Chapter 746: Hidden Dragon Secret Realm, Opening

「One month later.」

Within the boundless void.

Suddenly, a dazzling flash of light streaked across it.

Before this light could even descend, another appeared.

Then a third.

And a fourth.

After each flash of light descended, ten figures emerged from within.

Soon, this once utterly silent expanse of void had become bustling with activity.

“Is this the entrance to the Hidden Dragon Secret Realm? There are so many people.”

“That’s right, this is the entrance. Did you see that guy? That’s Xuan Qianjun, ranked seventh on the Hidden Dragon List. I heard he’s the direct grandson of the Xuanfeng Emperor!”

“It’s more than that. For this Hidden Dragon Secret Realm, it’s likely everyone in the top ten of the Hidden Dragon List will show up. Look over there—that handsome man in the black and white robe. Isn’t that Shui Yuntian, the fifth-ranked Core Disciple of the Holy Water Celestial Palace?”

“Even Shui Yuntian is here? Aren’t the top five usually incredibly arrogant? This Shui Yuntian… Huh, Lin Bingyun is here too, and Fengg Tianyi, and Li Yunxiao! Strange, so strange. Four of the top five have actually shown up at once. The only one missing is Yuann Xiaotian, the Saint Prince of the Vajra Demon Ape Clan and son of the Fighting Saint Emperor. It seems these Quasi-Demon Level geniuses are taking this Hidden Dragon Secret Realm very seriously.”

“Of course they’re taking it seriously. Your standing is too low, so you probably don’t know, but I heard from my big brother that this Hidden Dragon Secret Realm was created from the Small World of a slain Peak Emperor. Since the end of the Ancient Times, when the four great lists appeared, this is only the second time a Peak Emperor’s Small World has been used as the trial grounds for the Hidden Dragon Secret Realm. I can’t wait to see how many true world-class demonic fiends will be born this time.”

“You mean…”

“Exactly. This Hidden Dragon Secret Realm is bound to be a fierce battle of titans. The competition among the top five, in particular, will be terrifying. If any of them can obtain a Great Emperor’s inheritance inside and advance to the True Divine Realm, they’ll ascend to the heavens in a single step, landing directly on the Extreme Dao List and becoming true world-class demonic fiends. How could they not take it seriously?”

“I see. It looks like a storm is truly brewing this time.”

Everyone sighed softly.

Although the ones discussing this were all brilliant talents in their own right—many even ranked in the top 100 of the Hidden Dragon List, with some breaking into the top 20—

it was still too difficult to compare themselves to the top five.

These five individuals, whether in terms of background or talent, were among the absolute best in the world. All they lacked was time and foundation.

However, the Small World of a Great Emperor—especially a Peak Emperor—was enough to make up for that.

Therefore, everyone knew.

That among these five, one or two would likely undergo a complete transformation.

They would become renowned geniuses on the Extreme Dao List, true world-class demonic fiends.

“Sigh, what a pity. My young master was born a few decades too late. Otherwise, he’d be more than capable of contending with them.”

Someone muttered with a sigh.

Beside him, the leader of their group was a jade-faced youth. The youth seemed to have a lively disposition, and his cultivation was only at the Late-stage Demigod level, the Demigod Seventh Layer. Even so, no one dared to look down on him.

Because he was Ao Qianxun, also known as Thirteenth Young Master Ao, the direct son of the Ao Xuan Emperor and the tenth-ranked Quasi-World Demonic Fiend on the Hidden Dragon List.

If his cultivation weren’t a bit low,

he might have actually had a chance to rank among the top five.

Even if he couldn’t match the top three, he would have been strong enough to contend with the fourth and fifth.

Unfortunately,

he was, after all, a bit too young.

In fact, it wasn’t uncommon to see young people, or rather, those with low cultivation, present.

There were nearly nine hundred people present.

Their cultivation and strength were clearly polarized.

On one hand, there were the top one hundred geniuses from the Hidden Dragon List. These individuals possessed immense combat power and extraordinary strength. Almost all of them were at Demigod Peak, with enough foundation to attempt a breakthrough to the True God level.

On the other hand, there were geniuses with true potential who had yet to fully develop. While Ao Qianxun was unique, quite a few geniuses a tier below him had also come.

Of course,

there were also some who were purely here to join the spectacle.

Their cultivation was poor and their talent was weak.

After all, only one hundred Hidden Dragon Orders for the Hidden Dragon Secret Realm had been issued.

The ownership of every single one had fallen into the hands of at least a Peak Emperor.

And not just any Peak Emperors, but the most powerful among them.

But among their descendants,

there weren’t necessarily any exceptionally outstanding individuals.

Just like a group of people not far away.

Their strongest member was merely at the Mid-stage Demigod level. A single glance revealed that no one recognized them; they were clearly nobodies.

Whenever anyone’s gaze swept over them, they were almost instantly ignored.

No one gave them a second glance.

However, this small group seemed to be looking for someone.

Their eyes kept darting around.

This caused many people to frown.

“Who knows where these guys got a Hidden Dragon Order. They look like a bunch of country bumpkins. Their cultivation is pathetic, and most of them only have a Treasure Body. Except for their leader, whose aura is obscure and whose physique is indiscernible, the rest are just mediocre. Why would people like this be allowed here?”

Someone said with disdain.

They felt that these people were lowering the status of the event.

“Perhaps some Great Emperor, while wandering the mortal world, casually gave it to them.”

Someone guessed.

They felt that besides this possibility, there could be no other reason.

Even if the descendants of some Great Emperors had weaker cultivation, they shouldn’t be like this group. Usually, the exceptionally talented ones would be sent, accompanied by powerful experts for protection.

Just like Ao Qianxun, Thirteenth Young Master Ao, the direct son of Ao Xuan Emperor.

Besides his own rank in the top ten of the Hidden Dragon List,

the guards around him were all at Demigod Peak. They were also masters of Battle Arrays. Once formed, the power they could unleash would be absolutely terrifying.

Not to mention,

although these guards were only at Demigod Peak now, they were guaranteed to advance to become True Gods after entering the Hidden Dragon Secret Realm. They would also use all sorts of Divine Medicines to enhance their strength.

Maximizing their own power.

Nothing like this group here.

Never mind their ordinary Treasure Bodies,

even their cultivation was mostly only at the sixth or Seventh Layer of the Great Divine Power Realm.

Their Life Auras, however, were quite young.

It seemed none of them were over fifty years old.

“Just ignore them. Everyone will be here soon. Once they enter the Hidden Dragon Secret Realm, they’ll find out what happens when you have neither strength nor talent.”

Another person simply continued to ignore them.

A trip to the Hidden Dragon Secret Realm was no pleasure cruise.

People with no strength and no background

would likely find it very dangerous.

Just then,

the void suddenly began to tremble.

Immediately after, a portal

appeared before everyone’s eyes.

Seeing this portal,

a look of joy appeared on many people’s faces.

“The Hidden Dragon Secret Realm is opening early! Just as Father said, as long as more than ninety Hidden Dragon Orders appear, it will trigger the opening. It seems everyone has arrived.”

Ao Qianxun was also beaming with delight.

At the same time, he took the lead and stepped inside.

When the others saw this,

they also scrambled to rush toward the portal.

For a moment, figures flickered everywhere.

Of course, not everyone was so excited that they madly rushed into the Hidden Dragon Secret Realm.

For instance, that group they had looked down on earlier showed no trace of joy upon seeing the portal of the Hidden Dragon Secret Realm.

They didn’t enter either.

Instead, a hint of worry appeared on their faces.

Their eyes kept glancing into the distance from time to time.

It seemed as if someone they were waiting for had yet to arrive.