Chapter 226: Three Flood Dragons Car

After receiving the clue, Suspended Skull Pass dispatched personnel to investigate. Because the secret realm's entrance was extremely well-hidden, it took a long time and multiple searches to finally pinpoint its true location.

This current gathering of personnel was precisely in preparation for entering and exploring the secret realm.

Not just a few of them were entering the secret realm together; many more had yet to arrive. Among those leading the expedition were remarkably the Core Formation stage experts from various major sects.

Based on the clues obtained from the demon cultivators, the true nature of this secret realm appeared to be an ancient cultivator's abode.

The ancient cultivator's abode encompassed a vast area. In its depths, at several core locations—where the ancient cultivator's true cave dwelling was situated—there were still intact protective formations, making them extremely dangerous. Even the Demon Sect back then had not been able to fully explore these areas.

The ancient cultivator's cave dwelling undoubtedly contained ultimate treasures that would tempt Core Formation stage cultivators, but these were not something Qin Sang could covet. He could only listen and drool enviously.

As for Qin Sang and his companions, their primary role upon entering the secret realm would be to clear out areas outside the few crucial locations.

The Core Formation stage cultivators were focused on the ancient cultivator's cave dwelling, vying for the ancient treasures within. Treasures elsewhere were unlikely to entice them, and they were unwilling to waste too much energy outside, lest the ancient treasures in the cave dwelling be claimed by others first.

At least until the ancient treasures were distributed, no Core Formation stage cultivators would compete for items outside. The extent of Qin Sang and his group's gains would depend entirely on their own abilities.

Although the ancient cultivator's abode might have been plundered by the Demon Sect once before, ten thousand years had passed. Even an ordinary spirit herb, left untouched in the secret realm, could transform into a divine medicine sought by all if it survived until now!

It was true that as the first group of cultivators to enter the secret realm, they were bound to encounter many unknown dangers. It was not uncommon for someone to carelessly lose their life there.

Similarly, their chances of finding treasures would also be greater than those who followed later.

Weighing the pros and cons, being among the first to enter the secret realm was undoubtedly a great opportunity and, naturally, a highly sought-after assignment. Qin Sang and his two companions were considered instrumental in discovering the secret realm, which was why they effortlessly secured a spot.

After learning the true purpose of this mission from Mu Yifeng, Qin Sang naturally agreed without hesitation. Upon asking Yun Youzi, it turned out he would also be joining them.

Following this, they patiently waited in the Celestial Crystal Secret Realm as more and more people gathered. Among them was someone Qin Sang hadn't expected: Yu Daiyue.

"Brother Yu, we haven't seen each other in over twenty years, have we?"

Hearing that Yu Daiyue had arrived, Qin Sang immediately stopped cultivating, emerged from his cave dwelling, and greeted him warmly.

They had entered the Ancient Immortal Battlefield together, where Yu Daiyue invited Qin Sang to accompany him, but Qin Sang had declined. While Qin Sang became a Shadow Guard, Yu Daiyue, in search of an opportunity for breakthrough, chose to be a rogue cultivator, yet now he too had joined the Shadow Guard.

However, Qin Sang noticed that Yu Daiyue's aura was a little stronger than twenty years ago, but he had not broken through to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage. It was clear that he had not achieved his desired outcome in recent years, remaining stuck at a bottleneck.

Twenty years ago, Yu Daiyue's strength had surpassed Mu Yifeng's. Now, Mu Yifeng had already broken through to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, while Yu Daiyue had fallen far behind.

Qin Sang noticed a hint of gloom between Yu Daiyue's brows, and his complexion was much worse than before. He secretly sighed, wondering how much of Brother Yu's ambition had been worn away by twenty years of time.

Naturally, he wouldn't bring up a sensitive topic. He pretended not to notice Yu Daiyue's cultivation level and didn't ask anything about his progress in cultivation.

Seeing Qin Sang, Yu Daiyue suppressed the gloom on his face and forced a smile. "Twenty years, and Brother Qin's cultivation has deepened considerably since then. You'll catch up to me before long, and Core Formation is surely within your grasp. Congratulations! As for me, I haven't made an inch of progress in twenty years. I fear I'll never break through to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage in this lifetime."

With that, Yu Daiyue sighed softly, his tone unable to conceal a sense of dejection.

Qin Sang comforted him, "Brother Yu, please don't be disheartened. Who can truly predict fate and opportunities? This trip to the ancient cultivator's abode, I hear there are many ancient treasures inside. Perhaps Brother Yu's opportunity will arrive, you'll acquire one or two items, and break through in the very next moment."

"To be honest, Brother Qin, I did secure this opportunity with hope in my heart, but... hope is truly faint!"

Yu Daiyue gave a bitter chuckle and cupped his hands. "I hope your auspicious words bring me luck, Brother Qin."

After Yu Daiyue arrived, they waited for another two days.

Including Qin Sang, twenty-seven Shadow Guards had now gathered in the Celestial Crystal Secret Realm. Aside from the three major sects, various other sects from Suspended Skull Pass had also dispatched disciples to participate. Every single one of them was a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator, with some being experts at the late Foundation Establishment stage.

After all twenty-seven had assembled, no one else arrived.

They waited for another day. By evening, those cultivating in their cave dwellings almost simultaneously felt a sense of trepidation, followed by a powerful fluctuation sweeping through the Celestial Crystal Secret Realm.

Everyone awoke from their meditation and swiftly emerged from their cave dwellings.

In an instant, all twenty-seven individuals flew to the mountaintop, hovering in mid-air. They exchanged glances, then fixed their gaze on the entrance of the Celestial Crystal Secret Realm, secretly on guard.

Moments later, a massive vortex suddenly appeared in the sky above the entrance. A deafening roar emanated from within the vortex, as if a fierce demonic beast resided on the other side.

The vortex then grew larger, and a colossal flood dragon head poked through, its crimson tongue flicking in and out. A pair of vertical pupils, filled with an eerie gaze, peered into the Celestial Crystal Secret Realm.

"Disciple Teng Nan respectfully greets Martial Uncle!"

Teng Nan, guarding the secret realm entrance, trembled at the sight of the flood dragon's head and immediately bowed deeply.

The flood dragon's gaze settled on where the cultivators stood.

Stared at by the wicked flood dragon, Qin Sang felt a chill rise from the bottom of his heart. This wicked flood dragon appeared to be a great demon beast, yet for some reason, it gave Qin Sang a strange feeling. Judging by Teng Nan's address, could it be the mount of a Golden Core Perfected Person from the Upper Clarity Temple?

Just then, the wicked flood dragon actually spoke, its voice like thunder, shaking the vast Celestial Crystal Secret Realm incessantly. "Is everyone assembled?"

The voice carried an aged quality and sounded quite familiar. Qin Sang was secretly surprised and turned to glance at Yu Daiyue, who wore a similar expression.

Daoist Xuan Yu from the Upper Clarity Temple!

Qin Sang immediately recalled the person. It was said that several Golden Core Perfected Persons stationed at Suspended Skull Pass were mobilized this time. It seemed Daoist Xuan Yu was one of them. He wondered if Che Yutao would be accompanying them.

A late Foundation Establishment stage cultivator stepped forward and said solemnly, "Reporting to Martial Uncle, all twenty-seven individuals have arrived."

"Good!"

The wicked flood dragon nodded its enormous head and withdrew back into the vortex. "Come out, all of you. Time is short. This humble Daoist will take you on the Three Dragon Chariot to speed up our journey."

The cultivator turned to face the others and said gravely, "Fellow Daoists, we can set off now."

"Whoosh whoosh..."

Figures shot through the air. Qin Sang glided to the entrance, nodded goodbye to Teng Nan, and stepped into the vortex.