Chapter 17: The Eastern Sea Secret Realm Opens, and a Fateful Encounter

Murong Fier was reportedly doted upon within the Murong Family, even groomed to be their next leader, showered with boundless affection.

“Murong Fier actually came too!”

“Who is this Murong Fier?”

“Murong Fier is no ordinary person! It’s said her mother is Princess Ailing, a princess of the Mountains and Seas Immortal Dynasty, and her cousin is none other than Han Jiangxue, the Empress of the Mountains and Seas Immortal Dynasty! With such a background, who would dare provoke her?”

“So she’s the Murong Family’s little princess! No wonder she carries herself with such poise!”

A wave of profound shock rippled through the onlookers.

Lin Feng and Li Mengyue arrived nearby, and after exchanging greetings with the high-ranking figures from various major forces in the Eastern Sea region, they found a discreet spot to stand.

Meanwhile, Li Mengyue’s grandfather made his way to the area reserved for the three ancient aristocratic families of the Eastern Sea region, where he engaged in pleasant conversation with their patriarchs.

On the other side, He Xiaomeng murmured with a hint of envy, “Second Senior Sister and the others are so cool, but isn’t the Eastern Sea primarily dominated by the three great sects? How do these aristocratic families dare to act like this?”

“Alas.”

Ye Zhiqu sighed, then slowly began, “Families are like iron, while sects are like flowing water. Though the Eastern Sea sects are said to be the face of the Eastern Sea, truthfully, these three great aristocratic families have inherited their legacies from the era of the Human Emperors in the Qiyuan Realm and continue to this day. The Eastern Sea may appear tranquil on the surface, but secretly, all the resources of its sects combined are insufficient compared to these three families, and most of the sects’ prodigies are eventually absorbed by them.”

“I see.”

Such an answer was well within Xian Yuan’s expectations, for she already possessed some knowledge of these matters.

Before long, everyone had arrived, and all the prodigies of the Eastern Sea were gathered on the plaza.

Just then, a white-haired elder ascended above the crowd and declared, “The Eastern Sea Secret Realm is now open! Only Golden Immortals and those below are permitted entry. Once inside, regardless of life or death, your survival depends on your own abilities! In three months, the one who acquires the most treasures shall be declared the victor!”

“Yes!”

Everyone present responded in unison.

Immediately afterward, the void began to tremble violently, followed by the appearance of countless dense runes. Then, the void tore open, revealing a colossal virtual passage to the Eastern Sea Secret Realm before everyone’s eyes.

From within this void passage surged an incredibly terrifying devouring force.

Under the pull of that devouring force, all the disciples of the Eastern Sea swiftly rushed into the void passage.

Everyone quickly plunged into the virtual passage and vanished without a trace.

****

*Whoosh.*

Suddenly.

A flash of light erupted before her eyes.

Beams of light enveloped her body.

She immediately felt the surrounding environment warp and distort, and it was only after the ripples subsided that she regained her senses.

Xian Yuan opened her eyes.

She discovered.

She had unexpectedly appeared in a vast and lush grassland.

This immense grassland stretched boundlessly, its extent unknown, with verdant forests bordering it on all sides.

“Is this the Eastern Sea Secret Realm?”

Xian Yuan gazed upon the world around her, her expression instantly transforming into one of mischievous glee. ‘With my senior brothers and sisters no longer by my side, it’s time to unleash my true nature!’

Yet, at this moment, Xian Yuan had no idea that the events within the Eastern Sea Secret Realm were being broadcast live!

Outside, a stone monument displayed the rankings of all the prodigies.

****

Meanwhile, in the southeastern direction of the Eastern Sea Secret Realm, Ye Zhiqu had already encountered Lu Buchun.

“Damn it, why is it this obnoxious woman!”

Lu Buchun eyed Ye Zhiqu, who had landed in the same spot as him, feeling utterly displeased.

“Saint Son Lu, let’s not interfere with each other, shall we?”

Ye Zhiqu hadn’t expected to land in the same place as Lu Buchun. Just a few days prior, Junior Sister Xian Yuan had severed his ‘root of wisdom’ (TL Note: A euphemism for castration or rendering someone impotent, often used humorously or derisively in web novels.), and now, meeting again, a battle seemed inevitable.

Ye Zhiqu knew she was no match for Lu Buchun, so she intended to try diplomacy before resorting to force; after all, she preferred peaceful resolutions.

But clearly.

Lu Buchun had no intention of reasoning with Ye Zhiqu.

He sneered, “Your junior sister bullied this Saint Son. Do you truly expect to escape unscathed?”

However, his voice was remarkably gentle, and he couldn’t help but form a delicate orchid-finger gesture.

“Bullied you? When did we ever bully you?”

Ye Zhiqu gazed at the effeminate Lu Buchun, feeling a surge of nausea. ‘What a disgusting effeminate man!’ (TL Note: ‘Renyao’ is a derogatory term often used to describe effeminate men or those perceived as cross-dressing, carrying strong negative connotations.)

“Xian Yuan of your Heavenly Gate Island severed this Saint Son’s ‘root of wisdom’ a few days ago! How do you intend to settle this matter?”

Lu Buchun snarled viciously.

“Naturally, it doesn’t count. Farewell, Saint Son!”

Ye Zhiqu immediately activated her spatial divine ability, choosing to make a swift escape. As the Second Senior Sister, she understood perfectly that surviving was paramount; everything else was mere fleeting cloud.

Watching Ye Zhiqu flee, Lu Buchun couldn’t help but roar in fury, “Vile slut! How dare you make a fool of me!”

Lu Buchun transformed into a streak of sword light, pursuing Ye Zhiqu.

He unleashed the formidable Nine Nether Ghost Sword Art, sending out terrifying streaks of sword qi that tore through the void.

The densely packed sword qi shredded the void into countless fragments.

The Nine Nether Ghost Sword Art was reputed to be one of the most powerful sword arts of the Heavenly Chosen Palace.

Its destructive power was truly terrifying.

Although Ye Zhiqu’s cultivation had reached the True Immortal Realm, she was only at the fifth layer of True Immortal.

However, Lu Buchun’s cultivation had reached the ninth layer of the True Immortal Realm.

The disparity between them was simply too vast.