Chapter 437: A True Immortal Personally Enters the Fray?

Although she couldn't make out the specific type, there was no doubt—this was a spiritual plant.

In this world, where spiritual plants were strictly controlled and had nearly vanished from the outside.

Zhao Ruohan had only just arrived in the Cultivation Realm from the mortal world, and already stumbled upon a spiritual plant—and at a place like 【Wuwang Forest】, right on the border between immortal and mortal…

Could it be that her luck was simply better, so she happened to run into one?

Basically impossible.

Clearly, this matter was far from ordinary.

And indeed, that was exactly the case.

Not far behind the hanging curtain of emerald vines, a wisp of formless, drifting qi wandered in the clear breeze, quietly watching the few plain-white wood-fragrant flowers that hung down and swayed with the wind.

Looking past the petals—carved as if from mutton-fat Bai Yu—toward Zhao Ruohan behind them.

'Looks like she's from the Supreme Dao Sect…'

Why the hell did someone from the Supreme Dao Sect show up?!

The person who had transformed into formless qi and hidden within the clear breeze felt a surge of frustration in his heart.

Originally, after briefly learning that spiritual plants in this world were scarce and strictly controlled, he had received the first round of the 'shrinking circle' notification.

Knowing that anyone who failed to reach the Cultivation Realm within the allotted time would be eliminated, he immediately deduced that a batch of contestants had their starting points in the mortal world, and so came up with a scheme.

The mortal world of this realm was a place where spiritual energy was utterly absent; even replenishing magic power was difficult.

So the first thing these people would do upon reaching the Cultivation Realm was replenish their magic power, and if they encountered spiritual plants along the way, they'd take them along as well.

After all!

They didn't know that spiritual plants in the Cultivation Realm were actually strictly controlled, and wild ones were rare.

A perfect opportunity—he could exploit this information gap and see if he could harvest one or two points this way…

Those old geezers in their fifties and sixties—he really couldn't beat them!

So he had taken a spiritual herb he brought this time, modified it slightly, and set it up as this trap.

A triple-linked pill formation, consuming a hundred and twenty pills in total—pull one hair and the whole body moves.

Even if those old fellows in their fifties or sixties accidentally triggered it, they'd absolutely lose a layer of skin!

But damn it, the one who came was from the Supreme Dao Sect!

The old schemers of the Supreme Dao Sect were famously cautious; he didn't dare guarantee that his 'trap' would definitely work.

He wasn't even sure whether the other party was actually an avatar…

Damn it!

Why couldn't it be some hothead like Chi Jiuyu from the Xiang Jianzong, or someone from the Divine Mechanism Treasure Refining Pavilion, or even Ling Yin Fang, or the Hehuan Sect would have been fine too!

Although he kept grumbling inwardly, his face remained perfectly composed.

What if this was a contestant disguised as a member of the Supreme Dao Sect, or perhaps one of the less 'cautious' types within the sect?

'Cautious' was only the overall style of the Supreme Dao Sect; it didn't mean everyone within the sect was like that.

No matter what, there would still be some different people appearing…

Like the one Chi Jiuyu had made cry in the previous session.

So he continued to hold his position, waiting patiently and observing the situation.

Zhao Ruohan merely glanced at the small plain-white wood-fragrant flowers hanging from the emerald vine curtain, then sat cross-legged in midair and began to breathe in and circulate her qi, restoring her magic power.

Although she wasn't the especially 'cautious' type of cultivator like those within the sect.

She had still done some disguise—at the very least, ordinary methods couldn't see through her true form.

"…"

The person hidden in the shadows found her actions utterly baffling.

Did she discover him, and was now preparing to lure him out?

He couldn't be blamed for overthinking—facing the old schemers of the Supreme Dao Sect, if you didn't overthink a little, it was practically the same as seeking death…

But after a slight hesitation, he ultimately decided to make a move.

Silently, wisps of nearly formless, qualityless particles, like fine grains of quicksand, mingled in the air and slowly drifted toward Zhao Ruohan, who was meditating and breathing.

Green Pearl Qi-Freezing Powder!

A medicinal powder refined primarily from a spiritual herb called 'Green Pearl.'

It could attach itself to spiritual energy, and following a cultivator's meditation and breathing, silently invade the cultivator's body, freezing the circulation of their magic power.

For those with especially deep foundations, it could only serve to interfere.

But that was enough!

Just like that, at the moment the medicinal powder was about to be drawn into Zhao Ruohan's body.

Buzz~!

Around her, streaks of greenish-azure light appeared—mysterious, profound radiance imbued with arcane runes—circling around her body, wondrous beyond words.

Innate divine ability!

Wan Qing Yuan Mu Supreme Immortal Light!

"Who?!"

Zhao Ruohan's eyes snapped open, the Supreme Immortal Light around her expanding, crushing outward in all directions!

Rune after rune materialized in the void!

The 'Green Pearl Qi-Freezing Powder' hidden in the air, nearly formless and qualityless, was forced out directly by the strange power of the immortal light's runes.

And she herself rapidly retreated backward, putting distance between herself and the spiritual plant.

If she still couldn't tell by now that there was something wrong with that spiritual plant, all her years of cultivation would have been for nothing.

That was close!

I was just one step away from getting caught!

Fortunately, I acted with caution, observed for a while first, and shielded myself with primordial divine ability.

"Come out!"

The speed of a Soul Transformation cultivator is astonishing—within an instant, they retreated an immense distance.

Then, Zhao Ruohan softly cried out again, and the Supreme Immortal Light of the Wan Qing Yuan Mu surged forward, crushing the tiny flower spirit, spreading behind it to seal off all directions, aiming to force out the hidden figure.

"What an unusual divine ability!"

Seeing there was no escape, a voice emerged from the breeze, and an invisible qi transformed into a pale, slender hand with long, flowing green sleeves.

It pressed directly toward the terrifying Immortal Light rushing at it.

Om~

After an extremely muffled sound, Zhao Ruohan's probing strike vanished into thin air.

The swirling dust settled, revealing a alchemist dressed in a long green-sleeved robe embroidered with a cauldron pattern.

"Hiding in the shadows to launch a surprise attack—how despicable," Zhao Ruohan said coldly.

"..."

How can your Supreme Dao Sect even say such a thing?

But this one seems genuinely different—by appearance, he's not a projection...

Her thoughts raced instantly, and she made her decision!

"No more words!"

Now that he was exposed, the alchemist from Ji Shi Valley had no patience for further talk.

This man isn't some old geezer of fifty or sixty—while her magic power hasn't fully replenished, strike now!

"Nine Elixirs' Power—Unleash!"

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Three heartbeats, like war drums, each stronger than the last, each surpassing the one before!

On the third beat, the muffled heartbeat sent out a terrifying wave of heat, forcing the surrounding trees to bow low!

The terrifying medicinal power prepared within her spiritual sea was released all at once!

The chaotic-colored flame formed from the Ji Shi Dan Jing burned fiercely, decomposing the vast medicinal power and delivering it to every corner of her body without damaging her foundation in the slightest.

Nine-Elixir Blood-Explosion Pill, Star-Source Soul-Strengthening Pill, Three-Qi Body-Enhancing Pill, Thousand-Pearl Magic-Power Pill...!

Hssss...!

Amidst a rising cloud of scalding steam, the Ji Shi Valley alchemist's body swelled to over three meters tall.

His green-sleeved robe was stretched taut by bulging muscles, even the wide sleeves turning narrow, his knuckles twisted with prominent veins—terrifying to behold!

Hu~!

A powerful gust swept through, blowing away the scalding steam around him.

The alchemist's entire skin flushed crimson, like a steamed crab, revealing a row of stark white teeth—fierce and monstrous.

"Let's begin!"

If Chi Jiuyu saw this, she'd surely sigh—sigh that little Zhao still doesn't know how to adapt.

If it were her, she'd never give this fool so many chances—before he even finished speaking his first sentence, her sword would've already pierced through him!

"Scale of Ages!"

Zhao Ruohan spoke coldly, and as she did, a phantom balance appeared—she chose outright to use the system to weaken her opponent!

She waited only to fight fairly—but that didn't mean she'd abandon her own advantages!

As his aura began to dip, the Wan Qing Yuan Mu Supreme Immortal Light gathered in her palm, solidifying into a long sword, slashing toward the alchemist!

Exactly the same approach as Chi Jiuyu.

At this moment, within the Xuan Realm, the performances of all participants in the Xian Sect Grand Competition were being watched by the Immortals, the leaders of every Gedaxian Sect, and several Supreme Elders.

Whether on the main timeline or the two branching ones.

Chen Shang, the Chairman of the Righteous Alliance, watching each participant's performance across all timelines, grew increasingly grave.

It must be said, the younger generation of the Xian Sects truly outshines the younger generation of the Alliance.

Within the Alliance, only a handful could match the average level of these Xian Sect Grand Competition contestants.

And among these few, only Chen Yuanlin could be called "excellent."

But compared to the top tier—like Chi Jiuyu of the Xiang Jianzong, the Immortal's child of the Supreme Dao Sect, the Long Xiang Qing Tian Sect, the Ling Yin Fang, Ji Shi Valley, or even the very best of the Hehuan Sect...

They still fell short.

Fortunately, after the lessons of the last Martial Exhibition, Chen Yuanlin had reflected deeply and begun seeking ways to mend his hollow foundation, damaged by his haste for quick advancement.

If he could repair it, he might just catch up.

Yet, more than the performance of the Xian Sect's younger generation, what truly weighed on Chen Shang's mind was the "Tai Xuan Immortal Net"—the system that could manipulate world rules and grant each contestant immense advantages.

As Chairman of the Righteous Alliance—a vast, complex organization even more intricate than the Xian Sects—Chen Shang immediately saw the potential of this "Tai Xuan Immortal Net."

Exploring beyond the realms...

Will this become the dominant direction of the future?

How, in this coming great era, can the Righteous Alliance keep pace with the tide of progress?

Just as Chen Shang felt uncertain about the future of the Righteous Alliance...

The gathered immortals were also discussing the disciples' performances this time.

It's just that the tone of the conversation was a bit strange...

Inside the Grand Mystic Immortal Net chat group.

Pill Ancestor: "Not bad, not bad. Daoist Hong Zun, this daughter of yours has quite the comprehension."

Pill Ancestor: "The sword art she displayed actually carries a trace of Xiang Jianzong's disciple's essence."

Pill Ancestor: "It's just that her temperament is a bit too blunt and straightforward. In that regard, she really doesn't resemble Daoist Hong Zun..."

Hong Zun, after all!

A publicly known super schemer—even 'Heaven' itself was led around by the nose by him—yet unexpectedly his daughter turned out this straightforward.

Hong Zun: "/smile"

Hong Zun: "If you can't speak properly, you don't have to speak at all."

Hegemon Ancestor: "Daoist brother, seeing all this must have brought up some rather unpleasant memories /sideways glance laugh"

Xiang Jianzong: "..."

Master Mei Zu: "This concubine knows /stands up and raises hand"

Master Mei Zu: "At this moment, we should ask the other party involved @Xiang Yuanjun"

Master Mei Zu: "As one of the rare few in our group who has bullied Daoist brother, may I ask what your thoughts are /little yellow duck holding up a microphone"

This person really has every kind of sticker imaginable!

Xiang Yuanjun: "..."

Xiang Yuanjun: "/you shall have a calamity of bloodshed today"

Master Mei Zu: "/scared"

Back then, Xu Xing and Xiang Yuanjun had sparred, and she ended up learning his sword art and hanging him out to dry. Although it happened long ago, during the immortals' last grand gathering, Hong Zun had specifically brought it up to tease him.

So this too counts as a widely known dark history.

Master Mei Zu: "Xiang Jianzong, did your disciple cheat? /accusation"

Master Mei Zu: "Your disciple actually walked right into the Cultivation Realm and just picked up points for free."

Xiang Jianzong: "Bullshit."

Xiang Jianzong: "Can't I just be lucky?"

Because Master Mei Zu's sticker library had grown increasingly rich, Bie Xuening now basically didn't use stickers much anymore.

Otherwise, there was always this feeling of being 'a head shorter'...

Elder Lingzu: "I've met that junior. His blessed fate is indeed quite good."

Elder Lingzu: "However, ordinarily because he's Xiang Jianzong's disciple, the various phenomena he displays are somewhat weaker."

Elder Lingzu: "Last time as well, he advanced to Soul Transformation only after Xiang Jianzong fell out of the realm."

Elder Lingzu: "From this point, differences in the world itself will cause the influence of the 'Dao' to be weakened."

Elder Lingzu: "I'm currently researching this. I'll inform everyone of the results as soon as I have them."

Ning Ruo's sudden few words caused the group to fall silent at once.

And so quite a while passed...

Master Mei Zu: "/blah blah blah"

Master Mei Zu: "/little yellow duck has stopped thinking"

Master Mei Zu: "Feels like Elder Lingzu exists specifically to correct the overall vibe of our group."

Master Mei Zu: "Xiang Jianzong, what do you think?"

Xiang Jianzong: "None of your damn business."

Xiang Jianzong: "I'll watch standing, sitting, lying down."

Master Mei Zu: /heartbroken

It was a sticker of a little yellow duck slowly kneeling down while clutching its chest.

In the short span of those few sentences, the great battle within the Profound Mystic Realm had already concluded.

Neither Zhao Ruohan nor that alchemist from Jishi Valley had been able to gain the upper hand against the other.

In the end, neither side wished to fight to the point of mutual destruction here, so they each withdrew.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Chi Jiuyu, the one with 'quite good blessed fate,' had already been put on a wanted list, and a Return-to-Void cultivator from the Blood Vajra Temple had personally set out to pursue and kill him.

Zhao Ruoming, on the other hand, was still staying inside Zhitui Xiancheng. From the looks of it, she had no intention of leaving anytime soon.

Besides this, four Charm Cultivators from the Hehuan Sect had gathered together. Having no pursuit of 'ranking,' they planned to cooperate in building several simple spirit-net base stations, deploying some projection units, and earning a bit of essence, energy, desire, and the like.

The most noteworthy was the Divine Mechanism Treasure Refining Pavilion—several artifact refiners had gone to find a few mineral veins.

Although none of them were 'spirit mines,' after smelting and forging, then linking them with the basic component parts they carried, and inscribing array patterns, they could still produce decent effects...

Each of them seemed to be preparing to hand-craft a 'Gundam.'

And the first 'circle shrinkage' had finally arrived.

Master Mei Zu had a sudden whim and proposed in the group.

Master Mei Zu: "How about when we shrink the safe zone the second time, we change the rule that says 'those who fail to reach the safe zone are immediately eliminated and ranked'?"

Master Mei Zu: "Anyway, this world has already been moved inside the realm. We can use the Immortal Net to deploy avatars and go put some pressure on the contestants still 'outside the circle.'"

This means...

Personally entering the fray? (End of chapter)