Opportunities like the Martial Arts Trial – which grants free access to officially regulated secret realms – are incredibly rare, truly a once-in-a-lifetime prospect that cultivators would travel hundreds of miles to pursue. Most such realms are locked behind layers of bureaucracy and astronomical fees, reserved for elite sects or government-backed institutions.
For ordinary extraordinary individuals seeking entry into these controlled spaces, entrance fees are mandatory – often costing thousands of spirit coins, a fortune they must scrape together from years of hard work, dangerous missions, or family savings. Many promising practitioners never get to step foot inside a single secret realm, their potential stunted by lack of access to the rare resources and spiritual energy within.
But right now, after slaying the hulking mountain ape that had cornered him at the cliff's edge, Bai Hao had absorbed its blood essence to strengthen his body – warm, golden energy coursing through his veins and mending old injuries while fortifying his muscles and bones. It was an exceptional shortcut to enhancing his physical capabilities, far more effective than months of mundane training.
How could he let such a golden opportunity slip away?
He was determined to make the most of this rare chance to gain valuable resources at no cost. Every magical beast he defeated would not only boost his score in the exam but also provide essence that could push his cultivation to the next level – a level he'd been stuck at for nearly a year despite his best efforts.
Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, Bai Hao gazed out over the mist-shrouded peaks, his mind racing with plans. He decided to remain in the realm for a few more days, at the very least ensuring he maximized every benefit this free access offered. There were entire sections of the Weeping Sky Gorge he hadn't explored yet – areas rumored to be home to even more powerful beasts, and possibly rare herbs or ancient artifacts.
After all, the two-day deadline was still some time away. Even with his scores already well above average – 115 points, more than enough to secure a top position in the rankings – the secret realm's rules didn't mandate early departure for top performers. Examinees were allowed to stay until the final bell, provided they could survive the dangers within.
Having made up his mind, his eyes sharpened with resolve. The faint exhaustion from his earlier battle faded, replaced by renewed focus. He turned and retraced the perilous mountain path he'd taken to escape earlier, his boots finding familiar footholds on slick rocks and narrow ledges. His plan was clear: infiltrate the mountain ape colony's main stronghold across the ridge and use guerrilla tactics to pick off beasts amid the chaos, avoiding direct confrontation with large groups while harvesting as much essence as possible.
Across the canyon, on a gentler slope dotted with pine trees and moss-covered boulders, Xiao Chunan – who'd already dispatched nearly twenty defenseless mountain apes with precise swipes of his golden claws – withdrew his scaled hands as the suppressing effect of his Dragon Power finally faded. The brilliant golden light that had wrapped around him like armor dissipated, leaving behind only faint traces of spiritual energy in the air.
The dozens of surviving apes – their fur matted with blood and fear – stared at the figure who'd cut through their ranks like a slaughter demon god, moving with inhuman speed and grace. Their last shred of fighting spirit shattered instantly, replaced by primal terror. Letting out agonized wails that echoed across the peaks, they fled desperately toward the summit, scrambling over rocks and trees in their panic, some even leaping from narrow ledges in their haste to escape.
Xiao Chunan watched the tide of brown fur retreat across the slopes, a hint of disappointment in his amber eyes. He'd hoped to harvest more essence from the apes to strengthen his bloodline, but their flight made that impossible now. With a quiet sigh, he shifted his focus back to the couple he'd been protecting – two students from a local sect who'd been caught in the chaos he'd unintentionally triggered.
The young woman was still sitting on the ground, her face pale as she clutched a torn sleeve to her arm. The man leaned against a large boulder, his back bandaged with strips of cloth from his tunic, blood seeping through the makeshift wrap despite his best efforts to stem the flow.
Just as he was about to speak, to assure them they were safe now, a movement from the corner of his eye made him freeze – a tremor running through his body that had nothing to do with exertion.
Not far away, making his way along a narrow ledge carved into the cliff face, was Bai Hao – whom he'd assumed was surely dead after being surrounded by dozens of apes in the steep terrain. Not only was he alive, but he emerged completely unharmed from the ape encirclement, his clothing barely rumpled, his posture relaxed.
What's more, the man carried himself with an air of calm confidence that bordered on arrogance, as if surviving an ape horde was nothing more than a minor inconvenience.
Xiao Chunan's pupils contracted to the size of wheat grains, his jaw tightening in disbelief.
"How is this possible?"
His mind reeled, struggling to process what he was seeing. "With my Emperor-grade talent – awakened when I was just sixteen, one of only three in Suzhou-Hangzhou's history – I can move freely among the apes without fear. My Dragon Power alone is enough to subdue most beasts. How could he – an unknown, ordinary student from Suzhou-Hangzhou – survive such an assault? And even… escape without a scratch?"
Though he wasn't close to Bai Hao, having only seen him briefly during the exam's opening ceremony, Xiao Chunan was certain the man couldn't be an Emperor-level Spirit Envoy like himself, nor even a lower-ranked Saint-level practitioner. Such talents were rare, and their names spread quickly through the cultivation community – celebrated as future pillars of the Xia Kingdom.
Suzhou-Hangzhou was neither large nor small, home to dozens of sects and cultivation schools. Rumors about students who'd awakened top-tier talents had circulated for years, shared in teahouses and training grounds alike. And the name Bai Hao had never once been mentioned in those conversations – not as a prodigy, not as a skilled fighter, not even as someone with potential.
"Could he have used a rare, powerful life-saving artifact?"
The thought crossed his mind as Xiao Chunan's gaze turned sharp, his spiritual sense extending outward like invisible tendrils. He scanned Bai Hao's form repeatedly, searching for abnormal spiritual energy fluctuations or traces of hidden magical tools – artifacts that could shield a person from harm or enhance their speed and strength beyond natural limits. But try as he might, he detected nothing out of the ordinary – only a steady, moderate flow of spiritual energy, no different from that of any other mid-tier practitioner.
From his position some distance away, perched on the ledge overlooking the canyon, Bai Hao was equally surprised to see the three figures safe and unharmed. A coordinated attack by so many mountain apes would overwhelm most spiritual practitioners – even experienced ones – and yet here they were, alive and mostly intact. Only seasoned masters could guarantee their safety in such a situation, let alone protect others while doing so.
"This man… he's incredibly strong!"
Bai Hao hadn't been following news of newly awakened talents in Suzhou-Hangzhou, too focused on his own training to pay attention to gossip or rankings. So he had no idea who Xiao Chunan was – no idea that the man standing across the canyon was one of the most celebrated young cultivators in the region. He simply recognized the other's abilities as extraordinary – the kind of strength that came from either decades of hard work or a truly exceptional talent. Someone worthy of careful attention, and someone he'd do well to avoid crossing unless necessary.
Their eyes met across the canyon, separated by hundreds of feet of open air and rushing water below. For a long moment, neither moved, and the air between them crackled with unspoken tension – a silent acknowledgment of each other's strength, mixed with wariness on both sides.
Bai Hao narrowed his eyes, his hand unconsciously moving to rest near his waist where he'd normally keep a weapon (though he'd entered the exam unarmed, as required by the rules). While he didn't care for the man who'd caused the initial ape attack with his reckless shouts – putting everyone in danger – he had to admit the strength on display was impressive. The way he'd subdued the apes without breaking a sweat spoke of power far beyond Bai Hao's current level.
At his current stage of cultivation, he couldn't hope to face a beast horde as calmly as Xiao Chunan had, let alone protect others while doing so – not with his own strength alone. The chaotic power he'd awakened earlier was powerful, but it was still new to him, difficult to control, and drained quickly if used carelessly.
Having no desire to get entangled with the group – especially not with someone whose carelessness had already nearly gotten him killed – Bai Hao gave a slight nod of acknowledgment, then turned and headed in the opposite direction. With the apes now scattered and fleeing the area, there was no reason to linger here and risk unnecessary conflict. He'd be better off finding a new habitat of magical beasts to hunt – perhaps the river valley he'd spotted earlier, or the forested slopes to the east – avoiding both confrontation and the cramped, tense atmosphere of the current area.
Xiao Chunan had intended to call out and apologize for endangering him earlier, his sense of honor demanding he make amends for his mistake. But the distance was too great, and the wind carried sound away from the ledge where Bai Hao stood. Before his voice could carry across the canyon, Bai Hao's figure had vanished around a rocky bend, moving with surprising speed through the dense undergrowth.
"Even small cities like Suzhou-Hangzhou hide such talents," Xiao Chunan muttered to himself, his gaze still fixed on the spot where Bai Hao had disappeared. "I struggled to handle that situation, pushing my Dragon Power to its limits just to keep everyone safe, yet he not only survived but could have protected others too?"
A new thought crept into his mind, one he'd never considered before. Could this be another awakened Emperor-level Spirit Envoy? Someone who'd kept their talent hidden, perhaps to avoid the pressure and attention that came with such a status? It wouldn't be unheard of – some cultivators preferred to develop their abilities in secret, emerging only when they were strong enough to stand on their own.
"Forget it – it's not my concern right now," he said, shaking his head to clear the thought. There would be time to investigate later, after the exam was over. For now, he had more pressing matters to attend to.
After absorbing the pure blood essence of several apes during the fight, he felt lighter and more energized than before – his muscles stronger, his spiritual meridians wider, his connection to his dragon bloodline deeper. He set off downstream along the mountain river, following the sound of rushing water that echoed through the ravine. The river was said to lead to a lake in the heart of the gorge, a place where even more powerful beasts were rumored to dwell.
At the bottom of the ravine, powerful currents roared through the narrow channel, carving deep grooves into the stone bed and sending spray high into the air. The water was dark and murky, clouded by sediment washed down from the peaks during recent rains. Bai Hao paused at the bank, his boots sinking into soft mud as his interest piqued by the enormous fish swimming beneath the surface. Their spines were clearly visible through the water – some as thick as a baby's forearm, others even larger – and they moved with startling speed, their tails propelling them through the current as they lunged at smaller fish and water creatures with savage ferocity.
"So that's how it is…" he murmured, watching as one of the giants snapped up a water snake that had ventured too close to the surface.
"No wonder exotic giant fish are always sold in markets across the country – their source lies right here in the secret realm. The merchants must have connections inside the examiners' office, smuggling out catches whenever the realm is opened." It explained why such rare specimens were available for purchase despite being officially restricted – a black market trade he'd heard whispers of but never fully believed until now.
As he watched, mesmerized by the creatures moving beneath the water, an unexpected danger emerged. One massive black-scaled fish – easily eight feet long and as thick as a strong man's thigh – suddenly halted in the current, its body going still despite the rushing water around it. Its grotesque head, covered in rough scales and dotted with small, dark eyes, twisted upward, locking onto Bai Hao's position on the shore with unnerving precision!
Those cold, glassy eyes seemed to pierce through the water's surface, fixing intently on his form. Even from a distance, he could feel the creature's predatory gaze – a hunger not just for food, but for the spiritual energy that radiated from his body.
"This is bad!"
Bai Hao's instincts flared to life, sending a chill down his spine that had nothing to do with the cold mountain air. His spiritual sense, which he'd been honing for years, warned him of imminent danger – a threat far greater than he'd initially assumed. This wasn't just a large fish; it was a magical beast, one that had developed spiritual awareness and the ability to use simple techniques.
Before he could fully react, the giant fish snapped its jaws open, revealing rows of needle-sharp teeth that glinted like metal in the dim light. A low humming sound echoed from its throat, growing louder as it gathered energy from the water around it.
Ssssshoot!
A high-pressure jet of water blasted out from its mouth like a bullet, streaking straight toward his face with deadly accuracy. The force of it carved a small trench in the mud bank as it passed, sending clumps of earth flying in all directions.
Without hesitation, he mentally commanded his chaotic power to surge forward, shaping it into a solid shield in front of him. The dark barrier materialized in an instant, its surface rippling with purple energy as it met the incoming attack. The water jet struck with a loud plop, splashing droplets everywhere – but every drop was blocked by the shield, sliding harmlessly off its surface and falling back into the river.
Fair was fair. Bai Hao wasn't one to let an attack go unanswered, especially not from a creature that had targeted him intentionally. He raised his right hand, focusing the chaotic power that still flowed through his veins, condensing it into a beam of light as intense as daylight – brighter even than his usual techniques, fueled by the raw energy of his newly awakened ability. With a sharp flick of his wrist, he fired it back at the creature.
The beam struck true, hitting the giant fish directly between its eyes. Its head was obliterated instantly, reduced to a cloud of blood and scales that spread outward in the water. Its massive body convulsed once, then went limp, floating to the surface as its internal organs and blood spilled into the river and stained the water crimson.
As the creature's essence flowed into him – warm energy that seeped through his skin even from a distance – Bai Hao felt his strength grow a little more. He nodded slowly, a reminder forming in his mind as he watched the current carry the fish's body downstream.
"In this secret realm, all living beings possess consciousness and show no mercy – constant vigilance is essential…"
This line, printed in bold letters on the front page of The Basic Cultivation Guide for Xia Kingdom Extraordinary Individuals, was a critical reminder he'd never forgotten. It was one of the first things every young practitioner was taught, drilled into them until it became second nature. In the world of cultivation, kindness to beasts was a luxury few could afford – especially not in a place like the Weeping Sky Gorge, where every living thing saw others as either prey or threat.
Outside the secret realm's entrance, where jagged rocks formed a natural archway and spiritual barriers glowed with faint blue light, Zhao Yuan – proctor in charge of monitoring the "Weeping Sky Gorge" examination hall – stood pale-faced, his expression grim as ice. He'd been a proctor for fifteen years, overseeing dozens of exams, but he'd never seen anything like what was happening today.
His eyes were fixed on the holographic screen in his hand, a slim device no larger than his palm that displayed real-time data on each examinee's life imprint and spiritual energy fluctuations. Each candidate was represented by a small blue dot on the screen, their position marked by coordinates mapped to the realm's layout. The dimmer the dot, the graver the danger they faced; if it went out completely, it meant they were dead.
In barely an hour, fully one-third of the blue life indicators had winked out for good – more than forty students, all of whom had entered the realm full of hope and ambition just hours earlier. Their names scrolled across the bottom of the screen in white text, a grim list that grew longer with every passing minute.
During martial arts exams, all selected secret realms fall under strict military jurisdiction – unauthorized entry is strictly prohibited, punishable by fines, imprisonment, or even expulsion from the cultivation community. Special interference artifacts, placed at strategic points around the entrance, also allow the realm to be sealed at a moment's notice, preventing the space from resetting itself and erasing evidence of what had occurred inside. This enables emergency rescues if needed, though such measures are rarely taken unless the lives of high-ranking practitioners are at stake. Each candidate receives a unique psionic tracker before entering, a small crystal embedded in their clothing that cannot be removed without triggering an alarm, used to monitor survival status and record their scores based on the beasts they defeat.
"Something's wrong," Zhao Yuan muttered, his brow furrowed as he swiped through the screen's data, pulling up maps and energy readings from inside the realm. "Why is the mortality rate in Weeping Sky Gorge so high this time? The rate of loss is terrifying – we've never had more than ten deaths in a single exam before, and that was twenty years ago when a group of beasts broke through their containment zone."
"So many students dead in just one hour…" He shook his head, his hands trembling slightly as he checked the readings again. The data was clear, but it was almost impossible to believe. Most of the deaths had occurred in the northern section of the gorge, where the mountain ape colony was located – the same area where Xiao Chunan, the Emperor-level Spirit Envoy, had been tracked to.
"The Emperor-ranked disciple is inside this realm too," he continued, his voice tight with worry as he pulled up Xiao Chunan's tracker. The dot was still bright blue, indicating he was alive and well, but it was moving deeper into the gorge – toward areas known to be home to the most dangerous beasts in the realm. "Could alien forces have tampered with the exam space? Sneaked in to target our top talents?"
"That shouldn't be possible… I've been guarding the entrance nonstop for the past twelve hours, with a team of ten Spirit Guardians to assist me. I'd