Chapter 159
There were reasons Secret Realms could maintain their hidden status, despite people looking for them. First, the entrance to them did not need to berge. Often they were little more than what wasfortably sized for a human, or a few walking side by side. Merely by their existence it could be concluded that there was a powerful formation in the works, either natural or artificial. Those same formations could conceal them as well as sustaining the alternate dimensions that they made up. Finally, many were intentionally ced remotely so that even if a sect was conquered the victors couldnt take away all of their resources. Thetter depended on the purpose of the Secret Realm- some were intended for training disciples or sealing away prisoners. Upon investigation, the Secret Realm in Droca was not thetter kind, though it would be unlikely for anyone inside to survive to the current day even if it was.
Considering that this particr Secret Realm was essed by several kilometers of tunnels- including some formerly narrow passages that didnt seem fit for people to traverse- it wasnt strange it had stayed hidden so long. The ck Earth n had only stumbled upon it while exploring the caves for unrted reasons because its concealment formations were failing and it was starting to reveal the significant energy behind it. Upon finding that they couldnt enter on their own, they decided to announce its presence.
That led to the current situation, with many different sects gathering together in one of therger caverns near the entrance to the Secret Realm. As people tended to do, they separated into vaguely friendly subgroups. With the intention to not be too quickly embroiled in trouble, the Order of Ny-Nine Stars intentionally ced themselves several groups away from the Heavenly Lion Sect. The previous encounter between them had ended with only a small amount of bloodshed- but <em>severe</em> negative feelings. The twote Essence Collection cultivators from the Heavenly Lion Sect were present, their knees looking quite healed. Deeper among their number Zvonko could be seen. Though he had a long sleeve to conceal it, it was clear that his hand had not somehow been restored. If hed been given the chance to retrieve it, reattaching it would have been fairly easy but that hadnt happened.
It took some time to pick through everyone present, at least several thousand figures. This wasnt just an opportunity for the younger generations, but the sects as a whole. While the officialnguage of truces on neutral ground would apply, a Secret Realm was generallyrge enough for different groups to be isted. If someone was killed with no witnesses, what could be done? Even if someone had a particrly recognizable piece of equipment, there was nothing to guarantee that someone didnt simplye across their dead body. Of course, actions like that could still perpetuate further conflicts, regardless of innocence or guilt.
Nearly all of those Anton knew from the Order were present, disregarding certain elders. Oskar and Patricia were busy with their six month old second child- but Pete, Gerd, and even Alva were present. It was unfair for Anton to try to deny Alva her opportunity to show up when she was at the peak of Body Tempering. She was strong enough to participate along with the others from the Order. Besides, this would be her best chance to see Annelie again. It seemed that the Frostmirror Sect had not arrived yet, but there were still several days. Unlike Everhearts Tomb, things wouldnt just suddenly be started at a whim. The major sects had agreed upon a time and would be quite motivated to stick to it.
Along with familiar and vaguely friendly faces such as Lev from the Grasping Willows and the independent sword cultivator Chikere, there were more ambiguous figures such as Anish from the Glorious me Pce. Glorious me Pce members were just a bit too eager to try to enforce whatever form of justice they felt was proper in any situation. In short, they werebative. But, despite their power they werent significant threats. At least they probably wouldnt be looking to find people alone so they could kill and rob them. Anton had his doubts about the Heavenly Lion Sect on that matter. Though to be fair he would happily kill any of them he found as well. But he hadnt been the one to start their various conflicts.
Anton was lucky enough to spot Masozi among the various milling cultivators. He had no affection for the man that had once been Tonina Potenzas guardian, but he could understand that it was just business. His involvement in the events had mostly been secondary. That didnt mean Anton would trust him or attempt to befriend him but he had no intention to seek him out and kill him. He did, however, follow his gaze towards something unexpected. Tonina herself. She was among a group of cultivators in flowing red robes. If Anton remembered the symbol correctly, that was the Flying Blood Cult, from Ofrurg of course. Three years sure doesnt seem as long as it used to. Feels more like a year and a half. Of course, that was because it <em>had</em> been a year and a half. She was still supposed to be imprisoned.
Devon narrowed his eyes from next to Anton. Youre right about that. Im sure they have a good excuse for being off by a factor of two. The way his energy swirled around him menacingly wouldnt be noticed among everyone else around, though of course it didnt escape Antons notice.
What do you want to do? he asked. We can go cause a fuss right now. He turned his head to look at another section of their group. Kohar has kept track of the situation involved. Or we can look for her inside. Anton wouldnt consider himself a murderous sort, but where it involved family he didnt mind if revenge came where the blood was a little bit cold.
Id much prefer thetter, Devon said. Id rather not hear about stupid technicalities or get money thrown at me like it solves everything.
Anton nodded. I do believe I shall converse with Kohar regardless. It might be usable as ammunitionter. Devon nodded in return.
After Anton pointed her out, Kohar pulled out arge book ofw as well as some other documents, muttering to herself and making notes. Good. This should help with things.
Anton smiled, Im surprised you came here. Youre not the most popr figure around.
I had to weigh the pros and cons. I determined that for my intentions, I needed to improve my cultivation. This is a significant opportunity. With the Order providing official protection, I shouldnt be more at risk than anyone else in early Spirit Building. Most people will be seeking their individual opportunities and wont be looking for petty revenge. Kohar red towards a group bearing the symbol of the Iron Ring. And my looks werent well known anywhere, even before I changed things up, she gestured to her hair, cut short against her head. Its surprisingly easy to escape notice by changing small details.
Anton wondered if he should have taken some steps to disguise himself. He certainly had plenty of enemies. He couldnt be sure if the whole Heavenly Lion Sect would be out for his head, but certainly a part would like to get their hands on him. The same went for the Iron Ring and probably some groups working with them that he didnt directly know.
But disguising himself didnt seem right anyway. He wasnt too proud to stay with strong allies or to run away if he needed to. All of his friends and various allies knew the risks of associating with him, and of course the benefits. Unlike Kohar, his own cultivation was respectable enough to properly fight for his own sake. Shed only recently achieved Spirit Building, since her main focus had never been on cultivation. Her talent was decent enough, but she had higher priorities.
Since there were several days until the specified time to open the Secret Realm, the various ns, sects, orders, and independent set up camps in therge cavern they had gathered in. There were a few minor scuffles over the next days, but for the most part people kept to themselves. The cavern didnt have enough energy for everyone to cultivate to their full extent, so they tried to pass the time as quickly as they could. Then the time came.
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By the morning of the agreed upon time, the Frostmirror Sect still hadnt arrived. Whispers and rumors abounded as to what could have happened. Even so, at the agreed upon time everyone began moving towards the Secret Realm. At the front of each group were of course their highest ranking elders. As they moved further into the cavern it narrowed- but a shimmering light soon became clear. It was only as wide as a barn at most, with a handful of people able tofortably step through. The entrance to the Secret Realm.
Though it seemed <em>entering</em> wasnt exactly the problem. Cultivators began to pass through the portal without issue, having already checked to make sure it was safe. Even if the ck Earth ns information was reliable, the situation could have changed. Anton felt a strange sensation as he passed through the shimmering portal, as the far side was somehow colder than the cave they had just been in. It wasnt freezing, but still a bit ufortable.
On the other side he found himself stepping in sand, and heard the sound of waves. Anton had never been to the sea, but he knew what the salty smell represented. Yet he couldnt see it, either. There was a translucent barrier preventing anything but the vaguest fuzzy blue image. The barrier preventing entry. In a way, Anton supposed it made sense to ce it inside the Secret Realm. It was easier to conceal that way and angry foes were somewhat less likely to just destroy the entrance if they were trying to break inside. Of course, depending on the desires of individual groups they might <em>prefer</em> that ess be cut off rather than letting anyone else have what was inside.
There was enough room inside for people to begin to spread out again, back into their ustomed groups. The various elders of the powerful sects were standing in front of the barrier, raising their energy as they prepared to break through the barrier, with the guidance of formation masters. As thest people were trickling into the Secret Realm and it was about to be opened, a woman flickered inside.
Her impassive face and the aura about her indicated she was a member of the Frostmirror Sect, at peak Essence Collection despite looking quite young. That said, many cultivators who were advanced in age did their best to <em>appear</em> young regardless of the truth. She made her way to the others by the barrier. The Frostmirror Sect apologizes for the dy. We were held up by unforeseen circumstances.
Its not a problem, Elder Kseniyaughed, We would have just left you behind.
It is good you are here to do your part, the elder from Glorious me Pce dered. Everyone should contribute properly. He red at those around, It is important that everyone use their full effort.
Anton understood what he meant. While there was no doubt in his mind that theirbined forces could break through the barrier- he felt it power fading, even if it was well beyond what <em>he</em> could deal with- nobody wanted to be at a disadvantage. If Elder Kseniya or one of the others didnt help but instead kept themselves fresh, they would gain an unfair advantage.
After a few more inconsequentialments, the opening of the barrier finally began. Gouts of me along with spikes of ice and every other sort of attack rained down on the barrier. The various formation masters directed the attacks, with Elder Kseniya contributing with precise arrows stabbing into various key points. Each attack from the elders seemed like it would be enough to wipe Anton out of existence, though he had to admit he was still quite new to cultivation in the grand scheme of things and it wasnt so unreasonable. Three and a half years could hardlypare to fifty or a hundred.
The barrier began to tremble, waves flowing through it as it bent and distorted. Then, it shattered like ss. Ahead of him, Anton saw a vast sea- yet with inds clearly visible under the clear skies. The waters sparkled and energy flowed over him, no longer contained by the barrier. It was peaceful... yet powerful. Anton had to wonder what the ancient sects were like that they could make such a ce and what could have happened that they were no longer around.