Chapter 521 - 230: Entering the Realm
"There are dangers, yes... I’ve told you this before. Some who enter the Secret Realm report the pressure inside is like a mountain, making every step a struggle. Others, however, feel as light as a feather, their thoughts flowing freely. Some witness inverted rivers of stars and forests of bizarre peaks, while others perceive only a formless chaos, their bodies filled with nothing but a frosty aura... These phenomena, all of which transcend mortal understanding, are the greatest danger. Especially since you’ll need to absorb the ’Celestial Spirit Sharp Qi’ while you’re in there. That ’Celestial Spirit Sharp Qi’ is exceptionally sharp; the slightest carelessness could damage your Physique and meridians... During this process, your Spirit can easily become lost and confused... So, within the Heavenly Gang Secret Realm... you absolutely must not rashly practice the Spiritual Sense Leaf Skill."
At this point, his Master warned Qin Fang with great seriousness.
Qin Fang was startled. He focused his attention and said, "Yes, Master. I will remember."
"Mm. Beyond that... I haven’t heard of any other dangers... However, the Sect’s understanding of the Secret Realm isn’t very deep. No one knows if other strange things might happen... So once you’re inside, do your best not to stray from your starting point. For instance, don’t get curious and go exploring your surroundings... That’s very dangerous. Because if something unexpected were to happen... no one in the outside world would know. My True Gang Avatar cannot enter the Secret Realm either."
His Master gave him a solemn warning. "Your purpose is to go in there and absorb as much ’Celestial Spirit Sharp Qi’ as you can. Use its Sharpness to hone the quality of your True Essence and prepare for Condensing Gang... Do not do anything more than that. Otherwise, if something unexpected happens, no one will be able to help you."
Hearing his Master’s stern warning, Qin Fang felt a chill and nodded seriously. "Rest assured, Master. I understand."
Seeing Qin Fang’s assurance, his Master’s expression softened slightly. He nodded and said, "Good. I trust your character, so I don’t believe you’ll act recklessly..."
"Also, this time, you won’t be going into the Secret Realm alone. Besides a few disciples from our Sect who are on the verge of Condensing Gang, disciples from the Six Sects will also be entering."
His Master shook his head. "The Three Religions have been primarily active in our Canglan Prefecture, and the Six Sects are willing to lend us their aid. As the host, our Sect must make a gesture of goodwill... However, based on past experience, you will all likely be drawn to different areas according to your individual Natures... so you probably won’t run into them. You don’t need to worry too much about it... Just be aware."
Upon hearing this, Qin Fang bowed again to show he understood.
After giving a few more detailed instructions, his Master waved a hand at Qin Fang. "Alright, come see me in three days, in the morning, and I’ll take you there. For the next three days, make your preparations and get your affairs in order... After all, once you enter the Secret Realm, there’s no telling how long you’ll be gone. You can’t leave of your own volition during that time."
Qin Fang took a deep breath and said respectfully, "Yes, Master. I will take my leave now."
"Mm."
After bidding his Master farewell, Qin Fang let out a long breath. A glint appeared in his eyes; he was now even more curious about the Heavenly Gang Secret Realm.
’The time inside can be long or short... and it seems to have nothing to do with Talent or Cultivation, but is completely up to fate? ...I wonder how long I’ll be able to stay.’
He thought, a mix of anticipation and apprehension swirling in his heart.
Finally, he took a deep breath and headed straight for Lanyang City.
...Since he was going into seclusion for so long, he naturally had to let his Senior Sister know.
When he found his Senior Sister in the Sacrificial Hall and told her he was entering the Secret Realm, she was stunned for a moment before realization dawned on her...
"That’s right, you’ve reached the Condensing Truth stage... It’s about time for you to enter the Secret Realm."
After murmuring to herself, she began to earnestly tell Qin Fang about her own experience in the Secret Realm.
...She was obviously trying to give Qin Fang a clearer picture of what the Secret Realm was like.
Watching his Senior Sister earnestly recount the details of the Secret Realm, Qin Fang found himself staring, a bit dazed.
After a good while...
"...Junior Brother? Junior Brother?"
"Ah, Senior Sister, please continue. I’m listening..." Qin Fang snapped out of it and said, flustered.
His Senior Sister’s eyes went wide as she stared at him, a little annoyed. "Were you even listening?"
"I was! Very carefully!" Qin Fang nodded vigorously.
"..."
Seeing the earnest look on Qin Fang’s face, his Senior Sister felt a wave of exasperation. After a moment’s pause, she could only say, "In any case, the Secret Realm is very strange, so you must be careful... especially, don’t leave your starting point. Remember your goal: you’re only there to use the ’Celestial Spirit Sharp Qi’ to hone your True Essence."
She was giving him the same warning as his Master.
This time, Qin Fang heard her loud and clear. He nodded repeatedly. "Don’t worry, Senior Sister! Once I get in, I won’t move a single step. I’ll just sit right down and cultivate... until I’m kicked out of the Secret Realm!"
"..."
"You don’t have to go that far... Just be careful, alright? Whatever other secrets the Secret Realm might hold, they have nothing to do with you at your current level. Remember that... With your Talent, you can get stronger just by training normally, step by step. There’s absolutely no need to gamble on the unknown... Understand?"
his Senior Sister warned him again, her tone serious.
"Yes!"
Qin Fang replied earnestly.
His Senior Sister spoke with Qin Fang for a long time, even setting aside her official duties for the day.
They talked late into the night before his Senior Sister finally let out a soft breath, glanced at the dark sky, and said, "Alright, you should go. Don’t worry about things at the Sacrificial Hall. Just focus on your cultivation."
"Mm."
Qin Fang watched his gentle Senior Sister and nodded slightly...
Over the next two days, after some thought, Qin Fang prepared a large quantity of True Essence Pills and Leaf Technique Auxiliary Medicine.
「In the blink of an eye, the third day arrived.」
Qin Fang arrived at his Master’s residence early in the morning. His Master then took him and flew directly toward the Sect Hall.
...the same hall where he had been formally accepted into the Sect.
When they arrived, he discovered that a large crowd had already gathered in the plaza before the great hall.