Chapter 242 : The Damaged Secret Realm
Chapter 242: The Damaged Secret Realm
Chen Ming stepped inside, immediately drawing the attention of everyone present.
There were a total of seven people here—five men and two women—all of them appearing quite young. These were the elites of Jiangzhou’s younger generation, excluding those from the Seven Great Powers.
Each of the seven represented a different faction.
The Qin Family, the Ji Family, Cangyue Sect, Wushan Sect, Tiangang Sect, another one with close ties to Jin Yutang.
The last was from the Six Doors Authority. And it was even an old acquaintance.
With him representing the Jiang Family, all eight of the strongest forces of Jiangzhou were now gathered.
This also meant that without the backing of a major power, one didn’t even qualify to attend.
The seven present reacted differently—some cold, some wary, some scrutinizing, some doubtful, and some with a gaze carrying aggression...
“This young lady seems unfamiliar, I haven’t seen her before. I am Tian Qidong of Dai Prefecture, may I ask how to address you?”
A rather genial youth took the initiative to greet her.
Chen Ming politely replied, “Yuan Ziyi of Xingyue Sect, greetings to Brother Tian.”
The Tian Family of Dai Prefecture… quite nostalgic.
He recalled that a few years ago, during the Martial Gathering at the Inspector’s Residence in Qingfeng City, there had been someone from the Tian Family named Tian Qiming. This person was likely his brother.
“So it is Miss Yuan, a pleasure indeed.” Tian Qidong was tactful enough. Seeing she didn’t wish to continue talking, he didn’t press further.
Chen Ming stepped aside, his gaze sweeping across the seven, pausing a moment longer on one particular person.
That man was named Zhou Weihua, a cousin of Zhou Weihao. And indeed, the two bore some resemblance.
As for Gu Yuantao and Zhou Weihao, Chen Ming wondered how they were doing now.
Since those two weren’t in Jiangzhou City, it was impossible to inquire about their situation for the time being...
Just as Chen Ming was pondering, footsteps sounded from outside. He was surprised—there was yet another person? Which faction had put forth this candidate?
He turned to look and saw the hem of a yellow dress sweeping past the Moon Gate. His heart gave a sudden jolt as a familiar figure entered his sight.
It was her?!
The newcomer wore a bright yellow long dress, her face veiled. Her hair was tied up high in the style of a married woman. She walked with graceful poise, her every movement exuding elegance. Even veiled, she was undoubtedly a peerless beauty.
The others were just as surprised. Those who recognized her were puzzled as to why she was here, while those who didn’t speculated on which faction she represented.
“It’s you?”
Only one man reacted with great agitation upon seeing her.
It was none other than Chen Ming’s old acquaintance from Qingfeng City—the Fifth Grade Constable Yu Xiuming. He had once been the top authority in Qingfeng City until a Third Grade Inspector was parachuted in.
Not long after, Yu Xiuming had been transferred away.
Chen Ming hadn’t expected to meet him again here.
In the two years since, Yu Xiuming had advanced to the Third Grade. Representing the Six Doors Authority, his face darkened instantly upon seeing someone his superior had deemed an enemy. He barked sharply, “This is not a place for you! Leave at once!”
The woman in the yellow dress was none other than Yu Haitang. She didn’t spare him a glance, her voice calm as she said, “I was invited here by the master of this place. Who are you to think you can drive me out?”
Yu Xiuming turned angrily toward the steward of Jin Yutang who had brought her, demanding, “What is the meaning of this?”
The steward, unruffled, cupped his fists and replied, “In answer to my lord, this was at Old Master Jin’s command.”
At the mention of “Old Master Jin,” Yu Xiuming’s expression shifted. He dared not flare up further.
That was a Divine Repository Realm expert. Even if he was at the end of his life, his power waning, he could not be treated with disrespect.
Seeing that no one else raised objections, the steward said, “Gentlemen, please follow me.”
He then led the eight of them toward the rear courtyard.
…
“She’s here to vie for the inheritance as well? What is she scheming?”
Chen Ming followed at the back, deep in thought.
Though she had only recently advanced to the Third Grade, she possessed a rare treasure. Back in the Fire Element Space, she had slain a First Grade expert. True, that man had been exhausted from successive battles, but even so, it was an astonishing feat.
Back when Chen Ming was at the Second Grade, killing an injured Xie Jianqiu had been extremely difficult.
If the successor were to be chosen through combat, none of those present would likely stand a chance against her.
However, even if she gained the inheritance of a Divine Repository Realm expert, she would never be able to control Jin Yutang. Pan Zhiyuan would never allow it.
“To think I must actually compete with her for this inheritance.”
Chen Ming felt a little helpless.
But he absolutely could not reveal his identity to her.
Unlike Jiang Yingsnow, who was blinded by romance, Yu Haitang was a woman of ambition, schemes, and means.
He could not guarantee that if she learned who he really was, she wouldn’t immediately unleash a sword qi to cut him down as a puppet of the Undying Demon Venerable.
Yet that peerless divine weapon was the key to breaking his predicament—his very life depended on it. He absolutely could not give it up.
In the end, he might have to fight her head-on.
As he was mulling this over, those ahead suddenly halted. Looking up, he saw they had reached a courtyard.
The steward distributed golden tokens to each of them, explaining, “Hold this in your hand, and you will be able to meet Old Master Jin.”
Tian Qidong’s face showed surprise. “Isn’t this a token for entering a Secret Realm? Could it be that Old Master Jin is within one?”
Chen Ming received his token as well. Indeed, it resembled the one Xia Shaowen had once given him, though the engravings differed slightly.
The steward handed out all eight tokens and continued, “Old Master Jin’s place of seclusion is within a damaged Secret Realm. There is no danger. Once you enter, you will understand.”
A damaged Secret Realm?
Chen Ming was intrigued. He knew little of Secret Realms, but this was his first time hearing of a “damaged” one. What could it be like inside?
Looking around, he noticed several wore astonished expressions. Only two remained unfazed.
One was Yu Xiuming.
The other was Yu Haitang.
Suddenly, Yu Haitang’s gaze turned toward him. Their eyes met, and he smiled faintly before casually looking away.
“This person—”
Yu Haitang’s heart stirred. There was something familiar in this woman’s gaze.
Before she could dwell on it, the token in her hand lit up with a ghostly blue glow, enveloping her. A powerful force surged forth, tugging her body away.
She raised a qi shield to protect herself. Moments later, the pulling vanished. Opening her eyes, she found herself within a cavern.
It was a stone cave. Aside from the other eight, there was only dead silence—no trace of life, giving a strangely unsettling feeling.
Yu Haitang had already anticipated this. She glanced at the black-clad woman also surveying the surroundings. She was certain she had seen this person before.
How strange. A woman of such beauty and cultivation—if she had met her before, she would never have forgotten.
Interesting.
The corners of her lips curled in a faint smile as she looked away.
…
“So perceptive.”
Chen Ming only relaxed once Yu Haitang’s gaze shifted away.
She hadn’t realized.
He then turned his full attention to observing this damaged Secret Realm.
“The world’s qi is abnormally thin. Not a trace of life here. The environment is even harsher than the Fire Element Secret Realm, somewhat similar to that ink-painting Secret Realm.”
But unlike those, there seemed to be no monsters here.
This was the third Secret Realm he had entered—if the Fire Element one counted.
He had the nagging sense that the mysteries of this world lay hidden in the Secret Realms. The mortal world was merely the surface, while the Secret Realms were the inner reality.
Think about it—any First Grade martial artist seeking to reach the Divine Repository Realm needed a slot to enter a Secret Realm.
That alone showed their importance.
This Jin Yutang Divine Repository expert had remained in such a place all this time—surely, there was a reason.
“You’ve arrived. Come inside.”
Just then, an aged voice sounded from deeper within the cave, weak yet still clear to every ear.
Immediately, a white-robed woman took the lead toward the depths.
Chen Ming had already reviewed the information Jiang Jinan had provided on every potential rival. This woman’s surname was Wu. Her grandfather had once been an enshrined elder of Jin Yutang. Though he had passed, the connection remained strong.
According to Jiang Jinan, she was likely his greatest opponent.
With her first to move, the rest followed.
No one spoke. The atmosphere grew taut.
“Brother Yu,” Tian Qidong suddenly broke the silence, addressing Yu Xiuming. “What is peculiar about a damaged Secret Realm?”
Yu Xiuming answered in a friendly tone, “In a damaged Secret Realm, no living beings exist. Rather than ‘damaged,’ it is more accurate to say its vitality has been extinguished.”
“Secret Realms can lose their vitality?” Tian Qidong asked, bewildered.
“Of course. A Secret Realm is a self-contained world. The rare treasures it produces can aid us martial artists in unlocking the Divine Repository. To us, such places are sacred. However, every Secret Realm has limited origin energy. If too many treasures are harvested too quickly, the origin runs dry, and naturally, all vitality ends.”
Tian Qidong was aghast. Anger colored his voice. “There are actually people who would commit such reckless destruction?”
Suddenly, another voice cut in coldly, “What’s so strange? Isn’t the place we’re standing in proof enough?”
Tian Qidong faltered, his face nearly turning purple. He hadn’t meant to insult the senior within, yet explaining himself now would only make it worse.
That single line killed the conversation.
Chen Ming glanced at the speaker—it was the man who earlier had stared at him with aggressive eyes.
After half an hour’s walk, the space ahead widened into a massive cavern.
At its center lay a spring, within which an old man’s withered, corpse-like body was submerged.
In the middle of the pool stood a sword, thrust upright into the ground.
The scene was exactly as foretold by the Tortoiseshell.
“They’re here!”
Chen Ming’s heart surged with excitement.