Chapter 19 — The Breathing Barrier
The moonlight lay silently over the mountains, reflecting a pale glow on the motionless clouds. Inside one of the Eternal Moon Sect's pavilions, Li Ze knelt, his face covered in cold sweat. Across from him, Master Li Heng gazed at him silently, his eyes serene and deep as a winter lake.
"Failure, Li Ze. This is what your hesitation brings," he said, his voice calm but sharp. "A mere mortal from the countryside, rootless, without support, and yet you let him slip away. This... is unacceptable."
Li Ze clenched his fists. "Master, I—"
Li Heng held up his hand, interrupting him. A heavy sigh escaped him. "Your heart wavers. Envy and hatred are like mud—the more you stir, the deeper you sink. This Jun Tian has become a shadow in your heart." And if that shadow grows… it will be your end.
Li Ze raised his head, his eyes burning. "Then let me erase that shadow, master. Let me destroy Jun Tian within that realm. Then there will be no more obstacles in my way!"
For a moment, silence. Then, Li Heng extended his hand. A blue glow appeared between his fingers—an ancient dagger, short and jagged, made of a dark metal covered in corroded inscriptions. Even sealed, a cold aura escaped from it, making the air tremble.
"This is the 'Tooth of the Fallen.'" Li Heng's voice was almost a whisper. "A cursed relic that once belonged to a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator. It still contains the remnants of his murderous will. Within the Secret Realm, the rules are unstable. Within there, this dagger will not be traced."
Li Ze hesitated. "But, master… what if I am discovered?"
Li Heng smiled faintly, a cold, emotionless smile. "Then die with dignity. But if you succeed, your path will be clear—and my burden lifted."
Li Ze felt his body shiver. As he gripped the dagger, a shiver ran down his spine. It was as if the metal pulsed with a life of its own.
That night, the moon hid behind the clouds. Fate, once again, moved silently.
Li Heng sat hours later in front of an ancient formation carved on the stone floor. One by one, ancient symbols lit one, releasing wisps of spiritual energy floating in the air.
He murmured, "The mountain's seal has long slept silently…perhaps it's time to awaken it."
He flipped his finger to release blood from its tip over the formations's center. The mountain trembled. From the depths, a muted roar resounded as though the world itself had drawn a breath for the first time in millennia.
A torrent of golden light ripped across the heavens, lighting Qinghe in its totality. The homes shook and the wind gusted strongly.
Startled cultivators came out their houses and gazed into the horizon. Connecting heaven and earth was a thick pillar of light twisting upward.
"What is this?!" yelled an old man. "It seems to be… an ancient spiritual variation!"
Experienced people's hearts raced more. Something dormant had come alive.
Jun Tian opened his eyes slowly on the mountain slope. His form was enfolded in a thin Qi mist as he sat on a boulder. Nine colors in soft harmony spiraled before him in the Nine- Colored Lotus.
But it suddenly stopped.
"Jun Tian…," the Lotus's heavenly voice murmured, shaking slightly. "Something has awakened. It's not your progress; rather, it's something different. A seal has been broken."
Jun Tian looked toward the horizon. An intense light reflected in his peaceful eyes. "It's coming from that direction… from the valley to the south."
"Yes. Furthermore, it is not typical. I can sense an ancient but incomplete very thick spiritual energy. Space has a rift as though a dimension has opened."
Jun Tian paused. He felt a small, delicate, yet real call. "Perhaps a secret kingdom?"
The Lotus hesitated. "It looks so. This domain, however, is not created by regular humans. Its barrier was intended to resist forces over a particular threshold. It's too risky…
Jun Tian inhaled profoundly. "Then let's observe. I'm in no rush."
The city was torn apart by chaos. Every family's cultivators congregated in front of the mountain. Some tried to breach the freshly formed barrier—and were forcefully thrown back, coughing blood.
"Impossible!" a father yelled. "Even with my cultivation at the pinnacle of Spirit Formation, I can't get through?!
"The barrier acknowledges age and cultivation; only young people under twenty-one may pass," another responded with a stern expression.
The audience murmured. The families started picking their delegates shortly thereafter. Within a Secret, it was an uncommon chance. Realm, every revelation may alter a course of events.
Jun Xiao called the elders together in the Jun family home. We shall dispatch Jun Tian. His mind is quiet and his development is consistent. He will be able to witness what's inside even if he doesn't bring back anything.
Some elders exchanged glances but said nothing.
Across the room, a messenger from the Eternal Moon Sect observed silently with a subtle grin dancing across his lips.
Jun Tian gradually approached along the slope illuminated with golden energy. His steady stare caught every nuance: the portal, the ancient runes, the energy flowing like rivers of light.
The Lotus floated next to him. Be mindful. The energy here is erratic. Even I feel a familiar but distorted force."
Jun Tian quietly stared at the portal's center. "Don't worry. I won't enter just now."
Steps descended behind him. Dressed in sect robes, Li Ze observed him from distance. His eyes flared with a sensation of both hatred and anticipation.
Under his sleeve, the Fallen's Tooth One pulse lightly, illuminating a cold light.
The gate started to vibrate, making a low, deep noise resembling a sleeping animal's breath.
The leaves fluttered and the wind raised dust.
Jun Tian glanced upward, the golden reflection dancing in his quiet eyes.
Her voice now deep, the Lotus spoke in his thoughts:
"Something dark is stirring all around you, Jun Tian. Fate is starting to move…
The young man's lips stretched in a barely visible smile.
"Then it is time."
The barrier breathed; energy surged across the mountain and the Secret For the first time in millennia, Realm opened its eyes.