Chapter 20: The Hidden Realm of Blessed Lands

A gentle, continuous drizzle fell upon the mountain town nestled among the peaks, rendering it a tranquil scene reminiscent of a landscape painting from the southern riverlands—peaceful, exquisite, imbued with the quiet atmosphere of time flowing gently by. Few people traversed the streets, yet despite the rain, many shops remained open for business.

Yang Dai, clad in black and carrying an oil-paper umbrella, led a horse down the street. He had just purchased this steed, the most expensive one in the town’s stable, along with several sets of clothing, all in preparation for his journey to the battlefield.

After leaving the town and walking for about half an hour, Yang Dai summoned the Stone Dragon and asked him to teach him how to ride. It took less time than burning a stick of incense for Yang Dai to master it. As a cultivator at the third layer of Qi Gathering, his strength was not inferior to that of a spirited horse; all he needed was to learn the proper technique.

He stored the Stone Dragon within his soul space and mounted the horse, galloping across the land. The sound of the horse’s hooves echoed through the mountains and forests, undiminished even by the rain. Yang Dai felt the wind, laden with raindrops, sweep across his face and his spirits soared.

Was this what it felt like to travel on horseback in ancient times? He could not deny its unique charm—a sensation automobiles and trains could never replicate. Of course, such jolting would be uncomfortable for ordinary people, but Yang Dai was no longer ordinary.

A line of text floated before his eyes: [Trial-taker 'Zhou Xingma' from the Xia Kingdom District has opened the Cave Paradise Secret Realm].

Yang Dai raised an eyebrow. Zhou Xingma—he remembered him. They had entered the Deep Domain on the same day, and Zhou Xingma had acquired an S-level talent. Had Yang Dai not been present these past two months, Zhou Xingma would have been the hottest topic. Zhou Xingma frequently commented on Yang Dai's Skyweb posts; it was clear he paid him close attention.

Yang Dai had learned about secret realms online: they were either natural paradises formed by heaven and earth or ancient cultivators' abodes, filled with rich resources and countless opportunities. Not only trial-takers, but monsters and cultivators from the Deep Domain also eagerly sought them out.

Yang Dai did not give it much thought—he had no intention of entering the secret realm. For now, his sole goal was to collect ever more Yin followers.

With this horse, he could reach the battlefield at the border of the Great Xia Dynasty in at most ten days. He was filled with anticipation.

...

In the northern suburbs, atop the northern plains, military camps occupied several miles of territory.

This was the garrison of Great Xia.

Within the general’s tent, a middle-aged man clad in armor frowned at the sand table before him. From the arrangement, it was clear the Liang Banner was on the verge of encircling the Xia Banner.

This was the battlefield between the Great Xia Dynasty and the Great Liang Dynasty. The general’s name was Ying Bang, the younger brother of the current emperor, renowned throughout the realm.

A host of officers entered the tent, saluting Ying Bang.

Ying Bang rested his right hand on the hilt of his sword at his waist, his left hand gesturing lightly as he asked, “What’s the situation?”

A young lieutenant in white robes cupped his fists and replied, “According to reports from our spies, the Great Liang Dynasty is gathering a large number of outsiders—their numbers are considerable, and could even sway the outcome of the battle.”

Ying Bang’s frown deepened.

An old general snorted, “Even many of Xia’s own outsiders have gone to support Liang, largely because of the decree His Majesty issued last year...”

He fell silent as Ying Bang cast him a glance.

The white-robed lieutenant continued, “General, we outsiders come from beyond, and are not all of one faction. In our world, nations are divided; even among civilians there are various organizations. I can assure you that the outsiders in my Divine Eagle Army remain loyal to Xia. As for those supporting Liang, it is the directive of their sects. A cultivation sect may have only tens of thousands of disciples, but its affiliated martial clans and forest factions combined can rival an imperial army.”

His name was Chen Shouxin, a veteran trial-taker with over five years of experience.

Ying Bang asked in a grave tone, “Which cultivation sect is opposing Xia? Isn’t it forbidden for cultivators to interfere in worldly conflicts?”

Chen Shouxin replied, “The Ghost Abyss Sect. They only send Qi Gathering cultivators, small groups mingling among the troops, without violating the rules between the cultivation world and the dynasties.”

Ying Bang’s expression grew darker. The other officers exchanged uneasy glances, none daring to speak.

“Report—!”

A soldier burst in, shouting, “Liang forces are attacking the camp!”

Ying Bang immediately drew his sword. “A bunch of scoundrels—so brazen! Come, let us slay the enemy!”

...

At the edge of a cliff, Yang Dai sat astride his horse, gazing across the distant wasteland. Behind him lay rugged mountains, before him the boundless plain, where the Great Xia's military camps could be faintly discerned.

He exhaled in relief. After seven days of travel, he had finally reached the battlefield.

Along the way, he had encountered many people, all of whom he had deliberately avoided, keeping himself from any entanglements. Just yesterday, he had even met a spirit beast—a mouse demon the size of a calf, which nearly caused his legs to buckle in fright. Fortunately, the mouse demon was even more timid and fled faster than he did.

As Yang Dai mused on these events, he suddenly spotted smoke rising from the horizon.

...

Just arrived and already war was breaking out!

Yang Dai dismounted at once.

He summoned Tian Buzhong, Bai Wei, Cheng Hungry Ghost, and Stone Dragon. Stone Dragon was tasked with watching the horse, while the other three Yin followers accompanied Yang Dai.

"I’ll wait for you here in the woods," Stone Dragon said, leading the horse away.

Yang Dai produced three sets of robes, handing them to Tian Buzhong, Bai Wei, and Cheng Hungry Ghost. He also gave them headscarves to cover their heads and masks that left only their eyes visible. The sight was peculiar, but it was better than their ghostly forms.

The green glow of the Yin followers was far too conspicuous. If Yang Dai wished to use them among people, he needed to conceal it. Thankfully, his strategy worked—at a glance, the green light was hidden, though on closer inspection, it still seeped through the seams.

That would suffice.

"Follow me. When I absorb souls, protect me. Unless I give an order, do not act rashly before danger arises," Yang Dai instructed. The three Yin followers nodded and began their task.

Descending the mountain, they moved toward the wasteland.

At that moment, the main front of the Great Xia camp was already engaged in battle. The sounds of slaughter echoed beneath the gloomy sky, as if rain were about to fall. Roars and screams made the heavens and earth feel all the more oppressive.

Yang Dai was nervous. He had researched online: the cultivation world did not take part in worldly conflicts, but on the battlefield, Qi Gathering cultivators could be seen. Qi Gathering had nine layers—if he encountered a high-level cultivator, he would be no match.

The soldiers in the Great Xia camp were focused on the front. Only watchtowers guarded the rear, and the soldiers atop them saw Yang Dai’s group but did not raise an alarm. Four people posed no threat, and recently, outsiders had often arrived, so their presence caused no surprise.

Yang Dai noticed the soldiers slacking on the watchtower and secretly breathed easier.

Behind the camp, a large pit had been dug, ten yards across, filled with piles of corpses yet to be buried. Judging by the scattered shovels, the soldiers had been preparing to inter the dead before being forced to rush out and respond to the attack.

Yang Dai approached the pit, cautioning, "Keep watch for me—don’t let anyone shoot arrows at me."

With so many corpses, surely he could summon more Yin followers!

Excitement welled up within him.