The Enchanted Forest Realm was not at all a super mythical place. It was merely a secret realm.

Nonetheless, the Opportunity of Fortune in this secret realm was way too huge.

The Enchanted Forest Realm only appears in Emperor Road once every thirty thousand years. Every time it shows up, it would present numerous Opportunities of Fortune.

If there were a ranking for Opportunities of Fortune in Emperor Road, the Enchanted Forest Realm would surely rank amongst the top ten!

Still, it had only been twenty thousand years since the Enchanted Forest Realm's last appearance in the realm. Logically speaking, now was not the time for the Enchanted Forest Realm to open up yet. However, due to the odd changes on Emperor Mountain, which culminated in the Emperor's Throne emergence, the Enchanted Forest Realm's opening time had been brought forward.

Only a few of the most elite forces knew about this, and their sky-prides were already making the necessary preparations for their respective explorations in the Enchanted Forest Realm.

…

Back at the Sword Tribe.

Swordsman Mei had returned. She was currently having an audience with the Sword Tribe Leader in one of the palaces.

"Tribe Leader, I have failed to a.s.sa.s.sinate Chu Kuangren. I beg your forgiveness."

Swordsman Mei knelt down in front of Sword Tribe Leader, pleading with a face full of guilt.

Although Sword Tribe Leader was disappointed over her failure in killing Chu Kuangren, he never harbored any real intention of punis.h.i.+ng Swordsman Mei. After all, she was a top-notch sky-pride in Sword Tribe, second only to Sword Daoist. With her Supreme Daoist Physique, she could prove to be an imperative cornerstone of the Sword Tribe's future.

"It's alright, Swordsman Mei. Get on your feet. Even Swordsman Yan couldn't succeed. It is impressive enough that you're able to return alive. It's my fault to have underestimated Chu Kuangren."

"Thank you, Tribe Leader."

Swordsman Mei stood up and took out the Divine Emerald Lamp. "Tribe Leader, I may have failed to a.s.sa.s.sinate Chu Kuangren, but I did bring back the Divine Emerald Lamp."

When Sword Tribe Leader heard that, a strange look was expressed in his eyes.

His first reaction was not joy, but rather, confusion.

"Not even Swordsman San and Swordsman Yan were able to do this. How did you manage to pull this off?"

Sword Tribe Leader's gaze glistened as he stared straight at Swordsman Mei.

Meanwhile, Swordsman Mei had already prepared the perfect excuse long ago. "Honestly, all credits are owed to Swordsman Yan. It was him who distracted Chu Kuangren and created the chance for me to strike at Chu Kuangren's two disciples. I blackmailed him for this Divine Emerald Lamp in exchange for their lives."

"Oh, I see."

Sword Tribe Leader continued staring at Swordsman Mei, but she did not even flinch.

Following that, he asked her some more questions.

Swordsman Mei still managed to answer them eloquently, dispelling any suspicion left in Sword Tribe Leader.

"Bringing back the Divine Emerald Lamp is already an amazing feat. Swordsman Mei, how would you like to be rewarded? Feel free to make a request."

"I'm a swordsman, and my duty is to serve the Sword Tribe. Helping the tribe accomplish these is merely my responsibility. I don't dare to ask for any reward."

"Hah, you're too humble. Just say whatever you would like. As long as it's achievable in the Sword Tribe, I'll grant your wish."

"Truth be told, I've admired Sword Daoist for a long time now. I wish I could serve alongside him and help him out."

After a moment's hesitation, Swordsman Mei finally revealed her wish. When she mentioned Sword Daoist's name, there was a sense of longing in her eyes.

Upon hearing that, Sword Tribe Leader burst out into laughter. "Actually, I've known since long ago that you joined the Shadow Swordsmen for Sword Daoist. Since you're so sincere about it, I shall grant you your wish. The Sword Daoist is still lacking one person to form his three-man Secret Guard squad. I'll let you fill that spot."

"Additionally, I'll reward you with the b.e.s.t.i.a.l soul of a Black Cloud Iron Beast. This item is compatible with your Dark Descent Physique. I'm sure it'll benefit you greatly."

"Many thanks, Tribe Leader!"

Just then, a figure walked into the great hall.

This person wore a gorgeous golden robe. He had delicate eyebrows and dazzling eyes, and a ruthless aura circulating on his body.

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"Oh, we were just talking about the Daoist, and here he is."

Sword Tribe Leader said as he looked toward that young man. This man was indeed the Sword Tribe's Daoist.

However, Swordsman Mei next to him noticed something amiss. "No, this energy is somewhat different from the usual Master Daoist."

"Good one, Mei'er. Your intuition is correct. This figure that you're seeing right now is indeed not my true body but my clone. I've obtained this clone through an Opportunity of Fortune. It has eighty percent of my strength."

Sword Daoist smiled at Swordsman Mei. It seemed like both of them have known each other for quite a long time.

"That's remarkable, Master Daoist. I admire that."

There was a look of admiration on Swordsman Mei's face.

"Heh, since my true body will still be in closed-door meditation when the Enchanted Forest Realm opens, I plan to send this clone over. Although it has only eighty percent of my strength, I believe it'll be enough to wreck the young guns of Emperor Road!" Sword Daoist was proud of himself.

"That's the Sword Daoist that we know. With this energy and confidence, I'm sure you'll ascend to the Emperor's Throne and rule over the people of this firmament!"

Sword Daoist smiled gently in response. Then, he saw the Divine Emerald Lamp in Sword Tribe Leader's hands, and his eyes lit up as he exclaimed, "This is the Divine Emerald Lamp!!"

"That's right. This is the Divine Emerald Lamp that Swordsman Mei has brought back."

"Mei'er, you've managed to kill Chu Kuangren?"

Sword Daoist asked as he glanced at Swordsman Mei with amazement.

If he had stared at her like that in the past, she would have been on cloud nine.

Yet now, Swordsman Mei only responded with a grim look on her face. "I'm too incompetent. I couldn't kill that d*mned Chu Kuangren…"

She repeated what she had said to Sword Tribe Leader.

"It seems that this Chu Kuangren is truly fascinating. Heh. If I could meet this guy in the Enchanted Forest Realm, I'd be sure to have a go at him."

Swordsman Mei could not help but secretly rolled her eyes.

'Come on. Even if it is your real body, you would still not survive more than three sword strikes from her Master.'

'Currently, this clone of yours possesses eighty percent of your full strength. You can consider yourself lucky if Master didn't kill you with one slap. From where did you get such confidence?'

"Mei'er must've been through h.e.l.l to take back this Divine Emerald Lamp for me, but fret not. If I happen to encounter that Chu Kuangren, I would surely make him pay for what he did to you."

"Thank you, Master Daoist."

"There's no need for such humility between the two of us."

Sword Daoist smiled at her.

Sword Daoist had known Swordsman Mei for quite some time now, and he also knew that she had a deep affection for him, that she even joined the Shadow Swordsmen just for him.

As such, he took pride in this regard.

After all, how many people in this world could get a stunner like Swordsman Mei as devoted as he had?

Nevertheless, despite Swordsman Mei's care towards him all this while, he merely viewed her as a tool for him to manage the Sword Tribe's affairs.

Sword Daoist's heart had already belonged to someone else.

"With the Enchanted Forest Realm opening this time, Ning Yu would be there too, I think. I haven't seen her for a long time now…"

A reminiscent look washed over Sword Daoist's face.

Swordsman Mei's expression changed slightly when she heard the name 'Ning Yu', and she immediately excused herself. "Tribe Leader, Master Daoist, if there are no other matters, I shall get going then."

"Sure, you may leave now."

Sword Tribe Leader nodded gently.

Once Swordsman Mei was a distance away, Sword Tribe Leader said, "Sword Daoist, you know that Swordsman Mei likes you, yet you still mention another woman's name right in front of her. Aren't you just making her unhappy? Are you afraid that she'll resent you?"

"I'm only doing this to remind her that I already have someone in my heart. Don't you think, Tribe Leader, that the more you can't get something, the more attractive they are? Unfortunately, for Mei'er, the harder I make it for her, the more she would want to try to win me over, and she'll never be freed from my grasp."

Realization dawned on Sword Tribe Leader when he heard that. "Hah, Sword Daoist, your means have really opened up a whole new perspective for me," he said and chuckled.