If he were the perpetrator, then after killing Zeph, he would definitely choose this swamp route to retreat.

Avoid trouble.

Avoid pursuit.

Avoid being locked onto by tracking methods.

The swamp itself was a natural barrier.

And this was not an ordinary swamp, but one that existed within the Training Trial Secret Realm. On the surface, it looked calm and harmless, even tranquil. But Sorrel could clearly sense something wrong.

This kind of stillness was never normal inside the Training Trial Secret Realm.

"If it were me," Sorrel said slowly, pointing toward the vast stretch of swamp ahead, "I would choose to take the waterway and leave through this swamp."

Lunara nodded lightly, her expression composed, though her heart tightened unconsciously.

She silently prayed that Mr. Aether had not taken this path.

But reason told her otherwise.

"In that case," Lunara said calmly, regaining her saintly composure, "let us enter the swamp and follow this route. We will see if we can find the one who killed Zeph."

No one objected.

However, Lunara still added, her tone steady and authoritative, "The time within the Training Trial Secret Realm is limited. Days are short, nights are long, and the murderous tide spreads everywhere after dusk. Movement at night is nearly impossible."

"We can only act during the day—either to search for inheritance and relics, or to pursue enemies."

"The person who killed Zeph is no ordinary cultivator. His strength is formidable. Finding him will not be easy."

"If anyone believes this is a waste of time," she continued, "we can first search for treasures, and only afterward hunt down the murderer to uphold the dignity of the Palace of the Four Cycles."

Her gaze swept over the group.

"Attacking members of the Palace of the Four Cycles within the Training Trial Secret Realm is a direct provocation. It is a desecration of our authority."

"If we fail to find the culprit, how will we explain it to the Chief Palace Master when we leave the secret realm? How will we explain it to the Heavenly Palace?"

Before anyone could respond, Ember spoke.

Her voice was calm, but sharp.

"Saintess Lunara speaks well," Ember said lightly, "but reputation and accountability cannot be delayed."

"The future master of the Heavenly Palace, along with two elders, died mysteriously inside the secret realm."

"If we return empty-handed, without answers, the Palace of the Four Cycles will become a joke."

Sorrel and Eryon exchanged glances.

To them, it made little difference.

The Training Trial Secret Realm could remain open for half a month—or a full month.

The flow of time inside the secret realm and outside was different. Some people had spent hundreds of nights within, only to find that less than a month had passed outside.

Time, in this place, was the least reliable thing.

They had maps.

They had methods.

Treasure locations passed down from previous generations.

Finding ordinary relics was not difficult.

Only the true inheritance of Emperor Sage remained elusive.

But if it were easy to obtain, this secret realm would not have existed for a hundred thousand years.

If Emperor Sage's true inheritance had already been taken, the secret realm would have collapsed long ago.

One or two days meant nothing.

Moreover, with their combined strength, unless they encountered Alina's group, they were effectively invincible within this realm.

And Ember's point was valid.

If they returned without finding Zeph's killer, the blame would inevitably fall on them.

"Miss Ember is right," Sorrel said at last. "We should find Zeph's killer first."

Eryon nodded. "That's right. With all of us together, do you really think we can't find him within three days?"

Lunara's brows furrowed slightly.

Once again, Ember had taken the opposite stance.

Whatever Lunara proposed, Ember would counter.

She could not understand where this hostility came from.

But now was not the time to dwell on it.

"Very well," Lunara said calmly.

"Brother Sorrel, please lead the way. We will search for the one who killed Zeph."

"Everyone, follow me into the swamp."

Sorrel stepped forward and leapt lightly into the air.

A green bead appeared in his hand.

The moment it emerged, gentle wind ripples spread outward, forming a translucent barrier that enveloped everyone.

"Wind Tribulation Bead?"

Several people gasped softly.

This was no ordinary treasure.

It was one of the inherited weapons of the Wind Sable Clan—a top-tier Holy-grade treasure.

It was said to always remain in the hands of the clan leader.

No one expected it to be given to Sorrel for this trial.

Sorrel smiled faintly, pride evident in his tone.

"Everyone recognizes this item," he said.

"The Wind Tribulation Bead forms an independent barrier. It isolates detection, resists poison, and possesses extremely strong defensive power."

"Even a Perfect Supreme would find it difficult to break through it outside the secret realm."

Under the protection of the Wind Tribulation Bead, the group stepped into the swamp.

At once, the surrounding air grew heavy.

Moist.

Cold.

The scent of decaying leaves and stagnant water filled their noses.

Towering ancient trees rose from the swamp like giant pillars, their canopies blotting out the sun. Sunlight filtered through in broken fragments, casting distorted shadows on the water's surface.

"This swamp looks peaceful," Sorrel reminded them, "but do not underestimate it."

"In the Training Trial Secret Realm, danger often hides in the most inconspicuous places."

Everyone nodded.

Demonic energy circulated quietly.

No one dared relax.

Lunara did the same—but part of her attention drifted elsewhere.

She quietly took out the jade token Ethan had given her.

As long as the distance was close enough, she could sense his position through it.

She poured a trace of energy into the token.

The jade token glowed faintly.

Then it flickered.

Once.

Twice.

Rapidly.

Lunara's heart skipped.

The jade token responding meant only one thing.

Aether was nearby.

Very close.

Possibly… within this swamp.

"The jade token reacted."

Shock and confusion crossed Lunara's face.

"Could it be… the one who killed Zeph was really Mr. Aether?"

…

At the same time, deeper within the swamp.

Ethan moved forward, stepping lightly from branch to branch, never touching the water below.

Kara followed closely, Risa slightly behind, and Elara brought up the rear.

Their figures flickered between ancient trees, agile and silent.

Ethan's gaze never left the swamp.

The water below was too still.

Too calm.

There was no ripple.

No movement.

Yet beneath that surface, he could smell something dangerous.

A suppressed killing intent.

"According to the map, this swamp was full of dangers, yet it was eerily quiet. Was something hidden beneath the surface? Why hadn't it taken action?"

A/N:

Extra chapters

100 power stones - 1 Extra chapters

200 power stones - 2 Extra chapters

Massage Chair - 1 Extra chapters

Luxury Car - 2 Extra Chapters

Dragon - 5 Extra Chapters

Magic Castle - 15 Extra Chapters

...

Thanks for the Magic Castle: @Chuckalotapus

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.