Are you certain that the world you know is truly real?

　　Are you sure that the world you are familiar with is all there is to this world?

　　Perhaps, there exists another possibility, another illusion, one that drifts outside the boundaries of our reality.

　　This book tells the story of a fortunate young man whose heart, hidden beneath a calm life, yearns for novelty, for a freer, more unrestrained, even crazier way of living. By chance, he comes into contact with a world unknown to others, a group unknown to others...

　　In his eyes, nothing is more desirable than exploring virgin lands that have never belonged to anyone, so conquest seems to be the only, absolute thing.

　　The spirit of human exploration is eternal. It is precisely because of this spirit that civilization exists today. Those with an adventurous spirit constantly seek new conquests, continually pursuing new realms and heights in life.

　　The unknown world always holds immense allure. You never know what you’ll encounter in the next second, what will happen. "Secret Realm" will take you into a mysterious world unknown to others, to experience a life unlike any other. Let’s begin our adventure together! Roam the vast unknown! Challenge without limits!

　　Let’s seek and explore mysteries together, discover the colorful wonders of nature, unveil the veil of hidden treasures, and appreciate the beauty of different styles...

　　This book is pure fantasy. Please do not compare it to anything else. Any resemblance is purely coincidental.

Volume One: The Mysterious World

Chapter 1: Strange Occurrence

　　At noon, on the southern slope of the world’s 15th highest peak—Namcha Barwa, Ian Lawson was arduously climbing.

　　Among the many mountains of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Namcha Barwa is renowned for its steepness and breathtaking beauty. Benefiting uniquely from the warm monsoon moisture brought by the Indian Ocean from the south, it combines grandeur and elegance, masculinity and femininity in one—its rare maritime climate on the plateau has not only developed spectacular temperate glaciers and snowy landforms, but also created lush green worlds on the slopes and at the foot of the mountain. When the air currents pass by, even the ever-changing clouds give it countless forms: sometimes a vast sea of clouds, sometimes cascading cloud waterfalls, sometimes veiled in mist, with clouds drifting over the summit and bands of layered clouds winding around the mountainside. When the valley air below rises in steam, it lifts Namcha Barwa like a fairy mountain floating in the void. Not to mention the Yarlung Tsangpo River, like a silver chain, encircling it in a deep, dramatic bend—together, the high mountains and deep gorges create a natural wonder of the world.

　　Namcha Barwa! Standing solitary and proud before his eyes, its sharp triangular peak pierced the clouds and sky. The snow-capped summit gleamed white, the sky was a clear blue—a breathtaking and awe-inspiring scene unfolded before Ian Lawson.

　　“Lofty mountains inspire awe—Namcha Barwa!” Ian Lawson’s heart surged with emotion; he had finally arrived.

　　This was already Ian Lawson’s fourth day climbing Namcha Barwa. Over the past few days, there had been several times when Ian Lawson’s feet slipped slightly, and only by driving his ice axe deep into the crevasses did he narrowly avoid danger.

　　Climbing higher became increasingly difficult. Before every step, Ian Lawson had to carve out a foothold, moving forward slowly, inch by inch. Countless crevasses and holes in the icefall area lay silently hidden beneath the loose snow, and every step carried the risk of falling. The Lhoba guide ahead carefully probed the way with his ice axe...

　　Crossing a snowfield, another icefall lay ahead. With a slope close to 70 degrees, even the slightest carelessness could result in a fall. Ian Lawson checked both sides—on one side was a fractured cliff, on the other, a steep, snow-covered, weathered rock face. Ian Lawson’s strength was nearly spent; this was the most critical moment. He could only move forward—there was no way back.

　　“Only two creatures can reach the top of a pyramid: eagles and snails. If I can’t be an eagle, then I’ll be a snail—a snail that always climbs forward.” Time and again, when Ian Lawson felt he couldn’t go on, he reminded himself of this.

　　The mountain was high and the path steep, snow blanketed everything. Every step Ian Lawson took drained all his strength, but his numb feet moved less than 20 centimeters at a time. Each step required him to summon all his willpower, to give himself a thorough mental pep talk. Every step demanded that he inject all his passion into his feet.

　　Though it was arduous, it was all for the boundless beauty atop the perilous peak!

　　“You must enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it—because it is perilous, so it leads to life.” Ian Lawson murmured to himself, his breath forming white mist before his eyes. These words exhausted all his strength, and he had to pause to gather his energy.

　　Ian Lawson climbed to the top of the icefall, reaching a gently sloping ice tongue. Snow covered the shallow gullies and ravines. Suddenly, the mountain wind picked up, growing fiercer with each gust. The raging wind swept up snow grains, as if trying to tear the snow layer apart. Ian Lawson could go no further upward; he could only drive his ice axe deep into the ice wall, wedge his crampons into the crevices, steady his heels, and, imitating the guide, press his body tightly against the ice and snow, crawling in terror.

　　Ian Lawson looked up at the summit above. In the blizzard of fine snow whipped by the wind, the peak was so vague and unknowable.

　　He didn’t know how much time had passed, but at last, the wind began to subside.