Chapter 472: with translation of chapter title

The Vermilion Bird Secret Realm is no longer a secret among Yuan Ying Cultivators in the Eastern Border cultivation world nowadays, and there are not a few cultivators paying attention to its movements.

And the rumors about the Vermilion Bird Secret Realm are countless.

What with the secret abode inheritance of the Void Refinement cultivator Vermilion Bird True Sovereign from tens of thousands of years ago, the sect ruins of the super major sect Vermilion Bird God Sect from tens of thousands of years ago, possibly containing methods for cultivators to break through Void Refinement, experiences of breaking through Void Refinement, and countless hidden troves, Dharma treasures, Elixirs, and so on.

Therefore, the forces paying attention to the Vermilion Bird Secret Realm are not few.

Even Bai Xiao Lou had been paying attention to the Vermilion Bird Secret Realm long before Yunhe returned to the Eastern Border, and Guang Chengzi and Ji Liuyun had once quarrelled with Blood Sect Sect Leader Xue Wuhun over the Southern Ming Vermilion Bird Token.

But what puzzled Yunhe was.

Although Ji Liuyun had earlier mentioned vaguely that there was news of the Vermilion Bird Secret Realm appearing in the world, he had never been able to ascertain the truth; why is Xuan Xu Dao Ren so certain?

However, Xuan Xu Dao Ren would certainly not lie about this; a single sentence from him shifted the focus of this conference.

Originally, everyone came here this time to divide the benefits.

But after all, these so-called 'benefits' mostly advantage each one's own faction and sect; when a sect grows strong, the sect elders and grand elders naturally gain greater convenience.

'Now is the time to bring up the matter of the Demon Alliance.'

"Demon Alliance?"

But the emergence of this organization, the Demon Alliance, signifies that the demon race is beginning to temporarily set aside ethnic distinctions.

'It not only stabilizes the originally somewhat loose alliance, but also advances the transfer of potential conflicts and disputes arising from interests, showing some skill.'

'Has the Tai Xuan Zhengyi Sect finally discovered the Demon Alliance? Or perhaps they discovered it earlier and are now bringing this up.'

The expressions of everyone present changed slightly.

"Demon Alliance." Xuan Xu Dao Ren uttered this faction's name, word by word.

"Xuan Xu Dao Friend, do you mean that the demon race's Demon Alliance is highly likely to also intervene in this Vermilion Bird Secret Realm?" someone below asked.

Seeing Yunhe and Huang Quan Lao Zu's argument cease, the cultivators below all pricked up their ears, and Xuan Xu Dao Ren smiled faintly.

"We cannot rule out this possibility, or rather, the Vermilion Bird Secret Realm will certainly become one of the Demon Alliance's targets." Xuan Xu Dao Ren said.

"Interesting."

"At this moment" the Rakshasa Old Devil clad in a set of black rhinoceros armor muttered softly.

Rolling demonic qi surged, and in a pair of pitch-black eyes flickered a crimson glimmer.

Yunhe also couldn't help but glance at Xuan Xu Dao Ren with the corner of his eye, his heart slightly stirred.

A sudden realization dawned on Yunhe's heart.

Demon race?

A slight commotion arose.

Previously, the Southern Border cultivators could stay out of it, but now it is obvious they cannot avoid it any longer.

"But there is one thing that I fear you fellow Daoists may not know; at least most of you are likely unaware."

As everyone knows, the demon race is merely a collective term; within the vast demon race, numerous big and small clans stand side by side, their numbers even rivaling the myriad races.

Incorporate the Southern Border cultivators into the human cultivator alliance!

Precisely because the various clans within the demon race are not on good terms with each other, and many are even hostile, the demon race is strong but not a cause for concern.

Upon hearing these two words, the cultivators present showed varied expressions.

Regarding the Demon Alliance, since Yunhe already knew, he was not overly surprised, and didn't even take it to heart.

Concerning oneself, the Yuan Ying Cultivators present naturally paid more attention, including Luo Cha Lao Mo, Huang Quan Lao Zu, and others.

He paused, then without beating around the bush continued: "The Southern Border demon race has become active."

Yunhe glanced at Xuan Xu Dao Ren without changing his expression.

But the Vermilion Bird Secret Realm is different.

If the rumors are true, the benefits gained from entering the secret realm are truly direct advantages to oneself.

Even though the demon race in the Eastern Border cultivation world is not numerous, if they unite, it also signifies that the demon race has undoubtedly become a force not to be ignored.

Bang!

Luo Cha Lao Mo slammed the armrest, his voice deep: "Earlier, the turmoil of the Sea Clan and the Abyss Clan; the various forces of the Southern Border, being far away, had remained aloof. This time, with the Demon Alliance gathering and the secret realm appearing in the world, they likely can no longer stay out of it."

"These two arch-enemies actually have some tacit understanding."

Luo Cha Lao Mo's meaning is quite clear.

"This matter, I believe you fellow Daoists will soon obtain accurate news."

The demon beasts' forests where most demons reside are in the Southern Border, and the Vermilion Bird Secret Realm is also there; as long as the demons are not foolish, they will not miss the chance to obtain the secret realm's treasures.

But this is an indirect benefit to oneself; how much help it will ultimately bring to the Yuan Ying Cultivators present is unknown.

The best way to resolve internal conflicts is always to provoke greater external ones; Xuan Xu Dao Ren is indeed worthy of his reputation as the foremost leader of the orthodox path.

I had thought that after defeating the Sea Clan, the chaos in the Eastern Border cultivation world would soon end, but I never expected this to be merely the beginning of the chaos.

If one says that the demon race's activity as the Vermilion Bird Secret Realm is about to open merely gives them some pressure, then the two words 'Demon Alliance' represent an entirely different meaning.

What he truly concerns himself with are still the Southern and Western Border regions.

The Sea Clan has not yet been completely crushed, the Abyss Clan remains active, and now the demon race has reappeared.

Everyone understands what this signifies.

Leveraging the external pressure of the Demon Alliance, once again integrating the human cultivator alliance will cause the human cultivator alliance's strength to surge, and as the strongest factions within the alliance, the Dao Alliance and the Devil Alliance will certainly become the greatest beneficiaries.

And Xuan Xu Dao Ren and Luo Cha Lao Mo will also be the greatest beneficiaries.

What are the mere benefits of the Eastern Coast?

The benefits of the entire Southern Border, the gains brought by the integration of numerous sects and forces, are far greater than these!

However, Yunhe did not speak.

Because, he too is among the beneficiaries.

Furthermore, he has the chance to become one of the top few beneficiaries.

Just saying, if it were only about distributing the benefits of the East Coast, there would actually be no need to summon so many Yuan Ying Cultivators, especially the Demon Alliance and the Rakshasa Old Devil, because the demon cultivators' main efforts have always been on the Abyssal Clan side, and they have hardly participated in East Coast affairs at all.

But once the Southern Frontier and the Secret Realm are added, it all makes sense.

Mysterious Void Daoist glanced at the Rakshasa Old Devil, then looked toward Yunhe and the Yellow Springs Old Ancestor, and finally said, "This matter, we shall discuss it later, how about that?"

"Hmph." The Rakshasa Old Devil gave a light snort and did not object.

It is obvious that integrating the Southern Frontier cultivators only requires a discussion among the few parties.

Next came the time to distribute the benefits of the East Coast.

Because of the pressure from the Monster Alliance mentioned earlier by Mysterious Void Daoist, plus the Rakshasa Old Devil's proposal to reintegrate the Southern Frontier forces, this East Coast benefit distribution, which should have involved considerable disagreement, ended up being concluded faster than anyone imagined and went extremely smoothly.

Yunhe did not personally take part; the Hundred Dawn Pavilion and the Formless Sword Sect would naturally have someone represent him to contend for the benefits.

And the final result naturally did not exceed his expectations.

The lands of the Wu Kingdom, Yuan Kingdom, and Li Kingdom naturally are thoroughly under Yunhe's domain.

After all, the outcome of his battle against two Fourth Section Late-stage Cultivators was truly too significant; given Yunhe's current strength, even Mysterious Void Daoist could not afford to lightly offend him.

Moreover, the merits Yunhe accumulated naturally exchanged for the elixirs he wanted.

One bottle of Spirit Rhinoceros Elixir, two bottles of Seven Revolutions Gathering Spirit Elixir, totaling thirty pills that can raise the cultivation base of a Yuan Ying Mid-stage Cultivator.

The value of these two elixirs is naturally not low; even each pill, in the eyes of those who can use them, is enough to exchange for a Fourth Level inferior-grade magical treasure.

However, with Yunhe's merits this time, he could actually exchange for even more.

But unfortunately, these two elixirs have long been sold out even on the Human Cultivator Alliance's list; surely some are hoarded privately, but one cannot simply demand everyone produce them.

Therefore Yunhe could only exchange the remaining merits for other precious materials or treasures.

Thirty elixirs constitute an enormous fortune for any cultivator; an ordinary Yuan Ying Mid-stage Cultivator could never obtain that many at once, but if one merely wished to rely on these elixirs to reach Yuan Ying Mid-stage Perfection, they would still be far short.

"Better than nothing."

Inside the headquarters of the Hundred Dawn Pavilion in Grand Mystery City, Yunhe looked at the jade bottle in his hand and shook his head helplessly.

After all, the fragmentary formula for the Transform Yuan Elixir that Qingqing holds is too far from him.

Without discussing whether it can be obtained, even if we got that fragmentary formula we wouldn't know if it could be restored; it's better to focus on the present.

"If we could also fully integrate the Southern Frontier cultivators into the Human Cultivator Alliance, we could certainly add many more elixirs to the list, and perhaps then we could exchange for some."

With these elixirs, plus the fact that he can now focus on cultivation, perhaps he could still reach Yuan Ying Mid-stage Perfection within two hundred years.

Two hundred years.

The situation in the Eastern Border Cultivation Realm should not yet be completely out of control.

By then, if he could break through to Yuan Ying Late-stage, his self-preservation would be more confident.

"Brother Yun, we have arrived."

At that moment.

A voice came from outside the door: Ji Liuyun's.

Upon hearing this, Yunhe put the elixirs back into his storage bag and said gently, "Everyone, come in."

Soon the door opened, and several cultivators walked in.

They were Fifth Purple Robe, Ji Liuyun, Guang Chengzi, Feng Qingdan, and the Myriad Poison True Lord—five Yuan Ying Cultivators!

"Greetings, Daoist Yun (Young Master)."

Upon entering the room and seeing Yunhe, the five all performed a salute.

Yunhe smiled slightly, rose to return the salute, and gestured, saying, "Friends, please be seated."

The group likewise was not polite, performed another salute, and then sat down.

"Observing Daoist Yun's complexion, it seems your injuries have fully recovered; this harvest is quite abundant." The Myriad Poison True Lord said, laughing, as soon as he sat down.

"Myriad Poison Daoist, you flatter me; the gains are good, but my injuries are still somewhat lacking."

Yunhe waved his hand and said.

The Myriad Poison True Lord and the Myriad Poison Sect are sects that have recently joined the Artifact Alliance.

Originally the Myriad Poison Sect had been closer to the Dao Alliance, but later, due to the chaos caused by a Fourth Level Late-stage Monster Beast, the Thousand Wings Blood Mosquito, in Thousand Poison Mountain, the Myriad Poison Sect was forced to relocate from Thousand Poison Mountain.

Nowadays in the Eastern Border Cultivation Realm, because the mountain gates of demonic sects and some East Coast sects have been destroyed, everyone is searching for mountain gates and spirit veins; although the Myriad Poison Sect is not weak, it is not particularly strong either, so naturally it is hard to find an excellent spirit vein.

Later, when the human cultivator side repelled the Sea Clan and Yunhe took control of the lands of the Wu Kingdom, Yuan Kingdom, and Li Kingdom, the Myriad Poison Sect came knocking, hoping to establish its mountain gate again on the site formerly belonging to the Myriad Beasts Sect.

Furthermore, the Artifact Alliance now includes the Formless Sword Lord and Yunhe, two Yuan Ying Late-stage combatants, with Yunhe appearing to have extremely high potential; the Myriad Poison Sect naturally hopes to "cling to a strong thigh."

Moreover, the Myriad Poison True Lord of the Myriad Poison Sect had, to some extent, been in contact with Yunhe and had even helped him before, eventually joining Yunhe's command.

Thus, besides the Ice Immortal Pavilion, Listening Fragrance Pavilion, Snow Sword Sect, Nine Dragon Gate, Baihua Valley, and Green Wood Sect, Yunhe's forces now also include the Myriad Poison Sect.

Even if we exclude the many sects originally in the Artifact Alliance, just the side he represents alone is sufficient to hold a pivotal position in the Human Cultivator Alliance.

"Your injuries aren't fully healed yet?" Fifth Purple Robe frowned and said upon hearing that, "Our sect has a Sword Body Elixir that might help you."

Ji Liuyun and the others also showed solemn expressions.

Yunhe's current condition concerns not only himself, but also everyone present who relies on him.

Now the Formless Sword Lord is missing; if Yunhe's condition were to worsen further, at this critical moment, one fears.

Before Fifth Purple Robe could speak, Yunhe smiled and said, "No need to worry; although not fully recovered, it is no longer a significant hindrance, so there is no problem."

"That's good." Ji Liuyun and everyone present involuntarily let out a sigh of relief.

Regarding their own condition, they believe Yunhe will not speak nonsense.

Furthermore, Ji Liuyun has some understanding of Yunhe, knowing that if it were truly not harmless, he would likely not have come to Grand Mystery City.

After the group exchanged a few brief pleasantries, the Myriad Poison True Lord spoke:

"I wonder, Daoist Yun, regarding this Southern Frontier matter, how should we proceed?"

Finally getting down to business, those present all involuntarily sat up a bit straighter.

This is one of the purposes for their visit, and Yunhe is not surprised.

The Fifth Purple Robe also said:

"The turmoil of the Southern Border's Yao Alliance has become a settled matter; our Human Alliance must certainly integrate the Southern Border forces, but the Mystery Void Daoist knew of this earlier than we did, and has likely already secretly contacted many Southern Border sects."

The Grand Mystery Orthodox Unity Sect and the Mystery Void Daoist must have already made arrangements; otherwise, they probably wouldn't bring this up now.

Upon hearing this, Ji Li Yun and Guang Chengzi exchanged a glance, both showing smiles, and Ji Li Yun hastily said:

"Purple Robe True Lord, there's no need to worry; as early as several decades ago, Daoist Yunhe had already arranged for my Hall of a Hundred Dawns to secretly contact many Southern Border sects."

"Oh?" The Fifth Purple Robe blinked, somewhat surprised, looking toward Yunhe.

"Originally many sects were still holding back, but a few years ago, Brother Yun's might became evident, matching two late Fourth Level sea clans, and together with the reputation of the Formless Sword Sovereign, many sects have loosened up, willing to share weal and woe with us." Ji Li Yun continued speaking, appearing very confident.

"The only thing to worry about, I fear, is the disappearance of the Formless Sword Sovereign, which may cause some changes; therefore I suggest that before this matter is fully announced."

He made a downward slicing motion with his palm.

(End of chapter)