Dust filled the air, accompanied by cries of agony.

After glancing at the two people rolling on the ground, Kong Hou silently extended her hand and pulled her sleeve across to shield Huan Zong. With so much dust flying about, what if the golden fruit got dirty and couldn’t be eaten?

“Young Master.” Lin Hu jumped down from his shoulder and gestured with his chin toward the two people lying on the ground. “Apart from these two, there’s no one else nearby.”

The independent cultivators had already recognized these two as registered members of the Independent Cultivators Alliance, but neither of them were skilled with swords.

“Fellow Daoist, these two are members of our Independent Cultivators Alliance, but neither of them are sword cultivators. How could they…” the Alliance elder said tactfully. “Could it be that the real culprit has already escaped?”

“Perhaps those two fellow Daoists truly were as you say, but I’m afraid these two are not members of your Independent Cultivators Alliance.” Lin Hu gathered spiritual energy in his palm and struck the two people on the ground. They writhed in pain, their screams unceasing. Several members of the Independent Cultivators Alliance were so frightened by this sight that they retreated several steps.

Soon they discovered that the bodies of the two rolling on the ground were changing—their bones contracting or expanding, even their faces transforming.

“They… used Transformation Water?” The Alliance elder’s face went pale, wishing he could kill these two with a single strike.

Though its name was ordinary, Transformation Water was extremely complex to create. Not only were the required materials expensive, but even after a hundred attempts at refinement, success might occur only once. Alchemists who could refine this Transformation Water were exceptionally rare. More importantly, even if successfully refined, to transform into someone else without being detected, one had to drink that person’s heart blood.

Therefore, this substance was forbidden in the Lingyou Realm. Any alchemist with a conscience strongly resisted creating such a thing. The major sects worked together to manage the cultivation world well, and this substance had become almost extinct. Many younger generation cultivators didn’t even know such a substance existed in the cultivation world.

But now this substance had appeared, infiltrating their righteous cultivators and harming them while framing others. If these two hadn’t been discovered, how many more incidents would they have caused in the future?

After their disguises were torn away, the two who had practiced evil cultivation techniques could no longer conceal the malevolent energy around them.

“Evil cultivators!” a young cultivator exclaimed. “These scoundrels again!” Under their very noses, evil cultivators dared to be so brazen?

Seeing their identities exposed, the two evil cultivators begged repeatedly for mercy. Who says cultivators don’t fear death? Cultivators actually fear death more than ordinary people. They desire powerful abilities and long life. At the moment of death and soul dissolution, they must overcome even greater fear. This is why cultivating the heart is also cultivation.

“You killed three fellow Daoists from the Independent Cultivators Alliance, and you still have the face to beg for mercy?” Kong Hou lowered her sleeve and looked at these evil cultivators full of fear and endless pleas. A wave of disgust rose in her heart. When these evil cultivators plotted against righteous cultivators, why didn’t they think about how precious life was?

“In these people’s eyes, apart from their own interests, others’ lives and deaths have nothing to do with them. Otherwise, how would they walk the path of evil cultivation?” Worried that she might be affected by seeing too much of this at such a young age, Huan Zong explained further. “These people pursue momentary pleasure, harm countless others, and ultimately cannot have any good ending.”

In the Lingyou Realm’s nearly five thousand years of ascension records, not a single person was from an evil cultivation background, which was proof enough that even Heaven’s Will could not tolerate such people.

People with principles, even if they crave pleasure, know what should and shouldn’t be done. Those who indulge without restraint, after temporary gratification, face the simultaneous extinction of both body and soul, with no next life.

“Elder, how do you think we should deal with these two?” Lin Hu turned to look at the Alliance elder.

“A life for a life.” The Alliance elder’s face darkened, wishing to strike them down on the spot, but he retained some rationality. “If you confess everything about what happened, I can spare your lives.”

“Thank you, Elder.” These evil cultivators were people who could abandon anything for profit and had no loyalty to speak of. Now hearing they could keep their lives, they immediately revealed the truth.

Among the evil cultivators, Venerable Wuku had suddenly died, which greatly enraged his brother, Black Venerable. He vowed to unify the demon realm and requested battle from the Demon Lord. The Demon Lord sent them to infiltrate the Independent Cultivators Alliance, using this opportunity to create conflict between the Alliance and the sects. After these righteous cultivators had exhausted each other, they would then attack.

“Avenging his brother is false; wanting to cause trouble for the cultivation world is true.” Kong Hou sneered. “You evil cultivators must wear a righteous mask even when doing bad things?”

The two previously arrogant evil cultivators dared not speak, lowering their heads and thinking of ways to preserve their lives.

“In you evil cultivators’ eyes, are we righteous cultivators foolishly excessive?” Kong Hou used her sword sheath to tap one of the evil cultivators on the shoulder. “Is sowing discord such a useful tactic?”

The evil cultivators shook their heads frantically. Even if it truly was useful, they didn’t dare admit it.

After the questioning was complete, Kong Hou stepped back two paces. Lin Hu’s sword flashed with light, piercing straight through both cultivators’ spiritual platforms.

“You… you…” The evil cultivator with his last breath of life spat blood, staring at Lin Hu with eyes that wouldn’t close in death.

“That elder promised he could spare you. The rest of us never agreed.” Lin Hu sheathed his sword. These two had countless lives on their hands. If such people could live, wouldn’t all those innocents who died by their hands have died in vain?

Watching Lin Hu’s swift and decisive swordplay, the independent cultivators stared somewhat dazed. It seemed like just a flash of light—how were both people already dead?

“Let’s go.” Lin Hu said. “The secret realm’s formation core is just ahead.”

After the incident with the evil cultivators’ murders, the independent cultivators weren’t in good spirits. Along the way, they stopped and started, and even the spiritual herbs and medicines they gathered couldn’t comfort their hearts.

Five days later, under the constantly changing formation, they finally reached the formation core. At the core stood an enormous and magnificent palace. Outside the palace sat quite a few cultivators cross-legged—both sect disciples and independent cultivators. When they saw the group arriving, their eyes lit up.

“They’re here, they’re finally here.”

“You’ve finally arrived! Why did it take so long?”

Faced with these people’s enthusiastic attitude, Kong Hou stepped back and hid behind Huan Zong. Such a good attitude—there must be something wrong.

“Elder, you’re finally here! This palace door just won’t open, and a strange person came out saying the most important thing is for everyone to be together. The door won’t open until everyone else arrives.” An independent cultivator rushed to the Alliance elder. “We’ve been waiting here for nearly ten days. Did you get lost?”

The Alliance elder’s expression became somewhat strange. “You didn’t encounter anything else along the way?”

“What thing?” The independent cultivator looked confused. “Aren’t we only supposed to face trials after reaching here?” He looked around at everyone and slapped his hands in frustration. “Oh no, we’re still short one person?”

“What? Still short one person?” The cultivators who had been cheering moments ago immediately lost all their joy. “How can we still be short one person?”

“Fellow Daoist Wang Jia isn’t here.” The independent cultivator said. “Without him, how can we enter?”

Independent cultivators and sect disciples huddled together, talking over each other, no longer distinguishable as separate groups. Jin Ling even saw Senior Brother Zhou Xiao sitting in a corner laughing and chatting with an independent cultivator, completely unlike his usual wooden demeanor.

Just as everyone was sighing in disappointment, thinking they’d have to wait many more days, the palace gates slowly opened. A black-clothed man wearing a mask walked out and stood on the steps looking at everyone.

The mask on his face was very strange—pure white with no patterns whatsoever, looking cold and emotionless.

“Everyone has arrived. You may enter.” The masked man’s gaze turned toward Huan Zong’s group, then he vanished like smoke.

“Isn’t someone still missing?”

“Maybe he miscounted?”

“Let’s go, let’s go.”

From the secret realm’s entrance, they had walked straight along the main path without obstruction to reach here, so in their imagination, this palace was the place to test them, with no other dangers.

Kong Hou felt something was strange about this. Why had most cultivators not encountered anything unusual, while only their group had faced troubles the entire way?

“Let’s go.” Huan Zong took Kong Hou’s hand and followed behind everyone, walking through the palace gates. Just after entering, Kong Hou felt a very strange force control her body, making her unconsciously release Huan Zong’s hand.

“Huan Zong?” Kong Hou looked back, but there was no one else around. The spacious open area was paved with white jade stone. Directly ahead were three white jade arched bridges, with faint dragon energy floating above them. The three bridges were clearly inscribed with the names “Bridge of Asking Immortals,” “Bridge of Asking the Heart,” and “Bridge of Asking the Dao.”

Behind the white jade arched bridges stood a magnificent palace, from which immortal music emanated—exactly like the heavenly palace cultivators yearned for.

“With the Dao in my heart, I can naturally become an immortal. Rather than ask these three bridges, I should ask myself.” Kong Hou didn’t step onto the bridges. She drew her flying sword and leaped across the moat. As she flew over, she wasn’t obstructed at all. Looking back at the three bridges, there was nothing there. If cultivators actually stepped on them, they would only fall into the river.

“Those without the Dao in their hearts who enter here and still need to ask the three bridges—such cultivators aren’t worthy of entering this palace.” The mysterious person wearing the white mask appeared. Neither tall nor short, neither fat nor thin, with a voice ethereal and formless, neither male nor female.

Kong Hou stopped and turned to look at the mysterious person. “Are you the Secret Realm Spirit?”

“You may call me that.” The Secret Realm Spirit stepped back and waved his hand to open the golden palace doors. “But even if you take the initiative to speak with me, I won’t give you extra benefits.”

“I’m not asking for benefits. I’m thanking you for the Heaven and Earth Sword Manual you gave me.” Kong Hou said solemnly. “Rest assured, after I leave, I’ll definitely have Huan Zong and Senior Brother Wu Chuan spread this sword technique far and wide.”

“Five hundred years ago, this sword manual was already given out once.” The Secret Realm Spirit wore a mask, so Kong Hou couldn’t see his expression or discern any emotion from his flat tone.

But this statement was enough to shock her. The sword manual had been given out five hundred years ago, yet there was no word of it in the Lingyou Realm. Had the person who received the manual not announced it, or had something unexpected happened so they could no longer announce it?

“The Heaven and Earth Sword Manual is extremely precious. Obtaining this sword manual would certainly bring fame throughout the world, with immortal ascension just around the corner. Are you truly unmoved?” The Secret Realm Spirit looked at the young girl before him, his tone carrying some doubt. “Don’t you want to become an immortal?”

“Of course I do.” Kong Hou said righteously. “But I’m a music cultivator!”

The Secret Realm Spirit: “…”

“Don’t worry. Once Huan Zong and Senior Brother Wu Chuan comprehend the Heaven and Earth Sword Manual and master the practice methods, we’ll print and distribute it so cultivators can study it properly, absolutely without negligence.”

The Secret Realm Spirit: “…”

Print and distribute such a precious sword manual?

“Can I enter now?” Kong Hou pointed at the gates, smiling as she looked at the Secret Realm Spirit. “Or why don’t you first tell me if there’s actually any danger inside?”

“You won’t die.” The Secret Realm Spirit picked her up and tossed her inside.

Kong Hou adjusted her posture in midair, mobilizing the spiritual energy throughout her body so she wouldn’t fall in an undignified manner. She looked up at the great hall—inside was nothing but a writing desk.

She walked to the desk where a Heart Sutra secret manual lay, with yellowed paper beside it reading: “Copy one hundred times before you may leave.”

Seeing these words, Kong Hou recalled her childhood in Emperor Jing Hong’s harem, being deliberately tormented by her female teacher who punished her by making her copy texts.

“Completely inhumane.” Kong Hou sat down cross-legged, pulled out a roll of paper, and carefully copied the four characters “Heart Sutra Secret Manual.”

An hour later, Kong Hou put down her brush and tapped the desk. “I’ve finished copying. Let me out quickly.”

The Secret Realm Spirit appeared in a flash, looking at Kong Hou doubtfully. “So fast?”

“Mm…” Kong Hou handed him a stack of papers. “I even used several different calligraphy styles to copy it. What do you think?”

The Secret Realm Spirit looked it over—apart from the four characters “Heart Sutra Secret Manual,” there were no other words. “I told you to copy the Heart Sutra’s contents, not just the title.”

“That won’t do. The Heart Sutra has so many words—even if I copied until the secret realm closed, I couldn’t finish.” Kong Hou smiled ingratiatingly. “Given that we’ve met several times, why be so serious?”

“If you cannot complete the trial, naturally you can only remain here.” The Secret Realm Spirit set down the papers and said unhurriedly, “In the secret realm, we don’t discuss feelings—everything is done according to the rules.”

Kong Hou rolled her eyes internally. He says everything is done according to rules, but when Huan Zong struck down with his sword, even the weather changed! In this day and age, even Secret Realm Spirits have learned to bully the weak and fear the strong. She absolutely must work harder at cultivation!

“Really can’t change the condition?”

“It can be changed.” The Secret Realm Spirit hesitated a moment. “Tell me what kind of trial would be more useful for cultivators, and I’ll let you out.”

Kong Hou picked up the Heart Sutra secret manual and slowly flipped through it. Hearing the Secret Realm Spirit’s words, she threw the book on the table, her eyes shining. “Can you guarantee you won’t harm their lives?”

“Why would I take their lives?” The Secret Realm Spirit was puzzled. “When the master ascended, he left behind a trace of divine consciousness, hoping more cultivators would ascend to immortality. Taking their lives serves no purpose—corpses left in the secret realm would pollute the environment.”

Kong Hou: “…”

Still a very particular secret realm.

“I screen the cultivators who enter the secret realm. Not everyone can receive trials.” The Secret Realm Spirit said. “You cultivators grow worse with each generation. Five hundred years ago, half the cultivators had trial opportunities. By your generation, it’s not even half.”

Only then did Kong Hou understand that the phantom demon, charm demon, and strange courtyard they’d encountered were all special attention from the secret realm.

“I have many methods to trial cultivators without harming them. Come, come, we can exchange ideas slowly.” Kong Hou became energized and told the Secret Realm Spirit countless fresh tactics. When it came to tormenting people, these Lingyou Realm cultivators were child’s play compared to the various methods from the mortal realm.

Many methods that couldn’t be realized in the mortal realm could actually be perfected in the Lingyou Realm.

“Physical fear cannot compare to spiritual interrogation. Using phantom demons to imitate humans is too easily exposed. Better to make people experience things personally. The dream method in the courtyard is too simple—cultivators with slightly firm resolve can detect something’s wrong.” Kong Hou said. “To make people fully invest in the trial, you must make them believe the self in the illusion is real, like this…”

Kong Hou had a long and friendly exchange with the Secret Realm Spirit. After the Secret Realm Spirit recorded all of Kong Hou’s suggestions in a jade slip, he asked: “Aren’t you afraid that cultivators five hundred years from now will curse you when they learn of this?”

“Surely not—this is all for their benefit.” Kong Hou turned her head, looking completely innocent. “Moreover, as long as you don’t tell, they won’t know I suggested it, right?”

The Secret Realm Spirit looked at her quietly. After a long while, he said: “I understand.” As a genderless Secret Realm Spirit, he decided to manifest as male. According to human cultivators, opposites attract. Once he became male, these women should show him more consideration.

“So you’re ready to let me go?”

“Memorize this Heart Sutra, and you can leave.” The Secret Realm Spirit stuffed the Heart Sutra secret manual back into Kong Hou’s hands and vanished before her eyes.

“As a secret realm left by an immortal, to go back on your word—the trust between people and secret realms is gone.” Kong Hou muttered quietly as she sat back down and began slowly reading the Heart Sutra.

“First there was heaven and earth, water nurturing all things, clear energy dispelling turbidity…”

The Secret Realm Spirit left Kong Hou’s trial room, clutching the jade slip. After thinking for a moment, he walked in another direction. He needed to try it to know if these suggestions were useful.

When Huan Zong and Kong Hou left the secret realm and prepared to continue forward, Kong Hou received a flying message talisman from Yunhua Sect, summoning her to return immediately.

“Huan Zong, I’ll go and come right back. Next year at the sect exchange conference, don’t forget to take me around Pei City properly.” Kong Hou jumped onto her flying sword, not forgetting to arrange their next meeting.

Looking at the smiling young girl, Huan Zong nodded. “Alright.”

But even after the young girl left, he still stood in place, not moving at all.

At the next year’s sect exchange conference, disciples from major sects arrived one after another. He waited a long time and finally received news of Yunhua Sect disciples arriving, but Kong Hou wasn’t among them. He rushed to Yunhua Sect only to learn she was in closed-door cultivation.

The third year, Kong Hou didn’t emerge.

The fifth year, Kong Hou still hadn’t emerged.

The tenth year, Kong Hou finally emerged, her cultivation already advanced to Core Formation Stage. He had Lin Hu deliver congratulatory gifts. Three days later, he received Kong Hou’s return gift and thank-you letter. In the letter, Kong Hou’s tone was distant and polite. The time they’d spent traveling together was gone, never to return.

Fifty years later, he heard people say that Immortal Kong Hou of Yunhua Sect was going to the mortal realm to overcome her inner demons. When he rushed to the junction between the Lingyou Realm and the mortal realm, he saw Kong Hou dressed in full regalia. Kong Hou also saw him.

“Zhenren.” She smiled at him, respectfully bowed, snowflakes covering her hair.

“Take care.” Huan Zong’s heart ached densely. Snow fell into his heart.

Another fifty years passed. While in closed-door cultivation suppressing his unstable spiritual platform, he heard the good news of Kong Hou’s breakthrough to Nascent Soul Stage. Many said she was the most talented cultivator in the current cultivation world.

He still prepared generous gifts and had Lin Hu deliver them. Five days later, he received return gifts—no letter.

Another hundred years passed. He still couldn’t break through the Spirit Severing Stage to reach the Void Transformation Realm, then received an invitation from Yunhua Sect.

Immortal Kong Hou of Yunhua Sect had advanced to the Out-of-Body Stage. To celebrate this great joy, Yunhua Sect was holding an advancement ceremony for her. He was among the invited.

“Will Young Master go?” Lin Hu asked.

Huan Zong traced the hidden patterns on the invitation, his mind filled with the young girl’s every smile and frown, her appearance waving at him from atop the wall. This memory, though hundreds of years old, remained as vivid as yesterday.

“I won’t go.” He slowly set down the invitation and closed his eyes. “No need to go.”

Another hundred years. His black hair turned white. Heavy snow fell over Liuguang Sect.

Young disciples passed by, discussing a dual cultivation ceremony.

“Who’s holding a dual cultivation ceremony?” He stopped and looked at these newly admitted disciples whose temperaments were still rough.

The disciples saw him and showed reverence. “In response to Grand-Uncle Master, it’s Ancestor Kong Hou of Yunhua Sect.”

He stared blankly at these disciples. “Kong Hou… she’s going to dual cultivate with someone else?”

The disciples didn’t understand why their grand-uncle master suddenly seemed so lost, secretly stepping back two paces. “Grand-Uncle Master, what’s wrong?”

That girl with her bright smile who would secretly tug his sleeve and say Huan Zong could do anything—she was going to be with someone else?

Clutching his dully aching chest, Huan Zong coughed up several mouthfuls of fresh blood.

“Grand-Uncle Master, what’s wrong? Quickly fetch Ancestor Lin!”

Yes, what was wrong with him?

Huan Zong looked around in confusion. Kong Hou had said when one’s body felt unwell, one could try acting spoiled toward others. But to whom could he act spoiled?

“I… I…” He opened his mouth, looking at these anxious young disciples before him, the pain in his heart growing stronger and stronger.

What’s wrong with me?

“Cough, cough, cough.” Huan Zong opened his eyes, his face deathly pale, spitting out foul blood. This was a very comfortable room with a bed, bookshelf, and chairs. On the wall hung a painting of an immortal riding a crane. In the empty space was written: “The world is vast—follow your heart.”

Using a handkerchief to wipe the blood from his mouth, Huan Zong stood and walked to this painting.

“The world is vast—follow your heart…”

Just now, had his consciousness been drawn into an illusion?

This illusion was too realistic—so realistic he still felt somewhat dazed.

He had never imagined Kong Hou forming a dual cultivation partnership with anyone else.

He wanted her to live forever bright and happy, to become a powerful cultivator, and finally ascend to immortality. The one thing he’d never imagined was that she would have a Dao companion.

Turning to walk to the door, he reached out to pull it open. With a gentle tug, the door opened.

“Finally out!” Kong Hou rushed out of her room, her steps as cheerful as when going with her senior sisters to buy her favorite Flying Immortal dresses.

Hearing a door open across the way, she reined in her somewhat excessive joy and looked up.

The elegant man in white robes with a face like polished jade also looked toward her.

—

**Author’s Note:** Kong Hou: Come, come, let me tell you about eighteen ways to play with the secret realm. We’ll use these on future visitors.

Secret Realm: Makes sense. Let me try it on others.

Question: How does it feel to betray your teammates for the first time?

Kong Hou: …

Cultivators five hundred years later: What did we do wrong?