A secret realm can be described as a place ruled by sects, with various major powers carving out their own territories. It is a place where the strong dictate terms, and the weak must attach themselves to the strong simply to survive.
There are many cities here, but every city is controlled by a sect behind the scenes. The highest authority of each city—the city lord—is only accountable to the sect. For ordinary commoners, the city lord is the highest official they will ever know.
The primary means by which these major cities communicate and connect are chambers of commerce, or rather, traveling merchants. They are the main driving force behind the economic development of the entire secret realm.
Chapter 358