Golden Key

"They aren't my handmaidens, but people I met in the Secret Realm," Qin Ming said.

"I see, I see," Yang Quan said with a smile, looking at the two women who looked identical.

"By the way, why did you only bring so few people?" Qin Ming asked in confusion, looking at the Martial Kings behind Yang Quan.

He knew Yang Quan's identity; as the heir of the Yan City Yang Family, shouldn't he have brought more people into such a dangerous Secret Realm?

Yang Quan laughed. "I'm not like you, Brother Qing. Although our Yang Family has a large business, there are many places where we need to spend Spirit Stones, and even fewer resources to cultivate Martial Artists."

"Besides, when exploring a Secret Realm, more people isn't necessarily better; a more elite team is what matters."

Hearing Yang Quan address Qin Ming as Brother Qing, the twenty Martial Kings behind Yang Quan were startled and looked at Qin Ming.

Qin Ming's face was Ordinary, the kind that wouldn't stand out in a crowd.

However, he carried a faint Aura that radiated intense confidence, something even their Young Master Yang couldn't match.

They were secretly shocked, wondering who this person was to be treated as an equal by Young Master Yang.

"Indeed, the more elite, the better," Qin Ming nodded. "Why are you heading back? The High Tower in the Secret Realm is over there."

Although Qin Ming didn't know what was inside the High Tower, it was so prominent in the Secret Realm, with a pillar of light reaching the heavens as a guide, that any Martial Artist who wasn't blind could guess it was extremely important.

And as the Young Head of the Yan City Yang Family, Yang Quan surely knew of the High Tower's existence. Why wasn't he heading toward it?

"It's like this: our people just spread out and found an Advanced barrier here. I happen to have a Golden Key in my hand, so I planned to come over and open the barrier first."

Yang Quan tossed the golden token in his hand and smiled.

"Advanced barrier, Golden Key?" Qin Ming asked. "What are Advanced barriers and Golden Keys?"

Yang Quan chuckled and touched the golden token in his hand. "This is the golden token; it can open Advanced barriers."

"Brother Qing, you've been in the Secret Realm for a while now; you must have seen the barriers, right?"

"These barriers are divided into three Ranks: Ordinary, Intermediate, and Advanced. The tokens also have three grades: bronze, silver, and gold, corresponding to the three different barriers in the Secret Realm."

"I see," Qin Ming said, cupping his hands. "Thank you, Brother Yang, for clearing that up for me."

Seeing Qin Ming's realization, the twenty Martial Artists behind Yang Quan were a bit puzzled. Since Green Cliff Elder was treated so seriously by their young master, he should be a scion of a Family.

At the very least, his status should be similar to their young master's, so how could he lack such basic information about the Secret Realm?

Yang Quan waved his hand. "Even if I didn't say anything, you would have figured it out yourself. It's no big deal."

Indeed, Qin Ming had already guessed part of it but wasn't certain. Hearing Yang Quan say so now confirmed his thoughts.

"Are there many of these golden secret realms?" Qin Ming asked, pointing to the area ahead.

"Not many," Yang Quan shook his head. "With so many of us searching separately, this is the first one we've found. I hope the spirit plants inside this Secret Realm haven't been picked, otherwise we've come all this way for nothing."

"Of course, if you have a Golden Key, Brother Qing, since you found this Advanced secret realm first, I'll let you have it."

Qin Ming waved his hand in refusal. "Go ahead and open it. I'm not interested in this barrier."