Starting From A Son In Law To Build An Long Lasting Family Chapter 1972: 516:

The terms stipulate that fifty percent of the yields from the secret realm must be surrendered to the Great Dream Immortal City, in hopes that the Four Great Immortal Sects will allocate a few entry spots in the trial secret realm for the City Lord Mansion.

After learning the secret realm holds no significant chances, the Great Dream Immortal City chooses to make it available to everyone in Jiang Country, causing the Core Formation Immortals of the Four Great Immortal Sects to grow disinterested.

Yet, with this presenting a valuable chance for their own disciples to gain experience, they eagerly accept but note that they must consult their sects first.

"Alright."

Not pausing to await replies from the Four Great Immortal Sects, Ling Zixiao assembles a group of Array Masters, Fengshui Masters, and Spiritual Plant Masters, including Lu Ping’an, and proceeds to the Great Dream Marsh Secret Realm for renovations.

Since this secret realm directly impacts her son's path to Core Formation, she refuses to let things drag on and pushes to wrap up the modifications quickly.

Heavenly Sword Sect.

"The Great Dream Immortal City wants to share such a secret realm; it looks like they intend to blend into our Jiang Country."

"If so, offering the Great Dream Immortal City a handful of spots for secret realm trials won't harm our interests."

With the Heavenly Sword Sect's approval, the Qingyun Sect, Luoxia Sect, and Spirit Taming Sect naturally go along without objection.

From the Heavenly Sword Sect Master's standpoint, the Great Dream Immortal City's offer to share the secret realm signals goodwill, and they have no reason to reject it outright.

That said, Absolute Sword True Monarch had earlier instructed to inform him of any developments involving the Great Dream Immortal City, so they proceed to do just that.

"Based on this, those two won't remain in Jiang Country or the Great Dream Immortal City for much longer. Why seek secret realm slots now?"

Absolute Sword True Monarch arches his brow faintly, feeling a touch confused.

Considering the City Lord pair has a son, or perhaps out of courtesy, he lets it slide without probing deeper, then addresses the Heavenly Sword Sect Master: "Iron Sword, have you heard anything about Azure Phoenix True Monarch in recent years?"

The Liangyue war remains locked in deadlock, and he's gotten reports that farther off, the conflict between Yuan Country, Qiyun Country, and the Tianluo Sect has ended, with Qiyun Country split between Yuan Country and the Tianluo Sect.

Meanwhile, Yuan Country plans to sustain warfare by sparking more, already seeping into Wu Country, and quite possibly will soon meddle in the Liangyue war via Wu Country.

In this tense situation, Jiang Country can't afford to stay passive, letting Yuan Country target Yue Country or Liang Country and shatter the equilibrium.

Regardless, Jiang Country relies solely on him and Xuanjian True Monarch as Nascent Soul cultivators, so they're keen to summon the former ally Azure Phoenix True Monarch for support.

Regrettably, since the Vast Sand Illusion Realm incident, Azure Phoenix True Monarch has disappeared completely, with zero updates.

"To the True Monarch, we have received no word on Azure Phoenix True Monarch over these years."

The Heavenly Sword Sect Master shakes his head in response.

"And what of Yangming True Master?"

Absolute Sword True Monarch inquires next.

From the early wars and the events in the Vast Sand Illusion Realm, it's clear Yangming True Master shares a deep bond with Azure Phoenix True Monarch.

"Since the Vast Sand Illusion Realm, Yangming True Master has shown no activity either."

The Heavenly Sword Sect Master shakes his head once more.

Not just various powers in the Southern Wilderness's Northern Territory keeping tabs on Yangming True Master, but their own Heavenly Sword Sect has monitored him diligently too.

"Hmm."

Absolute Sword True Monarch nods lightly, his serene and deep eyes turning toward the Great Dream Immortal City's direction as he whispers: "If all else fails... I'll have to visit the Great Dream Immortal City myself."

Back at the prior Whale Hunting Feast, he'd enjoyed a cordial exchange with the Dream City Master, who voiced readiness to aid Jiang Country as much as possible.

Still, if given options, he prefers the familiar Azure Phoenix True Monarch, with whom he climbed the ranks from humble beginnings in Jiang Country.

But with no trace of Azure Phoenix True Monarch now, should Wu Country truly fall under Yuan Country's sway and ally with Liang Country, his only recourse is to call upon the enigmatic city lords of the Great Dream Immortal City for help.

...

Right now.

In the Southern Wilderness's Eastern Domain, within a blazing magma lake hot enough to incinerate nearly anything.

A massive scarlet cocoon, resembling a Phoenix Egg, rests motionless, decorated with ornate golden motifs that flicker between light and shadow, almost as if alive, inhaling and exhaling.

Suddenly, a splendid blue Luan bird pierces through multiple spatial layers, bearing a few fire seeds, descends into the magma lake, and deposits the fire seeds next to the enormous cocoon like a Phoenix Egg.

The golden patterns on the cocoon weave and extend, drawing in the essence from the fire seeds, which enhances the crimson glow to shine even brighter.

Observing this, the blue Luan bird departs without delay, tearing through the void again to gather additional origin fire seeds for the giant cocoon.

Meanwhile, in a secluded village in the Southern Wilderness's Middle Domain.

"Granny, brother still hasn't returned; it's been two whole years now. Has he forgotten Little Que’er?"

Along the rough dirt path, a four- or five-year-old girl with twin braids hauls a bundle of firewood. She glances at the elderly woman beside her, stooped and wrinkled, who carries a bamboo basket, and voices her question.

The girl's attire is threadbare and mended repeatedly, yet her small face gleams like fine jade, and her dark eyes sparkle vividly, making her resemble an adorable porcelain doll.

"No way. Your brother caught an Immortal's eye. Once he masters Immortal techniques, he'll return. Then, he'll not only bring Little Que’er candied haws and tasty treats but also soar through the skies, carrying Little Que’er on adventures everywhere."

The old woman responds with warmth upon hearing this, her gaze holding a hint of yearning.

Who could imagine a lonely elder without kin would take in two babies, only for the older one to attract an Immortal and be whisked away for cultivation.

"Mm-hmm."

Little Que’er nods eagerly, her eyes brimming with hope.

"Little Que’er is adorable. When you grow older, you might catch an Immortal's notice and get taken to cultivate too."

The old woman regards the doll-like girl before her and speaks tenderly.

Unlike the older child, she senses this young girl possesses a stronger spiritual aura.

From infancy, she's been robust and healthier than typical kids, her skin smooth and pale like that of a noble young miss, and any scrapes she suffered never scarred.

"Little Que’er wants to remain with Grandma and await brother's return."

Though just a child, the girl shows great maturity. Her brother once looked after her and Grandma.

With brother gone, she'll now care for Grandma well.

"Little Que’er is such a good child."

The old woman beams at the girl's words, extending her frail hand to tousle her braids. Then, the elderly woman and the little one head back to the village, chatting and giggling along the way.

...

Time passes swiftly; before long, half a year elapses.

That day, the Great Dream Immortal City announces a major update: in six months, the [Hidden Abyss Secret Realm] will welcome all participants.

Any cultivator in Jiang Country below the Core Formation Stage may access the secret realm.

Shortly after the Great Dream Immortal City's declaration, the Four Great Immortal Sects assist in disseminating the information.

Quickly, word of the Hidden Abyss Secret Realm sweeps through the Jiang Country Cultivation Realm like a storm.

"Hidden Abyss Secret Realm? Wasn't this the one that surfaced in the Great Dream Marsh before? Why make it public now?"

The Great Dream Immortal City dubs the Great Dream Marsh's Deep Sea Secret Realm as the Hidden Abyss Secret Realm.

For one, it lies concealed in the ocean depths.

For another, they wish for the Lu Family's young talents to lurk like hidden dragons, waiting to soar or stay grounded.

"Why guess? It's obvious they've scouted the whole place; with no major fortunes discovered, they're letting us in to check it out."

"From the description, this secret realm appears quite promising, similar to the Purple Shadow Secret Realm, filled with abundant spiritual herbs and Heavenly and Earthly Treasures, and you only hand over half the rewards."

"Hold on, doesn't something seem off? It allows entry for those below Core Formation, including even False Core Immortals."

"What!? False Core Immortals can join the Hidden Abyss Secret Realm!? How's anyone supposed to compete?"

"This setup favors the major powers entirely, right?"

Still, as many cultivators seek details on the secret realm and realize entry is open to all below Core Formation except False Core Immortals, they stand stunned.

After all, False Core cultivators bear the 'Dan' in their designations, no matter how you slice it.

They aren't on par with mere Foundation Establishment cultivators.

While cultivation tales abound with Foundation Establishment folks challenging False Core ones, such figures are exceptional rarities.

"Doesn't matter; without heavy limits, it's still worth exploring."

"True, False Core Immortals are elite. Just avoid crossing them, and they likely won't slaughter freely."

"Brother Lu, care to team up and head to the Great Dream Immortal City for a peek at this Hidden Abyss Secret Realm?"

"Sure, since the Four Great Immortal Sects backed its announcement, it can't be a total dud."

Though the lack of restrictions on False Core Immortals deters plenty of cultivators, numerous Foundation Establishment ones opt to journey toward the Great Dream Marsh.

For everyday Loose Cultivators, a secret realm represents a golden chance!

With this one freely accessible, even suspecting hidden agendas from the Great Dream Immortal City and Four Great Immortal Sects, they're ready to dive in.