Chapter 8: The Mysterious Realm of Hun Tian (Part 1)

The city lord’s mansion in Dong City was enormous. At the enthusiastic invitation of Xian Ming and Xian Liang, Guo Shier and the other two arrived in the reception hall. Guo Shier found that Xian Ming and Xian Liang were extremely thick-skinned old men—just moments ago they had been ready to fight to the death, yet now they acted as if they were long-time friends.
Guo Shier found it amusing. He had originally planned to teach these reckless professionals a lesson, but instead, he was tricked into the city lord’s mansion by those two old men. However, he had an idea in mind, so he didn’t refuse to follow them.
Xian Ming and Xian Liang were overjoyed. If they could recruit such skilled professionals into their family, their contributions would be immense. After all, a senior Grand Sage Master and a junior one were worlds apart. A young senior Grand Sage Master might even rise to become a top-tier professional with a altar—representing the ultimate military strength for any family or sect.
The city lord of Dong City was also a professional sent by the Youxian family—a senior Symbol-War Sage Master who held the highest military authority in the city. Xian Ming and Xian Liang, on the other hand, were merely stationed there to guard the city and were not responsible for any of its affairs. They would only intervene if the city was attacked and the city guards couldn’t hold back the enemy.
The city lord’s name was Xian Bu Huo, a middle-aged man with a thick beard that gave him a sleazy appearance. He fawned over Xian Ming and Xian Liang excessively, which made Guo Shier feel uncomfortable. After all, he was a senior sage master—there was no need for such behavior.
After Xian Ming and Xian Liang introduced Guo Shier and the others, Xian Bu Huo began to flatter them relentlessly. Guo Shier even felt as if he were back in the bureaucratic world of his past life.
Ying Mo was impatient to talk to Xian Bu Huo. He and Luo Zhan stood behind Guo Shier, frowning with indifferent expressions.
Guo Shier smiled and said, “Xian Bu Huo, there’s no need to be so eager. I have nothing to offer you.”
Xian Bu Huo replied repeatedly, “My lord, my lord… I wouldn’t dare ask for any rewards. If I can satisfy you, that would make me very happy, hehe.”
Guo Shier asked, “Xian Ming, do you have the coordinates of the continents and secret realms in this area?”
Xian Ming replied, “Yes, yes… I have records of over a dozen continents and secret realms.”
Guo Shier asked, “Can we trade?” The coordinates of continents and secret realms could also be traded, especially those of rare and uncommon secret realms, which were extremely valuable. Of course, ordinary secret realms and continents were of average value.

Xian Ming had never thought of trading with Guo Shier, as he only had ordinary secret realms and continent coordinates. He said, “My lord, even if it’s just me showing my respect to you,” flattering him.

Guo Shier was unusually humble and said, “In that case, I wouldn’t dare refuse.”

Xian Ming took out a talisman and handed it over, smiling, “My lord, here you go.”

Guo Shier took it and glanced at it briefly, finding that a few of the coordinates were already his own. There were only eight new coordinates: two continents and six secret realms. He said, “Thank you.”

Xian Ming repeated, “You’re welcome, you’re welcome. Hehe.”

Guo Shier was completely defeated by this guy. Ying Mo and Luo Zhan also couldn’t help but show a look of disdain. Back in the small village, these two had refused to fight to the death and fled, abandoning the city guards. Now, their obsequious behavior was unbearable to them.

Ying Mo said, “Xian Bu Huo, arrange a place for us. Also… our supplies are running low…”

Xian Bu Huo quickly replied, “My lord, no problem. Leave it to me. Please wait a moment.” He immediately ordered his subordinates to fetch various supplies and also instructed them to prepare a place to stay.

Within two days, Xian Bu Huo delivered large amounts of food and meat, including some local specialty seasonings, as well as plenty of vegetables and fruits. All these supplies were stored in Guo Shier’s Spirit-Holding Talisman.

…

That day, Xian Ming and Xian Liang came to the courtyard where Guo Shier lived.

Xian Liang said, “My lord.” His expression was a mix of hesitation and anticipation.

Guo Shier asked curiously, “Xian Liang, what’s the matter?” After two days together, he no longer felt any aversion toward the You Xian family, knowing they were just acting on orders.

Xian Liang stammered, “Um… there’s something… I’d like to ask my lord for… um… help.”

Ying Mo impatiently urged, “Speak up!”

Xian Liang said, “I want to invite you to join us…”

Ying Mo cut him off immediately, saying, “It’s impossible to join your family! Seriously, they even refuse to join the Gu Mi Luo family, let alone some obscure little family like yours.”

Xian Liang said, “No, it’s not about inviting you to join the family…”

Guo Shier stopped Ying Mo with a hand and said, “What’s the matter? Explain clearly.”

Xianliang said, “It’s like this—our family is going to participate in a joint operation to enter an extreme secret realm. We hope… you can join too, because this secret realm restricts entry to those skilled in the altar arts; only high-level Grand Saints are allowed. It’s a restricted extreme secret realm, where one high-level Grand Saint can bring along one intermediate Grand Saint and two junior Grand Saints.”
Guo Shier felt a stir in his heart. Extreme secret realm—those four words held great appeal for him. Yingmo asked, “An extreme secret realm? You plan to go there? What’s there?”
Xianming stepped forward and said, “My lord, let me explain.”
Xianliang was indeed not very good at speaking. He said, “Okay, you go ahead. Ugh, I’m already sweating.”
Xianming said, “Many families are aware of this extreme secret realm. It opens once every thirty years. The realm is called Zhihun Tian, also known as the Hun Tian Secret Realm. There’s a limit on the number of people who can enter—1,760 in total. Only high-level Grand Saints can lead others in; no other saints or altar professionals are allowed to enter.”
Guo Shier asked, “Why invite us?”
Xianming replied, “In our Youxian family, there are too few high-level Grand Saints. If we ranked, neither I nor Xianliang would qualify to enter because there’s no high-level Grand Saint to lead us.”
Yingmo was confused. “Oh, it’s not your family inviting us, but you two?”
Xianming said, “My lord, it’s like this—the 1,760 spots are all for high-level Grand Saints. Each high-level Grand Saint can bring three others in. We also want to enter, but we don’t have the chance.”
Guo Shier wondered, “What kind of strange rule is this?”
Xianliang interjected, “My lord, it’s always been this way for the Hun Tian Secret Realm—one high-level Grand Saint leads three intermediate or junior Grand Saints. Otherwise, we can’t enter.”
Guo Shier asked, “If a high-level Grand Saint doesn’t bring anyone, can they enter?”
Xianliang replied, “My lord, if a high-level Grand Saint enters alone, they can, but it would be a waste. Hehe, if my lord agrees, Xianming and I can follow them in.”
Guo Shier pondered for a moment before saying, “Introduce this Hun Tian Secret Realm. What are the benefits of going in?” There’s no point in going if there are no benefits. Although extreme secret realms were attractive, they didn’t have time to waste here. He wanted to learn more about it.

Having wandered outside for so long, whether it was Guo Shier, Eagle Demon, or Luo Zhan, everyone knew what extreme secret realms meant. Extreme secret realms often contained precious materials not found in ordinary ones, as well as some strange opportunities, so any extreme secret realm was a treasure.

Xian Ming said, “I know this. In the Hun Tian Secret Realm, the cultivation speed of intermediate and junior Great Saints increases significantly. As for senior Great Saints, once they enter the Hun Tian Secret Realm, they might obtain something essential for constructing a Virtual Form Altar.”

Eagle Demon sneered, “Stop joking. To build a Virtual Form Altar, there are just a few main materials plus some auxiliary materials—those are all necessary. What else could there be?”

Xian Ming hurriedly said, “It’s true. I’ve heard many senior Great Saints mention it. I don’t know exactly what it is.”

Guo Shier wondered, “Why is it hard to say?”

Xian Ming smiled bitterly, “It’s not that I can’t say it, but… I can’t just blurt it out.”

Guo Shier thought there was no need for him to bluff either. He immediately called out with soul vibrations, “Elder Shuai, Elder Shuai!”

Elder Shuai replied impatiently, “If it’s nothing important, don’t bother me… I’m busy!” He was still purifying materials in the Ancient Ink Lotus.

Guo Shier asked, “To build a Virtual Form Altar, besides various materials, what else is needed?” He repeated his conversation with Xian Ming. The advantage of having an old man living in one’s soul was that one could ask questions directly without having to search everywhere for answers.

Elder Shuai said in surprise, “That’s impossible. You don’t need to look for anything else—everything is already gathered. But if it’s an extreme secret realm, I suggest you go. Even in our era, extreme secret realms are extremely rare. You should go and take a look, even if you get nothing.”

Guo Shier was moved by Elder Shuai’s words. He wasn’t averse to going to an extreme secret realm anyway, especially since he had never been to a real one. Even the secret realm with the Ancient Ink Lotus could only be considered a pseudo-extreme secret realm. He resolved, “Okay, let’s go!” He stopped asking about any components needed for the Virtual Form Altar.

Xian Ming and Xian Liang showed extreme excitement on their faces.

Guo Shier asked, “Do we need to go with people from your family?”

Xian Ming replied, “No. We’ll sneak in and rush straight in!”

Guo Shier was surprised. “What?”

Xian Ming said, “Lord, our family won’t allow us to go. We’ll slip in, and with you two senior Great Saints, we can just rush in once we reach the entrance of the secret realm.”

Guo Shier was speechless; this guy actually had such an idea. He asked, “Will others stop us? I mean, will those experts from the clans stop us? Are there any experts guarding the altar?”
Xianliang replied, “Yes, some clans have experts guarding the virtual altars, but… they’re competing for entry spots. As long as we get in, they won’t be able to enter the secret realm. Hehe, that’s our chance.”
Yingmo asked, “If we take you in… will the clans punish you?”
Xianliang said, “We’ll cover our tracks so the clans won’t find out… Countless clans and sects go to the Extreme Secret Realm when it opens. Who will pay attention to just a few of us? Besides, the Hun Tian Secret Realm is on the Feng Continent.”
Guo Shier asked, “Uh, the continent we’re on now?”