It is certain that there will be casualties among the disciples who enter the secret realm.

However, the number of disciples injured or killed this time was more than he had imagined.

Logically speaking, this shouldn't be the case. Disciples from other factions shouldn't be a match for the disciples of the Four Confucian Sects. Could it be that they encountered dangerous magical beasts in the secret realm?

The disciples shook their heads and said, "We don't know either."

"We parted ways once we entered the secret realm. We kept the sect leader's instructions in mind and prioritized obtaining the treasures."

Cao Niang didn't think much of it. "Forget it, they can't get out because they're incompetent."

The treasures these disciples possess are enough to secure their place among the top five powers for the Four Confucian Schools.

Sikong Jian looked anxious as the secret realm was about to close, and there was still no sign of Ruan Xiyan and the others. Why hadn't they come out yet?

If you can't leave the secret realm in time, it's no laughing matter.

The disciples hesitated for a moment, then looked at Sikong Jian and said, "Sect Master, we saw several of them in the secret realm."

"They went into an extremely dangerous ancient tomb. We had previously stumbled into one by accident, which resulted in heavy losses."

"They haven't come out for so long, could it be that they encountered some misfortune in that ancient tomb?" one disciple speculated.

Hearing his disciples say this, and seeing that Ruan Xiyan and the others hadn't come out yet, Sikong Jian sighed helplessly.

It's a pity, those young talents are all quite good.

If he hadn't participated in the competition on behalf of the Tianyu Sect, he might not have lost his life in the secret realm.

Those who die in the secret realm cannot even have their remains found.

A cool, deep voice came from the side, "Ayan will be fine."

Sikong Jian looked at Jun Yu, who had suddenly spoken up, and said, "Young master, although I know you are good friends, one should also look forward."

"Life is unpredictable; we shouldn't dwell on the past because of too much pain," Sikong Jian kindly advised.

I thought Junyu was just unable to accept the result for the time being, so he chose not to believe it and numb himself.

Jun Yu stared blankly at Sikong Jian, who was trying to comfort him, for a moment, then looked at Sikong Jian as if he were a fool.

Did this person not understand what he was saying? And instead, he's saying all this nonsensical stuff back to him.

As they were talking, just as the exit of the secret realm was about to close, a faint light flashed across the exit again.

Ruan Xiyan and the others emerged from the secret realm.

Yu Qiqi patted her chest, "Thank goodness, I almost missed it."

Lin Muze smiled and said, "Didn't Crimson Shadow say that it timed it perfectly, ensuring we could catch up just as the secret realm exit was closing?"

Red Shadow was very familiar with everything in the secret realm, and the treasures he obtained along the way were far more than what they had previously obtained by rampaging through the secret realm on their own.

They could have found many more such great opportunities if it weren't for the limited time.

"Miss Ruan!" Upon seeing Ruan Xiyan and the others, Sikong Jian's eyes were filled with surprise, followed by joy.

Unexpectedly, that young master was right; such trust is truly rare.

He turned his head and saw that Jun Yu had already disappeared and had gone to Ruan Xiyan's side at some point.

"Ayan," Junyu called softly, his voice so gentle it seemed to drip with tenderness.

A smile bloomed on Ruan Xiyan's lips as she naturally took his hand. "Ayu, I'm back."

Seeing the sweet atmosphere between the two of them, it felt like pink bubbles were floating around them.

Yu Qiqi and Luo Wanyin exchanged a smile.

What's going on? Seeing the two of them like this makes her want to find someone she likes.

Lin Muze moved closer to Yu Qiqi and said with a grin, "I'm so envious."

Yu Qiqi rested her chin on her hand and said, "The relationship between Sister Yan and Senior Brother Jun is something that everyone would envy."

Sikong Jian walked up to Ruan Xiyan and the others, coughed lightly, and interrupted their eye contact.

To be honest, he didn't want to be the one who lacked tact.

But he was also eager to know how many treasures they had obtained from the secret realm.

Despite the slim chances, seeing them still made me want to ask, hoping for a miracle.

Knowing what Sikong Jian wanted to ask, Ruan Xiyan smiled and said, "Sect Leader Sikong, there's no need to rush. We'll find out soon."

Hearing Ruan Xiyan's ambiguous words, Sikong Jian wanted to say something more.

A powerful aura swept over them quickly, and in the blink of an eye, an old man appeared before them.

Everyone present bowed and greeted Elder Yan respectfully.

Luo Wanyin, standing in the crowd, whispered, "Xi Yan, who is this person? How can they command such respect from these powerful groups?"

Ruan Xiyan looked at the subtle fluctuations of aura emanating from the old man, realizing he was another expert at the Supreme Realm.

However, among the leaders of the forces present, there were quite a few with the strength of the Supreme Realm.

That alone would not be enough to make the leaders of these forces so humble.

That means the only possibility is that the power behind this old man is something that the many forces present cannot provoke.

A dignified yet solemn voice reached everyone's ears, "My name is Yan Feng, an elder of Miaowu Valley, and the one who will judge the outcome of this competition among the middle-ranking forces."

Ruan Xiyan narrowed her eyes. Miaowu Valley is one of the upper-class forces.

Whenever the middle-class forces divide resources through competition, elders from the upper-class forces will come to participate in order to prevent fraud and ensure a fair judgment.

The upper-class forces are naturally not interested in the petty squabbles between the middle-class forces, but some sect elders will come over if they have nothing else to do.

It doesn't take much effort anyway, and you can even make some extra money while you're at it.

"Now that the secret realm is closed, this competition is over. You may now present the treasures you obtained from the secret realm."

As Yan Feng finished speaking, the various factions took their positions and took out their treasures.

In an instant, the light of various treasures, the fragrance of spiritual herbs, and the cores of magical beasts appeared before them.

Yan Feng stroked his beard as he walked past the various factions.

"Yunmeng Sect, thirty-five treasures."

"Shuihua Gate, twenty treasures."

"......"

“Four Confucian Schools, fifty-four treasures, not bad,” Yan Feng said.

Cao Niang said with a humble yet obsequious expression, "It was just luck. Elder Yan has seen countless good things, and these things are just trinkets to him."

The other factions gasped in amazement when they saw the treasures that the Four Confucian Schools had brought out.

"The Four Confucian Schools have truly made a name for themselves, managing to obtain so many treasures in the secret realm."

"With the number of treasures they've brought out, making it into the top five is more than enough."

"I think it's not impossible for them to take the top spot among the mid-tier forces."

"Let's keep watching. The Beast Taming Sect has held the number one position for many years, but they haven't even brought out their treasures yet."