Arlys took Grey back to the Middle Continent, heading to the Burchard Family. Compared to when Grey was traveling on his own, their speed was much faster. The cultivation level of the person taking him was much higher than his own. While they were going, they encountered three necromancers, all in the Early stages of the Elemental Venerable Plane, but Arlys easily took care of them. Some days later, Grey and Arlys arrived in the Burchard Family manor. When the guard outside saw Grey, they welcomed him inside and hurriedly went over to inform the Family Head of the Burchard Family. "You're back. I didn't think you would recover so early." The Family Head said as he approached Grey. "I'm stronger than I look." Grey chuckled. "I can see that." The Family Head said. "I guess you're here to enter the secret realm, correct?" He asked. Grey nodded. This was his plan from the start, he wanted to enter the secret realm, especially since it's said to be one of the best in the Aurora Continent. "You came just in time. The first batch of people are about to head in, you can go with them. Some of those who went with you to the competition are heading in now." The Family Head said. "Oh." Grey didn't say much, he followed them over to where the group was gathered. Sylvia was with the group, when she saw Grey walking over with the Family Head, she couldn't help but smile. She was genuinely happy that Grey recovered so early and would even follow the first batch of people inside the secret realm. "You shouldn't have pushed yourself so hard." She said when Grey walked up to them. "At least it was worth it, right?" Grey asked with a grin. "I can't say it wasn't, it is. And everyone is grateful for your sacrifice." Sylvia thanked Grey for his hard work. The fact that Grey made things too easy for them could not be denied, so she had to thank him. Scott walked over to Grey, "Thank you. But how come you're okay already?" Even though he was happy Grey had recovered, it was quite shocking that Grey recovered from such an injury within the space of three weeks or so. Getting help from the Dawson Family was taken into account, but Grey recovered way too fast. Grey smiled but didn't respond to that question. Well, he couldn't really tell them that his cores were cracked, and then they not only recovered but they seemed way better than they were. "You only noticed that?" Sylvia rolled her eyes. "Huh?" Scott looked at her with a confused expression. "He's already in the Sixth stage of the Sage Plane. When he came here, he was in the Fourth stage, and that was a week before the competition." Sylvia replied. When everyone heard this, they looked at Grey, stunned, then unbelief washed over their faces. In the space of just around a month or two, Grey moved from the Fourth stage to the Sixth stage, and he was injured for around three weeks or so. That meant he broke through when he was unconscious. "What the hell?!" Scott couldn't help but exclaim. Grey was already so strong in the Fifth stage, they couldn't help but imagine how strong he would be now. Grey smiled but didn't say anything to them. "We should get going." He suggested when he noticed none of them were making any effort in leaving. "Oh, right." Sylvia said. "I already told them about the place, but since you're just coming, I guess I'll have to tell you about it. The place is a realm that has portals leading to three different races..." Sylvia went on to tell Grey about the place as they headed out. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚 The secret realm is very special due to the fact that it was separated into three different stages or Planes. There is a place for those in the Overlord Plane, Sage Plane, and Elemental Venerables. Once an Elementalist breaks through to a higher Plane, he would have to leave the lower realm else their core would be corrupted if they stay there for too long. There are times when people from a higher Plane head to a lower realm to kill someone from another race. In fact, it's quite common in this secret realm. If an unparalleled genius appears in a lower realm from another race, those from other races try to kill them. Given the enmity between humans and the Dark Gnomes, it was quite natural that they would want to eliminate those geniuses that might stand a chance to go against them once again. The name of the race that brought necromancy to humans, and also invaded the human realm thousands of years ago was the Dark Gnomes. The only way for someone in a higher realm to go to a lower realm is through a weak point in the seal differentiating the lower and higher realms. These weak points are very hard to find, and after finding them, breaking them was also not easy to achieve. Grey listened attentively to Sylvia's explanation. After getting a clear understanding of the place, he knew he had to tread carefully. Given his mark, he would be targeted by the Dark Gnomes. What was worse was that hiding from them was not going to be easy. 'I need to remove this darn mark.' He complained internally. He already had a method to remove it, but since it involved killing people, he couldn't wantonly kill people for his benefit. "Oh, I forgot to tell you. You'll be in danger the moment you enter, you know, with the mark." Sylvia recalled this and said to Grey. "Yeah, I already have a plan in mind." Grey replied. "Good." They soon got to the place where the portal to the secret realm was located. "Alright, we will part ways here for now. When you all step inside, remember to watch out for each other, take care." The Head of the Burchard Family didn't say much. After some pleasantries with those keeping guard at the portal, the youths were allowed entry.