Chapter 27:secret Realm Storm

Qing Wan opened her eyes, feeling the surge of strength within her and the increasingly solid sword intent, her gaze deep and resolute.

‘…Still not enough.’

‘Far from enough.’

Outside the secret realm, at Canglan Sect’s Jinghong Peak.

Shu Yue stood in the hall, a water mirror floating before her, its blurry surface reflecting the Wind Eye Secret Realm’s entrance.

The trial was more than half over, with disciples emerging—some battered, others laden with gains.

Her divine sense seemed calm but was constantly attuned to the entrance’s activity.

‘She hasn’t come out… To last this long with her cultivation is already a miracle. Has she found a safe hiding spot, or…’

She didn’t dare think further.

The minor teleportation talisman showed no reaction, meaning Qing Wan’s life wasn’t in immediate danger.

But that didn’t ease her mind.

Wan Qing still visited frequently, playing her zither or discussing the Dao.

Though Shu Yue maintained a calm facade, her distraction was obvious to Wan Qing’s perceptive eyes.

“Elder, you seem unsettled lately. Are you worried about the disciples in the secret realm?” Wan Qing asked softly, her zither notes carrying a soothing power.

Shu Yue snapped back, replying faintly, “The path of cultivation is shaped by fate and opportunity. Worry is useless.”

Wan Qing smiled gently, saying no more, but her zither’s melody shifted, becoming more ethereal and calming.

The wait felt interminably long.

In the secret realm, Qing Wan, having stabilized her cultivation at Qi Refining eighth layer, pressed onward. Her newfound strength gave her the confidence to explore more dangerous areas.

Following Chu Yi’s mention of an “anomalous energy fluctuation,” she moved cautiously toward it.

The closer she got, the more volatile the air became, with small-scale energy storms and denser spatial rifts appearing!

She faced danger multiple times but overcame each with fierce determination and her increasingly refined swordsmanship.

The Silent Heart Sword Art thrived in such extreme conditions, her sword heart growing colder and firmer with each brush with death.

Finally, she passed through a distorted energy turbulence zone, and the view opened up!

Before her lay a vast basin, at its center not a rare herb or ancient ruin, but a… massive, slowly spinning cyan vortex!

At the vortex’s heart, faint star-like glimmers flickered, radiating pure yet ferociously volatile wind-attribute energy!

That was the source of the energy fluctuation!

Around the basin, over a dozen figures had gathered—elite disciples from various sects, the weakest at early Foundation Building!

Scattered around, they stared at the storm vortex with fervent yet wary eyes, none daring to approach.

Qing Wan’s arrival drew immediate attention.

“Qi Refining eighth layer? Hmph, when did someone of that level dare covet the ‘Wind Eye Core’?” a mid-Foundation Building disciple from Xuantian Sect sneered.

“Canglan Sect’s? Are they out of people?” another mocked.

Chu Yi was among them. Seeing Qing Wan, his face shifted, and he urgently sent a voice transmission: “Junior Sister Qing Wan, this place is dangerous! Get back! This isn’t for you!”

Qing Wan seemed deaf to the taunts and Chu Yi’s warning.

Her gaze was wholly fixed on the star-like glimmers at the vortex’s center.

She could feel her dantian’s sword intent and the spiritual energy cultivated through Silent Heart Sword Art resonating fiercely.

It was yearning!

Something vital to her lay within!

Gripping her sword, she didn’t retreat. Instead, to everyone’s shock, she stepped toward the terrifying storm’s edge, capable of tearing a Foundation Building cultivator apart!

The gale whipped her robes and hair, fluttering wildly.

Her frail figure seemed so insignificant before the massive vortex.

All eyes locked on her, filled with astonishment, disdain, and pity, as if watching a fool.

Chu Yi, anxious to stop her, was held back by a companion. “Brother Chu, it’s too dangerous! If she wants to die, don’t blame others!”

Qing Wan stood at the storm’s edge, feeling the terrifying force that could shred her.

She closed her eyes, pushing Silent Heart Sword Art to its limit. Her icy sword intent surged, not to fight the storm but to merge with its violent rhythm.

Bit by bit, thread by thread.

Her body trembled, blood seeping from her lips, the immense pressure evident.

Just as everyone thought she’d be torn apart, her eyes snapped open!

They gleamed with icy clarity!

Now!

Her figure moved, blending into the gale like a falling leaf, plunging fearlessly into the destructive storm vortex!

“She’s insane!!” The basin’s edge erupted in uproar!

Chu Yi’s pupils shrank, shouting, “Junior Sister!”

All

eyes fixed on the frail figure swallowed by the storm.