Chen Yuyang’s actions were actually very simple.
However, it was precisely because they were simple that they remained concealed.
Only cultivators at the Consolidation Realm or above present could clearly discern what he had done in the two rounds just now.
In the first round, when Yan Luo launched her attack, Chen Yuyang manipulated the solar fire she had evolved, turning it back to burn her.
In the second round, at the moment their weapons clashed, Chen Yuyang activated the Haoyang Flame to melt the second-grade mundane weapon.
The molten iron he threw out was no ordinary molten iron but was infused with the power of the Haoyang Flame.
Yan Luo was completely unprepared for this, not even attempting to defend, fully focused on killing Chen Yuyang.
The result was that she was scalded by the molten iron and had to retreat in embarrassment.
Chen Yuyang then seized the opportunity to close in, braving Yan Luo’s protective flames, seeking a chance to deliver a killing blow.
Tai Lingxuan watched this unfold clearly.
The reason she could understand this without difficulty was that she knew deep down that Chen Yuyang was the Haoyang Body.
Other cultivators at the Consolidation Realm, even if they clearly saw every move Chen Yuyang made, could not comprehend how he had achieved this.
“Incredible… Although in terms of realm this kid is far behind that Yan Family girl, he obviously has extensive combat experience, and his techniques are quite unusual.”
“That Yan Family girl’s moves hadn’t even fully unfolded, nor had she released her full strength, yet he managed to seize such an opening.”
“If Nie Qi hadn’t intervened, or if it weren’t for that Jiaolin Soft Armor, the Yan Family girl would have been severely injured at the very least, if not killed.”
“Is there a possibility that Nie Qi’s intervention was anticipated by that kid? Or rather, that was his real purpose.”
“If Nie Qi hadn’t interfered, I’m certain this kid wouldn’t have dared to deliver a killing blow. After all, that’s the Yan Family of the Northern Region.”
Outside the arena, various sect leaders whispered amongst themselves, their eyes on the youth filled with more admiration.
“Although his realm is a bit low, with such insight, he is bound to become someone great in the future.”
“But isn’t the Hehuan Sect a female sect? Why is this kid Tai Lingxuan’s disciple?”
On the other side, Yan Luo, as the loser, was fuming with frustration.
Yet facing the already “victorious” Chen Yuyang, she found herself utterly helpless.
Unless she broke the oath she had just sworn.
But if she truly did that…
Thinking of the consequences, despite her overwhelming unwillingness, she seemed to have no choice but to accept it…
“The Ziyang Secret Realm is now opening. Disciples from all major sects, enter in order. The time limit for the secret realm is one month. Seize this opportunity, and I wish you all to find your destined chance.”
At this moment, a booming and majestic voice echoed slowly overhead.
Hearing the voice, all cultivators shifted their gaze toward the tower gate at the front of the square.
Within the tower gate, space began to crack.
In an instant, the cracks rapidly expanded, and the space collapsed.
However, the collapse was halted by the gate’s pillars standing firm, and the formation inscribed on the tower plaque began to shine brilliantly.
After a few breaths, the spatial cracks stabilized, forming a wide passageway.
This was the entrance to the Ziyang Secret Realm.
Yan Yan Luo snorted coldly, turned, and swiftly rode her sword into the passage.
Other disciples from various sects also bid farewell to their masters or elders and rushed toward the secret realm.
“Master, your disciple is going.”
Chen Yuyang cupped his fists toward Tai Lingxuan.
Tai Lingxuan nodded, her gaze gentle as she looked at the youth, admonishing:
“Very well, Yuyang, go… I will be here waiting for you. Inside the Ziyang Secret Realm, avoid conflicts with others. More than the chance itself, your master hopes for your safe return.”
“Yes, Master!”
Chen Yuyang and Ling Xi replied in unison, then stepped into the spatial passage together.
Standing on the square, Tai Lingxuan watched the youth’s departing figure, an unwilling expression unintentionally showing in her eyes.
Noticing Tai Lingxuan’s gaze, Nie Qi suddenly felt a pang in his heart and hurried forward with concern:
“Lingxuan, that youth… is he your—”
Tai Lingxuan shot Nie Qi a cold glance.
Originally, she didn’t want to bother with him anymore.
But then she thought, rather than letting him continue pestering her, it was better to make him give up completely.
“He is my man.”
“Someone better than you, more talented, and a hundred times more devoted to me.”
Upon hearing this, Nie Qi was struck like thunder, turning pale and frozen on the spot.
Tai Lingxuan snorted contemptuously again and gave Gu Qiushui, who was equally stunned by her words, a meaningful look.
“Qiushui, let’s go.”
“Yes, Master…”
Gu Qiushui snapped out of her daze and hurried after Tai Lingxuan.
Yet her heart was still shaken by Tai Lingxuan’s declaration.
Junior Brother Yuyang is Master’s man…
Since when?
No wonder Master forbade me from harming Junior Brother Yuyang. So that’s it — Master wants him all to herself!
That won’t do. Yuyang is the treasure of the entire Hehuan Sect and cannot belong only to Master…
Gu Qiushui’s eyes flickered as her thoughts churned.
Tai Lingxuan walked ahead, unaware of Gu Qiushui’s expression or what was going through her mind.
After a moment, she softly asked:
“Qiushui, are you leaving for the Qianghuang Secret Realm now?”
“Yes, Master. I’m leaving now and will train there for a month before returning.”
“Good. Be careful this trip. Handle everything steadily and cautiously. Avoid trouble whenever possible; do not be reckless.”
“Yes, Master!”
Gu Qiushui promised, then soon parted ways with Tai Lingxuan, heading toward the Qianghuang Secret Realm entrance, just dozens of miles away.
A secret realm is essentially a small world independent of the main world.
Some of these small worlds form naturally.
Others are evolved by the power of half-immortal or greater beings simulating the laws of the heavens.
In most cases, these small worlds operate independently from the main world, each with its own internal rules.
Occasionally, some small worlds overlap or intersect with the main world.
Some maintain long-term intersections with the main world, like the Qianghuang Secret Realm.
Others open for limited periods at fixed intervals, like the Ziyang Secret Realm.
If a small world evolved naturally, it typically has no special restrictions and follows similar laws to the main world.
Its interior is essentially an independently evolving small world with abundant spiritual tools and many undiscovered heavenly materials and treasures.
Small worlds devised by half-immortal or greater beings have different restrictions based on the creator’s needs.
What exists within these worlds also varies according to those needs.
Some treat the small world as a treasury, some as a trial ground to train disciples or pass on their legacy, and some use it as a seal to imprison certain entities.
The Ziyang Secret Realm belongs to an ancient great being’s remaining seal.
At its center stands a towering spire a hundred floors high, said to seal countless demons.
Around the tower are three layers of protective formations, impenetrable without at least fifth-grade formation mastery.
Given the age and power constraints of the secret realm, those qualified to enter generally lack the ability to disturb the formation.
“Senior Brother, where do you think we should go after entering?”
While still walking through the spatial passage, Ling Xi tugged on Chen Yuyang’s sleeve and asked.
“Southeast,” Chen Yuyang answered without hesitation.
Ling Xi immediately looked up eagerly, her eyes sparkling as she asked, “Why southeast?
Is it because today’s zodiac is compatible with that direction?
Or did Senior Brother use the Five Elements and Eight Trigrams to deduce the fortunes?”
“No reason, I’m just guessing.”
With a gentle step, Chen Yuyang’s feet landed on solid ground again.
“…I thought your answer would be decisive because of some insight,” Ling Xi said, somewhat speechless, then placed her hands on her hips and explained earnestly:
“Choosing the right direction is very important. If we pick correctly, our chance of encountering a good opportunity increases.”
“Then which direction do you think we should go?”
“I don’t know.”
“…”
“But since we only have Foundation Establishment Realm strength, it’s best not to go too deep into the secret realm,” Ling Xi continued.
Chen Yuyang nodded, agreeing.
“In that case, Senior Brother, let’s specifically pick places that look barren and desolate,” Ling Xi said.
“Oh? How so?”
“Think about it. Places that look barren and desolate are likely ignored by other cultivators, so the chances of good things left behind there are higher than in places countless cultivators have already explored,” Ling Xi said, admiring her own cleverness and proudly placing her hands on her hips.
Chen Yuyang nodded and glanced at the little junior sister somewhat surprised.
He hadn’t expected such wisdom from the little junior sister.
“In that case, little junior sister, lead the way.”
Chen Yuyang smiled faintly and gestured politely toward the girl.
“Oh dear~ Senior Brother, have you no opinions yourself? Ah, this kind of thing still requires the older and more experienced me~”
Ling Xi said even more proudly, then seriously began to survey the area near the entrance.
After a moment, the girl raised her hand and pointed solemnly toward the southwest.
“That barren mountain over there looks quite promising.”
“Junior Brother, follow me~”
“Oh, I accidentally said it wrong, Senior Brother. I hope you don’t mind~”
The girl grinned slyly, and from her expression, it was clear it was no accident.
Chen Yuyang raised an eyebrow internally, the corners of his mouth twitching upward.
This little junior sister of his seemed to be getting a bit carried away.
She was even beginning to challenge his authority as Senior Brother.