Wu Chen sent the messenger crane off with a cold flick of his wrist. He'd had enough of Chu Haoyu's unwarranted advances. He had agreed to give him a chance to be his Guardian, but he had proven untrustworthy after all. He was truly angry at himself for letting his guard down around the man.

Lu Yong had been right. Chu Haoyu was not to be trusted.

It meant that his quest would have to be delayed, but there was no help for it. He couldn't continue alone, and he couldn't continue with Chu Haoyu either. That was the truth of it. His request for a replacement Guardian was not without precedent. Many Guardians risked their lives protecting the Wu Clan during their quests, and some did not make it back home. In these cases, replacing the Guardian was the only choice left to the quest taker.

He hoped that his request for Lu Jian to be his new Guardian would be accepted. They had gotten along well in the tournament, and he trusted the man. He was not as powerful as Lu Yong, but he stood a better chance with Lu Jian by his side than going it alone. Either way, traveling with Chu Haoyu was no longer a safe option.

A knock on his door interrupted his thoughts.

'Wu Chen? Are you awake?' Chu Haoyu asked through the closed doorway.

Wu Chen snorted and took a sip of his tea.

'Wu Chen, I know you're awake and that you're angry. Please open the door so we can talk.' Chu Haoyu called again, a little more urgently.

Wu Chen set down his tea and walked to the door. He opened the array on his side but did not remove it from the opening itself. This way, the array would still block anyone from coming through.

He opened the door to see Chu Haoyu standing before him with a big smile. Wu Chen shook his head and glared at the man.

'There is nothing to say. You have blatantly ignored my pleas to stop your unruly behavior, eroded my trust in you, and are no longer worthy of being my Guardian. You are free to do as you will, but you no longer have a bond with me.' Wu Chen calmly informed him.

Chu Haoyu's face froze for a moment, and then he grew angry.

'You can't do that, Wu Chen! You still have a long way to go, and you can't go alone! You need a Guardian. You still need me.' Chu Haoyu crossed his arms over his chest, sure Wu Chen was simply upset and would see the need to keep him around.

'You are correct. I do need a Guardian, but it doesn't have to be you. It is the Lu Clan's obligation to provide one, and I have requested a replacement.' Wu Chen smiled, and his eyes grew cold, 'So you see, Chu Haoyu, your presence is no longer necessary. Thank you for your hard work.'

With that, Wu Chen closed the door and ignored the repeated banging and yelling coming from Chu Haoyu. He casually tied up his hair in a low pony and then prepared to set out to get information on the secret realm.

Most secret realms had restrictions for entry. There were very few that allowed those over 50 years to enter, while others demanded you be a certain level of cultivation. Some could have a limit on how many were allowed to enter at a time, or they could only be entered by certain clans or sects. As this was a relatively unknown realm to him, Wu Chen needed to find out all that he could.

He just had to get past Chu Haoyu.

Wu Chen smiled to himself as he listened to Chu Haoyu raging outside his door. He set up a small sound array around his window and quietly opened it, landing lightly on the ground. He wasted no time in following Wei Ghan's directions to Linan's market street.

The raucous sounds of the crowd, smell of food and spices, and swirling colors of clothing let him know he had reached his destination. Noting the open stares of passerby, he stopped and purchased a wide brimmed bamboo hat. Feeling a little less exposed, he casually asked the smiling man who sold him the hat about the secret realm.

'Ah! I knew you must be a cultivator!' The man said, his warm smile making Wu Chen smile in return, 'Many cultivators have come to town to get a chance to enter that realm.'

'A chance? So, is there a restriction on the realm?' Asked Wu Chen with a small frown.

The man nodded his head, 'Yes, daozhang. It is said that the realm was created after a great battle between two gods. Only 20 can enter. They must be under 50 years old, and they must be above mid-Foundation Building.'

'If only 20 can enter, and there are as many cultivators as you claim, how are they chosen?' Wu Chen asked. 20 wasn't a lot of slots available for a secret realm.

'There is a competition for the places being held tomorrow, daozhang. It will be held in the military practice field where the guards spar.'

'I see. Thank you for the information.' Wu Chen gave a polite fist to hand bow and handed the man two copper coins for his troubles.

'Most welcome, daozhang! Most welcome!' The man happily pocketed the coins, and Wu Chen once again walked slowly past the market stalls. He listened in on several conversations and picked up a bit more information along the way.

It seemed that the secret realm was actually a tear in space created by a great battle. The opening of the realm was random, as a tear could not be properly controlled. He had simply gotten lucky to be in the right place at the right time. Inside the realm were various cultivation-rich flora that were difficult to find, or even non-existent, on their own continent, as well as weapons and techniques. Several top quality items had been discovered in the past.

This was the second time this year that the realm had opened. The last time had produced a rare disaster. Out of the 20 cultivators that went in, only 3 had come out alive. No one knew what happened inside, as none of the men would tell anyone. Two of them left on their swords immediately after addressing their light wounds. The last unlucky survivor was severely injured and was captured by a slaving gang who worked in the area.

The more Wu Chen learned about the realm, the more dangerous it sounded. If Lu Yong was still with him, he wouldn't bat an eye about taking such risks. But he was gone, and Wu Chen was effectively alone for now. He refused to consider going back to Chu Haoyu just for a few cultivation resources.

He would have to think about all the variables later. For now, he would at least take a look at the competition and see what he would be up against should he decide to compete.

He stopped at a popular restaurant and took a seat in the corner facing the door. He left his hat on and watched carefully from the lowered brim as customers came and went for most of the afternoon. Although several cultivators came in for a meal, very few were of a sufficient level to worry Wu Chen. Feeling more at ease, Wu Chen ordered a light meal for himself and began to relax.

As he ate and enjoyed a cup of fragrant tea, he watched four exceptional men enter. They were wearing light blue robes with jade ornaments denoting their membership as Thunder Palace Sect disciples.

They casually took their seats, and he couldn't help but notice several of the men glancing his way. He lowered his head and took another sip of his tea. Trying to keep himself as low profile as possible would not be easy with a group such as this, Wu Chen thought to himself. As he couldn't hear a word of their conversation, he assumed that one of them had cast a sound barrier over their table. He would be getting no information from this cautious group today.

After the men ordered, he saw them all nod toward one of their group who had a heroic bearing. Despite his broad shoulders and muscular frame, he wore the light blue robes of his clan easily. His long black hair was held in a half-topknot crowned with a leaf made of silver and matching silver pin. At his side, a longsword lay sheathed in an intricate leather scabbard. His face appeared as though sculpted of jade, and his sword-like eyebrows relaxed above two warm brown eyes.

The Thunder Palace was one of the premier righteous sects. They were said to be polite, generous, charitable, and powerful. Wu Chen had once been tempted to join but had decided against it in the end. He did not want to become just a tool for some sect, nor did he wish to follow an assigned master not of his choosing. He wanted to live life on his own terms. 

The man suddenly stood, and his smile grew broad as he turned towards Wu Chen sitting in his little corner. He approached with an easy grace and gave a hand to fist bow before a surprised pair of attractive fox eyes.

'Wu Chen Gongzi. It is an honor to finally meet you in person.' He said, grinning at the shocked look on Wu Chen's face.