CHAPTER 1068: CHAPTER 948: CAUGHT BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE

The Tianyuan Sect is located in the Southern Domain of the Xuan Realm, not far from the Xuan Beast Forest. Although it is not a superpower with ancient heritage, it is considered a regional overlord, with several elders possessing powerful cultivation within the sect.

After learning about Earth’s situation, the Tianyuan Sect Leader dispatched Elder Ma Biqian, a powerful elder in the sect, to lead a group of young elites into the Xuan Beast Forest.

As a medium-sized sect, the Tianyuan Sect naturally possesses powerful flying artifacts, namely an ancient bronze war chariot. When unused, it’s only palm-sized, but once activated, it can carry dozens of people without any problem.

A group of people rode the ancient war chariot to the outskirts of the Xuan Beast Forest, jumped off the chariot, and proceeded on foot towards the forest’s center. The Xuan Beast Forest is indeed vast, and some mystical beasts within are unfathomably powerful, even formidable to the strong people of the Di Clan, whom they wisely chose to avoid.

Led by Gu Yun, the group forged ahead, cutting through thickets, directly slaying beasts of average strength unless they encountered powerful mystical beasts, which they cautiously bypassed.

On the outskirts of the Xuan Beast Forest, there basically aren’t any overly powerful mystical beasts. Mystical beasts have territorial awareness, and the deeper into the center one goes, the stronger they become. The outskirts are home to weaker beasts that pose no threat to them.

"Can’t wait!"

"Indeed, I want to plunge into that feeble world at once!"

"Haha, with our strength, we’d be invincible in that world!"

The young elites from the Tianyuan Sect were exceptionally excited because they already knew the purpose of this expedition: to conquer another world. Once subdued, Earth would become a vital reserve and stronghold for the Tianyuan Sect, a feat even the powerful Di Clan had not achieved.

"If what Senior Brother Gu says is true, isn’t Earth practically ours for the taking? Anyway, that world doesn’t have powerful cultivators, it’s like a free gift for us."

"Exactly, according to Senior Brother Gu, the people of that world have good talent and comprehension, but due to the harsh environment and scarce primordial qi, their cultivation progress is slow. Once we control that world, we’ll select talented individuals, and it will surely strengthen our Tianyuan Sect!"

Throughout the journey, the young elites were very excited, discussing as they traveled. They were confident that once Earth was conquered, the Tianyuan Sect would usher in an unprecedented era of prosperity, even becoming a dominant force in the Xuan Realm.

By that time, wouldn’t they walk with great confidence in the Xuan Realm? Who would dare provoke them?

"This time, Senior Brother Gu Yun has performed an extraordinary miracle, surely he’ll become a core disciple, possibly even a future elder."

"Indeed, congratulations to Senior Brother Gu Yun. Once you’re successful, don’t forget about us humble brothers!"

Someone half-jokingly, half-flatteringly spoke to Gu Yun.

Gu Yun only smiled faintly on the surface, but internally, he was overjoyed. Although regarded as the leader’s foremost disciple, his lack of strength meant he wasn’t a core disciple—Tianyuan Sect also has elders’ disciples and Supreme Elder’s last disciples.

In terms of talent and strength, all those people outmatched him, a point he always worried about. Hence, he risked his life stealing the Profound Ice Lotus from the Flame Eagle to rapidly improve his strength and enter the core disciples’ circle.

In the Xuan Realm, irrespective of the sect, they all have inner sect and outer sect disciples. Those below the Great Perfection of Gang Qi Realm (Peak of True Qi Realm) can only stay in the outer sect, not eligible to enter the inner sect.

Once an individual reaches the realm of Great Perfection in the Gang Qi Realm (Peak of True Qi Realm), the sect notices them, absorbing them into the inner sect disciple group. There is a significant difference between outer sect and inner sect disciples in terms of cultivation resources, cultivation environment, and martial arts skills.

Therefore, outer sect disciples strive desperately to become inner sect disciples!

Becoming an inner sect disciple does not only bring better treatment but also symbolizes identity.

The inner sect disciples are divided into three categories: the first being common inner sect disciples, possessing strength in the Gang Qi Realm Great Perfection (Peak of True Qi Realm) with potential to break through to the True Essence Realm.

The second category includes elite disciples accompanying Elder Ma, all having broken through to the True Essence Realm, truly stepping into the cultivation threshold.

The third category, referred to as core disciples by the elite disciples, comprises the sect’s future pillars, genuine cultivation talents, with strength at least in the Late-Stage True Essence Realm, even reaching the True Essence Realm Peak!

The hierarchical structure pushes these disciples to cultivate vigorously, all yearning to enter the core disciples’ circle, yet few can truly enter through sheer strength as true geniuses are scarce. Most people’s talent remains ordinary.

While Elder Ma led the group, navigating through obstacles and advancing towards the heart of the Xuan Beast Forest under Gu Yun’s guidance, elsewhere, an elder from another sect was leading several disciples, hunting mystical beasts in the forest.

This elder, dressed in a green long robe, had eyes like lightning and his deep and unfathomable strength was evident. However, he rarely intervened, merely observing from the sidelines.

Evidently, this elder, like Elder Ma, was merely a team leader, bringing some disciples to the Xuan Beast Forest, primarily to hunt mystical beasts for beast cores, while also hoping to get lucky and find some spiritual medicine.

The main objective remained tempering these young disciples’ strength and character, allowing rapid growth amidst life-and-death trials.

Without facing iron and blood, the trials of life and death, they remain greenhouse flowers and cannot survive in the brutal competition of the cultivation world.

They were located between the outskirts and center of the Xuan Beast Forest, not far from the Ice Snow Spirit Ape’s territory, currently engaged in ferocious combat with a nimble Spotted Leopard.

This Spotted Leopard is also an Overlord-level Xuan Beast nearby, terrifyingly strong and incredibly fast. Even under their siege, it still manages to hold its ground.

In fact, if not for the elder watching intently from the side, these young people would have likely fallen to its sharp claws and fangs already.

Among these young people, there is a young girl in a plain long dress. Although her clothing is not luxurious, it fits her exceptionally well.

Her long black hair cascades behind her back, tied up in a bun with a wooden hairpin, giving her an ethereal, immortal-like appearance as if a fairy had descended into the mortal world.

Her Magic Artifact is also unique — a pale cyan long sword, crystal clear, radiating a gentle glow, yet her Swordsmanship is rather fierce. The Spotted Leopard’s repeated counterattacks were blocked by her long sword. Although she has the upper hand, she has not dealt a killing blow.

Fighting alongside her is a young man with sword-like eyebrows and tiger eyes, with an elegant demeanor. His purple robe looks extremely luxurious.

This young man wields a scarlet long spear, his Spear Technique fierce and unmatched. The spear, nearly a yard long, in his hands is like an embroidery needle, carefully guarding the girl, ensuring she is in no danger.

His attacks, however, are much more ruthless than the girl’s. The tip of his spear shoots out fierce beams of light, each strike aimed at the critical points of the Spotted Leopard, a fighting style that shows no regard for his own safety.

This young man knows very well that with the elder present, the Spotted Leopard absolutely cannot harm them, so he is very at ease, focusing only on protecting the girl beside him who looks like a fairy, fearing any danger may come to her.

Just as they are locked in a fierce battle with the Spotted Leopard, the surroundings in shambles, the Ice Snow Spirit Ape arrives nearby with the Nine Heavens Mystic Crown.

As a Xuan Beast, the Ice Snow Spirit Ape is extremely sensitive to the fluctuation of Primordial Qi. Just from the fluctuation, it knows that there must be human cultivators nearby hunting its kind, so it intends to go check it out.

At this moment, Elder Xuan’s powerful spiritual power immediately senses the presence of the girl and others, even able to perceive their cultivation levels.

For the others, Elder Xuan does not have much concern, but there is a powerful elder present. Considering Ye Fan’s current situation, not to mention that elder, even those young people besieging the Spotted Leopard are far beyond his match.

Time is pressing, the Ice Snow Spirit Ape moves very quickly, and in no time reaches near the battlefield. By this time, the fate of the Spotted Leopard is already sealed.

Under the siege of several young cultivators, it is already heavily injured, even if they stop their attack now, the Spotted Leopard won’t survive much longer.

"Boy, there are cultivators ahead, quickly leave the Nine Heavens Mystic Crown, otherwise the Nine Heavens Mystic Crown will be discovered!"

Elder Xuan swiftly warns Ye Fan to leave the Nine Heavens Mystic Crown, lest any chance these cultivators discover the Nine Heavens Mystic Crown, which would surely spell doom for Ye Fan.

In the Xuan Realm, the rarity of an Emperor Weapon is known to all. Elder Xuan is certain that these people definitely know its value, and under no circumstances can they be allowed to see the Nine Heavens Mystic Crown!

If they were to see, or learn of the Nine Heavens Mystic Crown’s existence, the act of killing for treasure is commonplace for Xuan Realm cultivators. They would not hesitate to obliterate Ye Fan and claim the Nine Heavens Mystic Crown for themselves.

"Alright!"

After understanding the current situation, Ye Fan prepares to leave the Nine Heavens Mystic Crown. In any case, the Nine Heavens Mystic Crown cannot be discovered by others. This is not Earth, but the Xuan Realm, where without any restraint, the allure of an Emperor Weapon is enough to turn anyone into a robber!

However—

At this moment, the Nine Heavens Mystic Crown is still in the hands of the Ice Snow Spirit Ape. If Ye Fan leaves rashly, he might very well suffer a violent blow from it. Given his current physical state, one more hit and it could very well be fatal.

All this puts Ye Fan in a difficult spot!

If he doesn’t leave, there’s a chance the presence of the Nine Heavens Mystic Crown might be discovered, leading to murder for treasure.

If he does leave, he might be attacked by the Ice Snow Spirit Ape, and given he hasn’t yet recovered, he may not withstand its violent blow.

Sticking his neck out or not, both pose a deadly risk. Ye Fan finds himself stuck in a dilemma!

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PS: Third update!

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