As morning arrived, Lin Xiao Tian led the group out without delay, their figures cutting through the air as they headed toward the location Chu Yue had mentioned earlier.

Even before they fully descended, the sheer density of people gathered below became clear, factions scattered across the open ground, each occupying their own space while maintaining a careful distance.

The moment they appeared overhead, several sharp gazes swept across them, probing and measuring, before slowly withdrawing as if nothing had happened. Lin Xiao Tian’s eyes narrowed slightly as he observed the silent exchanges.

They are not just gathered here, they are already sizing each other up, deciding who is prey and who is not worth touching.

As they landed, the atmosphere did not relax in the slightest, instead it grew tighter, quieter, as if every movement was being noted.

A voice soon called out, and when they turned, the Moon Veil Pavilion group approached from a distance, their formation neat and composed, carrying a faint elegance even in such a tense environment.

At the front walked a graceful woman dressed in layered pale-blue robes that flowed smoothly with each step, faint moon-pattern engravings shimmering subtly across the fabric.

Behind her followed Chu Yue and three Golden Core experts, their auras restrained but steady, while further back stood the disciples, each one poised and refined, their presence drawing more than a few glances.

As she reached them, the woman cupped her hands with practiced ease. "I am Lin Xue, Sect Leader of the Moon Veil Pavilion," she said calmly, her tone polite yet carrying authority that was not easily ignored.

Lin Xiao Tian returned the gesture, his expression relaxed as always, though his eyes remained attentive.

She looked at him and said, "I am sorry, Sect Master, but we are not ready for the upcoming journey. I spoke with the Ancestor, and she is the most honored Fate Reader in our region. She said only one thing... that the stars are bathing in blood."

A subtle but lethal intent flickered within her aura, not overwhelming, but enough to make her stance clear.

Hearing this, Lin Xiao Tian sighed and said, "It’s your choice after all, Sect Master, and yes, it might be for the best."

Just as he was about to continue, Lin Xue interrupted him and said, "The Ancestor would like to meet you after the realm, Sect Master."

Just as the conversation was about to continue, the air suddenly grew heavy, as a pressure descended from above announcing the arrival of someone significant.

The chatter across the area died almost immediately, and a group of figures descended slowly from above, their movements controlled, deliberate, and without the slightest hint of haste.

At the front stood two figures clad in dark, finely woven robes, the fabric layered with subtle patterns that seemed to shift under light, their sleeves trimmed with metallic threads that faintly reflected their surroundings.

Their weapons were not flashy, yet the restrained presence they carried spoke far louder, one holding a long, narrow blade at his side, the other a compact spear with a dull, heavy edge, both radiating quiet lethality.

Lin Xiao Tian’s gaze flickered as he scanned them through the system. Palace Formation... both of them, and not the kind that just stepped into it recently.

Behind them followed nearly thirty disciples, each wearing uniform dark attire with insignias etched in faint silver along their collars and sleeves, their weapons secured but ready.

Every single one of them emitted a Golden Core aura, but unlike others present, their energy was stable, condensed, and without waste, clearly refined through far superior resources.

Yet even among them, one figure stood out unmistakably.

A young man dressed more simply than the rest, his robes lacking the layered designs yet fitting him perfectly, his posture straight, his gaze calm. The others gave him space without being told, even the Palace Formation elders subtly positioning themselves half a step behind.

His aura rested at the peak of Golden Core, but it carried a dangerous instability, as if it was only being held back from breaking through. What made it worse was his age.

Sixteen.

Lin Xiao Tian’s eyes sharpened almost imperceptibly. This is not just talent nor raw jade but a precisely sharpened monster.

As they landed, the entire area fell into silence, and one by one, people lowered their heads in acknowledgment. Lin Xiao Tian followed suit naturally, blending in without drawing attention as he lowered his gaze slightly.

As the envoys landed, one of them stepped forward, his presence steady as he swept his gaze across the gathered crowd and spoke without raising his voice. "Stand straight," he said, and the scattered murmurs died down instantly as everyone’s attention locked onto him.

He looked over them once before continuing, his tone calm yet carrying weight. "We are here again this year, but let me make one thing clear, this time the secret realm is far more perilous than what you may be expecting based on past records."

He paused briefly, letting the words settle before adding. "With greater danger comes greater rewards, that much remains true, but this time it is not a fair exchange, it is a gamble where the chance of loss is far higher than before."

As his words spread, the crowd immediately broke into low chatter, voices overlapping as people discussed among themselves, weighing risk against opportunity. Some expressions flickered with hesitation as the weight of his warning sank in, but that hesitation did not last long.

As the noise slowly settled, not a single person stepped back, each one holding onto their own belief in fortune and survival. The few who did retreat were met with mocking gazes, dismissed by others without a second thought.

Seeing this, Lin Xiao Tian let out a faint internal chuckle. Those who stepped back are the ones who understood something, this is not courage, it is blind confidence disguised as it.

As the crowd quieted again, the elder nodded slightly, his expression unchanged. "Since no one wishes to withdraw, we will proceed," he said.

With that, he took out a token from his storage ring, its surface engraved with ancient patterns, while the other elder beside him did the same. Both of them stood still, their expressions turning slightly impatient as they waited.

Then suddenly, another pressure descended from above, heavier and far more refined than before, causing the air itself to tremble slightly. A figure appeared in the sky and descended slowly the city lord.

He appeared young, his features sharp and composed, looking no older than his twenties, yet his presence carried a depth that did not match his appearance. His long white hair flowed behind him, and a massive great sword rested on his back, its surface dull yet exuding a restrained killing intent.

Lin Xiao Tian’s gaze flickered as he scanned him through the system, and in that instant, his expression froze slightly. This...

Before he could process it further, the atmosphere shifted again.

The tokens held by the elders began to react, faint light emerging from them, resonating with the one in the City Lord’s hand. The surrounding spiritual Qi stirred violently, flickering and burning as if ignited by an unseen force.

Just as everyone focused on the forming reaction, the young man Lin Xiao Tian had noticed earlier stepped forward calmly.

Without a word, he took out another token and unlike other’s it was completely black and carved on it mysterious purple and red runes.

The moment it appeared, the crowd broke into whispers, confusion and shock spreading instantly as people began questioning among themselves. Lin Xiao Tian frowned slightly and glanced toward Chu Yue, who leaned closer and spoke quietly.

"Each time, only three tokens are used to open the realm," she said. "This is the first time a fourth has appeared."

Hearing this, Lin Xiao Tian’s eyes sharpened. So his status is even higher than expected... and the situation is worse than it looks.

The young man stepped back calmly after taking it out, as if nothing unusual had happened, while the elders and the City Lord moved into position, forming a triangular formation in the air.

The four tokens began to resonate together, their light intertwining as the space in front of them distorted violently. Spiritual Qi surged and twisted, gathering into a single point before tearing open.

A crack formed in space then it gradually widened.

The secret realm opened like a massive maw, its interior dark and unstable, swallowing the surrounding light as it slowly stabilized, the flickering energy settling into a steady, ominous gateway.

As the portal finally stabilized, its violent fluctuations settling into a steady yet ominous opening, the gathered crowd surged forward without further hesitation. The first to move were the talents from the middle region, their steps calm and assured, as if they were merely stepping into a place already meant for them.

Lin Xiao Tian moved along with the others, his pace controlled as he blended into the flow without drawing attention. Just then, Chu Yue and Lin Xue both turned toward Han Leu, their expressions shifting slightly as a thought crossed their minds.

"What is his age," Chu Yue asked quietly, her gaze still fixed ahead.

Han Leu paused briefly before answering, his tone uncertain. "I... do not know."

A faint chuckle escaped Chu Yue as she shook her head slightly, her expression turning oddly amused. "Sect Master is truly one of a kind," she said, "the first sect leader to enter a secret realm alongside his own disciples."

Lin Xiao Tian did not respond, his focus remaining ahead as he stepped closer to the entrance, his figure soon swallowed by the shifting space along with the others.

Amidst the flow, another presence moved quietly, blending in without leaving the slightest trace of its existence. Ignored like a pawn among countless others, yet beneath that silence lay a hunger far deeper than anyone could perceive.