Volume One, Chapter 52: Preparations Before Entering the Secret Realm

The atmosphere in the bar shifted from relaxed to tense with just one sentence.

Jiang Chen leaned against the bar and ordered a bottle of champagne. After pouring himself a glass, he waited quietly to see what would happen next.

"Three million for a spot. If you want to join, you can sign up with me. Only half an hour," the man declared, not caring who might participate or bothering to promote the event. It was as if, having spoken, the matter no longer concerned him at all.

"Hell, even if it were five hundred thousand, I’d try to scrape it together. But three million to buy my life? No way," scoffed a burly man wearing a pig-faced mask.

Though most people’s expressions were hidden, Jiang Chen could hear many around him whispering about pooling their money for a chance to explore the secret realm.

Jiang Chen walked over to the burly man in the pig-faced mask and poured him a glass of champagne, sliding it over. The man glanced at Jiang Chen, then downed the drink in one gulp.

"Brother, are you thinking of going in?" the man asked in a friendly tone.

"I’d like to, but I don’t have any connections. Who knows how dangerous it’ll be," Jiang Chen replied, doing his best to play the role of a novice.

Seeing that Jiang Chen was inexperienced, the man grew interested.

He explained, "There are three kinds of secret realms: S, A, and B. B is the lowest. Most B-level realms are simple, with plenty of treasures inside, so lots of people choose them. But there’s still the risk of dying."

Jiang Chen nodded, pretending to listen intently. "What about A-level? It’s in between S and B. I suppose the risk is moderate?"

The man scooted his chair closer. "No, that’s not it. A-level secret realms are the highest ordinary cultivators can attempt. There, you might find top-tier treasures. But the danger is enough to make anyone think twice."

As their conversation went on, time slipped by. The burly man happily regaled Jiang Chen with tales and rumors about the secret realms, until Jiang Chen began to grow bored and sleepy.

With only five minutes left, the man wanted to tell Jiang Chen about the S-level realms, but Jiang Chen excused himself, saying he needed to rest.

The S-level secret realm was something he preferred not to recall. Even now, he had no desire ever to enter one again.

"Time flies by. I trust you’ve all decided whether to sign up," the man announced, fighting off a yawn, eager to bring the registration to a close.

At the same time, Jiang Chen, now in a different disguise, was seated by the entrance.

"I’m signing up! Where do I pay?" The voice was muffled, but by the figure, it was clear it was a woman, much slighter than most present.

"Pay on the left. Full payment only, no tabs," the man said, producing a card reader and handing her a token.

After receiving the token, the woman left through a secret passage hidden in the bar.

The minutes dragged on. Altogether, only four people registered.

To enter an A-level secret realm with just four people was almost certain death, so the group continued to wait.

"I’ll pay six million. Can we get two more people, so long as they’re at the True Qi level?" announced one of the last registrants, openly recruiting assistance right in the bar.

Inside, a man sitting five meters from Jiang Chen raised his hand. Jiang Chen followed suit immediately after.

"I’ll cover the cost for both of you, but since I’m paying, you’ll need to do your part," the man instructed before being ushered out the back.

Jiang Chen and the other new recruit, naturally, didn’t have to pay. He didn’t have a penny to his name—he’d have to think twice even about adding an egg to a street snack.

With a generous benefactor, Jiang Chen was happy to tag along; protecting the man, as far as he was concerned, was a small price to pay for a free entry. Besides, it was much safer to join a team than to blunder through the secret realm alone—he’d regret it bitterly if he accidentally triggered a collapse.

After being led out, Jiang Chen examined the token, which bore the address of a private website. Once home, he entered the address and was immediately added to a group.

There were only seven people in the group, meaning only seven would enter the secret realm this time.

Within the group, Jiang Chen found his benefactor, who had even created a smaller chat for himself and the other hired hand.

The employer was easygoing, only asking that Jiang Chen and his companion look after him, provided their own safety was assured. Otherwise, he placed no further demands.

Jiang Chen had seldom encountered such a generous and undemanding employer. Usually, clients were either impossibly picky or had a death wish. To find someone who paid well and required little protection was rare—unless, of course, the employer was powerful enough to view their efforts as unnecessary.

Before the secret realm opened, Jiang Chen arrived early at the entrance, only to find the others had beaten him there.

No one would guide them into the secret realm; it all relied on personal ability. Entry times and details were strictly confidential. Leaking such information would bring down the wrath of the 509 organization, so secrecy was a prerequisite for all participants and gatherings.

The seven of them watched each other from different positions. Jiang Chen ignored them, briefly gathering his thoughts before tossing three coins into the air—two heads, one tails: the outcome uncertain.

Since their employer had spent nine million this time, he was considered one of the leaders of their small group.

He gathered everyone together. "For safety’s sake, I won’t ask your real names. Each of you, choose a code name. Then I’ll give you a badge to wear for ease of communication."

After a moment’s thought, Jiang Chen wrote his code name: "Jiang Wan."

A name of great importance to him.

His employer chose the name "Yuzhou" with evident amusement.

The others each picked their own code names.

Once everyone had chosen, Yuzhou addressed the group. "It’s dangerous in there. If you can trust each other, all the better. But even if you can’t, don’t stab anyone in the back. If you’re caught, the others will deal with you."

Human nature was unpredictable, so no one had shown their true face, either in the bar or here. Everyone tacitly kept their identities hidden.

Seeing that it was almost time, Yuzhou gave a final warning: "Once inside, don’t touch anything, no matter what you see, unless I confirm it’s safe. Of course, if you have a death wish, go ahead—but we’ll immediately retreat to safety and let you deal with the consequences alone."

The opening of the secret realm was not dramatic or earth-shaking. Instead, a black hole simply appeared on a patch of open ground. It might last for a long time, or only briefly, so they had to enter the very instant it opened, or be left behind.

"One last thing before we go in—once we’re inside, we’ll be scattered in different places. Try your best to find your teammates. Only then can we explore deeper. Good luck, everyone. See you in the secret realm!"