The Life and Death Ravine was not located within Qianhun City itself, but in a special space ten thousand miles outside the city.
This space was hidden within a desolate mountain range. From the outside, it appeared to be nothing more than an ordinary canyon, filled year-round with greyish-white mist that reduced visibility to a minimum. Protected by layers of Restrictions, any Cultivator below the level of Eternal True God would lose their way upon stepping inside.
When Han Xuanji and Hun Qianling arrived, nearly a hundred people had already gathered outside the canyon.
These people were scattered in small groups at the mouth of the valley; some were resting with their eyes closed, some were conversing in low voices, and others were checking the Magical Artifacts they carried.
Most of their cultivation bases were at the Eternal Dao Lord level, though one or two individuals with deeper auras could occasionally be seen—likely guards at the Eternal True Lord level.
Upon seeing Han Xuanji's arrival, these people stepped forward one after another to offer their thanks.
"Young Master Han! Young Master Han is here!"
A young Cultivator's eyes lit up, and he quickly walked over to greet them.
He wore a cyan long robe, had a clean-cut face, and his cultivation was around the fourth layer of the Eternal Dao Lord Realm. His face was full of excitement.
"Young Master Han, I am Li Mubai, a Loose Cultivator. Being able to enter the Life and Death Ravine this time is entirely thanks to your generosity! I shall never forget this great kindness!"
As he spoke, he bowed deeply.
Han Xuanji was slightly taken aback, and before he could speak, seven or eight more people surrounded him.
"Young Master Han, me too! The last time the Life and Death Ravine opened was over a hundred years ago. My cultivation wasn't high enough then and I missed it. I thought I'd have to wait another ten thousand years, but I didn't expect you to open the Secret Realm early. I will keep this favor in my heart!"
"Indeed, most of us are Loose Cultivators without backgrounds or Disciples from minor sects. If it weren't for Young Master Han, where would we get the chance to enter the Life and Death Ravine?"
"Young Master Han, words cannot express our gratitude. If you have any assignments in the future, please do not hesitate to command us!"
The crowd spoke all at once, their words filled with sincere gratitude. Han Xuanji glanced around, understanding the situation in his heart. The Life and Death Ravine was a Secret Realm controlled by the Hun Family, opening only once every ten thousand years or so. Each opening had limited spots and came at a high price.
The fact that these people could appear here meant they had either paid a high price for a spot or obtained entry qualifications through certain channels.
But regardless of the method, the prerequisite was that the Secret Realm had to open.
And he was the person who had caused the Secret Realm to open early. Hun Qianxue, in his name as the Family Head, had overcome all opposition in the Council of Elders to open the Life and Death Ravine ahead of schedule. The publicly stated reason was to "nurture the family's talents," but those in the know were well aware that the true reason was Han Xuanji's need to enter and comprehend the Way of Life and Death.
No matter how much money these Cultivators spent or how many connections they utilized, in the end, they were benefiting from Han Xuanji's presence.
Furthermore, to facilitate the early opening, the cost for the spots had been significantly reduced.
"Everyone, there is no need for such formality."
Han Xuanji slightly cupped his hands, his expression calm. "The early opening of the Secret Realm is due to the Hun Family Head's sympathy for the hardships of practitioners; it is not my merit alone. That you are all able to come is due to your own Opportunity and strength, so there is no need to thank me."
He spoke modestly, but the crowd would have none of it.
"Young Master Han is too modest! If it weren't for your transcendent status in the Hun Family, how could the Family Head open the Secret Realm early for just one person? We all know the score."
"Exactly, exactly. Young Master Han, there's no need to be so self-effacing."
Hun Qianling watched from the side and couldn't help but let out a chuckle. She leaned into Han Xuanji's ear and whispered:
"These people are thanking you with total sincerity, so just accept it."
Hun Qianling gave him a playful look, pulled him aside, and lowered her voice:
"The Life and Death Ravine opened early this time entirely because of you. You have no idea how much my brother had to argue at the meeting for this.
When those old fogies heard the Secret Realm was to be opened early, every single one of them acted as if their hearts were being bled. They said things like, 'It's only been a hundred years since the last opening, the resources consumed haven't even broken even yet,' and 'Opening it early for one person—if word gets out, people will say the Hun Family has no rules.'"
She mimicked the tone of the clan Elders, swaying her head back and forth with vivid accuracy.
Han Xuanji laughed: "Then how did they finally agree?"
"How else could they agree?"
Hun Qianling curled her lip. "My brother said Han Xuanji is a hero of the Hun Family—if we can give away the Purple Soul Grotto-Heaven, what's a Secret Realm? Furthermore, the costs for this opening will come from the private treasury of the Family Head's lineage, not from the clan's funds.
As soon as those old fogies heard they didn't have to reach into their own pockets, they shut their mouths immediately."
Han Xuanji shook his head, his estimation of Hun Qianxue rising a few more notches.
This Family Head truly acted with boldness.
"Right, you've heard about the matter with the Tianwu Sect, haven't you?"
Hun Qianling suddenly thought of something.
Han Xuanji nodded.
Although he had spent most of the past year in secluded cultivation, he had still heard about the major events happening in the outside world.
"The Hun Family, in the name of the City Lord's Mansion, has seized all of the Tianwu Sect's properties in Qianhun City. Their Disciples have either joined other sects or left Jiuxuan Prefecture. A few Elders were indignant and wanted to complain to the Holy Lord Jiuxuan. But then the Hun Family tossed the projection of Wu Tianqiong leading men to ambush the Family Head onto the table, and those people went silent instantly."
A flash of triumph showed in Hun Qianling's eyes. "With ironclad evidence, the Hun Family is in the right no matter where we go. The Holy Lord Jiuxuan's side even sent someone to ask a few questions, and once they knew Wu Tianqiong was the one who struck first, they didn't say anything more."
Han Xuanji nodded slightly.
The Holy Lord Jiuxuan was the supreme ruler of Jiuxuan Prefecture. Although Qianhun City was the Hun Family's territory, it was still under the jurisdiction of the Holy Lord Jiuxuan. They couldn't recklessly expand their influence or target other powers without cause.
"The Tianwu Sect was already like a setting sun."
Hun Qianling sighed. "It's a pity some people just can't see the situation clearly and insist on being a mantis trying to stop a carriage."
"Alright, it's about time."
Hun Qianling glanced at the sky and pulled on Han Xuanji's sleeve.
"Let's go, I'll take you in. I've already mapped out the route to the core region; just follow me."
The two of them walked toward the mouth of the valley.
Under the control of the Hun Family guards, the mist at the valley's entrance slowly parted, revealing a narrow passage leading to the entrance of the Secret Realm.
On both sides of the passage, dense formation runes were engraved, emitting a faint, eerie glow.
Han Xuanji and Hun Qianling walked at the front, neither fast nor slow.
"By the way,"
Han Xuanji asked as they walked, "is there anything special about the core region of the Life and Death Ravine?"
Hun Qianling thought for a moment and said seriously:
"The core region is said to contain the complete Legacy left behind by a powerhouse at the Peak of the Eternal True God Realm. That powerhouse excelled in the Way of Life and Death during their lifetime and left behind their lifelong insights.
If one can comprehend even a fraction of it, it would be of great benefit to condensing the Law of Life and Death.
However, those insights are profound and obscure; not everyone can understand them.
During the last opening, dozens of people entered the core region, but in the end, only a handful of people gained anything."
Han Xuanji nodded, making calculations in his mind. His primary purpose for this trip was to Sign In at the core region of the Life and Death Ravine. The Legacy should be something he picks up conveniently along the way. The focus was still on Law comprehension and a Breakthrough in Realm. With the System's help, it shouldn't take as much time as it did in the simulation.
To him, the time saved was extremely precious.