The Legend of the Princess' Counterattack

Chapter 637 The Secret Realm Appears

When Yun Yao and Chu Mochen thought they could finally enjoy some peace and watched the new disciples in the Yunhua Sect practicing vigorously and injecting fresh energy into this reborn land, a shocking piece of news spread from Xingyun Pavilion to the entire cultivation world like a torrential rain - the ancient secret realm "Guixu" is about to open!

This news was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirring up thousands of waves. All forces in the world of cultivation were mobilized upon hearing the news, whether it was the famous sects with profound heritage and thousands of years of inheritance, or the small and medium-sized sects that survived in the cracks and longed for opportunities, or even the independent and self-confident powerful cultivators, all of them focused their attention on this mysterious secret realm that was about to appear. Because according to legend, there was the "Heavenly Key" left by the first generation of twin Taoist couples, which was the key to subverting the existing cultivation pattern and controlling extraordinary power, and it was also Yun Yao's only hope to restore her spiritual veins.

Inside the Xingyun Pavilion, the atmosphere was solemn and heated. Ye Wuhen stood in the main hall, his usually calm face now full of solemnity. In front of him floated an ancient yellowed map of the secret realm, exuding a mysterious and distant atmosphere. Yun Yao and Chu Mochen rushed over upon hearing the news, and were attracted by the map the moment they stepped into the hall. On the map, the mountains, rivers, and spiritual veins were intricate, and in the center, a whirlpool mark with a faint glow was the entrance to Guixu.

Ye Wuhen raised his eyes, his eyes revealing unconcealed worry and expectation, and said to the two of them: "You are here. I have studied this map for a long time and found something very strange. The coordinates of this entrance are exactly the same as the 'accidental place' when Yun Yao first crossed over." As soon as these words came out, Yun Yao's body trembled, and her thoughts were instantly pulled back to the critical moment that changed her life. She remembered the dazzling light, the pain that tore her soul, and the mysterious whispers she heard in the chaos. Could it be that all this was destined from the beginning?

Chu Mochen subconsciously clenched Yun Yao's hand, as if to give her strength, or to draw courage from her. His eyes were as firm as a torch, staring at the map and said in a deep voice: "It seems that the gears of fate have never stopped turning. The beginning of everything was destined to be a reunion. No matter how many difficulties and obstacles there are on this journey to Guixu, we must go." His voice was low and powerful, echoing in the hall, like a vow before going to war, which made people excited.

Yun Yao nodded slightly, her eyes revealing determination and courage. Looking back on the past, from the ignorance when she first entered the world of cultivation, to the hardships she experienced, the conspiracy she saw through, and now she is shouldering the great cause of the revival of the Yunhua Sect and fighting against the injustice of heaven, every step she takes is extremely difficult, but every time she finds a chance to survive in desperate situations, and all of this is inseparable from the company of the people around her. She whispered: "Yes, this may be our opportunity to solve all the mysteries and truly control our own destiny. Even if the road ahead is full of thorns, I am not afraid, as long as you are with me."

Outside the palace, the situation was turbulent, and various forces had already begun to make intensive preparations. Some sects used up all their inventory, took out the magic weapons and elixirs that they had treasured for many years, and distributed them to their elite disciples; some independent cultivators spent a lot of money to buy defensive talismans and healing elixirs; and some forces secretly formed alliances and exchanged what they had, in an attempt to form a powerful force in the secret realm to counter other competitors.

The Yunhua Sect was also busy. Although the disciples knew that this trip to the secret realm was full of dangers, no one backed down. They organized themselves spontaneously. Some helped to pack the necessary dry food, clean water, healing herbs and other supplies carefully; some practiced with each other in the martial arts arena, honing their skills, and striving to improve their strength in a short period of time; and some disciples who were good at refining weapons and alchemy worked day and night to make magic weapons and elixirs to provide solid support for their fellow disciples who were going on the expedition.

Liu Yan'er changed her previous delicate and delicate appearance, and her eyes were full of determination. She shuttled between the disciples, and with her previous experience in the Burning Heaven Palace, she explained to everyone the possible dangers and countermeasures. Now, she has completely let go of her past obsessions, and sincerely integrated into the Yunhua Sect, treating this place as her new home. She knew very well that this trip to Guixu was related to the future of the Yunhua Sect, and even more to whether Yun Yao and Chu Mochen could break the shackles of the Heavenly Dao. She was willing to do her best to lend a helping hand.

A few days later, when the first rays of morning light shone on the mountaintop of Yunhua Sect, Yun Yao and Chu Mochen led a group of elite disciples, ready to go. They were dressed in uniform sect uniforms, carrying long swords on their backs, with storage bags hanging around their waists. They were all heroic and imposing. Before leaving, Yun Yao's mother showed up. Although her soul was damaged and her face was a little haggard, her eyes were still full of kindness and reluctance. She gently stroked Yun Yao's cheek and warned: "Yao'er, this journey is extremely difficult and dangerous. You must be careful. There are countless ancient secrets hidden in the Guixu, and there are also many unknown dangers. Don't be stubborn, and put your own safety first."

Yun Yao's eyes were slightly red. She nodded gently and choked up, "Don't worry, mother. Your daughter will return safely. You should also take care of yourself in the sect. Once your daughter finds the key to the way of heaven and restores your spiritual veins, you will be able to recover completely." After that, she turned around and looked at Chu Mochen. There was reluctance in both of their eyes, but more of it was longing and determination for the future.

As a loud horn sounded across the sky, everyone soared into the air, transformed into streams of light, and rushed towards Guixu. Along the way, they crossed mountains and rivers, and attracted the attention of the creatures below. On the way, teams from other forces passed by from time to time, either with a vigilant look or with a hint of provocation, but Yun Yao and the others were unmoved and moved forward towards their goal.

As we approached Guixu, the air was filled with a mysterious and oppressive atmosphere. In the distance, the sky was covered with dark clouds, lightning and thunder, as if the end of the world had arrived. Under the dark clouds, a huge vortex slowly rotated, emitting a frightening energy fluctuation. That was the entrance to Guixu. Around the vortex, the space was distorted and deformed, as if it would swallow up everything that approached at any time.

All forces had already gathered here, forming camps around the entrance, wary of each other, and on the verge of a fight. Yun Yao and the others stopped and looked around, seeing many familiar faces. There were allies who had fought side by side against the Burning Heaven Palace, and there were also hostile forces who had always had ill intentions towards the Yunhua Sect and secretly made trouble. But at this moment, in front of this mysterious and dangerous Guixu, all the grudges and hatreds were temporarily put aside, and everyone's eyes were fixed on the entrance to the unknown.

Suddenly, a violent energy fluctuation came from the entrance, and then an ancient and vicissitudes of life voice rang in everyone's ears: "Guixu has appeared in the world, and opportunities and crises coexist. Only those who are sincere and seek the source of the truth can enter to explore. However, once you step in, your life and death are at your own risk, so don't regret it." The voice echoed like a huge bell, shaking everyone's eardrums.

Yun Yao took a deep breath and took a step forward with Chu Mochen. At this moment, a figure blocked their way. It was an elder of the Dao Guarding Alliance. He sneered and looked disdainful: "Yun Yao, Chu Mochen, you two who go against the way of heaven, also want to enter Guixu? Don't defile this sacred place, just surrender and follow us back to the Dao Guarding Alliance to face the punishment."

Chu Mochen snorted coldly, and the sword in his hand was unsheathed instantly. The sword rang clear and melodious, like the roar of a dragon. His eyes were as cold as ice, and he looked directly at the other party: "Humph, the Dao Guardian Alliance is nothing more than a group of clowns who want to maintain the corrupt heavenly way and suppress new forces. Today we are going to Guixu to explore the truth of the heavenly way. If you dare to stop us, don't blame me for being ruthless with my sword." After speaking, the runes on the sword flashed, and powerful sword energy overflowed, causing the surrounding space to vibrate.

Yun Yao's eyebrows were also raised, and the fire of catastrophe ignited in her palms. The flames jumped and emitted a scorching temperature. She angrily scolded: "Back then, the Burning Heaven Palace attempted to subvert the way of heaven and harmed the lives of all living beings, and you, the Dao Guardian Alliance, stood by and watched; now we are working hard to repair the cracks in the way of heaven and restore the clarity of the world of cultivation, but you are obstructing us in every way. Are you the guardians of the way of heaven, or the slaves of your own desires?"

The two sides were in a standoff, the atmosphere was extremely tense, and a war was about to break out. Seeing this, other forces around them retreated one after another, leaving a vacant space, not wanting to get involved in the dispute, but also wanting to take the opportunity to spy on the strength of both sides. At this critical moment, Ye Wuhen stepped forward, opened the folding fan in his hand, and a gentle force emanated from it, slightly easing the momentum of both sides.

“Everyone, Guixu is about to open, and the dangers inside are unknown. Why should we kill each other here? It is better for us to rely on our own abilities to explore inside. If we are destined to be together, perhaps we can support each other and overcome difficulties together. If we miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity because of a dispute over pride, wouldn’t it be a pity?” Ye Wuhen’s voice was steady and peaceful, but it revealed unquestionable majesty.

Everyone was moved when they heard this. The elder of the Guardian Alliance had a gloomy expression. After weighing the pros and cons, he snorted coldly: "I will spare you today, and I will settle accounts with you after we leave Guixu." After that, he led the Guardian Alliance to retreat to their own camp.

Yun Yao and Chu Mochen put away their weapons and looked at Ye Wuhen gratefully. Ye Wuhen shook his head slightly and said with a smile: "No need to say more, our common goal for this trip is to explore the key to the Heavenly Dao. There are many dangers inside, and we need to work together."

At this time, the fluctuations at the entrance of Guixu became more and more intense, as if a door to another world was about to open. Yun Yao and others no longer hesitated, leading the disciples of Yunhua Sect, and walked steadily towards the entrance. When they stepped into the vortex, a strong tearing force came, as if to separate their souls from their bodies. Everyone gritted their teeth, circulated their spiritual power, supported each other, and moved step by step towards the depths.

A flash of light appeared before their eyes, and everyone seemed to be in another time and space. The surroundings were in chaos, with fog everywhere, and one could not see one's hand in front of one's face. There were strange sounds coming from their ears, like the roar of an ancient beast, or the chanting of mysterious runes. Yun Yao carefully released her spiritual consciousness, but found that her spiritual consciousness was like being stuck in a quagmire here, and could only detect a very small range.

"Everyone be careful, follow the team closely, don't get separated." Chu Mochen shouted loudly, his voice echoing in the chaos. Everyone responded, holding hands and moving forward closely. Suddenly, a faint light appeared in front of them, like a lighthouse in the dark, guiding the direction. Yun Yao and others were refreshed and quickened their pace to walk towards the light.

When they got closer to the light, they found that it was a huge rock emitting soft light. The huge rock was engraved with ancient runes. The runes flickered, as if they contained endless mysteries. Yun Yao got closer to observe carefully. The runes seemed to be alive, jumping in front of her eyes, as if they wanted to tell her something. She closed her eyes and meditated. Some vague images gradually emerged in her mind - the first generation of twin Taoist partners worked hand in hand to seal the key to the Heavenly Dao here and resist foreign invasion. Their figures were firm and great. In order to protect the peace of the cultivation world, they would pay any price.

"It seems that we have found the right place. The runes on this boulder must be the clues left by the first generation of twin Taoists, guiding us to find the key to the Heavenly Dao." Yun Yao opened her eyes, her eyes showing excitement and determination. Upon hearing this, everyone also showed joy on their faces and began to search carefully around the boulder.

However, at this moment, the surrounding fog suddenly rolled violently, and black shadows emerged from the fog. These black shadows were like ghosts, and they were extremely fast, and surrounded everyone in the blink of an eye. They exuded a strange aura, which made people shudder.

"Be careful, it's a guardian beast!" Chu Mochen shouted, and waved the sword of inquiry in his hand. A sharp sword energy slashed at the black shadow. The black shadow made a sharp cry and dodged. Seeing this, the disciples of Yunhua Sect sacrificed their magic weapons and started a fierce battle with the black shadow. For a moment, the light flashed, the explosion sounded continuously, and the chaotic space seemed to be staged with a fierce fireworks feast.

The fire in Yun Yao's palm burned fiercely. She moved swiftly, shuttling between the shadows. Wherever she passed, the shadows dissipated. However, these guardian beasts were numerous and extremely difficult to kill. They continued to emerge from the mist. Gradually, the disciples of Yunhua Sect began to struggle. Several weaker disciples were accidentally injured and groaned in pain.

"Everyone, don't panic, form a formation!" Ye Wuhen shouted loudly. Upon hearing this, everyone quickly adjusted their positions and formed a defensive sword formation. The sword formation shone brightly, blocking the attacks of the guardian beasts. Yun Yao and Chu Mochen were in the center of the sword formation. They looked at each other and attacked at the same time. Yun Yao's calamity fire and Chu Mochen's mysterious ice power merged into a powerful ice and fire storm, sweeping around. Under the ravages of this storm, the guardian beasts were reduced to ashes and turned into wisps of green smoke and dissipated.

After all the guardian beasts were destroyed, everyone was panting and exhausted. But they had no time to rest, because the runes on the boulder suddenly glowed brightly, and a passage leading to a deeper level slowly emerged. Yun Yao knew that the real test had just begun, and they had to recover their strength as soon as possible and continue to move forward.

After a short break, they went deeper into the passage. Along the way, they encountered all kinds of strange sights and dangers. In some places, the gravity was abnormal, as if they were carrying a heavy burden; in some places, there was a hallucinogenic fog, which made people have all kinds of hallucinations; in other places, there were crisscrossing space cracks, and if you were not careful, you would be sucked into the endless void.

But every time they encountered danger, Yun Yao and Chu Mochen cooperated with each other, relying on their extraordinary wisdom and tenacious perseverance to lead everyone out of danger. In the process, they also had intersections with teams from other forces. Some teams asked them for help in difficult situations, and Yun Yao and others lent a hand regardless of past grudges; some teams had ill intentions and tried to sneak attack from behind and rob their achievements, but they were all discovered by Yun Yao and others and severely punished.

As she went deeper, Yun Yao felt a familiar and powerful aura growing stronger. She knew that she was getting closer and closer to the key to the Heavenly Dao. Finally, at the end of the passage, a magnificent palace appeared. The palace gate was closed, and on it were carved auspicious patterns of dragons and phoenixes, which were lifelike and exuded a majestic atmosphere. In the center of the gate, there was a circular groove, as if waiting for something to be embedded.

Yun Yao walked forward and carefully observed the groove. She had an idea. She took out a jade pendant that she had found in the ruins of Yunhua Sect. The pattern on the jade pendant matched the groove perfectly. She took a deep breath and slowly inserted the jade pendant into the groove.

In an instant, the palace gate slowly opened, and a dazzling golden light poured out from inside. Everyone squinted their eyes, and when the light faded a little, they looked into the palace. In the center of the palace, they saw a treasure box emitting colorful light floating, and runes were flowing on the treasure box, which obviously sealed an extremely powerful power.

"That must be the key to the Heavenly Dao left by the first generation of twin Taoist couples." Chu Mochen said excitedly. Yun Yao's eyes were also moist. After going through untold hardships, they finally found the hope. However, just as they were about to go forward to collect the treasure box, a figure suddenly jumped out from the side. It turned out to be the elder of the Dao Guardian League.

"Hmph, how could such a treasure fall into your hands? Hand it over obediently, or today will be the day you die." The elder's face was ferocious, and the magic weapon in his hand shone brightly, attacking Yun Yao and others. Yun Yao and others were furious, and they all took out their weapons and prepared to meet the enemy.

This final showdown, which concerns the ownership of the Heavenly Dao Key and the future direction of the cultivation world, erupted in this mysterious Guixu Palace. Yun Yao and Chu Mochen worked hand in hand, and behind them were the disciples of the Yunhua Sect and all the cultivators who yearned for freedom and pursued the truth of the Heavenly Dao. Faced with the greed and tyranny of the Dao Guardian Alliance, they did not flinch, and used the justice and faith in their hearts as swords to launch the most fierce counterattack against the enemy.

And that is suspended in the air...