Han Pengfei and his junior brother Yang Yuning of the Cloud Sea Sect had been patrolling the seas on a sect mission when they detected unusual disturbances half an hour prior. After sending a message back to their sect, the two immediately flew toward the anomaly on their swords.
As Foundation Establishment cultivators, they quickly spotted a lone flying ship hovering in the distance, its defensive barrier activated, with what appeared to be a single female cultivator inside.
Exchanging glances, they decided against rash action. Instead, Han Pengfei took the lead in questioning her.
Jian Dan turned to face them. The man before her wore sea-blue robes embroidered with cloud and wave patterns at the collar. His hair was neatly tied up under a silver-blue crown, secured with a white jade hairpin, while a two-finger-wide ribbon fluttered in the wind. His companion was dressed identically—clearly sect disciples.
Unfazed, Jian Dan smoothed her wind-tossed hair and cupped her hands.
"A minor harvest, hardly worth mentioning. If you have no business with me, I'll take my leave."
"Hold it right there!"
Before she could turn away, Han Pengfei had already moved to block her path. Yang Yuning sealed off the rear. The flying swords beneath their feet shimmered with spiritual light, forming an unmistakable pincer formation.
Jian Dan had no intention of getting entangled. With a firm slap on her ship's hull, the vessel dropped toward the sea like a falling star. At the same time, she flung out a volley of talismans. She didn't care what kind—she only needed a few seconds' worth of distraction.
Brother Parrot had already informed her via voice transmission that the entrance to the secret realm had stabilized and could now be entered. The vortex's center was the key.
Her ship broke free of their encirclement, skimming the waves before being sucked into the swirling vortex.
"Xiao Zhuzi, get ready!"
Parrot, who had burrowed into her robes, now poked his head out, his feathers whipped into disarray by the wind.
"Now!"
Jian Dan leapt from the ship, stowing it mid-air before clutching the Purple Token and diving headfirst into the vortex—vanishing without a trace.
Han Pengfei and Yang Yuning tried to follow, but an invisible force repelled them before they could even approach.
Without delay, they sent urgent messages via jade slip.
Within half an hour, cultivators of all kinds began converging on the site—rogue cultivators on missions, sect disciples, and a group of five black-robed demon cultivators from the Heavenly Demon Sect.
The earliest arrivals were powerful Mahayana cultivators. They tore open the void and stepped directly onto the scene. One among them casually reached out a hand; a purple speck of light floated down from the sea and landed in his palm before he vanished without a trace.
Seven Mahayana cultivators arrived in total, followed by waves of Unity, Void Refinement, and Divine Soul cultivators, each entering the secret realm in sequence.
Three days later, the sea was crowded with flying vessels—massive sect ships guarded by Divine Soul elders. Nearly every major faction from the human, demon, and demonic cultivation sects had gathered.
Human Sects Present:
—Heavenly Sword Sect
—Purple Sky Sect
—Cloud Sea Sect
—Alchemy Sect
—Artifact Forging Sect
—Formation Sect
—Beast Taming Sect
—Yin-Yang Gate
—Buddhist Sect
—Rogue Cultivator Alliance
Beastkin Tribes:
—White Crane Clan
—Sky Wolf Tribe
—Soaring Leopard Tribe
—Flying Serpent Tribe
—Fox Tribe
—Even the timid Cloud Rabbit Tribe sent a few representatives.
Demon Sects:
—Heavenly Demon Sect
—Demonic Sound Sect
—Life-Death Pavilion
—Nine Fiends Hall
—Crimson Blood Manor
By now, no purple sparks remained. Everyone waited for the official opening.
Unlike other realms, this Purple Rank Secret Realm imposed no restrictions on cultivator numbers per tier—only a total cap. Those with tokens and supreme experts had already entered. The rest would have to fight for the remaining slots.
By this point, the purple glimmers on the sea had all vanished. All cultivators could do was wait for the unified opening of the secret realm.
Once word of this purple-grade secret realm got out, every sect had immediately dispatched nearby disciples. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the entire cultivation world.
Unlike other realms, this Purple Rank Secret Realm imposed no restrictions on cultivator numbers per tier—only a total cap. Those with tokens and supreme experts had already entered. The rest would have to fight for the remaining slots.
A thunderous roar split the air.
All eyes turned toward the center of the vortex.
There, massive waves surged ten zhang high. The crashing water then transformed into a colossal purple gate, standing upright on the sea's surface.
The gate flickered between solid and illusory states before gradually stabilizing into physical form. With a creak, its double doors slowly opened.
"Enter!"
The major sects advanced in orderly sequence, without squabbling. Once they were through, the remaining cultivators surged forward, activating their flight treasures and racing toward the entrance.
A chaotic melee broke out. Talismans flew in all directions, spells burst in blinding flashes, and screams echoed as cultivators were flung into the sea. Some were struck down mid-air. In the end, only a few actually managed to cross the threshold.
While the fighting raged on, the secret realm gate began to fade once more, shifting from solid to ethereal without warning—then vanished entirely. Within moments, the sea calmed again.
The more cautious cultivators had already retreated from the area. Some lingered, unwilling to give up hope.
Meanwhile, Jian Dan had crash-landed face-first into a vast desert—her posture far from dignified.