Looking at the Turtle Carrying Stele before them, the atmosphere on site was dead silent.

Only when the giant creature completely emerged from the water did everyone see its true appearance—

A head like a qilin, clad in scale armor, with natural cloud patterns on its turtle shell, exuding a mysterious Daoist Charm.

Because the stone carving was so lifelike, with details of hair and fur, it appeared almost indistinguishable from a living creature.

"That's not a turtle..."

"It's the Bixi!"

Shi Wenzhong exclaimed involuntarily.

The Bixi, also known as Baxia, is an Alien Beast from Ancient Times, said to carry Dragon Clan bloodlines, but went extinct a thousand years ago; nowadays, it's only seen in books as illustrations.

"Strange, there's no record of this in the sect's notes..."

Huo Wuya frowned slightly.

He lifted a pebble from the ground with his palm and flicked it at the stele. It met no resistance and passed through completely, with a plop into the lake.

As expected.

This sculpture wasn't in this Realm but was a projection from the Secret Realm.

The Taoist Secret Realm is different from those Blessed Cave Realms; it roams in the void continually, with anchor points connected to Jiu Zhou not fixed, so each time the World Gate opens, its location varies.

Previous exploration records didn't mention this "Turtle Carrying Stele," indicating that the entry location this time is likely closer to the core area rather than the periphery...

As the silhouette gradually solidified, it meant the two worlds were beginning to merge.

A touch of deep black appeared above the stele, like ink so dense it wouldn't dissolve.

Yet after waiting for some time, the blackness seemed frozen, not expanding further.

"What's happening?"

"Why hasn't the World Gate opened?"

As confusion arose among the people, Chen Mo stepped forward, observed carefully, and said, "The Law of the Secret Realm is slightly different from this realm. To fully merge them and open the World Gate, a 'carrier' is needed, one with a physique highly in harmony with the Great Dao."

Saying that, he pressed his palm onto the turtle's head, and the black rift trembled slightly, indeed expanding a bit.

Huo Wuya and Ji Hongxiu exchanged a glance, puzzled; even they didn't know this detail, how did Chen Mo understand it so well?

"I have an Innate Taoist Body, should be of some use, right?"

Ling Ningzhi came beside Chen Mo, pressed her slender hand down, and the rift expanded further, large enough for one person to pass through.

"I-I'll try as well."

Yu Hongyin also stepped forward.

With her addition, the World Gate continued to expand, but was still stuck in-between the virtual and the real, flickering, not yet stable.

"Seems it's still missing something..."

Chen Mo mused quietly.

In the original plot, to enter this scenario required assembling four members with "Innate" physiques to meet the opening criteria.

Originally, besides Ling Ningzhi, Gu Manzhi and Shen Zhixia should also be present, but now the plot has changed; Gu Manzhi is still in the Capital City, and due to himself still being alive, Shen Zhixia hasn't turned black and evolved into the big boss 'Shen Li', thus lacking the necessary Realm and did not come...

Just as he intended to have the Daoist Venerable come to make up the numbers, suddenly, a gust of wind whistled above, and a black mist swept over from the Sikong family's Flying Boat, descending before the stele.

From the black mist, a pale hand emerged, pressing against the center of the Bixi's forehead.

Buzz—

The World Gate suddenly surged, transforming into a deep black hole spanning between heaven and earth.

Chen Mo looked at the thick fog, his eyes flickering, but said nothing further.

At this moment, a crisp voice reached his ears:

"Hongyin~"

Chen Mo lifted his gaze and saw a woman in a water-green dress running towards them quickly.

Her waist was slender, her chest full, reminiscent of a slender branch laden with fruits; her bouncing movements were visually impactful.

Following her was a group of State Mansion soldiers, led by a middle-aged man in armor, with a scar running across his face, giving his stern features an air of authority.

"An Mengni? What brings you here?" Yu Hongyin was momentarily stunned. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Is that what you say? I'm also a Fourth-Level Mage, why can't I come?" An Mengni retorted, her hands on her hips, looking even more erect and towering, dissatisfied: "Besides, you should be calling me cousin sister, haven't seen you in ages yet you still lack manners."

"This Secret Realm is dangerous, would uncle let you come? You must have snuck out, didn't you?" Yu Hongyin frowned.

"Of course not, I'm already Fourth-Level and seeking a chance for breakthrough." An Mengni waved dismissively: "Besides, it's just a Secret Realm, with Town Patrol Commander Zhu here, what accidents could happen?"

Before Yu Hongyin could speak further, she looked at Chen Mo, tilted her head and said: "Shouldn't you be Mr. Chen of the Sky Scale Guard?"

Chen Mo nodded: "And you are...?"

"She's the daughter of the Prefect of Qing Province, An Qixian, and An Qixian is my uncle..." Yu Hongyin explained in a low voice.

Chen Mo understood.

He knew Yu Hongyin's family background was good but hadn't expected it to be this distinguished.

No wonder Shi Wenzhong appointed her as the sect's saintess; it seems besides talent, this identity layer is equally significant. For the Netherworld Sect to thrive in Qing Province, they must build friendly relations with local officialdom.

An Mengni blinked her shimmering eyes, coquettishly said: "I've long admired your renown, heard of Mr. Chen's outstanding abilities and handsome figure, meeting you today proves those rumors true."

Curious gazes came from the soldiers behind as well.

Chen Mo's reputation had already spread throughout Qing Province.