The light gate flickered, and the world spun.

Fang Hao only felt his body being pulled by a tremendous force; when he opened his eyes again, he was already standing in an unfamiliar mountain forest. Ancient trees towered all around, and the Spiritual Qi was so dense it was almost tangible, yet the air was filled with a dangerous aura.

"Is this the Heavenly Wind Secret Realm?" Fang Hao looked around vigilantly. The other Disciples were nowhere to be seen; clearly, they had been randomly teleported to different locations.

He first checked himself and was relieved to find he was uninjured. He then tried to sense his belongings; his storage ring and all his Magic Treasures were present, and he breathed a sigh of relief.

"I must act cautiously." Fang Hao activated his Clear Spring Spirit Eyes to carefully observe his surroundings. The vegetation here was exceptionally lush, and the roars of Demon Beasts could be faintly heard in the distance.

Fang Hao decided to find a safe place to settle down first. He utilized Divine Spirit Steps and moved silently through the forest.

After walking for over an hour, a sudden sense of alarm arose in his heart! Sounds of fighting and the roars of a Demon Beast came from ahead!

Fang Hao approached cautiously, only to see three Foundation Establishment Early Stage Disciples besieging a giant bear. The bear was entirely crimson, stood fully three zhang tall, and a single palm strike caused the earth to shake!

"Crimson Flame Violent Bear! Third-tier Peak!" Fang Hao was alarmed. This was equivalent to a Late Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator and was extremely difficult to deal with!

The three Disciples were clearly no match and were retreating steadily. One of them was swiped by the bear’s paw, vomiting blood as he was sent flying backward!

Fang Hao hesitated for a moment but decided to step in and help. A fellow Disciple was in trouble; he could not stand by and watch them die.

"Dividing Light Sword Shadow!" Fang Hao summoned his azure steel sword, and nine sword shadows struck directly at the violent bear!

The violent bear felt pain, roared, and turned around! The other two Disciples seized the Opportunity to rescue their companion and hurriedly retreated.

"Thank you, Senior Brother!" the two said gratefully.

Fang Hao shouted urgently, "Run! We can’t handle this bear!"

But it was too late! The violent bear was enraged; its eyes turned crimson, and raging flames ignited all over its body! Its speed surged, and it pounced straight at them!

"Five Elements Spirit Shield!" Fang Hao hurriedly defended. A fire shield formed instantly, blocking the violent bear’s strike!

But the violent bear possessed infinite strength; the fire shield vibrated violently and nearly shattered!

"So strong!" Fang Hao was shocked. A Third-tier Peak Demon Beast was indeed formidable!

He hurriedly utilized Shrinking the Ground to an Inch and instantly retreated ten zhang away! The violent bear missed, grew even more furious, and lunged again!

Fang Hao fought while retreating, using Dividing Light Sword Shadow to harass it constantly, but it couldn’t break through the violent bear’s defense at all!

"Senior Brother, look out!" the two Disciples cried out.

The violent bear suddenly opened its mouth and spat out a fireball! The fireball was enormous, covering an area of several zhang!

Fang Hao hurriedly switched to a water shield! Water and fire collided, causing a steam explosion! Fang Hao was blown back several zhang, his blood and Qi churning!

"Damn it, I can’t beat it!" Fang Hao gritted his teeth. The gap in strength was too great; fighting head-on would only lead to death!

He looked at the three Disciples: "I’ll lure it away, you guys run!"

After saying that, Fang Hao used all his strength to perform Shrinking the Ground to an Inch and fled in the opposite direction! At the same time, he deliberately released a strong aura to attract the violent bear’s attention.

The violent bear was indeed lured away, roaring as it pursued him!

Fang Hao pushed his speed to the limit, alternating between Shrinking the Ground to an Inch and Divine Spirit Steps, darting rapidly through the forest!

But the violent bear was extremely fast and pursued him relentlessly! Wherever it passed, trees were shattered and the earth cracked!

There were a few times he was nearly caught, and Fang Hao only managed to dodge by suddenly changing direction! The most dangerous moment was when the bear’s paw grazed his scalp, taking away a few strands of hair!

"This won’t work!" Fang Hao was anxious. The violent bear had endless stamina, but his own Spiritual Qi was limited!

While fleeing, he observed the terrain and discovered a narrow valley ahead.

"Got it!" Fang Hao had a flash of inspiration and accelerated toward the valley!

The violent bear roared as it pursued. Just as he entered the valley, Fang Hao suddenly turned around!

"Dividing Light Sword Shadow, Merge!" The nine sword shadows merged into one, transforming into a giant sword that struck directly at the valley ceiling!

Boom! Huge rocks collapsed, blocking the valley entrance!

The violent bear was blocked outside the valley, frantically crashing into the boulders! But the valley was narrow, and its size was too large, so it couldn’t get in for the time being!

Fang Hao let out a long sigh of relief and slumped to the ground. Finally, he was safe for now.

After adjusting his breath for a moment, Fang Hao checked his injuries. Fortunately, it was only a minor injury, though his Spiritual Qi consumption was a bit high.

"A Third-tier Peak Demon Beast... too terrifying." Fang Hao felt a lingering fear. It was only the first day of entering, and he had already encountered such a powerful enemy; the Secret Realm was indeed fraught with danger.

Seeing the sky darkening, Fang Hao decided to spend the night in the valley. The Secret Realm at night was more dangerous; it was not suitable for traveling.

He found a hidden cave inside the valley, set up a simple Formation, and used vegetation to conceal the entrance.

Night fell, and the Secret Realm became exceptionally terrifying. The roars of various Demon Beasts rose and fell, and occasionally, the sounds of fighting and screams came from the distance.

Fang Hao dared not light a fire, so he just chewed on dry rations and silently adjusted his breath.

"I wonder how Senior Sister Liang and the others are doing..." Fang Hao felt a bit worried. The Secret Realm was so dangerous; it was hard for Foundation Establishment Early Stage Disciples to protect themselves.

He thought of Bao Zhijian again: "That guy must be looking for me... I must be even more careful."

In the middle of the night, Fang Hao was suddenly startled awake! The Formation had been triggered! 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

He carefully investigated and discovered it was a few Second-Ranked Demonic Beasts hovering at the cave entrance. Fortunately, the Formation was hidden, and the Yao wolves didn’t discover the cave entrance.

Fang Hao held his breath and focused, only breathing a sigh of relief once the Yao wolves left.

"I can’t sleep too deeply." Fang Hao braced himself and remained vigilant.

In the second half of the night, he suddenly sensed a strong fluctuation of Spiritual Qi in the distance!

"Is there a treasure?" Fang Hao’s heart stirred, but he immediately suppressed his greed. The night was too dangerous; he could not act rashly.

At daybreak, Fang Hao finished his meditation. After a night of recovery, his condition was much better.

He carefully probed out of the cave and only came out after confirming it was safe.

There was no trace of the violent bear outside the valley; it seemed to have given up.

Fang Hao decided to continue exploring. The time the Secret Realm was open was limited; he couldn’t waste it.

He utilized Clear Spring Spirit Eyes and searched carefully. Soon, he discovered a place where the Spiritual Qi was exceptionally dense.

After approaching cautiously, Fang Hao’s eyes lit up: several Spiritual Plants were shimmering in the morning light!

"Wind Spiritual Grass!" Fang Hao was pleasantly surprised. This was exactly the Spiritual Plant he needed! It could strengthen his Wind Spiritual Root and was of great benefit to his Cultivate!

But there was a guarding Demon Beast beside the Spiritual Plant—a Third-tier Early Stage Wind Shadow Leopard!

Fang Hao pondered for a moment: "Third-tier Early Stage... I can give it a try!"

He quietly set up a Confinement Formation and then used Dividing Light Sword Shadow to ambush it!

The Wind Shadow Leopard was alert and dodged rapidly! But the sword shadows followed like a shadow, finally striking it!

The Wind Shadow Leopard roared in anger and pounced! It was extremely fast, turning into streaks of afterimages!

Fang Hao was unhurried, using his Five Elements Spirit Shield to defend and Dividing Light Sword Shadow to counterattack! After yesterday’s battle with the violent bear, he was more experienced in dealing with Third-tier Demon Beasts.

After battling for a while, Fang Hao found an Opportunity and used one move, "Starfall Seven Absolutes," to heavily injure the Wind Shadow Leopard! The Wind Shadow Leopard wailed and fled.

Fang Hao successfully harvested the Wind Spiritual Grass, totaling five stalks; it was a good harvest!

"A good start!" Fang Hao was in a great mood.

Continuing to explore, Fang Hao was even more careful. The Secret Realm indeed held countless Opportunities, but it was also fraught with danger.

At noon, he found a spiritual spring. The spring water was rich in Spiritual Qi, perfect for replenishing his consumption.

While adjusting his breath by the spring, Fang Hao suddenly sensed someone approaching!

He hurriedly concealed his aura and observed cautiously.

He saw a few Disciples walking over, seemingly searching for something.

"Search carefully! That brat must be nearby!"

"Senior Brother Bao said that whoever finds Fang Hao will be heavily rewarded!"

Fang Hao’s eyes turned cold. Bao Zhijian had indeed sent people to cause trouble!

He quietly retreated, preparing to leave. Now was not the time for a head-on fight.

But just then, one of the Disciples suddenly pointed toward the spring: "There are traces here!"

Fang Hao’s heart tightened; he had been discovered!

He immediately performed Shrinking the Ground to an Inch and fled deep into the dense forest!

"There he is! Chase him!" One of the Disciples spotted him and gave chase!

Fang Hao fled with all his might, sneering in his heart: "You want to catch me? It won’t be that easy."

The Secret Realm chase had begun.