Chapter 5: The Perilous Thunder Blade Secret Realm
Grand Elder Zhaang Quan's cultivation was at the Seventh Layer Heaven of the Yin Yang Realm!
Elder Xingxuan merely had reached the Fifth Layer Heaven of the Yin Yang Realm. Compared to Grand Elder Zhaang Quan, his power was significantly lesser.
How terrifying was that angry strike from Grand Elder Zhaang Quan?
Elder Xingxuan, infuriated and shocked, exclaimed, "Zhaang Quan, are you really willing to turn against my Star Cloud Pavilion over a mere ordinary disciple?"
Where would Elder Xingxuan dare to delay any longer?
He turned around and struck a palm towards Grand Elder Zhaang Quan.
Boom...
Accompanied by that earth-shattering noise, Elder Xingxuan was directly sent flying by Grand Elder Zhaang Quan, his face turning deathly pale.
Only at that moment did many cultivators' pupils sharply constrict.
Since the Azure Cloud Sect's power had declined significantly, the other top-level forces no longer took them seriously, with ordinary elders even looking down on Zhaang Quan.
But they had overlooked a very important matter.
Zhaang Quan was the Great Elder of the Azure Cloud Sect.
In these top-level forces, anyone aspiring to be a Great Elder must at least have reached the Seventh Layer Heaven of the Yin Yang Realm or higher.
When cultivators truly fought, it still depended on the level of cultivation.
"Merely at the Fifth Layer Heaven of the Yin Yang Realm, and you dare to act impudently in front of this elder? If it weren't for the sake of Star Cloud Pavilion, I would have killed you today," he said.
Grand Elder Zhaang Quan waved his robe with a cold laugh.
Even those with a good temper can become angry.
And when those with a good temper do get angry, it can be quite terrifying, just like Grand Elder Zhaang Quan restraining his inner rage without going further to kill Elder Xingxuan.
Elder Xingxuan's face fluctuated between anger and composure.
He was gnashing his teeth in hatred, but he was no match for Grand Elder Zhaang Quan. Even though he wished to have Lin Feng severely punished, he simply lacked the strength.
Lin Feng also said no more.
It was best to leave some things implied. Failing to state everything outright led others to speculate what exactly had happened thereafter?
Then the news would spread even wider.
If the subsequent matters were completely revealed, losing their sense of mystery, perhaps the whole affair would quickly settle down.
Naturally, Lin Feng understood this principle, hoping that the situation would escalate, ideally with the Star Cloud Pavilion severely punishing Elder Xingxuan.
...
"Kid, you just wait!"
Elder Xingxuan could only temporarily yield while biting his teeth but didn't forget to threaten Lin Feng harshly.
Lin Feng calmly replied, "You should worry about yourself first."
Elder Xingxuan's face twisted in aggravation due to Lin Feng's words.
"Tsk tsk, now this will be a good show. Originally, this Elder Xingxuan was one of the few elders that the Star Cloud Pavilion focused on developing, potentially promoting him to a Great Elder in the future; but now, with this incident, even if he isn't punished by Star Cloud Pavilion, his prospects are likely doomed."
"That's right, no matter what, the Star Cloud Pavilion, considering its reputation, wouldn't promote a cultivator of dubious morality to the rank of Great Elder."
Many looked at Elder Xingxuan with schadenfreude expressions.
...
Lin Feng closed his eyes to meditate, no longer caring about Elder Xingxuan.
He knew, what he needed now was to quickly bolster his own cultivation in a short span.
Having formidable personal strength was everything.
If he had been strong enough, he could have slapped Elder Xingxuan to death himself, not needing Grand Elder Zhaang Quan to intervene.
...
More and more cultivators were gathering in Wind Thunder Valley, clearly not only from the Desolate Domain. Some young talents from other "Domains" close to the Desolate Domain were also sent by great forces to enter into the Thunder Blade Secret Realm.
"Rumble..."
Three days later, a loud noise shook the heavens, and the seals within the Wind Thunder Valley were gradually disappearing.
Everyone was greatly invigorated. Was the prohibition in Wind Thunder Valley finally about to open?
From afar, one could see golden light spreading in all directions.
Ultimately, a golden portal, akin to a space-time gate, emanated the power of twisted space-time, seemingly connecting two different worlds.
"It's open," roared Grand Elder Zhaang Quan, "passing through that portal will allow entry into the Thunder Blade Secret Realm."
He looked at the disciples of the Azure Cloud Sect, who were exceptionally excited, and felt a deep sense of envy. It was incredibly fortunate for these youngsters to experience the once-in-500-years opening of Wind Thunder Valley during their generation.
"Enter the Secret Realm!"
Grand Elder Zhaang Quan waved his hand.
Swoosh swoosh swoosh...
The disciples of the Azure Cloud Sect rushed towards the interior of Wind Thunder Valley.
Naturally, the first group to enter were the disciples from the four major sects of the Desolate Domain, followed by the Ancient Forces of the Desolate Domain and the top-level forces from the external domains, and then the aristocratic families, small sects, and Loose Cultivators.
"Brother Feng, it's truly great that you're unharmed."
A familiar voice came from behind; Yu Fan was visibly filled with surprise.
Han Shuo also rushed over, his face brimming with excitement as he looked at Lin Feng.
"Have you both joined the Star Cloud Pavilion? Good."
Lin Feng smiled, then said, "This isn't the place to talk. Let's hurry into the Thunder Blade Secret Realm and talk there."
"Mhm."
Yu Fan and Han Shuo both nodded.
Swoosh.
Arriving in front of the golden portal, Lin Feng plunged directly into the massive gateway, hundreds of meters high and dozens of meters wide, and immediately felt himself enveloped by a terrifying force.
"Space-time power," Lin Feng muttered with a wry smile.
This force was the same as that during the Azure Cloud Sect examination restrictions.
Only, the power here was much stronger.
Swoosh.
The next moment, Lin Feng felt himself flung out by that space-time force.
He found himself in a dense forest, quiet all around, with no one else in sight, unsure of where he had been transported.
As Lin Feng had just steadied himself, a black light suddenly burst forth at a lightning-fast speed, shooting towards Lin Feng's chest.
"Danger."
Lin Feng's expression slightly changed.
He reacted extremely quickly, sidestepping rapidly to dodge the attack, and then sent a slash of blade energy flying casually.
However, the black light was too fast and dodged Lin Feng's attack, disappearing into the thicket without a trace.
As Lin Feng was about to leave, he felt a slight pain in his ankle. When he looked down, he saw that a small insect had stung him, and then he started to feel dizzy and weak all over.
"Poisonous."
Lin Feng's expression drastically changed; such a small insect had poisoned him, and the toxin was terrifyingly powerful.
At the same time, the towering trees around him suddenly came to life.
"Caw caw, it seems the Thunder Blade Secret Realm has opened, and human cultivators have come in. Our hunting time has arrived."
On those giant trees, terrifyingly fierce faces appeared.
Tree Demons, all the large trees around were Tree Demons.
Smack smack smack smack...
A dense mass of branches lashed towards Lin Feng, who tried to dodge but found his body hard to move.
With a bang, Lin Feng was struck by the Tree Demons' branches and sent flying. Even his strong physical body struggled to withstand the force, causing him to spit out a mouthful of fresh blood. With a thud, he fell to the ground.