Yuantian Pidao

Chapter 345 The Collapse of the Secret Realm
In Molten County, leaden-gray clouds obscured the sky, making the entire county gloomy. Although the sun was hidden, the temperature in Molten County had been rising higher and higher. The earth was parched, and the heat was rising, reaching a level that was unbearable for ordinary people.

At one moment, the sky cracked open, and six fissures, each about a hundred feet long, appeared in the leaden-gray clouds, their interiors filled with dark red, like six rivers of lava flowing in the sky. This sudden change immediately attracted the attention of many people.

"The collapse of the Wildfire Secret Realm has begun."

With his divine sense spreading out, Jiang Chen turned his gaze to the sky.

After completing his breakthrough and taking a short break, he and Chen Jingshu arrived in Molten Fire County, accompanied by Lady Qinghua.

At this very moment, above the clouds, Jiang Chen, Qinghua Niangniang, Chen Jingshu, and Jueqing Shitai are discussing the Dao. For this secret realm competition, neither Taiping Sect nor Chen Jingshu is hiding their strength anymore, and they have used all their power, gathering the strength of three Dao Foundation level cultivators.

Upon hearing Jiang Chen's words, the other three also reacted and turned their gazes into the distance, though their reaction was a beat slower than Jiang Chen's.

"It's finally here. This time I must obtain the fire from Lingzhen Mountain. Only in this way can I be confident in forging a superior Dao foundation."

Looking at the surging river of lava in the sky, Chen Jingshu's fair face was full of determination, which even gave her a touch of heroism.

It was at this moment that figures appeared from all directions, each surrounded by spiritual light and exuding an impressive aura. Every single one of them was a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Foundation Establishment cultivators, who were rarely seen in the Southern Kingdom, were now appearing in droves.

Meanwhile, the Dao Foundation cultivators of the royal Chen family were also observing this scene from the shadows.

"Heh, my Chen family's secret realm has collapsed, and these guys have all come out to claim the benefits."

As his gaze swept over several familiar figures, Fire Demon Chen Gangfeng couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.

Upon hearing this, Chen Yonghou, who was standing at the very front, frowned.

"It's just a change in circumstances. Now that my Chen family is weak, they naturally dare to show their faces. Don't say things like that again, or you'll just make yourself a laughingstock."

With a low voice, Chen Yonghou turned his gaze to Chen Gangfeng, his eyes sharp and piercing.

Meeting Chen Yonghou's gaze and sensing his attitude, Chen Gangfeng felt somewhat dissatisfied, but ultimately said nothing.

Among them, Chen Yonghou is not only the most senior, but also the most accomplished in cultivation, having reached the mid-stage of the Dao Foundation realm. Unless Chen Yongzu emerges from seclusion, no one in the Chen family can surpass him in status.

After Chen Gangfeng backed down, Chen Yonghou once again turned his attention to the outside world.

"The Qu family patriarch Qu Shihan and the Qiao family patriarch Qiao Yun are both cultivators in the mid-stage of the Dao Foundation stage. Now that they have both arrived, it seems they really can't hold back anymore. And the Taiping Sect is here too. This is truly going to be lively."

With one step, Chen Yonghou's figure appeared in the outside world.

"Everyone, the Mountain Fire Secret Realm is on the verge of collapse. My Chen family intends to take this opportunity to select true descendants. The one who performs best among the royal direct descendants can become the Crown Prince of Nan Jing Kingdom."

"As for the rest, as long as they become the helpers of the princes and princesses, they can also enter to seek opportunities. Among them, there can be a maximum of two Foundation Establishment cultivators from each side, and there is no limit for Qi Refining cultivators. At this time, the volcano in the secret realm has already erupted, and the situation is extremely dangerous. Whether to enter or not needs to be carefully considered."

"Furthermore, there is a killing formation set up by my Chen family in the core area of ​​the secret realm. Only core members of my Chen family are allowed to enter. If you try to force your way in, you will be responsible for your own life and death."

With a resounding voice, at that moment, an aura as powerful as a mountain burst forth from Chen Yonghou's body. Through Chen Yonghou, they seemed to see a towering peak, and for a moment, their hearts were filled with awe.

"What a powerful aura! Chen Yonghou usually keeps a low profile, but I never expected him to have come so far in the mid-stage of the Foundation Establishment realm. I wonder how many layers of the Jade Tower he has condensed, seven or eight?" "With the foundation he has shown, if he were to live for a few more years, he might really become a new late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator."

As they sized up Chen Yonghou, various thoughts flashed through the minds of the Dao Foundation cultivators present. Some felt apprehensive, while others harbored murderous intent.

Chen Yonghou ignored these stares.

At this moment, the sky changed again, and the cracks became more numerous and larger. However, the largest and most stable cracks were still the six that appeared first. At this moment, the invisible barrier was weakened, and the scene inside the Wildfire Secret Realm was reflected on the leaden-gray clouds.

Sensing this change, Chen Yonghou knew that the time was almost up.

"The time has come; the selection process will officially begin."

At his command, Chen Yonghou unlocked the last layer of restrictions outside the secret realm of the wildfire.

They couldn't leave it unopened either. The secret realm had collapsed, and most of the restrictions that the Chen family had set up were damaged. Only the core area was relatively stable and in a better condition. In addition, the Chen family was, after all, just a Dao Foundation family with limited resources. It would be difficult for them to completely control the Mountain Fire Secret Realm under such circumstances.

Once the secret realm begins to collapse, numerous entrances will appear. With the Chen family's current strength, they simply cannot prevent outsiders from entering. In that case, it would be better to open it up.

The Chen family's current strategy is to completely abandon the outer perimeter of the secret realm and retain only the core.

Upon realizing the collapse of the barrier, the cultivators exchanged glances and simultaneously soared into the sky, heading towards the crack in the heavens—the entrance to the secret realm.

However, at this moment, another change occurred. The barrier between the secret realm and reality was truly broken. Fire rained down from the sky, and molten lava poured out from the cracks. Its temperature was extremely high and it contained fire poison. Caught off guard, countless cultivators perished in the sea of ​​fire.

Seeing this scene, the forces that had been waiting finally moved. Several princes and princesses of the royal family, holding tokens, rushed into the sky along with the Dao Foundation cultivators.

With the collapse of the secret realm, most of the methods left by the royal family became ineffective. However, since the royal family had managed this secret realm for so many years, the royal bloodline still had considerable value within it. The reason why various families chose to cooperate with the princes and princesses was not only because they did not want to completely break ties with the Chen family, but also because of this.

Of course, at this moment, although the Dao Foundation cultivators of the Qu family and the Qiao family moved and each sent out one Dao Foundation cultivator, the two mid-stage Dao Foundation cultivators who were the heads of the families remained in place and did not choose to enter the secret realm at this time, but only watched from the outside.

Taking in all these changes, Jiang Chen put down his teacup and stood up.

“We should go too. Qinghua, you’ll be in charge of meeting us outside. I, Fellow Daoist Jueqing, and Fellow Daoist Chen will go together.”

With a calm expression, Jiang Chen spoke.

Hearing this, Lady Qinghua nodded. Given Jiang Chen's special circumstances, she could actually be among the first to enter, since this secret realm is, after all, the Chen family's territory. Just in case, it would be better to leave someone outside to provide support.

"I understand, Sect Master."

With a swift movement, Lady Qinghua concealed herself.

The next instant, the clouds surged, transformed into cranes and soared into the sky, carrying Jiang Chen, Abbess Jueqing, and Chen Jingshu straight into the heavens.

(End of this chapter)