The Secret Realm Lobby was filled with constant cheers.
Hundreds of adventurers were watching.
Inside the crystal, an ancient vermilion arched bridge appeared. Snow lay scattered across the ground, while fiery red maple leaves drifted down from the sky.
Amid this picturesque and almost romantic scenery, two figures clashed in a life-and-death duel. Their sword energies collided like a raging storm, every precise strike resembling a piece of art—breathtaking and intense.
The two fighters were none other than:
Bihua and the gatekeeper of the Source Palace, the Broken Ring Monk.
---
"This scene… this battle… it's so beautiful and intense. We really came to the right place!"
Black Kite, who had come from Gale Town, stood among several new adventurers, all of them stunned.
Wool Warrior asked, "This is Bihua's fourth attempt today, right? Do you think she can win this time?"
Pear Blossom replied, "That gatekeeper is no joke. His blade techniques are brutal, and his illusion magic is tricky. We wouldn't stand a chance—but if it's Bihua, she'll definitely win."
Silly Goose nodded. "This time feels different. She's already got the rhythm down."
---
Inside the Secret Realm…
After another clash, the two separated.
Though Bihua had lost several times before, each defeat only strengthened her resolve.
"You're strong… but this ends today. I will defeat you and pass through!"
From Ashina's warlord Genichiro, to Phantom Butterfly, to the blazing Demon Warrior, the Ascetic Monk, the Guardian Ape, and the White Serpent God—
Every battle had sharpened her.
Now, her body, mind, and instincts were perfectly aligned.
Though the Broken Ring Monk was a Tier 3, One-Star opponent with overwhelming strength and speed, Bihua had adapted after four defeats.
This time, she was confident.
"Come!"
---
The monk attacked without hesitation.
The naginata slashed forward, releasing waves of cutting wind.
Bihua dodged—but in the next instant, the monk was already in front of her.
Vertical slash. Horizontal cut. Downward smash. Upward sweep.
Simple moves—but each carried the force to split mountains.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Three perfect deflections.
Each clash sent snow and maple leaves swirling violently into the air.
For the final strike, Bihua chose to retreat.
But the monk pressed on.
A sweeping horizontal slash tore through the air.
Bihua sidestepped just in time.
Then—
A thrust wrapped in spiraling wind shot forward.
Danger!
This move couldn't be blocked or dodged.
But Bihua had already seen it coming.
She stepped onto the weapon, forcing it off course.
The monk roared and tried to throw her off—
But Bihua flipped into the air and struck.
Her blade slashed across the monk's shoulder.
Now the opening appeared.
Landing smoothly, she launched a rapid chain of attacks, forcing the monk backward.
For the first time—
She had the advantage.
---
"Nice!!"
"Beautiful!"
"As expected of Bihua!"
The spectators erupted in excitement.
This wasn't a flashy, world-ending battle.
It was a master duel—precise, deadly, and intense.
---
But suddenly—
The monk disappeared.
"Not good!"
"The illusions again!"
This had ended badly before.
But Bihua was ready.
The moment the monk vanished—
She fired her grappling hook and launched herself into a tree.
The illusion attacks failed to reach her.
Then—
A weakness appeared.
A red glow at the monk's neck.
"Now!"
Bihua dove down and struck.
Her blade pierced the monk's neck.
Blood splattered across the drifting leaves.
---
Cheers exploded again.
But Bihua didn't relax.
Something felt wrong.
Suddenly—
A massive centipede burst from the monk's neck.
"An Undying Parasite!"
The creature lashed out.
The monk, now controlled by it, entered a frenzy.
Five rapid spinning attacks followed, forming a deadly whirlwind.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
Bihua deflected all five.
Perfectly.
The crowd held their breath.
---
Then—
The centipede spat venomous insects.
"Watch out!"
At the last moment—
Bihua threw a set of firecrackers.
Explosions and flames blocked the swarm.
She charged through the smoke.
Seven… eight consecutive strikes.
The monk staggered.
Another opening.
Bihua activated her prosthetic spear—
Dragged the centipede out—
And with the Mortal Blade, she ended it.
The monk let out a final cry… and turned to dust.
---
"Finally…!"
Victory.
The crowd was in awe.
---
"Only Bihua could do that…"
"If it were us, we'd die twenty times!"
---
After crossing the bridge—
Bihua reached a cliff.
Before her lay the Source Palace.
A breathtaking landscape of water, flowers, and ancient structures.
Pink cherry blossoms spread like oceans.
Waterfalls cascaded down the mountain.
An otherworldly paradise.
---
"It's beautiful… but no time to admire it."
"The real goal is the Source God."
Time Traveler suggested, "Look at the layout. The higher the terrain, the higher the status. The Source God is probably at the very top."
"Got it."
Bihua moved.
---
But suddenly—
Dogs blocked her path.
Lightning gathered in their mouths—
Golden lightning.
They fired.
Bihua was hit.
Paralyzed.
Killed instantly.
---
"…Dogs that use lightning?!"
"Even stronger than Genichiro?!"
---
After reviving—
She eliminated them from a distance.
Then continued forward.
---
Soon—
She encountered the palace residents.
Twisted humanoid beings with pale skin, multiple arms, and tails.
The Okami Clan.
---
"They used to be human…"
"Now they're immortal… but corrupted."
---
They were weak.
Slow.
One slash, one kill.
But suddenly—
One inhaled deeply.
Bihua's life force was drained.
Her hair turned white.
Her body aged instantly.
---
"What the hell?!"
---
The creature grew stronger.
Bihua, weakened, couldn't resist.
She died again.
---
"These things drain life force…"
"They're weak—but deadly if ignored."
---
After reviving again—
Bihua made a decision.
"No more wasting time."
"I'm heading straight for the Source God."
---
To be continued…
×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×
Read Extra Chapter Visit My Patreon
I have only 1 tier
19$ Tier – Access to 40 advance chapters
patreon.com/Lempil
patreon.com/Lempil