After a brief pause, the elder continued to speak.
"Therefore, I recomnd that you do not hesitate to return if you find sothing valuable, or if you sustain injuries that leave you unable to continue. It is better to withdraw and recover than to waste your life recklessly."
A faint sigh of relief passed through the disciples, but it did not last long, for Elder Qing’s expression grew stern once again. "That being said, there are restrictions. Within the realm, teleportation talismans are useless. You will not be able to rely on them to escape danger. Furthermore, communication jade slips do not function across the barrier. You will not be able to contact those outside."
Xuan Qing, who had been quietly listening with a sharp gaze, raised his hand slightly. "Elder, when you say communication jade slips do not function across the barrier, is the restriction inter-realm only? Or can they at least be used within the realm itself?"
Elder Qing’s eyes softened slightly at the sharpness of the question. "A good point, Xuan Qing. Within the realm itself, the jade slips do work. You will be able to communicate with your comrades as long as you are within a reasonable distance.
However, there is a complication. The qi within the realm is turbulent and unsettled, and this can interfere with transmissions. Sotis the jade slips will work perfectly. Other tis, the connection may be broken or distorted. You must account for this unreliability."
Murmurs filled the tent again, but this ti they carried a faint note of relief. At least they would not be entirely cut off from each other.
Elder Qing continued, his tone firm. "Understand this as well. You cannot use the jade slips to speak with us outside the realm. For that reason, the sects will be setting up base camps within the realm itself.
These camps will serve as gathering points, places where you can rest, resupply, and report your findings. As long as you can make it back to one of these camps, you will have so asure of safety."
A collective breath was released. The disciples straightened in their seats, and the tension eased slightly. The knowledge that there would be base camps waiting for them gave them sothing tangible to hold onto.
At that mont, Senior Brother Duan spoke up, his deep voice steady but carrying a note of concern. "Elder Qing, there is another matter that worries . When we enter the realm, will we all arrive in the sa location? Or will we be scattered across different parts of it? I have heard of realms where teleportation places cultivators randomly, and that could prove disastrous if we are separated."
The elder gave a small nod. "You are right to ask. We have tested this as well. So far, entering the realm brings everyone to the sa location. There is a single common point of arrival. You will not be separated upon entry."
Relief washed through the room again, though Elder Qing’s next words wiped away any sense of ease. "However, this also presents a risk. Rember, you will not be the only ones entering. Disciples from other sects, including the unorthodox sects, will appear at that sa entry point as well.
For now, the sects have agreed to treat it as a neutral zone.
No battles, no skirmishes, no bloodshed upon entry. But once you leave that area and head deeper into the realm, no one can enforce any such rules. It will be a free-for-all. You must be prepared for betrayal, ambushes, and conflict once you are away from the entry site."
A heavy silence settled over the group. The disciples understood what that ant.
The realm was not just filled with treasures, but also with rivals and enemies eager to claim them. Law would not extend past the neutral ground. In the depths of the tomb, only strength and cunning would matter.
Han Yu sat quietly, absorbing every word.
His hand unconsciously clenched into a fist as he realized the scale of what they were about to face. An entire realm of treasures and dangers, with the lives of countless disciples interwoven in the struggle. A place where the weak would be devoured and only the strong would thrive.
The elder’s eyes swept across them one final ti. "This will not be an easy task. You must rely on each other, and you must not let greed cloud your judgnt. Rember the ti limit. Rember that survival is the first step to claiming fortune. Only the living can enjoy the spoils of their labor."
The weight of his words lingered long after the disciples left the tent that night.
The briefing lingered on for a few more minutes. Elder Qing answered a handful of additional questions, clarifying small details about supplies, formation markers, and the rotation of patrols within the realm’s base camp.
His voice was asured, but there was a heaviness behind it that none of the disciples could ignore.
When at last he dismissed them, the gathered cultivators rose from their seats, their expressions grave. So murmured to one another, while others kept silent, lost in their own worries about what awaited them within the tomb’s inner realm.
Han Yu stood slowly, stretching his shoulders before stepping outside into the cool night air.
The camp was quieter now, though lanterns still burned bright along the paths between tents. The hum of activity from earlier had dwindled into hushed voices and the occasional tallic clang of weapons being sharpened. Tomorrow, the sect would pour its strength into the unknown, and everyone could feel the weight of that certainty pressing down on them.
As Han Yu made his way down the lantern-lit path, he noticed two familiar figures moving a short distance away. Senior Brother Duan and Senior Sister Xuan Qing walked side by side, their postures calm but their faces showing signs of thought. Without hesitation, Han Yu quickened his pace until he was beside them.
"Senior Sister, Senior Brother," Han Yu greeted respectfully, bowing his head slightly. "May I ask sothing?"
User Comments
0 comments from readers