After hearing the commotion, most of the cultivators chose to open their eyes. Some looked on with vigilance, others merely glanced, and a few kept sizing up the two as though they were appraising some kind of treasure, plotting something unknown in their hearts.

The Earth Immortals, seeing that Li Zhirui and Fu Chengguang were merely Perfect Human Immortals, were somewhat unfamiliar with them and didn’t pay much attention before quickly withdrawing their gazes.

"Fellow Daoists, you both look unfamiliar. I wonder if we might get to know each other? Perhaps we can cooperate in the future." One of the cultivators with ulterior motives from the previous group came over and said with a smile.

The two exchanged a glance, instantly understanding each other’s thoughts.

Li Zhirui spoke up, "Thank you for your kind offer, Fellow Daoist, but my brother and I plan to find a safe place to go into seclusion to break through to the Earth Immortal Realm once we leave the Secret Realm. I’m afraid we won’t have time to cooperate with you."

"Oh? Well, then, I apologize for the intrusion. But if the opportunity arises in the future, I hope you two will consider it." A glimmer of calculation flashed in the cultivator’s eyes, though it was unclear what schemes were brewing in his mind.

"We hope for the opportunity as well." He neither rejected nor agreed, only making a statement filled with meaning.

After a bit of idle chatter, the cultivator, having achieved his objective, excused himself to return to his original place, discreetly communicating with his teammates.

Not many nearby cultivators overlooked the exchange, and while most were aware that the Human Immortal likely harbored ill intentions, no one warned the two. They simply observed coldly.

In truth, Li Zhirui and Fu Chengguang were already fully aware, having noticed every seemingly discreet move of the cultivator, who thought himself unnoticed.

For instance, as he approached them, he silently left a special powder and a secret mark on their bodies.

However, instead of solving the issue immediately, they pretended to be oblivious, playing along with the act to turn the tables.

They even deliberately leaked confidential information as part of their scheme, hoping to lure out more greedy cultivators from whom they could obtain Spiritual Objects.

This approach was much more convenient and fruitful than laboriously hunting for Spiritual Objects on their own.

Had the group of cultivators not targeted them, they wouldn’t have resorted to such tactics.

After all, their stealthy entry into the Ten Thousand Rivers Realm wasn’t just for obtaining those Spiritual Objects; it was more about comprehending the Laws of this realm and absorbing its cultural essence to improve themselves.

But since the cultivators bore malicious intent first, it was a matter of cause and effect, and an unavoidable retribution.

...

The Laws within the Secret Realm are incomplete, with no cycle of day and night, but the people inside still had a clear concept of time.

Thus, as the time for the Secret Realm’s closure approached, more and more cultivators gathered at the portal, awaiting their departure.

Among them, some had other plans.

For instance, some left marks on Li Zhirui and Fu Chengguang, planning to launch a pursuit once out of the Secret Realm to seize their Spiritual Objects.

Others awaited the arrival of the three Loose Cultivator Earth Immortals to verify if they had stolen the Spiritual Objects from the core Spirit Field.

Some cultivators planned to host a trade fair after leaving the Secret Realm to exchange or sell off Spiritual Objects they couldn’t use.

Apart from causing an outright battle before everyone, there was a lively variety of other activities.

In such circumstances, it was now the safest place within the Secret Realm.

"Why haven’t those Earth Immortals shown up yet? Could they be too afraid and planning to hide in the Secret Realm, never leaving?"

Some onlooking cultivators, seeing that closure was just days away yet the group was still missing, couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed.

"But this is only a temporary escape; they can’t hide forever. They can’t possibly break through to Heavenly Immortal within the Secret Realm, and in a few hundred years, they won’t escape their fate."

"Maybe they think they can use the Secret Realm’s Spiritual Objects to elevate their cultivation to Perfect Earth Immortal, thus gaining a better chance of survival with enhanced strength?"

"That’s just wishful thinking. Without breaking through to Heavenly Immortal, there’s no hope at all."

Despite expectations, the three Earth Immortals remained unseen, though they might be hiding among the crowd.

Buzz——

A low hum signaled the gradual opening of the portal, allowing exit from the Secret Realm.

"Let’s go."

As soon as the portal opened, Li Zhirui and Fu Chengguang moved first, heedless of others’ astonished gazes.

In an instant, they crossed the portal, returning to the Ten Thousand Rivers Realm.

Typically, Earth Immortal cultivators would leave first, and even if they didn’t intend to, they should announce it before others departed.

By acting this way, they technically broke protocol.

Yet Li Zhirui and Fu Chengguang didn’t care, knowing that there’d be no chance to meet again after leaving the Secret Realm. Besides, they weren’t cultivators from the Ten Thousand Rivers Realm or even genuine Human Immortal cultivators, so offending a few Earth Immortals meant little.

Their actions did draw the attention of several Earth Immortals, who perhaps hadn’t expected such bold cultivators in the Secret Realm.