My father is the main character, but the female leads want to kill me.

When Lin Chong heard Lin Ran recount these events so calmly, his eyes welled up with tears. Ye Wanxi, who was standing nearby, noticed this and quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe away Lin Chong's tears, gently comforting him, "Brother Lin Chong, you have such a good father, why are you crying? You should be happy!"

"I...I'm very happy, but I...I..."

Lin Chong choked up, wanting to say many things to his father, but at that moment they all got stuck in his throat. He racked his brains for words, not knowing what could express his gratitude to his father at this moment.

Lin Ran smiled and ruffled Lin Chong's hair. Looking at Lin Chong's face, which had become more mature and resolute, she felt a mix of emotions. She smiled and said, "You should cultivate diligently and grow well. Don't be reckless anymore. That's the greatest gratitude you can show me. I'm still looking forward to the goal you mentioned. Even your father is making progress, so you can't fall behind, understand?"

"Yes!"

Lin Chong hastily wiped away the tears on his face, his eyes red-rimmed, but his gaze was unwavering as he looked at Lin Ran and answered in a strong and resonant voice.

Later, Dean Wenling sent someone to talk to Lin Ran and the others. Lin Ran also said goodbye to Lin Chong for the time being. Moreover, the secret realm was about to open, so there probably wouldn't be much time to catch up.

Wen Qianyi also gave Lin Chong the gift she had prepared, hoping that the Spirit Gathering Pill could help Lin Chong break through to the Spirit Core Realm, further enhance his strength in the secret realm, and provide him with more opportunities for survival and competition.

At the same time, a gift was also given to the Ye sisters. Wen Qianyi was also quite surprised by Ye Wanxi's solid foundation in alchemy and the talent she displayed, and they made an agreement.

After we leave the secret realm, we'll see if we can send Ye Wanxi to Linghua Academy to study. Wen Qianyi is very confident that she can train Ye Wanxi to become a fifth-level alchemist.

Led by the staff of Tianli Academy, Lin Ran arrived at the tent where Dean Wenling was located. As soon as he entered, Dean Wenling rushed forward and took Lin Ran's hand, saying earnestly, "Vice Dean Lin, no... Father Lin Chong, I have found out what really happened behind this matter and will definitely give you an explanation. After Lin Chong returns to Tianli Academy, we will also give him some additional compensation."

"Dean Wenling, I believe you. So what is it that you want to tell us?" Lin Ran asked with a smile.

He didn't think Wenling would mistreat Lin Chong, because he learned from Lin Chong that Wenling, the dean of the inner courtyard, had a very good reputation in the academy and was a very kind dean who would give opportunities to some promising talents and promote them vigorously. Lin Chong had won Wenling's reception and reward through his outstanding performance in the Heavenly Ranking Competition.

What concerned Lin Ran even more was what Dean Wenling wanted to talk about, which was most likely related to the secret realm and breaking the seal. After all, the only thing worth paying attention to about their Linghua Academy right now was the so-called Yin-Yang Chessboard. Otherwise, why would they pay attention to their few combatants? Lin Ran was somewhat self-aware.

Dean Wenling poured a cup of hot tea for Lin Ran and the others, took a sip himself, spat out some tea leaves stuck in his mouth, glanced at Lin Ran and said, "Brother Lin Ran, is it alright if I call you that?"

"of course can!"

Dean Wenling pondered for a moment before saying, "I just saw that Senior Ouyang Zi of the Sword Sect kept you here. I guess he wanted your Linghua Academy to closely follow the Sword Sect's group, and then have the Sword Sect protect you while you use the Yin-Yang Chessboard to break through various array seals, is that right?"

Wen Ling's words left Wen Qianyi and Li Qiushui, who were sitting next to Lin Ran, stunned. They hadn't expected Wen Ling to hit the nail on the head and directly reveal the core content of his private conversation with the Sword Sect.

Lin Ran seemed calm. She hadn't hidden the fact that the Sword Sect had mentioned Linghua Academy during the meeting. Tianli and Songling must have heard it. With just a little guess, they could figure out what Linghua Academy was important about and what the Sword Sect needed Linghua Academy for.

Wenling, who obviously knew more, continued, "Brother Lin Ran, the latest wave of personnel has discovered that there are countless restrictions, formations, and seals inside the secret realm."

One wrong move and you could be buried there; the danger was extremely high. Of our scouts, only one escaped, and he died soon after.

"After learning of this news, especially the eight super sects, they spared no effort to collect tools to break the seal of the formation or to recruit people with such abilities. Your Linghua Academy's Yin-Yang Chessboard was once very famous, but because the Sword Sect was there to protect it, even if someone knew about it, no one dared to cause you trouble or recruit you."

Previously, only that dim-witted Liang Cheng would do such a thing. If he hadn't really offended someone, Ouyang Zi wouldn't have replaced him as the team leader!

As the Dean of the Inner Court of Tianli Academy and the Elder leading the team this time, Wen Ling knew a lot and made Lin Ran and the others aware of how dangerous this secret realm was.

"If it's so dangerous, why are so many students allowed to participate?" Lin Ran couldn't help but ask.

He asked this question primarily as a father, because his son was going to participate in this secret realm. Even though his son was the chosen one with great fortune and was the protagonist of this world, the timeline had already become unrecognizable. His beloved Mu Shishuang had undergone a drastic personality change because she was deeply poisoned by the fire and was still lying in that coffin.

The female lead, Lin Hongjia, became her secret girlfriend. The only ones still holding on are the aloof Sword Sect Fairy and the demon girl. However, the Sword Sect Fairy's strange behavior yesterday still makes Lin Ran feel strange, and she feels that something strange has happened.

Given how things have changed in the timeline, what if his son suddenly encounters something in the secret realm, like today, and isn't rescued in time, and suddenly dies?

He was afraid he would really go crazy. Lin Ran really treated this protagonist like his own son. After all, he and Mu Qiqin had personally created him. They were blood relatives, and their bond was stronger than water!

Wenling was also taken aback by Lin Ran's question. He had only just learned that Lin Ran was Lin Chong's father. In fact, he could easily figure out what Lin Ran was worried about.

Wenling remained silent for a long time before slowly saying, "Brother Lin Ran, if your child wants to become a truly powerful person, he must undergo life-or-death trials. You and I both know this."

I treat those students like my own children. They want to become stronger, and this secret realm is an excellent opportunity. Not only can it hone their skills, but if they can gain even a small advantage from it, they can go much further in the future.

I can't do much. All I can do is bring them here, and I hope that Brother Lin Ran, you can take care of them as much as you can inside, at least let them come out alive, instead of turning into skeletons inside, buried there forever, with only their family and friends to grieve, and no one else knowing..."

……

Chapter 125 Phoenix Bracelet

In the end, Lin Ran agreed to Dean Wen Ling's request to take good care of the students of Tianli Academy in the secret realm. He also gave Lin Ran a generous reward and a token that could be used to find students of Tianli Academy in the secret realm. The Sword Sect also gave him a token.

These tokens are engraved with complex formations and can ignore the complex and chaotic environment of the secret realm. They can sense other token holders within a ten-mile radius. However, if a token is obtained by someone from another force, then one must be careful.

What you're looking for as a lifeline might just be a scythe that sends you to your death. After all, in this secret realm, everyone except those of your own faction can become an enemy, but it's also possible that someone from your own faction might try to stab you in the back.

After chatting with Wenling for a long time, Lin Ran and the others returned to their camp and went back to their tents. Lin Ran did not rest, but summoned the elders of Linghua Academy and continued to discuss the matter until late at night before returning to her tent.

Just as he sat down and took a sip of hot tea, Wen Qianyi's gentle voice came from outside the tent: "Senior, may I come in?"

“Of course!” Lin Ran replied.

Wen Qianyi lifted the curtain, entered the tent, and sat down next to Lin Ran. She thoughtfully poured Lin Ran a cup of tea and then looked at her with concern, saying, "Senior, we accepted the commissions from the Sword Sect and Tianli Academy today. Will…?"

Lin Ran sighed, reached out and patted Wen Qianyi's head, and said, "Do you think we have a choice? My child is at Tianli Academy, and we can't make enemies like the Sword Sect. Anyway, we're all allies, so let's help each other as much as we can. Making friends with one side is better than making enemies."

"But you'll have to put up with this a bit. Only you know how to use the Yin-Yang chessboard, so it'll be very hard for you. Remember to be a little perfunctory. Some seals can be broken, but it will take a lot of effort. Just say you can't handle them. We can't be treated like cattle; we have to learn how to do it..."

Wen Qianyi rested her chin on her hands, quietly watching Lin Ran and listening to Lin Ran's teachings. For some reason, she really enjoyed listening to Lin Ran speak quietly, finding it not only interesting but also sweet in her heart.

……

The time when the seal on the secret realm would be at its most vulnerable three days later somehow got out, and the surrounding forces began to pour in. More and more people came from all directions, and now this mountain range is bustling with noise and people even in the dead of night.

Meanwhile, the members of the eight super sects in the inner circle also restrained their younger members, forbidding them from running around, all for the sake of noon three days later.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

When Lin Ran woke up on the morning of the third day, as soon as she stepped out of her tent, she saw small black dots in the sky near the entrance to the secret realm. These were people from different factions, who were waiting there early and watching the situation at the entrance to the secret realm.

Lin Ran had just gotten up when Wen Qianyi came to her side. She was about to speak when Lin Ran spoke first, asking, "Don't these guys sleep? They're all standing there like statues, staring at that secret realm. We'll have to work together to open it later!"

Wen Qianyi covered her mouth and laughed, "Senior, only you can sleep. These people were actually there in the middle of the night last night, thinking about whether they could sneak in in advance. But the people of the eight super sects are not stupid, so they also sent people to guard against them."

The battle that broke out last night was also very fierce. The eight super sects were united in protecting the entrance to the secret realm, giving no chance to other forces!

Lin Ran nodded in agreement. He knew about the fierce battle that broke out last night. A group of forces joined forces to attack the defense line, trying to squeeze through the earlier gap, but they were blocked by the people of the eight super sects, which led to the fierce battle. But that was none of his business. He should just go to sleep. There was no chance to relax in the secret realm.

"By the way, Qianyi, is there something you want to tell me?" Lin Ran saw Wen Qianyi rushing over, seemingly with something on her mind, but he led her astray.

"I just remembered, it's all your fault for interrupting me, senior!"

Wen Qianyi rolled her eyes at Lin Ran and then explained, "The Sword Sect is looking for you, Senior. They want you to go to the Sword Sect for a talk... and it's just you alone!"

Hearing Wen Qianyi's words, Lin Ran was taken aback. What did the Sword Sect want to talk to him about alone?

Seeing the surprise and doubt in Lin Ran's eyes, Wen Qianyi said, "Senior, you'll know when you get there. Anyway, the Sword Sect just sent someone to tell me, so I came to inform you. It should be before noon. Let's discuss the cooperation in the secret realm again!"

"Then I'll go. Oh, and could you go and find Lin Chong and the others for me? Remember to tell them to be extremely careful in the secret realm," Lin Ran said.

"I understand, senior!" Wen Qianyi nodded.

Lin Ran felt relieved and headed to the Sword Sect's camp. The guards from the Sword Sect had obviously informed her beforehand, and Lin Ran arrived at the camp where the Sword Sect had invited everyone to a meeting that day without any problems.

As soon as Lin Ran lifted the curtain and stepped inside, she glanced around the tent and noticed that besides Ouyang Zi, who was still sitting at the head of the table, the Sword Sect Fairy Shangguan Mengqing was also there. There was also a young woman whom Lin Ran had never seen before, standing behind Shangguan Mengqing. Lin Ran couldn't help but take a few more glances at her, but when she found that the woman was rather ordinary in all aspects, she looked away.

Lin Ran's seemingly unintentional action caused Shangguan Mengqing to frown slightly, but she quickly suppressed her emotions.

When Ouyang Zi saw Lin Ran coming over, he smiled and said, "Brother Lin Ran, thank you for coming again!"

"No trouble at all. May I ask what brings you here, Elder Ou? We're about to begin breaking the seal on the secret realm at noon!" Lin Ran said respectfully, cupping his hands in greeting.

Ouyang Zi stood up and slowly walked to Lin Ran, saying with a kind face, "I have some very important matters to ask of you, Brother Lin Ran. There are two major problems in this secret realm: it can shield soul power, and the entrance to the secret realm will randomly teleport you."

"I was worried that you might lose contact with the main force of our Sword Sect for too long, so I specifically called you here now to give you an item. That way, when we enter the secret realm, you can find our Sword Sect members immediately."

Lin Ran felt a sense of curiosity, but still asked, "What kind of object is it?"

Ouyang Zi casually conjured up an ancient-looking bracelet. The bracelet was exquisitely designed, with a blood-yellow color throughout. More importantly, it contained deep blue runes that seemed to faintly contain terrifying energy.

Holding the bracelet, Ouyang Zi placed it in Lin Ran's hand and said with a smile, "With this bracelet, little brother Lin Ran, you can find our Sword Sect's team immediately. Take this opportunity to bind your bracelet with your blood!"

"what?"

Lin Ran hadn't expected this step. He felt like he'd been tricked. Looking at the bracelet on his wrist, he forced a smile and said, "Old Ou, could this be done without dripping blood?"

"Oh?"

Ouyang Zi's smile grew even wider as he said, "Lin Ran, this is putting me in a bit of a bind. How can you use this bracelet without shedding blood? Hurry up, I would never harm you!"

Isn't this harmful?

Lin Ran was screaming in his heart, but the situation was beyond his control. Cooperating with a group like the Sword Sect was like dancing with wolves. If he didn't want to cooperate, they would kill him.

In the end, Lin Ran gritted her teeth and chose to bind her to the bracelet with her blood. When Lin Ran cut open her palm and dripped her blood onto the bracelet, the deep blue runes inside the blood-yellow bracelet seemed to come alive, radiating a dazzling blue light. The blue runes actually rushed out of the bracelet and rushed into Lin Ran's brow.

Lin Ran could feel that his soul seemed to be bound to something, which made him feel even more helpless. Now his life was truly in someone else's hands.

After the deep blue light receded back into the bracelet, a very complicated expression flashed in Ouyang Zi's eyes, but he quickly concealed it. He stepped forward, patted Lin Ran on the shoulder, and said, "Brother Lin Ran, don't worry, this won't do you any harm."

"I know, why would Old Master Ou harm me!"

Lin Ran revealed an expression even uglier than a smile, his smile was extremely forced, he was almost unable to hold it in. He didn't agree and then called me Lin Ran, and after agreeing he called me Lin Ran little brother, and he even said there was no harm in it, old fox!

After giving a few more instructions and telling Lin Ran to wait and enter the secret realm with their Sword Sect team, Ouyang Zi let Lin Ran leave.

After Lin Ran left the Sword Sect's tent, Ouyang Zi casually set up a soundproof array in the tent and came to Shangguan Mengqing's side with a wry smile, saying, "Young Sect Master, you've really made us feel bad. How could you... how could you give this Phoenix Fate Bracelet to someone like this? If the Sect Master finds out..."

Ouyang Zi was also a victim. He had heard from the young sect leader that Lin Ran needed to come over so that some details needed to be arranged.

He actually believed it. Even the jade bracelet that Shangguan Mengqing gave him, which he didn't recognize at first, he thought was something that could make Lin Ran obedient, or that could know Lin Ran's location, control Lin Ran's life, and bind Lin Ran and their Linghua Academy to their Sword Sect ship. He even thought Shangguan Mengqing was prescient and praised his own young sect leader, thinking that the young sect leader was a damn genius!

Upon seeing the bracelet burst forth with deep blue runic light, and only after Lin Ran activated the bracelet did he notice the phoenix faintly radiating golden light on its surface. Ouyang Zi admitted that he almost shattered his Dao heart.

I never imagined that our young sect leader wasn't a genius, but a madman! He handed over the Phoenix Fate Bracelet, one of the Sword Sect's most treasured heirlooms, to an outsider. This bracelet comes in a pair; the other one has a phoenix carving…

When Ouyang Zi noticed that his young sect leader had a jade bracelet on her fair wrist that was the same as Lin Ran's, he almost fainted...

He's thinking about how to avoid a terrible death when he goes back to the Sword Sect.

……

Chapter 126 Entering the Secret Realm!

Although the Phoenix Bracelet is more symbolic than practical, it is still a treasure passed down through generations of the Sword Sect. It is truly perplexing that the young sect leader would entrust such a significant treasure to a stranger.

Shangguan Mengqing took a sip of hot tea and slowly explained, "Elder Ou, do you know anything about the Phoenix Bracelet?"

“I don’t know…” Ouyang Zi shook his head.

Among the secret treasures passed down in the Sword Sect, this is the strangest and most mysterious. The relevant records have been lost, and despite the efforts of so many people to excavate, nothing of value has been found, so it has been shelved. However, it is still passed down as a symbol of the Sword Sect.

Shangguan Mengqing took off the jade bracelet from her hand and held it in her hand, saying calmly, "The Phoenix Fate Bracelet, why is it called Fate Bracelet? It can really control Lin Ran's life. Talk is cheap, Elder Ou, how about we do an experiment?"