Translator: CinderTL
"What's inside the secret realm?" Xu Sanyan asked.
Liu Tang shook his head. "I don't know."
"You don't know?" Xu Sanyan was surprised. "After all these times, you still don't know?"
Liu Tang explained, "It's different every time. Last time it was an ancient battlefield, the time before that it was corpse demons. There's no pattern to the secret realm, and it even manifests differently based on cultivation level."
"So you're saying... cultivators of different cultivation levels can't enter the same secret realm?"
"Exactly. As far as we know, Foundation Establishment and below share one realm, Foundation Establishment and Dao Seeking share another, Soul Refinement and Void Harmony share another, and sages have their own separate realm."
"The secret realm was originally created by the Yaotian Holy Sect to temper their disciples. While dangerous, it's not meant to be a death trap. Sending a Foundation Establishment cultivator into a Soul Refinement realm would guarantee their demise, while sending a Soul Refinement cultivator into a Foundation Establishment realm would defeat the purpose of the training."
Xu Sanyan pondered briefly before firing off a series of questions. "Are many people going? Why are they going? What can they gain?"
Liu Tang answered each question in turn. "A great many people are going. The five Great Sects, along with numerous mid-sized and smaller sects, and the major aristocratic families will all send representatives. As for what they can gain..."
Liu Tang shook his head. "It's uncertain. The treasures within each secret realm vary. But during the last opening, someone obtained a heavenly earth treasure!"
"A heavenly earth treasure within the secret realm?" Xu Sanyan was deeply surprised. "Such a supreme treasure can actually be obtained?"
"Indeed," Liu Tang said, teasingly withholding the answer. "Holy Son, do you know who claimed that heavenly earth treasure?"
"Who?"
"Venerable He Yu. The very heavenly earth treasure Tu Wanshan used for his Foundation Establishment came from this place."
So, the heavenly earth treasure Tu Wanshan used for his Foundation Establishment was a gift from his father, Xu Sanyan realized.
Suddenly, Xu Sanyan recalled Venerable He Yu's earlier mention of needing to discuss matters with everyone. Could this be the reason?
The more he pondered, the more likely it seemed. The Harmonious Heart Demonic Sect would undoubtedly attend such a grand event.
Xu Sanyan lowered his head in thought. "How many people from Crimson Dragon Mountain went to the last secret realm opening?"
"Fewer than twenty. Since the Hall Master showed no interest, Elder Wu Xin led the team, bringing only Soul Refining Realm elders. I went as well."
Xu Sanyan nodded slightly.
Liu Tang advised, "Holy Son, you should prepare early. Anything can happen within the secret realm. A single misstep could lead to a life-or-death crisis. You should bring as many people as possible."
Xu Sanyan nodded. He would naturally bring ample manpower. Crimson Dragon Mountain was essentially his personal domain now, and if he could, he would move the entire mountain there.
"Summon Elder Qin," Xu Sanyan said, turning to Zhu'er.
"Yes," she replied.
"Wait, summon all the Dao Seeking Realm elders," Xu Sanyan added, clenching his fist. "If we're going to do this, let's do it big!"
Since the Foundation Establishment and Dao Seeking Realm cultivators were entering the same secret realm, things would be easy. Xu Sanyan might lack many things, but manpower wasn't one of them.
What had he relied on to rise through the ranks?
Manpower!
Wealth!
He had never fought such a lavish battle in his life.
Liu Tang smiled with relief. "The Holy Son is wise."
His purpose in coming had been to persuade the Holy Son to bring more people and avoid reckless displays of personal valor. If they could crush the enemy with overwhelming force, why not?
What good was being powerful? Even if you were invincible in your realm and mastered profound mystical arts, I have more people!
If you can defeat ten?
Then I'll send a thousand!
Xu Sanyan stood up and patted Liu Tang's shoulder, saying with satisfaction, "With Elder Liu's assistance, I can rest much easier. This merits recognition. When we return, have Shuzhi come to me. I'll personally guide his cultivation."
Liu Tang was overjoyed, clasping his hands and bowing deeply. "Thank you, Holy Son!"
Liu Tang's joy stemmed not from Xu Sanyan's willingness to teach his son cultivation, but from the attitude itself.
This proved that both father and son would become trusted confidants of the Holy Son. Even if Liu Tang's life reached its end and his soul returned to the heavens, his son would have a powerful patron to rely on.
"No need to thank me. This is your due. Go prepare now. Gather plenty of formations, Medicinal Pills, and single-use, high-powered magic artifacts."
Xu Sanyan paused, considering. "The Dragon-Catching Net I saw Luo Yu use last time was quite effective. Prepare ten of those first. As for the rest, use your judgment—the more, the better."
"Rest assured, Holy Son. This old man will spare no effort."
Liu Tang bowed deeply and withdrew. The prosperity and glory of his family now rested entirely on Xu Sanyan's favor, and he would naturally devote himself wholeheartedly to the task.
After Liu Tang left, Qin Manyang arrived with a group of elders. "Greetings, Holy Son."
Xu Sanyan rubbed the corners of his eyes, lifted his eyelids, and scanned the group, silently counting. Only sixty-three people.
"Why so few?" Xu Sanyan frowned. There should be more elders from the Dao Seeking Realm present.
Qin Manyang bowed respectfully. "Reporting to the Holy Son, many elders are currently on missions outside the sect. Others have descended the mountain for various matters and have yet to return. For now, only this number remains on the mountain."
"Recall them all," Xu Sanyan ordered. "They must return to the mountain within ten days."
"Yes."
Xu Sanyan pointed to the left. "Perfected Dao Seeking Realm elders, stand here. Mid Stage elders, remain where you are. Initial Stage elders, move to the right."
The elders below took their positions accordingly: seventeen Peak Stage elders, thirty-one Mid Stage elders, and fifteen Initial Stage elders.
"The Hundred Saints Secret Realm is about to open. This time, all of you will accompany me. As Holy Son, I always reward merit. Whoever achieves great deeds during this expedition—whether it be spirit stones, magic artifacts, Medicinal Pills, or cultivation methods—name your prize, and if I possess it, it shall be yours!"
"Thank you, Holy Son!"
A flicker of excitement flashed in the elders' eyes, though they remained composed. After all, they were seasoned veterans who had long mastered the art of concealing their emotions.
Xu Sanyan surveyed the crowd. "All of you, go prepare. Elder Qin will notify the elders who are absent today. Later, compile a register of each elder's specialties and submit it to me."
"Yes!"
As the elders dispersed, Xu Sanyan crossed his legs, leaned back in his chair, and gazed upward, lost in thought.
Xiang Tan emerged from the shadows, standing behind him. Her slender fingers gently massaged his shoulders, easing the tension.
"Senior Brother, you shouldn't overwork yourself."
Xu Sanyan patted her small hand and teased, "Which aspect are you referring to?"
Xiang Tan's hand paused, and she lowered her gaze slightly, replying softly, "...Both aspects."
"Summon Lin Fan."
"Yes."
Before long, Lin Fan knelt on one knee. "Disciple greets the Holy Son."
Xu Sanyan opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing in their depths, instantly revealing Lin Fan's cultivation level.
Lin Fan dared not raise his head, yet he knew the Holy Son was scrutinizing him. That all-encompassing, profound gaze seemed to envelop him completely, as if his innermost thoughts were being laid bare.
His heart leaped to his throat. Could it be... my secret has been exposed?
No... no!
Lin Fan shook his head inwardly. It's impossible. If it had been discovered, the Holy Son would have already moved to seize it. No one could resist the temptation of such a treasure, not even the Holy Son himself.
Lin Fan understood that the human heart was unpredictable and could never be truly tested. Though the Holy Son had left a very favorable impression on him, it was still just that—a favorable impression.
Time ticked by slowly. Xu Sanyan remained silent for a long while, and Lin Fan dared not make any unnecessary movements.
(End of the Chapter)
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