Starting From A Son In Law To Build An Long Lasting Family Chapter 1972: 516:

The stipulation requires that fifty percent of the yields from the secret realm be surrendered to the Great Dream Immortal City, in exchange for the Four Great Immortal Sects allocating some entry spots in the trial secret realm to the City Lord Mansion.

Once they learned of the lack of promising prospects within the secret realm, the Great Dream Immortal City proceeded to make it accessible to everyone across Jiang Country, which promptly diminished the enthusiasm of the Core Formation Immortals from the Four Great Immortal Sects.

Yet, recognizing the valuable training prospects this offered to their own disciples, they consented without hesitation, though they mentioned the necessity of consulting their sects first.

"Very well."

Prior to receiving replies from the Four Great Immortal Sects, Ling Zixiao assembled a team of Array Masters, Fengshui Masters, and Spiritual Plant Masters, accompanied by Lu Ping’an, and set off toward the Great Dream Marsh Secret Realm to undertake the renovations.

Considering that this secret realm directly impacted her son’s path to Core Formation, she was eager to avoid any prolonged delays and sought to finalize the preparations swiftly.

Heavenly Sword Sect.

"The Great Dream Immortal City’s decision to unveil such a secret realm suggests their intent to blend into our Jiang Country."

"Under these circumstances, allocating a handful of trial slots in the secret realm to the Great Dream Immortal City won’t pose any issues for us."

With the Heavenly Sword Sect’s approval, the Qingyun Sect, Luoxia Sect, and Spirit Taming Sect naturally followed suit without objection.

From the Heavenly Sword Sect Master’s viewpoint, the Great Dream Immortal City’s initiative to expose the secret realm reflected a gesture of goodwill, and rejecting it outright would be unwise.

Nevertheless, recalling Absolute Sword True Monarch’s earlier directive to inform him of all matters involving the Great Dream Immortal City, they duly made the report.

"Based on this assessment, these two individuals won’t linger in Jiang Country or the Great Dream Immortal City for much longer. So why pursue secret realm entry slots?"

Absolute Sword True Monarch arched his brows faintly, displaying a trace of confusion.

Reflecting on the fact that the City Lord and his wife had a son, or perhaps it was merely an act of courtesy, he chose not to probe deeper and instead addressed the Heavenly Sword Sect Master: "Iron Sword, any updates on Azure Phoenix True Monarch in recent years?"

The ongoing Liangyue conflict remains deadlocked, and reports indicate that farther off in Yuan Country, the war with Qiyun Country and the Tianluo Sect has concluded, resulting in Qiyun Country’s partition between Yuan Country and the Tianluo Sect.

Moreover, Yuan Country aims to sustain conflict through perpetual warfare, presently seeping into Wu Country, with strong indications of eventual involvement in the Liangyue strife via Wu Country.

In this precarious situation, Jiang Country must not remain passive, permitting Yuan Country to encroach on Yue Country or Liang Country and upset the equilibrium.

Regardless, Jiang Country relies solely on him and Xuanjian True Monarch as Nascent Soul cultivators, prompting efforts to summon the former ally, Azure Phoenix True Monarch, for support.

Regrettably, since the events in the Vast Sand Illusion Realm, Azure Phoenix True Monarch has disappeared entirely, leaving no trace or intelligence.

"To the True Monarch, we’ve had no tidings on Azure Phoenix True Monarch over these years."

The Heavenly Sword Sect Master replied with a shake of his head.

"And what of Yangming True Master?"

Absolute Sword True Monarch inquired further.

Drawing from the accounts of the initial conflicts and the Vast Sand Illusion Realm incidents, it was evident that Yangming True Master shared a strong bond with Azure Phoenix True Monarch.

"From the time of the Vast Sand Illusion Realm onward, Yangming True Master has shown no activity whatsoever."

The Heavenly Sword Sect Master shook his head once more.

Indeed, not just various powers in the Northern Territory of the Southern Wilderness keep tabs on Yangming True Master, but the Heavenly Sword Sect monitors him with particular vigilance.

"Hmm."

Absolute Sword True Monarch gave a subtle nod, his serene and deep eyes turning toward the Great Dream Immortal City’s location as he whispered: "If all else fails... I’ll have to journey to the Great Dream Immortal City myself."

Back at the prior Whale Hunting Feast, he had enjoyed a cordial exchange with the Dream City Master, who had voiced readiness to extend aid to Jiang Country to the best of his abilities.

That said, if possible, he preferred relying on Azure Phoenix True Monarch, with whom he shared a profound history, having ascended together from humble origins in Jiang Country.

Yet, with Azure Phoenix True Monarch out of reach, should Wu Country truly fall under Yuan Country’s influence and ally with Liang Country, his only recourse would be to seek the enigmatic city lords of the Great Dream Immortal City for aid.

...

Right now.

Within the Eastern Domain of the Southern Wilderness, nestled in a blistering magma lake that scorched all it touched.

A massive scarlet cocoon, resembling a Phoenix Egg, rested motionless, embellished with ornate golden motifs that flickered between light and shadow, pulsing as if alive, inhaling and exhaling rhythmically.

Suddenly, a splendid azure Luan bird pierced through successive spatial barriers, bearing a cluster of fire seeds, and descended into the magma lake, depositing the fire seeds next to the colossal cocoon that mimicked a Phoenix Egg.

The golden designs on the cocoon wove together and expanded, drawing in the essence of the fire seeds, which intensified the crimson glow ever so slightly.

Observing this, the azure Luan bird departed without delay, shattering the void once more to gather additional primordial fire seeds for the immense cocoon.

Meanwhile, in a secluded hamlet in the Middle Domain of the Southern Wilderness.

"Granny, brother still hasn’t returned, it’s been two whole years now—has he forgotten all about Little Que’er?"

Along the rough dirt path, a young girl of four or five, her hair tied in twin buns, shouldered a faggot of firewood. She glanced up at the frail, stooped elderly woman beside her, burdened with a woven basket, and voiced her question.

The child’s garments were threadbare and mended repeatedly, yet her delicate features shone like polished jade, her dark eyes sparkling with vitality, evoking the charm of a precious porcelain figure.

"Of course not. Your brother caught the eye of an Immortal. Once he masters the Immortal arts, he’ll return home. Then, he’ll not only bring Little Que’er strings of candied haw and tasty treats, but he’ll soar through the skies, whisking Little Que’er off on grand adventures everywhere."

The elderly woman, upon hearing this, responded with gentle warmth, her gaze softened by a hint of yearning.

Who could imagine that a solitary widow would take in two orphaned babies, only for the older one to be spotted by an Immortal and spirited away for cultivation training.

"Mm-hmm."

Little Que’er bobbed her head agreeably, her expression brimming with eager hope.

"Little Que’er, you’re such a darling. When you’re older, you might just catch an Immortal’s notice too and be whisked away to learn the arts."

The old woman regarded the doll-like girl before her and spoke with affectionate kindness.

In contrast to the older child, she sensed that this little one possessed an even stronger aura of destiny.

Not only had she enjoyed robust health since infancy, surpassing typical youngsters, but her complexion remained smooth and pale like that of a noble daughter, with injuries healing flawlessly without a mark.

"Little Que’er wants to remain by Grandma’s side and wait for Brother’s return."

Despite her tender age, the girl displayed remarkable maturity. Her brother had always looked after her and their grandmother.

With Brother absent now, it fell to her to care for Grandma properly.

"What a wonderful Little Que’er you are."

The old woman’s face lit up with a wide grin at the girl’s words; she extended her gnarled fingers to tousle the child’s pigtails. Thus, the elderly pair and the young one made their way back to the village, their steps light with cheerful banter.

...

Time sped onward; mere moments seemed to pass, yet half a year had elapsed.

On that fateful day, the Great Dream Immortal City announced a startling revelation: within another half-year, the [Hidden Abyss Secret Realm] would welcome all participants.

Any cultivator in Jiang Country below the Core Formation Stage was eligible to venture inside.

Shortly following the Great Dream Immortal City’s declaration, the Four Great Immortal Sects amplified its reach through their networks.

Before long, whispers of the Hidden Abyss Secret Realm swept through the Jiang Country Cultivation Realm like a raging storm.

"Hidden Abyss Secret Realm? Isn’t that the one that emerged in the Great Dream Marsh before? Why make it public now?"

The Great Dream Immortal City had dubbed the Great Dream Marsh’s Deep Sea Secret Realm as the Hidden Abyss Secret Realm.

For one, it lay concealed in the ocean’s depths.

For another, they envisioned the Lu Family’s disciples as latent dragons, destined to either lurk patiently or surge skyward dramatically.

"Why speculate further? Clearly, the secret realm has been thoroughly scouted with no major fortunes uncovered, so they’re tossing it open for us to test the waters."

"Judging by the details, this secret realm holds real promise—much like the Purple Shadow Secret Realm, brimming with spiritual herbs and rare Heavenly and Earthly Treasures, and you only hand over half the spoils."

"Hold on, doesn’t something seem off? It allows entry for cultivators below Core Formation, including even False Core Immortals."

"What!? False Core Immortals get to enter the Hidden Abyss Secret Realm!? How’s anyone supposed to compete?"

"This feels rigged for the major powers, right?"

Still, as throngs of cultivators delved into the secret realm’s rules and discovered that while all below Core Formation could participate, False Core Immortals were explicitly barred, shock rippled through them.

After all, regardless of perspective, False Core cultivators bore the ‘Dan’ in their designation.

They stood far above mere Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Though cultivation tales often featured Foundation Establishment experts clashing with False Core foes, such prodigies were exceptionally uncommon.

"No matter, with the secret realm imposing so few barriers, it’s still worth exploring."

"True enough, False Core Immortals are elite figures. Just steer clear of them, and they’re unlikely to slaughter without cause."

"Brother Lu, care to team up and head to the Great Dream Immortal City to check out this Hidden Abyss Secret Realm?"

"Sure, let’s do it—especially since the Four Great Immortal Sects backed its announcement, it can’t be a dud."

Despite the absence of restrictions on False Core Immortals dampening some spirits, a substantial number of Foundation Establishment cultivators resolved to travel to the Great Dream Marsh.

For everyday Loose Cultivators, a secret realm represented a golden chance!

With a no-cost entry like this on offer, even suspecting hidden agendas from the Great Dream Immortal City and Four Great Immortal Sects, they pressed forward undeterred.