Chapter 7: Exclusive Secret Realm (Part 2)

After arranging for Huo Bao and the others to stay, Guo Shier returned to his room and hurriedly absorbed the teachings from the Ancient Soul Altar. He had once sequestered himself for two years to roughly understand the teachings he had received, but there were still many details he hadn’t had time to study or master. Whenever he had free time, he would delve into them carefully.

Last time, when he crafted a bug talisman in the secret realm, he realized how lacking his knowledge was. To cultivate this talisman, he needed to learn more related knowledge. For two consecutive days, he studied intensively in his room, even having Lan Aunt bring meals to him. Although he didn’t learn much in those two days, he was able to identify the knowledge he needed to master.

That day, Huo Bao came in and said, “Shier, someone is looking for you.”
Guo Shier asked, “Is it Xuan Ai?”
Xuan Ai walked in smiling and said, “It’s not easy to find you. I’ve come a few times, but you weren’t here.”
Guo Shier asked, “What’s the matter?”
Xuan Ai replied, “Can’t I come to see you if there’s nothing? Sigh…”
Guo Shier said with a smile, “If there’s nothing… you definitely wouldn’t come to see me!”
Xuan Ai retorted irritably, “You guy… Right, you’re right. I do have something to ask of you.”
Guo Shier said, “By the way, a few of my friends have arrived in Haicheng and need to obtain identities as wandering professionals. I need your help with that too.”
Xuan Ai said, “That’s a small matter. No problem. Leave it to me.” As he spoke, he sat down and added, “Shier, bring me some of that juice you gave me last time. Hehe, it would be great if you could give me some. It’s really delicious.”
Guo Shier took out a few bottles of juice and said, “Go ahead, tell me what you need.”
Xuan Ai took a sip of the juice and said, “Well, our Haimen has an event coming up, and I need a few helpers. Could you join us?”
Guo Shier asked, “Explain clearly. What exactly is it? I need to think it over before making a decision.”
Xuan Ai replied, “Of course. It’s a trial mission. Any professional from our sect who has reached the level aboveCrazy Master must participate…”
Before he could finish, Guo Shier asked, “Since it’s your sect’s trial mission, why are you coming to me?”
Xuan Ai rolled his eyes and said, “Why rush? Let me finish talking!”
Guo Shier raised his hand and said, “Okay, okay. Go on!”
Xuan Ai continued, “It’s a secret realm mission. This secret realm belongs only to our Haimen. It’s a closed realm with just one entrance and exit. Its size is about half that of the Core Continent. So far, only an area as large as Haicheng has been explored…”

Guo Shier couldn’t help but interject, “Slow down, slow down… What’s an exclusive secret realm? What’s a closed secret realm?”
Xuan Ai said helplessly, “I really don’t know how your sect passes down its knowledge—how can you not even know this? An exclusive secret realm must be a closed secret realm, but a closed secret realm isn’t necessarily exclusive. If a sect has a closed secret realm, it’s like having a powerful back garden.”
“A closed secret realm is one with only one fixed entrance and exit. Even if you know its coordinates, you can’t use talisman gates to enter or exit—it’s called a closed secret realm.”
Guo Shier couldn’t help but exclaim, “Whoa! There are such realms? Isn’t that like a sect’s safe? Amazing!”
An exclusive secret realm—unaccessible to outsiders, with only one entrance and exit, and located within the sect—is like an exclusive continent. No matter how you evaluate it, it’s an invaluable treasure.
Guo Shier suddenly realized something and asked, “So far, only the area around Haicheng has been controlled? What’s inside?”
Xuan Ai replied, “Most of these closed secret realms share one characteristic: they produce powerful mutated talisman beasts, even abominable talisman beasts. The climate and environment there are also extreme. So… even sects from advanced continents find it extremely difficult to take control of such realms.”
“The exclusive secret realm of Haimen has been under development for nearly a thousand years, yet it still can’t be fully taken over… We once controlled half of it, but then the mutated talisman beasts launched a massive attack. That time… our sect suffered heavy losses and almost got driven out of the realm.”
“It wasn’t until the past hundred years that we managed to regain our footing and establish a stronghold. That’s why every sect disciple has a mandatory task: to go to the exclusive secret realm for trials, with the goal of killing those mutated talisman beasts.”
Guo Shier asked in surprise, “I’m not from your sect—can I still participate?”
Xuan Ai said, “Of course. As long as there’s a sect disciple to vouch for you, the better your strength, the better!”
Guo Shier asked, “How many mutated talisman beasts are there?”
Xuan Ai smiled bitterly, “Countless! No one knows why there are so many mutated talisman beasts in those realms—various kinds, too many to count. There are even abominable talisman beasts, which are truly terrifying. Sometimes even great sage masters can’t escape them. But abominable talisman beasts are extremely rare; otherwise, the sect wouldn’t send disciples there for trials.”
Guo Shier thought for a moment and asked, “What’s in it for me if I go?”
Xuan Ai smiled and said, “Benefits… of course there are, and they’re huge. They’re something no wandering professional could refuse!”

Guo Shier said calmly, “Tell me, what are the benefits?”
Xuan Ai raised one finger and said, “First, an opportunity—a chance to receive the sect’s inheritance. Of course, this is just the basic inheritance. For example, if you advance to a Great Sage Master, you can get their inheritance. Although it’s only the basic part, such an opportunity is extremely rare for wandering professionals.”
Guo Shier nodded. This reward was quite generous. He asked, “So, what’s the second one?”
Xuan Ai nodded and raised two fingers. “Second, you can join our Hai Men. If you perform well, you can directly become an inner disciple.”
Guo Shier continued, “What about the third?”
Xuan Ai said, “The third point isn’t that remarkable… Professionals who go hunting can keep their loot. Additionally, any materials found in the secret realm belong to them; the sect won’t take them forcibly.”
Guo Shier asked, “Is there anything else?”
Xuan Ai said helplessly, “Hey, isn’t that enough?”
Guo Shier smiled. “It’s enough, but… it’s a bit insufficient since it requires us to fight to the death.”
Xuan Ai suddenly smiled and said, “You’re quite cunning, huh? Well, there is indeed one more thing… but you might not get it. This benefit can only be obtained through great achievements.”
Guo Shier became eager and pressed, “What is it? Tell me quickly!”
Xuan Ai said, “If you can kill enough mutated talisman beasts, you can become an outer elder of Hai Men. You’ll enjoy the same treatment as inner disciples, able to receive the sect’s inheritance and all its benefits. In other words… you’ll be part of Hai Men, free from any constraints. You can go wherever you want, or stay at Hai Men if you choose.”
Guo Shier was secretly delighted. This status was perfect for hiding many things. Now he was truly interested.
Huo Bao had been sitting nearby listening, feeling a bit sad. He didn’t have a chance to participate. At least one had to reach the level of Mad Master to enter the secret realm for trials. He was just a high-level Talisman Martial Artist, and the gap in rank was too large. Disappointment showed on his face.
Luo Zhan also felt bad. He was just one step short. If he could advance to a junior Mad Master, he could enter the sealed secret realm with Guo Shier.
Xuan Ai said, “You can bring some people with you into the sealed secret realm to help deal with the corpses of mutated talisman beasts, but they can’t fight…”
Guo Shier nodded. “I understand. If our strength isn’t enough, going in is just asking for death.”

Xuan Ai smiled and said, “The sect has many low-level disciples serving in the secret realms. Those who perform well… can also get a spot for inheritance.”
Guo Shier didn’t understand and asked, “Is it easy to get a spot for inheritance?”
Xuan Ai replied, “It’s easy to get low-level inheritance. All major sects on the advanced continents do this. Even wandering professionals can obtain inheritance as long as they complete the tasks assigned by the sect. It’s not difficult at all. Otherwise… how do you think those wandering professionals reach advanced levels?”
Guo Shier couldn’t help but marvel. No wonder there were so many talented people on the advanced continents—it had a lot to do with their rules. By allowing low-level disciples to inherit, they laid a solid foundation, which was far more advanced than the lower and intermediate spell continents. He said, “Okay, I’ll give you an answer tomorrow. I need some time to think.”
Xuan Ai stood up and said, “Sure, no problem. Give me the list of professionals who need identity cards, along with their spell shadows.”
Guo Shier had already prepared everything. He said to Luo Zhan, “Uncle Luo, go handle it with Xuan Ai.”
Luo Zhan agreed and left the courtyard with Xuan Ai.
Guo Shier then went to find Yan Long.
Yan Long was always meticulous in his work, so he didn’t go out but waited for news. When Guo Shier entered, he said, “Uncle Yan, Uncle Luo has gone to get the identity cards and will be back soon.” He then recounted what Xuan Ai had said and asked, “Uncle Yan, are you interested in joining?”
Yan Long thought for a moment before shaking his head. “For now… I won’t go. I’ll make a decision after understanding the situation here.” He had his own plans and didn’t intend to act with Guo Shier.
Guo Shier nodded. “That’s fine too. I plan to visit the sealed secret realm.”
Yan Long asked, “Is there another purpose?”
Guo Shier couldn’t help but smile. “How did Uncle Yan figure that out?”
Yan Long laughed and said, “You’re a well-known trickster. Of course I know.”
Guo Shier scratched his head and said, “It’s not like that. I’m quite honest. Hehe, Uncle, since that’s the case, once we get the identity cards…” Before he could finish, Yan Long nodded. “Mm, once I have the identity cards, I’ll go investigate the situation. Shier, just go to the Sea Gate. I’ll watch over things here, so there won’t be any problems.”
Only then was Guo Shier relieved. He said, “Okay, with Uncle watching over things, I’m at ease.”
The next day, Guo Shier, along with Ying Mo, Luo Zhan, and Huo Bao, followed Xuan Ai to the Sea Gate.