Two days later, the morning light began to break.
The Myriad Phenomena Pagoda remained in silence, quietly waiting for the awakening of the pagoda spirit, "Xiao Wan."
And to the west of the Immortal Palace, in front of the entrance to the "Lingxu Grotto-Heaven," which was suffused with a hazy glow, the atmosphere was completely different.
More than thirty Disciples who had obtained admission qualifications gathered here.
Liu Ruyan, Gu Luoli, and Ye Ling'er, the three True Disciples, stood at the very front.
Liu Ruyan's expression was gentle and calm, while golden light flickered within Gu Luoli's double pupils, as if she were examining the spatial structure of the entrance.
Ye Ling'er pressed her lips together tightly, her ice-blue long hair fluttering slightly in the morning breeze, her eyes carrying an almost stubborn determination.
Beside her, Core Disciples such as Li Zhiwei, Murong Xue, Zhao Ling'er, Wang Zhaojun, Wang Teng, and Xiao Ya all had steady auras, their eyes sparkling with eagerness.
Most eye-catching was Ah Yao, who stood at the very front of the team, holding Liu Ruyan's small hand.
The little one was dressed in a well-fitting blue outfit today, with an exquisite treasure pouch hanging from her waist, and the lotus mark on her forehead shimmering in the morning light.
Her big eyes rolled around as she looked at the entrance and then at the solemn-faced Junior Sisters and Junior Brothers around her, her little face full of excitement.
"Everyone."
Vice Palace Master Yun Yun stood beside the entrance, her voice gentle yet clearly reaching everyone's ears.
"Although the Lingxu Grotto-Heaven is now a Sect Secret Realm, it is also full of danger."
"The outer perimeter is the activity range of Foundation Establishment Stage Yao Beasts, while the core area contains Golden Core and Nascent Soul Stage Yao Beasts. Disciples below the Golden Core Stage must not enter deeply without authorization."
She paused, her gaze sweeping over the Disciples, lingering on Ah Yao for a moment, her tone turning solemn:
"The Secret Realm will be open for one month."
"After one month, no matter where you are, you will be automatically teleported out."
As soon as her voice fell.
A burly and steady figure appeared silently on the square; the person who arrived was none other than Elder Mo Lin.
Clearly, he was the Elder leading the team this time.
Seeing his arrival, the Disciples felt a bit more confident.
"Now, follow Elder Mo Lin and enter in order."
Yun Yun raised her hand, a pale cyan Secret Realm key floating in her palm, glowing slightly.
She injected spiritual power into it and tapped lightly on the misty glow in front of her.
"Buzz—"
The glow at the entrance suddenly expanded, transforming into a light gate three zhang high, with water-like ripples flowing along its edges.
Inside the gate, one could vaguely see mountains and rivers rising and falling, with lush forests, and a burst of pure Spiritual Qi rushed towards them.
"Follow me in!"
Elder Mo Lin gave a low shout and was the first to disappear into the light gate.
"Go!"
Liu Ruyan and Gu Luoli exchanged a glance, took Ah Yao's hand, and followed closely behind.
Ye Ling'er, Li Zhiwei, Murong Xue, Xiao Ya, and others also followed closely.
In just a short moment, more than thirty Disciples had all disappeared into the light gate.
The light gate rippled slightly, then returned to stability, floating quietly.
Yun Yun remained in place, checking the stability of the Secret Realm entrance for a while longer before turning to leave.
The square returned to emptiness, leaving only the quietly rotating light gate.
And the envious gazes of some Disciples in the distance who had not obtained qualifications but were still waiting expectantly.
Inside the Lingxu Grotto-Heaven.
This was a stretch of rolling, densely vegetated hills, and the outlines of even taller mountains could be seen in the distance.
The sky presented a strange pale purple color, and the air was filled with pure and rich Spiritual Qi.
But it had a trace of the primitive and wild nature belonging to a savage land, more so than the outside world.
Everyone appeared together on a relatively flat grassland, and no one was scattered.
Clearly, this was something Gu Han had adjusted in advance to ensure that no Disciples would be left alone and in danger.
"We... are we all together?"
"That's great! I was worried we would be separated!"
"Is this the Lingxu Secret Realm? It looks like the Spiritual Qi is so rich!"
As soon as the Disciples stood still, they quickly sized up this strange world.
Liu Ruyan protected Ah Yao by her side at the first moment, her gentle gaze quickly sweeping across the scene to confirm that all fellow Disciples were present.
Golden light flickered in Gu Luoli's double pupils as she used her perception ability, which far exceeded that of ordinary people, to quickly investigate the surrounding environment.
"There is no danger here for now, the spatial structure is stable."
Her cold voice sounded, carrying a reassuring certainty.
"Fellow Junior Brothers and Junior Sisters."
Liu Ruyan stepped forward, her voice gentle yet clear, instantly attracting everyone's attention.
"Elder Mo Lin has surely already gone deep to investigate, so we must make our own arrangements."
She swept her gaze over the Disciples and quickly made judgments and allocations:
"The fellow Disciples entering the Secret Realm this time mostly have cultivation at the Middle Stage to Late Stage Foundation Establishment."
"Luoli and I have the highest cultivation, so we will go to the core area."
She turned her gaze to Ye Ling'er, her tone carrying a sense of entrustment:
"Fourth Junior Sister, the Eldest Senior Sister is still young. Although she has cultivation, she lacks experience, so you need to take her to train in the outer area."
This arrangement was reasonable.
Liu Ruyan and Gu Luoli were both at the Golden Core Stage, so it was more appropriate for them to go to the core area.
Although Ye Ling'er had good combat power, she only had Peak Foundation Establishment cultivation and could not deal with Nascent Soul Stage Yao Beasts.
It was most secure for her to look after the Eldest Senior Sister and lead the outer Disciples.
When Ye Ling'er heard the arrangement, her lips pursed slightly.
She had also wanted to follow the two Senior Sisters into the core area to train; although it was dangerous there, it would better hone herself.
But hearing that she had to take care of the Eldest Senior Sister, the reluctance in her heart dissipated instantly, replaced by a sense of responsibility.
"Don't worry, Second Senior Sister, I will definitely take good care of the Eldest Senior Sister."
She responded solemnly, her voice firm.
"Hmm, then I leave it to you!"
Liu Ruyan looked at Li Zhiwei, Murong Xue, Xiao Ya, Zhao Ling'er, and other Core Disciples:
"Junior Sister Li, Junior Sister Murong, Junior Sister Xiao, and Junior Sister Zhao, you are relatively experienced. When training in the outer area, please take care of the other fellow Disciples."
"Yes, Senior Sister Liu." They replied in unison.
"For outer area exploration, form small teams of three or five to look after each other, and do not get separated."
Liu Ruyan warned at the end:
"If there is an emergency, immediately activate your identity token to send a warning, and nearby fellow Disciples must provide support immediately. Do you all understand?"
"Understood!"
The Disciples responded in unison, their voices echoing in the valley, filled with excitement and eagerness.
Liu Ruyan nodded slightly and exchanged a glance with Gu Luoli.
The two did not delay further; their figures moved, turning into two streams of light, speeding towards the core area of the Secret Realm.
Watching the two Senior Sisters leave, Ye Ling'er took a deep breath and turned to face the remaining twenty-plus Foundation Establishment Stage fellow Disciples.
Immediately, her cold voice sounded, carrying unquestionable decisiveness:
"Fellow Disciples, according to Senior Sister Liu's instructions, we will divide into six teams."
"Li Zhiwei, Murong Xue, you each lead a team to explore in the northeast and northwest directions."
"Xiao Ya, you lead a team to explore in the due north direction."
"Zhao Ling'er, Wang Zhaojun, you lead a team to the east."
"Wang Teng, you lead a team to the west."
"I will take the Eldest Senior Sister and these two Junior Sisters to explore to the south."
She spoke at a measured pace but with clear logic, making reasonable groupings based on everyone's characteristics and abilities.
"Remember, we only operate in the outer area."
"The main task is to familiarize ourselves with the environment, collect spiritual materials, record the distribution of Yao Beasts, and assess danger levels."
"If you encounter dangers that you cannot deal with, retreat immediately and send a signal; do not fight hard."
"Contact once every three days with a communication talisman to report your location and situation."
"Now, set off!"
"Yes, Senior Sister Ye!"
The Disciples had no objections to her arrangements.
Soon, the six teams selected their directions and quickly dispersed.
Ye Ling'er looked down at the Eldest Senior Sister who had been standing obediently by her side.
The little one looked up, her big eyes bright and full of excitement, without the slightest nervousness about the unknown environment.
"Fourth Junior Sister, let's go this way!"
Ah Yao stretched out her little finger to point to a path that looked relatively flat to the south.
Ye Ling'er nodded, took Ah Yao's little hand, and signaled to the two Middle Stage Foundation Establishment Junior Sisters beside her.
The four of them quickly headed south.
As she walked, she spread her Divine Sense, remaining vigilant about the movements around them.
The urgent desire to become stronger and to prove herself had not disappeared.
But at this moment, with the Eldest Senior Sister by her side, she could only suppress this desire in the bottom of her heart.
Just as the Disciples began to explore within the Lingxu Grotto-Heaven.
In the main hall of the Jade Pool Immortal Palace.
Gu Han sat cross-legged on the cloud bed, her eyes slightly closed.
Her consciousness was "watching" everything happening inside the Lingxu Grotto-Heaven through the connection between the System and the Secret Realm.
The real-time monitoring screen provided by the System, like an invisible Heavenly Eye, clearly transmitted the scenes from all parts of the Secret Realm.
When she saw the performance of Liu Ruyan, Gu Luoli, and Ye Ling'er, the corners of Gu Han's mouth rose slightly.
"Well done..."
She whispered to herself, her voice carrying praise.
These three Disciples each had their own abilities, handled matters thoroughly, and could stand on their own at critical moments.
This was what the True Disciples of the Jade Pool Immortal Palace should look like.
As for Ah Yao...
Her gaze fell on the small figure who was being held by Ye Ling'er and was jumping around, looking around.
Gu Han's heart felt soft.
With Ye Ling'er's care and the Lotus Platform for protection, there was no need to worry about Ah Yao's safety in this Secret Realm.
It was just right; it was time to let this little one see for herself what a real "training" was like.
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