Chapter 283: The End of the Secret Realm

"So Yao Yao has been doing so many things behind the scenes," Cang Li said with a hint of emotion.

Inside the thatched hut.

Yuan Yao entered the hut and saw another mysterious figure dressed the same; he sat in the center, with a table before him holding ten exquisite black boxes.

At this moment, the black boxes were opened, revealing their contents.

Among the five middle boxes lay the golden‑toted—Heavenly Pride Token!

"What do you seek?" the mysterious figure asked, looking up at her.

Yuan Yao first clasped her hands in a bow, then stepped forward, her gaze scanning the items inside the ten boxes.

Aside from the five Heavenly Pride Tokens, the other items were far from ordinary.

Seeing her examine the treasures, the mysterious figure slowly introduced, "This is a Holy‑grade Spirit‑Removing Demon Pill, which can help Cultivators eliminate deep‑seated heart‑demon troubles, or effectively suppress their rampage."

"This is a Holy‑grade Teleportation Scroll; as long as you possess it and chant the proper incantation, you can be instantly transported to any corner of the cultivation world, provided the destination lacks special seals."

After speaking, the figure picked up a crystal‑clear pearl, gently rubbing it in his palm, and explained, "This is an Exotic Fire Pearl; for Cultivators who specialize in fire techniques, it is a dream‑come‑true treasure. With its aid, fire‑element cultivation becomes far more efficient."

Then, pointing to a finely crafted glass lamp, he said, "This Holy‑grade Luminous Glass Lamp is not only gorgeous but also a top‑tier defensive artifact! It can block all attacks below the Spirit Transformation Realm."

"This is a Holy‑grade Spirit Immortal Herb, exceedingly rare in the world. After consumption, it greatly accelerates your absorption and refinement of spiritual energy, causing cultivation to surge."

Finally, he introduced the remaining five Heavenly Pride Tokens.

"Those who possess a Heavenly Pride Token can, on the day Tian Jiaocheng opens, be transported to Tian Jiaocheng."

"After entering Tian Jiaocheng?" Yuan Yao asked curiously.

She had never asked her master about Tian Jiaocheng before.

The mysterious figure lifted his eyes to look at her.

"Do you know the Heavenly Pride List?"

Yuan Yao shook her head.

The mysterious figure did not elaborate, "After entering Tian Jiaocheng, you must compete for a rank on the Heavenly Pride List. You'll understand once you enter."

"What will you choose?"

Yuan Yao knew her master had reserved a Heavenly Pride Token for her, so choosing another now would seem redundant, didn't it?

She felt a slight attraction to each of the five treasures.

As for which to pick, she was conflicted.

In the end, she chose the Holy‑grade Teleportation Scroll.

"Are you sure?" the figure asked, as if he had known she wouldn't pick a Heavenly Pride Token, and thus was unsurprised by her choosing another treasure.

"Sure." With this Holy‑grade Teleportation Scroll, she could flee whenever she wished! As the saying goes, "As long as the green mountains remain, one need not fear lacking firewood."

"Take it."

"Thank you."

Yuan Yao lifted the scroll and placed it back into her storage space.

Yuan Yao exited the hut.

Xie Yan's gaze lingered on Yuan Yao for a moment.

Next, it was Xie Yan's turn.

After entering the hut, Xie Yan, without waiting for the figure's introduction, decisively took a Heavenly Pride Token.

Ying Wuji took the Holy‑grade Spirit‑Removing Demon Pill.

Sikong Banxue took a Heavenly Pride Token.

Cang Li took the Holy‑grade Spirit Immortal Herb.

Outside the hut.

The two mysterious figures looked at the five youths and said, "Little friends, I hope to see you in Tian Jiaocheng someday."

Before the five could react, they were transported away.

At the moment the scene was about to fade, Xie Yan couldn't help glancing at Yuan Yao.

Yuan Yao waved warmly at the two figures, "Until we meet again."

The two figures' expressions flickered slightly.

One of them raised a hand and gently waved in reply.

Yuan Yao seemed to sense a scorching gaze upon her, but she did not turn to look.

With the Luminous Secret Realm ended, she and he should become complete strangers.

Meanwhile, on the prairie, Qian Yunzhou, Lu Xiangxiang and others were also about to be transported away.

A hint of regret flashed across Qian Yunzhou's handsome face as he sighed softly, "Yuan Xiao Liu, farewell."

The Luminous Secret Realm closed completely.

Everyone returned to their own places.

The two mysterious figures also returned to that hall.

In the hall's center, a crystal screen materialized, displaying the names of over a dozen people.

"I hope they grow a bit faster," a mysterious elder said gravely.

"Many years have passed since the last opening of Tian Jiaocheng."

"All these years, those monsters still remain unforgettable."

The present mysterious figures understood the batch of Tian Jiaocheng he referred to.

The Moon‑Garbed Immortal Sovereign said, "Of course, back then we produced countless geniuses."

"If it weren't for…" another voice fell low.

The crowd fell silent.

That year, too many things happened.

It caused most geniuses to perish midway, falling from the clouds to the valley below.

Of the hundred Heavenly Champions, only twenty remained.

And that year's Heavenly Champion List saw the only occurrence of a dual top.

—Xu Yanzhi.

—Qian Jueshan.

If Qian Jueshan's junior brother Yu Qingshu had not made a mistake, he would at least have reached the top three of the Heavenly Champion List.

…

On the other side.

Ninth Province, Heavenly Martial Peak.

Inside the bamboo hut, two figures suddenly appeared.

"Finally, you're out," Cang Li let out a sudden sigh of relief, weakly collapsing onto the chair, struggling to open his eyes toward his junior sister, "I'm about to collapse."

"Quickly find Second Elder to treat me, treat me," he said, his breath as thin as a thread.

As soon as he finished speaking, he fainted dead on the table.

"Third Senior Brother, you aren't acting again, are you?" Yuan Yao reached out to shake his shoulder, saw no response, and sensed his chaotic breath, instantly changing her expression.

She immediately sent a message to Second Elder Zong Rao.

Immediately, she reached out to feel Cang Li's pulse, finding it very weak; using spiritual perception to probe his body, she discovered several broken bones and severe damage to his internal organs.

Yuan Yao only then realized that in the battle against the Demon Lord and other demons, her own Third Senior Brother had sustained grave injuries, yet he had clenched his teeth and endured until now.

Before she could go seek her own Master.

A towering figure suddenly appeared in the room, a young man with silver hair like a waterfall and a stern expression.

"Master, Third Senior Brother is seriously injured," Yuan Yao's eyes lit up.

Qian Jueshan stepped forward, immediately produced an eighth‑grade bone‑binding and muscle‑restoring pill, and fed it to Cang Li.

After taking the pill, Cang Li's pallid complexion gradually improved, though his brows remained tightly knit as if enduring some pain.

"Yao Yao," Qian Jueshan turned his head toward Yuan Yao, calling softly.

"Are you injured? Let Master have a look."

"My injuries are not serious."