Chapter 55: The Hidden Dragon Secret Realm—Storm Rising

Chapter 55: The Hidden Dragon Secret Realm—Storm Rising

Time passed slowly.

The various murmurs gradually quieted.

Suddenly, a thunderous roar erupted from within the valley, like the fury of heaven or the collective roar of dragons, carrying an astonishing might. It transformed into layers of soundwaves that surged outward like tidal waves, causing the expressions of all the prodigies to shift, their hearts trembling.

Immediately after, beams of rainbow light shot out from the Hidden Dragon Valley, soaring into the sky.

Accompanied by the radiant glow, the dragon's roar grew increasingly fierce and intense. Strands of rainbow light gathered above the valley, coiling and twisting as if forming a seven-colored dragon, ready to ascend to the heavens.

For a moment, everyone’s gaze was drawn to the spectacle.

"The Hidden Dragon Secret Realm is about to open!"

"I’ve waited three years, deliberately holding back from breaking through to the Aperture Opening Realm—just for this moment!"

"This time, I will seize my fortune within the Hidden Dragon Secret Realm and shatter my limits!"

Excited voices rose one after another.

Before long, a series of dragon-like hums reverberated continuously. A fissure gradually appeared outside the Hidden Dragon Valley, rapidly expanding as torrents of rainbow light gushed forth, forming an oval-shaped portal.

"The portal to the Hidden Dragon Secret Realm is open. Remember—you may only remain inside for three days."

A majestic voice, ancient and profound, resounded as if piercing through layers of space, carrying an overwhelming authority.

Those who failed to leave within three days would be trapped forever, their very bodies erased by the next opening.

"Now, the three Sacred Land-level factions may enter first."

Members of the Nangong Imperial Clan, Tianyuan Sacred Land, and Zhenwu Sacred Land swiftly moved, rushing toward the rainbow-lit portal.

The portal stood five meters tall and three meters wide, allowing multiple people to enter simultaneously.

Soon, the seven to eight hundred prodigies and peerless geniuses from the three Sacred Land-level factions had all entered the Hidden Dragon Secret Realm.

The disciples of the remaining factions watched with burning eyes, their hearts itching with impatience.

Yet none dared to overstep.

In the past, those who disregarded the order and forced their way in were crushed into dust.

A slight delay was far better than being annihilated.

"Disciples of the seven first-rate factions may now enter."

The same powerful voice rang out once more.

Immediately, a group of sword-bearing figures darted forward, their auras razor-sharp as if capable of piercing through all obstacles. They were the disciples of Juejian Palace.

At the same time, another group, wielding long blades, surged forth with equal momentum, vying for precedence against the swordsmen.

These were the disciples of Tian Dao Sect.

Following them were members of the Yang Family, Xiao Family, Ba Yue Sect, and Qi Sha Hall, all erupting into motion.

"Move!" Yuan Hualong commanded in a low voice, leading the charge.

Among the Huntian Sect’s disciples in recent years, Yuan Hualong’s Innate Divine Trait was considered supreme. As a cultivator at the Twelfth Transformation of the Body Forging Realm and a Sect Heir Candidate, he naturally held a leading position.

Even though Chen Feng had defeated the three Quasi-Saints of Tianyuan Sacred Land and been promoted to Quasi-Sect Heir, his prestige still paled in comparison to Yuan Hualong’s.

Of course, Chen Feng had no intention of stepping forward to compete for anything at the moment. There was simply no need for it. One must understand priorities and urgency in life.

Batch after batch of people continuously surged into the portal, as if swallowed and vanished by the rainbow light.

"Disciple, be wary of the Tianyuan Sacred Land," Wang Yuandao's voice reached Chen Feng the moment he stepped into the rainbow-lit portal.

Finally, over a thousand elite disciples from the seven top-tier factions had all entered the Hidden Dragon Secret Realm.

The members of the Heavenly Arms Sect were restless but had no choice but to suppress their impulses. They already believed they could replace the Huntian Sect, so watching the Huntian Sect disciples enter the portal first filled them with frustration.

"Don’t worry. By the next opening of the Hidden Dragon Secret Realm, our Heavenly Arms Sect will already be among the top ten," a elder said solemnly.

...

Upon stepping into the rainbow portal, Chen Feng felt himself enveloped by an irresistible force, as if being propelled forward at great speed. All around him, dazzling, multicolored radiance shimmered brilliantly. It felt like an eternity had passed, yet also as brief as a few breaths.

Then, the unstoppable force surrounding him vanished.

Lifting his gaze, he saw a vast sky, like an enormous sapphire embedded above—seemingly within reach yet infinitely distant. The air around him was refreshingly pure, invigorating his very being with each breath. It felt like a pristine stream cleansing him inside and out, leaving him light and euphoric, as if all impurities had been purged.

Nearby, lush green grass thrived with vitality, seemingly exhaling wisps of spiritual mist. Chen Feng keenly sensed that even these seemingly ordinary roadside plants would be considered rare herbs in places like the Great Xia Kingdom, beneficial to low-level Body Forging Realm martial artists.

Of course, to him, they were utterly useless.

Chen Feng didn’t bother gathering these wild grasses—there was no need. After all, the distant forests and valleys were already glowing with radiant light, soaring into the sky, undoubtedly concealing extraordinary spiritual herbs and other opportunities.

Wasting time plucking weeds would be like discarding a watermelon to pick up a sesame seed.

The disciples of the three Sacred Land-level factions who had entered first were long gone, each seeking their own fortunes elsewhere.

"Junior Brother Chen, shall we move together?" Xiao Xuanwu asked Chen Feng.

"I’ll act alone," Chen Feng replied casually, noticing Ye Yunqi and others watching intently.

Xiao Xuanwu nodded and said nothing more. After all, as a peerless genius with a top-tier Saint-Grade Divine Trait and a Quasi-Sect Heir, he had already extended an invitation. Pressing further after being refused would be beneath his dignity.

Hearing Chen Feng’s response, Ye Yunqi’s eyes flickered with concealed delight. He had been worried Chen Feng might accept Xiao Xuanwu’s offer.

That would have made targeting Chen Feng difficult.

After all, killing a fellow sect brother—especially a Quasi-Sect Heir—would bring severe consequences if discovered.

Only by eliminating Chen Feng here, without anyone knowing, could he both remove a future threat and vent his hatred.

"Though we compete within the sect, outside we must remain united," Yuan Hualong declared with authority, sweeping his gaze across the group.

With that, everyone dispersed.

Every moment delayed could mean one less chance at obtaining an opportunity.

Among the over a hundred disciples of the Huntian Sect, most chose to form small teams of two or three, while only a handful acted alone.

"Let's go."

Ye Yunqi and his two companions were the slowest to move. They observed the directions taken by the others and eventually locked onto the path Chen Feng had taken. After deliberately slowing their pace for a dozen breaths, they immediately set off in pursuit.

Initially, they did not rush to close the distance.

After all, with everyone having just departed, the timing was not yet right.

As the Huntian Sect disciples scattered, figures emerged one after another from the rainbow light-shrouded portal.

These were the elite disciples from the various first-rate factions of the Eastern Wasteland, numbering over a thousand in total.

"Move!"

"Hurry! We can’t let the top ten sect disciples take all the opportunities!"

Voices rang out continuously as the crowd dispersed in all directions.

"First, search for opportunities. If you encounter any Huntian Sect disciples, seize the chance to eliminate them," said the Sword-and-Sword-Bearing Youth.

"Leave Chen Feng’s life to me," the Scarred Youth with a Halberd sneered, his killing intent palpable, his aura at the peak of the Eleventh Transformation of the Body Forging Realm overwhelmingly fierce.

"Don’t worry, we won’t compete with you for him," the Red-Clothed Woman chuckled.

The disciples of the Heavenly Arms Sect also scattered in all directions.

Before long, the elite disciples of the first-rate factions had all moved far from the portal.

Roughly an hour later...

"After him!"

Ye Yunqi and his two companions immediately unleashed their full speed and charged forward in pursuit.