The road back to the Heaven Sundering Sect stretched endlessly, cutting through vast landscapes of mountains, forests, and forgotten ruins. The passage of months had changed the world outside, shifting the balance of power in ways they had yet to grasp.
Jiang Chen, Bai Muchen, and Xiao Dong moved swiftly. Despite their newfound strength, they remained vigilant. The journey had been quiet—too quiet.
Bai Muchen rolled his shoulders, his Titanblood Physique humming with latent power. "Feels like the whole world changed while we were gone."
Xiao Dong grinned, adjusting his Abyssal War Monarch Gauntlets. "Let it. We've changed more."
Jiang Chen said nothing, his Void Perception sweeping the horizon. He wasn't worried about minor threats—Nascent Soul-level cultivators were the only ones who could truly challenge him now. What concerned him was the unknown. The Secret Realm's instability.
And it wasn't long before they got their first hint.
By nightfall, they had reached a secluded valley where a group of Heaven Sundering Sect disciples were camped. The moment Jiang Chen's group approached, they saw the tension in their faces. Something was wrong.
A disciple recognized them and immediately stepped forward. "Senior Jiang Chen! You've returned!" His voice carried urgency.
Jiang Chen's golden-amber eyes sharpened. "What happened?"
The disciple took a shaky breath. "It's the Secret Realm… Something's gone wrong."
Jiang Chen exchanged a glance with Bai Muchen and Xiao Dong before motioning for the disciple to continue.
"We overheard the Sect Elders discussing it. There was an attack near the Secret Realm's entrance—not on our sect, but on the factions stationed nearby. Dozens of cultivators were wiped out overnight by an unknown force."
Jiang Chen's pupils contracted. "An unknown force?"
The disciple nodded grimly. "No one knows what did it. There were no survivors. Only… remnants. Blood. Shattered weapons. No bodies."
Silence fell over the group.
Xiao Dong cursed under his breath. "That's… unnatural."
Bai Muchen's smirk faded. "And no one knows who's behind it? No traces?"
The disciple hesitated. "There were strange markings left behind at the scene. But the descriptions… They don't match any known cultivation techniques."
Jiang Chen frowned. "And the Heaven Sundering Sect? How are we responding?"
"The Old Boss personally left for the Grand Sect Assembly. All of the great forces in our region are holding a meeting to decide how to proceed."
Jiang Chen exhaled slowly. This wasn't just a treasure hunt anymore. The Secret Realm was changing. And something—someone—was making their move.
The next morning, Jiang Chen and his group moved at full speed. Within a day, they finally arrived at the Heaven Sundering Sect.
Even from a distance, they could sense it—the entire sect was on edge. Disciples whispered in hushed tones, elders moved with urgency, and an atmosphere of impending war hung over the grand halls.
The moment they passed through the sect gates, an inner disciple rushed toward them. "Senior Jiang Chen! The Old Boss has summoned you. Immediately."
Jiang Chen's eyes narrowed. "Tch. No time to even breathe?"
Bai Muchen chuckled. "Looks like they missed us."
Xiao Dong grinned. "Or they need us."
Jiang Chen didn't waste another second. He turned toward the Sect Master's Hall.
The real game was about to begin.