Picking Up Attributes In Martial World

Chapter 194: Heaven Opening Fort

It was only upon reaching the Soul Tempering Realm that Ye Jun truly understood the gulf in Qi perception between the two realms. And because of that, he could sense the wild fluctuations not far from him.

"What is happening?"

After climbing past the ridge, they found themselves on a plateau with wild clouds churning in the skies and hundreds of people running around in the distance. Beyond them stood a fortified structure dwarfing them with ease.

"Heaven Opening Chasm?" Song Liangxue muttered in surprise. "That’s where your mark led us?"

"What’s that?" Ye Jun had never heard of it, but from their expressions, he guessed it was something important.

"I’ll explain it later," she replied. "First, we need to find out what’s happening here."

Song Ying materialized at their side and asked, "Do you want me to check things inside, Young Miss?"

"No, that might provoke them or create unnecessary drama. We don’t know what happened, after all." Song Liangxue shook her head and gave a glance to the clan soldiers accompanying them. "Remain prepared for a fight and wait for my order."

They all straightened up and held their ground. Unless Song Liangxue gave an order, they weren’t going to listen to anyone else. Not even Song Ying, and even she knew that clearly.

Meihui continued to stare at the structure built from massive cliff stones, her eyes lost in deep thought that she kept to herself.

Then, the four of them headed toward the structure, where they were quickly stopped by two fierce-looking soldiers.

"You can’t go inside. If you try to use force, then we are ready for it as well."

"Look behind me," Song Liangxue said, her voice calm yet cold. "And I dare you to utter those words again."

The first soldier raised his spear for a fight, but the other stopped him and looked behind Song Liangxue. The moment his eyes landed on the dragon carved into the luxurious carriage, his face lost all color and he hurriedly bowed.

"P-Please forgive our manners, Young Miss. We didn’t know your identity and simply wanted to keep the Heaven Opening Fort safe."

"What the fu—"

Before the soldier could continue, his partner punched him in the belly, making him howl forcefully.

"He is also sorry."

Song Liangxue scoffed and simply walked past them. All this while, Ye Jun remained silent, and only when they were a bit farther away did he ask,

"What was that?"

"What was what?" Song Liangxue asked in return.

"He’s referring to how you behaved toward those guards," Meihui clarified with a small smile. "He can’t use his Soul Sense well, so he doesn’t recognize things."

"Oh." Song Liangxue finally realized what he meant, so she explained, "Those are from Unorthodox Sects, so there’s no need to be polite. It’s already a mercy that I didn’t kill those bastards right away."

Ye Jun was speechless and suddenly became more cautious.

"You’re telling me we’re casually walking into some demonic cult’s lair? And who the hell names their demonic cult Heaven Opening?"

He genuinely felt the people of this cult were stupid. If you were supposed to be demonic, then keep your name scary and evil so people recognized you at first glance.

Song Liangxue let out an amused laugh and said, "You certainly have a very creative mind, love. Who even thinks like you?"

"I’m a unique piece, my lady."

"Sure you are," Meihui rolled her eyes at him.

As they walked, Song Liangxue explained,

"This isn’t a demonic cult’s lair, so don’t worry about it. There are plenty of people from Orthodox factions too. This is the only neutral ground in the whole North where both sides have agreed not to fight."

"You’re just making it even more confusing," Ye Jun said. "Is there some treasure here?"

"Smart." Song Liangxue winked at him. "Not exactly right, but you’re close. Impressive and insightful."

"Both factions hate each other to the core, but they’re also very greedy, you know." Ye Jun shrugged casually. "So the only thing that can bring two absolute haters together is either a common strong enemy or some treasure, though that could also lead to wars."

"Your reasoning is quite right." Song Liangxue nodded. "This is Heaven Opening Fort, as it guards the Heaven Opening Chasm. It is the best Secret Realm in the North, and every time it opens, it changes the destinies of many cultivators. Entire factions can rise or fall because of its opening."

"Matching its name in grandeur."

"Yes. It’s so precious that everyone wants a piece of it, whether they belong to Orthodox or Unorthodox factions. Usually, they can compromise with each other somehow, but not with this. The Demonic Cults made it clear that if the Orthodox Factions hoarded the Heaven Opening Chasm, then there would be an all-out war."

"And nobody wants that," Ye Jun commented. "Heck, they can even attack while the Orthodox Factions are exploring the Heaven Opening Chasm and deal heavy damage that might take centuries to heal."

"I’m interested in your reasoning, so please continue," Song Ying said with a smile.

"It’s pretty simple if you think about it." Ye Jun explained without any hurry. "I’m guessing there are restrictions on who can enter the Secret Realm, right? Maybe even age and realm restrictions."

"Yes, there are. Otherwise, the Sect Leaders would have entered and ransacked the whole realm."

"Yup. Now that the Demonic Cults are already aware of the Secret Realm’s location," Ye Jun continued, "they can simply lay an ambush and kill the entire younger generation filled with geniuses. It would cripple the sects."

Song Liangxue stopped him and said, "But we can predict that and prevent it."

"Sure, you can. But that would mean leaving a good portion of your strength here, so the Demonic Cults could just launch attacks on your headquarters. In all of this, they would surely suffer great losses too, but it’s an all-out war, so that’s understandable."

"You really thought of all that so quickly?" Meihui asked, her eyes shining with admiration.

Ye Jun shamelessly soaked in the praise, a grin spreading across his face as he casually adjusted his collar.

"Well, what can I say? I’m just that awesome, ladies. A man of many insights."

Meihui rolled her eyes, her hand fan clicking shut with a crisp snap.

"Don’t choke on your own ego, dummy."

Song Liangxue let out an amused, melodious laugh, her eyes curving like crescent moons.

"He may be shameless, Meihui, but he isn’t wrong. Those ancient leaders back when the fort was constructed must have shared the exact same tactical reasoning to establish a neutral alliance here."

She gestured toward the colossal fortified structure looming ahead.

"Both sides agreed to station their people here to guard and keep a constant lookout on the Heaven Opening Chasm, knowing that an all-out war over a Secret Realm would leave whoever won completely crippled."

As they neared the massive stone walls of the fort, the chaotic clamor of thousands of cultivators echoed down the pathways. Just as they approached the primary gates, a young cultivator clad in the uniform robes of an Orthodox sect took notice of their group.

His eyes widened as they locked onto the dragon carved onto Song Ying’s robes. Recognizing them instantly, he rushed forward and bowed deeply.

"Young Miss Song! I didn’t expect you to arrive at the Heaven Opening Fort," the disciple said, his voice laced with absolute respect. "Please, allow me to guide you inside. The commander is currently within the central pavilion."

Song Liangxue gave a brief nod, her cold, noble demeanor returning in an instant.

Bypassing the long lines of waiting rogue cultivators, the disciple led them straight through the reinforced stone archways and into the bustling heart of the fortress.

The central pavilion was a mess of activity. Map scrolls were strewn across heavy wooden tables, and communication jade slips flickered with frantic messages. At the center of the chaos stood a burly, gray-haired man barking out orders to a dozen messengers at once.

"I don’t care if the Unorthodox factions are complaining! Double the patrol on the western ridge! If a single irregular rift opens up, I want—"

The man paused, noticing the arrival of the group. His furious expression instantly smoothed out as he recognized Song Liangxue.

He quickly stepped forward and bowed lower than any of his messengers.

"Greetings, Young Miss Song. Forgive the mess. The Heaven Opening Fort is currently facing an emergency."

"Rise, Commander," Song Liangxue said, her sharp eyes scanning the frantic pavilion. "What exactly has happened here to cause such a massive deployment?"

The commander let out a heavy, exhausted sigh, rubbing his temples.

"Young Miss, the Heaven Opening Chasm usually remains calm, save for the occasional outburst of irregular Qi fluctuations. We’ve managed those for decades. But within the last hour... those fluctuations have grown exponentially."

He stepped back, pointing toward a massive array formation map on the wall that was pulsing with an ominous, erratic crimson light.

"The rifts inside the chasm are destabilizing at a terrifying speed," the commander continued, his voice dropping into a tense growl. "They are slowly going out of control. I am currently deploying every emergency method we have just to suppress the feedback and keep its volatile effects from reaching the other regions of the North."

Standing slightly behind Song Liangxue, Ye Jun’s eyes widened in sudden shock.

His chest tightened as the black serpent tattoo coiled around his right wrist flared with sudden, searing heat.

’Fucking hell.’

His rational mind froze, a chill running straight down his spine as he mapped the coordinates on the formation map to the pull inside his own soul.

’The irregular fluctuations... the timing... it’s not a natural anomaly. This Secret Realm...It’s reacting to me.’