As Meng Tian, Guan Yu, Yue Yun, and the others stepped onto this land, the yellow sand behind them retreated at a rapid pace, vanishing thousands of miles in the blink of an eye.
The land before them exuded an ancient and turbid aura. Perhaps due to its isolation from the outside world, everything here felt remarkably old, yet not jarringly so.
Within three hundred zhang of Meng Tian and his companions, a colossal mountain gate stood erect in the center, bisecting this world.
Bold characters proclaimed "Xibai Yu Mountain!" etched with the blood of unknown ancient beasts. Even after such a long time, a faint scent of blood lingered. The cracked calligraphy radiated an oppressive aura.
"General Meng, judging by the aura of this land, this should be the secret realm of that City Lord. However, hasn't this journey been a bit too easy?" Guan Yu squinted, sensing his surroundings. "The spiritual energy surging from this mountain gate far surpasses that of other places; it should be the entrance to the secret realm."
Meng Tian nodded. "General Guan speaks wisely. This journey has indeed been too effortless. A place of hiding for a secret realm is left so conspicuously here."
"In my opinion, this isn't the actual location of the secret realm. It's likely that the ancient family's powerful cultivators used a secret art to relocate it, creating this illusionary space to better implement the Sacred Ranking."
Zi Hui stepped forward, examining the mountain gate closely. She nodded, "General Meng is correct. If one doesn't observe carefully, it's hard to tell that this secret realm has been tampered with. Some areas are even sealed by small formations, likely damaged during the relocation."
Guan Yu, Yue Yun, and the others approached, inspecting the mountain gate before nodding in agreement.
"Look here, there are nine token slots!" Ben Yun suddenly exclaimed.
"Slots?" Meng Tian and the others hurried over to investigate. In the center of the mountain gate were nine token-sized indentations.
"The top three contenders from each of the three rankings each hold a token. It seems these are the keys to opening the secret realm. This talk of random dispersion and competition for the secret realm was all a ploy by the ancient family to toy with us!" Yue Yun's voice was laced with anger.
"Heh, there's no need for you to harbor too much hope. Since this place was crafted by the ancient family and the secret realm was moved here, it's probable that all the precious items within have already been plundered."
"However, don't be too disheartened. Some forgotten corners might hold unexpected treasures! Regardless, search thoroughly once we enter."
Meng Tian smiled. "It is strange, though, that the Yaoguang Divine Dynasty hasn't appeared yet. According to the map's random division, they were supposed to be in the auxiliary zones. By now, they should be here."
"They should be. Judging by their speed, they likely haven't had our luck. The yellow sand world has many remnants of ancient times; one wrong step and you might be buried deep." Guan Yu said coldly.
"Let's put our tokens in first. There's not much to compete for in this secret realm. Putting them in sooner or later makes no difference to entering." Yue Yun held his token.
"Go ahead!" Meng Tian glanced at the mountain gate and said.
"Ha, we've finally reached this secret realm. By this speed, we must be the fastest." As Meng Tian finished speaking, an aged voice echoed. The Grand Elder of the Tiangang Upper Sect, Yi Ri, brushed the yellow sand from his body.
Following him appeared the Dragon Yuan Saint Son, Bu Fan Gu, Zhen Gang, and the You Lang Commander. Each of them pulsed with wild divine power, some bearing faint traces of blood, likely from minor skirmishes along the way.
"Great Han Heavenly Dynasty?" The Dragon Yuan Saint Son brushed sand from his body, looking at Meng Tian and his group. "Seeing the few of you here doesn't surprise me. However, what does pique my curiosity is that you've arrived so early. Why haven't you entered the secret realm behind you, but instead lingered here?"
He continued, "Meng Tian, and you, Guan Yu, the inside of this secret realm will be your burial ground. I will personally avenge the lives of Saint Son Hua Fu and Saint Son Gu Xuan."
At this moment, Bu Fan Gu and the others finally reacted, their eyes widening in disbelief as they looked at Meng Tian and his group. They weren't surprised that the Great Han humans could reach here, or so quickly. But their journey being so effortless was indeed peculiar.
Guan Yu said coldly, "Is that so? Dragon Yuan, before you, another lazybones said something similar to me, but he's likely speechless now." He brandished his Azure Dragon Crescent Blade. "Shall my blade's sharpness be tested by your head?"
"You!" The Dragon Yuan Saint Son's face flushed with anger, but he didn't attack. Just then, Jiao Fan of the Feng'an Divine Dynasty and Hai Ling Yu of the Hai Yun Divine Dynasty also arrived.
"Your methods are impressive, reaching the entrance of the secret realm so swiftly." Hai Ling Yu glanced at the mountain gate behind Meng Tian and his group.
"General Meng, with your Great Han's rapid arrival, why do you still linger here? Why not enter the secret realm to gather resources?" Jiao Fan asked, observing the tense atmosphere.
Jiao Fan's question drew the attention of Bu Fan Gu and the others, even making the Dragon Yuan Saint Son wary.
Zi Hui smiled faintly. "This secret realm requires nine tokens to open. The Sacred Ranking, Quasi-Sacred Ranking, and Dao God Ranking each have three tokens. Only when all nine are gathered can one enter."
"However, since everyone has arrived here safely, why not place your tokens now and open the secret realm together?"
"Good!"
"In that case, let's place them together." Jiao Fan said no more, glanced at Bu Fan Gu and his companions, took a token, and walked to the mountain gate, inserting it.
"Buzz~~~" The mountain gate emitted a dull thrum. Immediately, the colossal gate began to tremble violently, layers of gray gaseous divine light emanating from its base and spreading outwards.
About half an hour later, the gate stopped trembling.
"Still need four more!" Zi Hui observed the gate.
"I'll do it!" Hai Ling Yu produced a token, walked forward, and inserted it. However, there was no further reaction.
"We're only missing your three tokens!" Hai Ling Yu said to Bu Fan Gu without hesitation.
"Hmph!" Bu Fan Gu snorted. "Hai Ling Yu, you're becoming quite audacious!" He turned to Zhen Gang. "Zhen Gang, you go!" Zhen Gang took three tokens and walked forward. As he approached Meng Tian and the others, Zhen Gang showed a hint of apprehension.