Nightfall descends.
On top of the cliff, a cool breeze gently blows.
Chen Fan directly releases his spiritual power and quickly detects a peculiar fluctuation in the sky not far from here.
"Elder Wang, could the entrance to the secret realm be there?"
"Yes."
Elder Wang’s eyes reveal a hint of surprise.
Logically speaking, martial artists who haven’t reached the Celestial Human Realm cannot communicate with the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi and thus cannot perceive the existence of secret realms.
And some secret realms are hidden even deeper, making it difficult for martial artists of the Celestial Realm to detect.
But the surprises Chen Fan has brought him are too many for him to be surprised anymore.
"Elder Wang, how should we enter?"
"If the secret realm still has inhabitants, without the owner’s permission, we would need to forcibly enter. But over eight hundred years ago, the Red Dragon Sect was exterminated, so just infusing True Qi will open the entrance."
"Red Dragon Sect?"
Chen Fan looks towards the entrance of the secret realm, "Elder Wang is saying there is a sect inside?"
"Correct."
Elder Wang recalls, "The Red Dragon Sect was already established several hundred years before I was born. The sect’s founding ancestor was a Martial God who found a Grotto Heaven Blessed Land and established the sect within. Then he disappeared.
Since then, no more Martial Gods appeared in the Red Dragon Sect. There were several Divine Cultivation Level experts, ranking mid-tier among many forces, but unfortunately, in a later unprecedented battle, the sect was annihilated, from the sect leader to ordinary disciples, none survived."
"So ruthless."
Chen Fan’s pupils constrict.
"Not just the Red Dragon Sect; even sects with Martial Gods were not spared."
Elder Wang sighs, "For example, True Yang Mountain, which was one of the three major Daoist forces at the time, was slaughtered by the six major demon sects led by the Celestial Demon Sect, with rivers of blood flowing and mountains of corpses. Even today, I dare not easily venture there."
Upon hearing this, Chen Fan’s eyes brighten.
It seems Elder Wang knows not only the location of the Red Dragon Sect’s secret realm entrance but also that of True Yang Mountain.
However, Elder Wang’s description indicates that the danger level there far exceeds that of the current Red Dragon Sect—by tenfold. He hasn’t reached the Celestial Human Realm yet, so once he breaks through to that realm and strengthens his power, it’s not too late to go.
"Remember to be cautious once we enter."
Elder Wang instructs, "Since I left last time, it’s been less than half a day. Those few flying centipedes are likely still near the entrance. If they detect our scent, they’ll rush immediately. At that point, turn around and retreat. Understood?"
"Understood."
Chen Fan quickly responds.
Elder Wang raises his hand, gathering True Qi towards a certain spot in the air, forming a circular entrance visible before them.
Initially the size of a fist, it quickly grows to the height of a person.
"Follow me."
After speaking, Elder Wang leaps and vanishes into the air.
Seeing this, Chen Fan hastily follows.
The next second, a firm sensation comes from beneath his feet.
Looking down, he finds himself standing on a large piece of empty ground, and upon raising his head, he sees a massive mountain gate, though its plaque is missing.
Only two pillars stand on either side.
Even the right pillar is only half intact.
Below the mountain gate, a path paved with green stones extends upward.
Compared to Chen Fan, Elder Wang is much more tense, constantly surveying the surroundings, fearing the flying centipedes might rush out.
Fortunately, after a few seconds, nothing happens.
He finally breathes a sigh of relief, saying to Chen Fan, "It seems those demon beasts have returned to the rear medicinal garden."
Chen Fan’s gaze extends into the distance, thinking that indeed, the Red Dragon Sect is impressive. Even extinguished, its architectural structures stretch beyond sight.
Only at the farthest point can the outline of the rear mountain be seen.
"Yes, but to reach the rear mountain, it’s best to go around the side."
Elder Wang eyes the sect interior apprehensively.
"Is there danger inside the sect?"
Chen Fan asks, curious.
Didn’t they say the Red Dragon Sect had been exterminated hundreds of years ago? Presumably, some array mechanisms were destroyed by invaders, and even if some survived, they should be scarce.
Elder Wang sees Chen Fan’s thoughts and explains, "Precisely because the sect was exterminated, it’s dangerous. Since the disciples’ resentment has lingered for centuries, who knows what ghostly entities might appear? If we accidentally enter their territory, we wouldn’t even know how we died."
"So dangerous!"
Chen Fan is shocked.
The mountain gate of the Red Dragon Sect appears calm and peaceful, but in truth, it’s more terrifying than the rear mountain where demon beasts roam.
After all, Elder Wang dares to go to the rear medicinal garden and pick treasure medicines.
But he dares not set foot within the sect itself.
"Don’t worry."
Elder Wang comforts, "Those ghostly entities are indeed terrifying, but they are confined to specific areas. As long as we don’t enter those areas, nothing will happen. However, we mustn’t get too close, or their allure could unknowingly draw us in."
"Yes, Elder Wang."
Chen Fan dares not be careless, engraving Elder Wang’s advice in his mind.
He has confidence in his spiritual power.
However, these ancient sects are formidable, not to be underestimated. Divine Cultivation Realm martial artists have fallen within. If their vengeful spirits launch spiritual attacks at him, he’s uncertain he could resist.