The day had finally arrived. The sect was alive with activity as disciples gathered at the foot of the mountain where the Mystic Realm portal would soon open. Lin Xue stood at the edge of the crowd, her veil concealing her face as she observed the chaos around her. The excitement and anxiety of the disciples filled the air, palpable like a storm about to break. Most were outer sect disciples, but a few inner sect elites had also gathered, their presence a reminder of the hierarchy that governed their world.
Despite the veil, Lin Xue's presence commanded attention. Several pairs of eyes turned toward her, some filled with curiosity, others with jealousy or admiration. Her beauty, though hidden, had only added to her mystery, making her the center of speculation and gossip. She could feel the stares but paid them no mind. Her focus was on the task ahead—the Mystic Realm, a place of untold danger and opportunity.
Liang Chen and Xu Feng approached from the side, their faces serious but calm. Liang Chen was as confident as ever, his charm still evident despite the tension in the air. Xu Feng, more reserved, gave Lin Xue a small nod as they came to stand beside her.
"The portal will open soon," Liang Chen said, glancing at the glowing formation in the distance. "Are you ready?"
Lin Xue didn't respond immediately, her gaze fixed on the horizon. The Mystic Realm was not just a test of strength; it was a crucible, where only the strong survived. Treasures, ancient techniques, and rare resources awaited within, but so did danger. The realm would not be kind to the weak.
"I've been ready for this since the day I entered the sect," she finally replied, her voice steady and calm.
Xu Feng, ever the strategist, folded his arms and looked around. "We need to be cautious. The Mystic Realm will be filled with traps and beasts, but the greatest threat will be the other disciples. The competition for resources will be fierce."
Liang Chen smiled, his tone lighter than Xu Feng's. "Don't worry, Xu Feng. We've got Lin Xue with us. I doubt anyone will dare cross her."
Lin Xue ignored the compliment, her thoughts already elsewhere. She wasn't interested in making a show of strength or proving herself to others. What mattered was gaining power—power to surpass everyone, even those who were currently above her.
As they waited, several inner sect disciples passed by, their robes embroidered with the sect's prestigious insignia. These were the elites, cultivators at the Foundation Building stage or higher, and each one exuded an aura of authority. Among them, Zhao Yue stood at the front, her gaze sweeping over the crowd with disdain. When her eyes landed on Lin Xue, a cold smile touched her lips.
"So the rumors are true. Even the veil can't hide your arrogance," Zhao Yue said, her voice dripping with condescension.
Lin Xue's gaze shifted to Zhao Yue, her expression calm behind the veil. She could feel the hostility radiating from Zhao Yue and her entourage of followers. Jealousy and rivalry had always plagued the sect, but with the Mystic Realm as the prize, those tensions would soon erupt into open conflict.
"I didn't realize confidence was a crime," Lin Xue replied evenly, her tone devoid of emotion.
Zhao Yue's eyes narrowed, but before she could retort, the air around them shimmered. The massive stone archway that led to the Mystic Realm began to glow, its ancient runes lighting up one by one. A powerful force rippled through the atmosphere, and a low hum echoed across the mountain. The portal was opening.
"Attention, disciples!" The voice of the Grand Elder rang out, commanding silence from the gathered crowd. He stood at the front, his robes flowing majestically as his eyes swept over the sea of cultivators. "The Mystic Realm is about to open. Those who enter must be prepared. Once inside, you are on your own. The sect cannot protect you."
The Elder paused, letting his words sink in. "Only the strongest will survive. Only the worthy will return."
The crowd stirred, tension rising as the portal flared to life. A shimmering vortex of light appeared within the archway, swirling with colors that defied description. It was a gateway to another world—a world filled with danger, but also limitless potential.
"The portal will remain open for three days," the Grand Elder continued. "When it closes, those who remain inside will be lost to the realm. Choose your path wisely."
With that, the Elder stepped aside, and the first wave of disciples began to step forward. Inner sect elites, confident in their strength, entered the portal without hesitation. Outer sect disciples, however, lingered at the edges, uncertainty flickering in their eyes.
Liang Chen turned to Lin Xue and Xu Feng, his usual grin tempered by a hint of seriousness. "Well, this is it. Shall we?"
Xu Feng gave a curt nod. "We stick together until we find a safe area. After that, we assess the situation."
Lin Xue said nothing, merely stepping forward toward the portal. The swirling light cast strange shadows across her veil, but her movements were confident, unwavering. She had no fear of the unknown. She had faced adversity before, and this would be no different.
As they approached the portal, a group of disciples—led by one of Zhao Yue's closest allies—moved to block their path. A tall, beautiful woman with cold eyes stepped forward, her expression full of disdain.
"Lin Xue," she sneered, her voice laced with venom. "You think hiding behind that veil makes you special? You're just another outer sect disciple pretending to be something you're not."
The other women behind her—each one strikingly beautiful—smirked in agreement. Their jealousy was palpable, each of them clearly threatened by Lin Xue's beauty and growing reputation. They had powerful backgrounds, influential families, but Lin Xue had surpassed them in cultivation with no such advantages.
Liang Chen stepped forward, his eyes narrowing. "Move aside, or you'll regret it."
The woman laughed, a sharp, unpleasant sound. "Is that supposed to scare me? I've heard the rumors about Lin Xue, but I'm not impressed."
Lin Xue remained silent, her eyes cold beneath the veil. She could sense the woman's spiritual energy—she was at the peak of Qi Condensation, not weak, but nowhere near a threat to her. Still, there was no need to waste time on petty confrontations.
"If you're done talking, move aside," Lin Xue said quietly, her voice soft but commanding.
The woman hesitated, taken aback by Lin Xue's calm demeanor. But before she could respond, the portal flared once more, its energy pulsing with growing intensity.
"Let's go," Xu Feng said, his voice low.
Without waiting for a response, Lin Xue stepped past the woman and into the portal, her veil fluttering in the wind. Liang Chen and Xu Feng followed close behind, leaving the group of jealous disciples to fume in silence.
As Lin Xue entered the swirling light of the portal, she felt a rush of energy envelop her. The world around her dissolved into a blur of color and light, and for a moment, she was weightless, suspended in the space between worlds.
Then, with a final burst of light, she was through.
The Mystic Realm awaited.