Chapter 154: The Struggle for the Key

Three days had passed since Shen Qingyun and his companions set out.

As the first rays of dawn pierced the darkness and bathed the earth, the ancient forest, mountain streams, and even the island in the lake stirred with renewed life.

Shen Qingyun and Feng Chuxun, followed closely by the great black wolf, stood poised at the edge of a mountain gorge. At the break of dawn, with a soft command from Shen Qingyun, the trio leapt down from the precipice.

They had arrived at the secret realm’s entrance the night before, joining forces with two other major academies. Without unnecessary conversation, the elders of each academy had already explained the rules and sent them directly inside.

Just as they entered, a voice echoed in everyone’s ears: “At the break of dawn in the secret realm, the contest officially begins.”

Naturally, Shen Qingyun, Feng Chuxun, and the black wolf formed a team. As for the others, they neither knew nor cared. Once inside the secret realm, fate would decide all.

They materialized above a mountain ravine, a stroke of luck as no other teams were nearby. Beneath the gorge lay a stronghold of the secret realm.

Shen Qingyun’s spiritual senses detected the presence of a base but could not determine its level.

The dim ravine was shrouded in thick white mist, obscuring vision, but with Shen Qingyun’s insight, this posed no obstacle. At the heart of the mist lay the base, guarded by three to five humanoid spirit forms wielding weapons, patrolling back and forth.

These spectral sentinels lacked any life force; their sole instinct was to protect the stronghold. As Shen Qingyun’s group approached, the spirits grew alert, raising their weapons and issuing low growls of warning.

One spirit roared at Shen Qingyun, but before its cry could fully form, a golden halberd shot out from the mist, piercing its head. Feng Chuxun moved like a ghost, silent and swift, the sword’s aura swirling around him as he shattered the spirits without drawing his blade.

The great black wolf howled indignantly, “Boss, Second Master, couldn’t you at least leave one for me? Not a chance to show off!”

Shen Qingyun smiled faintly. “Don’t blame me—I only took down one. Go ask Chuxun; he’s the stingy one.”

With that, Shen Qingyun stepped toward the base.

The black wolf glanced at Feng Chuxun, “Second Master, why—”

Feng Chuxun cast a cold glance at the wolf.

The wolf shuddered and tucked its tail, hastily correcting, “Why are you so powerful?”

Hearing the wolf’s cowardly backtrack, Shen Qingyun chuckled. He was used to the wolf’s antics; outside of their circle, the beast’s tail nearly wagged to the sky, but in their presence, especially before Feng Chuxun, the wolf was the first to show fear.

Inside the stronghold was nothing but a black iron pillar half the height of a man. Embedded within it was a square, transparent object—presumably the core.

Shen Qingyun removed the core, and immediately a clear bell rang out from the heavens above. The chime lasted but a moment before fading, yet its sound echoed throughout the secret realm, reaching every ear.

Golden light poured down from the sky, outshining the sun itself. Everyone in the realm looked up to see a massive stone stele suspended in the firmament. Light shimmered across its surface as a single name slowly etched itself at the top, visible to all.

“Shen Qingyun, Points: 1.”

The information was simple, without embellishment, but Shen Qingyun’s name stood proudly in first place, glowing in dazzling gold.

“An entry-level stronghold,” Shen Qingyun sighed softly, clearly dissatisfied with this initial base.

Elsewhere in the forest, Zhan Yan, who had chosen to act alone rather than with his usual five-person team to increase his chances, smiled quietly upon seeing the name on the stele. “Impressive. Already scored a point at the start!”

He lowered his gaze, excitement filling his eyes as he clenched his fists. “Alright, I’d better pick up the pace!”

Beside Yilin, Yiran looked up at the sky, admiration shining brightly from his eyes, making Yilin beside him feel slightly jealous.

The Purple Cloud Academy members murmured praise for Shen Qingyun, while the other two academies were filled with curiosity—who exactly was this Shen Qingyun?

Yan Muge, seeing the familiar name, lifted the corner of her ruby lips. “This guy really has talent. But that is precisely why the chase is meaningful.”

Behind her, one of her teammates’ expressions shifted. A handsome young student smiled and stepped forward, asking, “Muge, do you know the person named on the stele?”

Yan Muge cast him a glance, her expression subtly uneasy, and nodded. “A very capable person.” Clearly, the grudge from their past clashes remained unresolved.

If it had been so easy to let go, Shen Qingyun wouldn’t have been called a shameless scoundrel.

The fleeting change on Yan Muge’s face quickly vanished, but Mu Yan still noticed it, a sense of unease rising in his heart. Frowning, he asked, “Who is he?”

Yan Muge looked at him sharply. “Mu Yan, are we that close?”

Mu Yan flushed with anger. “I’m just asking who he is. What does closeness have to do with it?”

Yan Muge sneered, “If we were close, I wouldn’t mind telling you. But since we’re not, I have no reason to.”

“You—!”

Mu Yan’s handsome face twisted with frustration, his body trembling like a leaf in the wind. Others quickly pulled him aside. It was no secret he fancied Yan Muge at Tingfeng Academy.

Even Yan Muge herself knew this, which explained her coldness toward him.

“Captain, can’t you change that attitude?” someone addressed Yan Muge.

She glared coldly at the speaker, who stared back unflinchingly.

“This is my business, none of yours. Besides, I’m the captain—you should obey me.”

“You want to say he’s vice-captain, right?”

Yan Muge curled her lips into a cold smile. “I’m just following the academy’s arrangements. If you want to follow him, fine. I’ll go solo.”

The man locked in a gaze with Yan Muge seemed ready to retort, but Mu Yan suddenly barked, “Enough. Listen to her.”

Mu Yan stared coldly at Yan Muge. “As long as he’s in the secret realm, we’ll meet sooner or later.”

Yan Muge turned her head away, refusing to meet his gaze.

Mu Yan clenched his fists.

Leaving the mountain ravine, Shen Qingyun and his group set off to seek more strongholds. On the way, they encountered a five-person team. Instead of fighting, an eerie silence fell between them.

The other team eyed Shen Qingyun warily, but he remained calm.

Feng Chuxun moved close, hand resting on his sword’s hilt.

Shen Qingyun shook his head slightly, signaling no. “They have no points. Fighting now is meaningless.”

Feng Chuxun relaxed his grip.

One from the opposing team, apparently their leader, stepped forward and cupped his hands. “Brother, we’re from Tingfeng Academy. None of us have points yet. Fighting benefits no one. Why not turn and leave separately?”

He struck a perfect balance in tone—neither offensive nor losing face.

Shen Qingyun nodded. “Agreed.”

The man smiled. “Then I’ll take the left path.”

“I’ll take the right,” Shen Qingyun replied with a smile.

After some distance, the man suddenly turned and called out, “Brother, what’s your name?”

Shen Qingyun neither turned nor answered, only raising his right hand in a casual wave.

Seeing no response, Xu Huang shrugged indifferently.

“Xu Huang, why ask his name?” a curious youth behind him inquired, others casting curious glances as well.

Xu Huang smiled, watching Shen Qingyun’s group walk away. “I just have a feeling those two and that wolf aren’t so simple.”

At that moment, the heavenly stele shimmered again, silver light flickering as a name slowly appeared.

“Zhan Yan, Points: 1.”

Xu Huang glanced down and shrugged. “Let’s speed up. Two people are already on the list.”

“Mm.”

On the other side, Shen Qingyun saw the new name as well.

“That Zhan Yan really has skill,” Shen Qingyun said quietly, not holding back his praise.

“Do you think we’ll be surpassed?” Feng Chuxun voiced his concern.

“Yes.”

Feng Chuxun was taken aback to hear Shen Qingyun’s candid affirmation.

“What should we do then?”

Shen Qingyun glanced at him. “Don’t worry. Being overtaken is inevitable.”

“This contest for points is like a game—a big fish eating smaller fish, small fish drinking water, or sometimes not even getting water.”

“A game?” Feng Chuxun frowned, puzzled.

The black wolf lazily chimed in, “Second Master, what Boss means is that this contest is an ecosystem. There are those who get eaten, those who do the eating, and the overlord who devours all.”

“In other words, the strong are challenged by stronger ones; the weak who find bases and score points will be contested by the strong. The strongest will be challenged by even greater forces. The ones who lose out the most are at the bottom.”

“Boss, is that right?”

Shen Qingyun nodded. “Exactly.”

Feng Chuxun looked surprised and glanced at the wolf.

Encouraged by Shen Qingyun’s approval, the black wolf wagged its tail proudly.

As they walked, a sudden burst of spiritual energy flared ahead, alerting Feng Chuxun and the wolf.

“There’s something up ahead,” Shen Qingyun said, glancing at them. “Shall we check it out?”

“Sure.” Feng Chuxun nodded; he had no objections.

The wolf’s tail wagged excitedly. “If it’s a stronghold, even better! Two teams fighting means the wolf gets to scavenge the leftovers! Ha ha ha!”

Shen Qingyun shook his head resignedly, sharing the thought.

Opportunities like this were gifts of fate—letting them slip by would be unforgivable.

The trio quickened their pace. Half a incense stick’s time later, the stele above shifted once more.

“Shen Qingyun, Points: 2.”

The entire secret realm erupted in astonishment—the speed at which points were gained was astonishing! Many hadn’t even glimpsed a stronghold yet.