Journey into the Immortal Martial Realm

Journey into the Immortal Martial Realm

The group returned to their inn, and Qin Wentian couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief upon learning that everyone had made it through unscathed.

In the subsequent days, Qin Wentian chose to stay indoors. Aside from dedicating time to cultivate alongside Mo Qingcheng, he occasionally sought out Fan Le and the others for some leisurely drinking and conversation. Of course, he made sure to inquire about Bai Qing.

It turned out that after their exit from the royal tomb, Fan Le and his comrades had united and embarked on explorations of Grand Xia's numerous hidden realms. On one occasion, their adventurous spirits led them to a forbidden region within Grand Xia known as the Devil Statue Cliff. There, they encountered numerous perils and found themselves on the brink of death. In the end, through sheer luck and determination, they narrowly escaped the clutches of death.

It was Bai Qing who had come to their rescue, a deed they could never forget. In the presence of the menacing devil statue, Bai Qing emanated a terrifying aura of darkness. She confronted the recuperating devil statue, buying precious time for her friends to escape safely. However, her selfless act left her trapped within the Devil Statue Cliff, her fate shrouded in uncertainty.

Upon hearing this, Qin Wentian couldn't help but worry deeply about Bai Qing's well-being. Ouyang Kuangsheng explained that after their ordeal in the royal tomb, Bai Qing had indeed accompanied them on various adventures throughout Grand Xia. However, her demeanor had become increasingly aloof, and she kept to herself, leaving her companions to wonder about her thoughts and feelings. They could all sense the profound loneliness that seemed to grip her heart. Even beyond their rescue, Bai Qing had shown no inclination to leave the Devil Statue Cliff, choosing instead to delve further into its mysteries, even if it meant risking her life.

Yun Mengyi, being a woman herself, had a unique insight into Bai Qing's inner turmoil. She made a statement that weighed heavily on Qin Wentian's mind, leaving him deeply unsettled. Bai Qing had succumbed to Mara; she was ensnared by a heart devil, making her indifferent to her own life. She no longer placed much value on it.

Yun Mengyi's words continued to haunt Qin Wentian. He understood all too well that Bai Qing's past had led her down this treacherous path. The Bai Clan's actions against him had already set Bai Qing on a dark trajectory, causing her to delve into the forbidden arts of darkness. These arts gradually warped her personality and eventually spawned a heart devil, a perilous path with no margin for error, leading to eternal damnation.

Then, they had reunited. Bai Qing had purposely provoked him, allowing him to retaliate and settle the debts owed by her father and elder sister. The simple utterance of the name 'Wentian gege' had eased the tension in her heart and facilitated reconciliation with her family. It seemed Bai Qing was on a path to recovery, but the sudden death of her master and Qin Wentian's grave injuries had pushed her back into the clutches of Mara.

Qin Wentian couldn't help but feel a profound sadness for Bai Qing, trapped in a cycle of darkness that seemed impossible to escape.

Reflecting on days gone by, when a naive and endearing young lady used to follow him and affectionately call him 'Wentian gege,' Qin Wentian couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of concern. He knew he had to return to Grand Xia. Once he had resolved the matters there, he would embark on a mission to locate Bai Qing within the perilous Devil Statue Cliff.

However, his relentless focus on cultivation within the confines of the inn wasn't solely due to his fear of retaliation from Di Shi and his clan. On that fateful day, Qin Wentian had witnessed the extraordinary might of four era-suppressing geniuses. Each of them was a blazing sun of their generation, and there were four others ranked just as highly. In addition, the Immortal Martial Realm would be teeming with Heaven Chosen individuals from the Nine Great Sects, as well as prodigious talents from ancient kingdoms and secretive sects. It was evident that the competition within the Immortal Martial Realm would be fierce, and Qin Wentian aspired to bolster his strength as much as possible in preparation.

The Immortal Martial Realm was often referred to as the graveyard of geniuses, and it was anticipated that this brutal crucible would claim the lives of many promising talents. Only the select few who emerged victorious from the baptism of blood would shine brightly among the surviving elite.

The Immortal Martial Realm lay just beyond the boundaries of the Immortal Martial City, an ancient city situated at the cusp of the Immortal Martial Realm's entrance.

Activation of the Immortal Martial Realm occurred once every decade, and during this period, it transformed into a separate dimension. Rumors abounded regarding the identity of the realm's master, with some speculating that this enigmatic figure stood at a level comparable to the sect leader of the Royal Sacred Sect—a realm above even that of Celestial Phenomenon Ascendants.

Others believed that the Immortal Martial Realm, besides acting as a crucible for the region's elite geniuses, served a secondary purpose: the master of the realm sought a worthy successor.

Regardless of the speculations, the Immortal Martial Realm held an irresistible allure. Despite its reputation as the graveyard of geniuses, countless cultivators willingly entered its depths. This place was a sacred ground within the Royal Sacred Region, and no one wanted to miss the opportunity it presented. While many would undoubtedly meet their end within, the potential for incredible fortuitous encounters attracted seekers of all backgrounds. Several who had once inscribed their names upon the ranking monument within the Immortal Martial Realm had gone on to become emperors of ancient realms or leaders of esteemed reclusive sects.

Now, outside the entrance to the Immortal Martial Realm, an immense crowd had assembled, stretching as far as the eye could see. Everyone eager to enter this treacherous domain had congregated in this space, filling an area spanning several hundred square miles.

This was Qin Wentian's first time witnessing such a spectacle. Even the grandeur of the Heavenly Fate Rankings in Grand Xia paled in comparison. Firstly, the number of people in Grand Xia couldn't rival those gathered in the Royal Sacred Region—a stark disparity. Secondly, the caliber of experts in Grand Xia didn't match up to those within the Immortal Martial Realm, and their obsession with strength was incomparable.

"Absolutely astonishing," Fan Le remarked with a grin as they soared through the air amidst a sea of fellow cultivators. They moved cautiously, not daring to rush, lest they collide with others in the vast crowd.

"Comparing Grand Xia to the Royal Sacred Realm, it's like night and day. It's no wonder the powerhouses from here don't bother with lording over Grand Xia," Ouyang Kuangsheng added in a hushed tone, equally astounded.

"Grand Xia was once formidable, counted among the three grand empires of the Royal Sacred Region. But greed and covetousness led to the looting of its treasury. Over several thousand years, the previous generation's powerhouses had all departed from Grand Xia, leaving it in its current state," Yun Mengyi lamented. It was a vicious cycle. Regions where strength congregated would only grow mightier as numerous experts flocked there. Weaker places, even if they gave birth to demon-level geniuses, lost their allure once those geniuses reached a certain level of strength and left. This, in turn, weakened those areas further.

It was a golden pyramid of the martial path. The desire to stand atop the peak was universal, even among the Heaven Chosen of the Royal Sacred Region. As they grew in strength to the point where the region couldn't contain them, they, too, sought better opportunities elsewhere.

"How many people are gathered here? There must be at least a million. Can the Immortal Martial Realm accommodate so many?" Fan Le inquired.

"Most of those present are here to witness or bid farewell to loved ones. The ratio of those entering is probably around one in ten, which is already quite favorable," Ye Lingshuang responded from the side. "After all, most ordinary cultivators would never dare to enter this realm. Witnessing the majesty of this place alone is enough for them to recognize their limitations."

"Thank you, beautiful sister," Fan Le cheekily winked at Ye Lingshuang. His narrowed eyes sparkled with mischief, leaving Ye Lingshuang momentarily speechless. She couldn't fathom why Qin Wentian had such a brazen friend, whose eyes always lit up in the presence of attractive women. However, she was starting to understand Fan Le's character better. According to him, it was only natural to appreciate beauty, and his behavior stemmed from a deep sense of universal affection.

"Qingcheng, don't enter the Immortal Martial Realm," Qin Wentian urged as he held Mo Qingcheng's hand, his gaze soft and caring.

Mo Qingcheng responded with a sweet smile, speaking softly, "Why shouldn't I enter?"

"Your talent lies in medicine and alchemy, whereas the Immortal Martial Realm primarily focuses on honing combat abilities. Even if your combat skills are less developed, I don't want to expose you to unnecessary danger," Qin Wentian gently explained, eliciting an even sweeter smile from Mo Qingcheng. She nodded and said, "Alright, I'll listen to you. But promise me that you'll be cautious in the Immortal Martial Realm."

"Don't worry, even if I take care of myself, I'll still be concerned about you. I can't bear to lose you," Qin Wentian confessed, gently squeezing Mo Qingcheng's delicate hand, which caused her cheeks to flush with shyness.

She playfully rolled her eyes at him. "Smooth talker."

Initially, Qin Wentian had considered enlisting Di Tian's help, but he ultimately discarded the idea. Di Tian was his other true self, and if Qin Wentian were to truly perish in the Immortal Martial Realm, he would still survive.

Their group drew closer to the entrance of the Immortal Martial Realm, where several celestial-like figures dressed in white robes stood around a massive stone monument. Three grand and imposing words, aglow with radiant brilliance, were etched onto it: "Immortal Martial Realm."

The colossal stone monument, towering over a hundred meters in height, was none other than the Immortal Martial Realm Monument, serving as the entrance to the Immortal Martial Realm itself.

Several hundred meters behind the monument, eighty-one stone pillars loomed, capturing the collective gaze of the crowd. Among the spectators, those hailing from ancient clans and reclusive sects emanated a palpable battle readiness. Every one of them harbored a fervent desire to ascend one of those stone pillars.

At this moment, three envoys representing the Immortal Martial Realm materialized atop the Immortal Martial Monument. Their eyes possessed a penetrating intensity as they scanned the multitude below. A hushed silence descended upon the assembly, heads inclined as all eyes fixated on the envoys. The very sight sent shivers down the spines of most onlookers.

"Holders of the Immortal Martial Medallion, ascend the stone pillars," the envoy positioned in the center announced. His voice, though soft, reverberated like thunder, extending its influence across a region spanning hundreds of miles.

"The eighty-one individuals possessing Immortal Martial Medallions are those held in the highest esteem by the envoys. The majority of them are prodigies from the Nine Great Sects, ancient kingdoms, reclusive sects, or supreme clans." The crowd watched in awe as eighty-one figures gracefully soared toward the stone pillars.

"Di Shi, the Heaven Chosen of the supreme Di Clan, one of the eight era-suppressing geniuses. I heard his younger brother was recently slain."

Following Di Shi, the other exceptional geniuses ascended their respective stone pillars.

"Gu Liufeng, that's Gu Liufeng. He's incredibly handsome!"

"Is that Li Tian? His physique is so robust!"

"Lin Xian'er, the number one beauty under the heavens, also possesses an Immortal Martial Medallion."

"Who is that maiden? She's strikingly beautiful, rivaling even Lin Xian'er!"

"That's Princess Qiaoyang of Grand Zhou, truly exceptional. Who says women can't rival men?"

"The Saint Child of the Supreme Demon Sect must be there, shrouded in an overwhelming aura of demonic power."

"Nangong Shuang from the Nangong Aristocrat Clan has made an appearance as well. I wonder if the Nangong Aristocrat Clan still holds a grudge against the Celestial Maiden Sect."

One by one, the medallion holders ascended the stone pillars, creating a cascade of excitement and discussion throughout the crowd. These were the cream of the crop among the current generation's Heaven Chosen!