In the distant sky, multicolored clouds floated, and vaguely, Xu Guang saw a white mountain peak, entirely snow-white, resembling a piece of mutton-fat jade.

"Divine Iron? Someone has found Divine Iron in the Mysterious Sea to forge a Holy Artifact?"

A voice exclaimed in shock.

Soon after, a roar that echoed through the seas rang out, "Looking for death!"

Is someone battling?

At least it's a Second Nirvana level.

Xu Guang's expression was solemn as his gaze swept past the Divine Iron that resembled white jade.

But he quickly realized it wasn't Divine Iron; upon closer inspection, intricate patterns were visible, akin to the lines on a human palm.

Considering the shape of the 'Divine Iron,' it's... a human finger!!

"Ye Xihan!!!!!!"

The roar shook the heavens and earth, followed by a violent explosion.

From thousands of miles away, the battle was producing resonant shockwaves.

Xu Guang frowned at this fluctuation...

The self-destruction of a Second Nirvana master.

Someone had driven a Second Nirvana expert to self-destruct.

Second Nirvana experts are never easily found; even amidst the vast seas, those entering the Mysterious Sea are rare. Yet now, before entering the Secret Realm, a confrontation has happened in the Mysterious Sea, forcing an opponent to self-destruct.

Xu Guang thought about the name Ye Xihan; previously, Zhuge Wuliang had mentioned that a woman named Ye Xihan helped Yan Zhen communicate with him, wondering if they were the same person.

However, this was irrelevant to him. He was constantly on the search, hoping before entering the Secret Realm to find Zhuge Wuliang.

But after three more days at sea, he still had not seen Zhuge Wuliang, nor had he seen Jiang Nanzun.

And on this day, he finally saw the entrance to the First Grade Secret Realm.

It was quite clear, with no need for discernment.

He saw there, beneath sun and moon, waves rising to the sky, three thousand miles of seawater suspended inversely, swallowing mist, a giant multicolored Dragon Gate emerging faintly beyond the water curtain, under bright moonlight and scorching sun, seven colors morphing into a rainbow three thousand miles long, resembling a terrestrial paradise.

In stark contrast to everything in the Mysterious Sea.

Beneath the water curtain, countless mysterious boats had gathered.

When Xu Guang arrived, he was surprised to find that these people hadn't entered.

"This is the Water Gate of the Secret Realm; don't know if it's as fearsome as they say, that those lacking strength can't cross."

"Hahaha, I refuse to believe that, after so much effort, a mere Water Gate can stop me!"

A burly man, with rage in his eyes, rose from the mysterious boat, intending to cross the mighty suspended seawater straight to the Dragon Gate.

But after merely several hundred steps, he abruptly halted, then like a ship at sea without wind, drifted about aimlessly, disappearing from sight.

Only the empty mysterious boat under the water curtain remained, slowly dissipating.

In an instant, everyone was unnerved.

That person... dead?

Or something else?

In the Mysterious Sea, human life is considered valueless.

Someone, defiant, continued forging ahead.

Xu Guang did not rashly act, only feeling a murky sense of danger, pondering how many First Grade experts this gateway would repel.

And once inside? Seeking the legendary treasures left by Immortal Venerable, how many more would perish?

Everything in Hongze is beautiful, filled with countless experts, every bold soul has hopeful prospects, yet few speak of how many perish behind the beauty. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Xu Guang isn't one to lament, so when he saw a youth in white somewhat unsteadily cross the Water Gate and disappear from sight.

He moved.

Until entering the water curtain, he finally understood why some could not endure.

This was seawater, but not mere seawater.

Inside were the wills of countless peers who died at the hands of the Pirate King during the time of the Three Secret Realms, mixed like endless howling in your ear, these people all masters of your own realm.

This pressure is certainly unbearable for the average person.

Activating Forgetful Truth, Xu Guang for the first time applied it to himself, only the thought of moving forward remained.

His steps were steady amid myriad water currents not stirring his body.

"Who is that!? So powerful!"

"The one who went in earlier was He Xu from Purple Peak, this person appears more at ease than He Xu, when did such an expert appear in First Grade?"

"I've seen this person, he's of Liu Chuan."

"There's bad blood between Liu Chuan and Jiang Nanzun, looks like, even if he enters, things don't look good for him."

Among them, someone knew of Jiang Nanzun's power and didn't favor Xu Guang.

...

Xu Guang stepped through the Dragon Gate, arriving at the so-called Secret Realm.

Cloud-like mist at his feet, engulfing his calves, the flow beneath felt clearly, dreamy and surreal like an earthly paradise.

Step after step down the staircase, seemingly carved from white jade, extending into the void towards a grand palace.

Xu Guang steadied his heart spirit and walked forward.

Every step upon the jade stairs nearly silent.

He was on high alert, his pace unyielding.

After some thousand steps, there appeared before him a long corridor.

The corridor was inlaid with gold and jade, depicting a long scroll representing a story he couldn't fully discern, only roughly surmising it's a banquet of nobles in ancient attire.

On either side of the corridor, precious Luminous Pearls gleamed, each different in hue and shine, interplaying to a degree of beauty nearly perfect.

Immortal Venerable's dwelling.

A thought flashed in Xu Guang's mind, surely it's Immortal Venerable's abode, for if not, merely the materials alone would bankrupt a Saint.

The Pirate King was indeed Immortal Venerable, possibly suspected to be the wealthiest Immortal Venerable ever; some Revered Emperors in the Reverse Dao can't compare in wealth.

Such a person constructing any sort of palace or residence wouldn't be surprising.

Through the corridor, suddenly spacious.

An immense palace complex appeared, invisible to the naked eye in entirety, even the tiles sculpted from crystal, and some exposed beams outside were crafted from the rare Washing Moon White Nan, a valuable treasure grown on Meteorites, used mainly for crafting Second Nirvana Divine Soldiers, a single piece worth a fortune, and present imagination-defying amounts merely visible outside.

In choice locations, adorned with pearls, echoes of dragon shadows subtly shimmering within these pearls.

Seemingly aquatic Dragon Pearls.

These items are alluring enough, yet Xu Guang refrained; these items lay there, the place opens once every millennia, having opened over a hundred times now.

Yet these pearls were never missing.

He certainly didn't believe no wise person saw the item's worth, nor did he believe those brave enough to enter the Mysterious Sea were honest, reluctant to disturb Immortal Venerable's abode.

Just like Yuan Shuang warned Xu Guang before entering.

"What Immortal Venerable permits you to take, you may take; what he forbids, you can't take even with your life."

And here stood a vast arched gate, its width exceeding a hundred thousand meters, clouds swirling.

Inscribed upon it—Celestial Capital!!

Xu Guang was puzzled and marveling at the Pirate King's audacity to name his abode Celestial Capital, showing his pride.

Whether Revered Emperors of his era knew the Pirate King named his domain in such a way.

Xu Guang curtailed his thoughts; now wasn't the time to explore historical mysteries, which wouldn't benefit him much at present.

He needed to learn where to obtain those treasures and whether someone's already targeting him now.

Approaching a ruby gate, nameless, it seemed like a dwelling prepared by the Pirate King for 'attendants.'

Entering, Xu Guang finally saw someone.

No, not a person, but a living being.

A being with horns sprouting from its head, face adorned with fine scales.

Aquatic Race? Or Water Tribe?

But regardless of the race, for Xu Guang, none were above being killed.

Hearing footsteps from behind, the being turned.

"Human Race?"

His expression instantly darkened, "This isn't a place for you."

His tone was rather rude, as if reprimanding an attendant.

Xu Guang didn't mind an insolent person speaking rudely, only curiously asked, "I shouldn't be here? It's my first time, can you tell me why?"