The secret realm opened, and the people who had been silent in the forest rushed in, for fear that the treasures would be taken by others if they were late.
Mu Qingdai no longer cared about Bai Ran and rushed in with her team.
The entrance instantly became empty, leaving only two groups standing still.
The five people in the other group were all wearing long black robes, covering their faces and only revealing their eyes, looking somewhat suspicious.
Ghosts?
A soul was seen following closely behind them.
Bai Ran glanced at them and did not interfere. "Let's go."
The group entered the secret realm.
After a moment of dizziness, she found herself standing on a vast, boundless lake, under a clear blue sky and into crystal-clear water.
The water and sky merged into one, creating a scene of extreme tranquility and beauty.
It seemed they had been separated.
Bai Ran walked steadily on the lake, creating ripples that spread outwards, seemingly without end.
On the other side, Qin Mubai and the others appeared in a bamboo forest.
"Sister Bai is gone!"
Fang Tianhui looked around anxiously, suddenly realizing that Sister Bai had disappeared.
"Let's look for her!" Qin Mubai shouted.
The five of them had entered together, but now only Bai Ran was missing?
What was going on?
"Could it be..." Wu Zhuo hesitated, looking at Mu Zikun.
Mu Zikun nodded, his eyes filled with worry. "No need to look."
"She has likely been chosen."
"Chosen?" Qin Mubai looked at Mu Zikun in confusion.
They had thought it was just a legend, but it turned out to be real.
There had always been a rumor in the royal family of the Azure Dragon Kingdom, but it was so secretive that not many people knew about it.
It was rumored that there was indeed an Azure Dragon in the Azure Dragon Secret Realm, and the entire secret realm was a manifestation of the Azure Dragon. Everything within the secret realm was merely an illusion.
The Azure Dragon had created the secret realm and existed for thousands of years, waiting for a destined one.
The moment the destined one appeared, they would disappear and enter another space. There was nothing there, only a boundless lake, and no one could interfere.
However, if someone who was not the destined one accidentally entered this other space, they would be killed by the Azure Dragon and sunk to the bottom of the lake.
But since the treasures obtained in the secret realm did not disappear after exiting, the news that the Azure Dragon Secret Realm was an illusion was broken, and the legend faded into obscurity.
Yet, as it appeared now, Bai Ran had indeed vanished.
After Mu Zikun's explanation, the mood of the group became somber.
Qin Mubai and Fang Tianhui knew that Bai Ran was the guardian of the Vermilion Bird Kingdom, which made them even more worried about her safety.
She already possessed the Vermilion Bird, so she shouldn't have any connection with the Azure Dragon.
It seemed she had stumbled in by mistake.
The thought of Bai Ran potentially being in danger instantly plunged them into despair, creating a heavy atmosphere.
"Why are you so dejected? She's Bai Ran!" Qin Mubai cheered himself up.
"Bai Ran is a woman who only creates miracles, so don't worry needlessly."
What a silly brute.
Looking at Qin Mubai's demeanor, Fang Tianhui also felt a little more at ease.
Anyone else might have trouble, but Bai Ran definitely wouldn't.
"What did you call her?" Mu Zikun stared at Qin Mubai blankly. He thought he heard Bai Ran's name?
Qin Mubai immediately covered his mouth. Oh no, he had let it slip.
And it had to be heard by the Crown Prince of the Azure Dragon Kingdom. Anyone else might not recognize Bai Ran, but the Crown Prince definitely would!
Qin Mubai swallowed, his forehead breaking out in a cold sweat.
"You heard wrong! It was Bai Li!"
Fang Tianhui gestured wildly with nervous hands, mentally cursing Qin Mubai a thousand times.
"But I also heard Bai Ran, and she said it twice," Wu Zhuo tilted his head, looking at Fang Tianhui.
Well, it was over, they were exposed.
Fang Tianhui shot Qin Mubai a dagger-like glare, making him flinch.
The last time, just for eavesdropping, he hadn't slept for three days. This time, he had even exposed Sister Bai's name. What a teammate!
Wu Zhuo looked at their interaction, a little confused, and turned his clear eyes to Mu Zikun.
Mu Zikun smiled at him and ruffled his hair.
"No matter who she is, she is our benefactor."
Wu Zhuo smiled back and nodded.
The two walked ahead calmly, followed by two extremely guilty individuals.
Bai Ran, trapped in another space, was completely unaware that her identity had been exposed.
Boundless, how could she get out?
She squatted down, looking at the lake below.
At that moment, the reflection of Bai Ran in the lake actually changed!
Her face slowly transformed, reverting to her original appearance, and she offered Bai Ran a stunning smile.
"You've come."
"You are the Azure Dragon," Bai Ran stated, her tone certain, without a hint of surprise.
"Not enough, you're still not enough..."
The voice of Bai Ran in the lake grew louder and softer, as if on the verge of dissipation.
"Your heart... is not strong enough..."
Heart?
Bai Ran frowned, and the Bai Ran on the water suddenly disappeared.
In her place, it was her brother from her past life!
"Long time no see, why have you become so thin?"
The familiar, incredibly familiar voice, triggered memories that had been buried deep within her heart.
Bai Ran's face turned pale, and she clenched her fists tightly, striking out at him, only to splash a large amount of water and create huge ripples.
The water gradually calmed, and the Bai Ran in the lake reappeared.
"If one day you can completely let go..."
"I will come to your side and become your new support..."
Completely let go?
Would there be such a day?
Bai Ran smiled, a hint of powerlessness in her expression.
Trust had been misplaced, her heart had shattered, and piecing it back together into a complete heart was not easy...
Who would tirelessly stand by her side forever...
"Girl."
Bai Ran's thoughts were abruptly pulled back. Long Jinhan?
"I can't find your location."
On the other end, he was stroking his earring, his eyes filled with deep concern.
Bai Ran froze, and for a moment, all her hatred turned into grievance.
Long Jinhan...
She lowered her eyelids, suddenly longing to see him.
"Long Jinhan..."
"Yes?" His voice was still deep and captivating.
"I'm fine..."
On the other end, he also froze. His voice, softer than ever before, felt like a feather brushing against his heart, tickling it.
Just as he was about to speak, he realized the connection had been cut.
A hint of helplessness crossed Long Jinhan's breathtakingly beautiful face, but his eyes were filled with adoration.
Bai Ran steadied her mind, the space fluctuated, and she instantly appeared before the four of them.
"Sister Bai!" Fang Tianhui exclaimed, startled, then rushed into her arms with joy.
"You're finally back! Wuwuwu!" Qin Mubai looked at Bai Ran pitifully.
Mu Zikun and Wu Zhuo stood awkwardly in place. Although they were very happy, the rumors from the Four Nations Competition made them a little afraid of Bai Ran.
She immediately noticed their unease.
"What happened?"
As soon as the words fell, Fang Tianhui's body stiffened, Qin Mubai whistled, and his eyes darted around.
"He did it!" Fang Tianhui raised her head and pointed at Qin Mubai.
Damn it! Did she have to sell me out so quickly!
Qin Mubai maintained a calm exterior, but inwardly, he was sweating profusely from fear.
What should I do? Waiting online, urgently.