Western Edge of the Fallen Demon Forest
A vast lake stretched across the land, its surface calm and reflective like polished jade. Thin mist drifted across the water while the surrounding forest stood silent, as though waiting for something momentous to occur.
Along the banks of the lake, numerous groups of cultivators had already gathered.
Some wore the robes of organised sects. Others stood in smaller clusters, members of powerful cultivation families, minor sects, or wandering rogue cultivators hoping to seize an opportunity.
Among them, five groups stood out immediately.
They were the largest, the most orderly, and the most imposing.
These groups belonged to the Five Major Sects, the factions that controlled access to the Mysterious Poison Realm.
Each sect's formation followed a similar structure.
At the front stood a Core Formation elder, responsible for overseeing the sect's interests and maintaining order.
Behind the elder stood a Foundation Realm inner disciple, the leader of the younger generation who would enter the secret realm.
Following them were fifteen outer disciples, all at the peak of the ninth stage of the Qi Condensation Realm, the final threshold before stepping into the Foundation Realm.
These disciples represented the sect's most promising talents, chosen specifically to enter the secret realm and search for the rare medicinal herbs needed to refine Foundation Pills.
Only one sect differed slightly.
While the other four sects each brought fifteen disciples, the Thousand Sword Sect had only fourteen.
At the front of the Thousand Sword Sect's formation stood their Core Formation elder.
A long sword rested quietly across his back, yet the weapon seemed far from dormant.
Around him, faint strands of sword qi drifted through the air like invisible currents stirred by an unseen wind.
Though he stood perfectly still, his presence felt sharp and oppressive, like a blade already drawn from its sheath.
The surrounding spiritual energy subtly bent toward him. Threads of sword qi circled his body in slow spirals, occasionally flashing with cold brilliance before fading again.
It was not a technique he deliberately released.
It was simply the natural aura of a cultivator who had walked the path of the sword for countless years.
Beside him stood the sect's Foundation Realm inner disciple, calm yet vigilant, clearly tasked with leading the younger disciples once they entered the secret realm.
Behind them stood fourteen outer disciples, each carrying a flying sword and wearing the distinctive robes of the Thousand Sword Sect.
One position remained empty.
To the left of the Thousand Sword Sect stood the formation of Heavenly Que Fortress.
Unlike the sharp, cutting aura of the sword cultivators, their presence felt solid and immovable, like an iron wall standing against the tide.
At the front stood their Core Formation elder, a tall, broad-shouldered man clad in heavy dark-gold robes reinforced with faintly glowing defensive runes.
Several protective talismans and formation tokens hung from his waist, each emitting subtle fluctuations of spiritual power.
His aura was steady and dense, portraying the impression of an ancient fortress that had endured countless storms.
Behind him stood a Foundation Realm inner disciple holding a square formation compass engraved with intricate symbols.
The device slowly rotated in his hand, as if constantly measuring the surrounding spiritual currents.
Further back stood fifteen outer disciples, each at the peak of the ninth stage of Qi Condensation.
Their spacing was precise, their formation disciplined, as if they already stood within an invisible defensive array.
Among the Five Major Sects, Heavenly Que Fortress was famous not for overwhelming attacks, but for its nearly impenetrable defences.
Further to the left stood the disciples of Divine Sound Valley.
Compared to the stern formations of the other sects, their presence appeared elegant and refined.
At the front stood their Core Formation elder, a woman dressed in flowing robes of pale jade and silver.
A long guqin rested before her upon a slender stand.
Though she did not play it, faint ripples of sound qi quietly resonated around her, like distant melodies carried by the wind.
Her aura felt gentle, yet strangely profound.
Those with keen perception could sense subtle vibrations spreading through the air, as if invisible music constantly intertwined with the surrounding spiritual energy.
Behind her stood a Foundation Realm inner disciple holding a jade flute, his expression calm and composed.
Further back stood fifteen outer disciples, most of them female cultivators.
Each carried a different instrument: guqin, bamboo flutes, jade flutes, bells, or small war drums.
Despite their graceful appearance, no one underestimated them.
The techniques of Divine Sound Valley were notoriously difficult to defend against.
Their sound waves could invade the mind, disrupt spiritual energy, and even directly attack the soul.
Further left stood the group from Spirit Beast Mountain.
Compared to the orderly formations of the other sects, their presence appeared far more lively and far more dangerous.
At the front stood their Core Formation elder, a rugged middle-aged man dressed in dark green robes trimmed with beast hide.
His posture appeared relaxed, yet the aura around him carried a faint wildness, like a predator calmly surveying its territory.
Beside him crouched a massive spirit beast.
The creature resembled a wolf with silver fur and glowing amber eyes.
Though it remained silent, the pressure it emitted caused nearby cultivators to instinctively keep their distance from it.
Behind the elder stood a Foundation Realm inner disciple, his arm wrapped in a leather guard where a sharp-eyed spirit hawk perched.
The hawk's gaze swept the lakeshore with frightening intelligence, as if evaluating every cultivator present.
Further behind stood fifteen outer disciples, each at the peak of the ninth stage of Qi Condensation.
A few carried small spirit beasts on their shoulders.
Low growls, wing beats, and beastly breaths filled the air around their group.
Among the Five Major Sects, Spirit Beast Mountain was known for its unique combat style.
Their disciples never fought alone.
Their strength was inseparable from the spirit beasts they bonded with.
At the far end stood the group from the Vajra Sect.
Compared to the elegance of Divine Sound Valley or the wild energy of Spirit Beast Mountain, their aura radiated something entirely different.
Raw, unyielding strength.
At the front stood their Core Formation elder, a tall, bald man with a powerful frame.
A simple golden robe covered his torso, leaving his thick arms partially exposed.
From time to time, faint golden light shimmered across his skin, as though his flesh itself had been refined like spiritual metal.
Even while standing still, his presence felt heavy and immovable, like a mountain rooted into the earth.
Behind him stood the sect's Foundation Realm inner disciple, whose body was equally formidable.
His muscles were tightly packed beneath his robes, and each step he took seemed to carry unusual weight.
Further back stood fifteen outer disciples, all at the peak of the ninth stage of Qi Condensation.
None of them carried weapons.
Their bodies were their weapons.
Their forearms and shoulders bore faint golden or bronze hues, signs of cultivation in the Golden Body and Diamond Body techniques.
Some stood bare-armed, their muscles dense and corded like tempered steel.
Among the Five Major Sects, the Vajra Sect was feared for its brutal close-quarters combat.
Blades struggled to cut them.
Spiritual techniques often shattered against their hardened bodies.
Behind the formations of the Five Major Sects, several smaller groups gathered along the lakeshore.
These were representatives of powerful cultivation families, minor sects, and wandering cultivators who had secured one of the limited entry quotas.
Unlike the disciplined formations of the major sects, these groups appeared far more varied.
Some stood in small clusters, quietly discussing matters among themselves.
Others maintained a cautious distance from the larger factions, observing everything with guarded expressions.
Several powerful families had arrived together, their younger disciples standing respectfully behind family elders. Their robes bore distinctive crests embroidered across the chest.
Nearby stood smaller sects whose disciples carried modest weapons and artefacts.
A few of the weaker sects had even formed temporary alliances.
Knowing they could not compete alone, they had agreed to cooperate once inside the secret realm, sharing information, offering protection, and dividing any resources they discovered.
Even among cultivators, survival often demanded pragmatism.
Despite the uneasy atmosphere, a silent understanding existed among everyone present.
The Vajra Sect elder glanced toward the formation of the Thousand Sword Sect.
His sharp eyes quickly noticed the empty position among their disciples.
A faint smile appeared on his rugged face.
Turning slightly, he spoke in a deep voice that carried easily across the lakeshore.
"Elder Jian," he called out,
"It seems one of your disciples is missing."
His gaze lingered on the fourteen sword cultivators standing behind the Thousand Sword Sect elder.
"Did the Thousand Sword Sect fail to find a suitable candidate this time?"
Several nearby cultivators turned their heads, curiosity flashing across their faces.
Seats within the Mysterious Poison Realm were incredibly valuable.
No sect would normally leave one vacant.
The Thousand Sword Sect elder, Elder Jian, remained completely unmoved.
The sword resting across his back gave a faint hum as the surrounding sword qi stirred.
His expression remained calm.
"That seat," he said quietly,
"is reserved."