All Realms and Worlds: The Lost Home

About half an hour later, all the newly initiated disciples had arrived.

The main hall square was bustling with people, their blue outer disciples' robes and gray servant disciples' robes intertwined.

Occasionally, one could see a few figures dressed in white inner sect disciple robes, their posture upright and their aura calm.

It turned out to be an inner disciple who had arrived ahead of time.

Just then, the "Qingyun" stone tablet in the center of the square suddenly lit up with a dazzling golden light.

An aged and dignified voice, like a resounding bell, echoed throughout the square, drowning out all the hushed whispers.

It was the voice of the Grand Elder of the Outer Sect of the Qingyun Sect, carrying the undeniable authority of the sect: "Everyone, be quiet!"

The square fell into a deathly silence. All the disciples fell silent and looked up at the top of the stone tablet.

His expression was respectful yet somewhat nervous; he didn't even dare to breathe loudly.

Shi Si and the other two also raised their heads slightly, their gazes falling on the stone tablet. They secretly guessed that the sect's summons was indeed related to the secret realm.

The voice of the outer sect elder rang out again, clearly reaching the ears of every disciple, carrying a hint of solemnity.

"I have gathered you all here today to announce a very important matter—the sect's secret realm will officially open in three days!"

"What?! The secret realm has opened?!"

These words exploded like a thunderclap in the square, instantly turning the once quiet place into a boiling cauldron.

The disciples gasped in surprise, their faces filled with delight and excitement, and their voices rose and fell in unison.

Yet he dared not speak too loudly, and could only suppress the ecstasy in his heart.

"Great! We can actually enter the sect's secret realm! I've heard that the secret realm contains a vast amount of spiritual energy, rare and precious materials, and even ancient cultivation techniques!"

"I've been cultivating for three years, stuck at the fourth level of Qi Refining. If I can find an opportunity in the secret realm, I might be able to break through and escape my status as a menial disciple!"

"That's right! And I heard that this time the secret realm is opening without strict identity restrictions, so even us menial disciples can enter. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"

The disciples' discussions grew increasingly heated.

There was anticipation from outer disciples, elation from menial disciples, and indifference from inner disciples.

Only Shi Si and the other two remained calm, though a hint of wariness appeared in their eyes.

The Grand Elder of the Outer Sect raised his hand, signaling for silence. Golden light flashed again, and his voice grew even more authoritative: "Silence!"

The rules for this opening of the secret realm are as follows: All outer and inner disciples of the Qingyun Sect, and even menial disciples, are welcome to register for entry as long as their cultivation reaches the second level of Qi Refining or above. There are no restrictions based on status or rank!

Upon hearing this, the servant disciples were even more excited, and many of them couldn't help but cheer.

Zhao Hu and the others were also overjoyed, their resentment temporarily replaced by excitement.

They exchanged a glance, both seeing calculation in each other's eyes.

"Within the secret realm, danger and opportunity coexist. Competition among disciples is allowed, but malicious killing is prohibited."

The voice of the Grand Elder of the Outer Sect rang out again, carrying a stern warning.

"Those who violate this rule will have their cultivation abolished and be expelled from the sect!"

"The secret realm will open in three days from now until dawn. Starting today, everyone can register at the Outer Sect's Hall of Affairs. Latecomers will not be accepted!"

After the announcement was finished, the golden light on the stone tablet gradually faded, and the voice of the outer sect elder also disappeared.

The square was once again filled with lively discussion, as disciples gathered in twos and threes to discuss matters concerning the secret realm.

His face was full of anticipation.

Shen Jianxin lowered his voice and said to Shi Si and Lin Nannan, "The opening of the secret realm is both an opportunity and a crisis."

"There are not only rare and precious treasures inside, but there are also bound to be many dangers."

"Moreover, Zhao Hu and his group will definitely sign up as well. They might take advantage of the secret realm to secretly retaliate against us."

Lin Nannan nodded, a hint of worry on her face: "Do we still need to register?"

"What if Zhao Hu and his men ambush us in the secret realm?"

Shi Si spoke slowly, his eyes resolute: "You must register."

He paused, then continued, "We've just entered the outer sect, and our cultivation is low. If we want to quickly become stronger and escape the fate of being harassed, we can't miss the opportunities in the secret realm."

"As for Zhao Hu and his men, as long as we are careful, we may be able to turn the tables and thwart their plot."

Just then, Zhao Hu, who was in the corner, also looked in their direction.

A sinister smile curled at the corner of his lips as he whispered to the handymen disciples beside him, "Brothers, the opening of the secret realm is the perfect opportunity for us to get revenge on those three brats, Shi Si!"

"The secret realm is fraught with danger. When the time comes, we'll find a secluded place and teach them a lesson."

"Even if we kill them, no one will find out!"

The dozen or so handymen disciples nodded in agreement, their eyes filled with hostility and greed.

"Alright! Tiger, we'll listen to you then, and we'll make sure those three bastards die a horrible death."

"We can not only get revenge, but we might also be able to steal the opportunity they obtained!"

Zhao Hu sneered, his gaze fixed on Shi Si's back, his eyes almost overflowing with resentment.

"Shi Si, Shen Jianxin, Lin Nannan, your deaths will be in three days in the secret realm!"

Shi Si seemed to sense Zhao Hu's malice and slowly turned his head.

He met Zhao Hu's gaze with icy eyes, a faint shadowy light emanating from his body, carrying a silent warning.

Zhao Hu's heart tightened at Shi Si's gaze, but he still braced himself and glared back fiercely, showing no sign of backing down.

Shen Jianxin also noticed the standoff between the two sides and quietly tightened his grip on the iron sword in his hand.

He whispered to Shi Si, "Don't waste time with them, let's go to the deacon's hall to register first."

"Then make the most of these three days to cultivate and try to improve your cultivation level before the secret realm opens."

Shi Si nodded slightly, looked away, and said to Lin Nannan, "Nannan, stay close to us and don't run around."

Lin Nannan nodded quickly, clutching Shi Si's sleeve tightly.

The three turned and walked towards the outer gate's steward's hall.

The disciples in the square were still discussing excitedly, their excitement and anticipation intertwined.

But no one noticed that malice and scheming were quietly brewing in the corner.

The secret realm three days from now is destined to be anything but peaceful.

Opportunities and crises coexist, and retaliation and counterattacks are intertwined.

Not only do Shi Si and his companions need to seek opportunities and improve their strength in the secret realm, but they also have to deal with the scheming of Zhao Hu and others.

A new battle is about to begin in the secret realm.

The discussions in the square continued for a long time, and many disciples couldn't wait to turn around and run towards the outer sect's affairs hall.

They were afraid of missing the opportunity to register for the secret realm.

Zhao Hu and his group also hurriedly left, plotting their revenge plan in the famous secret realm as they went, their eyes filled with malice and greed.

Just as most of the disciples were leaving, the voice of the Grand Elder of the Outer Sect came through the stone tablet once again.

With an undeniable air of authority: "All newly initiated outer disciples, remain for now!"

"The remaining disciples may register at the Hall of Affairs on their own, or return to their residences to cultivate!"

The departing new disciples stopped, a hint of doubt on their faces.

He immediately stopped, turned around, and returned to the center of the square, standing still once more.

Shi Si and the other two exchanged glances, their doubts deepening—being kept behind separately after the gathering must be a special arrangement for the new disciples.

Upon hearing this, the other inner disciples and miscellaneous disciples quickened their pace and left.

Before long, only the newly initiated outer disciples, a few outer elders and stewards remained in the square.

His expression remained serious as his gaze slowly swept over each of the new disciples present.

After all the unrelated disciples had left, the figure of the Grand Elder of the Outer Sect slowly appeared at the top of the stone tablet.

He wore a blue elder's robe, his beard and hair were all white, and his face was old but he was still very energetic.

He was surrounded by dense spiritual energy fluctuations, clearly indicating that he was a person of profound cultivation.