Chapter 439: Entering the Realm

After silently making a decision, Chi Jiuyu sent a wisp of magic power into the hexagonal crystal array base; as the base glowed faintly, the spiritual energy patterns covering the ground and cave walls brightened slightly.

Invisible ripples vibrated through the air, masking the traces of spiritual energy flow.

The array's effect couldn't be called great—after all, it was low-tier; even a graduate of an array discipline with minimal effort could detect anomalies here using simple magical tools.

But in this world, paired with her own concealment technique, it was more than sufficient.

This was the gap in technical level!

After confirming the array was stable, Chi Jiuyu rose and stepped outside the cave, gazing toward the direction of the distant "Miao City," her eyes glowing with faint Jin Guang.

As the nominal leader of the righteous path in the Xuanxiang Realm, Tianling Sect's methods were not as "direct" or "crude" as those of the Blood Vajra Temple, a demonic sect.

They would never engage in wanton slaughter of mortals or hoard "living blood" in such a shortsighted manner.

After all, every ordinary person carried the potential to become a "Miao"—Tianling Sect's greatest treasure.

"No illness, no affliction, light and healthy body, a spark of spiritual energy lodged in the orifices—that is what qualifies as a 'Miao,'" Chi Jiuyu muttered, recalling the phrase she'd heard earlier.

Just as the Blood Vajra Temple had dedicated halls to collect "living blood" and cultivate "Yuan Tai,"

the cities under Tianling Sect's rule varied greatly.

"Miao City," as Chi Jiuyu had just recited, housed only those whose bodies harbored spiritual energy, free of illness and affliction.

In more conventional cultivation worlds, these would be called "those with spiritual roots."

They were Tianling Sect's top choice for disciples and one of its most vital "assets."

The city was equipped with a Spirit Gathering Array, capable of gathering mundane spiritual energies to nourish the flesh and meridians.

By the way, the Xuanxiang Realm classified all spiritual energies into five grades; below grade five was "mixed," while above grade five lay pure spiritual primordial qi, also called "superior spiritual energy."

Besides nurturing "new Miao" in "Miao Cities," Tianling Sect also operated specialized "Fruit Domains" for harvesting cultivation resources.

These were numerous.

Vitality, soul force, lifespan, fortune…

For instance, in the "Vitality Fruit Domain," all inhabitants were robust and healthy but lacked any spiritual energy.

Tianling Sect taught them body-strengthening and qi-nourishing methods, fed them meat, then deployed the 【Pastoral Spirit Harvesting Vitality and Blood Array】, extracting a portion of their vitality twice daily.

Until their potential was exhausted, their bodies withered to bone and sinew, unable to sustain vitality, until death and soul dissolution.

Such methods squandered potential, typically reducing lifespan to under forty years.

Yet even so, countless people flocked to the "Vitality Fruit Domain"…

The other "Fruit Domains" employed similar methods.

Cultivating vitality, enhancing soul force, strengthening lifespan, prolonging fortune.

Then, when the time was ripe, they were "harvested" by various means.

Proving the founding ancestor of Tianling Sect's words: "Spirit is the root of all things; humanity is the pinnacle of spiritual nature…"

Beyond "Miao Cities" and "Fruit Domains," there were also the origin points—the "Root Pulse Realms"—and the "Spirit Soil Base," which nourished the entire Tianling Sect.

"Damn!"

Swearing, Chi Jiuyu's Jin Guang dimmed, and she returned into the cave.

It was precisely because she had seen a Tianling Sect "Root Pulse Realm," witnessing living people transported like factory products to be crushed for marrow and drained dry, that she had lost control and acted.

The result? Not only had she drawn the attention of Tianling Sect's Return-to-Void cultivators, but even those turned into "cargo" and dispatched to various Fruit Domains and Miao Cities now hated her!

It seemed 99% of people accepted their fate as "consumables," destined to die without value.

It wasn't just physical—it was psychological cognition too…

Hmm…

"I wonder how Master and Senior Uncle will ultimately handle this world."

Shenghuang Yuan had said something like… it's easy to break something, but hard to destroy it?

After pondering for a while, Chi Jiuyu decided to temporarily set aside such complex questions.

She then retrieved a spiritual energy stove, placed a pot on it, and poured in water.

She took out the ingredients and seasonings she had prepared in advance…

In matters of food, as long as it didn't exceed a certain limit, it wouldn't count against her initial one-million-spirit-coin allowance.

Though she could survive without eating, she'd nearly been crushed not long ago; now that she had rare rest, she might as well treat herself well…

Pure white spiritual flames licked the bottom of the pot as Chi Jiuyu gazed outside the cave—the sky had turned slate-gray, dotted with stars.

Suddenly, she realized the time was nearly up.

With a thought, a semi-transparent pale blue screen appeared before her.

【Name: Chi Jiuyu】

【Age: 23】

【Realm: Soul Transformation Early Stage】

【Current System Loaded: Scale of Ages】

【Current Points: 1】

【Current Ranking: 1】

【Remaining Time: 00:00:13】

Thirteen seconds…

Her gaze locked again on the ranking.

She was still number one, meaning no one else had yet collected two elimination points.

"This competition's difficulty is high…"

Thirteen seconds passed in an instant; the screen instantly flashed new lines of text.

【First Round Ended!】

【Failed to reach safe zone: 0】

【Current eliminated: 3】

【Remaining: 102】

【Era Balance System: 52 people】

【Amplification Light (Type I) System: 37 people】

【Battle Strength Self System: 10 people】

【Thousand Transformations Dao Record System: 3 people】

"Fifty-two people…?"

What the hell!

There are fifty-one others with the same system as me!

Chi Jiuyu felt utterly deflated.

Is my Nine Yu Laozu really that common?!

But new text appeared soon after.

【Prompt: Remaining contestants' system performance unlocked by 20%!】

【Prompt: Safe zone updated. Must reach it within 72 hours. Those still outside after 72 hours will be hunted by cultivators of the same realm!】

Hm?

Hunted by same-realm cultivators?

Same realm?

Chi Jiuyu scratched her head, confused.

It's not bragging to say that, as Nine Yu Laozu, I'm not afraid of any same-realm Soul Transformation in this world—even one from the Central Continent!

So I don't even need to bother running to the safe zone!

Thinking this, she glanced at the updated safe zone.

Oh~ I don't even need to go looking—I'm already inside it.

Hss~!

Still, she found the idea of being hunted by same-realm cultivators intriguing.

Maybe…

Go take a look?

What kind of same-realm cultivator could possibly hunt Nine Yu Laozu?!

The water in the pot gradually boiled under the spiritual flame's heat. Chi Jiuyu snapped back to attention and summoned her primordial sword.

Then, she began commanding it to cook.

Yes, under Chi Jiuyu's coaxing, a primordial sword with limitless potential had learned to cook excellently!

To the point she could easily pass a Spiritual Chef exam…

Amid a hum, threads of sword-light danced—sometimes like a nimble azure dragon, sometimes like a gentle, ceaseless rain, nourishing without sound.

Slicing, shaving, thin, even slices of ingredients traced graceful arcs into the pot.

"No wonder this sword is mine—it's amazing!" Chi Jiuyu gave a thumbs-up.

My primordial sword is perfect, except for being stubborn about its name.

…

…

There were actually quite a few contestants who shared Chi Jiuyu's thoughts.

As the chosen prodigies of their sects, who didn't have high pride? Many wanted to see these same-realm hunters!

To see what kind of merit they had to dare hunt them—mere same-realm cultivators!

Among those who thought this way, the Sword Sect and the Long Xiang Qing Tian Sect had the most.

Two brute sects—it made sense.

The fewest were naturally the Taishang Dao Sect and the Hehuan Sect.

One rarely risked itself; the other was busy gathering essence and desire.

But…

Due to strict control by sects across the Xuan Realm, the latter wasn't going well.

Meanwhile, at the exact moment the Tai Xuan Immortal Net announced the end of Round One:

In the Tai Xuan Realm, within the Master Jianzu's Hall.

Xu Xing and Bie Xuening watched the Tai Xuan Immortal Net chat interface.

Elder Lingzu: "It's about time—I've finished adjusting all parameters."

Elder Lingzu: "Everyone, remember to record your data."

Master Jianzu: "Understood."

Tyrant Lord: "Received."

Hong Lord: "+1"

Dan Ancestor: "+1"

A True Immortal's thought could traverse the myriad worlds; entering the Xuan Realm was effortless.

Entering via the Tai Xuan Immortal Net was comparatively more troublesome.

But Ning Ruo said it was perfect to test the Immortal Net's stability, so a little trouble was fine.

Xu Xing looked to his side: "Sister."

Bie Xuening nodded slightly: "Mm."

A thought arose, and a response followed!

Hum~!

At the deepest point of the Master Jianzu's Hall, the node of the Tai Xuan Immortal Web.

A strange sight like a swirling nebula— at its center, the crimson "Immortal Power Core" suddenly blazed with brilliant light!

Streams of secondary Immortal Power flowed out from it, passing through countless subordinate nodes that divided, transformed, and weakened it until it was reduced to a level the Xuanxiang Realm could withstand.

Finally, along the invisible pathways of the Tai Xuan Immortal Web, it manifested in the main timeline of the Xuanxiang Realm and along its two time branches, appearing as countless humanoid figures.

……

……

Xuanxiang Realm, the Mortal World.

Sparse clouds veiled the Cangshan mountains, the dusk heavy and deep.

A crescent moon hung high in the sky, casting faint, cold moonlight.

Below the mountains stretched endless dense forests; beside the forest, a small river wound its way, and a few uniquely shaped dwellings sat among the fields, dark and silent.

Rise with the sun to work, rest when it sets.

After a day's labor, the people living here had long since fallen asleep.

On the cliff, a blurred silhouette gradually took shape, solidifying completely in less than a blink, appearing atop the high cliff.

It was none other than Xu Xing and Bie Xuening.

They gazed toward the distance, then turned their eyes back to each other.

"Close to expectations—the error is smaller than before," Xu Xing said.

This time, their avatar projection through the Tai Xuan Immortal Web had far less error than the previous attempt.

Presumably, Ning Ruo, after receiving the data from that prior incursion, had further optimized the Immortal Web.

"It seems we only need to make a few minor adjustments from now on."

Having experienced it firsthand, he also saw several aspects that could be refined.

"Mm."

Bie Xuening merely gave a soft reply.

She was not skilled in this area and offered no further opinions.

She glanced around.

This place… was where that rebellious disciple entered the realm.

"What now?"

"…" Xu Xing paused briefly. "It's still early. No need to rush to the Cultivation Realm—let's just wander for now."

This method of entering the realm via the Immortal Web felt similar to how he previously cast his Sword Intent Spiritual Body beyond the realm.

Perfect—once the Grand Competition ends, I'll cleanse this world thoroughly.

Xiang Yuanjun's side… the improved version of the Tui Shen Zhen Fa should already be complete.

When the teachings are transmitted, those who wish to cultivate live; those who refuse, die.

Bie Xuening glanced at the nine six-layer bronze armillary sphere, then quickly looked away.

"Alright."

Indeed, as her younger brother said, it was still early.

And with no one to disturb them, though they were Sword Intent Spiritual Bodies, it was perfect to stroll the scenery with her younger brother…

"Elder Brother, Sword Sovereign, good evening…"

Before the person arrived, a soft, seductive, tender voice preceded her.

Soon, a figure in red robes appeared, her toes lightly touching the clouds as she floated gracefully before them.

Bie Xuening: "…"

How did this thing find us!

Master Mei Zu, dressed in a red dress, stepped forward and extended her hand as if to link arms with Bie Xuening—but Bie Xuening sidestepped away.

Yet she didn't mind, still smiling as she leaned closer.

"What are your plans next?"

"We'll wander around first, then head to the Cultivation Realm when the time comes," Xu Xing said.

"Mm-mm! I thought the same—let's go together!" Master Mei Zu completely ignored Bie Xuening's cold expression.

Online, she could still argue with me—but this isn't online.

Still, I must be careful not to provoke her into anger and draw her sword on me…

First, stroll with Elder Brother and Sword Sovereign, then find Sword Sovereign's disciple.

Sword Sovereign's disciple is mischievous—I've been interested in him since long ago.

"Let's go, leave this place," Xu Xing said decisively.

The three departed one after another, vanishing into the moonlight.

……

……

Above the Cultivation Realm, 【Zhitui Xiancheng】.

A Daoist clad in black-and-white robes hovered in midair, silently observing the city below.

Amid sparse lantern light, paper figures—skin and flesh gone, bones and souls scattered, faces painted in vivid red—drifted aimlessly along the streets, dazed and stumbling.

Within these hollow shells, only a single spark of true spirit remained.

In the 【Green Talisman Hall】, a man whose features bore some resemblance to the Daoist's, yet appeared more full of vigor, was hunched over a desk.

His right hand held a brush; the tip was dipped in cinnabar, trailing wisps of Yu Qing Xuan Guang, as he traced strokes upon a sheet of yellow paper—three cun and two fen long, one cun and two fen wide—before him.

Drawing a Zao Sheng Fu.

It could draw upon the Qi of Heaven and Earth to recreate flesh, blood, bone, and soul.

Yet scattered haphazardly at his side lay many "wasted talismans," their patterns drawn in broken, incomplete lines—clearly, he had failed many times already.

Seeing Hong Zun said nothing, nor did he lend a hand.

After withdrawing his gaze, he looked off into the distance once more.

Zhao Ruohan paused outside a "Longevity Fruit Domain," stood still for a long while, and finally, wreathed in immortal light, stepped within.

Though compared to their elder brothers and sisters, they still lacked a measure of tempering, when it came to the choices made at a critical moment…

"Not bad at all." (End of Chapter)