Atop a mountain peak, Xu Ning stood with his hands behind his back, his dark robe fluttering in the wind as he looked down at the masses below with an aloof gaze.
Behind him were Yao Ling’er and two other women, and behind them, a group of powerful experts from the Great Zhou imperial family. Leading the group were three Heaven Venerable Realm cultivators, while the rest were all at the peak of the 9th stage Creation Realm.
Ever since he had “taken” Zhou Shuxian’s body, Zhou Yan had come to regard him as his own son-in-law and sent every elite expert the imperial family could muster to protect him.
Xu Ning didn’t reject the arrangement and accepted it gladly.
After all, as a major villain, if he didn’t have a few followers and lackeys at his side and had to do everything himself, not only would it be undignified, but also extremely inconvenient.
He wasn’t in a rush to enter the secret realm. Instead, he sent the imperial experts to scout for information and soon learned everything about the secret realm.
“Tsk tsk, as expected of the Child of Destiny—truly favored by Daddy Heaven.”
“A Great Saint Realm expert’s inheritance, with a restriction limiting entry to below the Heaven Venerable Realm… this is practically a custom-made experience dungeon for Long Lingtian.”
“Once this Demon Lord’s Heavenly Tomb trip is over, the result is predictable. All the major factions will lose their shirts, while Long Lingtian will gain everything—breaking through to the Heaven Venerable Realm and obtaining powerful techniques and divine abilities.”
“Unfortunately, with a variable like me here, Daddy Heaven’s plan is doomed to fail!”
As Xu Ning muttered to himself, the imperial experts behind him looked confused but remained respectful, like students listening to a teacher’s lesson.
Zhou Yan had ordered them to serve this future “imperial son-in-law” properly—even if Xu Ning told them to die, they couldn’t hesitate.
“Let’s go,” Xu Ning said indifferently, transforming into a divine rainbow and flying toward the secret realm.
Though his cultivation would be suppressed inside, he still had countless ways to crush Long Lingtian.
The entrance to the secret realm was a spatial rift dozens of meters tall, embedded between the mountains, resembling a black hole from his previous life.
Wisps of mist surged from within, radiating a terrifying devouring force.
Stepping into it meant entering another world.
Around the entrance, cultivators from all major factions had already gathered.
Most of them were at the Origin Return Realm, with some at the 9th stage Creation Realm. Leaders from major factions had even reached half-step Heaven Venerable Realm.
Their eyes burned with desire and greed. They had grouped together and guarded the entrance, demanding tolls from anyone attempting to enter.
There were also silent, scheming types lurking in the shadows, like hunters waiting for prey—clearly ready to kill and plunder.
“That’s…”
“People from the imperial family!”
As soon as Xu Ning arrived with the group of imperial experts, some cultivators were visibly surprised.
They quickly guessed Xu Ning’s identity and gasped in shock.
“It’s… it’s Young Master Xu Ning!”
“This is bad, get out of the way!”
The forces lingering around the secret realm’s entrance weren’t good people—most were top-tier powers of the Great Zhou Empire, and some were ruthless types who lived by the sword.
But when faced with Xu Ning—the “vicious and brutal claw of the female emperor”—they were nothing but small fish. No one dared to block his path. They quickly scattered and retreated, leaving a clear path several hundred meters wide.
Many young prodigies who had followed their elders to gain experience also cast admiring or worshipful gazes toward Xu Ning, their reverent expressions akin to pilgrims.
Xu Ning’s reputation was at its peak. He was already viewed as the number one among the younger generation in the Xuansheng Heavenly Domain—a figure admired by all.
Feeling all those eyes fixed on him, Xu Ning couldn’t help but chuckle.
If he were the Child of Destiny, some fool would definitely jump out right now to mock and ridicule him.
But unfortunately for them… he was the villain.
No one dared provoke him!
Ignoring everyone around, he stepped into the secret realm without hesitation.
Buzz!
A profound spatial force surged through his body. The world spun, sky and earth reversed.
When he regained his senses, he found himself standing in an open grassland.
A vast pressure, like that of mountains, slammed down on him. He quickly restrained his aura and suppressed his cultivation to the peak of the 9th stage Creation Realm.
Looking around, he saw a boundless plain shrouded in celestial mist and auspicious radiance.
Groups of cultivators wearing various faction uniforms were scattered across the area, clearly having formed their own cliques.
When they noticed Xu Ning and the respectful imperial experts behind him, they quickly gave way after recognizing his identity. However, they didn’t retreat too far, as if they were wary of something in the distance.
Feeling the thick spiritual energy in the air, the imperial experts behind Xu Ning were intoxicated and couldn’t help but sigh.
“This place is truly a sacred land for cultivation. Forget treasures—just cultivating here for a day is equivalent to ten days outside!”
“This secret realm must be incredibly ancient to have accumulated such rich spiritual energy!”
The spiritual energy here was rich, sure—but only comparable to the outer region of the Xu Residence. It was hardly impressive. Only these backwater bumpkin cultivators would find it amazing.
Suddenly, as if sensing something, he raised an eyebrow and smiled playfully.
“So that’s it. Daddy Heaven really went all out to prop up that piece of trash Long Lingtian.”
“In a world like this, I’m guessing only those with a token can enter the deeper areas.”
“Good thing I made preparations and left Yuwen Shuang by Long Lingtian’s side as a spy. Otherwise, things would’ve gotten troublesome.”
Just then, a Heaven Venerable Realm expert from the imperial family suddenly cried out, “The spatial laws here are different from the outside! The space here is chaotic!”
Everyone was shocked, their expressions filled with fear.
The implications of a chaotic spatial structure were obvious.
Without special means, even if one spent their entire life here, they might never take a single proper step forward—and could end up permanently lost!
Even Zhou Shuxian, who was well-informed, couldn’t help but go pale. “Your Highness, no one in our clan comprehends the Dao of Space. Entering recklessly might lead to getting lost. Please reconsider.”
Yao Ling’er and Yuwen Rou also looked uneasy but said nothing.
The two had followed Xu Ning for many days. Having seen his scheming and methods, they had an unexplainable confidence in him.
“No need,” Xu Ning replied calmly, as if everything was within his expectations.
With that, he followed the spatial imprints left by Yuwen Shuang and stepped forward, moving more than 30 meters away.
The imperial experts hesitated. Zhou Shuxian’s face grew even paler, but recalling her father’s command, she reluctantly followed.
“As expected of Young Master Xu Ning—he dares to act even in this situation!”
“Could it be that he has some understanding of the Dao of Space?”
“I doubt it. Young Master Xu Ning is overconfident. He might end up tripping over himself this time!”
The crowd murmured in astonishment, with many sighs and whispers.
Though Xu Ning’s reputation was sky-high, he was still part of the younger generation. No one truly believed he could navigate a chaotic space realm like this.
Under his lead, everyone’s figures began to distort under the pull of space, and soon, they vanished without a trace.