Many anxious eyes turned to the golden gate, which now glowed black, signaling the end of the first stage of trials in the secret realm of the Cosmic Void Sect.
With this stage's conclusion, the sect would begin preparations for the second. That could take a month or ten years.
The interval varied wildly because the secret realm was self-regulating, and the preparation time was completely random.
Of those who survived, roughly eighty out of a hundred, almost all had already returned.
The exceptions were Xue Hua and Rou'er.
Fortunately, the crowd's anxiety didn't last much longer.
With a loud crack, the portal shook, and three figures emerged.
Long Qingyi, as always, dressed in long black robes adorned with golden dragons, his eyes steady yet gentle.
To his left, Rou'er clutched his hand tightly, her face full of excitement, practically bouncing on her heels.
