Outside the Secret Realm, in the sky above the Tianqiong Plain.
Li Hanyi held the tingyu sword in her arms, standing quietly at the bow of the Cloud Sea Spirit Boat.
Her cold gaze calmly scanned the entrance of the Secret Realm below.
Since the Jade Pool Immortal Palace Disciples entered the Secret Realm, she had been waiting here, never leaving for a single step.
When the news of the shattered life tablets of Huo Wushuang and some Disciples from Ten Thousand Poisons Ridge and the Profound Nether Sect were successively sensed by the Elders of various factions staying behind.
Gazes of shock and anger, wariness, or disbelief were involuntarily cast toward the silver-white spirit boat and the figure at the bow.
"Huo Wushuang... is dead?!"
"And several Disciples of my Ten Thousand Poisons Ridge!"
"The Profound Nether Sect has also lost several people!"
"Looking at the residual images before the life tablets shattered... it was the people from the Jade Pool Immortal Palace who did it!"
"It's that Liu Ruyan... and Gu Luoli... how dare they?!"
"How dare they be so murderous? Are they not afraid of retaliation from our Sects?!"
Low-voiced discussions and suppressed anger spread through the camps of several involved factions.
The Elder of the Heavenly Fire Valley had a face so gloomy it could almost drip water, his spiritual power surging uncontrollably around him.
The leading Elders of Ten Thousand Poisons Ridge and the Profound Nether Sect also had ashen faces, killing intent flickering in their eyes.
Huo Wushuang was not only the Young Valley Master of the Heavenly Fire Valley but also the Valley Master's youngest son, possessing the Crimson Flame Spirit Body and carrying great expectations!
Now that he had fallen here, how could the Heavenly Fire Valley let the matter rest?
Although those lost by Ten Thousand Poisons Ridge and the Profound Nether Sect were not their core Disciples, they were still carefully nurtured elites, and their reputation had been damaged!
Several sharp gazes, like physical blades and swords, pierced toward Li Hanyi at the bow of the spirit boat.
The Elder of the Heavenly Fire Valley could no longer hold back, looking at Li Hanyi with pure rage.
"Your Jade Pool Immortal Palace Disciples killed the Young Valley Master of my Heavenly Fire Valley in the Secret Realm. Your Jade Pool Immortal Palace must give an explanation for this!"
His voice, infused with Great Ascension Stage spiritual power, rolled out and instantly attracted the attention of all the factions on the Tianqiong Plain.
Gazes focused in unison, filled with the intent of watching a good show.
People from giant factions like the Azure Cloud Holy Land, Lingxu Holy Land, and Tianyuan Holy Land also cast watchful gazes.
Factions like the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect and Miaoyin Pavilion had various expressions, watching the situation unfold.
Facing the Heavenly Fire Valley Elder's accusation, Li Hanyi slowly turned her head, her cold gaze falling upon him.
"An explanation?"
Li Hanyi spoke, her voice clear and melodious yet carrying a Soul-piercing chill that reached everyone's ears distinctly.
"Within a Secret Realm, life and death are determined by fate, and opportunities are won by one's own ability."
"The Disciples of your Heavenly Fire Valley were inferior in skill; if they died, they died. What explanation is there to give?"
"If you dare to continue your clamor..."
Li Hanyi slowly grasped the hilt of the tingyu sword.
The moment her fingertips touched the hilt—
"Zheng—!"
A clear sword hum resounded through the world!
A terrifying Sword Intent, invisible and intangible yet seemingly capable of slicing through the heavens, surged into the sky with Li Hanyi as the center!
The clouds in the sky were actually torn apart by this Sword Intent, creating a thousand-foot-long rift!
Sunlight spilled through the rift, illuminating her cold and ethereal face, as well as the various Cultivators below whose expressions had changed drastically!
The Elder of the Heavenly Fire Valley was struck as if by lightning, his face turning pale instantly!
The leading Elders of Ten Thousand Poisons Ridge and the Profound Nether Sect felt their Divine Souls tremble violently.
At this moment, the entire Tianqiong Plain was dead silent!
All the Cultivators who had previously held a spectator's mindset were now frozen, their faces filled with horror and disbelief!
Is this... the strength of the Jade Pool Immortal Palace's Grand Elder?!
Such power from just a single strand of Sword Intent?!
If she were to truly unsheathe her sword... no one dared to think further.
Li Hanyi slowly released the hilt, and the terrifying Sword Intent receded like a tide.
Her gaze calmly swept over the silent crowd below, finally landing on the pale-faced Elder of the Heavenly Fire Valley.
"The Disciples of my Jade Pool Immortal Palace act with propriety."
"If anyone is not convinced... then come and fight!"
As her words fell, she ignored everyone else and turned to look toward the entrance of the Secret Realm.
It was as if everything that had just happened was nothing more than brushing away an annoying fly.
On the Tianqiong Plain, the dead silence lasted for a long time.
It wasn't until the rift in the clouds slowly closed and the dark red light of the sky once again covered the land.
Only then did the people of various factions wake as if from a dream, looking at each other and seeing deep shock and... wariness in each other's eyes.
Elder Tianhuo clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging deep into his palms until blood seeped out, yet he was completely unaware.
Shame! A massive shame!
But he didn't dare to vent his anger!
That Sword Intent just now... it definitely surpassed the Great Ascension Stage and might have even reached the level of the Tribulation Crossing Stage!
One must know that in the Heavenly Fire Valley, only that Old Ancestor in seclusion was at the Tribulation Crossing Stage, and he would never appear unless something major happened!
To think the Jade Pool Immortal Palace would actually send a Tribulation Crossing Stage Cultivator for a single Secret Realm?
The gazes of the other factions, including the leaders of the Three Great Sacred Lands, toward the figure on the spirit boat also completely changed.
Perhaps there had been some intent to probe or compare before, but now only solemnity and an indescribable sense of awe remained.
The Rules Secret Realm was originally a stage for young Disciples.
But the Grand Elder of the Jade Pool Immortal Palace declared in the most direct and overbearing manner—
Below the stage, there are also rules.
And the rules are set by her.
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