After five long days of travel—across winding forest trails, over gentle hills and dusty roads, and past several scattered villages—Xiao Wei finally arrived at the gates of Yen City.
Compared to the bustling sprawl of Kin City, Yen City felt more grounded but more bustling than Mo City. The stone walls were slightly weathered, and the streets weren't as wide, but it still bustled with the rhythm of a living city. Merchants shouted over each other in the market square, wagons rolled by filled with Cultivation supplies, and Cultivators in various robes strode through the streets with purpose.
Xiao Wei entered the city on foot, but this time he was not dusty begger like before, he was like a Young Master from a Clan as his robes fluttering behind him.
He had already studied the map in detail during his breaks. According to it, Yen City was the midpoint between Kin City and Fu City. Also there was a forest nestled between the Yen City and Kin City called Dark Tree Forest. Anyone traveling to Fu City from the east had to pass through Yen City unless they wanted to take a long and dangerous detour through wilderness which is infested with monsters.
Naturally, that made Yen City a strategic hub—and one with rising tension.
After spending a few hours exploring and listening to conversations in the marketplaces, Xiao Wei pieced together the city's dynamics.
The Yen Clan ruled Yen City with an iron grip. Unlike Mo City's small clans or Kin City's City Lord, Yen City belonged entirely to the Yen Clan. No other faction dared oppose them, for the Yen Clan boasted more than ten Martial Grandmaster Realm Cultivators. Their clan head, Yen Shao, was said to be a fearsome expert at the Ninth Layer of the Martial Grandmaster Realm—only a step away from breaking through to the Martial King Realm.
To challenge the Yen Clan in their own city would be nothing short of suicide.
That evening, as dusk painted the city in soft golden hues, Xiao Wei entered a modest restaurant for some rest and food. It was a two floor building of redwood and bamboo, perched near the city's southern plaza. The scent of roasted monster meat and wine filled the air, mingling with the chatter of Cultivators and merchants.
Xiao Wei found a table by the window and ordered a simple meal—braised Tiger Horn Rabbit and local wine of the restaurant. He ate slowly, savoring each bite, as his body recovered from days of travel.
As he dipped a piece of meat into the thick sauce, Shadow Ming voice echoed in his mind.
'Brat, why are you eating so slowly? Eat fast and let's get going to Fu City. I can't wait to see my Clan.'
Xiao Wei didn't even flinch. He continued chewing as he responded under his breath.
"Be patient. We'll get there soon. But I don't want to travel at night unless necessary."Xiao Wei said.
Shadow Ming grunted but didn't argue further.
The closer they got to Fu City—the heart of the Fu State—the stronger the presence of Cultivators would become. And for someone like Shadow Ming, who once stood at the Martial King Realm, it was both nostalgic and frustrating to remain hidden in the shadows of a Martial Apprentice Realm boy.
But Xiao Wei didn't rush. He knew the road ahead would be filled with obstacles, and every bit of strength and caution mattered.
As he brought another portion of meat to his mouth, a sudden shift in the atmosphere swept through the restaurant.
The doors slammed open.
A group of eight figures, clad in matching crimson robes embroidered with dancing flames, strode into the restaurant. Their footsteps were heavy, purposeful, and filled with arrogance. A blazing emblem of a flame-wreathed blade shimmered on their chests.
The room grew quiet.
Whispers spread like wildfire among the diners.
"Look! It's the Red Flame Gang"someone said in fear.
Xiao Wei tilted his head slightly, observing them with curiosity. Each member of the group had a weapon strapped to their back or waist—swords, axes, spears—and their Cultivation auras burned with Martial Master Realm.
One of the gang members, a stocky man with flame tattoos crawling up his neck, turned and glared at a nearby table.
"That seat's ours. Move."he said.
The Cultivators sitting there quickly stood and gave way without a word. The Red Flame Gang made themselves comfortable, taking the best table in the center of the room.
More whispers followed.
"I heard their gang leader is at the Ninth Layer of the Martial Master Realm"he said a man sipping from a ceramic wine cup.
"The entire gang is filled with Martial Master Realm experts. No one in Yen City dares to mess with them—except maybe the Yen Clan"another one added.
"The Yen Clan allows them to act so boldly?"someone asked.
"They don't care. Or maybe the rumor about Red Flame Gang and Yen Calm have secret ties is true."someone said.
Xiao Wei's eyes narrowed slightly. He lifted his wine cup and took a calm sip. He had no interest in stirring trouble here—but information was always welcome.
The restaurant server, a boy barely in his teens, joined the conversation eagerly.
"Wow, so many strong people are gathering in Yen City lately. First that mysterious swordsman three days ago, now the Red Flame Gang?"the boy said.
As soon as he said that, all Cultivators attention went towards him. The boy—his face flushed with excitement at being the center of attention, he was urged by the Cultivators to sit down and explain what he knew. Though only a young teen, the boy seemed to relish the moment, accepting the offered seat with a sheepish grin.
A Cultivator poured him a cup of tea, and others leaned in closer.
"I don't know everything, but few days ago I heard it from my cousin—he works as a low-level errand boy for the Black Jade Chamber."the boy said, lowering his voice dramatically.
The mention of the mysterious Black Jade Chamber drew subtle nods of recognition from some in the room. It was a merchant organization known for trading pills, weapon's, Martial Techniques, and many other rare things.
"A few days ago, someone found something… something big. They say it's a Mortal Grade Secret Realm."the boy said.
A sharp gasp ran through the restaurant.
Xiao Wei, who had been quietly sipping his wine, set his cup down slowly.
A Secret Realm. Those words sounded ancient and powerful—even mystical.
Inside his mind, Shadow Ming's voice rang out in excitement.
'Brat, forget about eating—and forget about Fu City for now. If that rumor is true, we're heading to that Secret Realm immediately!'
Xiao Wei's brows rose slightly, but he didn't respond right away. Instead, he asked softly under his breath.
"Shadow Ming, what exactly is a Secret Realm?"Xiao Wei asked.
Shadow Ming voice grew serious.
'Secret Realms are rare dimensional spaces but no one know if it is created by nature or ancient Cultivators. They are isolated from the regular world, like a separate pocket of reality. Inside, one can find treasures, ancient inheritances, rare herbs, and even powerful techniques left behind by Cultivators of ages past.'
Xiao Wei's eyes narrowed as he listened.
Shadow Ming continued.
'There are five grades of Secret Realms, from lowest to highest: Mortal Grade, Human Grade, Profound Grade, Earth Grade, and Heaven Grade. The higher the grade, the more dangerous the realm becomes—but the rewards are greater as well. Some Heaven Grade Realms are said to hold the key to become immortal.'
Xiao Wei was stunned.
Shadow Ming added.
'Mortal Grade Secret Realms are the lowest tier, but don't let that fool you. Even they can contain inheritance Techniques left by Martial Emperor or ancient sects. The danger inside varies, but the real restriction is who can enter.'
Suddenly, Xiao Wei attention went towards the server boy who was talking in the same topic.
"Secret Realms are weird, my cousin said that no Martial Grandmaster or above Cultivator can enter a Mortal Grade Secret Realm. Only Cultivators in the Martial Apprentice or Martial Master Realm can step inside."the boy said.
The Cultivators listening exchanged knowing looks, some rubbing their chins, others nodding slowly.
"Why is that?"someone asked.
"No one knows. Some say it's because the low grade Secret Realm rejects powerful auras. Others say there's a divine rule placed on Secret Realms by someone."the boy said.
"Shadow Ming, is that true?"Xiao Wei whispered.
Shadow Ming replied.
'Yes, no matter how powerful a Martial Grandmaster is, if they try to enter a Mortal Grade Secret Realm, they'll either be repelled or outright killed. It's a universal restriction. But for you... this is a perfect opportunity'
Xiao Wei's eyes flashed.
He hadn't planned for it, but this could be a divine opportunity.
Shadow Ming chuckled, his voice carrying the tone of someone remembering old memories.
'In my era, finding a Secret Realm was like finding the feather of a phoenix or the scale of a dragon. Even if ten sects knew of one, they'd battle to the death over it. Countless geniuses fell within such realms—and countless nobodies rose to prominence by surviving them.'