From Sword to Slaughter: Evolution

"Alright, everyone's here."

Shang Pei glanced at the gathered crowd and nodded. "Let's move out. Follow me to White Dragon Mountain."

He carried a massive battle blade on his back and was clad in top-tier equipment. It was clear that he was taking this expedition to the secret realm very seriously.

Leading two of his subordinates, Shang Pei headed out with the thirty-one eighth-rank and two ninth-rank martial artists in tow.

As they walked, many passersby cast glances in their direction.

"They're heading to White Dragon Mountain for the secret realm."

"Of course they are. The secret realm is about to open. Why else do you think so many martial artists have gathered here recently?"

"..."

Along the way, many martial artists whispered amongst themselves, but Lin Luoluo ignored their words as she followed the group out of the city.

White Dragon Mountain lay to the south of Thunder Panther City. As they walked along the road, Lin Luoluo noticed numerous other martial artist groups heading in the same direction.

"The White Dragon Mountain Secret Realm is a major one," Shang Pei said as they walked. "It's not just us. Many other martial artist groups are heading there as well, some far stronger than we are."

What he said was no exaggeration. The White Dragon Mountain Secret Realm opened every few years, and each time it did, the entire mountain would be shrouded in thick white mist.

The white mist was filled with incredibly rich energy, making it an excellent place for cultivation, even at the base of the mountain. However, once the secret realm opened, the situation on the mountain would become much more dangerous.

The journey to White Dragon Mountain was long, and by the time they arrived at the base of the mountain, Lin Luoluo's eyes widened slightly in surprise.

A large number of martial artists were already gathered at the foot of the mountain, sitting in meditation as they cultivated.

These were low-level martial artists. As long as they didn't venture up the mountain, no one would bother them.

"We're going straight up," Shang Pei announced after glancing at his companions.

As they ascended the mountain, they encountered numerous high-level martial artists along the way.

"So many martial artists... If a fight breaks out, I should be able to rack up quite a few evolution points," Ye Fan commented.

The martial artists they passed all had strange looks in their eyes, as if viewing Lin Luoluo and the others as competitors, their gazes filled with undisguised hostility.

Once the secret realm appears, White Dragon Mountain will surely descend into chaos!

"Everyone, stay alert. Stick close to me when the secret realm opens," Shang Pei said, his usually relaxed expression turning serious. "There are too many martial artists this year. Who knows what could happen."

In previous years, when the secret realm opened, the number of martial artists had been far fewer. This time, the sheer number of martial artists had exceeded his expectations.

And there were many high-level martial artists on the mountain—he had already spotted several Martial Masters.

Shang Pei had recently advanced to Martial Master, which had given him confidence about this trip to the secret realm. But now, he wasn't so sure.

"We'll wait here."

Shang Pei found a spot where the energy in the air was particularly dense and told the group to settle in.

The mountain was now shrouded in thick white mist, making visibility extremely low.

"Wait here?" one of the ninth-rank martial artists asked, momentarily stunned by Shang Pei's words.

He had never been to this secret realm before, and his curiosity was piqued. He had assumed they could simply enter the secret realm right away.

"You think the secret realm is already open?" Shang Pei responded. "We have to wait. The time is uncertain, and the location is also random."

Hearing this, the others exchanged confused glances.

"How do we enter the secret realm, then?" another martial artist asked.

"When the secret realm appears, I'll lead you in. Who knows? The secret realm might even appear right where we're standing," Shang Pei said with a mysterious smile.

Lin Luoluo looked around, sensing the increasingly dense energy in the air. Cultivating in this environment would be highly beneficial for her.

Without hesitation, Lin Luoluo sat down cross-legged, her left hand gripping the hilt of Soul Severing, and quickly began to cultivate, her cultivation technique already in motion.

Seeing this, the others also sat down and started cultivating while they waited for the secret realm to open.

"I hope the secret realm opens right beside me," Shang Pei mused aloud.

...

"Finally, White Dragon Mountain," Spade Talley said as he and his group of martial artists arrived at the mountain.

Gazing at the mist-covered White Dragon Mountain, Spade Talley took a deep breath.

The air was incredibly fresh, and the energy in it was thick to an almost frightening degree.

"Finding a good spot on White Dragon Mountain won't be easy," Spade Talley remarked as he climbed the mountain. "It's probably already been taken."

He had brought many high-level martial artists with him this time, all to gain access to the secret realm.

Based on previous experience, the secret realm could appear randomly anywhere on White Dragon Mountain.

The first group to enter had the highest chance of seizing great opportunities!

The thought filled Spade Talley with excitement.

"City Lord, do you think that white-clad swordswoman might come here as well?" one of the men beside him asked.

"It's possible," Spade Talley replied. "But with so many martial artists here, even if she is, I doubt I'll be able to find her."

There were simply too many martial artists on White Dragon Mountain, and many of them were powerful. Some were even Martial Masters.

If a Martial King showed up, there would be no chance of competing for the treasures inside the secret realm.

For now, everyone waited for the secret realm to appear.

More and more martial artist groups were gathering on White Dragon Mountain, and the energy in the air was growing thicker and thicker.

The moment the energy reached its peak would be the moment the secret realm appeared!

...

It was unclear how much time had passed.

Boom!

A deafening explosion echoed through the air, and all the martial artists, who had been meditating with their eyes closed, suddenly opened them.

The secret realm had appeared!

The entire White Dragon Mountain shook violently, and an incredibly powerful energy wave surged from the peak!

"Follow me!!!"