"Furthermore, if any of you do not wish to compete for rankings, you can also seek refuge with our Blazing Fire Sect. I, Wu Quangui, guarantee your safety within the secret realm."
"As for the price, it will be half of whatever you obtain in the secret realm, given to the Blazing Fire Sect!"
Wu Quangui said with a smile to everyone present.
This ancient secret realm was a treasure left behind by the five sects and four families of the entire southwest region in ancient times. Even he was eager for the heavenly materials and earthly treasures within.
However, to open this secret realm, all the patriarchs of the five sects and four families had to be present and present their tokens before it could be opened.
Although he was powerful now, he was truly unable to contend with all the other forces by himself.
But now, if he caused trouble within the secret realm, who could stop him?
"Senior Sister, after we go in, you should find a place to set up a formation first. I will find you as soon as possible!"
While Wu Quangui was speaking above, Lin Chen found Zhang Ying and instructed her.
Although Zhang Ying's current cultivation was only at the late stage of Foundation Establishment, if her formation was activated, ordinary cultivators would not be able to do anything to her!
Moreover, she had a protective amulet personally refined by their master, which could withstand three attacks.
This meant that even if Wu Quangui personally attacked Zhang Ying, she would still have some ability to protect herself!
"Mm, don't worry, I know."
Zhang Ying nodded, her face resolute.
She deeply understood that in this Southwest Grand Competition, Lin Chen was facing enemies from all sides.
In the past few days, Lin Chen's relationship with Long Yuling had become closer and closer.
Although she did not show any emotion, she still felt a little lost in her heart.
However, she also knew that with Long Yuling, the eldest young lady of the Long family, her help to Lin Chen would certainly be greater than hers!
If she wanted to stay by Lin Chen's side, she had to demonstrate her value!
And this time, Lin Chen was isolated and helpless in the Southwest Grand Competition, it was time for her, as the senior sister, to play her part!
"Alright, the rules have been made clear. Esteemed Patriarchs, let us open the secret realm together!"
As he spoke, Wu Quangui looked at the surrounding patriarchs with a meaningful smile in his eyes.
"Good, let's open the secret realm."
Sun Zhiqian stepped forward first and presented the Sun family's token.
Soon after, the patriarchs of the other powers also stepped forward, and with the combined strength of ten people, they opened the formation of the secret realm.
"Whoosh!"
As the formation of the secret realm opened, everyone who was standing on the competition stage was instantly enveloped by a beam of light.
When Lin Chen opened his eyes again, he found himself in a primeval forest.
He had to admit that the spiritual energy within this secret realm was indeed abundant, almost a world of difference compared to the outside.
"Holy crap, is this Sword Emperor Grass?"
"Huh? Is this Purple Demonic Vine?"
As Lin Chen surveyed his surroundings, he discovered that spiritual grasses and herbs were growing everywhere around him.
Although these were all low-level spiritual grasses, they were numerous!
"Damn, this secret realm truly lives up to its reputation!"
Seeing the treasures scattered everywhere, Lin Chen was completely moved.
Without any hesitation, he transformed into a sweeping maniac, directly collecting the various spiritual grasses and herbs around him into his Nine Dragon Ring.
After clearing away the surrounding treasures, Lin Chen carefully observed the environment again.
It was a vast valley, occupying a large area, and most importantly, there was a layer of mist above the valley that blocked all his spiritual senses.
"This means that even Wu Quangui cannot use his spiritual senses to detect my location."
Seeing the mist in the sky, Lin Chen felt a little relieved.
This was finally some good news!
"Tsk tsk tsk, truly, it's like finding a needle in a haystack, and yet it appears effortlessly!"
However, just as Lin Chen was contemplating where to gather spiritual herbs next, a cold laugh suddenly came from his side.
Hearing this voice, Lin Chen instinctively became alert.
Good heavens, with his spiritual senses blocked, he hadn't even noticed someone hiding nearby!
In that instant, Lin Chen broke out in a cold sweat.
If the speaker had directly attacked him from behind, wouldn't he have become a corpse by now?
"Who are you?"
Lin Chen immediately turned his head, and the White Dragon Sword instantly appeared in his hand, vigilantly looking towards a large tree nearby.
"Tsk tsk tsk, a spiritual artifact, not bad, young man. You actually possess such a treasure."
As the voice faded, a middle-aged man in casual attire slowly walked out from behind the large tree, his eyes filled with greed as he looked at Lin Chen.
"Middle stage Core Formation cultivator. What? Are you planning to attack me?"
Seeing the aura of this person, Lin Chen's vigilance slightly relaxed.
Fortunately, fortunately, this person, relying on his powerful strength, did not ambush him just now.
Otherwise, he would have really become a corpse by now.
"Lin Chen, a retainer of the Long family. My young master said that if you cripple your cultivation and bring you to him, there will be a reward of three spirit pills."
"Be obedient, hand over the spiritual artifact in your hand obediently, and kneel down for me to cripple your cultivation. I can make things easier for you."
"You are only at the early stage of Core Formation. Facing me, you have no chance of winning!"
The middle-aged man's face was full of disdain, not taking Lin Chen seriously at all.
The middle stage and early stage of Core Formation, though seemingly separated by a thin line, contained an extremely vast chasm, which was absolutely not so easily crossed!
His middle stage Core Formation cultivation dealing with Lin Chen in front of him was like a father beating his son!
"Startling Swan! Kill!"
Lin Chen wasted no words. Before the middle-aged man could react, the first form of the Spirit Sword Art was unleashed.
He was never someone who would wait for danger to approach!
"Ching!"
The White Dragon Sword moved with extreme speed, instantly slicing across the middle-aged man's throat, killing him with one strike!
"You are right. Facing the middle stage with the early stage of Core Formation indeed does not have much chance of winning."
"But you shouldn't have underestimated me."
Lin Chen slowly walked over, looking at the middle-aged man whose eyes were wide with disbelief, a hint of a cold smile appearing on his face.
If this person had not been careless and had directly attacked from the shadows, perhaps the one lying on the ground at this moment would have been him!
With a casual wave of his hand, Lin Chen took the middle-aged man's storage bag.
After erasing the spiritual imprint, besides the distributed spirit talismans, there was only a pile of junk inside.
"Poor dog."
Looking at the pile of junk in the storage bag, Lin Chen sighed slightly and turned to leave.
"Hey, hey, hey! Big shot!"
However, Lin Chen had only taken two steps when a clear voice came from behind him.
Hearing this voice, Lin Chen's footsteps paused, and his White Dragon Sword was ready to strike.
"No, no, no! Big shot, I have no ill intentions. I just want to latch onto a strong back!"
However, when Lin Chen turned around, he saw that where he had just been standing, there was now a pretty little loli, blinking her eyes and staring at him.