Chapter 89: Seizing Slots

"It's really a Secret Realm!"

Luo Yao and Elder Wei arrived near the Secret Realm, where many people had already gathered.

Some were Ziguang Sect Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators, some were from Xuanyuan Sect, and the rest were Loose Cultivators—few in number, but all at Foundation Establishment Stage, even one at Foundation Establishment Peak Stage.

Clearly, these Loose Cultivators had been practicing near the Ziguang Mountain Range and were drawn here by the Secret Realm.

The three factions immediately faced off against each other, and the previously unconnected Loose Cultivators formed an alliance.

"How about we develop this Secret Realm together?"

The Supreme Elder of Xuanyuan Sect spoke first, clearly to prevent Ziguang Sect from monopolizing the Secret Realm, to block Ziguang Sect's move, and to win over the Loose Cultivators.

And honestly, they had little experience with Secret Realms and truly didn't understand them.

But to break through to Golden Core Stage, one must consume a Ningyuan Pill, and the Ningyuan Pill is as precious as the Foundation Establishment Pill—or rather, a hundred times more precious.

It could be said that facing that Golden Core cultivator gave him no confidence at all.

"Elder Wei."

It was when Elder Wei said they would decide the slots themselves that he was overjoyed, for it meant Elder Wei would not help Ziguang Sect seize the slots.

Everyone immediately rejoiced, some in surprise—no wonder he was an Immortal Sect Elder; if it were them, they wouldn't have known how to open the Secret Realm.

But heaven never closes the path to life—just when he thought he'd die old and forgotten, the Secret Realm emerged.

Then, everyone saw an old man and a young girl flying over.

Elder Wei spoke, and naturally no one objected; then everyone turned to look at the girl beside Elder Wei—clearly, he was claiming the slot for her.

The Supreme Elder of Xuanyuan Sect immediately felt his scalp tighten, and finally bowed his head and clasped his hands.

"Elder Wei, we don't understand this Secret Realm at all—please help us."

But there were only ten slots, and more than ten people were present.

Yang Zhi said coldly, clearly not taking them seriously.

"So what!"

Moreover, Elder Wei had only asked for one slot; with his strength, even if he seized half the slots, no one would dare object.

When the Ziguang Sect members heard this, their faces turned grim, but the Sect Master of Ziguang Sect still sneered, "As the saying goes, treasures go to those with the ability—the same applies to Secret Realms."

In fact, it was not far from what he had guessed.

Remember, he was half-step Golden Core—if he unleashed his full power, killing Yang Zhi, a Foundation Establishment Peak cultivator, was not impossible.

Elder Wei did not answer, but looked at the Loose Cultivators and the Supreme Elder of Xuanyuan Sect.

The Ziguang Sect members bowed respectfully, and they did not call him "Senior," but "Elder"—clearly telling those unaware that he was their Elder.

Boom!

Everyone saw the seven-colored light transform into a transparent gate.

Boom!

As soon as he spoke, it was like a boulder crashing into a calm lake.

If not for Elder Wei's intervention, they wouldn't have known how to open the Secret Realm.

"I want one slot—the rest you decide yourselves."

"Golden Core Stage?"

The Secret Realm can yield anything—materials for Ningyuan Pills, even Ningyuan Pills themselves, or at the very least, pills that extend lifespan or Spirit Herbs.

Compared to the excitement of the Loose Cultivators, the Xuanyuan Sect members looked grim, especially the Supreme Elder, who sensed the Golden Core cultivator's aura—utterly incomparable to his own.

Yet just as they were about to act, another cultivation aura appeared in the distance and arrived in an instant.

The Xuanyuan Sect members and the Loose Cultivators all thought of that word, then their faces changed drastically—they stared in shock at the old man.

The Loose Cultivators welcomed this, for they were the weaker side and could not match Xuanyuan Sect or Ziguang Sect.

In short, the emergence of the Secret Realm gave him hope for life.

Clearly, Yang Zhi intended to hand control of the Secret Realm to Elder Wei, for Elder Wei was the strongest, and no one else dared oppose him; moreover, Elder Wei had a good relationship with them—he wouldn't fully favor them, but certainly wouldn't let them suffer losses.

The Ziguang Sect members looked displeased, but they dared not blame Elder Wei, and besides, Elder Wei had no obligation to help them seize the slots.

The Loose Cultivators looked envious; though they didn't know Luo Yao's relationship with the Golden Core cultivator, they assumed they were master and disciple, and thus greatly envied Luo Yao for effortlessly securing a slot.

But the old man, though not fully unleashing his aura, radiated an aura so terrifyingly powerful just by existing.

Elder Wei nodded, then studied the Secret Realm before sending a stream of Spirit Power into it.

Elder Wei scanned the surroundings. "Additionally, only ten cultivators below Golden Core Stage may enter this Secret Realm."

When the head of Xuanyuan Sect saw Luo Yao, a look of regret and sorrow crossed his face.

So he feared no obstacle in his way.

That is to say, if he worked hard, breaking through to Golden Core Stage was still possible.

The Supreme Elder of Xuanyuan Sect complained, speaking for everyone at once—but indeed, the Loose Cultivators, upon hearing this, also glared angrily at Yang Zhi of Ziguang Sect.

Who would have thought the exiled prodigy had been noticed by others?

"This Secret Realm will remain open for ten days, then close."

"Yang Zhi, are you trying to make enemies with everyone here?"

He had recognized Luo Yao—after all, he had issued the wanted poster, and he had seen Luo Yao in Zhao Yang's memories.

More importantly, there were two sects present—they would certainly want more slots.

The Supreme Elder of Xuanyuan Sect's face turned extremely grim—he couldn't understand why Yang Zhi dared be so arrogant. Did he truly believe he could overpower everyone?

Without doubt, the head of Xuanyuan Sect believed Luo Yao had been taken as a disciple by Elder Wei due to her talent; otherwise, she wouldn't be by his side.

"Naturally, no problem."

The Loose Cultivators, especially the Foundation Establishment Peak cultivator, grew excited—he had always thought Golden Core Stage existed only in legends, impossible to reach, yet now he saw a real one.

"You…"

With his status as a Loose Cultivator, gathering materials to refine the Ningyuan Pill would be impossible without several decades, yet, having already spent nearly a hundred years breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Peak Stage, he no longer possessed enough lifespan.

The Loose Cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Peak Stage's eyes flickered, and finally he nodded in agreement; now at the Foundation Establishment Peak, what he most urgently desired was to break through to the Golden Core Stage.

The fewest among them were only at the eighth layer of Qi Condensation, hardly worth fearing.

A group of people first showed ugly expressions on their faces, then turned to ecstasy; below the Golden Core Stage, did that not mean they, these Foundation Establishment cultivators, could enter as well?

Although they were already in the Foundation Establishment Stage, which cultivator did not wish to advance further?

Therefore, upon hearing that the Ziguang Sect intended to monopolize the Secret Realm, he naturally felt dissatisfied.

"We do not know the Secret Realm either; please, Senior, take charge."

Hearing this implied meaning, the others were also overjoyed.

Indeed, upon hearing their greeting, those Loose Cultivators assumed this Golden Core cultivator was an Elder of the Ziguang Sect, immediately stepping back several paces with the intention of leaving.

Thinking that Yang Zhi might have a hidden move, the Supreme Elder of the Xuanyuan Sect looked at the Foundation Establishment Peak cultivator among the Loose Cultivators. "Fellow Daoist, shall we act together? Otherwise, there will be no share of this Secret Realm for us."

"My Ziguang Sect claims five spots; shall the remaining four spots go to the four of you?"

Yang Zhi's thoughts raced, but he quickly devised a countermeasure; turning to look at the four Foundation Establishment Loose Cultivators, he intended to win them over with the spots, thereby squeezing the Xuanyuan Sect out.

(End of this chapter)