The Summons

Jiang Chen strode through the towering halls of the Heaven Sundering Sect, his golden-amber eyes flickering with unreadable thoughts. The weight of the disciple's message lingered in his mind—an unknown force had wiped out cultivators near the Secret Realm, leaving nothing but blood and shattered weapons behind.

Something was coming. And it wasn't just another faction vying for dominance.

Bai Muchen and Xiao Dong walked beside him, their expressions mirroring his own seriousness. Even Xiao Dong, usually lighthearted, remained silent, the tension in the sect's air infecting them all.

The moment they reached the Sect Master's Hall, the guards at the entrance stepped aside immediately, recognizing Jiang Chen's authority. Without hesitation, he pushed open the heavy doors and entered.

Inside, the room was filled with powerful presences. Elders sat along the sides of the grand chamber, their expressions grim. Several high-ranking disciples were present as well, their gazes flickering toward Jiang Chen's group as they stepped inside.

At the head of the hall sat the Old Boss, the Sect Master of the Heaven Sundering Sect. His towering figure radiated a suffocating pressure, his eyes as deep as the abyss, filled with wisdom and boundless power.

He looked up the moment Jiang Chen entered. "You're back. Good. We have much to discuss."

Jiang Chen gave a respectful nod. "We heard about the attack near the Secret Realm. What's the real situation?"

The Old Boss exhaled slowly, his fingers tapping against the armrest of his chair. "The situation is far worse than rumors suggest. This isn't just a random attack—it's a declaration of war."

A heavy silence filled the hall.

One of the Elders spoke next, his voice grave. "Entire factions have disappeared. Not just minor sects, but even those with Nascent Soul cultivators among them. The method of their destruction… is unnatural."

Jiang Chen narrowed his eyes. "No bodies. No survivors. Only destruction."

The Old Boss nodded. "Exactly. And the markings left behind at the scene… They are ancient. Symbols of a long-forgotten era."

Xiao Dong frowned. "What kind of symbols? Cultivation techniques? Formation patterns?"

The Old Boss shook his head. "Neither. They resemble something older—something from before our time. Some of the other Grand Sects believe it may be tied to a lost civilization. Others think it's an omen."

Jiang Chen's mind raced. A lost civilization? That was dangerous territory. Forgotten legacies had the power to rewrite the balance of the cultivation world.

Bai Muchen crossed his arms. "So what's the plan?"

The Old Boss leaned forward. "The Grand Sect Assembly has already begun. We must decide how to approach this crisis. Most factions still want to enter the Secret Realm despite the danger. The opportunity is too great, possibly even greater than previous years."

Jiang Chen nodded. "And our stance?"

The Old Boss smirked slightly. "We're going. But we will not go blindly. You and your group have gained power beyond what anyone expected. You will lead our strongest disciples into the Secret Realm."

The hall grew silent.

Jiang Chen's expression remained calm, but his heart stirred. Leading the Heaven Sundering Sect's elite into an unstable, potentially hostile realm?

Xiao Dong chuckled. "Well, that escalated fast."

Bai Muchen cracked his knuckles. "Fine by me."

Jiang Chen exhaled slowly, then nodded. "When do we leave?"

The Old Boss's gaze sharpened. "One month. That's all the time you have to prepare."

A single month to get ready for the most dangerous expedition of their lives.

Jiang Chen smirked. "Then we better not waste any time."

The real battle was about to begin.