With Luoshui's departure, the hall returned to tranquility.
Ah Yao yawned softly in Gu Han's arms, her eyelids growing heavy until she soon fell into a deep sleep.
Gu Han gently laid Ah Yao flat on the side of the cloud bed, covered her with a thin blanket, and gazed at her softly for a moment.
Suddenly, she remembered something.
"System," Gu Han called out in her mind.
[ Ding! Host, I'm here! Did you miss this System? Or are you... thinking about that Yaochi Empress who gave you the bracelet? ]
Gu Han automatically ignored the System's teasing and asked directly: "What is the current Sect reputation value?"
"I remember you saying that once the reputation value reaches 3000, I can open a special Secret Realm."
[ Calculating current Sect reputation value... Calculation complete! ]
[ Due to the continued fermentation of the 'Yaochi Empress' incident and the widespread dissemination of the deeds regarding the rescue of Disciples from various Sects... ]
[ Current Sect reputation value: 9680 points! ]
[ It has far exceeded the minimum standard required to open a Secret Realm (3000 points)! ]
[ Host, do you need to open the Secret Realm? ]
"9680 points?" Gu Han's eyes brightened slightly.
This number was much higher than she had anticipated.
It seemed the influence brought by the "Yaochi Empress" skin was truly extraordinary.
"System, activate! Please give me a good Secret Realm."
[ Ding! Host's request detected! Screening for the Secret Realm that best fits the current Sect's needs... Screening complete! ]
[ Lingxu Grotto-Heaven: Contains mountains, rivers, lakes, marshes, Yao Beast nests, and dilapidated ruins. It has a diverse environment and rich Spiritual Qi. It is suitable for Disciples from the Foundation Establishment Stage to the Nascent Soul Stage for training, treasure hunting, and gaining insights. ]
[ Note: This Secret Realm has a certain level of growth potential. The Host can consume mastery dao value or specific resources to upgrade it! ]
"Lingxu Grotto-Heaven..." Gu Han softly recited the name, a flash of interest in her eyes.
"Suitable for Foundation Establishment to Nascent Soul! And I can even consume mastery dao value to upgrade the dungeon..."
This Secret Realm was clearly very suitable for her, and she could add some difficulty for her Disciples when she had nothing else to do.
This meant that for anomalies with Heaven-Defying combat strength like Liu Ruyan, Gu Luoli, and Ye Ling'er, it would also be quite challenging.
It was also an excellent place for Disciples at the Foundation Establishment Stage to hone their skills.
"That's the one." Gu Han did not hesitate and made her choice directly.
[ 'Lingxu Grotto-Heaven' Secret Realm confirmed! Please specify the deployment location, Host! ]
As soon as the System's prompt faded, Gu Han felt her palm sink slightly.
A palm-sized "key," pale cyan in color with complex Dao patterns flowing across its surface, appeared in her hand.
"Specify deployment location..." Gu Han pondered for a moment, her gaze turning outside the main hall.
The Immortal Palace's territory was vast, but a place suitable for placing an independent Secret Realm that was also convenient for Disciples to travel to for training...
Her gaze finally landed on the relatively open plaza near the Myriad Phenomena Pagoda.
The Myriad Phenomena Pagoda was a Holy Land for Disciples to Cultivate, so placing the Lingxu Grotto-Heaven right next to it was just right.
"Place it on that open ground next to the Myriad Phenomena Pagoda." Gu Han softly instructed the System in her mind.
[ Ding! Deployment command received! Anchoring the Secret Realm... Folding and unfolding space... Merging rules... ]
Following a series of prompts from the System, Gu Han could clearly feel extremely subtle changes occurring in the space near the Myriad Phenomena Pagoda on the west side of the Immortal Palace.
It was as if an invisible giant hand was carefully "stitching" an independent Small World into the existing spatial structure of the Jade Pool Immortal Palace.
[ Ding! 'Lingxu Grotto-Heaven' is in the process of Fusion, estimated time required is two hours... ]
Gu Han nodded slightly. With a thought, she understood the specific use of that key.
After the System finished setting up the Secret Realm, she could use this key at any time to control the opening and closing of the Secret Realm, and even make certain rule adjustments.
At the very same moment Gu Han was waiting for the System to install the Lingxu Grotto-Heaven within the Jade Pool Immortal Palace, in the core of the Canglan Continent, the Central Region.
The Spiritual Qi here was far denser than in the other four regions, with countless Sects and powerful figures as numerous as clouds; it was a true Holy Land for cultivation.
At this moment, in the depths of a vast mountain range in the southern part of the Central Region known as "Starfall Valley."
Within the valley, crowds were moving about and banners were fluttering.
Over a dozen Sect forces, which could be considered second or third-rate in the Central Region, were gathered here.
Some were hovering in mid-air piloting flying boats, while others had set up temporary camps on the ground. Their Disciples stood solemnly, the atmosphere grave yet faintly tinged with excitement.
Today was the day for the once-in-a-century, automatic opening of the "Lingxu Grotto-Heaven"!
Although this Secret Realm was merely a small Secret Realm, its environment was complex, and it held many Opportunities.
For these small Sects in the Central Region, it was already a rare place for training.
Each family had long been eager, preparing to let their elite Disciples enter and fight for a chance.
"The time is approaching. Disciples of each Sect, prepare to enter the Secret Realm!"
A highly respected Elder at the Return to Void Stage stood in the air, his voice resonant, echoing throughout the valley.
He was the Host for this opening of the Secret Realm, an outer Sect deacon from the Heavenly Secret Pavilion, one of the three hegemon-level forces in the Central Region.
Below, the Disciples from each Sect were invigorated upon hearing this, gripping their Magical Artifacts tightly and looking toward the center of the valley with burning eyes.
There, the space had already begun to twist slightly, and ripples of pale white were spreading out in circles.
The familiar spatial fluctuations belonging to the Lingxu Grotto-Heaven were already clearly perceptible.
"The location of the Lingxu Grotto-Heaven's opening is never fixed, but looking at the spatial fluctuations... that's right, it's here!"
An experienced Elder stroked his beard and nodded, instructing the Disciples beside him: "Follow the plan after entering. Prioritize collecting 'star-patterned ironwood' and 'Phantom Heart Grass'. If you encounter people from other Sects, try to avoid them first..."
"Yes! Elder!" The Disciples responded in unison.
"Haha, this time our 'Lieyang Sect' is fully prepared, and we will definitely take the lead!"
"Hmph, don't speak too soon. My 'Baiyun Sect' isn't to be trifled with either!"
"Opportunities depend on one's own ability. Let's see who's better when the time comes!"
Several familiar Sect Elders were engaging in verbal sparring, and the air was filled with a faint scent of gunpowder.
Everyone's gaze was focused on the increasingly clear spatial ripples.
According to past experience, in ten breaths at most, the entrance to the Secret Realm would be completely stabilized and opened!
Ten... Nine... Eight... Everyone silently counted down in their hearts. Seven... Six...
The spatial ripples were oscillating more and more violently, and a fist-sized spot of light had already appeared at the center!
Five! Four! The spot of light rapidly expanded to the size of a washbasin, and the bizarre and fantastic scenery of the Secret Realm could be vaguely seen behind it!
Three! Two! One! "Open!" The Elder hosting the Secret Realm shouted suddenly!
However—the anticipated scene of the washbasin-sized spot of light booming open and transforming into a stable portal... did not appear.
Just at the moment the countdown ended!
The violently oscillating spatial ripples, along with the spot of light in the center that had already expanded to the size of a washbasin... were suddenly gripped by an invisible giant hand as if by the throat!
Immediately after— "Pop." A crisp sound, so faint that it made everyone's heart skip a beat.
That circle of pale white spatial ripples, along with the spot of light within it... were like soap bubbles suddenly bursting in the sunlight.
Without any warning, it shattered. It disappeared. Completely and utterly gone.
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