Chapter 411: The World Altered by Xuan

Just as Du Ruoheng led Li Ming away from the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall.

Qing Xu.

Before a nearly vertical cliff, boundless thick fog churned, filling one's heart with innate oppression at a single glance.

The succubus cultivators who previously came here to livestream and ride the hype were long gone.

After all, succubus cultivators are precisely this kind of "emotionless" practitioners.

They arrive faster than anyone when hype is high, and depart just as cleanly when it fades.

As decisive as the "Sage Mode" after completion…

Cough! Cough!

In short, after Qing Xu's hype faded, almost no succubus cultivators were willing to come to this godforsaken place.

Not only is it dangerous, but the traffic is negligible.

Yet the number of cultivators coming here seeking fortune through danger had increased significantly compared to before.

Mainly because Huo had directly crushed many dangerous aberrant beasts within Qing Xu, lowering the overall danger level, plus the carcasses of those aberrant beasts were excellent materials…

But all of this had nothing to do with Xu Xing.

Somewhere inside Qing Xu.

Beside a pile of jagged rocks, churning gray-black fog reduced visibility to near zero; fine dust drifted within the fog, carrying a strange force capable of twisting and corrupting spiritual perception.

Those of lower realm, if careless even for an instant, would be influenced and sink into endless Illusory Realm.

Within this dangerous gray-black fog, Xu Xing held a purple-gold fruit he had casually plucked.

Auspicious radiance ebbed and flowed upon it, purple qi coiled around it; its skin was translucent, barely a thin layer, as if a light touch would rupture it, revealing the sweet flesh within.

"Right here…"

The fog was too thick—even gazing straight ahead, he could not see the ground.

But for Xu Xing, it made no difference.

Whether fog or ground, at the moment his gaze fell upon them, they offered no obstruction whatsoever.

Instantly, Xu Xing's gaze pierced through the Xuan Realm, crossed infinite heights and depths, and landed upon the boundless, eternally solitary Chaos Sea.

Within the chaotic qi, countless worlds floated and sank like infinite grains of sand.

Worlds formed and perished in cycles; shattered fragments of crystal barriers shattered under immense pressure of "potential," dissolving into gorgeous beams of civilization—but vanished utterly in less than a billionth of a billionth of a moment.

Worlds beneath the "baseline" were far too fragile; every instant from their birth was a struggle on the brink of collapse into the Return-Emptiness.

After fully restraining his own power, Xu Xing's gaze swept across countless worlds.

First to catch his eye were the several familiar Reversing Void-tier worlds in nearby domains—Fuliu World, Three Heaven World, and the technological starry sky world he had guided with his sword intent avatar to trigger the Supernal Revival…

Due to the Xuan Realm's repelling force, aside from Fuliu World, no traces he had left in other worlds remained.

Xu Xing paid it no great mind, merely glancing casually, then began searching for worlds previously altered by Xuan.

He intended to select one particularly cruel one as the training world for the Cicixian Sect's Grand Trial.

In the vast Chaos Sea, had Xuan deliberately concealed them before, they would have been virtually impossible to filter out.

But now it was different.

Tiny, scattered purple dots—some bright, some dim—were densely distributed throughout the entire Chaos Sea, stretching endlessly into the distance.

The brighter the purple glow, the greater the influence Xuan had exerted, and the more solid the former "Origin Anchor."

Passing world after world, Xu Xing's gaze finally settled upon a world outside the nearby domains, at Reversing Void tier!

Not in the direction leading to the Beast God Realm, but another direction entirely.

Around its world crystal barrier, purple radiance blazed intensely, surging back and forth, swallowing and exhaling chaos; now that Xuan's concealment was gone, the entire world radiated a primordial, ancient aura.

…………

Xuanxiang World.

Since the founding of the "Heavenly Track Absorbing Spirit System" by the ancestral master Xuan Qi, the separation between mortals and cultivators became absolute.

Spiritual energy in the mortal realm was entirely drained, not a single trace remaining.

Thus, even mortals with the finest innate talent could never embark on the cultivation path on their own; only through sects entering the mortal realm to recruit disciples did they have a slim chance to enter the Dao.

Yet while mortals struggled to seek the Dao, cultivators themselves suffered terribly due to the existence of the "Heavenly Track Absorbing Spirit System."

Tianling Sect.

Founded by Ancestral Master Xuan Qi, after the "Heavenly Track Absorbing Spirit System" was perfected and Xuan Qi transformed himself into the Heavenly Track, he subdued all major sects within the realm, rising to become one of the Three Righteous Sects of Xuanxiang World—and firmly holding the top position.

The other two sects were required each year to surrender thirty percent of their entire sect's total cultivation advancement as tribute.

Now, it was once again time for the new cohort of disciples to enter.

Outer Sect: a vast green stone square.

Thick mist swirled and churned, spiritual energy so dense it seemed solid, intoxicating to behold.

Yet neither the cultivators armed and armored around the square nor the Outer Sect Elder in deep green robes on the highest dais breathed in even a fraction of it.

Instead, the newly admitted disciples, dressed in light green uniforms and resembling young green shoots, unable to resist after receiving their cultivation methods, several of them tentatively began to inhale.

Among these disciples, a slender boy lowered his head, holding his breath, not daring to inhale even a trace of spiritual energy.

In Tianling Sect, everything belonged to the sect—including these new recruits, the "Seedlings"!

After some time, more and more incoming disciples could no longer resist and began inhaling the dense, drifting spiritual energy around them.

The Outer Sect Elder on the cloud platform, feigning sleep with closed eyes, seemed to sense something; a faint smile appeared on his pale face.

Slowly opening his eyes, he gazed at the "Seedling" disciples inhaling spiritual energy, smiling now like an old farmer anticipating harvest.

All who joined Tianling Sect were unquestionably of superior talent.

He waved his hand; a cultivator at Qi Condensation Ninth Layer hurried over, bowing to listen.

"Record the names of those disciples inhaling my First-Rank spiritual energy; later, find them and have them sign spiritual contracts corresponding to the amount they inhaled."

"Yes, Disciple has remembered." The Qi Gathering ninth-layer disciple said humbly.

But when he straightened and looked at those disciples inhaling and exhaling spiritual energy, a flicker of something strange passed through his eyes.

Sorrow, mockery… hard to tell which.

Only after he left and returned to his original spot did the elder slowly rise.

With a sweep of his wide sleeves, the dense spiritual energy was swept clean, the thick mist swirling like a tornado into his sleeves.

Almost enough.

These new sprouts are all the sect's property; too many would draw the attention of Zhanglutang—those devils who eat flesh and spit bones are not easy to deal with.

Besides, I've intercepted part of these new sprouts for myself; the remaining first-grade spiritual energy can serve as the fine.

As for taxes…

Twelve and one-third spirit stones.

Zhanglutang is truly ruthless—even fines come with taxes!

But fortunately, there's still profit to be made.

In a flash of thought, the elder calculated and looked at the new sprouts before him, speaking loudly:

"From today, you are all Tianling Sect's Miao-level disciples. I hope you work diligently in your cultivation and do not squander the sect's grace."

His clear voice echoed across the entire square; some disciples, still unaware of what awaited them, looked excited.

"Grateful for the holy virtue of Anqi Ancestor!" All Miao-level disciples cried in unison.

The elder gave a slight nod, then turned to several high-level Qi Gathering disciples behind him: "Go."

"Disciples obey."

The disciples bowed deeply, then walked down to the crowd of new disciples, leading each group to their assigned locations.

The Miao-level disciples scattered sparsely across the square.

The elder gazed into the distance, unable to suppress a sigh. In a few years, when this batch of new sprouts matures, he should finally gather enough spirit stones to pay the tax for Jin Dan advancement.

Recalling the aura of the Jin Dan True Person from his memories, his longing grew stronger.

…

…

Leaving the paved green stone square, they entered a flat, winding mountain path stretching endlessly forward.

The thin youth—Mu Yong's group—was led away by a stern-faced youth who looked forbidding and unapproachable.

At this moment, the stern youth was giving instructions.

"Remember: from the moment you entered, your flesh, organs, even your soul no longer belong to you—everything you are is the sect's property."

Whoa!

This statement stirred a wave of murmurs among the Miao-level disciples; only Mu Yong's expression remained unchanged.

Hmph!

A cold snort rang like Lei Ting, echoing in everyone's ears.

!

Instantly, the murmurs ceased; all were stunned into pale-faced silence.

"If you don't want to be dragged off by Zhanglutang tomorrow to be turned into a corpse-lantern, shut up and listen!"

The intimidation clearly worked—even those with ashen faces dared not speak another word.

"You are all now 'Miao'-level disciples. The sect has taught you the Tianling Qi Gathering Scripture—and you must repay it!"

"Therefore, every day you cultivate, a thread of spiritual power will be extracted as interest."

"Once you've saved up three hundred and sixty-five threads, you may redeem yourself and become a 'Yiye' disciple."

"But if you fail to hand over even one thread per day…"

The stern youth suddenly turned back, grinning coldly.

"Heh! First time, we carve out half your spiritual sea. Second time, we rip out all your meridians. Third time, you're sent straight to Zhanglutang to be turned into a corpse-lantern—your soul refined into lamp oil to awaken the dead."

Huh~

A mountain breeze brushed past, sending a chill through their hearts; a thought involuntarily surfaced in their minds.

Isn't Tianling Sect the leader of the orthodox path?

Mu Yong clenched his fists, silent.

Though many Miao-level disciples were frightened, none dared to quit—they had waited too long for this chance to become "Immortal Masters."

Soon, the stern youth led them to an open field, where the view suddenly opened up.

Looking up, they saw distant clouds and mist, where jade pavilions and pearl palaces shimmered faintly.

Spiritual veins surged like rivers, vast and mighty.

Seven-colored rainbow bridges spanned the sky; shimmering lights darted back and forth; celestial cranes and auspicious beasts spread their wings and soared—a true immortal scene.

Seeing this, all the Miao-level disciples' eyes lit with awe; for an instant, they forgot everything they had just heard.

Compared to soaring through the azure heavens, riding the wind and commanding the air, what were a few costs?

Seeing their expressions, the stern youth's eyes flickered with mockery.

"Alright, you'll stay here. Do not enter the fifth-grade spiritual energy zone."

Gazing at the barren field, where only a few figures sat in meditation, one Miao-level disciple couldn't help asking: "Brother, where do we sleep?"

"The cheapest hut costs one thread of spiritual power per week—if you want it, I'll show you." The stern youth smiled faintly.

The disciple froze, opened his mouth, then dared not say another word.

Scanning the group, the stern youth suddenly smiled: "Each of you owes me one thread of spiritual power. Don't forget."

Mu Yong blinked, then, before the others could stir up noise, bowed and asked: "Brother, may I ask why?"

Leading new disciples into the sect was originally his duty; recklessly absorbing spiritual energy would draw the attention of Zhanglutang.

"Just now you all caused trouble, and I cast a spell to calm it — does that not require expending spiritual energy?"

A mere Soul-Deterring Curse, and yet…

Mu Yong knew it was not yet the time, so he said no more on the spot.

"Remember, you must return it to me in seven days!"

Dropping that one line, the cold, stern young man turned and walked away into the distance.

Staring at his retreating back, Mu Yong drew in a deep breath, stepped onto the open ground, and began to cultivate with closed eyes.

What he cultivated was the *Heavenly Spirit Qi Refinement Method*.

Although he did know better cultivation methods, he did not dare use them.

But those cultivation methods all had to be purchased from the sect, and he could not afford even a single one.

As for the cultivation methods that had not yet appeared, those he dared use even less!

……

……

Cultivation does not count the years and months; in the blink of an eye night had arrived.

Stars and moon adorned the sky, and the light of the Rainbow Bridge spirit vein illuminated the open ground.

Hoo~!

Spitting out a mouthful of turbid breath, feeling the three streams of pure spiritual energy circulating within his body, Mu Yong rose and walked toward a patch of shrubs nearby.

He grabbed a haphazard handful of old leaves already on the verge of rotting, stuffed them into his mouth and began to chew — the tender leaves had already been eaten clean.

The bitter, astringent flavor filled his mouth; with an expressionless face he chewed them to pieces before swallowing, while at the same time circulating the *Heavenly Spirit Qi Refinement Method* to digest them.

This could be considered the only thing about this damned sect worthy of praise.

Some people who had arrived here earlier and were still 'Sprout'-grade disciples stared at him in astonishment.

This person had actually cultivated spiritual energy, and had found a way to survive so quickly.

After eating several handfuls in a row, the spot where he had just plucked the leaves had already begun to sprout new buds.

Tianling Sect encouraged its disciples to eat grass.

After all, what one ate was grass, but what one squeezed out was cultivation!

Could there be anything better than this?

Just as Mu Yong grabbed another handful of old leaves, he saw a ghostly green light flicker in the forest ahead; looking into the distance, two people were walking along the mountain path.

Both wore black ceremonial robes, their footsteps nearly silent — upon closer look, one of them seemed to be carrying a corpse in his hand.

The other was carrying a green lantern, its green light cold and chilling to the bone.

Within the lantern's green glow, shadowy figures seemed to flicker and sway.

Wailing cries drifted over, mournful and desolate.

"I won't seek death anymore! This disciple won't seek death anymore!"

"Spare me once! Spare me once!"

The screams and wails came from within the lantern, as though the one inside was undergoing inhuman torment.

The hand with which Mu Yong gripped his handful of old leaves tightened a few degrees; he watched the two Zhanglutang disciples walk away like that, and only then did his expression suddenly turn ugly.

'Damned Tianling Sect.'

It was all because of this damned sect.

It had turned the whole world into something neither human nor ghost, and still styled itself the leader of the righteous path! (End of this chapter)