Senior Brother Ling Chen of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect still held his longsword, his expression cold.
He glanced at Liu Ruyan and then at Ye Ling'er, Sword Intent flickering slightly in his eyes before returning to calm, as if the outside rumors had nothing to do with him.
The female Disciples of Miaoyin Pavilion gathered together, talking in low voices, their gazes toward Liu Ruyan carrying a bit of disgust and distance.
Clearly, they naturally disliked methods such as "devouring others' cultivation."
Meanwhile, the few scattered Disciples from the Profound Nether Sect and Ten Thousand Poisons Ridge who arrived later had extremely ugly expressions.
Their eyes were filled with hatred and fear, and they stayed far away from the Jade Pool Immortal Palace team, not daring to approach.
All the forces were also wary of each other, maintaining their distance.
But everyone's gaze frequently drifted toward the entrance of that dilapidated palace and toward Liu Ruyan, who was sitting quietly outside the entrance.
The atmosphere became more and more oppressive, as emotions named "greed" and "fear" fermented and collided in silence.
Liu Ruyan could naturally feel the various gazes coming from all directions, especially those filled with alarm and greed.
Her expression remained gentle and calm, as if she hadn't heard the discussions around her about her "Demonic Technique" and "evil methods."
Ye Ling'er slightly tightened her grip on the hilts of her youyue twin blades, a hint of coldness flashing in her ice-blue eyes.
She didn't like those gazes directed at her Second Senior Sister that carried slanderous intent.
"Second Senior Sister, they..." Ye Ling'er said in a low voice.
"It doesn't matter."
Liu Ruyan shook her head gently, her gaze looking toward the deep palace entrance.
"The pure will remain pure, and the turbid will remain turbid."
As time passed minute by minute, more and more people gathered in the valley.
Finally, someone couldn't hold back anymore.
A young man wearing the robes of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect, with a cold expression and a longsword on his back, stepped out from the crowd.
He was another elite Disciple of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect who had entered the Secret Realm this time, named Lu Chen, with a Middle Stage Golden Core cultivation.
His reputation within the Sect was second only to Senior Brother Ling Chen.
Lu Chen walked to about fifty zhang from the Jade Pool Immortal Palace team and stopped, cupping his fists and speaking in a clear voice:
"Fellow Daoist Liu of Jade Pool Immortal Palace, I am Lu Chen of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect, greetings."
His posture was neither humble nor arrogant; he maintained his distance and expressed basic respect.
Liu Ruyan slowly opened her eyes and looked calmly at Lu Chen.
"Fellow Daoist Lu, what is the matter?"
Her voice was gentle, yet it carried an invisible pressure.
Lu Chen felt the depth beneath that calm gaze and his heart shivered, his expression becoming even more solemn:
"Fellow Daoist Liu, this palace is clearly where the core Opportunity of the Secret Realm lies."
"We all entered the Secret Realm to seek opportunities."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the increasing number of Cultivators from various parties behind him, and continued:
"Now that you have arrived first with your fellow Disciples and taken the initiative, we have no objection."
"However, the opportunities in the Secret Realm are unowned. For you to set up a blockade here, is it not... unfair?"
His words immediately resonated with many Cultivators behind him.
"Senior Brother Lu is right!"
"Treasures of the Secret Realm belong to those who see them!"
"You Jade Pool Immortal Palace wouldn't want to monopolize it, would you?"
Voices of agreement rose gradually; although not loud, they converged into a wave of pressure surging toward Liu Ruyan.
Liu Ruyan's expression remained unchanged as she just looked indifferently at Lu Chen and the restless Cultivators behind him.
"Fellow Daoist Lu is mistaken."
Her voice was still peaceful, yet it clearly suppressed all the noise.
"Our Jade Pool Immortal Palace will not stop anyone from entering."
She raised her hand and pointed to the deep palace entrance.
"The palace gate is right there. If you want to go in, you can do so at any time."
"Only—"
Liu Ruyan's tone shifted slightly as her gaze swept over the crowd, her voice taking on a hint of coldness.
"If any of you encounter misfortune inside, do not blame my Jade Pool Immortal Palace for not warning you afterward."
Her words were clear and straightforward, making her attitude plain:
The door is open; enter as you please.
But whether you live or die once inside is up to you; don't come looking for trouble if people die.
Lu Chen was slightly stunned.
He hadn't expected Liu Ruyan to be so blunt; not only did she not stop them, she even generously let them enter as they pleased.
This instead made him a bit uncertain about the other party's intentions.
Was she truly being generous?
Or were there traps inside the palace, and she wanted others to scout the way first?
For a moment, he hesitated.
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