Path of Alchemy Mastery-Chapter 278 - 279: Entering the Secret Realm

Every Vice Chancellor of the Immortal Ancient Academy establishes a contract with this small cauldron, which is why the cauldron can recognize their blood. If other Martial Saints were to come here, they’d likely be turned into ashes by the cauldron immediately.

The blood of a Martial Saint, every drop is incredibly precious. Just like Mu Can, who just became a Martial Saint, his body didn’t yet contain any Martial Saint’s blood. For the five Vice Chancellors, having just lost a drop, made their complexions exhibit a slight change.

"Line up and enter through the main gates, placing your hands on the Jade Mirror in front of you beforehand," Xuanyuan Mingkong casually declared, conjuring a gigantic jade mirror before the entrance.

"Miraculous Ancient and Modern Mirror," exclaimed an excited young man who looked to be in his twenties and, from his attire, appeared to be a student of the Immortal Ancient Academy.

"The Ancient and Modern Mirror, master’s treasure. I didn’t expect it would be useful here," thought Mu Can.

As Xuanyuan Mingkong’s most admired disciple, how could Mu Can not recognize his master’s treasured item? He had often taken this mirror out to play with it.

The Ancient and Modern Mirror looked just like an ordinary mirror except that its entire structure was made of jade. The dark green jade, incapable of reflecting physical forms, surprisingly took the shape of a mirror.

That’s because this mirror reflects not the face, but the soul.

Anyone who stands before this mirror and touches it will have their soul’s nature reflected upon it. While it might not sound particularly remarkable, this verification process is most appropriate under these circumstances.

The Immortal Ancient Secret Realm is matters of great importance and cannot afford any oversights. Xuanyuan Mingkong’s actions aimed to eliminate those with malintent.

Anyone from the Demon World or Immortal World, daring to touch this mirror, would inevitably show their true form, with no chance of entering the Immortal Ancient Secret Realm.

"What do we do, big brother?" a robust figure whispered to the person next to him.

It was the four Demon Lords from the Demon World looking for Tribulation Crossing People.

"Don’t worry. Our transformation technique can even alter our souls; there’s nothing to fear," said the eldest among the four, frowning discontentedly.

As Demon Lords, how had they seemed so inept and undignified? Had they not been in the Immortal Ancient City, the eldest would have long since disciplined his incompetent brother.

"Let’s start entering," Xuanyuan Mingkong and his companions stood at the gates, scrutinizing the crowd in the square.

"I’ll go first." A person at the front, unable to contain his excitement, quickly stepped forward and gently placed his hand in front of the Ancient and Modern Mirror. Slowly, a figure appeared on the originally faint green mirror, who was none other than the young man standing in front, and a small symbol appeared in the top-right corner of the mirror.

"Descendant of the Gu Sect, you may enter," Xuanyuan Mingkong nodded, signaling the young man could proceed.

The young man bowed to Xuanyuan Mingkong, unable to suppress his excitement, and immediately stepped through the gate, vanishing from sight.

Being the first to enter the Immortal Ancient Secret Realm, he wondered if he might gain some early advantage.

"I’ll go too."

With a leader, the rest quickly scrambled forward, fearing they’d lose out by entering later.

That’s how people are; when no one takes the lead, they all shrink back, afraid to step forward. But once someone starts, they all fear being even slightly late.

All being cultivators, they entered swiftly as Xuanyuan Mingkong carefully verified each identity.

"Wait a moment," Xuanyuan Mingkong pointed at a young man who had just touched the Ancient and Modern Mirror and reprimanded.

The young man’s face changed, and he started walking towards the gate.

Daring to hide in front of me, stay behind.

In an instant, Xuanyuan Mingkong made his move. A golden radiance swiftly descended, entrapping the youth within a Golden Bell, leaving him no chance to escape.

"When did those from the Immortal World dare to sneak into the Immortal Ancient City?"

This young man was someone from the Immortal World, attempting to infiltrate the Immortal Ancient Secret Realm.

"Bind him," the Golden Bell transformed into a rope that tightly bound the young man.

"Heh, didn’t expect you to catch me. Vice Chancellor Xuanyuan, you wouldn’t kill me, right?"

The young man slowly reverted to his original form, appearing as an attractive middle-aged man.

As cultivators advance, their skin gradually smoothens, and minor facial flaws alter with increased cultivation—except for those practicing nefarious techniques or those inherently repugnant. High-level cultivators are hardly hideous.

"A dignified Immortal Venerable disguising as a junior to sneak a peek in the Mortal World, and you talk to me about permissions?" Xuanyuan Mingkong’s expression cooled as he spoke harshly.

"Is the Immortal Ancient Secret Realm truly meant only for the Immortal Ancient Academy?" the Immortal Venerable retorted, looking up at Xuanyuan Mingkong without a flicker of change on his face.

"Take him away," Xuanyuan Mingkong interrupted, ordering his removal.

This was merely a minor incident, and thereafter, possibly due to Xuanyuan Mingkong’s intimidating presence or other reasons, no more individuals were exposed by him.

"Be careful." When it was Mu Can’s turn, Xuanyuan Mingkong communicated, adhering to their prior agreement to keep his true identity concealed upon entry, providing protection for Mu Can.

Because he knew, both the Demon World and Immortal World wouldn’t readily ignore Mu Can.

Today’s captured Immortal Venerable was likely targeting Mu Can, and Xuanyuan Mingkong believed that possibly other culprits remained undetected inside.

Mu Can glanced at Xuanyuan Mingkong and followed Dongfeng Shuo into the gate.

When the square’s crowd had all entered the Secret Realm an hour later, Xuanyuan Mingkong had captured ten conspirators—three from the Immortal World, three from the Demon World, and four from the Mortal World all harboring ill intentions.

All were bound by Xuanyuan Mingkong within the Immortal Ancient City, where Xuanyuan feared no peer.

Additionally, he identified several descendants from the Hidden Sects and mentally noted their presence—likely the progeny of age-old monsters, and also a few non-human races. Xuanyuan Mingkong allowed all native inhabitants of the Mortal World, whose power advancement would also enhance the Mortal World’s strength, to proceed.