CHAPTER 267: 265. ENTER THE SECRET REALM (1/4)

A thought arose spontaneously.

Wasn’t this supposed to be a trial?

Why are there so many people in this secret realm?

One, two, three... ten Body Refining Thirteenth Layer cultivators.

Just as Zhao Yi was in a daze, a voice appeared by his ear, "Use the Flood Dragon’s Fury to defeat demons, points +10; defeat humans of the same realm, points +1; defeat an Anomalous Vein genius, points +10. Reach the top three in total points to qualify for the final contest. The winner, will receive the Fire Dragon Skill and an Immortal Slayer magical artifact."

Zhao Yi secretly laughed to himself, "Fire Dragon Skill, magical artifact, hehe, here I come!"

He felt elated since he had found his aunt.

At this moment, those ten people looked at Zhao Yi, but weren’t overly cautious, only whispering among themselves.

They didn’t see Zhao Yi as an enemy.

Nor did they make a move as soon as they met.

"Where does this person come from?"

"So young, yet already at the same Body Refining Thirteenth Layer as us, it seems he comes from a significant power."

"These clothes... unfamiliar, likely a core disciple from some Three-star Sect."

"Daring to traverse the wasteland, his strength should not be weak."

A few people discussed among themselves, while Zhao Yi glanced at them, but didn’t care much.

Feeling his strength rise to the Thirteenth Layer, he thought about obtaining points.

He mused: It seems that hunting demons should be the best way to quickly acquire points.

"Excuse me."

Zhao Yi paid no attention to these ten people. Defeating them would only gain ten points, less efficient than finding a single demon. Besides, he wasn’t confident in taking on ten people at once.

With that, Zhao Yi was about to leave.

Just then, a woman suddenly spoke up.

"Wait!"

The one who stopped Zhao Yi was about twenty years old, young and beautiful. Although a Body Refining cultivator, she was slender, unlike ordinary women, and had a heroic air about her.

"Is there something you need?"

"Let’s go together. This journey is fraught with danger, more people mean more protection."

"Uh..." Zhao Yi hesitated for a moment, recalling the path on the map, then pointed to his left, "I’m going this way."

A young man chimed in, "Nonsense, if we don’t go this way, where are we going?"

"If you don’t want to die, follow us. Why are you running around aimlessly all alone?"

With that, the nine people gradually moved forward.

The woman quickly smiled apologetically as she approached, saying, "They’re just like that, don’t mind them... I’m Qing Ling, and you?"

"Zhao Yi." After some hesitation, Zhao Yi still gave his real name.

His real or fake name didn’t matter since no one knew him.

Qing Ling continued, "Young Master Zhao, this should be your first time here, right? Let’s walk together. With a long journey ahead, if an Earth Dragon attacks, having more people provides better support."

Zhao Yi nodded and followed behind Qing Ling.

...

Viewing Room.

Wen Ping watched this scene, stunned for a moment, and asked the system in his mind, "Why are there other people here?"

"Maybe they’re natives."

"All in their twenties and at the Thirteenth Layer?"

The youngest Thirteenth Layer in the Immortal Sect, Lin Kewu, is 23 years old.

Yet, those ten people just now were no more than one or two years older than Lin Kewu.

All of them geniuses.

Of course, Wen Ping wasn’t the only one thinking this; Biyue Piaoling and others sitting beside and behind him were also amazed.

As a teenager, Biyue Yi couldn’t help but first express his admiration, "There are indeed so many geniuses in this secret realm."

Biyue Piaoling immediately turned back to glance at Wen Ping and asked, "Sect Leader Wen, are you planning to send your disciple in to contend with them?"

"No."

Wen Ping responded, continuing to watch intently.

...

Flame Character Pass.

An endless crimson ground, as if a piece of iron was heated to red-hot. The scorching air surged in from all directions, making people’s scalps tingle.

Those who entered this pass included: Yun Liao, Yu Mo, Qin Shan, and others.

Being elders, their strength had reached higher floors while attempting the Ten Layers Tower, commonly the fourth floor. Thus, they had all mastered the Flame Skill, Fire Snake Skill, and Fireball Skill. Compared to entering the Sword Control Skill pass, they felt more secure here. Their goal wasn’t for any glory,

but for the Fire Dragon Skill and the magical artifact.

Both were something they had long desired.

Just like before, the system’s voice rang in their ears, "Use flame techniques to defeat demons and obtain Fire Spirit Crystals, points +10; defeat humans of the same realm, points +1; defeat an Anomalous Vein genius, points +10. Reach the top three in total points to qualify for the final contest. The winner, will receive the Fire Dragon Skill and an Immortal Slayer magical artifact."

As the words fell, Yu Mo mumbled to himself.

"To earn points and enter the top three, it seems we must fight for ourselves."

The moment he finished speaking, Yun Liao immediately separated from Yu Mo and continued forward, leaving behind a sentence, "Elder Yun, Elder Qin, Elder Zhantian, see you at the finish line."

Yu Mo couldn’t help but remark, "This guy is dead set on taking first place."

Qin Shan suddenly interjected, "Don’t you want the magical artifact?"

Yu Mo grinned, "Uh... Elder Qin, see you later!"

With that, he dashed off, soon disappearing into the distance.

Qin Shan glanced at Zhantian Qingxuan, made a slight bow, and then followed suit.

The four of them went their separate ways, aiming to seize first place in points.

Of course, they all understood that speed was also a vital factor. This secret realm would become progressively smaller, and the longer time passed, the fewer opportunities there would be to obtain Fire Spirit Crystals.

...

Viewing Room.

Through their snippets of conversation, Biyue Piaoling and others were somewhat puzzled.

What is a magical artifact?

If even the elders were sent inside, it wasn’t likely to decide who’s stronger or weaker, or to focus on training a select few, right?

Lu Ye pondered for a while and asked, "Sect Leader Wen, what’s a magical artifact? I noticed that each elder’s eyes burned when mentioning the term."

Wen Ping casually replied, "It’s just a type of weapon, only available in the Immortal Sect."

"I see."

Several people nodded, conceiving that it might be an object crafted by a significant figure behind Wen Ping.

If that’s the case, this contest’s reward is truly enticing.

It’s enough to make him want to participate.

As the scene transitioned, the crowd remained silent, following Wen Ping’s gaze to focus on the screen of the third pass.

Sword Character Pass, now there were many people.

All the Immortal Sect disciples were there.

The rules were similar to Flame Character Pass, collecting Fire Spirit Crystals, without requiring the techniques like in Flame Character Pass.

Standing on a boundless plain, with a gentle breeze and giant birds soaring above, it gave people a comfortable sensation. Looking around, everyone’s eyes were alight with ambition and determination.

The contest’s rewards were highly coveted by all.

Whether the Fire Dragon Skill or the magical artifact, both were extremely difficult to acquire. The chance of obtaining the Fire Dragon Skill was high, unlike the challenging magical artifact, but the Fire Dragon Skill had realm requirements. Naturally, this requirement wasn’t about needing to reach the Profound Realm to learn it but rather only having a chance to pass the fifth layer by reaching Profound.

Elder Yu Mo had just reached the Middle Profound Realm and still failed to overcome the fifth layer of the Ten Layers Tower, likely needing a long time to succeed.

As it stands, at least reaching the Middle Profound Realm appears necessary.

Yet they were still far from the Profound Realm.

Thus, in this contest, everyone wanted to claim first place.

Once the sound in their ears stopped, groups scattered at once.

All understood that gathering together only meant no one could take first place, instead letting the elders seize the opportunity.