After obtaining the clue, Xuanlu Stronghold sent people to investigate. Since the entrance to the hidden realm was very concealed, it took a long time and many efforts to confirm its true location.

This time, they had gathered a team to prepare for an expedition into the hidden realm.

Not only were they going, but many others had yet to arrive. Among the team leaders were some powerful Core Formation Realm cultivators from major sects.

Based on the clues obtained from the demonic cultivators, the true nature of this hidden realm was believed to be the residence of an ancient cultivator.

The ancient cultivator’s estate was vast, and several key locations deep within the estate, where the ancient cultivator’s cave dwellings were located, still had intact protective arrays. The dangers were immense, and even the demonic sect had not fully explored it back in the day.

There were surely treasures in the ancient cultivator’s cave dwelling that would attract Core Formation Realm cultivators, but those were beyond Qin Sang’s reach. He could only listen, salivate, and follow along.

As for Qin Sang and his companions, their main role after entering the hidden realm would be to clear out areas other than the key locations.

Core Formation Realm cultivators would focus their attention on the ancient cultivator’s cave dwelling, competing for the treasures within. It was unlikely that they would be interested in other items, and they would avoid wasting energy outside to prevent someone else from snatching the treasures from the cave dwelling.

At least until the ancient cultivator’s treasures had been claimed, Core Formation cultivators wouldn’t bother competing for the treasures outside. Their rewards would depend on their own capabilities.

Although the ancient cultivator’s estate might have been raided by the demonic sect once, many years had passed. Even an ordinary spirit herb, if left untouched in the hidden realm, would have transformed into a divine herb capable of drawing the attention of all.

As the first batch of cultivators to enter the hidden realm, they would undoubtedly encounter many unknown dangers, and it wouldn’t be uncommon for someone to lose their life.

Likewise, their chances of finding treasures would be much greater than those who came later.

Weighing the risks and rewards, being part of the first group to enter the hidden realm was undoubtedly a great opportunity, a coveted assignment. Qin Sang and his companions, as some of the discoverers of the hidden realm, managed to secure a spot with little effort.

After learning the true purpose of the mission from Mu Yifeng, Qin Sang didn’t hesitate to agree. He asked Wandering Man, and as expected, he was also joining the expedition.

They then patiently waited in the Tianjing Hidden Realm. As more and more people arrived, one unexpected figure showed up—Yu Dayue.

"Senior Brother Yu, it’s been over twenty years since we last met, hasn’t it?"

Upon hearing that Yu Dayue had arrived, Qin Sang immediately stopped his cultivation and left his cave dwelling to greet him, warmly extending a greeting to Yu Dayue.

They had entered the Ancient Immortal Battlefield together. Yu Dayue had invited him to join him, but Qin Sang had refused. Qin Sang had joined the Shadow Guards, while Yu Dayue had chosen to roam as a rogue cultivator in search of opportunities to break through. Now, Yu Dayue had joined the Shadow Guards as well.

However, Qin Sang noticed that Yu Dayue’s aura was stronger than it had been twenty years ago, but he hadn’t broken through to the middle stage of the Foundation Building Realm. It seemed that over the years, Yu Dayue had not achieved his desired breakthrough and had remained stuck at a bottleneck.

Twenty years ago, Yu Dayue’s strength had surpassed even Mu Yifeng’s. Now, Mu Yifeng had broken through to the middle stage of the Foundation Building Realm, while Yu Dayue lagged far behind.

Qin Sang noticed a gloomy expression on Yu Dayue’s face, and his aura seemed much weaker than before. He couldn’t help but feel a sense of melancholy, wondering how much time had worn down his senior brother’s ambitions.

Naturally, Qin Sang didn’t bring up anything about Yu Dayue’s cultivation. He acted as though he hadn’t noticed Yu Dayue’s condition and didn’t ask about his training.

Seeing Qin Sang, Yu Dayue wiped the gloom from his face and forced a smile. "It’s been twenty years, Junior Brother Qin. Your cultivation has grown much deeper. It won’t be long before you catch up with me. I’m sure you’ll reach the Core Formation Realm soon, congratulations. As for me, I haven’t made any progress in the past twenty years. I’m afraid I’ll never break through to the middle stage of the Foundation Building Realm in this lifetime."

With a light sigh, Yu Dayue’s tone couldn’t conceal his frustration.

Qin Sang comforted him, saying, "Senior Brother Yu, don’t be discouraged. Who can predict fate? This time, we’re going to the ancient cultivator’s estate, and I’ve heard there are many ancient treasures inside. Maybe this is the chance for you to break through."

Yu Dayue let out a bitter laugh. "To be honest, I am hoping for a breakthrough using this chance, but... it’s a faint hope."

Yu Dayue gave a forced smile and cupped his hands. "I hope your words bring good fortune, Junior Brother Qin."

After Yu Dayue's arrival, they waited another two days.

Including Qin Sang, a total of twenty-seven Shadow Guards had gathered in the Tianjing Hidden Realm. In addition to the three major sects, disciples from other sects under Xuanlu Stronghold had also joined, with every participant being a Foundation Building cultivator, including some experts in the late stage of the Foundation Building Realm.

Once all twenty-seven individuals had arrived, no more reinforcements came.

They waited another day, and by evening, everyone, who had been meditating in their cave dwellings, simultaneously felt a sense of unease. Then, a powerful wave of energy swept through the Tianjing Hidden Realm, passing through the realm in an instant.

The cultivators awoke from their meditations and swiftly rushed out of their cave dwellings.

In an instant, all twenty-seven of them flew to the mountaintop, hovering in mid-air. They exchanged glances before focusing their attention on the entrance of the Tianjing Hidden Realm, silently on guard.

𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

After a short while, a massive vortex suddenly appeared in the sky above the entrance. A deafening roar echoed from within the vortex, and it seemed as though a ferocious demonic beast lurked on the other side.

The vortex grew larger, and a gigantic Jiao's head emerged from it. Its crimson snake tongue flicked in and out, and a pair of vertical pupils with a sinister gleam scanned the Tianjing Hidden Realm.

"Teng Nan pays respects to Senior Uncle!"

Teng Nan, who was guarding the entrance of the hidden realm, trembled upon seeing the Jiao's head, and immediately bowed respectfully.

The Jiao's gaze fixed on the group of cultivators.

Under the malevolent Jiao's stare, Qin Sang felt a chill rise from the bottom of his heart. The Jiao appeared to be a powerful demonic beast, and for some reason, it gave Qin Sang an odd feeling. Based on Teng Nan’s address, could this be the mount of a Golden Core cultivator from Shangyuan Tranquility Palace?

At that moment, the evil Jiao unexpectedly spoke. Its voice boomed like thunder, shaking the vast Tianjing Hidden Realm, "Has everyone arrived?"

The voice carried a rough and resonant tone, sounding somewhat familiar. Qin Sang was secretly startled and turned to look at Yu Dayue, only to find that he too wore a similar expression.

It was Daoist Master Xuanyu from Shangyuan Tranquility Palace!

Qin Sang immediately remembered him. It was said that several Golden Core cultivators had been dispatched to guard Xuanlu Stronghold, and Daoist Master Xuanyu must be one of them. Qin Sang wondered if Che Yutao was also accompanying them.

A late-stage Foundation Building cultivator stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Replying to Senior Uncle, all twenty-seven are present."

"Good!" The Jiao nodded its enormous head and withdrew into the vortex. "Everyone, come out. Time is short. I will take you with the Three-Jiao Chariot."

The cultivator turned toward the group and said in a serious tone, "Fellow Daoists, we may depart now."

Whoosh, whoosh...

Figures streaked through the air. Qin Sang made his way to the entrance, nodded goodbye to Teng Nan, and stepped into the vortex.