Chapter 174: Becoming a Menial Requires Queuing

The inner eight layers require passing through the Sea of Thunder Punishment; its difficulty matches a full-force strike from the Earth Profound Realm. To break through, you need a strong physique, or to use formations with spiritual artifact support, plus healing pills—you can pass.

Murong Yu quickly plotted a route for them, noting who needed formations and who needed healing pills, etc.

To pass the checkpoint with minimal resource expenditure.

Shortly after, he met with Qianren: 'The nine-layer checkpoint requires first enduring a strike of Earth Profound Realm thunder punishment, then a gatekeeper's mark appears; in almost every aspect, it has reached the pinnacle of the Spirit Transformation Realm. To defeat it… perhaps only by entering the Earth Profound Realm.'

Furthermore, he will use the Dao you excel at to defeat you, shattering your inner conviction.

The two spoke angrily, 'This is utterly unfair; in a direct fight we would not fear it, and we have a fifty-fifty chance!'

But if struck once by an Earth Profound Realm thunder punishment, there's no time to heal; even if one tries to avoid it, using defensive formations or various defensive spiritual artifacts, one will still be injured.

In battles between peers of equal talent, a hair's breadth difference leads to a thousand-mile loss.

A tiny gap may cause the scales of victory to tip.

Therefore, it is simply impossible to pass through in the Spirit Transformation Realm.

"If you want to pass, you must first buy a perfect Profound Tier one-time defensive grand formation for two million spirit stones, plus Earth Tier healing pills to restore the body and spirit sense for three million spirit stones."

"Although the cost is high, this is also a helpless move; his blade is as fast as mine, and if injured, even the slightest delay in reaction will result in being cut down."

"This time we've almost spent ten million spirit stones—enough to buy a perfect Earth Tier great medicine!"

Qianren revealed what he had prepared; his body emanated a sharp intent, the sword intent hidden in his scabbard ready to burst forth.

A hundred thousand spirit stones per attempt is nothing to them, so they tried again and again, only to discover… this is completely beyond their ability to overcome.

But… ten million spirit stones just for a perfected Dao heart, perfected foundation, and breaking through to the Earth Profound Realm—this cost is too extravagant.

His heart ached intensely.

According to the interest, in thirty years he will need to repay twenty million spirit stones.

That is enough to purchase a low-grade Heaven Tier spiritual herb!

If he lacks the ability to repay, then sorry… the interest will skyrocket.

So Qianren also feels some pressure now.

Actually, I'm just a loose cultivator; my master once abandoned me in the West Sea Main Territory for training, and from start to finish, I never had more than a million spirit stones on me.

Now I'm directly in debt.

After hearing this, Murong Yu also felt his scalp tingle; although he is the Holy Son of Crouching Dragon Mountain Villa, his top-tier spiritual artifacts all belong to the sect.

His assets are also only around eight million spirit stones.

"Forget it, I'll walk the same path as you."

"For this checkpoint, we cannot pass; when the time comes, we can simply accept missions from the Profound Yang Sect—completing a few dozen Earth Profound Realm tasks will be enough."

"If we can't gather enough, in the future I will return to Crouching Dragon Mountain Villa to vie for the position of manor lord!"

"Any amount of spirit stones is enough to repay!"

"When we join forces, I will also help you settle the accounts then!"

After breaking through to the Earth Profound Realm, taking on some missions from the Profound Yang Sect also provides training effects.

If successful, in the future we will far surpass Li Haoyang and others, be relied upon by the Young Master, and tens of millions of spirit stones will be nothing.

Even a few more billions would be fine!

After breaking through to Venerable and the Dao Tier, who doesn't have this much wealth?

But… they are all geniuses; when signing the contract, they didn't examine it closely, thinking it unnecessary, and just waved a hand to sign.

Status is what matters most.

Immediately… Murong Yu came to Elder Qi Tai's side, purchased many treasures, and the two stepped into Leize together.

This drew much attention.

"They've started attempting the checkpoint again."

"The expenditure during this period… is unimaginable."

Dongfang Yuan and the other inner disciples now had bitter expressions on their faces.

They never expected that the sect leader's followers would be so decisive, routinely taking out loans of millions of spirit stones.

These two are even more extravagant.

All just to enter the core region of Leize.

They directly took ten million spirit stones.

"Boom!"

Shortly after, the projection surged, emitting a thunder-like rumbling, with heavenly thunder light filling the sky and condensing above.

Winding and thick like a silver lightning dragon, it suddenly fell.

Although the two had formations protecting their bodies, they still sustained some injuries.

They immediately used Earth Tier healing medicine to recover.

When facing the gatekeeper of the inner nine layers, the two seemed somewhat strained.

But with resources continually flowing into their bodies, in the end both were covered in blood, their clothes torn, severely wounded, and relying on their spiritual artifacts, they barely defeated the gatekeeper.

"Boom!"

"Breaking the record, the Profound Yang Sect has for the first time a person under thirty break through the core region, rewarding a single Thunder Dao Essence Baptism."

Leize Zhiling, above the firmament, couldn't help but tremble in heart, wondering what exactly had happened to the Profound Yang Sect.

Why such a world-shaking change?

But inwardly he was secretly delighted, because recently Zhu Jing had taken notice of him, continuously infusing energy, and he himself was continually improving.

Not long from now, he will be able to break through; then… the outermost first layer will at least require Foundation Establishment to enter, and breaking through will be even more difficult than before.

As long as he becomes the Profound Yang Sect's most important secret realm.

What could possibly contend with him for overcoming the heavenly thunder tribulation?

Whatever you can do, I can give it to the Lord!

Furthermore, the more people who break through the core region, the more benefits Zhu Jing will bestow.

Because the Leize Secret Realm was originally, in ancient times, an ancient great sect recruited disciples to test talent and combat strength.

These derived secondary secret realms still have room for advancement, but they need permission from Zhu Jing to unlock it.

The more geniuses there are, the more candidates we can recruit.

By then, replacing Zhu Jing is even possible!

These days, it has also heard some news from these trial disciples.

My Lord, he has already become the sect leader of the Profound Yang Sect!

"My ambition is to become Zhu Jing and turn all the Leize trials across the myriad worlds into the Profound Yang Sect's trial grounds for selecting disciples."

"You are merely a forbidden thunder tribulation; what do you have to oppose me?"

"Hah."

Leize Zhiling, with hands behind his back, felt full of heroic vigor.

After a moment, once Murong Yu and the other had finished absorbing, they were sent out of the Leize Secret Realm back to the plaza.

They all took out healing pills, swallowed them, absorbed their energy, and recovered from their injuries.

After a moment, having barely stabilized, he wanted to return to his residence, preparing to break through to the Earth Profound Realm to become the first among the Young Master's followers to take this step!

But... just then.

Li Haoyang and Zhang Taiwu, leading a group of outer sect disciples of the great sect, arrived at Leize.

Having heard that entering the core region would bring many benefits, they directly formed a group and headed there.

During this time, they were all breaking through.

When the two lineages met, the atmosphere on the field instantly became heavy and solemn.

"You're only coming now? Hah... too late." Murong Yu endured the intense pain from his flesh, his feather fan swayed in his hand, and he said lightly.

"One step behind, every step behind." Qianren shook his head, his inner turmoil flared, having received the baptism of the Thunder Dao's essence; now he feels his physical energy overflowing, and even gained new insight into blade intent.

But... it's all worth it.

Even if it cost ten million spirit stones.

It's definitely worth it!

Li Haoyang and the others, upon hearing this, were somewhat confused and did not understand what they were saying.

"You two haven't broken through to the Earth Profound Realm; are you mentally deranged?"

"Two idiots."

They all shook their heads; the entire group headed to the Leize Secret Realm, led by... the little girl Xiao Xiao.

And she was also the most ferocious, directly sweeping aside the outer perimeter, each step covering a hundred meters, entering the inner perimeter.

Any gatekeeper, under her, could not withstand a single move and was instantly killed.

Inner perimeter, seventh layer... inner perimeter, eighth layer...

Upon entering the ninth layer of the inner region, she saw the earth Xuan‑level thunder punishment power, stretched out her snow‑white, tender little hand, clenched it into a fist, and blasted it forth.

The sky‑filling thunderclouds instantly shattered.

The gatekeeper, who was about to act, saw this, blinked his eyes, then directly dropped his battle knife and vanished on the spot.

What's there to fight?

They're already at Earth Xuan second layer.

"Xiao Xiao broke the record: at sixteen, she reached Earth Xuan second layer; even among the great clans, she is a top‑tier monster, her combat power extraordinary, having received three baptisms of the Thunder Dao's essence and a reward of a million spirit stones."

At this moment…… on Leize Guangchang, the followers who had not joined the outer sect were all stunned.

Murong Yu's face darkened; Earth Xuan second layer…… could he have been popping heavenly pills?

That ferocious?

Moreover, as an outer sect member, they had one free entry chance, and now they've even taken out a million spirit stones??

For no reason, his throat felt sweet, as if he wanted to spit blood.

But considering this person's identity is also extremely mysterious, and the divine abilities they wield are all ancient great arts, it makes sense.

After a moment, Li Haoyang, Qi Hong and others also arrived at the ninth layer of the inner region; the gatekeeper had the same reaction, directly dropping his battle knife and vanishing on the spot.

"Qi Hao, Qi Hong broke the record, Earth Xuan first layer……"

Murong Yu saw the brilliant lines of golden text; at this moment he could barely contain himself, his mind in turmoil, he let out a low roar: "They, have they all broken through to Earth Xuan?"

How the hell is this possible? The Earth Xuan realm is a watershed; he and Qianren were once top talents of West Divine Prefecture, yet they've been stuck here for about ten days.

"They must have forced their way through the gate…… they must have."

"Our Dao hearts are perfect, our flesh perfect; by relying on this to break through, in the future, at the same realm, they will no longer be our opponents!"

Murong Yu muttered, then regained his composure.

But after Xiao Xiao and the others walked out, the projection on Leize Guangchang switched again to those followers with earth‑rank talent.

【Zhang Tao, under thirty, Earth Xuan first layer, with mid‑tier earth‑rank aptitude, broke through the inner region and entered the core, rewarded with three hundred thousand spirit stones……】

【Wan Xuan, under thirty……】

One name after another appeared in the field.

Becoming followers who are outer‑sect disciples of the Xuanyang Sect.

At this moment, everyone is Earth Xuan!

"This…… is the blessing of fortune, Murong Dao‑brother, sorry…… I must follow their steps, otherwise I will surely fall behind later."

"Holy shit, Murong Yu, you've screwed us!"

One high‑and‑mighty disciple after another now sought Elder Qi Tai, feeling extremely stifled, thinking that if they, like us, had chosen to join the Xuanyang Sect at the start.

I'm afraid that by now, they have already become Earth Profound.

Furthermore, they won't owe a debt of millions of spirit stones!

This damn thing could even buy a low-grade earth-rank spiritual artifact!

"The Sect Leader said, earlier we gave you an opportunity, which you didn't cherish; now……all disciples who join the Profound Yang Sect will become menial disciples."

Elder Qi Tai slightly raised his eyelids, inwardly clicking his tongue in amazement.

Qin Yu, with a backhand move, struck them all down, leaving them all completely convinced.

"I'm willing!"

"I'm willing too! Please, Elder, quickly give me menial disciple status!"

One by one, disciples of the ancient great teachings hurriedly spoke up, seeking the status of menial disciples.

This directly left Dongfang Yuan and the others dumbfounded.

From now on……how high will the threshold of my Profound Yang Sect become?

Earth-rank talent, only fit to become a menial disciple?

"Train quickly, you won't even be able to keep true-disciple status, let alone inner-sect disciple status!" Dongfang Yuan shouted angrily, gazing at the true disciples who had already gone mad with cultivation.

In everyone's eyes, a blazing flame burst forth.

In an instant, they dispersed in the square, heading off to cultivate!

Even……to the greatest extent possible, they went to the sect to borrow spirit stone resources!

Now, if you don't go cultivation-crazy, you can't maintain your position!

Finally, Murong Yu and Qian Ren exchanged a glance, looked toward Elder Qi Tai, and gave a wry smile: "Elder, we wish to join the Profound Yang Sect……even as menial disciples, that's fine."

Elder Qi Tai slightly raised his eyelids: "Wait until the outer sect examination ends; for now it's full."

This is what the Sect Leader instructed.

Upon hearing this, the two nearly spat blood; nowadays, they could casually join any hegemonic power and obtain true-disciple status, and would be fought over by many elders to take as disciples.

But now, joining the Profound Yang Sect and becoming a menial disciple still requires queuing……