Chapter 63: Serching Secret Realm

Xiao Wei climbed a rocky slope that gave him a better view of the surrounding forest. From this height, he could see hundreds of Cultivators weaving through the trees below like ants, each one chasing a dream of fortune, power, or enlightenment.

He narrowed his eyes. Somewhere out there was the entrance to the Secret Realm. He didn't know how he would find it, but he knew he had to try.

And with that, Xiao Wei leapt down from the slope and resumed his search, vanishing into the shadows of the Dark Tree Forest as the wind whispered through the leaves like secrets waiting to be uncovered.

A full day passed since Xiao Wei began wandering through the Dark Tree Forest. Despite the crowd of Cultivators combing the outer area, none had yet found the entrance to the Secret Realm. The air was thick with tension, anticipation, and the faint scent of medicinal herbs and monster blood. The deeper into the forest Xiao Wei ventured, the denser and darker it became, the shadows of the twisted black trees casting long, haunting silhouettes across the forest floor.

Then, Shadow Ming's voice suddenly echoed inside Xiao Wei's mind with a tone of certainty.

'Kid, I think we have to go into the inner area of the Dark Tree Forest.'

Xiao Wei, sitting on a rock and nibbling at a ripen fruit, nodded in agreement.

"I also think so. There's nothing but dead ends and people in the outer area. If the Secret Realm entrance is anywhere, it's deeper inside."Xiao Wei muttered.

Shadow Ming's voice returned with full confidence.

'Don't worry, kid. I'll guide you. I know every corner of this forest. It was one of my hunting grounds back in the day.'

Xiao Wei smirked and stood up, brushing dust from his robes.

"Let's see how useful your memory still is."Xiao Wei said.

With silent agreement, Xiao Wei advanced, threading their way through the thickening forest. Here, the trees grew even more tightly packed, their bark charred and split as if scorched by ancient lightning. The ambient light dimmed further, until the world seemed cast in shades of blue and black.

The underbrush crackled faintly beneath Xiao Wei's shoes, but otherwise all was silent. His senses remained on high alert as Shadow Ming guide his path.

Then, without warning, the stillness shattered.

A guttural growl rolled through the forest, low and primal. Before Xiao Wei could react, a red blur burst from the underbrush like a streak of fire—fangs bared, claws outstretched. It was a Tier 2 Level 8 Blood Wolf, its crimson fur glistening like wet rubies, and its eyes glowing with unrestrained bloodlust.

"Damn!"Xiao Wei muttered, instinctively executing Water Flow Steps.

His body moved fluidly, feet barely touching the forest floor as he glided to the side, avoiding the Blood Wolf initial pounce by inches. Afterimages lingered in the air as he darted backward, weaving through trees with practiced precision.

'Kid! The forest's geography has changed after all these years! That wolf wasn't supposed to be here. It's not my fault!'

Shadow Ming's voice rang out in his mind, laced with a mix of embarrassment and frustration.

Xiao Wei didn't bother replying—his attention locked entirely on the raging Blood Wolf that now pursued him through the woods.

The Blood Wolf snarled, its muscular limbs pounding against the forest floor as it gave chase. Though it was fast—unnervingly fast—Xiao Wei's Water Flow Steps had recently reached Great Perfection, enabling him to move like flowing water: elusive, fluid, and untouchable. He ducked under fallen branches, leapt over gnarled roots, and twisted between tree trunks, his breath measured, his heartbeat calm.

But no matter how fast he moved, the Blood Wolf refused to give up.

"I can't shake it"Xiao Wei growled under his breath.

Realizing that ground evasion wasn't working, Xiao Wei suddenly kicked off the earth and leapt high, landing deftly on a broad tree trunk.

Below, the Blood Wolf howled furiously. Its claws scratched uselessly at the tree bark as it leapt up once—twice—but couldn't reach him.

Like a swift monkey, he leaped from branch to branch, gaining elevation and speed. The Blood Wolf barked and growled in frustration but couldn't follow.

After a few minutes, the snarls grew distant.

High above the forest floor, Xiao Wei finally paused, crouched on a sturdy branch. He took deep breaths, feeling his heart finally begin to slow. Pulling a water pouch from his Storage Ring, he drank deeply, wiping the sweat from his brow.

"Finally got rid of it"Xiao Wei muttered to himself.

But peace didn't last long.

Just as he began to relax, Shadow Ming emerged silently from his shadow. His body was as black as night, edges blurry and flickering like smoke on a nearby branch.

Xiao Wei frowned.

"Why did you come out? Go back. If someone sees you, it'll be trouble."Xiao Wei said.

But Shadow Ming ignored him. His eyes narrowed as he scanned the surroundings, posture alert and still.

After a few moments of silence, Shadow Ming's spoke, his voice laced with excitement.

"Kid, I found the Secret Realm."Shadow Ming said.

"Where is it?"Xiao Wei asked quickly, rising to his feet and steadying himself against the trunk of the tree. His gaze scanned the surroundings, sharp and eager.

"To the west. More than a hundred Martial Grandmaster Cultivator have gathered in one place. I believe they're waiting for others who have already entered the Secret Realm."Shadow Ming replied.

Xiao Wei furrowed his brow, narrowing his eyes toward the western edge of the forest. The sea of tree stretched endlessly in sight, tangled with gnarled roots. He saw no trace of people, let alone a crowd of elite Cultivators.

"There's nothing there"Xiao Wei muttered doubtfully.

"Idiot. I was a great archer in my prime, with eyes sharper than any hawk. I Cultivated a Martial Technique that enhances vision. I can see farther than most Cultivators. You can't see what I can see"Shadow Ming scoffed.

Xiao Wei's curiosity flared.

"What Martial Technique is that? Give it to me?"Xiao Wei said.

"Later. First, we enter the Secret Realm. Time is slipping through our fingers. The best treasures may already be claimed."Shadow Ming said dismissively.

Xiao Wei frowned but didn't argue further. He understood the importance of acting quickly. Secret Realms were mysterious, ancient pocket dimensions—treacherous and filled with treasures, spiritual herbs, and powerful Martial Techniques that could catapult even the weakest Cultivator to prominence. Wasting time could mean losing out entirely.

"But do you really think they'll let someone like me enter? I'm just a Martial Apprentice and they're all Martial Grandmasters"Xiao Wei asked as he jumped down from the tree, landing lightly on a thick carpet of moss.

"Exactly, to them, you're insignificant. They won't waste their energy on you. You're not a threat. That's your advantage. Slip in while they're distracted or just do it in front of them. But don't dawdle. You're already late."Shadow Ming said as his ethereal form once again sank back into Xiao Wei's shadow.

Xiao Wei exhaled, steadying his nerves. His path was clear.

Without another word, he activated his Movement Technique—Water Flow Steps. His Spiritual Energy surged, channeling through his limbs in practiced waves. His feet barely touched the ground as he sped through the underbrush, weaving smoothly between trees and gliding over twisted roots and low-hanging branches. He moved like water over stone, effortless and silent, covering kilometer after kilometer at breathtaking speed.

The further west he traveled, the heavier the air became. Then, after nearly twenty minutes of running, he saw it.

He slowed and ducked behind a cluster of thick ferns. Ahead, in a wide natural clearing surrounded by looming ancient trees, stood a massive gathering of Cultivators. Dozens upon dozens of men and women, formed a vast circle. Their auras flared like stars, suffused with the power of Martial Grandmaster Realm.

The Spiritual Energy in the air was suffocating. Xiao Wei felt it pressing against his skin, dense and oppressive like a mist.

"Why are they releasing their Spiritual Energy to the surrounding?"Xiao Wei asked, his brows furrowing as he watched the group of Cultivators radiate a powerful, Spiritual Energy into the air.

Instantly Shadow Ming voice echoed in his mind, his tone steady and instructive.

'They're doing it to send a clear message to the monsters lurking nearby. By releasing their Spiritual Energy, they're broadcasting their strength. It's a warning — a threat, even. If they kept their energy hidden, the monsters might mistake them for weak prey and try to attack. But this way, the monster will sense the overwhelming power and think twice before approaching.'

Xiao Wei's eyes widened slightly in understanding as he nodded subtly and crept closer.

Carefully, silently, he slipped through a gap between two Martial Masters Cultivator who stood several meters apart. Neither even turned their head.

As he reached the center of the clearing, Xiao Wei's breath caught in his throat.