“Qiuwen, don’t be rude! ” someone said as they pulled the girl’s sleeve and hurriedly dragged her behind them. It was probably her senior brother.
After being reborn, Zhu Mingyan had become much more short-tempered. What she hated most were people who spoke badly to her for no reason. She immediately replied coldly,
“What does this have to do with you? Before my master left, he specifically told everyone that all matters of Huai’an Peak would be managed by me. What? Did he leave you instructions too? ”
“You! ”Qiuwen was instantly enraged.
“You’re so arrogant! I really don’t understand why the Sect Master accepted you as his disciple! ”
After saying that, she stormed off angrily. Her senior brother gave Zhu Mingyan an apologetic look before chasing after his temperamental junior sister.
Zhu Mingyan did not take it to heart. Over the years, many people had resented her status. In the past, she would silently endure it, but now she felt much better after speaking back.
After calming herself, she walked toward the elders and said seriously,
“Elders, I have not used my spirit fire for a long time, so it was difficult to control. I disturbed your meeting, and I sincerely apologize.”
“As for the damage to Huai’an Peak, I will repair it myself after returning from the secret realm. I will also personally report today’s incident to my master, so there is no need for the elders to trouble yourselves over it.”
Her words were flawless. The elders who had wanted to criticize her could not find any fault in what she said. They could only put on stern expressions and give her a few mild scoldings before returning to the meeting hall while quietly discussing the matter among themselves.
After sending the elders away and dispersing the gathered disciples, Zhu Mingyan finally relaxed and called Fuchuan over.
She had forcibly ended her combat training earlier and spent a lot of effort suppressing her spirit fire so she could calmly deal with the elders. Now she was beginning to struggle again.
Fuchuan already understood her well. One look from her was enough.
The black dog immediately leaped into her arms, pressed itself against her burning neck, and licked away the spirit fire escaping from her body.
As her body gradually relaxed, Zhu Mingyan gently stroked Fuchuan’s fur.
Thinking about today’s events, she felt she should report them to her master. At the same time, she felt a little nervous.
She poured spiritual energy into the communication talisman Li Xiushan had left behind. While waiting for a response, she mentally rehearsed what she wanted to say.
However, after trying three or four times, she still could not contact him.
He was probably too busy to answer.
For some reason, that relieved her. She decided she would report everything after returning from the Burning Heart Secret Realm.
…
The next morning, Zhu Mingyan quickly packed everything she needed and first went to Sighing Peak to pick up Hongzhui.
Ever since that day, she had left Hongzhui alone. The ugly collar was still around its neck, causing many spirit beasts on Sighing Peak to laugh at it. It had been holding in its anger for days.
The moment it saw Zhu Mingyan, it immediately chased after her, trying to bite her.
While dodging, Zhu Mingyan laughed.
“Sorry! I’ve been busy training Fuchuan these past few days and completely forgot about you.”
Her relationship with Hongzhui was different from that of most beast tamers and spirit beasts. She had always allowed it a great deal of freedom, so she did not think she had done anything wrong.
Hongzhui was already upset. Although it had never met Fuchuan, it knew this must be the second spirit beast Zhu Mingyan planned to bring along.
As a result, it angrily followed behind her, screeching complaints the entire way.
When they finally reached Bright Creek Forest and Hongzhui saw Fuchuan, it completely lost control.
Why did Fuchuan get an entire forest to itself?
They were both Zhu Mingyan’s spirit beasts!
And why was Fuchuan’s collar so normal-looking while its own was so ridiculous?
Feeling Hongzhui’s hostility, Fuchuan was unwilling to back down and opened its mouth as if to argue back.
But Zhu Mingyan tugged on its collar.
“No fighting! ”
She pointed at Fuchuan sternly, then turned to Hongzhui and frowned.
“And you too. Why are you making so much noise this early in the morning? Fuchuan is new here. Why can’t you be a little more accommodating? You talk more than anyone.”
“Come on. We’re heading to the secret realm entrance.”
Fuchuan immediately quieted down. It glared fiercely at Hongzhui a few times before hurrying after Zhu Mingyan.
Hongzhui sulked for a while but eventually followed as well.
The entrance to the secret realm was located on Huai’an Peak.
Because the realm was opening today, the area was already crowded with disciples. Most had formed teams in advance.
News of Zhu Mingyan practically demolishing part of Huai’an Peak during training had already spread throughout the sect.
Everyone was curious about her current strength and the mysterious spirit beast she possessed.
Now that she appeared with two spirit beasts, the surrounding discussions became even more intense.
Zhu Mingyan could not care less.
She coaxed the still-angry Hongzhui onto her shoulder, tugged lightly on Fuchuan’s collar, and went to the agreed meeting place to wait for Ning Qiubai.
Just as the opening time approached, Ning Qiubai finally arrived, panting heavily, with numerous medicine bottles hanging from her waist.
The moment she saw the thing around Hongzhui’s neck, she almost burst out laughing.
“You still haven’t taken that collar off Hongzhui? It looks way too… too funny.”
Before Zhu Mingyan could answer, the surroundings suddenly fell silent.
A clear voice rang out:
“Everyone, please remain quiet. The Burning Heart Secret Realm is about to open. On behalf of the Sect Master, I will explain this year’s trial rules and precautions.”
Zhu Mingyan looked toward the speaker.
At the front of the crowd stood a tall female cultivator dressed in black robes with wide sleeves. She had sharp brows and bright eyes.
It was the Vice Sect Master, Yu Chunqiao.
“As in previous years, everyone entering the secret realm must carry the wooden token distributed to them. The token will record the monsters you defeat inside the realm. Different monsters are worth different amounts of points.”
As she spoke, she waved her hand.
A massive ranking board appeared before everyone.
“The trial lasts for three days. Every night, the current rankings will be announced. At the end of the third day, the top three names on the board will each be allowed to choose one magical treasure from the second floor of the Treasure Pavilion.”
The Broken Blade Sect’s Treasure Pavilion had four floors.
The top floor contained treasures powerful enough to protect the entire sect. The lower the floor, the lower the treasure quality.
Normally, most inner disciples could only enter the first floor, while outer disciples rarely had any chance to enter at all.
The reward for this trial was extremely attractive.
As soon as Yu Chunqiao finished speaking, excitement spread visibly through the crowd.
“In addition, the secret realm contains both great opportunities and great dangers. If you encounter a life-threatening situation, immediately break your wooden token. An elder will quickly arrive to rescue you.”
“After entering the realm, everyone will be randomly transported to different locations. However, if several people step through the light curtain at the same time, they will be sent to the same location.”
The disciples patiently listened as Yu Chunqiao finished explaining the rules.
At last, it was time to open the secret realm.
Yu Chunqiao walked to the stone gate that served as the entrance. She placed a token left behind by Li Xiushan into a specially designed slot and sent a stream of spiritual energy into it.
The stone gate let out a deep rumble.
Inside the empty doorway, a pale moon-white curtain of light slowly appeared.
Beyond that curtain lay the Burning Heart Secret Realm.