Forged in Blood and Shadow

A woman with yellow hair and green eyes, wearing a green dress, stepped forward from the crowd of disciples. "If it isn't the famous Master Lin Dong of Mount Hua," she said, a hint of sarcasm in her voice. "It sure took you long enough. We were starting to think you might not be coming."

A man with brown hair, dressed in blue clothes, also walked out of the crowd. "Since you're here, there's no need to waste any more time," he added.

Master Lin Dong said, "Master Xiao Yan is right. Since all the disciples are here, there's no reason to waste any more time." He continued, "Keep in mind that when you enter the secret realm, you're going to be transported to different locations.

You also need to remember that the secret realm is going to close after two days. Before it closes, you have to find an exit. There are multiple exits scattered inside, so finding one shouldn't be that hard."

The disciples moved forward, entering the blue portal one after another, which turned out to be the entrance to the secret realm. Jo Lee went in, followed by Mei Lee and the other disciples from the Skyfall Sect.

Jo Lee appeared in a forest. He turned around, looking to see if anyone else had been transported to the same location as him, but there was no one. John, still hidden in Jo Lee's shadow, spoke, "I finally got inside." He emerged fully from Jo Lee's shadow.

Jo Lee, hearing the voice behind him, swung his sword. John jumped back, dodging the sword swing and landing at a distance away from Jo Lee. He was hiding in my shadow this entire time, and I didn't even notice his presence! I can't sense his cultivation. He must be at least a powerful cultivator at the Golden Core stage, Jo Lee thought.

Jo Lee, in a cautious voice, said, "Who are you, and what do you want?"

John looked at Jo Lee and said, "Why do you think I want anything from you? I was just using you to get into the secret realm."

Jo Lee thought, The secret realm only Foundation Forging cultivators can enter. Even if a Golden Core cultivator used a secret technique, he wouldn't be able to enter.

So he must be at the Foundation Forging stage. He must be using a secret technique to hide his cultivation. But what's his motive for following me?

John, just standing and looking at Jo Lee, said, "Are you done with your thoughts?"

Jo Lee said, "I'm not the only disciple that was going to enter the secret realm. So what is your motive for following me?"

John smiled and said, "I guess you're not as stupid as you look."