On the South Coast, the warehouse-type secret realm that Leilin had previously broken into and the laboratory-type secret realm discovered by the old witch were actually both small-scale secret realms.
These kinds of secret realms generally didn't exceed a hundred mu in area — they were spaces used exclusively for experiments and storing supplies. Regardless of what was inside, judging the secret realm by itself alone, its value was undoubtedly the lowest.
Above that were resource-type secret realms, which covered at least a hundred thousand mu, with vast territory and diverse terrain types, making them convenient for the growth of the resources wizards needed.
The most top-tier secret realms had formulas embedded in their fundamental design that could regulate the growth patterns of plants and animals, allowing a single wizard to directly control the entire realm!
These were just the typical cases. There were also exceptions like the Dylan Garden that Leilin had encountered before — though its area was relatively small, it had been personally arranged by the Crimson Grand Wizard, a fourth-rank Morning Star, so the price would be entirely different.
"What a shame! If it were a resource-type secret realm, we could just covertly occupy the place, then redevelop the realm… tsk tsk, we'd make a killing!"
Bronze Ring stroked his chin, clearly imagining something extremely wonderful.
"Dream on!" the old witch snorted coldly, shattering Bronze Ring's fantasy.
"The larger the secret realm, the higher the cost. And a resource-type secret realm covering over a hundred thousand mu — even the ancient wizard organizations, very few had the financial means to create one…"
"The resource secret realms of the major organizations on the South Coast right now are merely the legacy of ancient predecessors that have been modified! If a resource-type secret realm were discovered here, there's absolutely no way we could swallow it — even adding in the entire organization and that Lord behind us, it still wouldn't be enough!"
"Let's go. Even a laboratory-type secret realm will surely have plenty of good things inside, and turning it in will net a huge contribution, more than enough for you to exchange for a ton of resources!" Leilin said.
For small secret realms like this, every major wizard organization had dedicated missions posted for them.
Whether it was the Four Seasons Garden or the dark wizard organization the old witch belonged to, both had the full capability to claim it, and naturally there would be no shortage of rewards for the discoverer.
If this had been a resource-type secret realm, Leilin might have entertained some underhanded thoughts, trying to skim it for himself.
But since it was a laboratory-type small secret realm, his desire to occupy it long-term wasn't nearly as strong. After all, even if he seized it, with such a tiny area there was no way to develop it into anything meaningful — at best, a slightly concealed small base.
"The entrance to the secret realm is inside a two-story wooden house on the western side of the town!"
The old witch led the other three to the front of a two-story wooden structure, clearly familiar with the way.
Compared to the rest of the small town, this area was even more desolate. Wild grass had grown thick around the building, and a few mole-like creatures scurried past.
"Originally this was a bustling street, but thirteen years ago, the residents of this wooden house started dying one after another. Sometimes townspeople would hear the mournful wailing of a woman coming from beside the house… That's how the names 'haunted house' and 'cursed dwelling' spread, and the area gradually fell into disuse!"
The old witch pushed open the rotting front door, looking rather proud of herself.
"During one of my travels, I discovered this place, and after several months of investigation, I was able to confirm that all the anomalies here were caused by the defensive magical array at the secret realm entrance gradually breaking down, leaking out contaminated energy…"
"By my calculations, thirteen years from when it started, today the defensive array here will be completely destroyed, and the entrance to the secret realm will be fully revealed…"
"So I first posed as an ordinary person and purchased this property, then set up a circle of illusory barriers on the outside to ensure that no passing wizards would ever detect it."
Leilin listened to the old witch's account while looking around inside the building.
The ground floor wasn't large, containing only two or three rooms. The main hall was covered in a thick layer of dust and broken furniture, and in one corner there was a spiral wooden staircase riddled with holes — the only passage connecting the two floors.
Beneath this dilapidated appearance, Leilin sensed a dense aura of negative energy.
The aura was quite muddled, carrying a certain flavor that was somewhat familiar to him.
"Spirits! Vengeful spirits driven mad!" A faint smile appeared at the corner of Leilin's mouth. "This old witch really found herself a good spot."
"Follow me! Don't touch the black mold on the walls — those are activation triggers!"
The old witch took the lead, guiding the three up the creaking staircase to the second floor, clearly well acquainted with the place.
The second floor was even more cramped than the ground floor below. The corridor was barely wide enough for two people to walk abreast.
Leilin happened to walk alongside Jay, whose entire body was wrapped in a cloak and who barely spoke — Leilin couldn't even determine the person's gender.
"This oil painting is the entrance to the entire Souldraining Sect's secret realm!"
At the end of the corridor, the old witch pointed to an oil painting hanging on the wall and turned to address Leilin and the others.
Leilin's attention was naturally drawn to the painting.
It depicted a noblewoman in full formal attire, covering half her face with an elegant fan.
Due to the passage of time, the wall around it was coated in dust, and a thick ring of grey grime encircled the painting.
The entire painting had a green background that looked somewhat discordant with the subject matter.
And perhaps it was something about the angle and the lines, but after staring for a while, Leilin suddenly felt that the fan of the noblewoman in the painting had shifted slightly.
Suddenly, the woman in the painting blinked!