I established the Eternal Immortal Clan by taming beasts.

Lin Che did not immediately agree to Yan Hongling's request.

He tapped his knuckles lightly on the table unconsciously, lost in brief thought.

While the secret realm is certainly alluring, the unknown also means risk.

What is the internal environment like?

Are there any dangerous natural barriers or ancient formations?

Are there any restrictions on the cultivation level of those who enter?

Is it possible to enter through Qi Refining, or is Foundation Establishment the threshold, or is it only possible to explore beyond the Golden Core stage?

It would be unwise to rashly agree to lead others in before all of this has been explored.

"I am aware of this matter," Lin Che finally spoke, his voice steady.

"The matter of the secret realm involves a wide range of issues and has too many variables. I will give you a clear answer after I have figured out the general situation of the secret realm and the extent of the risks."

Upon hearing this, Yan Hongling's eyes showed a momentary disappointment, but it was quickly replaced by understanding.

She knew that Lin Che was always cautious and wouldn't easily take risks, much less gamble his life on unknown opportunities.

Getting a "consideration" response, rather than a direct rejection, is already a good start.

"Yes, I understand. I will await your message, sir." She clasped her hands in a respectful gesture and took her leave.

After seeing Yan Hongling off, Lin Che immediately contacted Liu Fang through a secret channel.

He wanted to know what the Shadow Hall was planning recently, and whether it was related to this suddenly appearing secret realm.

After all, the timing of the two intelligence providers approaching him almost simultaneously is a coincidence that makes it hard not to speculate.

Liu Fang did not enter through the main gate of the Lin family estate.

Following a more discreet method of rendezvous, she quietly arrived at the foot of a desolate mountain on the west side of the clan's territory.

Lin Che had already temporarily opened a passage here using the array jade tablet.

After entering, she quickly passed through the formation and disappeared into the forest.

When she met Lin Che at another secluded location, her disguise was so exquisite that even Lin Che secretly nodded in approval.

Unlike Yan Hongling, who relied on external objects and makeup for disguise.

Liu Fang's disguise relied on secret techniques and martial arts.

His aura, posture, and even his eyes underwent subtle yet complete changes, perfectly blending into the role of "another person" without any flaws.

This is the signature skill of the Shadow Hall spies.

"Tell me, what has the Demon Palace of Rebellion been up to lately? Has your Shadow Hall received a new mission, or does the Demon Palace headquarters have some kind of plan?"

Lin Che got straight to the point, looking intently at Liu Fang.

Compared to the Shadow Hall, his fear of the unfathomable Fate Reversal Palace was greater.

This former boss has been operating in this area for many years, laying many traps; his ambitions are definitely not small.

Lin Che could not rest easy until he figured out their true purpose.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, both are true." Liu Fang's voice was also disguised, sounding flat and unremarkable.

After a brief tidying up, she began her report: "This is a secret order directly issued by the organization's higher-ups, requiring our spies, who are infiltrated in Chuyang City and the surrounding area, to fully assist the people from the Upper Sect who will be arriving soon. Their goal is to obtain a specific item from that newly discovered secret realm."

"Specific items?" Lin Che raised an eyebrow slightly.

"How do you know what's inside that unexplored secret realm?"

That's incredibly fast.

Lin Che was not surprised that the Shadow Hall was well-informed and could learn of the secret realm's appearance immediately.

After all, they had been operating locally for many years and had informants everywhere; Liu Fang herself was one of the first to discover them.

However, the secret realm has not yet been opened, and the Demon Palace of Rebellion is far away, yet it can immediately know that a certain "specific item" exists inside, which is illogical.

Liu Fang shook her head and explained, "The higher-ups did not clearly inform us of the specific details of the item, nor did they describe its shape or name."

Judging from the wording of the order, the organization seems to have known about the existence of this secret place for a long time, and finding this item seems to be one of the purposes of our Shadow Hall's infiltration here.

After news of the secret realm's appearance spread, the organization quickly activated the pre-planned strategy, and we, the undercover agents, were instructed to cooperate and execute it.

She paused, then added, "Our specific task is to try to blend in with the group of cultivators who will be exploring the secret realm at that time; we don't necessarily have to seize it ourselves."

However, we must gather as much information and clues as possible about that item, and ensure that we can ultimately guide or assist the cultivators sent from above to successfully obtain it and take it out of the secret realm.

Upon hearing this, Lin Che's doubts deepened.

If it were merely for something in a secret realm, why would the Demon Palace of Rebellion have spent so many years and laid such a vast network of spies here?

They must have deeper and longer-term goals, and this secret realm and the items within it may just be a step or a key to achieving that goal.

However, dwelling on the ultimate intentions of the Demon Palace of Reversing Fate is of no practical use at the moment.

The most urgent task is to focus on the secret realm itself.

Items that are valued so highly by the Demon Palace of Reversing Fate and even pre-arranged for are certainly not ordinary.

This undoubtedly greatly increased the potential value of exploring the secret realm, and also greatly aroused Lin Che's interest.

Moreover, Lin Che himself had reasons why he had to go.

This is for the growth of the Azure Mystic Realm.

Although the Azure Profound Realm Spirit can modify the internal environment of the secret realm, it does not create it out of thin air, but rather needs to "copy" the corresponding environmental rules.

Currently, the lakes, plains, mountains, and volcanoes in the secret realm are only produced by replicating the volcanic veins.

This was obtained by replicating the Shattered Star Lake area over hundreds or thousands of years in Kongyin Sang.

To enrich the ecology of the hidden realm and explore more possible environments.

Such as extremely cold glaciers, thunderous deserts, and poisonous miasma swamps.

It is necessary to allow the Azure Profound Realm Spirit to enter other unclaimed or not fully controlled secret realms to activate its core divine power for replication.

This newly emerged secret realm, which has not yet been fully controlled by major powers, is an excellent target.

Furthermore, with Liu Fang, an inside agent who had obtained detailed information about the secret realm within the Shadow Hall, Lin Che decided to make a trip there when the time came.

"Okay, I understand."

He instructed Liu Fang: "Continue to lie low and pay close attention to when the 'people from above' sent by the Demon Palace of Rebellion will arrive, their identities and cultivation levels, and their specific plans."

At the same time, gather as much information as possible about that secret realm, including estimates of the stability of the entrance, possible environmental features inside, and the movements of other forces. All relevant information must be communicated to me immediately.

As he spoke, Lin Che took out a jade bottle and several mid-grade spirit stones from his storage bag and pushed them over.

"This is your reward and operating funds. Do a good job, and I will certainly reward you handsomely. Remember, your safety comes first, intelligence gathering comes second, and never expose yourself."

A hint of undisguised joy flashed in Liu Fang's eyes, especially when she smelled the pure medicinal fragrance emanating from the pills in the jade bottle.

She respectfully accepted it with both hands and whispered, "Yes! Your subordinate will remember your instructions and will do everything in my power to ensure the mission is completed!"

Indeed, choosing to pledge allegiance to this unassuming Lin family head was the best decision she ever made.

Following this lord offers not only a promising future but also a lucrative one.

…………

Inside the council hall of the City Lord's Mansion in Chuyang City, the atmosphere was already heavy due to the matter of the secret realm.

Yan Shuming was having an urgent discussion with several close confidants.

How can he maximize his own interests in this unexpected opportunity while delaying or avoiding the pressure from Burning Bone City as much as possible?

However, a sudden message, like a bucket of ice water, instantly extinguished all the schemes that were still brewing in their hearts.

"What did you say? You're a messenger from the Burning Bone City garrison? Burning Bone City is already aware of this secret realm and will soon send a special envoy to discuss joint exploration with this city lord?"

Yan Shuming looked at the young cultivator in front of him, who was wearing the standard black iron spirit armor of the Burning Bone City Guard and stood with a pine-like posture, and almost laughed out of anger.

He barely managed to maintain the dignity of a city lord, but the astonishment and anger flashing in his eyes were hard to completely conceal.

How long has this secret realm been around?

He hadn't even finalized a draft of specific countermeasures yet, but the City of Burning Bones, hundreds of miles away, already knew about it.

Not only did they find out, but the "special envoy" is already on his way?

The speed at which this message was transmitted was almost unbelievably fast!

The messenger remained unmoved by Yan Shuming's questioning, which was tinged with anger, as if he were merely reiterating a routine official duty.

He spoke again clearly and calmly: "Lord Yan, the message I was ordered to convey is indeed true. Burning Bone City has learned that your territory has discovered an unopened secret realm."

Given that the exploration of the secret realm involves regional security and resource allocation, in order to avoid chaos, Burning Bone City will send a special envoy to discuss with the City Lord's Mansion a strategy for joint exploration and orderly development.

The special envoy will arrive soon; please make preparations as soon as possible, Lord Yan.

The other party's businesslike attitude, which even implied a superior informing a subordinate, made Yan Shuming feel a tightness in his chest.

He was, after all, the lord of a city and a Golden Core cultivator!

But this small Foundation Establishment stage messenger represents the City of Burning Bones.

A bitter feeling welled up in Yan Shuming's heart.

I know best how I came to be the city lord.

He was merely a loser in the power struggles within the sect, banished to this remote place to manage this business.

In the eyes of those truly powerful figures in Burning Bone City, they were probably just as insignificant as the City of Beginning Sun.

Anger surged within him, yet reality relentlessly suppressed it.

He knew that lashing out at this moment would not only be futile, but might also give others ammunition to criticize him.

Now that Burning Bone City has learned of and decided to intervene, the control of this secret realm is basically out of Yan Shuming's hands.

All he can fight for now is to secure as much of a share and a voice as possible for himself in the upcoming "joint exploration".

Forcibly suppressing his surging emotions, Yan Shuming's expression quickly returned to calm, even taking on a formulaic indifference.

He waved his hand, his tone unreadable: "This city lord understands. You may leave now!"

"Yes." The messenger saluted crisply, turned and strode away, the sound of his armor rubbing together softly and rhythmically.

A somber silence fell over the council chamber.

The various "monopoly" and "first-mover advantage" schemes that were just being hotly debated now seem so ridiculous.

Yan Shuming slowly sat back in the main seat, pressing his knuckles firmly against his throbbing temples.

He knew that the real contest was only just beginning.

Moreover, it was a contest in which he was at a disadvantage from the start.

He must immediately readjust his strategy, shifting from "how to monopolize" to "how to maximize his benefits under the rules of Burning Bone City".

Furthermore, they must strive to unify internal opinions and integrate local forces to form a relatively stable negotiating alliance before the arrival of the envoy from Burning Bone City.

"The plan has changed."

He raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the diverse expressions on the faces of the crowd, his voice low and resolute.

"Next, we need to discuss how to deal with the joint exploration proposal from Burning Bone City, and how to ensure that the interests of my Beginning Sun City are not easily taken away by others."