Tang Dynasty Demon Suppression Division

"After entering the secret realm, the first few days went smoothly. There were many spiritual herbs and minerals inside, and we also discovered some ancient architectural ruins. But on the fifth day, something suddenly went wrong."

Lei Lie's voice deepened: "They discovered an abandoned ancient mine. Senior Sister Leng decided to lead a group to explore it, leaving two disciples to keep watch at the entrance instead of going in."

"Later, according to the two people's recollections, after Senior Sister Leng and the others entered the mine, there were some messages at first, but after about an incense stick's time, all the sounds disappeared, as if they had just evaporated into thin air."

Li Yuan frowned deeply; it seemed the problem lay here.

"The two disciples waited for half an hour, but no one came out, so they went into the cave to search. Strangely, they searched the entire mine but could not find any trace of Senior Sister Leng and her group."

Han Kuo and Li Yuan exchanged a glance, both finding it unbelievable.

"The mine wasn't deep, and there weren't many forks in the road. With their experience, it was impossible for them to get lost, but the people just disappeared."

"They immediately left the secret realm and returned to the academy to report the news. I then led twenty disciples back into the secret realm and found the mine. However, this time when we entered the mine, we found that it was completely different from what the two disciples had described."

"There were more forks in the road inside, and the direction had completely changed. We searched the cave for two whole days, but not only did we not find anyone, we almost got lost ourselves."

This is strange. Could it be an illusion array? Li Yuan frowned and asked, "Could it be a formation?"

"It doesn't seem like it." Lei Lie shook his head. "Our Taixu Academy has always been known for its array formations, and Senior Sister Leng is one of the best in it. If it were an array formation, she wouldn't be completely unaware of it."

"Furthermore, we later consulted the array masters in the academy, and there were no traces of any artificial arrays set up in the mine."

He stopped and pondered for a moment, "That change seems more like a problem with the space itself."

"Is there something wrong with the space?" Wu Yu couldn't help but interject. "You mean, the space in that secret realm is unstable and changes on its own?"

"That's one way to understand it," Lei Lie said. "Moreover, that secret realm will suppress cultivation levels. No matter who it is, once they enter the secret realm, their cultivation level will be suppressed to below the Core Formation Realm."

Li Yuan suddenly realized why, even with the strength of Taixu Academy, they still had to ask the Demon Suppression Division for help. The advantages of high-level cultivators in the secret realm could not be utilized, while cultivators below the Core Formation Realm were more adaptable to the environment.

"When do we leave?"

Li Yuan asked, "So many days have passed. With each passing day, Leng Ningshuang and the others are in greater danger."

"If it's convenient for you, it can be anytime," Lei Lie said. "I've already selected a group of disciples, all of whom went in last time."

Li Yuan looked at Han Kuo: "Brother Han, what do you think?"

Although Ye Hongyu said that Han Kuo would assist him, the other party was more senior than her.

"Since there are quite a few people, why don't we split into two teams? Ji Fanghua and I will lead one team, and Li Yuan, you and Lei Lie will lead the other team. Stay in touch at all times and send signals immediately if anything happens."

"Yes." Li Yuan nodded.

Half an hour later, the two groups set off and entered the depths of the Cangwu Mountains.

The entrance is hidden in a secluded valley, where vines grow thickly, making it extremely difficult to find without someone leading the way.

A path had been cleared through the valley. Lei Lie led everyone to the bottom of the valley and pointed to a cave on the cliff.

"This is it," Lei Lie said. "After entering, you'll be randomly teleported to different locations, so everyone needs to stay close."

Li Yuan nodded to Han Kuo: "Let's go."

The group split into two teams, holding hands one after another. Li Yuan took the lead and stepped into the cave. A flash of light, and the scene before them instantly changed.

The fresh scent of grass and trees wafted over him, and he could hear the rustling of leaves in the wind. Li Yuan found himself standing in a dense primeval forest, where the air was filled with rich spiritual energy.

He raised his head and looked into the distance.

There stands a towering mountain range, majestic and magnificent, its summit covered with thick white snow.

"That's where Senior Sister Leng disappeared." Lei Lie's voice rang out beside him. "That mountain should be the central area of ​​the secret realm. We've tried it, and no matter where we teleport, we can see this mountain."

Li Yuan nodded, took out a specially made signal flare from his pocket, and pulled the fuse towards the sky.

"call out--!"

A red signal flare shot into the sky and exploded high in the air.

A moment later, a yellow signal flare rose into the distance from the other side of the mountain.

"They're over there." Li Yuan noted down their approximate location. "Let's go, hopefully we can get there before sunset."

Lei Lie led the way, while Li Yuan brought up the rear. The group walked for about an hour without encountering anything unusual.

"Wait, something's not right."

Li Yuan suddenly stopped, looked up at the distant mountain peaks, and frowned.

"Brother Lei, how far have we gone?"

Lei Lie stopped: "It's probably about thirty or forty miles."

Li Yuan's expression was grave: "Brother Lei, take a close look. Has our distance from the mountain peak remained unchanged?"

Upon hearing this, Lei Lie was taken aback. He turned to look at the mountain peak ahead, his expression turning grim: "What's going on? Why does the distance seem to have changed at all?"

The group looked at each other in bewilderment, only then realizing that the secret realm was even more bizarre than they had imagined.

Li Yuan closed his eyes, expanded his spiritual sense to its maximum range, and carefully sensed the surrounding atmosphere.

Finally, he caught a glimpse of chaotic spatial movement, as if an invisible hand was constantly kneading this space.

"The condition of this secret realm is worse than when you last entered," Li Yuan said in a deep voice, opening his eyes. "The space is deteriorating at an accelerated pace, and it has already affected the outer areas."

Lei Lie's expression changed: "You mean, this secret realm is collapsing?"

"No, it's not a collapse, it's a change in space," Li Yuan said. "We need to find Senior Sister Leng as soon as possible. If the space deteriorates further, they may be trapped in a place we'll never find."

As they were talking, a large cloud of gray mist suddenly surged up from ahead, enveloping their figures.

"Huh? What's that?"

Wu Yu suddenly pointed ahead in surprise. In the hazy shadows of the trees, a blurry figure was crouching under one of the trees.

He hurried a few steps, and when he got closer, he realized that it was a teenager, dressed in drab gray clothes, huddled up under a tree with his knees drawn up to his chest.

"It turned out to be a child."

Wu Yu breathed a sigh of relief and was about to step forward to speak when Lei Lie stepped in front of him and blocked his way.

"Be careful!"

"We've never seen a living person in this secret realm before, so where did this child come from?"

Li Yuan stared at the solitary figure for a moment, but couldn't sense any sign of life from him.

The surrounding space was fluctuating violently, which was already clearly perceptible. A thought suddenly occurred to him, and an absurd conjecture came to mind.

Li Yuan stepped forward: "I'll speak to him."

"Brother Li," Lei Lie grabbed him, "the situation is still unclear, it's best to be cautious."

"I know." Li Yuan gently pulled his hand away. "This child is not a living person, but just a wandering soul."

"A wandering spirit?"

Lei Lie's expression was complicated. He hesitated to speak, and after a moment of silence, he finally stepped aside.