In late October, the cold wind swept across the land, swirling with withered yellow leaves, and the air was filled with a bleak atmosphere.

Zhaonan Prefecture was in turmoil.

Gu’an County,

alone remained tranquil.

In the outer courtyard of the Fang Mansion, everyone gathered in one place.

Fang Zheng, dressed in long robes, sat under the stone pavilion, sipping Monkey Wine, feeling the rich brew coursing through his body.

"Tsk..."

He clicked his tongue lightly, a look of contentment on his face.

"Years of hard work finally paid off, even if Zhaonan Prefecture is in chaos, Gu’an County remains unscathed."

"Let the storm rage, I will calmly sit and fish!"

"The Master is indeed farsighted, deserving of admiration." Yang Meng, leaning against the tree, cupped her fists in salute, her face full of respect.

Today, she was not wearing soft armor or a battle robe, but had changed into loose clothing.

The autumn wind blew past, her clothes clinging to her skin, revealing her graceful figure. The intoxication brought a flush to her face, adding a touch of allure.

In front of Fang Zheng, she did not mind displaying her femininity, even intentionally showcasing her figure.

Such bold behavior, however, made her usually authoritative subordinates uneasy, reluctant to look directly at her.

They each kept their heads down, drinking in silence.

Luckily, the Monkey Wine prepared today was top-grade, helping to enhance one’s cultivation base, thus they drank to their heart’s content.

"No need to flatter." Fang Zheng waved his hand with a smile, asking:

"Any new information recently?"

"Commander Yang spoke the truth, it’s not flattery." Shangguan Duo quickly interjected:

"Just ask, is there anywhere in the entire Zhaonan Prefecture... no, in the entire Jizhou, as stable as Gu’an County?"

"But recently, refugees from all over are flocking here, which is not a long-term solution."

He was initially troubled, then continued:

"According to the latest reports, three new Zhenren Realm experts have appeared in the Prefecture City."

"One is Zen Master Tie Xin of the Dragon Tiger Sect, who achieved Martial Arts Grandmaster status a hundred years ago and has been cultivating on Dragon Tiger Mountain ever since. This time, he emerged to protect the Nie Family, seemingly repaying a debt owed to their ancestor."

"Another is Wei Wangji of the Wei Family, young yet already a Master, currently a Guest Minister of the Commandery Princess."

"And the third is Snow Woman, a disciple of the Celestial Demon Spider Emperor, who seems to be here to seek revenge on Princess Qingyuan."

Fang Zheng raised an eyebrow.

The Dragon Tiger Sect is a renowned Immortal Sect in the world, with a status comparable to the Luofu Immortal Sect.

Once,

it was said that the cultivation realm consisted of three Daos and four Sects.

The Dragon Tiger Sect was one of the four Sects.

As for the Wei Family, where Wei Wangji comes from, they are one of the Eight Great Families, with close ties to the Imperial Family.

It must be understood,

that this era belongs to Great Wei!

The Spider Emperor is one of the Ten Great Celestial Demons, comparable to Baili Zhan, with ten disciples of varying strength.

The Celestial Spider Ascendant, who died at the hands of Li Yingxuan, was considered a relatively average one.

But this Snow Woman...

is incredibly powerful!

Her strength is probably on par with the Iron Flute Immortal and the Nie Family ancestor, making her an elite just below a Rogue Immortal.

Experts are emerging one after another!

"Furthermore,"

Shangguan Duo continued:

"Sun Huai’an, the lover of Nie Family’s Nie Shensha, has shown impressive skills, possessing the cultivation base of a Flawless Martial Artist."

"He also wields a Star Constellation Divine Weapon passed down from ancient times, protecting him under Master’s hands."

"Tsk..." Fang Zheng shook his head:

"Fortunate indeed!"

"Speaking of fortune, Xu Ji, who left Gu’an County, has had successive encounters, and even managed to assassinate a Great Mage of the Nie Family, earning generous rewards from the Commandery Princess." Shangguan Duo said:

"This young man is also beginning to shine."

"There is also the rumored Yama Secret Realm..."

"Master," Yang Meng asked:

"What is a Secret Realm?"

"A Secret Realm!" Fang Zheng looked up, his face thoughtful:

"In ancient times, there were many Divine Spirits who did not live in the mortal world."

"The places where the Divine Spirits resided were initially called Divine Realms."

"Later, as all the gods fell, these realms became ownerless and turned into places for cultivators to explore, hence the name changed to Secret Realm."

"But the Yama Secret Realm is different; it was crafted by the Yama Sect, reputedly using the bones of Divine Spirits."

Shangguan Duo was surprised.

Despite his extensive investigations, he had found no clues about such secrets, yet the Master knew them thoroughly.

Indeed!

Rumors often have a basis, and his own master’s background must be extraordinary, or how else could he know such secrets?

Yang Meng and others also pondered, secretly speculating about Fang Zheng’s identity.

"The matter of the Yama Secret Realm, due to intentional spreading, is probably now known by everyone." Shangguan Duo said:

"Moreover, even the method to open the Secret Realm has been circulated; I suspect there is a traitor in the Nie Family."

"Oh!"

Fang Zheng showed curiosity:

"How to open the Secret Realm?"

"I don’t know the specifics." Shangguan Duo shook his head:

"But it’s certain that it must occur in times of chaos, during major shifts in the Heaven and Earth’s Qi Mechanism, to have a chance to open the Yama Secret Realm."

"We still don’t know what is inside the Secret Realm, but many experts are already on their way."

"Hmm..."

He rubbed his chin and said:

"Perhaps that’s why the Nie Family is so anxious to open the Secret Realm; after all, if a Rogue Immortal arrives, they will gain nothing."

Fang Zheng shook his head.

It’s not yet time for the Rogue Immortals to act.

In the past, he did not understand, but since advancing to the Martial Sect and gradually mastering the Celestial Secret Compass, he has become enlightened.

Heaven and Earth have their rules.

Or rather...

Karma!

Mortals fear consequences, Bodhisattvas fear causes.

Once involved in the turbulent current of the mortal world, even a Rogue Immortal, if careless, can face death and the dispersal of their Dao.

Thus, unless absolutely necessary, they will not act, unless there is something they are determined to obtain.

With the world in chaos today, presenting many opportunities, sending disciples as participants allows for room to maneuver when faced with changes.

Acting personally,

if something goes wrong, it would be a devastating loss.

For a carefree and long-lived Rogue Immortal, something that compels them to risk their lives is no trivial matter.