The Secret Realm had been open for an entire day.
What began as confusion and disorientation had gradually transformed into a frenzy of exploration.
Everywhere throughout the realm, cultivators searched for opportunities.
Some discovered ancient herbs hidden within forgotten valleys.
Some stumbled upon ruined caves left behind by ancient cultivators.
Others encountered powerful yao beasts and died before they could even understand what happened.
The secret realm had never been a place of fairness.
Fortune and danger always walked hand in hand.
A single fortunate encounter could change someone's fate.
A single wrong step could end their cultivation journey forever.
Meanwhile, Lin Sheng continued traveling toward the Inner Region.
His figure moved swiftly through the forests.
The surrounding scenery constantly changed.
Ancient trees towered hundreds of meters into the sky.
Strange flowers emitted faint spiritual fluctuations.
Occasionally he would pass valleys filled with medicinal herbs that would be considered treasures outside.
Yet Lin Sheng rarely stopped.
His objective remained clear.
The Inner Region.
Compared to the opportunities scattered throughout the Outer Region, the true treasures of the secret realm were located deeper inside.
As he flew, the Chip continuously gathered information.
---
[Environmental Scan Active]
[Ancient Ecosystem Confirmed]
[Medicinal Plant Database Updating]
[Extinct Species Records Increased: 14%]
---
The more information gathered, the more amazed Lin Sheng became.
Secret realms truly deserved their reputation.
Many herbs recorded in ancient texts had completely disappeared from the outside world.
Yet here, they continued growing naturally.
Some existed in entire clusters.
Others had evolved slightly after surviving for countless years.
Even if he returned empty-handed from the secret realm, the information alone would be worth a fortune.
Of course—
Returning empty-handed was impossible.
The opportunities here were simply too abundant.
Unfortunately, not everyone entered the secret realm through the official entrance.
...
Deep within a remote mountain range.
Space suddenly twisted unnaturally.
Cracks spread across the air itself.
A terrifying turbulence erupted.
Several screams echoed.
Blood splashed through the distorted space.
Bodies were torn apart before they could fully emerge.
Moments later, the disturbance gradually stabilized.
A dozen figures fell onto the ground.
All wore black robes.
All concealed their appearances.
Several were injured.
Three corpses lay nearby.
One had been cut in half by spatial turbulence.
Another was missing an arm.
The final corpse appeared twisted beyond recognition.
Yet none of the survivors seemed surprised.
The leader merely glanced at the bodies.
His expression remained calm.
"Our success rate exceeded expectations."
Several people nodded.
The secret entrance had been created artificially.
Forcing entry into a secret realm was extremely dangerous.
The fact that so many survived was already considered fortunate.
The leader then retrieved a jade slip.
His eyes swept across everyone present.
"You all remember the list."
The atmosphere immediately turned serious.
Everyone understood why they had come.
They weren't here for opportunities.
They weren't here for inheritances.
They weren't here for herbs.
They were hunters.
The leader continued.
"Plan A remains unchanged."
"Our primary objective is the elimination of designated targets."
"Ignore ordinary cultivators."
"Ignore opportunities unless absolutely necessary."
"Focus only on those listed."
His voice became colder.
"Especially the geniuses."
The others nodded.
Several killing intents flashed briefly.
The leader crushed the jade slip.
"The moment you confirm a target's death, report immediately."
"Now disperse."
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
One after another, black-robed figures vanished into the forest.
Within moments, only the leader remained.
His gaze drifted toward the distant Inner Region.
A faint smile appeared beneath his mask.
"The younger generation of Dragon Yuan Province..."
"I wonder how many of you will survive."
His figure blurred.
Then disappeared completely.
...
Throughout the secret realm, numerous battles had already occurred.
Some ended with victory.
Others ended with death.
Meanwhile, Lou Han found himself surprisingly fortunate.
The moment he entered the secret realm, he immediately activated the mechanical talisman Lin Sheng had given him.
At first, he expected nothing.
After all, the secret realm was enormous.
The odds of landing close to someone he knew were low.
Yet only half a day later, the talisman reacted.
A faint mechanical vibration emerged.
The pointer inside shifted.
Pointing northwest.
Naturally, Lou Han immediately followed.
Several hours later—
He finally found Lin Xiaolu.
The moment they saw each other, both revealed relieved expressions.
Being alone inside a secret realm was dangerous.
Having a trusted companion immediately increased survival chances.
Lin Xiaolu lightly raised the small mechanical device.
"It actually works."
Lou Han grinned.
"Lin Sheng rarely creates useless things."
The two quickly exchanged information.
Neither had encountered major dangers.
Neither had obtained significant opportunities.
At least—
Not until now.
Both stood atop a rocky cliff overlooking a hidden valley.
Their expressions had long become serious.
Because inside the valley stood a tree.
A massive tree.
The trunk alone was over ten meters wide.
Golden-purple leaves covered its branches.
Faint spiritual fluctuations radiated continuously.
Most importantly—
Twelve fruits hung from the tree.
Each fruit emitted astonishing spiritual energy.
The surrounding air practically shimmered.
Rank-2 Mulberry Tree.
And not an ordinary one.
Judging from the fluctuations, those fruits were already approaching the Rank-2 High Grade level.
Late-stage Xuan Gang cultivators would fight desperately for such treasures.
Even Foundation Establishment cultivators would become interested.
Unfortunately—
Treasures rarely existed unguarded.
Beneath the tree rested a beast.
A giant ape.
Its body was covered in dark silver fur.
Even while sleeping, terrifying pressure radiated from its body.
Rank-2 Mid Grade.
Equivalent to a Mid Stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Lou Han frowned.
"Troublesome."
Lin Xiaolu nodded.
"Very."
Neither underestimated the beast.
Yao beasts possessed naturally powerful bodies.
A Rank-2 Mid Grade beast was often stronger than an ordinary Mid Stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.
The two quietly observed for several minutes.
Neither rushed forward.
After all—
Rushing toward opportunities was how people died.
Lou Han eventually spoke.
"We need a plan."
Lin Xiaolu remained silent briefly.
Then nodded.
"Agreed."
The mulberry fruits were simply too valuable.
Abandoning them wasn't an option.
Yet direct confrontation also wasn't wise.
The giant ape clearly possessed overwhelming physical strength.
If they made even a single mistake, serious injuries would follow.
Lou Han looked carefully at the terrain.
The valley wasn't particularly large.
Several rocky formations surrounded the tree.
Dense forests covered the outer perimeter.
A small river flowed nearby.
After studying the environment, his eyes suddenly brightened.
"I have an idea."
Lin Xiaolu turned toward him.
"Let's hear it."
Lou Han pointed toward the river.
"The ape is strong."
"Very strong."
"But that doesn't mean it's intelligent."
He continued.
"If we can lure it away long enough..."
Lin Xiaolu immediately understood.
One distracts.
One collects.
Simple.
Yet effective.
The problem was obvious.
"Who becomes the bait?"
Lou Han smiled.
"I do."
Lin Xiaolu frowned immediately.
"Too dangerous."
Lou Han shrugged.
"My movement technique is superior."
"Your sword technique is faster."
"You're more suitable for harvesting the fruits."
The logic made sense.
Unfortunately, it also meant Lou Han would be the one risking his life.
The giant ape wasn't some ordinary beast.
A single mistake could result in death.
Lin Xiaolu remained silent.
Lou Han laughed.
"Don't look at me like that."
"If Lin Sheng were here, he'd probably create some absurd plan involving explosions and formations."
"Unfortunately, we're stuck doing this normally."
Despite the joke, his expression remained serious.
The opportunity before them was worth the risk.
Finally, Lin Xiaolu nodded.
"Fine."
"But if anything goes wrong, we retreat immediately."
"No heroics."
Lou Han grinned.
"Deal."
The two quickly finalized their plan.
Then began preparing.
Several minutes later—
Lou Han appeared on the opposite side of the valley.
His spear rested comfortably in his hand.
The giant ape still slept beneath the tree.
Completely unaware.
Lou Han took a deep breath.
Then activated his cultivation.
Gangqi surged.
The spear shot forward.
Boom!
A blast erupted.
The attack struck a nearby boulder.
The entire valley shook violently.
The giant ape's eyes immediately snapped open.
A terrifying roar echoed.
ROOOOAR!
The sound wave alone shattered nearby rocks.
Birds exploded into the sky.
The beast stood up.
Its massive body resembled a moving mountain.
The giant ape immediately locked onto Lou Han.
For several seconds, neither moved.
Then—
The ape charged.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
Each step caused the earth to tremble.
Trees shattered.
Rocks exploded.
Lou Han immediately turned and fled.
His movement technique activated to the limit.
The giant ape pursued relentlessly.
The valley rapidly emptied.
Meanwhile—
Lin Xiaolu moved.
Like a streak of light.
Her figure flashed across the valley floor.
Within moments, she arrived beneath the mulberry tree.
The spiritual energy surrounding the fruits became even clearer.
Twelve fruits.
Every single one a treasure.
She quickly retrieved jade containers.
Then began harvesting.
One.
Two.
Three.
Each fruit disappeared into storage.
Her movements were incredibly efficient.
Yet her expression remained tense.
Because distant explosions continuously echoed.
Lou Han was still running.
And the giant ape was still chasing.
If either side made a mistake, everything would collapse.
The eighth fruit disappeared.
The ninth.
The tenth.
Then—
Another roar echoed.
Much closer.
Lin Xiaolu's expression changed.
The ape was returning.
Faster than expected.
Without hesitation, she collected the remaining fruits.
Then immediately retreated.
Just as she left—
The giant ape burst back into the valley.
Its eyes landed upon the empty branches.
Silence followed.
Then rage.
Pure rage.
ROOOOOOOOOAR!
The entire valley trembled violently.
The giant ape smashed the ground.
A massive crater appeared instantly.
The surrounding forest shook.
Trees collapsed.
The beast had finally realized it had been tricked.
Far away, Lou Han and Lin Xiaolu reunited.
Both looked toward the distant valley.
Then simultaneously laughed.
It had worked.
Against all expectations—
It had actually worked.
Twelve Rank-2 High Grade mulberry fruits.
Their first major opportunity within the secret realm.
Neither realized that elsewhere within the forest...
A pair of cold eyes silently observed them.
The figure wore black robes.
A jade slip appeared within his hand.
The names written upon it glowed faintly.
One of them read—
Lou Han.
The black-robed figure smiled.
Then quietly followed from a distance.
The hunt had begun.