Chapter 270

He was once a top performer in the inner sect; how has he ended up guarding the gate now?

"Meng Zhangqing!"

Duan Hun had been leaning lazily against a nearby boulder, but upon seeing Meng Zhangqing, he instinctively straightened up.

Immediately, he seemed to notice something.

A look of disbelief appeared in his eyes.

"Your cultivation base!"

"I just broke through this morning."

Meng Zhangqing smiled slightly.

"Creation Realm!"

Duan Hun's hands unconsciously clenched, and shock flashed across his face.

The two of them entered the secret realm at roughly the same time; although their exact breakthrough times differed, overall, they were comparable.

Yet now, I am still at the third layer of the Sea Opening Realm.

But Meng Zhangqing is already in the Creation Realm!

How is this possible?

How can the gap between us be so vast?

Duan Hun was unwilling to believe it, but reality stood right before his eyes.

Moreover, Meng Zhangqing now approaches bathed in the morning glow, radiating brilliance, while I remain here guarding the gate.

The superiority is immediately apparent.

A strange, inexplicable feeling instantly rose in his heart.

But in truth, this can only be blamed on himself.

During his time in the Mystic Clarity Realm, he gave up on himself; upon emerging, he was dejected, which greatly displeased the Elders above.

So they sent him here to temper his mind and heart.

"I wonder, Senior Brother Meng, what urgent matter brings you here?"

After composing his emotions, Duan Hun spoke up.

Within the Zong Sect, strength is still the supreme authority.

Unless two people have known each other for a very long time and are already accustomed to their old titles, they may continue addressing each other as senior and junior brothers.

"To slay demonic cultivators and cultivate the Sword Art. Oh right, Elder Yun Buque sent me."

Meng Zhangqing said.

"Elder Yun."

Duan Hun's pupils contracted slightly.

He was clearly familiar with Yun Buque.

Or rather, disciples stationed here would all have access to such information.

And Yun Buque is on the same level as my Peak Master—no, to be precise, they are from the same era.

"Is it the 'Holy Spirit Slaughter Sword Art'?"

Duan Hun thought for a moment and said.

"Mm."

Meng Zhangqing nodded.

A look of understanding flashed in Duan Hun's eyes.

Within the Zong Sect, techniques and martial arts related to the path of killing are extremely rare.

There are only a handful.

One of them is the 'Holy Spirit Slaughter Sword Art'.

However, very few people dare to cultivate this sword technique.

Who would have thought Meng Zhangqing would actually choose it.

But what moved him most was Meng Zhangqing's speed of growth.

He has already reached a level where he can interact with someone like Elder Yun, and he can even choose a High-grade Earth Rank martial art.

And as for me...

"This is the Iron Prison Token. With this token, you may travel freely through the first to fourth layers of the dungeon and open the gates."

"Inside are demonic cultivators, demonic beasts, and so on, totaling over ten thousand, I suppose."

"As for their strength, the deeper you go, the stronger they are; the fourth layer is mostly demonic cultivators of the Creation Realm."

Without further thought, Duan Hun spoke.

"So many?"

Meng Zhangqing was slightly stunned.

Over ten thousand; that is no small number.

"The Zong Sect clears out some every year. You arrived a few months late; originally there were even more. They are all used as whetstones for the sect's disciples."

"Or prepared for disciples daring enough to cultivate the path of killing."

Duan Hun took out a token.

"Understood."

Meng Zhangqing nodded, reached out to take it, and then walked forward.

Ahead, the massive iron gate was slowly opening.

Inside lay darkness, like an abyss.

It sent shivers down the spine.

As Meng Zhangqing entered, the iron gate slowly closed.

"Senior Brother Duan, this is that prodigy disciple who nearly slew a bloodline demon beast in the Mystic Clarity Realm."

Several disciples nearby asked excitedly.

"Mm."

Duan Hun nodded.

"Truly a prodigy; the cultivation speed is fast. He has already reached the Creation Realm, while Senior Brother Duan you..."

At this point, sensing something amiss, that disciple quickly shut his mouth.

But it was too late.

Duan Hun's face had already turned iron-green.

——

Midway up Punishment Peak.

It is a boundary.

Above lies the Heavenly Prison.

Below lies the Earth Prison.

"Is this a small space similar to a secret realm?"

After walking through the iron gate, what unfolded before the eyes was a rather spacious plaza.

The surroundings resembled mountain walls, covered with densely packed cells.

Inside were imprisoned all kinds of demonic cultivators, as well as demon beasts.

The number was large.

At a glance, there were estimated to be over six thousand.

No one knew where the Zong Sect had obtained them; perhaps they were gathered after annihilating numerous demonic strongholds.

Beneath the feet was firmly at the first layer of the Earth Prison.

Thus, these demonic cultivators were merely at the Tempered Meridian Realm.

"Hehehe, a new face has actually come!"

Sensing someone's arrival, numerous demonic cultivators rushed to the cell doors, observing curiously.

Yet bloodthirsty light flickered in their eyes.

Demonic arts, especially low-level ones, although simple to cultivate and not dependent on aptitude, have a far too great impact on the mind.

Those who practice them basically never remain normal.

"I really want to eat him!"