The earth cracked and the air shimmered as the Sanatan Flame Sect emerged from underground. Dust drifted through the herbal garde, mingling with faint remnants of golden aura still lingering in the air. The once-splendid Herb Garden, once filled with lush spiritual flora and divine fragrance, now lay in ruins — scorched earth, shattered stones, and the faint hiss of lingering energy where Shaurya's sword had struck moments ago.

Shaurya brushed the back of his head awkwardly, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "I guess next time… I should hold back a bit."

The Medicinal Fairy, her expression still dazed, stared at the vast destruction surrounding them. The garden that once nurtured life for centuries was now nothing more than a crater of faint golden mist. Her voice trembled softly. "You… defeated the Root of Decay that easily?"

Shaurya laughed, the sound casual and warm despite the devastation. "Is it that hard to defeat that thing?"

The Medicinal Fairy lowered her gaze, her sapphire eyes flickering with deep thought. His appearance… he looks so young. But his power— She exhaled softly. —it rivals cultivators of my time. No… he surpasses them, even at this level.

Her gaze drifted toward the disciples behind him — the proud, unyielding members of the Sanatan Flame Sect, still standing tall even after the fierce battle. His sect… it's unlike anything I've ever seen. Perhaps… they can help me.

Shaurya noticed her distant gaze and smiled faintly. His tone turned gentle, calm as ever.

"Do you want to join our sect?"

The Medicinal Fairy blinked, startled. Her head lifted slowly, her expression filled with disbelief. "I… I want to join your sect. Please, Master, accept my greetings."

She bowed deeply, her long silver hair cascading like moonlight. Shaurya smiled and waved his hand lightly, a golden form materializing in his palm.

He handed it to her. She blinked, tilting her head in confusion. "Master, what is this?"

"That," Shaurya said casually, "is a recruitment form. Fill it out. From now on, you'll serve as an Inner Elder of our sect. We have a herb garden back home — it will be yours to care for."

The Medicinal Fairy — now kneeling with graceful poise — bowed again, filling the form swiftly before handing it back. The parchment glowed briefly in Shaurya's hand, then disintegrated into motes of golden light.

He turned and began to walk forward, his coat fluttering slightly in the wind. Behind him, the sect members surrounded their newest elder, greeting her with cheerful smiles.

"Welcome, Medicinal Fairy!"

"Another immortal from the past joining us — this is amazing!"

Shaurya paused mid-step, glancing slightly over his shoulder. "Oh… by the way, Medicinal Fairy, what's your real name?"

She smiled faintly. "My real name is… Tan Hua."

Shaurya smiles and said. "Welcome to the sect. Elder Hua."

Elder Hua bows and thanked him.

Shaurya nodded, turning back toward the horizon. One hand tucked into his pocket while the other rested casually near his chest. Behind him, Lin Shu, Elder Liya, Elder Wan, Elder Feng Yu, and the disciples continued chatting and laughing with Tan Hua. The heavy tension of the earlier battle had faded, replaced by warmth and joy.

Shaurya raised his hand slightly — and with a thought, a system screen appeared before him, translucent and glowing blue. A detailed map of the Secret Realm unfolded across it, pulsing with golden markings. It was a reward he had received along with the realm's key.

His right hand touched his chin thoughtfully. After scanning the glowing map for a moment, his eyes narrowed, a single brow arching.

"Oh… there's something."

He pointed at a flashing symbol on the map — ten miles from their current location.

A smile curved on his lips. "Hmm… this treasure here is more valuable than anything else around. I wonder what it is… a weapon, a beast, or something far rarer."

He stretched his neck lightly and turned toward his sect.

"Okay, my dear sect members," he said with a grin, "rest time's over."

The chatter ceased immediately. All eyes turned to him, waiting.

Lin Shu tilted her head. "Where are we going?"

Shaurya chuckled. "Follow me. And don't lose your pace. We're heading out — full speed."

The disciples nodded eagerly, readying themselves. Shaurya raised his hand again, summoning a glowing scroll. He tossed it toward Tan Hua.

"This technique," he said, "is one of our sect's basic arts. With your talent, you'll master it in no time."

Elder Hua caught it gracefully, opening the scroll. "Aerial Steps," she murmured, eyes brightening. Within moments, her mind absorbed the technique, and she began to practice quietly while the others prepared.

Ten minutes later, a ripple of light shimmered beneath her feet. Tan Hua lifted off the ground slightly, weightless. A joyful smile crossed her face as she moved through the air with perfect grace.

Lin Shu and Elder Liya clapped their hands, laughing. "Congratulations, Elder Hua! You learned it so fast!"

But Shaurya's voice soon echoed through the air — calm yet commanding.

"Are you all ready?"

They turned and bowed, shouting in unison, "YES, MASTER!"

Shaurya smiled. "Then let's go."

With that, he dashed forward, golden light erupting beneath his feet. The others followed, mirroring his movement. The ground trembled as hundreds of footfalls struck in unison. Though they couldn't fly within this realm, it didn't matter — the Sanatan Flame Sect tore across the land like a storm, crossing valleys and ruined fields at blinding speed.

The once-vibrant Herbal Garden shrank behind them, replaced by the vast emptiness of the wastelands.

Meanwhile — far behind, after some time had passed since their departure — the silence of the ruined Herb Garden was broken.

A group of ten cultivators in black robes appeared, their steps heavy, their eyes gleaming with malice. And from among them stepped their leader — a massive figure over seven feet tall. His skin was crimson, his pupils burning yellow, and from his skull rose two black horns like blades. He wore dark crimson armor beneath a flowing black cape that rippled with demonic energy.

The air itself trembled around him.

One of the robed demons bowed. "Master Hang Yao, the energy we sensed earlier has vanished. It seems someone has already claimed it."

Hang Yao's lips curved into a twisted grin. "Who cares? It's their bad luck." His deep voice rolled like thunder. "We'll find them, kill them, and take whatever they found. It must be some kind of rare herb."

The demons behind him bowed. "Yes, Master Hang Yao!"

Without hesitation, they rushed in the direction the Sanatan Flame Sect had gone — sealing their fate with every step.

The Sanatan Flame Sect continued advancing across the wastelands, their momentum steady. The barren field stretched endlessly, broken only by the distant shimmer of a ruined mountain range.

Shaurya's golden eyes narrowed slightly.

Strange… Demonic Qi? His aura flickered, scanning the distance. How did demons even enter this realm? And they're following us?

He raised his hand sharply. "Stop."

Instantly, the disciples halted. Dust settled around their feet as silence enveloped the land.

Lin Shu glanced around warily. "What happened? Did we arrive?"

Shaurya sighed. "No… we have some visitors."

The disciples exchanged confused looks, tension thickening in the air. Elder Feng Yu's gaze hardened; he rested his hand on his sword hilt. "Stay alert," he murmured. "Demons."

The word alone sent a ripple through the ranks. The disciples tightened formation, eyes sharp.

Moments passed in eerie quiet. Then — the air grew thick with Demonic Qi. Ten dark figures emerged from the horizon, their leader towering over the rest.

Hang Yao's eyes glowed faintly as he raised his arm, signaling his subordinates to halt.

One demon whispered, "Leader… seems like they took the treasure."

Another muttered nervously, "Leader, there are… too many of them."

Hang Yao's grin widened. "So what? Even if they outnumber us — they're still humans. They're nothing compared to demons."

The black-robed demons thumped their chests proudly, their energy flaring with arrogance.

Shaurya tilted his head slightly. "They should really try stand-up comedy," he said dryly, rolling his shoulders. "Never mind. They wouldn't last long there either."

He turned slightly, his voice calm. "Wang Tian, Luo Chen, Muo Qian, Su Quan, and Elder Wan. Make sure none of them leave alive."

The five bowed. "Yes, Master."

They stepped forward together, their auras igniting like stars.

Hang Yao laughed, his voice echoing. "Foolish humans! Hand over the treasures from the Herb Garden, and I'll give you an easy death!"

Wang Tian cracked his knuckles, grinning. "Go to hell."

Hang Yao's grin twisted into rage. He swung his hand forward. "Kill them!"

The ten demons charged, their black auras surging.

The battlefield erupted.

Wang Tian and Luo Chen clashed first, each taking on two demons. Muo Qian and Su Quan followed, their swords blazing with golden light. The sound of steel, roars, and explosions filled the wasteland.

Two demons broke through the formation, rushing Elder Wan. He sneered, plucking two crimson pills from his pouch and tossing them forward.

BOOM!

The explosion was instantaneous — fire and light tearing through the air. When the smoke cleared, nothing remained of the demons but crimson mist.

Hang Yao's eyes widened in fury. "You—!"

Elder Wan stretched his neck casually, his silver aura rippling around him. "Don't tell me you only rely on those weaklings. Come on. Meet your end."

Hang Yao roared, his crimson aura bursting outward like a storm. But before he could act, his remaining demons fell one by one — cleaved apart by the golden sword slashes of Wang Tian, Luo Chen, Muo Qian, and Su Quan.

Hang Yao's rage boiled. "You pathetic humans! I'll tear you all apart!"

He lunged forward. Elder Wan met him head-on. Their fists collided, creating a thunderous shockwave that cracked the ground beneath them like glass.

The two blurred — fists, kicks, dashes, and collisions repeating in a flurry of power. Every impact split the earth, every strike shook the sky.

Shaurya's voice echoed from behind, calm but sharp. "Elder Wan, stop playing. We don't have time. Finish this already."

Elder Wan exhaled slowly, disappointed. "Tch. It was getting interesting… Fine. I'll end this."

Hang Yao's fury twisted into madness. "You dare take me lightly?!"

Elder Wan's eyes narrowed. He inhaled deeply, then released a slow breath. His right hand drew back, gathering purple energy that crackled in the air like lightning. The ground beneath him shattered.

Hang Yao lifted his arms toward the sky, crimson energy swirling into a massive orb.

"Now die! Darkness Crusher!"

The crimson sphere tore through the air, screeching toward Elder Wan.

But the elder didn't flinch. His pupils glowed silver. "Galactic Crusher!"

The purple sphere left his palm, colliding head-on with the crimson attack. The world itself seemed to tremble.

Shockwaves erupted — blinding light devoured everything.

Hang Yao screamed, pushing his aura desperately. But his crimson energy shattered first.

Elder Wan's Galactic Crusher slammed into him, devouring his roar.

Elder Wan turned calmly, eyes closed. "It's over."

BOOM!

A deafening explosion tore through the land. The air rippled violently; dust and debris rose into a towering plume.

When the smoke cleared — nothing of Hang Yao remained.

Elder Hua stood speechless, her jaw slightly open. The disciples burst into cheers, their voices echoing across the wasteland. Elder Liya pressed a hand to her cheek, smiling faintly. "Oh my, my… so handsome."

Shaurya chuckled, shaking his head. His golden eyes turned toward the horizon, where a faint glow shimmered in the distance.

They still had five miles to go.

And there another adventure of the Secret Realm awaited them there.

To Be Continued...

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