For the first time in many months Ji Rong once again appeared at Yu Chen’s door.

Yu Chen was waiting for him, having awoken early in the morning to prepare himself for the upcoming trip. Not that there was much for him to do. He’d put on a fresh set of robes and picked up Lue She before grabbing the small pouch of restorative pills he’d received from Wu Feng.

“Senior.” Yu Chen said, bowing low and greeting the man as he met him at the door.

“Junior.” Ji Rong said, greeting him with a smile. “You’re ready then?”

Yu Chen nodded.

“Good, good, there’s no time to waste.”

Yu Chen followed Ji Rong as he left the courtyard, leading him down a path that crossed most of the mountain. It was a beautiful day, the heat of summer softened by the cool mountain air. The walkway was well shaded as well, lined with trees planted for that purpose, making for a pleasant journey.

Ji Rong was an affable fellow, and very talkative, making easy conversation with Yu Chen as they traveled on their way. He spoke to him much like an equal, despite the vast difference in their level of cultivation.

“What is the Secret Realm, senior?” Yu Chen asked during a lull in the conversation, laying out his most pressing question.

Ji Rong didn’t respond right away, looking towards the sky with a contemplative air as he walked.

“That’s a question that has puzzled the elders of this sect for many generations. Most of the time the realm is sealed off from the world, but every decade or so it is possible to enter, for a short while at least. Even then, it is a difficult place to study, as no one above Foundation Establishment is allowed within.”

“One thing we have managed to divine is that the remains of an ancient sect lie within the area. Elder Gu is of the belief that this sect is responsible for the anomalous behavior that has led to the creation of the Secret Realm.”

Yu Chen nodded at the words. Even at the level of Foundation Establishment there were many things a cultivator could not do. If an ancient sect was involved, then it made sense they’d be unable to plumb the mysteries of the realm.

“In fact, it is likely the work of some strange formation that is keeping the realm sealed away. The elder believes that the reason it only opens occasionally and with such strict requirements is to allow new blood to enter the sect.”

“Regardless, whoever created the place is dead and gone, leaving behind an opportunity for the rest of us.”

Yu Chen was well aware that Ji Rong wouldn’t be so open with everyone.

The hierarchy within the sect was a strange one, and Yu Chen had spent a lot of time trying to wrap his mind around it. Age meant something when it came to determining status, as did strength, but in many ways, the divide between those with potential was greater than the divide between the inner and outer sect.

He’d realized early on, when he was still in the Outer Sect, that the disciples played an important role in keeping the sect functioning, providing a large workforce for all the required manual labor and filling many of the necessary jobs that kept the place going.

The majority of those Outer Sect disciples hadn’t been youths like him.

Most were older, young men in their twenties and thirties. There'd even been a few graybeards, people with so little talent they’d never manage to surpass the Qi Condensation Realm. The Inner Sect was no different. Even less inner disciples possessed the impetus to form a Golden Core. The majority of the Inner Sect disciples were actually older men, with little prospects for future advancement in their cultivation.

Ji Rong was one such man. Not that he was weak, Yu Chen didn’t believe that. If you searched the entire Inner Sect he wasn’t sure you could find one person who could beat the unassuming man in a fight. He was at the very peak of Foundation Establishment, as strong as you could get without forming a Golden Core, but there was little chance he could take the next step.

Men like him made up the majority of the sect. They were the lifeblood, the beating heart that kept things running. They managed things on behalf of the Elders, who had a million things to do, not to mention having their own cultivation to worry about. Without them, the entire place would fall into chaos.

It created a strange dynamic for Yu Chen, one where the people who were older and stronger than him were only nominally in charge. In truth, Yu Chen was more valuable to the sect than any number of Ji Rong’s, as he had the potential to form a Golden Core and one day become part of the sect's leadership.

It was the reason Elder Gu had taken him in of course. If you were a Qi Condensator in the Inner Sect it meant that it wasn’t a matter of if you could form a Golden Core, but when. Towards that end there were no resources the sect wouldn’t spend, as he, and others like him formed the future of the Golden Mist Sect.

Without realizing it, Yu Chen had become an important figure in the sect.

Ji Rong took a turn, and Yu Chen realized the man wasn’t leading him towards the elder’s house, as he’d assumed, nor was he leading him towards the assembly hall. Instead, he’d taken a path that spiraled around towards the back half of the mountain.

Yu Chen hadn't been here before, having no reason to come this way. As far as he knew there wasn’t anything on the back of the mountain, other than the overgrown wildlife native to the area. Yet the path they were walking down was remarkably well maintained. The sensation of spiritual pressure appeared, growing steadily stronger as they approached, informing him there were people ahead.

Eventually the path came to an end, the trees opening up to reveal a stone platform a hundred paces across poking off the side of the mountain. A few people stood upon it and his eyes raised when he realized that many of them were elders.

He recognized Elder Gu among them, and Ji Rong brought him to stand beside the grizzled old man. Ji Rong leaned over, whispering into the elder’s ear, but Yu Chen couldn’t hear what was said. He paid them no mind, instead looking around at the small gathering.

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Elder Shu was another one he recognized, the beautiful woman was the youngest elder in the sect, not even thirty years old. She was in charge of the Manual Pavilion, and Ling Xia stood by her side. The pretty young girl smiled at him, waving, and Yu Chen waved back at her. The small interaction caused the tips of his ears to turn red.

Two other elders were present. Yu Chen didn’t know either one, but the robes they wore displayed their rank. Besides that, their presence was a palpable thing, each one emitting a strong aura, although none compared to Elder Gu's.

The first was a tall, middle-aged man who was extremely broad with a shock of red hair. His long arms were covered in small scars and plenty of burns. A white headband with the symbol for fortune upon it hung above his furry brows, and a large hammer hung from his waist. A young disciple stood beside him, looking like a miniature version of the larger man. His hair was the same shock of unruly red, and his robes were also peppered with dust and a variety of stains.

The final elder was a small scrawny man with thick spectacles, and his hair, what little that remained, was a stark white. He was by far the oldest elder Yu Chen had ever seen. The old man wasn't paying attention to anything around him, appearing as if in his own world as he scribbled away on a piece of parchment.

He also had a young disciple beside him, and Yu Chen realized with a start that he knew her.

“Xue Lan?” He said in surprise, calling out to the other girl.

“Yu Chen.” She replied cheerfully, rubbing her hands together. “Funny seeing you here.”

Yu Chen paused for a moment, speechless.

“That’s my line!” He said with a laugh. They began bickering like old friends, but they didn’t have time to exchange more than a few words before more people reached the stone platform, interrupting them.

A formidable Inner Sect disciple was the first one to emerge from the path, emitting an aura not too dissimilar from Ji Rong, and a group of around fifteen Inner Sect disciples followed after him. The disciples who’d been there first, standing near the elders, were all at the level of Qi Condensation, while each of these new disciples were at the level of Foundation Establishment.

This made up the disciples within the sect that were qualified to enter the Secret Realm, less than twenty people all together. Ji Rong had told him on the way that the realm had strict requirements, and that it would reject any that were older than twenty years of age, preventing them from entering.

Jin Hua was among this new group, but before Yu Chen could greet him, he realized Li Feng was among them as well.

They locked eyes, and the animosity Yu Chen felt was reflected back from the other boy. Li Feng hadn’t changed in the months since he’d seen him last, although he now emitted a stronger aura. Yu Chen gave the boy a cold smile and raised a hand to pet Lue She, who leaned into his cupped palm.

Li Feng’s complexion changed, his eyes narrowing, but before anything could happen a powerful energy engulfed the platform. The intense aura caused Yu Chen’s knees to shake, falling on him like a powerful weight. He was powerless against the violent force, strong enough that it could sweep him away like a leaf in a storm.

The feeling disappeared as quickly as it came, and Yu Chen looked around in confusion, trying to understand what had happened. To his surprise he realized that a new person had arrived, one whom he’d never seen before, and was now standing at the very edge of the platform furthest from the mountain.

He was a thin man, and tall, with straight black hair that fell below his shoulders. His face was coarse, with deeply set eyes, at odds with his fine robes of misty blue, threaded throughout with golden embroidery. A slender straight sword hung in a battered sheath at his waist. It looked out of place amidst the finery, but Yu Chen could sense a dreadful aura emitting from the plain weapon.

Ji Rong placed a hand on his shoulder, and he looked up, seeing that the older man, and even Elder Gu, had bowed their heads in reverence. With a start, he hurried to join them, bowing his head low.

“Rise.” The man spoke, his tone low and gravelly. Yu Chen could clearly hear his voice, despite the distance between them.

“There isn't much time, so I’ll make this short. The Secret Realm will be opening within the next few hours. Once we arrive you will only have one week within the realm, to seize as much good fortune as possible.”

He looked around at the assembled disciples, nodding when no one spoke.

“We will not be the only ones looking to take advantage of this opportunity of course. The formation guarding the realm will weaken at four different locations, and many forces from the region, including rogue cultivators and demonic forces will use this chance to enter.”

“Ensure that you represent our sect well and give none a reason to disparage us! And remember, The Golden Mist is a righteous sect. As such you must slay any demonic cultivators you encounter! Return with proof and the sect will reward you well for ridding the world of such evil.”

Yu Chen looked around as the sect head spoke and saw Jin Hua’s face light up with passion at his words. He was firmly nodding his head as the man continued to speak.

Yu Chen snorted softly.

He’d long been suspicious of the monikers of demonic and righteous. Not that he wasn't willing to fight any demonic cultivators that appeared before him. Or perhaps… He thought, eyeing Li Feng before turning his head.

No, the time wasn’t right yet. Yu Chen had advanced far within the realm of Qi Refinement, but he was still a far way off from being able to fight someone within Foundation Establishment.

He would have his chance one day. Casting the thought from his mind he turned his attention back to the sect head, who was still speaking.

“Time flows differently within the Secret Realm. Despite spending a week within, minutes will pass in the outside world. It is for this reason the realm is not depleted of resources, but instead constantly brimming with spiritual energy, overflowing with rare spiritual treasures, and filled with rare spirit herbs and ores.”

He paused, looking around before continuing his speech.

“Be careful. This, combined with the fact that only those within Foundation Establishment or lower can enter, means that there will be powerful spirit beasts lurking within. The rewards come with risk, so be cautious, as there is danger around every corner.”

“There are things within that will enhance your cultivation manyfold, as well as many items the sect is in desperate need of. You will be provided with a list, and the sect will pay you for any item that you bring back.”

He drew his sword as he finished speaking, tossing it away from him. To Yu Chen’s surprise the sword did not tumble down the mountain as he’d expected, but instead remained nearby, floating gently next to the stone platform.

The sect head flexed his qi, enveloping the back of the mountain in a powerful aura that washed over Yu Chen like a physical force, and he watched in awe as a spiritual sword manifested in the world, superimposed over the plain steel one that floated in the air.

The new sword was massive, nearly a hundred paces wide, and a few hundred long, formed out of solid qi. The sect head took a light leap, landing near the tip of the blade and the elders joined him, followed by the younger disciples.

Yu Chen screwed up his courage and leapt off the mountain, landing on the spiritual blade. Despite his eyes, he’d fully expected to fall to his death, and was relieved to be standing instead.

How was it done? He wondered in awe, as he examined the qi beneath his feet. He’d never externalized qi before. Actually, he’d never even seen externalized qi before, but still, he knew he was looking at something that was truly remarkable.

With a jolt, the sword shot off in the middle of his contemplations. Yu Chen’s heart leapt into his throat, watching as the world flew by. He’d fully expected to be flung off by the sudden momentum, but the qi beneath his feet had become tacky, rooting him in place.

Before he knew it the mountains he’d spent the last year within had disappeared into the distance.