Ending the Journey to the Hidden Realm

Outside the Secret Realm

A month had passed, and everyone was waiting for the group’s return.

The elders of the four great immortal sects appeared completely composed, showing no trace of concern.

"Elder Chen, you seem quite calm as well," remarked the elder of the Jade Sword Immortal Sect with a smile. "Aren’t you worried about your Supreme Elder?"

"You should worry about your own people instead," Chen Wanqing replied coldly.

"Our disciples don’t have the cultivation of a Quasi-Immortal Realm First Layer, so there’s nothing to worry about."

"Elder Chen, we were merely expressing concern for your Huan Hua Immortal Sect’s disciples. If you won’t accept our goodwill, so be it."

Concern?

Chen Wanqing couldn’t be bothered to engage with them further. Her gaze remained fixed on the entrance of the secret realm.

Before long, Chen Chang'an emerged from the Crimson Moon Secret Realm, accompanied by Da Huang and Xiao Yao.

The moment the elders of the four great sects saw Chen Chang'an, they were stunned—he was still alive?

What was going on?

Before entering, they had explicitly instructed their disciples to eliminate Chen Chang'an. How had he walked out unscathed?

"Master!"

Xiao Yao ran toward Chen Wanqing excitedly, and Chen Wanqing smiled, gently patting her head.

"How was it? Did you encounter any danger?" Chen Wanqing asked.

"None at all! We had a great time!" Xiao Yao replied cheerfully.

No danger whatsoever?

Chen Wanqing trusted that with Chen Chang'an around, any danger could be averted. But to encounter none at all—that was unexpected.

"Young man, where are our sect’s disciples?"

"Why haven’t they come out yet?"

"Where are they?"

The elders of the four great sects turned furious eyes toward Chen Chang'an. The entrance was about to close, yet none of their disciples had emerged.

A total wipeout—had all the disciples of the four great sects perished? How would they explain this to their sects upon returning?

"Your people? Why ask me?"

"How should I know?" Chen Chang'an replied impatiently.

"You—"

"You were all inside the Crimson Moon Secret Realm. How could you not know?" The Jade Sword Immortal Sect elder’s voice was heavy with accusation.

"The Crimson Moon Secret Realm is vast. I’m not their father—whether they live or die is none of my business."

"And who are you again?" Chen Chang'an retorted coldly.

"I am an elder of the Jade Sword Immortal Sect. How dare you—"

Boom!

"This is the Supreme Elder of our Huan Hua Immortal Sect. Watch your tone."

Without hesitation, Chen Wanqing struck, sending the Jade Sword Immortal Sect elder flying with a single palm strike. Her icy gaze served as a warning.

"Fine, we’ll watch our words."

"But now, can you tell us why the others haven’t come out?"

"Yes, what exactly happened inside?"

"You must know something. Tell us!"

Panicking now, are we?

Seeing this scene, Chen Wanqing was reminded of the last time the Crimson Moon Secret Realm had opened—how desperate she had been back then.

Though she hadn’t come in person that time, she had later gone to the four great sects to seek answers.

And what had their attitude been then? Now they knew what it felt like to be frantic with worry?

"What if I refuse to tell you?" Chen Chang'an asked with a smirk.

Huh?

What could they do?

"Elder Chen, what is the meaning of this?"

"Aren’t you afraid our four great sects will unite and wage war against the Huan Hua Immortal Sect?"

A united assault?

"Attack!"

Chen Chang'an’s command left the four elders stunned, but Chen Wanqing gave them no time to react.

As a Celestial Immortal Realm expert, Chen Wanqing far surpassed these four True Immortal Realm elders.

They stood no chance against her.

In a single exchange, all four elders lay severely wounded, unable to rise.

Confusion mingled with fear in their eyes.

Why?

Why had they been attacked so suddenly?

Chen Wanqing herself seemed slightly puzzled, glancing at Chen Chang'an for clarification.

"Here’s a memory I extracted from the souls of the four sects’ disciples. See for yourself."

As Chen Chang'an revealed the extracted soul memory, Chen Wanqing felt a pang of unease.

Taking a deep breath, she absorbed the memory.

With each passing moment, her expression darkened, while the four elders grew increasingly frantic.

Chen Chang'an’s actions had already revealed what had happened inside the secret realm—death.

All the disciples were dead, and Chen Chang'an had even broken through their soul restrictions to extract their memories.

Did that mean Chen Wanqing now knew everything that had transpired back then?

"You… truly deserve death!"

"Elder Chen, what happened back then was regrettable. We hid the truth for your own good."

"That’s right. What’s done is done. There was nothing we could do but conceal it."

"Elder Chen, we’re innocent! Innocent!"

Begging for mercy now?

Afraid now?

"You all knew. Every one of you knew the truth."

"Innocent?"

"And what of my Huan Hua Immortal Sect’s disciples, who were violated and slaughtered by your four sects’ disciples? Were they not innocent?"

"You all deserve to die!"

Chen Wanqing’s rage erupted fully. At this moment, she cast aside all restraint. Chen Chang'an was right—she had been too lenient all along.

Had she always been a ruthless, unyielding madwoman, would they have dared to bully the Huan Hua Immortal Sect’s disciples so brazenly?

"Master… are you alright?"

After executing the four elders, Chen Wanqing sank into a deep sorrow.

"I’m fine," she murmured, shaking her head before turning to Chen Chang'an.

"Master Chen, thank you."

"If not for you, I might never have learned the truth of what happened."

"And… this time, our Huan Hua Immortal Sect’s disciples might have suffered the same fate." Her voice trembled with dread.

Had Chen Chang'an not appeared, the Huan Hua Immortal Sect would have sent ten disciples as usual—and the four great sects, emboldened by past successes, would have repeated their atrocities. The outcome would have been all too predictable.

"What are your plans now?"

"With the four great sects’ disciples and elders all wiped out, they won’t let this go easily," Chen Chang'an pointed out.

"If they dare seek trouble, I’ll fight them to the death."

"This time, I won’t retreat a single step," Chen Wanqing declared firmly.

"Good."

"Most of the gains from the secret realm are with Xiao Yao."

"I also have some items here—immortal pills and artifacts that may prove useful. Take some back with you."

When Chen Chang'an produced the treasures, Chen Wanqing was utterly speechless.

So many priceless items?

Had Chen Chang'an looted the entire Crimson Moon Secret Realm?

"Master Chen… does this mean you’re leaving?"