Chapter 5: The Hidden Realm
1989 Words
Silence gripped the arena, so profound that the drop of a needle would echo.
Challenge.
Ye Xuan had challenged the Grand Elder!
Shock rippled through every corner of Ye Manor. Within its walls, the strongest cultivator was the secluded Clan Head, followed by Guardian Elder Ye Qing—currently absent—and then the Grand Elder. For Ye Xuan to dare challenge this pillar of power...
Was this sheer recklessness?
Some spectators thought so. Others remembered: Ye Xuan was once the Manor’s favored heir. Unlike the Grand Elder, coddled within the estate’s comforts, Ye Xuan had honed his edge against daily life-or-death struggles. That ferocity, that bloodlust—qualities the Grand Elder lacked. Though only at the 5th Layer: Unceasing Realm, in a desperate fight, Ye Xuan might just claw out a victory.
Before him, the Grand Elder stared, stunned. He hadn’t anticipated this move.
Accept or refuse?
Refusal meant public humiliation. His authority within Ye Manor would crumble, inviting future defiance.
Accept?
Doubt gnawed at him. His realm surpassed Ye Xuan’s, true. But years had passed since his last true battle. Sparring sessions within the Manor were mere formalities. Ye Xuan? Every conflict outside was a bloody struggle for survival. The Grand Elder knew the difference. Even victory would brand him a bully preying on the weak. Defeat? Utter disgrace. His position as Grand Elder would be forfeit.
His face darkened, storm clouds gathering. Ye Xuan’s hopeless situation had, in one stroke, become hisimpossible dilemma.
Just then, a voice cut through the tension. “Do we not still have our one-month agreement?”
Heads turned. Approaching calmly was Ye Lang—the current Family Heir.
The Grand Elder opened his mouth to speak, then froze. His eyes bulged in disbelief. “Ye Lang... you’ve reached the Qi Transformation Realm?!”
Qi Transformation Realm!
The crowd stilled. Under their collective gaze, Ye Lang gave a slight nod. “It took me over ten days. Rather slow, I admit.”
A collective gasp swept the square. Slow?!Before his awakening, Ye Lang was merely at the 4th Layer: Dual Cultivation Realm. To leap to Qi Transformation in barely ten days? Unprecedented speed in the entire Ye Clan history!
The Grand Elder threw back his head, laughter booming. “Heaven blesses our Ye Clan! Haha!”
Relief and elation surged through the Manor. With such speed, Ye Lang could lift the Ye Clan to greatness!
Ye Lang’s gaze settled on Ye Xuan, cold and mocking. “What right have you to challenge the Grand Elder? Defeat mefirst. Our life-and-death duel is in less than twenty days. Or have you forgotten?”
Ye Xuan met his eyes, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Ah, forgive my oversight.” He turned back to the Grand Elder, his tone suddenly deferential. “Grand Elder, my apologies for the earlier offense. Once I’ve settled matters with your grandson, I shall return for... instruction. Farewell.” He took Ye Ling’s hand, turning to leave.
“Halt!”
The Grand Elder’s roar cracked like thunder. “You murdered an Elder! Do you think this ends—”
Ye Xuan spun, his stare sharp as a blade. “Grand Elder, shall we duel now? Or perhaps your grandson fights me today? Or...” His voice dropped, laced with dangerous sweetness, “...are you both afraid? Is that why you sent Ye Ku to provoke me? Seeking an excuse to eliminate us both? If so, spare the theatrics. Just attack together. I, Ye Xuan, admit I cannot defeat you all.”
“You—!” The Grand Elder’s face purpled with rage.
Ye Lang stepped forward, his voice icy. “Leave. Twenty days. The Life-and-Death Arena awaits.”
Ye Xuan shrugged, addressing the Grand Elder again. “See? Your grandson understands reason. You, old man? Age seems to cloud your judgment.” Without waiting for a reply, he led Ye Ling away.
The Grand Elder trembled, his complexion deepening to violet. His furious gaze snapped to Li Mu and the other guards. “Useless vermin! You watched an Elder struck down and did nothing? Guards! Drag them out! Execute them now!”
Li Mu and his comrades paled, terror gripping them.
Ye Xuan paused at the courtyard’s edge. He glanced back, his voice deliberately loud. “Grand Elder, a friendly reminder. Li Mu and his men are the Clan Leader’s Personal Guards. You areGrand Elder, true... but the Clan Head isn’t dead yet. To move against his personal guard...” He feigned sudden shock, his eyes widening. “...Could it be you plot against the Clan Head himself? You—”
“ENOUGH!” The Grand Elder’s bellow shook the stones. “Ye Xuan! One more word, and I swear I’ll end you here, even if it costs me my life!”
Ye Xuan offered a mocking smile. “Compose yourself, Grand Elder. I merely offer... counsel. Don’t strain your heart. I’d be devastated... oh, wait, no—thrilled.” Chuckling, he vanished with Ye Ling into the shadows.
Li Mu’s eyes followed him, filled with profound gratitude. Without Ye Xuan’s intervention, they would be dead.
The Grand Elder stood rigid, trembling with suppressed fury. The crowd dared not breathe. He turned abruptly to Ye Lang. “Why let him go? Why not finish him today?”
Ye Lang’s expression remained detached. “Because I stand on the brink of the Qi Control Realm.”
The Grand Elder froze. “Truly?”
Ye Lang nodded once. “The breakthrough is imminent. Distracting myself with that insect is unwise. Let him crawl a few days longer. He is already finished.”
The Grand Elder exhaled, nodding vigorously. “Of course, of course! Let the trash breathe his last.”
Ye Lang’s gaze turned distant. “He’s cornered and desperate. Provoke him no further these twenty days. I’ll not have whispers that I feared him, that I sent you to manufacture an excuse.”
“My error,” the Grand Elder conceded heavily. “He will have no further trouble from us.”
Ye Lang’s tone shifted. “My breakthrough requires substantial Spirit Stones.”
The Grand Elder winced. Spirit Stones—precious crystals brimming with Qi—were scarce even in the Ye Clan. Traditionally, only the Clan Head and Heir had access. Ye Xuan, as former Heir, had been deliberately denied.
“A problem?” Ye Lang’s voice was cool.
“N-no,” the Grand Elder stammered. “But... our reserves are low.”
Ye Lang waved a dismissive hand. “The Qi Control Realm demands little. It’s hardly significant.”
Relief washed over the Grand Elder. “Excellent!”
Ye Lang’s eyes lifted to the sky, a flicker of contempt in their depths. A backwater clan... but useful pawns, for now...
Ye Xuan’s Courtyard
Ye Xuan guided Ye Ling back to their secluded yard. No sooner had they arrived than Li Mu and his men appeared.
Ye Xuan’s gaze was assessing. “Your presence here endangers you.” Since his fall from Heir, his former battle-brothers had melted away. The future belonged to Ye Lang.
Li Mu saluted, fist over heart. “Brother Ye. Our thanks for earlier.”
Ye Xuan acknowledged with a nod. “You held back. Ithank you. Go. The Grand Elder’s spies linger.”
Li Mu hesitated, then spoke firmly. “Brother Ye. If you ever need us... command us. We will answer.” He bowed, leading his men away.
Ye Xuan watched them go, a faint, weary shake of his head. Ye Ling squeezed his arm. “Brother... you doubt them?”
He managed a tired smile. “If I were strong, Ling, their words would hold weight. Weak? Without hope? Then they are dust on the wind.”
Ye Ling looked up, her eyes fierce with loyalty. “Iam real. I stand with you. Always.”
Ye Xuan’s laughter warmed the space between them. He led her inside. The moment they crossed the threshold, Ye Ling’s body convulsed violently. A wave of biting cold radiated from her skin.
Fear lanced through Ye Xuan. He swept her onto the bed, snatching the White Jade Vial. With trembling hands, he tipped a single white Pill into her mouth. Gradually, the tremors eased, color returning faintly to her cheeks.
Her eyes fluttered open. Her small hand clutched his like a lifeline, her voice a fragile whisper. “Brother... I... I won’t last much longer. If I... if I die... keep my ashes... close? I want... to stay with you... alw—”
“Silence!” Ye Xuan’s command was sharp, laced with fear. He glared, the fierceness masking his terror. “You will notdie. I forbidit. Trust me. I willheal you. Once I reach the Qi Control Realm, we go to the Imperial Capital. Understand?” His voice softened, pleading. “You’re my only family, Ling. For me... hold on. Promise?”
Tears traced silent paths down Ye Ling’s cheeks. Ye Xuan gently brushed them away. “Hush now. Tears dim your light. Who’ll marry you then?”
She shook her head vehemently. “Won’t marry. Only love... Brother.”
A flicker of amusement touched Ye Xuan’s worry. “Silly girl.” He settled beside her. “Listen... Once, there was a mountain. And on that mountain, stood a temple...”
Fifteen minutes later, her breathing deepened into sleep.
Ye Xuan watched her, his expression hardening into grim resolve. Her sleep grew deeper, longer. The Jade Vial held barely three Pills.
Carefully, he tucked the blanket around her, then vanished, stepping into the Prison of Worlds Tower.
Time to cultivate.
His goal was absolute: Break through to the Qi Control Realm. Get Ye Ling to the capital. Survive the twenty-day deadline. Defeat on the Life-and-Death Arena meant death for them both.
He sought the shadowy sparring partner, but the Mysterious Woman’s voice resonated first. “You are ready for the Hidden Realm.”
Ye Xuan paused. “Hidden Realm? What realm?”
“The Fleshly Body Realm is known from 1st to 6th Layer,” she explained. “Few know what lies beyond the 6th Layer: Qi Transformation. The true path is Fleshly Body, then the Hidden Realm: Golden Body. Only thencomes the Innate Qi Mastery Realm.”
Ye Xuan frowned. “Golden Body Realm? I’ve never heard...”
“Hidden. Forgotten. Or suppressed,” the voice replied, cool and ancient. “Mastering it will double your strength. Choose: Cultivate the Hidden Realm now? Or bypass it later, seeking a Spirit Sword to leap directly into Innate Qi Mastery?”
Excitement surged. “Double? Truly?”
“Without doubt.”
“I cultivate it! Now!”
“Good.” The voice held a hint of... something. “Sword Qi flows within you. Though you cannot yet project it outward, you can wield it inward. Stimulate your Meridians. Scour your Internal Organs. Previously, you tempered your body from without. Now, temper it from within. True mastery requires both. Be warned: There may be... discomfort.”
Ye Xuan squared his shoulders, dismissing the caution. “A little pain? Meaningless. I begin.”
“Very well. Simply guide the Sword Qi... let it disperse... saturate your limbs... permeate every fiber...”
Ye Xuan obeyed, centering himself. Instantly, his eyes flew wide. A raw, guttural cry tore from his throat. “AAGH—!”
Agony. Ten thousand needles seared through his veins, burning, shredding. Consciousness flickered.
“Elder! This isn’t a littlepain!”
“Is it truly severe? My perception suggested mild discomfort...”
“Elder... tell me someone else mastered this Hidden Realm!”
“One... long, long ago. He perished instantly during cultivation. I attributed it to... unrelated causes...”
“I—!”
“Seeing your struggle pains me. Helpless to intervene, I offer only a smile to convey my... regret. Heh heh heh...”
Ye Xuan: “...”
- Writer
