Chapter 117 : Sudden Anomaly
When the Canglán Secret Realm opened, the spatial passage was initially unstable. In such situations, most people would choose to wait until the transmission channel stabilized before confidently entering.
This was common knowledge that few were unaware of, which was why everyone was shocked when several rogue cultivators frantically rushed toward the light screen.
By this time, the three sects' spirit boats had already arrived at Mingzong Mountain, positioned side by side. Tiandao Sect's Grand Elder, Peak Master Qingyu, and Dharma Master Huiming stood at the prows, with a group of solemn-faced disciples behind them, gazing up at the secret realm entrance. Seeing this scene, Tiandao Sect's Grand Elder couldn't help feeling alarmed, suspecting that those eager to rush into the secret realm might be demonic cultivators.
But the next moment, those rogue cultivators were all repelled by the light screen. Though their lives weren't in danger, they were each spitting blood with diminished auras, clearly having suffered serious injuries. Upon closer inspection, one would find no demonic energy on them, but their cultivation levels were not low.
The Grand Elder quickly realized this and relaxed his tension, letting out a sneer—those who ended up as rogue cultivators mostly had mediocre aptitudes. While disciples from the three major sects could advance to Nascent Soul at a young age, such talents were rare among rogue cultivators. Though some had profound cultivation, it was either accumulated over time or through fortunate encounters, but after all that effort, they were no longer young.
These rogue cultivators who had been repelled by the light screen were at least at the Nascent Soul or Void Crossing realm, and one had even reached Spirit Division. It was obvious they weren't young anymore. Their reckless attempt to enter the secret realm suggested they didn't believe the three sects' message and wanted to test it themselves.
Moreover, their haste likely stemmed from distrust of the three sects, fearing they would be prevented from entering.
But had the three sects lied? No.
Would they block rogue cultivators from entering? Also no.
The Canglán Secret Realm stipulated that only cultivators under fifty years of age could enter, naturally filtering out the vast majority of rogue cultivators. One could even say that none of the best rogue cultivators qualified to enter. The three sects didn't even need to intervene. And those rogue cultivators who did qualify to enter would likely not have high cultivation levels—unless blessed with extraordinary luck, how could they compare to the carefully nurtured prodigies from the sects?!
The Grand Elder sneered at these rogue cultivators' small-mindedness. However, this precedent was beneficial, at least proving that the three sects' announcement wasn't false. Those powerful rogue cultivators, despite their unwillingness, could do nothing against the secret realm's rules.
After witnessing this minor episode, the masters leading the three sects no longer concerned themselves with the rogue cultivators and turned their attention back to their disciples. These were the elite of their sects, the future pillars. Although they had already been instructed over the past few days, with entry into the secret realm imminent, they couldn't help but repeat a few points.
Even Peak Master Qingyu, with her cold demeanor, reminded them once more: "The leak of information about this secret realm is likely related to the demonic path. They may be mingling among these rogue cultivators, so you must exercise extra caution."
Elder Yi Yun added: "Rogue cultivators employ diverse methods. Even if they're not demonic cultivators, you should be cautious when encountering them."
Elder Liu Feng also said: "And those disciples from small sects must not be overlooked either."
The elders took turns offering advice, appearing as if they wished to explicitly warn them. The disciples understood their elders' good intentions and took these words to heart, not daring to show the slightest complacency.
In fact, besides demonic cultivators, there was also competition among the three sects, and disciples from the small sects might not necessarily be submissive to them.
Everyone remained vigilant. When they raised their heads to look at the light screen in the sky again, there was more than just longing and aspiration—there was also caution and wariness. Then they exchanged glances, understanding each other without words.
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Half a day passed in a flash. The soaring radiance subsided slightly, and the light screen in the sky underwent subtle changes. Those with profound cultivation could determine with a brief investigation that the spatial channel for entering the secret realm had stabilized—it was time to enter.
However, while some rogue cultivators had eagerly tried to rush in when the entrance first appeared, now that the spatial channel was stable, no one stepped forward.
The rogue cultivators dared not go first, fearing the secret realm entrance might still have pitfalls. Rogue cultivators under fifty didn't have high cultivation levels and couldn't withstand attacks like their seniors. Disciples from small sects also didn't dare move rashly; they were accustomed to following the three major sects' lead. Now that the three sects showed no intention of blocking their entry, they naturally waited respectfully for the disciples of the three sects to go first.
As for the disciples of the three sects, they didn't rush forward under their masters' guidance. Thus, the scene was momentarily extremely quiet, with everyone watching the entrance without daring to move. Finally, it was the typically low-profile Buddha Sect who made the first move.
Dharma Master Huiming led a group of disciples forward, stopping only when they reached the secret realm entrance. Just as everyone thought he would clear the way for his disciples to enter the secret realm, they saw him take out a sarira with contained Buddhist light from his sleeve. With a toss of his hand, the sarira suspended perfectly above the secret realm entrance. Anyone entering the secret realm would inevitably have to pass under the Buddhist light.
Some knowledgeable individuals recognized the sarira, but most didn't. Especially among the rogue cultivators with varying cultivation levels and knowledge, seeing this scene made them tense, silently communicating with their companions, fearing the three sects might use some trick against them.
Fortunately, these whispered rumors didn't last long and were quickly refuted by those with knowledge—although the rogue cultivators didn't understand what the old Buddhist monk was doing, what if it was just a ritual to send off his disciples? Besides, being illuminated by the Buddhist light wouldn't hurt; Buddhists emphasized cause and effect and wouldn't harm people without reason.
Thus, the small undercurrent of suspicion subsided before spreading further.
Dharma Master Huiming didn't concern himself with all of this. After consecrating the sarira, he looked toward his disciples. Buddha's Disciple Tan Xin didn't step forward; instead, Senior Brother Tanming led his fellow disciples to bid farewell to their Master Uncle, and then the group of disciples entered the secret realm without looking back.
All participants of the martial competition, none of these disciples exceeded fifty years of age, so they passed through the light screen without hindrance. However, once they stepped into the light screen, their forms disappeared. Standing outside the secret realm entrance, one couldn't see the conditions inside, nor know whether they remained together after entering or were transported separately.
With successful precedents of entering the secret realm, everyone understood that the age restriction was real, and they all couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. Following closely, Tiandao Sect's disciples bowed to the Grand Elder in farewell, then stepped into the light screen one after another.
By this point, people realized that Dharma Master Huiming hadn't left after sending off his disciples, and the sarira still hung high above the entrance.
But Tiandao Sect's people had all gone in without issue or abnormality. Although the rogue cultivators found this somewhat puzzling, they didn't pay too much attention. Only certain people mingling among the rogue cultivators, stirring up trouble, exchanged glances with furrowed brows and heavy hearts. After exchanging a few meaningful looks, they initiated a new round of plans.
Meanwhile, Xuanqing Sect's disciples were also preparing to enter the secret realm.
As the senior disciple of Mount Tianyang, Su Hao's prestige wasn't diminished by his failure to win first place in the Three Sect Martial Arts Competition. For this entry into the Canglán Secret Realm, he still led the team. Before bidding farewell to the elders, he distributed jade tokens to everyone: "After entering this secret realm, the situation remains unknown, but since it's a legacy secret realm, we'll likely be scattered. These jade tokens are a set that can sense each other within the same space. To prevent unexpected situations, we should still move in groups after entering the secret realm."
These were words of experience, since the Canglán Secret Realm was an unexplored new secret realm with unknown dangers. Many legacy secret realms had been entered hundreds of times without anyone finding the legacy, so no one would solely focus on the legacy. Exploring in groups would yield more tangible results.
Having cultivated to this point, none were reckless individuals. Hearing this, they accepted the jade tokens and then, following Su Hao, bid farewell to their elders.
Peak Master Qingyu nodded slightly, looked at her two disciples, and was about to signal them to leave when her smooth wide sleeve suddenly bulged. Then, before the disciples' collective gaze, a white cat's head emerged, followed by two little paws... The cat struggled continuously, clearly trying very hard to escape from the dimensional space in Peak Master Qingyu's sleeve.
Unfortunately, the little white cat's escape failed once again. Peak Master Qingyu casually pushed the cat's head back into her sleeve, then addressed everyone: "Very well, you may go now. The secret realm is fraught with dangers; each of you be careful."
All of Xuanqing Sect's disciples now knew the little white cat's true identity. Seeing this scene, they couldn't help but twitch the corners of their eyes, finding it amusing yet having to suppress their laughter. Upon hearing her words, they didn't delay, offering a salute before heading toward the secret realm entrance.
Dharma Master Huiming still guarded the entrance. When Su Hao led his people over, he first bowed to him.
The old monk nodded slightly. Just as the group was about to bathe in the Buddhist light and enter the secret realm, a sudden anomaly occurred—among the waiting rogue cultivators, several figures abruptly rose from the ground and rushed toward the secret realm entrance. As they charged, they shouted things like "Get out of the way," seemingly intent on entering the secret realm first, catching even Dharma Master Huiming off guard, unable to immediately intervene.
However, while Dharma Master Huiming might hesitate or have concerns, the sarira hanging high above the secret realm entrance was not influenced by words. Gentle Buddhist light poured down, instantly illuminating the "rogue cultivators" who had rushed forward.
The next moment, black smoke rose, demonic energy swirled, and the demonic cultivators disguised as rogue cultivators screamed, awakening everyone.
Dharma Master Huiming reacted first, his kind face tensing. With a wave of his sleeve, he directly pushed the Xuanqing Sect group still standing at the secret realm entrance into the secret realm. Then, with another sweep of his palm, he slew the screaming demonic cultivator. But even so, the appearance of demonic cultivators was like oil dropped into water, making the scene instantly boil over—
"Demonic cultivators!"
"There are demonic cultivators!"
"Actually demonic cultivators!"
Various exclamations rose one after another. Before people could react, several more individuals among the rogue cultivators drew demonic weapons and began slaughtering indiscriminately.
This unexpected attack completely threw the situation into chaos. The already disunited rogue cultivators immediately scattered in all directions. Some, valuing their lives, fled directly away from Mingzong Mountain. Others, unwilling to give up, rushed toward the secret realm entrance. And some, perhaps seeking protection, actually charged toward the three sects' spirit boats...
No one could distinguish which among these people were demonic cultivators and which were rogue cultivators—the situation had completely descended into chaos.