Chapter Thirty-Nine: A Grand "Surprise"

Red Paper had no interest in the “Reflection” at all. Since neither her master nor her second senior brother had said anything was wrong with the magical tool she chose, “Moon Surge,” she decided she would take it with her into the secret realm.

The sixth day of the third month arrived quickly. On this day, Dan Cliff Sect was adorned everywhere with glittering jade trees and crystalline blossoms. Thousands of the sect’s outer disciples, who were usually scattered across various peaks, valleys, and nearby towns, gathered together on the beach for a grand celebration. The crowd stretched for miles, making for a lively and exuberant scene. Most were Qi Refining disciples, though there were also some older Foundation Establishment cultivators among them.

Fang Zheng and his group of Qi Refining apprentices were also given a day off to rest and play. Should these young ones fail to break through in their cultivation after a few more years, they would naturally be abandoned by the sect and become just like the rest of those gathered here.

Red Paper had no time to worry about her younger brother today. She was about to take part in an event that could change the trajectory of many cultivators’ journeys—the trial in the sect’s secret realm.

This year was particularly unusual. Including Red Paper, five Qi Refining apprentices would enter the secret realm—a rarity that had not occurred in thousands of years of Dan Cliff Sect’s history.

The opening of a secret realm was of paramount importance to any sect, warranting the utmost caution. At Dan Cliff Sect, this event was always presided over by the sect master, Lingxuzi, in person, and every Foundation Establishment cultivator, whether or not they had a chance to enter the secret realm, was required to attend.

Red Paper stood among them, barely reaching the chests of those beside her, and as a girl, she was rather conspicuous. Many had already caught wind of the news and knew she owed her opportunity to her grandmaster, Sun Yougong. They merely cast a curious glance her way before looking elsewhere.

Red Paper looked straight ahead, standing as upright as a sapling. She was a little nervous, but more so excited. Her hand quietly touched her waist, where a high-quality spatial pouch hung. Inside was not only “Moon Surge,” but also several pills she had managed to wheedle from Yan Changqing—some for healing, some for replenishing qi—all sorted and stored away carefully. She had even put her other magical tool, “Fortune’s Domain,” inside.

Having a spatial pouch was indeed convenient; now, nearly all her possessions fit into this tiny bag.

Several Nascent Soul cultivators had come to watch the spectacle, and there were even more Golden Core cultivators present. One Nascent Soul elder with a wood spiritual root, whose age was indeterminate and whose beard had turned white, raised his voice when the time was right: “Each peak knows who is to enter the sect’s secret realm today, yes? Those who are going, come and stand together. Everyone else, step back.”

A wave of movement swept through the crowd, and soon those set to enter the secret realm gathered together. The crowd had been too dense and chaotic earlier for Red Paper to spot Qi Xiuning and the other four, though they had arrived some time ago. Now, exchanging brief glances, Qi Xiuning simply nodded to Red Paper without much expression. Xie Yaofei kept to the back, not drawing attention, while Shi Qingxiang and Leng Yu—who hailed from Mingchuan Sect—seemed to find camaraderie in their shared status as Qi Refining disciples, their faces breaking into smiles.

Red Paper returned their greeting with her eyes and a faint smile, inwardly musing, “No wonder she had the fortune to become Sect Master Dai’s disciple. She and that Lin Su, who follows Xing Wuyia, have such similar expressions—they really do look like siblings.”

But she had no time to concern herself with her four companions now, for she suddenly discovered something that left her deeply shocked: Senior Brother Jian Hui, who had been standing beside her since earlier, was now joining her among those preparing to enter the secret realm.

No one besides Red Paper seemed surprised. She glanced around, unable to count the number in her haste, but since neither the sect master nor the elders objected, it must have been exactly one hundred people.

Red Paper asked in confusion, “Senior Brother Jian, you—”

Jian Hui looked at her, smiling. “I only received the official notice early this morning. I didn’t mention it earlier because I wanted to surprise you.”

It certainly was a surprise—one that left Red Paper uneasy, sensing that things were not so simple. She almost couldn't control her expression as she stammered, “Was it Master who informed you?”

Jian Hui, looking far brighter and more spirited than usual, replied in a low voice, “Yes. After I came out of the secret realm last time, I made no progress for four years. I thought Master would be utterly disappointed in me, that I’d never get another chance. But it turns out your good luck has rubbed off on me. Master summoned me this morning, gave me a thorough scolding, and told me to reflect inside the secret realm—and to look after you while I’m at it.”

Red Paper’s mind was buzzing. She managed a strained smile, glancing about and whispering, “Senior Brother, whose place did you take?”

Jian Hui was unconcerned. “Who knows? Grandmaster handles all of that. It’s always easier for us of Evening Tide Peak to get in. Last time, Master had three disciples, and two entered the secret realm. Now that you’ve joined, it’s nothing for four of us to have half enter.”

Red Paper nodded. “Will all hundred of us be together once inside?” She had no desire to be paired solely with Jian Hui. She’d heard a little about secret realms—once the group went in, the realm would close, and not even Nascent Soul or Divine Transformation cultivators could extend their divine senses inside; whatever happened within was a mystery to those outside.

Jian Hui whispered, “Once inside, everyone will be teleported separately to different parts of the secret realm. Unless one deliberately seeks out others, it’s hard to meet.”

Red Paper had just breathed a sigh of relief when he added, “But don’t worry, Junior Sister. I have a magical tool called ‘Flowing Water’s Melody.’ With it, we’ll be able to communicate and find each other quickly. Until then, you must be careful—if you run into danger, just run. See, I told you that you should have chosen ‘Reflection’ instead. Here, try out this ‘Flowing Water’s Melody’ first—you don’t want to go in without knowing how it works.”

With a blank expression, Red Paper took the magical tool Jian Hui handed her. It looked like a jade bracelet, emerald green and clearly a bit large for her. Jian Hui patiently helped her slip it onto her left wrist. As soon as she activated her true essence, the bracelet shrank to fit perfectly. Red Paper had never worn such adornments before; now, with the green-glowing “Flowing Water’s Melody” on her wrist, her delicate skin and slender arm were set off beautifully. Jian Hui nodded. “Looks pretty good.”

Looking at the magical tool, Red Paper couldn’t help but recall the box of jewelry on Yao Zhen’s dressing table and the necklace she’d seen dropped beside Jian Hui’s bed. Glancing at Jian Hui’s smiling face, she couldn’t help but twitch the corner of her mouth.

Jian Hui, pretending not to notice, produced another identical bracelet for his own left wrist. Pressing his right hand to it, he said, “Let’s test it out.” Before he finished speaking, Red Paper felt a vibration on her own left wrist—a rhythmic pulse like the crashing of waves. Jian Hui signaled with his eyes, and Red Paper, resigned, pressed her right hand to her bracelet as well, channeling her true essence. Suddenly, a blurred vision appeared in her spiritual sense—she immediately realized she was seeing what Jian Hui was seeing at that moment.

Jian Hui smiled in satisfaction. “Yes, just like that. Once we’re inside, we’ll use this to communicate and meet up as soon as possible.”