Chapter 128: Sects

Li Yu was initially quite nervous, since Zhou Yiyi was his Fourth Master Uncle, but after spending time together, he grew a bit more at ease—this Fourth Master Uncle seemed more laid-back than he'd imagined.

Aside from eating, he didn't seem to care about anything else.

"Young Master, when the Trial Grounds open in a month, prioritize your safety inside—you're only Sixth Rank, First Stage."

Li Yu spoke up to warn him.

Lu Fang smiled wryly and nodded. "How many people came from Great Zhou this time? Shouldn't there be more Fourth Rank Confucian Realm cultivators? Both me and Song Ce are only Sixth Rank."

Li Yu thought for a moment. "It seems only you and Song Ce are Sixth Rank. Fifth Rank cultivators make up the majority—nearly half—and there are only a few Fourth Rank ones. I heard it's because of the Trial Grounds' unique nature."

"Unique nature?" Lu Fang frowned slightly.

Li Yu shook his head. "I overheard something, but I forgot to ask for details."

Lu Fang turned to Fang Chun with a questioning look.

Fang Chun bowed slightly and explained:

"The Trial Grounds contain special zones where one can gain insight to break through a realm—this effect is strongest for Sixth and Fifth Ranks, but offers little benefit to Fourth Ranks."

"Only those with latent potential who've long been stuck at Fourth Rank are permitted entry."

Lu Fang chuckled. "So the Sixth Ranks here are the best in their rank, the Fifth Ranks are all top-tier, while the Fourth Ranks are actually the weaker ones in their own rank."

Fang Chun nodded with a smile. "You could say that—but since ranks differ so greatly, if you encounter them, avoid conflict."

Lu Fang took the chance to ask about Buddhist sects in the Buddha Kingdom; hearing Fang Chun's explanation, his head spun—the Buddha Kingdom had too many sects.

To an absurd degree.

Unlike Great Zhou, the imperial family there held little centralized power—it was merely the largest force recognized by all sects.

Outside the imperial house, numerous small and large sects ruled their own territories like feudal lords.

Within these lords' domains, each had its own variant of Buddhist belief.

Among these bizarre Buddhist sects, the three largest were the Mahayana Sect in the capital, the Black Lotus Sect in the Black Earth Lands, and the White Lotus Sect in the Ice and Snow Ancient City.

The Mahayana Sect had three branches: Chan, Ascetic, and Vow.

Each sect received ten slots for this Buddha Kingdom Trial Grounds.

Fang Chun paused, then lowered his voice. "If Master Fang encounters members of the Black Lotus Sect in the Trial Grounds, keep your distance—they worship plunder and may kill to steal qi and fortune."

"Actually, Master Fang should keep distance from everyone. Though killing is forbidden in the Trial Grounds, only a tiny fraction of entrants ever survive."

Li Yu chimed in. "Young Master, if you can, come find me first. I'm only Fifth Rank, Third Stage, but I have some means of self-preservation inside the Trial Grounds."

"No need."

Lu Fang said indifferently.

His main goal in entering the Trial Grounds was to find the mysterious underground palace—it would likely be dangerous, and he didn't want to drag Li Yu into peril.

Though he was only Sixth Rank, First Stage, he possessed the Divine Art of Concealing Heaven and Deceiving Earth—if he truly faced a higher-rank opponent, he might not lose.

…

Outside the tavern.

"What happened?"

Song Ce blinked, confused. He remembered seeing Li Yu inside the tavern, approaching her, then Lu Fang entering—and he'd stepped out to the reception area. How had he ended up on the street?

The spirit had taken over his body again.

And this time, without any prior warning.

"Spirit?"

He muttered bitterly in his mind.

The spirit chuckled. "Don't misunderstand—I didn't seize your body just now. You were driven out by Li Yu, saw her chatting happily with the Marquis of Wen Guan, and your emotions became chaotic, causing your divine power to destabilize."

"I had no choice but to briefly take control to stabilize your divine power."

"You needn't fear me—we are one. My gain is your gain, my loss is your loss. I would never do anything to harm you."

Song Ce remained silent. After days of testing, he'd learned to erect a mental wall the spirit could not peer through.

After successfully blocking the spirit's intrusion, he felt a creeping dread—the fear of suddenly losing control of his own body.

One time meant there could be a second.

It had been agreed: without his permission, the spirit would not forcibly seize his body. Yet it had broken that promise.

Now he thought back—when he first exited the Seventh Rank's Lower Realm, he'd woken each morning exhausted, thinking it was from overtraining.

But now, recalling it clearly, perhaps the spirit had controlled his body all along, doing things he knew nothing about.

"What's wrong? I sense you're acting odd."

The spirit asked, puzzled.

Song Ce broke out in goosebumps. He stiffly twisted his neck, forcing a strained smile. "Nothing. Just thinking of Li Yu makes me uneasy."

The spirit chuckled. "Oh, indeed—if I were a woman, I'd find the Marquis of Wen Guan fascinating. He's such an enigma. You'd have a hard time winning a woman from him."

"But this Trial Grounds? It's a perfect opportunity."

"Kill the Marquis of Wen Guan, seize his qi and fortune. In a year, at most three, I guarantee you'll be famous across the land."

"Hmm." Song Ce replied flatly, turning to leave—then froze. A familiar figure hurried away.

He stood stunned for a moment, then stormed after the figure, face dark with rage.

If he hadn't mistaken it, that figure was Li the Steward—his gait, his panicked expression—he couldn't have been wrong.

Li the Steward kept glancing back in terror. Seeing Song Ce sprinting after him, he tripped, then scrambled to his feet and ran.

In his panic and unfamiliarity with the area, Li the Steward suddenly realized he'd run into a dead-end alley—and it was isolated.

"Long time no see, Li the Skinflint."

Song Ce stepped into the alley with a cold smile.

Li the Steward swallowed hard, forcing a smile worse than a sob, bowing low. "Young Master, what are you doing here?"

Song Ce didn't answer. He coldly said, "Strange. We have no grudge. Why do you run from me like you've seen a ghost? Did you do something to betray me?"

Li the Steward shook his head frantically, stammering. "N-no, Young Master, I'd never do anything against you!"