Isn't Illusion Also a Kind of Secret Realm

Looking at the newly issued system mission, Lu Ze couldn't help but frown.

Pills or secret realm rewards weren’t the most important things.

The real issue was that the demonic faction planned to ambush the righteous faction.

If this escalated and triggered another great war between the righteous and demonic factions, the world would once again be thrown into chaos.

Without peace, his grand gaming ambitions would surely be stifled.

Lu Ze absolutely couldn’t let the demonic faction succeed in their ambush.

According to Nangong Yuan, cultivators above the Nascent Soul realm couldn’t enter that secret realm.

Though Lu Ze was only at the Golden Core mid-stage, his cultivation techniques, immortal physique, and the skills he’d secretly learned from various masters made him invincible among peers of the same realm.

Even if a Nascent Soul cultivator showed up, he might still stand a chance.

As long as he went, the demonic faction wouldn’t be able to cause any trouble.

With that thought, he decisively changed his mind and agreed to take on the secret realm mission.

...

...

Three days later.

Lingxiao Sect’s Hall of Nurtured Spirits.

"Lu Ze, though you’ve attained enlightenment through illusions, the world is vast, and you must go out to gain experience."

Zhao Wendao patted Lu Ze’s shoulder earnestly before beckoning to Zhong Yi behind him.

"Zhong Yi."

"Here."

"Since this is Lu Ze’s first time venturing out, you and Mu Yawen will accompany him."

"Yes!"

Seeing that Zhao Wendao had assigned Zhong Yi and Mu Yawen as escorts, Lu Ze felt even more at ease.

Though Zhong Yi was a bit of a joke in the illusionary realm, in reality, he was a genuine Divine Transformation cultivator.

Ninety-nine percent of demonic cultivators were no match for him.

"Disobedient disciple, take these protective treasures."

Nangong Yuan pulled out a handful of defensive artifacts from his storage ring and shoved them into Lu Ze’s hands.

"The real world isn’t an illusion. If you encounter someone you can’t beat, run! Don’t be reckless!"

Lu Ze examined the quality of the artifacts and smirked. "Cheap artifacts from a cheap master."

"You little—!"

Nangong Yuan bristled, his beard practically quivering in anger.

"That’s a Heaven’s Law secret realm with cultivation restrictions! Artifacts above a certain grade won’t work there!"

Lu Ze chuckled. "Then this disciple thanks his cheap master!"

...

After preparations, Lu Ze set off for the secret realm under the guidance of Zhong Yi and Mu Yawen.

The Lingxiao Sect was located within the Great Zhou territory, not far from the western border. The journey would only take a day.

"Senior Brother Zhong, what’s this Heaven’s Law secret realm actually like?"

Lu Ze asked curiously along the way.

"It’s ever-changing—no two are alike. But inside, there’s always one treasure ground."

"That treasure ground usually has restrictions or traps. You’ll need to break them before claiming the sole secret treasure."

"From what I’ve heard, the disciples sent by other sects are all at the Golden Core late-stage. Junior Brother Lu, just treat this as an experience. There’s no rush for the treasure—you’ll have plenty of chances later."

A Golden Core-level secret realm was dangerous enough to be challenging but not overwhelmingly so.

Generally, the five great sects used them as training grounds for their core disciples.

For some reason, the Qingshan Sect wasn’t participating this time. The other four sects each sent one disciple.

In a way, whichever sect’s disciple secured the treasure would gain the most prestige.

So naturally, they all sent their most outstanding Golden Core late-stage disciples.

The fact that the Lingxiao Sect sent Lu Ze, who had just reached the Golden Core stage, showed Zhao Wendao’s obvious favoritism.

"By the way, why did Elder Zhao assign you and Senior Brother Mu to escort me?"

Lu Ze asked again.

"In the past, demonic factions have ambushed disciples from our five great sects. Maybe he’s worried you’ll run into trouble?"

Zhong Yi stroked his chin, then grinned dismissively.

"But honestly, those demonic cultivators only dare to pick on Qi Condensation or Foundation Establishment disciples. They wouldn’t dare mess with Golden Core cultivators."

"Besides, even if they did, how many of them could actually stand up to me? Hahaha—"

"Uh… why are you two looking at me like that…?"

Zhong Yi’s laughter trailed off awkwardly.

"Senior Brother Zhong, hold on—I’m sending a message to Master and Senior Brother Zhou…"

Even the honest Mu Yawen couldn’t help but pull out his communication jade slip.

Lu Ze also felt a pang of unease.

Zhong Yi’s "jinxing" tendencies in the illusionary realm were infamous. Hearing him speak so confidently in reality sent a chill down Lu Ze’s spine.

But he quickly reminded himself—this wasn’t the illusionary realm.

Zhong Yi’s "cursed prophecies" seemed limited to illusions.

Still, the system had already warned him: the demonic faction was lying in wait.

So this wasn’t Zhong Yi’s fault.

But after this, poor Senior Brother Zhong might really start questioning his so-called "Sacred Speech Spirit Root"...

...

...

Meanwhile.

Inside the secret realm at the western border of Great Zhou.

A group of black-robed demonic cultivators bustled about, preparing.

Hardened spikes and specially crafted stone steps were covered in densely carved runes.

Several experts in secret realm construction frantically inscribed arrays and formations.

"Will these traps really injure Golden Core cultivators?"

The demonic faction’s leader, Liu Dumu, asked cautiously once more.

"Rest assured, Branch Leader Liu! This is an exclusive trap manual I bought at a high price from a rogue cultivator’s market!"

His sharp-faced subordinate confidently pulled out an ancient-looking book.

"Think about it—when we first tested them, even you got hit, didn’t you?"

Hearing this, Liu Dumu relaxed slightly.

Not long ago, they’d received intelligence.

The five great sects would soon hold a core disciple trial in this secret realm.

Every participant was a rising star, a future prodigy!

Before this, their operations had only targeted Qi Condensation or Foundation Establishment disciples.

But with escorts becoming more common, they hadn’t attempted such an ambush in years.

Golden Core cultivators weren’t much in the righteous faction.

But in the demonic faction, where talent was scarce, even branch leaders were only at the Golden Core or Nascent Soul level.

Originally, they wouldn’t have dared.

But recently, they’d acquired a manual titled "Cultivator’s Descent: 100 Floors of Traps"—filled with insidious trap designs!

Combined with the secret realm’s movement-restricting formations near the treasure ground, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Their plan was simple.

Ambush the treasure ground, set up traps in advance.

Use the movement restrictions to their advantage, turning the entire area into a death trap!

The spikes, made of special materials and inscribed with runes, couldn’t be destroyed by Golden Core cultivators.

One wrong step, and they’d be dead or crippled!

Even if the disciples were all at the Golden Core late-stage, injured and trapped, they’d be helpless against the ensuing assault!

"Kekeke…"

Liu Dumu let out a sinister chuckle.

"How much will a Golden Core cultivator’s flesh and blood boost my cultivation…?"

"I can’t wait! I can’t wait!!"