Chapter 492

Southern Border

Vermilion Bird Valley

This is a valley overgrown with vines, not particularly large; the area around the valley is very humid, accompanied by considerable miasma and mosquitoes.

The environment in Southern Xinjiang is extremely polarized.

Either it is a desert or Gobi completely devoid of moisture, or it is a swamp or wetland permeated with water vapor; obviously, this is a wetland.

Vermilion Bird Valley (again), Vermilion Bird Secret Realm (maybe a named place? It's a secret realm, likely a named entity: Vermilion Bird Secret Realm)

Yuan Ying Cultivator

female cultivator

Old Ancestor

A young female cultivator respectfully bowed before an elderly man with white hair and beard standing before her.

From their attire, it's actually not hard to see that the elderly person present and nearly a hundred cultivators all belong to the Listen Rain Sect, a Yuan Ying Sect of the Southern Border, and this elder is precisely the Listen Rain Sect's Grand Elder, Listen Rain Daoist, who possesses early Yuan Ying cultivation base.

Given his cultivation base, in any place of the Eastern Realm cultivation world he would be a figure not to be trifled with, even deserving of extra courtesy, but here in Vermilion Bird Valley, both the elder and the other sect cultivators appear somewhat cautious and timid.

The reason is simple: at this moment, near Vermilion Bird Valley, a sect guarded merely by early Yuan Ying cultivators really isn't enough to hold its own.

Originally, for such a major event as the Vermilion Bird Secret Realm, Listen Rain Daoist's cultivation base and ability would hardly warrant participation, and the elder himself had no desire to get involved.

But there was no choice.

This Vermilion Bird Valley, where the Vermilion Bird Secret Realm that has drawn nearly half of the Eastern Realm cultivation world is located, falls under the jurisdiction of the Listen Rain Sect.

Thus, even if they didn't want to intervene, they had to at least put on a show.

For example, they offered spiritual tea and pastries to each arriving Yuan Ying cultivator or sect, and arranged a decent resting place.

The only silver lining might be that Listen Rain Sect has joined the human cultivators' alliance, the Dao Alliance, backed by the Grand Mystery Orthodox One Sect and the Dao Alliance; as long as they don't do anything overly presumptuous, they won't be targeted.

"Good." Listen Rain Daoist twisted his long beard and nodded satisfactorily.

"Grand Elder, I have a doubt: although the monster beasts in the valley aren't strong, they also include Third Level beings. We, on behalf of the various major sects and seniors, are merely clearing out minor troubles—killing them is enough; why drive them away?" A young man in a brocade robe asked, clasping his hands.

Listen Rain Daoist glanced at him sideways, sighed, and slowly said:

"The Monster Alliance has emerged; times are different now. From today onward, remember: when encountering monster beasts, unless you truly cannot flee, try to avoid killing them."

The Monster Alliance's current might far surpasses that of the Abyssal Tribe and the Sea Tribe.

Although Listen Rain Sect has joined the Dao Alliance and theoretically receives its protection, after all, Listen Rain Sect cannot possibly move its entire sect to the vicinity of the Grand Mystery Orthodox One Sect, into the Eastern Realm, can it?

If, by accident, they provoke the Monster Alliance, and the Alliance happens to seek a sect to make an example of, then distant help cannot save the near fire—Listen Rain Sect would inevitably be the first to bear the brunt.

Such incidents have not been absent these years—how many Yuan Ying Sects have been destroyed by the turmoil of the Abyssal and Sea Tribes?

"Yes!"

The disciples below all felt a jolt in their hearts and responded respectfully.

Soon, another cultivator descended on a spiritual crane.

"Grand Elder, I have properly settled the sword cultivators of the Formless Sword Sect." That person bowed and said.

"Excellent!"

Listen Rain Daoist's face showed a satisfied expression.

To be frank.

Honestly, Vermilion Bird Valley is truly not a place where these sects ought to be; although they have joined the Dao Alliance, they cannot afford to be negligent when facing any side of the Artifact Alliance, the Demon Alliance, or even the Five Metropolises.

Saying they are walking on thin ice would not be an exaggeration.

Fortunately, the opening of the Vermilion Bird Secret Realm is not far off; otherwise, Listen Rain Daoist felt his lifespan would be considerably shortened.

But before Listen Rain Daoist could even let out a breath, his expression suddenly tightened.

"Monster beasts, so many monster beasts!"

All that could be seen was.

In the direction of the southern monster beast forest, vast numbers of monster beasts came nearly blotting out the sun—Wood Jiao, Red Phoenix, Howling Mountain Tiger, and various other monster beasts.

Aside from the few at the front who retained human forms after transformation, the rest of the monster beasts flew in their true forms; the sheer, dense numbers, frankly, were immensely oppressive.

Monster Alliance!

"Gr—Grand Elder, should we receive them?" a disciple of the Listen Rain Sect, who had originally prepared to receive later cultivators, swallowed and asked.

Upon hearing this, Listen Rain Daoist glared at him fiercely.

Receive them?

To receive a group of monster beasts in front of so many human cultivators?

Even if the Listen Rain Sect worries that the Monster Alliance might pick them as a target to show force, they cannot simply go up and do that.

Otherwise, not only might the monster side take offense, but the human cultivators would also despise them.

However.

Although they cannot openly receive them, they still need to do what ought to be done.

Listen Rain Daoist sent a mental transmission to an inconspicuous disciple in the corner.

That disciple, upon hearing it, staggered, his face turning extremely grim, yet he had no choice but to lower his head and slip away from the crowd silently.

At the same time.

As the monster tribe openly approached Vermilion Bird Valley, Yunhe also silently arrived near Vermilion Bird Valley.

He employed the Earth Escape Technique, lingering in a small mountain hollow about fifty li from Vermilion Bird Valley.

Here, with his divine sense he could fully encompass everything around Vermilion Bird Valley, and even slight changes could be sensed.

"Really simple and brutal—no wonder it's the monster tribe."

Feeling the monster tribe's approach, Yunhe's vision seemed to penetrate the earth layer, allowing him to see everything outside clearly.

He still had considerable confidence in his divine sense strength; even with so many Yuan Ying cultivators and Fourth Level monster beasts present, as long as he was sufficiently careful, he would not easily be detected.

Of course.

One of the premises is that he does not brazenly use his divine sense to closely probe some Yuan Ying cultivators, especially those late-stage Yuan Ying cultivators, making exposure almost impossible.

Yunhe, a Yuan Ying Cultivator, has a Fourth Level Cultivation Base.

late-stage Yuan Ying, late-stage Fourth Level

We need to keep numbers etc.

We must not add explanatory words not in source. Must be faithful.

Let's go line by line.

Of course.

Of course.

One of the premises is that he does not use his divine sense blatantly to closely investigate some Yuan Ying cultivators, especially those late-stage Yuan Ying cultivators; then there is almost no possibility of exposure.

Break down: One of the premises is that he must not brazenly use his divine sense to closely probe some Nascent Soul cultivators, especially those at the late Nascent Soul stage, making exposure almost impossible.

Meaning: "One of the premises is that he does not brazenly use his divine sense to closely probe some Yuan Ying cultivators, especially those late-stage Yuan Ying cultivators, then there is almost no possibility of exposure."

We need to keep meaning, not add.

Let's produce: "One of the premises is that he does not brazenly use his divine sense to closely probe some Yuan Ying cultivators, especially those late-stage Yuan Ying cultivators, making exposure almost impossible."

Check if we added anything: "making exposure almost possible" vs original "then there is almost no possibility of exposure." = "then there is almost no possibility of exposure." My translation "making exposure almost impossible" captures same meaning. It's okay.

Huh?

Not long after sitting cross-legged, Yunhe, who was preparing to restore his mana, suddenly turned his head and looked toward another direction.

Yunhe sat cross-legged. Not long after, Yunhe, who was preparing to restore his mana, suddenly turned his head and looked toward another direction.

Let's craft: "Not long after sitting cross-legged, Yunhe, who was preparing to restore his mana, suddenly turned his head and looked toward another direction."

Check: we added "who was preparing to restore his mana" which is from source. Good.

His eyes narrowed slightly.

What boldness.

Although he said that, from his emotions one could actually not tell how angry he was; he even appeared quite calm.

Translation: "Although he said that, from his emotions one could not actually hear how angry he was; in fact, he seemed quite calm."

We need to keep meaning. Let's produce: "Although he said that, from his emotions one could not actually tell how angry he was; in fact, he seemed quite calm."

But outside, he is not as calm as this.

Translation: "But outside, he was not as calm as that."

Sea tribe! What boldness! The sea tribe actually dares to come! How did they come?

I'm afraid they probably came by detouring from the southeastern sea.

「. 」 -> just a dot inside quotes. Probably indicates silence? We'll output "."? The line is just a period inside quotes. We'll output ".".

This time, the ones who came are actually Sea tribe cultivators!

The leader is a Sea tribe great elder whom Yunhe has never seen before, and he also possesses late-stage Fourth Level cultivation base.

The leader is a Sea tribe great elder whom Yunhe has never seen before, and he also possesses late-stage Fourth Level cultivation base.

Very likely.

She is the great elder of the Qihun clan among the three major Sea tribe clans!

This is also her first appearance.

However, she is merely a female Sea tribe cultivator, which is somewhat unexpected among the other cultivators.

As for the Sea tribe, especially the Qilin clan and the Qizhou clan, human cultivators already have sufficient understanding, but for this Qihun clan making its first appearance, they really know very little.

late-stage Yuan Ying, late-stage Fourth Level

At the same time, the direction from which the Sea tribe came is also very significant.

Although it differs from the demon tribe, it is also close to the southeastern direction.

And if the Sea tribe wants to enter from that direction, they will inevitably come into contact with the demon tribe; seeing that the Sea tribe and demon tribe coexist peacefully, it is obvious they have reached some kind of agreement, even a certain cooperative relationship.

Otherwise.

Even though the Qihun clan's first appearance is sufficiently mysterious, and even though their leader is a late-stage Fourth Level existence, the human cultivators present would certainly not let them leave unscathed.

would certainly not let them leave unscathed.

Of course, the moment the Sea tribe has chosen is also very good.

Even without this demon tribe connection, them openly appearing here would likely mean no human cultivator would act against them.

At least, before the secret realm ends, they will not be acted against.

Because all cultivators' attention is now drawn to the Vermilion Bird Secret Realm, even if they dislike the Sea tribe even more, out of self-interest no cultivator will stick their head out at this moment.

If they were to fight the Sea tribe to mutual destruction before entering the secret realm, then there would be no point in thinking about entering; or else, the danger coefficient after entering would inevitably double.

Moreover, one cannot deny that the Sea tribe has a keen grasp of the human cultivators' self-interested mindset.

If the Sea tribe comes, then the Abyss tribe probably.

Yunhe muttered to himself, his divine sense reaching out to explore elsewhere.

Indeed.

Even before his divine sense fully unfolded, he felt the Abyss tribe's special divine sense fluctuation.

Soon, a large mass of black mist began to spread toward this place.

Within that terrifying ink-colored mist, the silhouette of a ferocious giant beast and an old man wearing black sacrificial robes standing on its head flickered in and out of view.

Abyss tribe!

Since the Sea tribe has come to join the fun, how could the Abyss tribe possibly sit idly by?

You see.

To a certain extent, the Sea tribe can be considered heavily wounded, having lost a late-stage Fourth Level Sea tribe great elder and a large number of third- and fourth-level Sea tribe cultivators.

Although the Abyss tribe also suffered losses in their friction with demonic cultivators, at least no late-stage Fourth Level existence has fallen.

Of course.

Few know that the Sea tribe's Qilin clan's Changlan actually fell; besides Yunhe and some Sea tribe high-level members, everyone else merely thinks that Qilin clan's Changlan escaped with the Sea Soul Pearl and is now in seclusion healing somewhere.

Yunhe, a Yuan Ying Cultivator, has a Fourth Level Cultivation Base.

Good, good, good, everyone's here.

As for the arrival of the Sea tribe and the Abyss tribe, it can be considered unexpected, yet also reasonable.

Even the demon tribe, which has been silent for so long, has been mobilized, let alone the Sea tribe and the Abyss tribe.

No one knows what is hidden in the Vermilion Bird Secret Realm, but one thing is certain: if the human cultivators obtain it, then for the Sea tribe, the Abyss tribe, or the demon tribe, the pressure will inevitably increase greatly.

And if a late-stage Yuan Ying human cultivator obtains the opportunity to break through to Nascent Soul, then it's probably.

Indeed, Nascent Soul cultivators are not nonexistent in the Eastern Border cultivation world, but those old monsters mostly hide in a corner, either scheming something or painstakingly cultivating, but ultimately the result is all for ascending to the upper realm.

Indeed, Spirit Transformation cultivators are not nonexistent in the Eastern Border cultivation world, but those old monsters mostly hide in a corner, either scheming something or painstakingly cultivating, but ultimately the result is all for ascending to the upper realm.

And if a late-stage Yuan Ying human cultivator obtains the opportunity to break through to Spirit Transformation, then it's probably.

【108】 as above: "Indeed, Spirit Transformation cultivators are not nonexistent in the Eastern Border cultivation world, but those old monsters mostly hide in a corner, either scheming something or painstakingly cultivating, but ultimately the result is all for ascending to the upper realm."

At the same time, the lower realm also imposes some restraint on Spirit Transformation cultivators; the higher the cultivation base, the stronger the restraint, and a single strike could consume a considerable amount of their lifespan, which is something they do not wish to see.

Therefore, regarding the current chaotic situation in the Eastern Border cultivation world, these Spirit Transformation cultivators are too lazy to bother and won't bother; this is also why the Sea tribe and the Abyss tribe dare to declare war on the human cultivators.

I'm afraid even if all of humanity were exterminated, as long as it does not involve their self-interest, these Spirit Transformation cultivators would not move.

But if there is a newly broken-through Spirit Transformation cultivator, then it's different.

First, a newly broken-through Spirit Transformation cultivator, having just broken through, is at the bottom of the Spirit Transformation realm in terms of Cultivation Base, so the worldly pressure they receive is also smaller, and the cost of taking action is also lower.

Second, after breaking through, a Spirit Transformation cultivator possesses the most lifespan they will ever have; the lifespan they need to expend when taking action, as long as there is sufficient return, they will certainly not be stingy in acting.

Then, for the Sea tribe and the Abyss tribe, that is the real trouble.

And as for the current situation, obviously

And as for the current situation, obviously, only one word can describe it—chaos!

Moreover, it's not just beginning to become chaotic; it has already become chaotic.

However.

For Yunhe, this is actually not necessarily a bad thing.

Chaos has broken out, he can also better fish in troubled waters.

He still sees the situation within the current human cultivator alliance quite clearly.

He is not safe.

First, the Yellow Springs Patriarch of Fengdu City is at odds with him, which is expected.

Second, do the two from the Grand Mystery Orthodox Sect or Black River Valley actually look favorably upon him?

Naturally impossible.

Leaving that aside, the Artifact Alliance, due to his presence, has produced two late Nascent Soul combatants, which has already caused some changes to the situation where the Dao Alliance leads, the Demon Alliance threatens, the Artifact Alliance is weakest, and the Five Cities stand apart.

If it weren't for the Formless Sword Lord suddenly disappearing at this moment, preventing the Artifact Alliance from truly having two late Nascent Soul combatants appear simultaneously, the Grand Mystery Orthodox Sect and Black River Valley probably wouldn't be able to sit still.

Moreover, Yunhe, with his current mid-Nascent Soul Cultivation Base, is seen by others as comparable to a late Nascent Soul existence; anyone can see that if he breaks through to late Nascent Soul, he will inevitably change things.

Will the Grand Mystery Orthodox Sect, Black River Valley, and even the Five Cities still sit and watch him grow stronger?

Probably not.

Looking at it this way, aside from the Formless Sword Lord, it seems no one in the human cultivator alliance wishes to see his cultivation advance further; when entering the secret realm, if danger arises, not pushing him into a well would already be considered magnanimous.

Now that the monster, sea, and abyss races have joined in, these people probably won't keep their eyes on him.

Over the following days, various forces and cultivators continued to arrive one after another.

At the same time, Vermilion Bird Valley gradually began to emit a hot, dry aura.

About three or four days later.

Boom—

A tremor and roar drew the sideways glances of cultivators outside the valley.

Cry—

The Vermilion Bird's illusory form shot up into the heavens, dyeing the clouds blood-red.

The secret realm, opened!

(End of chapter)