I was just making up techniques… how did all of you become Emperors? Chapter 577: There are living people in the secret realm
Previously on I was just making up techniques… how did all of you become Emperors?...
Chapter 577: Living Souls within the Secret Realm
Total silence enveloped Tianchan Mountain. The quiet was so absolute that the usual calls of crows and sparrows had vanished; one could have heard the sound of a needle hitting the ground.
The onlookers stood frozen like stone statues. Their gazes were fixed upon Shi Xuan, who hovered in the sky clutching a long sword, their eyes brimming with terror and respect.
"The Wendao Prodigy... that Po-Slaying Sword truly earns its fame!"
An elderly man among the spectators couldn't help but cry out in admiration.
His exclamation shattered the trance, dragging everyone back from their bewilderment to the present moment.
The Four Elders of Tianchan glanced toward the fallen Elder Hu before turning to Shi Xuan with hurried, respectful bows. "We humbly invite Fellow Daoist to enter the secret realm," they declared.
"Mm."
Shi Xuan gave a curt nod. With a casual wave of his large hand, he used a grasping motion to claim Elder Hu's corpse, stowing it inside his storage ring before descending toward the assembly.
"Master, was that Elder Hu not a bit too pathetic?"
Liang Yi rushed to speak the moment his master returned to his side.
Though he didn't shout, his voice carried easily through the deathly quiet environment, reaching the ears of many nearby.
The Four Elders of Tianchan looked particularly grim at that comment, yet none dared to defend Elder Hu's honor. Setting aside their inability to face the Po-Slaying Sword individually, they knew that even a joint attack would likely end in a pyrrhic victory, leaving them vulnerable to others who would gladly reap the rewards of their struggle.
Shi Xuan replied with a cold indifference, "Stop speaking such nonsense; let us head inside."
"Yes, Master."
Liang Yi's face lit up with excitement. "Master, do you require me to scout the path ahead?"
"You brat, you speak as if this secret realm is your own family's back garden. If you wish to stay alive, stay behind me."
Having finished his warning, Shi Xuan crossed the threshold of the light gate first, with the rest of the crowd following in his wake.
Once the dangerous man had vanished inside, the Four Elders of Tianchan shifted their focus to the remaining cultivators.
The old scholar addressed them: "Everyone, you witnessed the power of the Po-Slaying Sword. We shall no longer impede your entry, but you must weigh carefully whether you can survive a confrontation with that blade."
After exchanging a look with his three companions, he led the elders into the glowing portal.
The remaining cultivators were visibly torn, their faces reflecting deep inner conflict.
Eventually, a burly cultivator roared, "I refuse to believe my luck is so rotten that I'll run straight into that Po-Slaying Sword!"
With those words, he leaped into the air and plunged through the light gate.
His move triggered a chain reaction; a second person followed, then a third.
Within moments, dozens were scrambling to gain entry. Some cultivators even devolved into violence, brawling to seize a better position in line.
About a minute later, a booming voice resonated from within the portal.
"Eighty-one trial participants have entered; the Star Gate is now closing."
The cultivators still outside tried to rush the entrance, but the light gate vanished in the blink of an eye before they could reach it.
Inside the secret realm.
Upon crossing the threshold, Shi Xuan found himself in a cave of oppressive darkness. Before he could even extend his divine sense to survey the area, a raspy, ancient voice echoed in his ear.
"The trial of the Emperor Shadow Secret Realm officially commences. All participants may practice Cultivation within this realm for eighty-one days.
When the period ends, you may depart of your own volition or remain here until the next time the realm opens."
"Emperor Shadow Secret Realm?"
Old Ghost Fu whispered to himself, "Could it be that a Great Emperor's inheritance is hidden here?"
The surrounding cultivators grew visibly excited at the prospect, though they simultaneously made sure to keep a respectful distance from Shi Xuan and his pupil.
Shi Xuan noticed this subtle shift in their behavior but remained unbothered. "A Great Emperor's inheritance is destined for those with the right fate; seek it out as you wish," he said calmly.
The crowd stared at him with looks of pure bewilderment. They desperately wanted to ask: Are you truly not tempted by such a prize?
Ignoring them, Shi Xuan began to walk along the twisting, narrow path ahead.
Liang Yi followed at his heels. Seeing this, the rest of the group found themselves subconsciously trailing behind the master and disciple pair.
After traveling several hundred paces, the sound of clashing steel drifted toward them from the darkness ahead.
The pair stopped instantly. The three factions following them also came to a halt, their expressions filled with confusion.
Were there already people living inside this secret realm?
"Master, I see firelight up ahead," Liang Yi whispered.
"Let us investigate."
With his precious sword in one hand and his sword jade in the other, Shi Xuan felt no fear, regardless of the foe.
As the group approached the light, they found a massive stone chamber.
Inside, the room was filled with soul cultivators, demon cultivators, corpse cultivators, and human cultivators alike.
Some sat in deep meditation, while others were engaged in light sparring with those nearby.
The scene was surprisingly peaceful, appearing more like a gathering for discussing the Dao than a battlefield.
Shou Laogui suddenly gasped, "Big Brother, look! That is Master!"
At this, even Shi Xuan was curious enough to use his divine sense to scan the area Shou Laogui indicated. He saw an old man with a withered face and snow-white hair and beard sitting in a meditative trance.
Fu Laogui confirmed, "That is indeed Master, but why is he here? We haven't seen him in a thousand years; I did not expect his strength to have grown so much more."
Shou Laogui added, "Big Brother, regardless of his reasons for being here, if we ask him, won't we learn the truth of this secret realm?"
"That makes sense."
Fu Laogui turned to Shi Xuan with a groveling expression and said respectfully, "Please allow this old man to go and ask."
"We shall go together."
Shi Xuan was also keen to uncover the mysteries of this place as quickly as possible.
The group's arrival did not disturb the tranquil mood of the chamber. They moved through the crowd and soon stood before the elderly man.
Fu Laogui stepped forward, bowing deeply. "Master, your disciple Fu'er offers his greetings."
The old man didn't seem to hear him; his eyelids didn't even flicker.
"Your disciple pays his respects to Master!"
Fu Laogui tried again. Seeing no reaction, he quickly signaled his three brothers with a sharp look.
Together, the four bowed in unison. "Your disciples greet the Master!"
Still, the old man remained motionless. Finally losing his patience, Fu Laogui raised his voice to a roar: "Master! Your disciple has come to find you!"
The shout finally jerked the old man awake. He opened his eyes slowly, looking slightly annoyed at the intruders before asking in a daze, "Are you... Fu'er?"
"Yes, Master, it is I, Fu'er," Fu Laogui replied with great deference.
The old man blinked. "How have you become so ancient?"
"Master... a thousand years have passed since we last met," Fu Laogui said, his voice tinged with helplessness.
"A thousand years? Has it really been that long?"
After whispering to himself, the old man broke into a smile. "Fu'er, you have arrived at the perfect time. This location is a supreme treasure land for Cultivation. Perhaps together, we can finally grasp the true essence of the Great Dao here."
Aside from Shi Xuan, everyone present stared in shock.
Fu Laogui's previous annoyance vanished instantly. His eyes widened as he asked, "Master, are you telling the truth?"