The southern region of Dragon Yuan Province was vast.
Mountains stretched endlessly across the horizon.
Ancient forests concealed countless dangers.
Forbidden zones occupied isolated territories where even Foundation Establishment cultivators rarely dared to venture.
The battlefield left behind by the war against the demonic cultivators still remained active in certain regions.
And beneath all of it—
Spiritual veins.
Numerous Rank-2 Spiritual Veins spread throughout the southern territories under the control of the Lin Family.
Some were developed into markets.
Others became towns.
A few were transformed into cultivation strongholds.
Their purpose depended entirely on their location and value.
Linhe Town was one such place.
Built around a Rank-2 Low-Grade Spiritual Vein, the town served as a minor gathering point for cultivators traveling through the southern territories.
The spiritual energy was not rich enough to attract major powers.
Yet it remained valuable enough to support several Foundation Establishment cultivators.
For decades, the town had remained peaceful.
And its assigned guardian had been very satisfied with that arrangement.
Unfortunately—
Peace never lasted forever.
...
Within the central manor of Linhe Town.
A middle-aged man sat quietly inside a private room.
His brows remained tightly furrowed.
This man was Lin Hesu.
The guardian of Linhe Town.
An Early Stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Many years ago, he had possessed moderate talent.
A Medium-Grade Spiritual Root.
A decent starting point.
Had he cultivated diligently during his youth, reaching the late stages of Foundation Establishment might have been possible.
Unfortunately—
His younger self had been far too comfortable.
Too content.
Too willing to indulge in pleasures.
By the time he realized his mistake, his best years had already slipped away.
His progress slowed.
His potential dried up.
Eventually he became trapped within the Early Stage Foundation Establishment Realm.
Decades passed.
His lifespan gradually shortened.
His ambitions faded.
At that point, all he wanted was stability.
A peaceful posting.
A comfortable life.
Fortunately, through countless favors and nearly every connection he possessed, he secured assignment to Linhe Town.
A place far from danger.
Far from conflict.
Even during the recent war against the demonic cultivators, almost no fighting had reached this region.
To Lin Hesu—
This had been the perfect retirement.
Yet recently everything began changing.
First came the celestial phenomenon.
The entire southern region had witnessed it.
Naturally, Lin Hesu had immediately become nervous.
Fortunately, the Lin Family quickly intervened.
Rumors spread.
Explanations followed.
The situation appeared to stabilize.
For a time.
Then the truth emerged.
A secret realm.
Not a treasure.
Not a heavenly phenomenon.
A genuine secret realm.
And not just any secret realm.
One capable of attracting cultivators from multiple provinces.
The moment Lin Hesu learned the news, he nearly collapsed on the spot.
His peaceful retirement had instantly become a nightmare.
Worse still—
The first wave of outsiders had already begun arriving.
...
At this moment.
Inside the main reception hall.
Lin Hesu sat quietly while suppressing the urge to wipe sweat from his forehead.
Because the guests before him were making him extremely uncomfortable.
Several guards stood throughout the hall.
Each one emitted the aura of Peak Qi Refining.
Their posture was disciplined.
Their eyes were sharp.
Not ordinary guards.
Not hired cultivators.
These were personal retainers.
The kind raised specifically to serve powerful families.
Yet even they were not the source of Lin Hesu's concern.
His gaze occasionally drifted toward the elderly man standing behind the central chair.
The old man appeared unremarkable.
Simple grey robes.
Ordinary appearance.
No visible pressure.
Yet Lin Hesu's instincts screamed danger.
Every instinct cultivated over decades warned him to stay respectful.
The old man was definitely stronger than him.
Much stronger.
Mid Foundation Establishment?
Late Foundation Establishment?
Perhaps even higher.
Lin Hesu couldn't tell.
That uncertainty frightened him even more.
And seated before the elder...
Was a young man.
A very young man.
No older than twenty-five.
Perhaps younger.
He wore luxurious robes embroidered with golden qilin patterns.
Every thread seemed crafted from rare materials.
Several spirit jade ornaments hung from his waist.
Each one worth more than many cultivators earned in a lifetime.
His appearance was handsome.
Refined.
Yet the aura surrounding him was anything but pleasant.
Arrogance.
Disdain.
Superiority.
The young man didn't even bother hiding it.
His gaze casually swept across the room as though everyone present existed solely for his amusement.
Even the guardian of Linhe Town.
Even Lin Hesu.
Were no exception.
At this moment, several beautiful dancers performed in the center of the hall.
Their movements were graceful.
Elegant.
Yet most of them appeared nervous.
Terrified even.
Not because they feared making mistakes.
But because of the young man watching them.
Every glance he cast toward them caused their expressions to tighten.
The atmosphere felt suffocating.
Meanwhile, the young man casually drank spiritual wine while occasionally reaching toward whichever dancer happened to be closest.
No one dared object.
Not even Lin Hesu.
Because from the moment these guests arrived, he already understood one thing.
Their background was enormous.
Far beyond anything he could offend.
...
A performance eventually ended.
The dancers retreated.
Several visibly relaxed after leaving the hall.
The young man lazily leaned against his chair.
Then picked up another cup of wine.
Only then did Lin Hesu step forward.
His hands clasped respectfully.
His back slightly bent.
Not enough to lose dignity.
Yet enough to demonstrate respect.
"Young Master."
A smile appeared on his face.
"The ladies were prepared specially for your arrival."
"I wonder whether they were to your liking?"
The young man didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he continued drinking.
The silence stretched.
Long enough for the atmosphere to become uncomfortable.
Lin Hesu maintained his smile.
Though inwardly he cursed.
Only after several breaths passed did the young man finally lower his cup.
His eyes slowly landed upon Lin Hesu.
Then—
He smiled.
Unfortunately, the smile only made him appear more unpleasant.
"To my liking?"
The young man repeated the words softly.
Lin Hesu immediately nodded.
"Naturally."
"Naturally."
The young man laughed.
A light laugh.
Yet somehow it sounded mocking.
He casually waved a hand.
"The women were acceptable."
Lin Hesu inwardly relaxed but kept his guard up.
The young man's words slowly faded into the hall.
No one spoke.
Not Lin Hesu.
Not the dancers.
Not even the guards.
Only the faint sound of wine being poured could occasionally be heard.
The atmosphere remained strangely oppressive.
Lin Hesu forced himself to remain calm.
Years of dealing with cultivators had taught him one important lesson.
The more powerful someone's background was, the less predictable their temperament became.
Especially young masters.
One wrong sentence.
One misplaced glance.
And a person's entire family could disappear overnight.
The young man before him clearly belonged to that category.
After a few moments, the young man suddenly asked,
"What is the current situation near the entrance area?"
Lin Hesu immediately answered.
"Many cultivators have already begun establishing temporary camps."
"The surrounding inns reached full occupancy several days ago."
"Some merchant associations have started building temporary markets."
"Several local factions are also attempting to secure territory."
The young man chuckled.
"They're already dividing territory?"
"Interesting."
Lin Hesu nodded carefully.
"Many believe the secret realm will open soon."
"Naturally, everyone wishes to prepare beforehand."
The young man leaned backward.
"Fools."
The word came out casually.
As if he were discussing insects.
"Most of them will probably die before entering."
Lin Hesu's eyelids twitched slightly.
Yet he did not dare comment.
Because he knew the young man was probably correct.
Whenever a great opportunity appeared, countless people died before even reaching it.
Many never saw the inheritance they came searching for.
Instead, they became stepping stones for others.
The cultivation world had always been like that.
The young man suddenly waved a hand.
One of the guards immediately stepped forward.
"Young Master."
"How many forces have arrived?"
The guard lowered his head.
"According to current reports, thirty-seven notable factions have already entered the southern region."
"Eight originate from neighboring provinces."
"Three are sect branches."
"Several merchant alliances have also arrived."
The young man listened quietly.
Then smiled.
"Only thirty-seven?"
His tone sounded disappointed.
"Elder Liu."
"Yes, Young Master."
"It seems the news hasn't spread far enough."
The elder remained silent.
The young man continued.
"That's unfortunate."
Lin Hesu's heart suddenly skipped a beat.
For some reason, he felt those words carried a deeper meaning.
Before he could think further, the young man abruptly stood.
The dancers immediately retreated.
The guards straightened.
Even Elder Liu took half a step forward.
The young master stretched lazily.
Then walked toward the entrance of the hall.
As he passed Lin Hesu, he paused briefly.
His eyes landed upon the town guardian.
The smile on his face remained gentle.
Yet Lin Hesu felt cold sweat form on his back.
"Guardian Lin."
"This Young Master has enjoyed your hospitality."
Lin Hesu immediately bowed.
"It is this subordinate's honor."
The young man nodded.
Then added casually,
"I hope your town remains peaceful in the coming days."
The words sounded ordinary.
Yet somehow they felt like a warning.
Or perhaps a prediction.
Lin Hesu could not tell which.
The young man soon left the hall.
His guards followed behind him.
Elder Liu remained at the rear.
Before leaving completely, the old man glanced toward Lin Hesu.
Only a single glance.
Yet Lin Hesu felt as if an invisible mountain had pressed against his chest.
Then the elder turned away.
The group departed.
The moment their figures disappeared, the pressure within the hall vanished.
Several dancers nearly collapsed.
One servant secretly wiped away sweat.
Lin Hesu himself sat down heavily in his chair.
For the first time since their arrival, he allowed himself to breathe properly.
One of his trusted aides quickly approached.
"Guardian."
"Should we investigate them further?"
Lin Hesu immediately shook his head.
"Absolutely not."
His answer came far too quickly.
The aide blinked.
Lin Hesu's expression became serious.
"People like that..."
He paused.
Then slowly continued.
"The less we know, the safer we are."
The aide immediately understood.
No further questions were asked.
Meanwhile—
Outside Linhe Town.
The young master and his entourage moved through the streets.
Many cultivators unconsciously made way for them.
Not because they recognized him.
But because the group naturally radiated danger.
The young man looked around with obvious boredom.
"This place is dull."
Elder Liu remained expressionless.
"The secret realm will not be."
The young man smiled.
"Hopefully."