Courtyard Check-in: Starting with a Small World of Cultivation

Chen Yu's feet landed on the scorching black rocks, a burning pain shooting through his soles. He immediately circulated his spiritual energy, forming a thin protective shield around his body to insulate him from the intense heat. Even so, he could still feel the strong sulfurous odor in the air with every breath, each inhalation feeling like swallowing flames.

The world before my eyes is beyond my imagination.

The crimson sky was devoid of sun, moon, and stars; only a uniform light source shone from all directions, illuminating this solitary space. The ground was a continuous expanse of black volcanic rock, with huge cracks in some places revealing flowing, dark red magma deep within. In the distance, several volcanoes were erupting, black smoke and ash shooting straight into the sky. Occasionally, enormous fireballs would burst from the craters, crashing into the nearby ground and creating a sea of ​​fire.

Even more bizarrely, plants grow in this space—but all of them are made of flames! Flame-like trees with leaves that are dancing flames; flame-like vines that burn and twine around black rocks; and even flame-like flowers that sway gracefully by the lava river.

"This is the Vermilion Bird Secret Realm..." Chen Yu murmured to himself, shocked by the scene before him.

"Young friend Chen, over here."

Wen Ruoxu's voice came from the left. Chen Yu turned his head and saw Wen Ruoxu and Huiming standing on a relatively flat rock platform. Wen Ruoxu held the ancient book in his hand, the pages turning automatically, the soft white light emanating from it insulating the surrounding high temperature. Huiming, on the other hand, clasped his hands together, his body enveloped in a layer of pale golden Buddhist light, the heat waves from the magma dissipating naturally when they approached within three zhang of the light.

Chen Yu walked over quickly and met up with the two.

"Mr. Wen, Master Huiming."

"Amitabha, it's good that Benefactor Chen has arrived safely." Huiming smiled and nodded.

Wen Ruoxu's expression turned grave: "Time is of the essence. The entrance to the secret realm can only be maintained for twelve hours, and we must find the Vermilion Bird Key within that time. Long San has already gone ahead."

Chen Yu looked to his right. About a hundred feet away, by a river of lava, Long San stood. This lean man was surrounded by a layer of azure light, incongruous with the surrounding fiery environment, yet strangely maintaining his balance. He had clearly noticed Chen Yu and his companions, but instead of attacking immediately, he gave them a cold glance and turned to flee towards the volcanic cluster.

"He went to find the keys!" Chen Yu said urgently.

"No rush." ​​Wen Ruoxu shook his head. "The Vermilion Bird Key is a supreme treasure of the fire element, and it's not easy to find. This secret realm may seem like just a world of fire, but it actually contains many mysteries. We need to figure out the rules here first."

As soon as he finished speaking, Ye Gucheng flew over from the direction of the entrance and landed beside the three of them. His white clothes stood out conspicuously in the crimson environment, but they were spotless, without even a trace of sweat.

"Rakshasa didn't come in," Ye Gucheng said succinctly. "I stopped her before the entrance closed."

"Well done." Wen Ruoxu nodded. "It's always good to have one less opponent."

The four gathered, and Wen Ruoxu began to explain: "This secret realm is a trial ground left behind by the ancient Vermilion Bird God. To obtain the key, one must pass three trials. According to ancient records, the first trial is 'Refining the Heart in a Sea of ​​Fire,' the second is 'Forging the Body in Lava,' and the third is 'Vermilion Bird Recognizing Its Master.'"

"Where is the test?" Ye Gucheng asked.

Wen Ruoxu opened the ancient book, and a map appeared on the page—a simplified map of the secret realm. Three points of light flickered on the map, located in three different directions.

"The three test sites are scattered in different parts of the secret realm. We must split up, pass the tests as quickly as possible, and finally reunite at the central volcano."

"Split up?" Chen Yu frowned. "What about Long San's side..."

"He's alone and can only choose one direction," Huiming analyzed. "We'll split into three groups, two of which can get ahead of him. Even if he passes one of the tests, we'll still have two more chances."

"That makes sense." Ye Gucheng looked at the map. "I'll be in charge of the 'Fire Sea Refining the Heart' in the west."

"This old monk is going to the 'Lava Body Forging' in the south," Huiming said.

Wen Ruoxu looked at Chen Yu: "Young friend Chen, come with me to the trial in the north. It's your first time entering the secret realm, so it'll be safer if you come with me."

Just as Chen Yu was about to nod, the sensing jade tablet in his pocket suddenly began to vibrate violently! He took out the jade tablet, infused it with spiritual power, and the patterns on the jade tablet spun wildly, finally pointing to... the northeast! Not any of the three test locations marked on the map!

"Mr. Wen, the jade pendant is responding." Chen Yu handed the jade pendant to Wen Ruoxu.

Wen Ruoxu took it, examined it carefully, and his expression changed slightly: "This points to... the core of the secret realm! Could it be that the Vermilion Bird Key isn't in the trial area, but in the core region?"

"That's possible," Ye Gucheng pondered. "Perhaps the test is just to gain the qualification to enter the core?"

Huiming looked in the direction Long San disappeared: "If that's the case, Long San went in... directly northeast!"

"Chase!" Wen Ruoxu made a decisive decision. "Plan changed! We're all going to the core area! We absolutely cannot let the key fall into the hands of the Heavenly Dao Alliance!"

The four immediately set off, speeding northeast.

Flying is forbidden within this secret realm—powerful anti-flying arrays prevent it; movement is the only option. Ye Gucheng possesses the best lightness skill, his white robes fluttering as he covers ten zhang in a single step. Huiming employs Buddhist movement techniques, his steps steady yet his speed considerable. Wen Ruoxu, holding an ancient book, moves with a gentle breeze as the pages turn, his speed also impressive.

Chen Yu was struggling the most. His lightness technique was decent on land, but it was proving inadequate in this complex terrain—lava rivers, volcanic rock fissures, and fiery jungles. Fortunately, he had his spiritual eye technique, which allowed him to see the terrain in advance, avoid dangers, and barely keep up.

During his journey, Chen Yu noticed that this secret realm was not entirely desolate. There was life in the Flame Forest—small birds made of flame, no bigger than a palm, hopping and chirping among the flaming branches, their calls clear and melodious like bells. There were also creatures in the lava river, a type of red fish that swam freely in the lava.

"Fire spirits, flame fish," Wen Ruoxu explained as they hurried along. "They are creatures nurtured by fire-attribute spiritual energy. They have no intelligence, but they will attack intruders. Be careful, don't provoke them."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a situation arose ahead.

A flock of firebirds flew out of the fiery forest, numbering about a hundred, forming a cloud of fire, and swooped down on the four people! Although these birds were small individually, their numbers were numerous, and each bird could breathe fireballs.

"I'll do it." Ye Gucheng stopped and drew his longsword.

He didn't use any fancy sword techniques, just a simple horizontal sweep. The sword energy spread out in a fan shape, and wherever it passed, the fire spirit birds dissipated, turning into sparks that drifted down. With one sword strike, he cleared the path ahead.

"Hurry up, they will come back to life," Wen Ruoxu urged.

Sure enough, the dissipated sparks re-coalesced and turned into fire spirit birds again, but their numbers were reduced by half—it seems that resurrection is not unlimited.

The four quickened their pace, traversing the fiery jungle. They encountered several more attacks from fire spirit birds along the way, but Ye Gucheng and Huiming easily dealt with them. Chen Yu also tried attacking with fireballs, but found them ineffective—fire spirit birds are made of fire and have strong resistance to fire-attribute attacks.

An hour later, the four arrived at a strange area.

There are no volcanoes, no lava rivers, not even black rocks here. Before you lies a vast plain, covered with crimson crystals, forming a dense "crystal forest." Each crystal is several meters tall, crystal clear, with crimson liquid flowing inside, like solidified flames.

In the center of the Crystal Forest stands a palace.

The palace was entirely constructed of red crystal, majestic and imposing, standing about a hundred feet tall. A colossal statue of a vermilion bird, wings outstretched as if about to take flight, was carved into its roof, lifelike in its form. The palace doors were tightly shut, without any keyholes or handles, only two recesses—one circular, the other crescent-shaped.

"The Vermilion Bird Palace!" Wen Ruoxu's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Ancient records state that the Vermilion Bird Key is enshrined in this palace!"

"Where's Long San?" Ye Gucheng looked around warily.

"We should have arrived by now." Huiming pointed to the edge of the Crystal Forest. "Look there."

From the shadow of a crystal pillar, Long San's figure slowly emerged. He had clearly arrived long ago and had been observing from the shadows.

"Wen Ruoxu, you're too slow." Long San's voice was hoarse and unpleasant, like sandpaper rubbing. "But that's perfect, I just need someone to help me open this palace door."

Wen Ruoxu sneered: "Help you? Dream on."

"It's not about helping me, it's about helping yourselves." Long San stepped out of the shadows, holding a crimson token in his hand. "Without the 'Fire Separation Token,' you can't even get through the door. And I happen to have one."

"The Fire Separation Token!" Chen Yu's heart skipped a beat. The shape of the token was somewhat similar to the Vermilion Bird pattern he had seen on the wooden board.

"Where did you get the Fire Separation Token?" Wen Ruoxu asked in a deep voice.

"No need for you to worry about that." Long San toyed with the token. "Now, we can talk about cooperation. The palace door has two keyholes, requiring both Fire Separation Tokens to be inserted simultaneously to open it. I have one, what about you?"

Wen Ruoxu remained silent. Clearly, they did not possess the Fire Separation Token.

"No?" Long San laughed. "That's a pity. I can only wait for the secret realm to open again to find another token. However, you might not be able to wait until then—"

Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly made his move!

The target wasn't Wen Ruoxu and his two companions, but Chen Yu!

A streak of azure sword energy shot out from Long San's hand, moving with lightning speed, aiming straight for Chen Yu's throat! This attack came without warning and was extremely ruthless!

"Watch out!" Ye Gucheng reacted the fastest, drawing his longsword and blocking in front of Chen Yu.

"clang!"

The sound of metal clashing was deafening. Ye Gucheng was forced back three steps, and Long San also took a step back.

"Ye Gucheng, you can't protect him." Long San's eyes flashed with murderous intent. "This kid carries the aura of another Blazing Fire Token! Hand it over, and I'll spare your life!"

Chen Yu was stunned. The Flame Separation Token? He didn't have one!

But then, he remembered something—the wooden plank that had been retrieved from the seabed!

Chen Yu swiftly retrieved the wooden plank from his robes. At that moment, the plank emitted a soft, crimson light, echoing the glow of the token in Long San's hand!

"Just as I expected!" Long San exclaimed with delight. "Give me the plank!"

"Don't even think about it!" Wen Ruoxu stepped in front of Chen Yu. "Master Huiming, Fellow Daoist Ye, form the formation!"

The three immediately formed a triangular formation, protecting Chen Yu in the middle. Wen Ruoxu opened his ancient book, and white light transformed into a protective shield; Huiming chanted Buddhist scriptures, and golden Buddhist light permeated the air; Ye Gucheng pointed his longsword at the ground, and sword energy crisscrossed.

Long San's face darkened: "You won't listen to reason, so don't blame me for being impolite!"

He formed hand seals, and a brilliant azure light shone from his body. In this fiery secret realm, water-attribute techniques should have been suppressed, but Long San's technique was clearly extraordinary, actually drawing upon the water-based spiritual energy within the realm—the crimson liquid within the crystals began to boil, turning into steam and rising into the air to condense into a blue water dragon!

"Controlling water to transform into a dragon!" Wen Ruoxu's expression changed. "You've mastered the 'Mysterious Water Scripture'?"

"You know your stuff," Long San grinned maliciously. "Go!"

The blue water dragon roared as it charged toward the four-person formation.

"Defend with all your might!" Wen Ruoxu shouted.

White light, golden light, and sword energy simultaneously rushed towards the water dragon.

"boom--!"

A tremendous explosion resounded throughout the entire Crystal Plain. The energy shockwave spread outwards, shattering dozens of crystal pillars and scattering fragments everywhere.

Chen Yu was protected within the formation, but the shockwave still caused his blood and qi to churn. He gritted his teeth and steadied himself, while simultaneously activating his spiritual eye technique to observe the battle situation.

Long San fought three opponents alone and surprisingly held his own! The water-attribute spiritual power cultivated from the Xuan Shui True Scripture was incredibly pure, and since water and fire are mutually restraining, it was surprisingly effective in this fiery environment. Wen Ruoxu and the other two's cultivation methods were all balanced and moderate, neither countering nor being countered by fire, but they also lacked any attribute advantage.

"Fighting like this isn't going to work," Huiming transmitted his voice. "Benefactor Chen, try using that wooden plank to see if you can open the temple door! Let's hold him off!"

Chen Yu looked towards the Vermilion Bird Palace in the distance. There were two grooves on the palace door, one round and one crescent-shaped. Long San's token was round, so his wooden tablet…

He examined the wooden board closely and noticed irregular serrations along its edges. If the board were held upright, these serrations could be pieced together to form a crescent shape!

"The wooden board is a crescent moon!" Chen Yu was overjoyed.

But here's the problem—how do he get there? Long San definitely won't let him get close to the palace gate.

Just then, another unexpected event occurred.

The giant Vermilion Bird statue atop the Vermilion Bird Palace suddenly opened its eyes!

There were two burning flames. His gaze swept across the battlefield and finally settled on the wooden board in Chen Yu's hand.

"Buzz—"

The palace doors shook, emitting a deep rumble.

Long San's expression changed drastically: "Not good! The Vermilion Bird's spirit has awakened! Quick, stop that brat!"

He unleashed his full power, splitting the water dragon into three, attacking Wen Ruoxu and the other two simultaneously, while he himself transformed into a streak of blue light, rushing straight towards Chen Yu!

"Stop him!" Ye Gucheng disregarded his own safety and forcibly intercepted him.

But Long San was too fast, and he was about to rush in front of Chen Yu.

At the critical moment, Chen Yu made a bold decision—he poured all his spiritual power into the wooden plank and then hurled it at the palace gate!

"go!"

The wooden plank transformed into a streak of crimson light, shooting towards the crescent-shaped groove on the palace gate.

"No!" Long San roared, changing direction to chase after the wooden plank.

But it's too late.

"Click."

The wooden board was precisely fitted into the groove, fitting perfectly.

The Vermilion Bird pattern on the palace gate lit up, and a brilliant red light shone through the cracks in the door!

Long San froze in mid-air, his face ashen. He glanced at Chen Yu, then at the palace gates about to open, and gritted his teeth, making a decision—he threw the round token in his hand towards the palace gates as well!

"If I can't have it, then no one else can have it easily!"

The circular token is embedded in another groove.

The two tokens were returned to their places, and the palace gates swung open with a roar!

But the moment it opened, a crimson beam of light shot out from inside the hall, enveloping the entire area in front of the hall's entrance.

An ancient, majestic voice, seemingly from the distant past, emanated from the pillar of light:

"The two Fire Tokens are back in their places; the Vermilion Bird Trial begins. Those who hold the tokens, enter the hall to undergo the trial. All others, disperse."

The beam of light enveloped Chen Yu and Long San, while Wen Ruoxu and the other two were pushed a hundred feet away by a gentle but irresistible force.

"Young friend Chen!" Wen Ruoxu exclaimed in surprise.

Chen Yu stood in the pillar of light, looking at Long San opposite him. The two were ten feet apart, but the space inside the pillar of light seemed to be isolated, and no sounds from outside could be heard.

Long San stared at Chen Yu, his eyes filled with murderous intent: "Boy, you're quite good. However, in the trials within the palace, life and death are left to fate. I will show you the consequences of offending the Heavenly Dao Alliance."

Chen Yu took a deep breath, suppressing the tension in his heart. He clenched his fists, circulating spiritual energy within his body.

"Let's see who passes the test first."

The two exchanged a glance, then stepped simultaneously into the open gates of the Vermilion Bird Palace.

The palace doors slowly closed behind them.

Before the last ray of light disappeared, Chen Yu glanced back—Wen Ruoxu and the other two were blocked outside the pillar of light, Huiming was saying something, and Ye Gucheng tried to force his way through the pillar of light but was bounced back…

Then, darkness fell.

Inside the Vermilion Bird Palace, the test begins.

Meanwhile, on the sea outside the secret realm, Zhou Mingyuan stood on the deck of the research vessel, when the recorder in his hand suddenly emitted a rapid beeping sound.

He looked at the instrument screen, which displayed a line of text:

"The core of the secret realm has opened, and the Vermilion Bird Trial has begun. Energy level: Upper A. Estimated completion time: 6-12 hours."

Zhou Mingyuan looked up at the now calm sea, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes.

"Fellow Daoist Chen, I wish you good luck."

The sea breeze carries the salty, fishy smell unique to the South China Sea.

The night is still long.