Chapter 2: The Star Sect (Part 2)

Continuous loud explosions rang out.
Guo Shier tried his best to activate the flying talismans, and the four of them flew far away like meteors.
After about ten minutes of flying, Guo Shier shouted, “Find a secret realm to enter! We can’t keep flying outside!”
Qi Nanshan yelled, “That one on the right!”
Guo Shier looked to the right. It was a small entrance to a secret realm, only about seven or eight meters square, located at the foot of a cliff. Without hesitation, he turned and dived straight in. Ying Mo followed closely behind with Qi Nanshan. Monier entered last; just before going in, she turned back and glanced once more.
Countless flight trails appeared in the sky, heading toward the place where Han Xiao was sending signal talismans. Monier quickly entered the secret realm, relieved that they had escaped in time. After all, the four of them were unregistered professionals. If questioned by the enemy, they would never be able to pass undetected.
Especially Qi Nanshan—if the Star Sect discovered him to be a professional with the Black Talisman lineage, they would surely try to eliminate him. In that case, the four of them would have to fight, a fight to the death, which was the last thing they wanted.
The four flew low over the ground inside the secret realm. This realm seemed unremarkable, with few plants and a desolate appearance.
Large patches of brown rocks covered the ground. It was almost impossible to walk here—the rocks ranged from the size of buckets to that of small houses, with jagged formations leaving no place to stand. Fortunately, all four were skilled flyers and managed to move quickly along the rocky terrain.
After about half an hour of flying, Guo Shier kept saying, “Stop! Let’s find a place to rest. We’ll return to the Star Continent in a few days.”
They had no interest in exploring this secret realm at all. They came here only to avoid the conflict between Han Xiao and the evil forces, as well as the professionals from the Star Sect.
They found a slightly flat spot—the top of a rock—and Guo Shier landed, saying, “Let’s rest here.”
He simply cooked a pot of meat soup and then handed out cold noodle cakes to everyone.
Monier said, “Baby, it will be very difficult to find your master Luo Jie…” Without her saying it, everyone understood—there were too many secret realms here. Once inside, it was hard to trace someone’s whereabouts. Moreover, different secret realms had different rules. If they were lucky enough to enter a realm similar to the Tongyou Secret Realm, they could use talismans to return. But such realms were rare, and most secret realms only allowed one to return to the starting point.

So as long as Luo Jie hasn’t found the Secret Realm, he must still be on the Star Continent, but finding him is extremely difficult.
Guo Shier smiled bitterly and said, “The Advanced Continent…”
Qi Nanshan replied, “Whether it’s the Advanced Continent or not, if I can’t find the old man this time, I won’t go back!”
Guo Shier knew this was the rule of the Northern Talisman Sect—followers would stick by their talisman masters to the death. But the Chenxiao Sect didn’t have such rules, and it was even less likely to have followers on the Advanced Continent. The physical training traditions of the Talisman-Martial profession all had specialized tools for inheritance, such as the Illusion Path or the Soul Altar.
Qi Nanshan and Luo Jie had a deep bond—going beyond the obligations of a follower, as they truly couldn’t bear to part from the old man. Guo Shier nodded and said, “We’ll find him… If we can’t find him once, we’ll try twice; if not twice, three times. We must find him no matter what!”
Monier comforted him, “Honey, don’t worry. Your wife will help you find your master…”
Guo Shier was stunned—her words sounded a bit strange. Then he realized what she meant. Monier didn’t realize she’d said something wrong. Seeing the corner of Guo Shier’s mouth lift, she asked curiously, “What’s wrong?”
Qi Nanshan quickly turned away, barely holding back his laughter. Fortunately, as a sage-level expert, he had enough self-control to resist bursting into laughter.
Eagle Demon acted as if he hadn’t heard anything, but he puffed out his cheeks, pretending to have a stomachache.
Guo Shier hurriedly said, “It’s nothing… I was just wondering where Master Luo Jie might have gone.” He really didn’t know how Monier would react—her temper was fierce, and he didn’t dare anger her.
Monier shook her head. “It depends on luck. I can’t figure out where he might have gone.”
Guo Shier was well aware of the difficulty of finding someone. In his past life, if he lost contact with someone, even if they were in the same city, it was hard to find them. Here, it was even more difficult—the Star Continent was a complex and chaotic land with countless secret realms. If the person was also deliberately avoiding professionals, it would be even harder to locate them.
The four of them rested in the secret realm for a day. Qi Nanshan grew impatient and urged, “Shier, let’s go out.”
Guo Shier nodded and said, “Okay, let’s go. After a day of fighting, it’s time to stop. No matter who wins or loses, there should be no one left.”
The four set off, flying toward the entrance of the secret realm.
Half an hour later, they stood dumbfounded at the original entrance. There was no sign of an open entrance anymore—only barren piles of rocks, with nothing in the sky above.

Qi Nan Shan quickly checked his talisman gate, only then realizing he couldn’t go anywhere—the coordinates in it were all unusable. Guo Shier took a look; fortunately, he still had a cross-dimensional talisman and found the coordinates inside it. He said, “This secret realm is a bit strange. Thankfully, my talisman gate is still functional.”

Opening his own talisman gate, he led everyone back to the Star Continent, the place they had entered just a couple of days ago.

Qi Nan Shan said with lingering fear, “If it weren’t for Shier having a solution, we would have been trapped in that secret realm.”

Monier said, “There are countless professionals trapped in secret realms. Our Chenxiao Sect loses professionals to disappearance every year… When training outside, a slight carelessness can mean they can never return.”

Qi Nan Shan asked, “Are we still going to the mountainous area?”

Guo Shier shook his head. “I don’t know where to go either. After what just happened, I think going to the territory of the Star Sect… is too dangerous. We’re not professionals from the advanced continents; we don’t know much about many things, making it easy for us to expose ourselves. Most importantly, Grandpa Nan Shan can’t be exposed. Once that happens, it will be a life-or-death battle. Our strength is too weak—just two Great Sage Masters… no, even just one Great Sage Master along with a few other Sage Masters, and none of us will be able to escape!”

Qi Nan Shan said, “Yes, I also think it’s not a good idea.”

Guo Shier remembered something and said, “We need to find some secret realms…”

Eagle Demon asked curiously, “There are plenty of secret realms here. Why look for more?”

Guo Shier replied, “To set coordinates. I remember from the traditions that the more secret realms are recorded, the easier it is to connect them, so as not to get trapped in just one realm.”

Monier nodded. “That’s right. It’s difficult to cross between secret realms, but adjacent ones can be connected. The more secret realms one accumulates, the more convenient it is for professionals.”

Qi Nan Shan shook his head. “I only have one talisman gate, which can only record three pairs of addresses. No matter how many more secret realm addresses there are, I can’t record them all.”

Monier said, “There are many techniques for using talisman gates. One very important technique is to transfer the coordinates recorded in the talisman gate to one’s own life talisman book. When needed, transfer them back to the talisman gate. This way, you can record countless secret realm addresses. That’s why professionals… only need a few talisman gates.”

Qi Nan Shan was confused. “If that’s the case, just one talisman gate is enough. Why do we need several?”

Monier said, “Talismans also come in different types, with varying qualities. Ordinary talismans can only record a few pairs of addresses and have many usage restrictions… Advanced talismans can not only cross secret realms but even entire continents… However, such cross-continental talismans are extremely rare. If discovered, even great sage masters would try to seize them.”
Guo Shier said excitedly, “I see! I’ve never understood this principle. I thought many talismans were needed, but it turns out it can be handled this way!” He had been worried that he wouldn’t have enough talismans. After thinking carefully, he immediately found the answer in their heritage. If not for Monier’s reminder, he wouldn’t have thought of it.
The characteristic of heritage is that it won’t be discovered unless one deliberately searches in memory. With the guidance of an experienced elder or friend nearby, it becomes much easier to learn.
Qi Nanshan was a Sage Master of Talismans and Weapons. Using talismans was already his limit. To change the coordinates of secret realms, one had to reach the level of a great sage master—thanks even to the advantages of the Black Talisman Clan’s heritage. Ying Mo was also a sage master, yet he couldn’t even use talismans. Among the four, only Guo Shier could use them.
Guo Shier immediately began to change the coordinates of the secret realm and soon found a spot for a cross-continental talisman. This talisman became his secret weapon.
Monier added, “On the Star Continent… the greatest wealth are secret realms, and the greatest danger is also secret realms.”
Boom!
Another shockwave spread out. The four were caught off guard and rolled backward repeatedly under its force. Guo Shier cursed loudly, while Qi Nanshan’s face turned fierce. After being hit twice in a row, it was impossible to even think about finding Old Luo Jie, let alone ensuring their own safety. Monier also cursed, “Who’s trying to harm me again?”
Xie Tou’s maniacal laughter rang out, “Haha! What can you do to me? Haha!”
Han Xiao’s furious voice echoed, “Xie Tou! Can you really get away?”
Guo Shier and the others were extremely annoyed. “You two great sage masters, fight if you want to! Why do you keep running into us? It’s utterly unreasonable!” They even felt like killing them.
Xie Tou and Han Xiao were about a few hundred meters away from the four. Han Xiao had already seen them and shouted, “Stop him!”
Guo Shier cursed inwardly. Xie Tou was a great sage master, and the four of them were no match at all. How could they stop him? Moreover, they didn’t want to interfere—why provoke a great sage master for no reason?
Xie Tou cursed, “You bastard! Dragging others down with you again!”
Guo Shier gritted his teeth and said, “Let’s go!” If they couldn’t win, they’d run. Anyway, he didn’t want any dealings with the Star Sect.

Han Xiao roared, “Stop him… or I won’t spare you!”