For ordinary people, finding a secret realm was as difficult as ascending to the heavens. Many warriors would never even get the chance to enter one to train or seek treasure in their entire lives, yet here at the Star God Palace, countless secret realms lay waiting to be explored.
The sheer depth of resources that a Great Emperor's sect could command was truly terrifying.
Lan Xun smiled faintly. "Senior Brother Yang, you remember the Golden Armor Heavenly Book, right?"
Yang Kai laughed despite himself. "I haven't gone senile yet."
He'd only handed the thing over to Lan Xun not long ago — how could he possibly forget? It was precisely because Lan Xun had taken the Golden Armor Heavenly Book that Yang Kai had been given the opportunity to train inside this Five-Colored Pagoda for a month. That had only happened recently, so the memory was still fresh in his mind.
But the fact that she was bringing it up now clearly wasn't idle chatter. Rather...
Yang Kai's expression shifted. "Could it be that the Golden Armor Heavenly Book is connected to the Five-Colored Pagoda?"
Lan Xun nodded. "That's right. The Golden Armor Heavenly Book was brought out of the secret realm on the fifth floor of the Five-Colored Pagoda by Martial Uncle Tan... Tan Junhao. And not only is it an Emperor Treasure of considerable power, it also serves as the key to opening that secret realm!"
Yang Kai was startled. "You're saying that secret realm originally existed on the fifth floor of the Five-Colored Pagoda, but because Tan Junhao brought out the Golden Armor Heavenly Book, the disciples of the Star God Palace can now enter that realm to train without having to pass through the Five-Colored Pagoda?"
"Precisely!" Lan Xun nodded. "That secret realm originally existed within the fifth floor of the Five-Colored Pagoda. Under normal circumstances, to enter it, one would have to pass through the fourth floor and be blessed with good fortune. But ever since Tan Junhao brought out the Golden Armor Heavenly Book, the disciples can come and go as they please."
"Tan Junhao's luck was quite impressive!" Yang Kai clicked his tongue in admiration.
Lan Xun smiled gently. "According to my father's speculation, many of the secret realms on the fifth floor should be like that one — each with its own key. As long as one can find that key, the entrance to the secret realm can be opened at any time and place, allowing disciples to enter and train."
Yang Kai perked up, exclaiming in surprise, "There's actually such a thing?"
Xiao Chen's expression suddenly changed, and he quietly said to Lan Xun, "Your Highness, you're saying too much."
This matter was a secret of the Star God Palace. While it wasn't exactly top-secret, it wasn't something that could be casually disclosed to outsiders. However, Lan Xun's status was different. No one could really fault her for saying this.
Lan Xun shook her head. "It's fine. Besides, those keys aren't something you can just stumble upon easily. Our Palace has been exploring for many years, and after all that searching, we've only found the key to one secret realm."
Yang Kai thought about it seriously for a moment, then cupped his fists. "I've learned something new."
Lan Xun covered her mouth and smiled. "I've said quite a lot and wasted a good deal of time. Senior Brother Yang, you should head into the fifth floor first."
Yang Kai nodded. "Very well. Please go ahead, Junior Sister Lan!"
Lan Xun's expression turned serious, and she offered a reminder. "There is one thing I should make clear to Senior Brother Yang. Within the many secret realms on the fifth floor, anything could possibly happen. You must be sure to guard your heart and stay true to your convictions — do not be swayed by external temptations!"
"I'll remember that." Yang Kai nodded.
As they spoke, the three of them had already reached the end of the corridor. Looking ahead, at the corridor's end was a swirling nebula that appeared profoundly mysterious and unfathomable. A strange aura emanated from within the nebula, giving off an extremely unsettling sensation.
"Senior Brother Yang, I'll be going on ahead. Take care, and we'll meet again outside." After calling out to Yang Kai, Lan Xun leaped forward and plunged into the nebula, vanishing without a trace.
Xiao Chen stood in place and let out a sigh, looking somewhat frustrated. This time around, he'd had to work hard on the fourth floor just to find Lan Xun. He'd originally planned to stay by her side until the training ended, but who would have thought that Lan Xun would insist on going to the fifth floor, meaning they had to part ways again.
He glanced sideways at Yang Kai with little interest in conversation, then likewise leaped into the nebula.
Before long, Yang Kai was the only one left in place.
With time pressing, there was no reason for hesitation. Since Lan Xun and Xiao Chen had both gone in, he naturally had to follow.
The moment he stepped into the nebula, Yang Kai immediately activated the Laws of Space, attempting to see whether — just like on the fourth floor — he could remain in a buffer zone.
If that were the case, then he'd have a great deal of room to maneuver, able to select a secret realm that suited him best.
But this time, he was somewhat disappointed. When he activated the Laws of Space, there was simply no response whatsoever. By the time his vision cleared, an anxious voice was already ringing in his ears: "A Niu, wake up! Wake up! A beast tide is coming! Hurry and wake up — what are you spacing out for?"
Along with the voice, what felt like a large hand had grabbed hold of his shoulder and was shaking him vigorously.
Yang Kai was shocked, having no idea what was going on. His expression darkened as he reached out to seize the hand.
Yet the other party's reflexes were incredibly fast. Before Yang Kai could even complete his motion, his wrist was already clamped in the other's grip. An unimaginably violent force surged from that hand, instantly suppressing all of Yang Kai's brute strength within his body, leaving him utterly unable to move.
Yang Kai's expression changed once more. Even as shock at the sheer power of the other party filled his mind, he immediately activated his Emperor Yuan, and then...
There was absolutely no response!
His body was completely empty — not a shred of Emperor Yuan remained!
In that instant, Yang Kai's face went pale with fright, his soul nearly leaping from his body.