"We found a secret realm," she said
Chu Feng froze.
Yu Lianyan cut in. "It's not open yet. When we located it, the space was too stable—meaning the opening window was not yet time, but based on calculations, it will open in seven months."
Seven months…
"And it will take four months to reach the location from the sect," Yu Lianxue added. "Unless we use spatial teleportation channels."
"But we're leaving early," Yu Lianyan said firmly. "Delays, unknown dangers, others discovering it… Too many variables."
Chu Feng leaned back slightly, absorbing the information.
"What kind of secret realm?"
Yu Lianyan smirked. "The kind that will draw every major genius in the region once word gets out."
Yu Lianxue nodded. "We can't carry dead weight for this. Our group must be small and absolutely reliable."
"So... earlier was because of this?" Chu Feng asked, scratching his cheek.
Yu Lianyan gave a guilty cough.
Yu Lianxue sighed. "We truly didn't know you were… you."
"So?" Yu Lianyan said, turning to him. "You're coming with us."
Chu Feng didn't agree right away.
He thought about the risks. The challenges. The unknowns
Then he nodded.
"I'll come," he said simply.
The twins' eyes brightened at the same time, though Yu Hua quickly buried hers beneath a scoff.
"Good. Then we'll meet here in three months.. We'll leave together."
Chu Feng smiled faintly. "Okay."
The night deepened.
And yet none of them moved.
They kept talking, kept sharing fragments of their lives, their struggles, their hopes. At some point, the cliff no longer felt cold. The air no longer felt sharp. The Sword Cliff felt… warm.
When they finally parted ways, it was with reluctance.
Yu Lianyan kept glancing back while Yu Lianxue walked slowly, as if trying to memorise every sound of his presence behind her.
And Chu Feng… He remained where he stood, watching until their silhouettes disappeared into the night.
Moments later, Chu Feng stood before Han Long, who lay stretched out across a roof beam, drinking lazily as always.
"Master… I'll be leaving in three months."
Han Long didn't bother opening his eyes."Mn."
"…I'll be away for a while."
"Mn."
Just as Chu Feng drew breath to speak again, a talisman flicked through the air. Han Long hadn't even lifted his head. It landed perfectly in Chu Feng's hand.
"That thing," Han Long drawled, "may be useful."
Chu Feng blinked. "Master—"
A lazy wave of the hand. "Go, go. Don't disturb my rest."
A faint smile tugged at Chu Feng's lips. He bowed deeply, then turned and took his leave.
Seclusion at the Sword Cliff
From the next day onward, Chu Feng once again stood alone atop the cliff.
The sword scar carved into the stone wall glowed faintly beneath the rising sun. Sword intent seeped from it in steady waves—sharp enough to sting the skin.
Chu Feng drew in a slow breath.
Three months.
He had one goal.
Hone his sword intent. Break through to the next stage of his sword intent and prepare for whatever awaits within that secret realm.
He sat cross-legged.
Closed his eyes and began cultivating.
Letting the Sword Cliff swallow his senses.
Sword energy hummed through the air, cutting against the wind. Invisible pressure drilled into his bones. The cliff itself seemed to whisper with the echoes of an ancient strike.
Chu Feng steadied his breathing.
His sword intent flickered—then ignited—then began its climb toward the next stage.
And the Sword Cliff trembled softly in response.
When Chu Feng began cultivating at the Sword Cliff, the Sword Sect continued operating normally.
Disciples came and went.Training platforms rang with shouted techniques.The inner court buzzed with gossip.
And one rumour spread faster than the rest:
Chu Feng had fought the cloaked twins… and hadn't lost.
It didn't take long for Qin Hao to hear.
The moment the news reached him, he froze mid-practice, spear tip trembling slightly.
"He… fought two of them? And came out fine?"
His jaw tightened.
He wasn't jealous— but he definitely wasn't willing to be left too far behind.
Without a moment of hesitation, he marched straight to the Mission Hall and took on multiple tasks in one breath.
"I'll catch up," he muttered, gripping his spear. "I won't waste time."
And he vanished from the sect for several weeks, training like a madman.
Meanwhile, Jìn Bǎo had his own adventure.
He caught wind—through some questionable "secret source"—that the cloaked twins were looking for someone to join their group.
The moment he heard this, his elegant body went stiff.
"Group…? Secret mission…? Cloaked twins…?"
Then he remembered the rumours.
Chu Feng…the cloaked twins…a fight on the Sword Cliff…
He connected the dots, slapped his thigh with a crack, and shouted:
"Of course! Brother Feng must be in their group! How dare they hide things from this young master!"
Next moment—
He stormed off to find the twins.
The twins were quietly discussing in a secluded courtyard when Jìn Bǎo burst in like rolling thunder.
"I want to join your group!"
The twins stared at him, speechless.
Yu Hua folded her arms. "Group... what group?"
Jìn Bǎo spread his arms with great drama.
"I have funds. I can get pills, talismans and some necessary supplies. I am practically a walking treasure vault!"
Yu Lian blinked, stunned. "…That's… not wrong."
Jìn Bǎo wasn't done.
"Don't worry, I won't drag anyone down. And—and! Chu Feng is my brother!"
The twins exchanged glances, eyes narrowing.
"…Brother?" Yu Lianyan asked slowly, suspicious.
Jìn Bǎo nodded vigorously, nearly crying. "Fate-bonded brothers! Life-and-death brothers! Wealth-sharing brothers!"
The twins fell into a long, stunned silence.
He continued rambling for a long while, offering enough resources to fund a mid-sized sect.
Finally, Yu Lianxue let out a quiet sigh.
"He really does make a compelling case…"
Yu Lianyan pinched her brow.
Jìn Bǎo pressed his hands together. "Please. If you leave me behind, my heart will break."
The fiery twin finally threw her hands up.
"Fine! But if you leak anything, we'll both castrate you!"
Jìn Bǎo shivered with his hands in between his legs before he saluted so fast his hand blurred."Yes, ma'am!"
And just like that— he joined the group.