As the two were talking, a figure suddenly emerged from a corridor within the Grand Tutor's Villa. Spotting Jiang Chen and Huang'er, the newcomer froze for a moment, then quickly spread his face into a wide grin. "You two are lingering here—could it be you've come for the secret realm as well?"
A secret realm? Jiang Chen felt a flicker of surprise but kept his composure, offering only a faint smile without answering.
"Heh heh, registration closes in just two more days. Spots are already running tight. If you want to sign up, you'd better hurry."
Jiang Chen smiled faintly. "We're not in a rush."
"Not in a rush?" The man's brow furrowed. "Spots are limited. If you don't register, you won't be eligible to participate. This time, the rules are strict."
Jiang Chen had visited nearly every famous secret realm in the Sixteen Kingdoms Alliance. He hardly believed there was any secret realm that could interest him.
Seeing Jiang Chen remain unmoved, the man's tone turned hostile. "If you're not here to register, then what are you doing here? Trying to spy on something?"
"Is this place your private restricted area?" Jiang Chen shot back with a cold smile.
The man flew into a rage, letting out a strange laugh. "A lowly independent cultivator, and so full of yourself? If you're here to register, get on with it. If not, scram. Stop lurking around here, skulking like a couple of thieves."
This was exactly the sort of minor character Jiang Chen could snuff out with a single finger.
But Jiang Chen had bigger matters to attend to now, and he certainly wasn't about to stoop to this level. He let out a cold laugh, shot Huang'er a meaningful glance, and left the area.
"Hmph, at least you know your place." The man, thoroughly convinced it was his own overwhelming presence that had driven them off, muttered smugly at their retreating figures.
The two left the Grand Tutor's Villa, only to find a steady stream of independent cultivators rushing toward the compound, all in a great hurry.
"What kind of secret realm could possibly be this appealing?" Even Jiang Chen found it rather suspicious. These independent cultivators were clearly not from the Sixteen Kingdoms Alliance—many had come from other powerful territories. Origin Realm martial artists walked the streets in droves, and Saint Realm experts were as common as dogs.
Huang'er frowned. "There's a feverish aura about all of them, as if something is drawing them in irresistibly. What could it be? Could it be..."
Jiang Chen's expression shifted abruptly. He had thought of the same thing—the Soul-Calming Wood.
Could it be that the news of the Soul-Calming Wood had failed to stay contained and was now public knowledge?
If so, this was going to be troublesome.
Still, Jiang Chen decided to stick to his own plan. No matter how chaotic things got here, he had He Hongshu's maps and information. Regardless of how many independent cultivators had converged here or why, there was no need for him to involve himself.
"Huang'er, no matter what happens—as long as the Soul-Calming Wood is truly here, I will obtain it and permanently break the Linked Hearts Curse for you."
Jiang Chen's tone carried an irrefutable determination.
Leaving the Tiangui Kingdom meant the Eastern Kingdom was not far off. After a moment's thought, Jiang Chen decided to pay it a visit.
The Eastern Kingdom was his birthplace, but nowadays, aside from little Dongfang Zhiruo, there was no one there worth his concern.
Though the Eastern Kingdom was situated in a remote area, it was surprisingly bustling at this moment. Its remoteness had not saved it from upheaval.
The entire Eastern Kingdom found itself in much the same state as the Tiangui Kingdom.
The Dongfang clan remained the nominal rulers, but like Ye Rong in the Tiangui Kingdom, they had become puppets.
Dongfang Zhiruo, on the other hand, had never taken up cultivation, and so she had not been disturbed. She lived in the royal palace, leading the life of an ordinary princess.
The changes in the outside world had little impact on her.
Years had passed, and the frail little girl of old had grown into a young woman—poised and graceful, a true beauty.
Yet, due to her constitution, she still bore the look of a delicate, sickly beauty. There was a faint melancholy between her brows, suggesting that life within these deep palace walls did not bring her much happiness.
"Perhaps leaving her here back then was a mistake," Jiang Chen thought, standing outside the palace walls and watching Dongfang Zhiruo from afar.
But he also knew that at the time, keeping her in the Eastern Kingdom had truly been the best option.
If she had followed Dongfang Gouyu, she might well have perished during the Danqian Palace catastrophe.
Huang'er knew about Dongfang Zhiruo. She had once resided in the Eastern Kingdom and was aware that Jiang Chen's rise had begun with curing the girl's illness.
Now, seeing him come to visit, she was not surprised.
"Let's go." After watching for a while, Jiang Chen lingered no longer. He didn't want to disturb the current peace, nor did he wish to meet Dongfang Zhiruo just yet.
Seeing her now might not necessarily do her any good.
Leaving the Eastern Kingdom, Jiang Chen finally let go of his lingering concerns. Though the Sixteen Kingdoms Alliance was similarly battered, at least things were better than he had imagined.
Departing the Eastern Kingdom's capital, Jiang Chen passed by the Endless Abyss and paused for a moment. He turned to Huang'er. "Huang'er, wait here for me a while. I'm going to see an old friend."
Huang'er was gracious about it, not pressing for details. She simply nodded with a soft smile.
The Endless Abyss was just as it had been years ago. To the outside world, all people knew was that it was a secret realm of the Eastern Kingdom.