Realm. We should quietly wait on any small mountain these next few days. The Realm may open within few days."
The flying boat gradually ca to a stop next to the island, hovering above the lake.
Looking down at the nurous people below, she said, "It seems that we are quite late!"
At this ti, a voice ca from below, "Daoist friends from the Azure Sword Sect, how about we keep each other company?"
"Ah, it's Elder Liyue, it's our pleasure!" Alisa responded.
Elder Feng controlled the boat to stop above the small mountain, soon everyone got off and Alisa put away the flying treasure.
"Vice-sect Master is actually leading the team herself!" A man in his fifties, dressed in green robes, asked with a chuckle.
She replied modestly, "The sect-leader is busy, so I have to co personally instead."
The Daoist man chuckled: "Vice-sect Master, you are too modest."
At this mont, she introduced, "This is Elder Liyue of the Jade Leaf Sect!"
"Greetings, Elder!"
Lucian and the others all bowed and said.
The twenty disciples behind Elder Liyue also gave their greetings to Alisa and Elder Feng, "Greetings, Vice-sect Master! Greetings Elder!"
At this mont, Elder Liyue suddenly asked respectfully through his Divine Sense, "Madam Vice-master, have you heard any rumors about the Crimson Sky Sect possibly being in contact with the Corpse Refining Sect?"
"What!" Alisa exclaid through her Divine Sense, her eyes widening slightly.
Elder Liyue nodded gravely, "The Emperor's condition is getting worse by the day, so there have been so rumors that he's trying to recover his vitality and break through again using the Corpse Refining Sect's demonic thod."
"Are you certain?" Alisa asked, her brow furrowed with concern.
"The Emperor's brother, King Yongxin, has always had a good relationship with our sect leader," Elder Liyue explained through Divine Sense, "He secretly inford us of his suspicions."
"But why are you telling this sensitive information?" Alisa asked warily.
Elder Liyue's expression beca solemn: "Both our sects have maintained friendly relations for generations. Our sect leader instructed to share this with you, as a gesture of trust and alliance."
Alisa nodded gravely. "This is indeed troubling news. If true, it could upset the balance of power. If the Royal Family takes the Demonic Path, I am afraid..."
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She gazed out at the misty lake, lost in thought.
Elder Liyue asked gravely, "These are uncertain tis. And I suspect both of our sect might get targeted this ti inside the Secret Realm."
"Wait! Do you an Golden Sun Sect...?!" Alisa exclaid through Divine Sense, her eyes widening further.
Elder Liyue nodded grimly, "I'm afraid they have also allied with the Crimson Sky Sect. Their ambitions grow bolder by the day. So I am afraid they will target both of our sects in the Secret Realm."
Alisa's expression turned solemn, "I understand. I'll inform my sect disciples to look after Jade Leaf Sect if possible. I hope fellow Daoist will do the sa for us."
Elder Liyue clasped his hands, "Of course. In these troubled tis, we must stand together."
After their private exchange, Elder Liyue suggested aloud, "Vice-sect Master, why don't we use this small mountain together? We can discuss Dao together while waiting for the realm to open."
Alisa nodded, "Very well, let's settle here together. And continue our discussion."
The group then began to set up their temporary camp on the small mountain.
Lucian also found a quiet spot beneath an ancient pine tree. He sat down to continue his ditation.
The scent of pine filled the air. A gentle breeze rustled through the branches.
Lucian closed his eyes and focused inward.
After six days, his Spiritual Energy had naturally liquefied by nearly 80%. It flowed like molten lava in his Dantian.
This was a gradual step. To break through from Qi Gathering to Foundation Establishnt, one had to first completely liquefy their Spiritual Energy.
Only then could they lay a solid foundation for future developnt.
...
Nearly a week passed like sand through an hourglass, each grain a mont slipping away.
At this point, the area surrounding the lake was packed with cultivators.
Four main righteous sects all occupied a place on the shores.
Azure Sword Sect and Jade Leaf Sect shared the small mountain.
Golden Sun Sect settled on the western shore.
Crimson Sky Sect set up their camp on the eastern bank.
Many small Cultivation families also sent their mbers.
These families were primarily Foundation Establishnt families with shallow roots.
They gathered in clusters around the lake's edge.
The majority of their mbers were middle-aged or older.
These families didn't want to risk their young talents as many had died in past Secret Realm openings.
So they sent those who had little hope left.
Guest cultivators with exhausted potential. Elders who couldn't break through to Foundation.
They ca seeking one last chance to find any fortunate opportunity, that might help them to break past their limits at last.
Or at least so precious treasures to bring ho.
Even if not, they had little left to lose.
Better to die seeking advancent than fade away.
As for the northern part of the lake, a dark and murderous presence filled the air.
The Demonic Path Cultivators occupied this area, their sinister auras chilling the air. The disciples exuded a bloodthirsty aura.
Although the three sects of Blood Refining Sect, Corpse Refining Sect, and Soul Devouring Sect normally competed fiercely, at this mont they chose to stay together.
As this was a naturally ford Secret Realm, not created by any sect or power, the Royal Family did not stop the Demonic cultivators from entering. They even tactically agreed to any bloodbath that might happen inside.
...
This was the first ti Lucian was seeing demonic path cultivators.
However, as his crimson eyes scanned them, sothing completely unexpected caught his attention.
He almost dropped his jaw when he saw two familiar figures among the demonic cultivators!
Lucian blinked hard, unable to believe his eyes. But when he looked again, he was certain.
It was his dear brother and the Duke Varian!
Their appearance had completely changed. Now they wore tattered blood red clothes adorned with bones. Their skin was deathly pale, almost gray. Dark circles surrounded their sunken eyes.
"What the hell?" He cursed out loud involuntarily.
On the other side, Julius and Duke also caught Lucian's figure among the righteous path cultivators.
Julius was stunned at first. His eyes widened in surprise.
But then he smiled sinisterly. His pale lips curled upward to reveal yellow teeth.
"It seems ti to pay back what happened back in the Empire has co," Julius said.
He couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. Fate was truly interesting.
Julius rembered the humiliation. Being forced to flee the Empire. Losing everything...
But now the situation was different. He had found a new path to power.
Whoosh~~!!
While Lucian's eyes turned cold, a whooshing sound ca from above, catching everyone's attention.
Everyone looked up at the sky. Gasps of awe echoed across the lake.
A majestic flying ship descended from the clouds.
It was significantly larger and more luxurious than what the Azure Sword Sect used.
Its deck was wide enough to accommodate a small army. Multiple levels rose from the main deck, creating nurous pavilions.
The massive ship slowly drifted downwards, casting a huge shadow over the entire lake.
"The Royal Family has arrived!" soone exclaid.
As the Royal Family's grand vessel descended, all eyes turned to the small island at the center of the lake. Suddenly, the mists parted, revealing a sight that had been hidden until now.
In the middle of the small island, a platform made of pure white jade glead in the sunlight. It was circular, about thirty ters in diater.
Surrounding the jade platform were four towering pillars, each as thick as an ancient tree and stretching at least fifty ters into the sky...
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