Chapter 244
Chapter 244
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 244
Chapter Title: The Ways of a Sect, Three Demonic Beasts
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Thunder broke the array's seal, lightning flashed across the sky.
An azure bolt streaked across the snowy sky, racing towards the eastern horizon and leaving a vibrant, dark blue trail of light in its wake.
"Mid-stage Foundation Establishment?"
"Let's see how many talismans you have!"
"Fellow Daoist Ji, let's go faster. We'll catch up to that mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator and make him shield us from this calamity."
Seeing the streak of lightning left by Chen Jianghe's thunder escape, the two cultivators showed looks of joy and quickly gave chase.
Just moments ago, a fellow Daoist had sacrificed his life to hold back the third-rank demonic beast for ten breaths. How could they let his goodwill go to waste?
To escape, they needed someone to take the fall.
The mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, Chen Jianghe, was the perfect choice.
They were completely unaware that Chen Jianghe was the one who had lured the third-rank demonic beast. Xiao Hei's aura had masked Chen Jianghe's magical fluctuations.
When Chen Jianghe appeared, he was already in front of them.
"He looks like the husband of the Artifact Refining Grandmaster, Fairy Luo!"
The distance closed.
Getting a clear look at Chen Jianghe's back, the direct descendants of the Ji Clan and the Chen Clan both recognized his identity.
The husband of the Artifact Refining Grandmaster, Fairy Luo.
The childhood best friend of the sect's Core Formation prodigy, Gao Peiyao.
"A great calamity is upon us. Never mind all that, let's catch him first."
The direct descendant of the Artifact Refining Immortal Chen Clan shouted grimly.
The third-rank Crimson-Scaled Fire Python was getting closer and closer. Even from ten miles away, they could feel its scorching heat.
A third-rank demonic beast had appeared in the Wind-Snow Valley Mystic Realm, and it was a Crimson-Scaled Fire Python with a superior third-grade bloodline.
This left them very confused.
Logically, the chances of a Crimson-Scaled Fire Python becoming a third-rank demonic beast were extremely low, even lower than a five-element miscellaneous spiritual root cultivator reaching Foundation Establishment.
Roar!
The Crimson-Scaled Fire Python's roar actually contained a hint of pressure that didn't belong to a python, capable of shaking one's very soul.
"A third-rank demonic beast!"
At the mystic realm's entrance, the cultivators hiding there all felt their hearts tremble when they heard the roar.
Each one of them suppressed their aura, hiding themselves even more deeply.
"A third-rank demonic beast? How can there be a third-rank demonic beast! Father said they were only on the Great Snow Mountain, and that those third-rank demonic beasts were isolated by a formation and couldn't possibly enter the Wind-Snow Valley Mystic Realm!"
Xiao Chen emerged from underground. Watching the retreating Crimson-Scaled Fire Python, a look of astonishment filled his eyes.
At this moment, Xiao Chen looked somewhat weary, lacking the carefree and elegant demeanor he had when he first entered.
A month ago, while searching for Gao Peiyao, he had run into Ruan Tieniu, who was carrying an egg. He could clearly sense that the demonic beast egg Ruan Tieniu was holding had a fourth-grade bloodline.
Whether it was a lower or superior fourth-grade bloodline was hard to tell.
He had thought it was a heaven-sent opportunity.
But unexpectedly, behind Ruan Tieniu was a Frosty Three-Horned Python on the verge of breaking through to the third rank, a Frosty Snow Beast, and a Golden-Horned Tiger-Ox.
When Ruan Tieniu saw him, he didn't say much, simply flying straight towards him, telling him there were demonic beasts and that he should run.
If it were just one perfected second-rank demonic beast, Xiao Chen naturally wouldn't be afraid, but there were three of them trailing Ruan Tieniu.
Just as Xiao Chen was about to shake Ruan Tieniu off, he saw Ruan Tieniu transform into a river of blood and escape into the sky.
His speed was so fast that Xiao Chen was left in the dust.
With no other choice, Xiao Chen took on the "opportunity" Ruan Tieniu had brought him. Facing three perfected second-rank demonic beasts, he even used his Talisman Treasure.
He managed to kill the Golden-Horned Tiger-Ox, which had lost its golden horns and was the least valuable.
Trapped by the Frosty Three-Horned Python and the Frosty Snow Beast, he had to use every trick up his sleeve just to escape.
He had no trump cards left, and his resources were nearly depleted.
Even someone as strong as him had to hide near the mystic realm's entrance.
"Junior Sister Peiyao!"
Xiao Chen saw a beautiful figure flying over from the distance—it was Gao Peiyao. He immediately went to greet her, and a flash of heartache crossed his eyes when he saw the wound on her arm.
"Senior Brother Xiao, have you seen my friend, Chen Jianghe?"
Gao Peiyao's eyes lit up when she saw Xiao Chen, and she quickly asked.
"Chen Jianghe?"
Xiao Chen frowned. Months ago, Gao Peiyao and Luo Xiyue had been looking for Chen Jianghe. Now, with only half a day left before the mystic realm trial ended, she was still looking for him.
This made him feel that Gao Peiyao's injury was a result of her search for Chen Jianghe.
"I haven't seen Fellow Daoist Chen."
Xiao Chen looked at Gao Peiyao with concern and said gently, "Junior Sister Peiyao, your injury?"
"It's nothing."
Gao Peiyao replied nonchalantly, her phoenix eyes turning towards the Great Snow Mountain to the west. She prepared to go find Luo Xiyue.
"Junior Sister Peiyao, you want to go towards the Great Snow Mountain? Don't be rash. A third-rank demonic beast just flew over from that direction. If Fellow Daoist Chen was on the Great Snow Mountain, I'm afraid he's already..."
Xiao Chen didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear.
"A third-rank demonic beast?"
Hesitation appeared in Gao Peiyao's eyes.
Even if she used all her trump cards, she couldn't face a third-rank demonic beast. If Chen Jianghe had encountered it, he was surely dead.
Coming from the Great Snow Mountain, that's the direction of the low mountains. Doesn't that mean Luo Xiyue might have met with disaster as well!
Luo Xiyue was extremely talented and had a mysterious master. She was someone Gao Peiyao wanted to befriend.
In terms of long-term value to her, Luo Xiyue weighed more heavily than Chen Jianghe.
However, Luo Xiyue owed her no favors. Their relationship was one of mutual benefit, which was different from her relationship with Chen Jianghe.
She had done favors for Chen Jianghe, which meant he would be more willing to help her to a certain extent.
With Luo Xiyue, it could only be a transaction.
"Senior Brother Xiao Chen, do you have any Spirit Recovery Pills? I'd like to trade for them." Gao Peiyao took out a piece of Earthfire Crystal.
This was a top-grade second-rank spiritual material, a primary ingredient for refining Spirit-Nurturing magical artifacts.
Outside, even twenty second-rank Spirit Recovery Pills couldn't be traded for a piece of Earthfire Crystal, but now it could only be exchanged for a single Spirit Recovery Pill.
"Junior Sister, what are you saying?"
Xiao Chen showed a helpless expression.
"If I had any Spirit Recovery Pills or healing elixirs, I would have given them to you long ago."
The battle with the soon-to-break-through Frosty Three-Horned Python and the Frosty Snow Beast had nearly exhausted all his available resources.
Especially the Spirit Recovery Pills and healing elixirs—they were all gone.
At this moment, Xiao Chen was filled with self-blame. The woman he admired was right in front of him, injured, yet he was powerless to help.
He couldn't help in the slightest.
"I'm going to the west to find Elder Sister Xiyue."
Learning that Xiao Chen had no Spirit Recovery Pills or healing elixirs, she didn't linger. She would head west first; it would be best if she could find Luo Xiyue.
As for Chen Jianghe... Gao Peiyao guessed he had already met with disaster.
A mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation base was still too low.
Even with a mid-stage second-rank Mountain Velvet Beast, his strength could only be considered average in this mystic realm.
Even direct descendants of top-tier Immortal Clans could perish.
Even she had nearly died in the Profound Ice Cave, let alone Chen Jianghe.
"I'll go with you, Junior Sister."
Xiao Chen immediately followed.
He had finally found Gao Peiyao, and she was injured. For her to go west alone, even if she didn't enter the Great Snow Mountain...
He couldn't rest easy.
Time flew by.
Ten hours passed.
In front of the mystic realm's entrance, eight late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators had gathered, including Xiao Chen and Gao Peiyao.
They had gone to the Great Snow Mountain in the west and searched the borderlands for a long time, but found no trace of Luo Xiyue or Chen Jianghe.
They believed the two had fallen prey to demonic beasts, becoming fodder that appeared only once every three hundred years.
There was only an incense stick's worth of time left before the mystic realm's passage opened.
Of the sixty-three cultivators who had entered, only eight had returned to the entrance. The casualty rate was far higher than in any previous opening of the mystic realm.
These cultivators were wary of each other, not daring to relax their minds for a moment.
As long as they hadn't left the mystic realm, the danger was ever-present.
Gao Peiyao watched another cultivator rush over. There was less than a quarter of an hour left before the passage opened.
At this point, Chen Jianghe and Luo Xiyue still hadn't returned.
They had most likely become beast fodder.
"Ji Yanfeng and Chen Chengping aren't here? Could they have perished in the mystic realm as well?"
"Fellow Daoist Xiao, Fellow Daoist Ji and Fellow Daoist Chen entered with you. Why haven't they returned?"
As the time for the passage to open drew nearer, the cultivators noticed that the direct descendants of the Ji and Chen clans had not appeared.
They all looked towards Xiao Chen.
It wasn't that they were concerned about Ji Yanfeng and Chen Chengping, but rather they were trying to ease the tense atmosphere.
To divert everyone's attention.
At this point, none of them were at their peak magical power, and they had no more Spirit Recovery Pills or healing elixirs.
If a chaotic battle broke out, any one of them could die here.
"After entering the mystic realm, the two of them left. I do not know their whereabouts."
Xiao Chen said.
Although everyone was in poor condition, Xiao Chen was still the strongest among them. Thus, the other seven cultivators intentionally or unintentionally drew closer to one another.
And away from Xiao Chen and Gao Peiyao.
Even Yuan Chenyu, who was also a Core Formation prodigy from the sect, worried that Xiao Chen might suddenly attack and kill him.
At that moment, Boss Feng, dressed in black, watched the others with a wary gaze. He came from a background of rogue cultivators.
If a fight were to break out, he would surely be ganged up on.
He was the one who least wanted a final, chaotic battle.
"The Chen couple didn't come back. Looks like they perished. Good. I was hoping to run into them in the mystic realm and get rid of them to avenge what happened back then. I never thought they'd end up as beast fodder."
At the same time.
Yuan Chenyu's gaze fell on Boss Feng from the corner of his eye.
If Boss Feng hadn't interfered, that Core Formation spiritual item would have been his. In the end, not only did he not get the spiritual item...
...but his late-stage second-rank spirit beast also died.
Boss Feng had used a Talisman Treasure on him. If his spirit beast hadn't taken the blow, he would have been the one to die.
If a chaotic battle broke out, Boss Feng would be the first one he attacked.
Lu Qingming and He Lingchuan had grouped up again. At this moment, they shared a common goal: to leave the mystic realm together.
Boom!
As time ticked by, a loud roar echoed as the sky above the mystic realm's passage seemed to be torn apart.
A five-colored pillar of light pierced through the barrier, shattering the restrictive wall.
The passage to leave the mystic realm appeared.
This brought a look of joy to the nine cultivators waiting at the entrance. They all quickly flew into the passage, leaving the Wind-Snow Valley Mystic Realm.
Arctic Snow Forest.
Perfected Being Chengtian, Perfected Being Mingjing, Fairy Qingxin, Fairy Yunhua, High Master Qingmu, and High Master Yunie jointly poured their magical power into a blue-green jade ruler, breaking open the restrictive barrier of Wind-Snow Valley.
They opened the passage to welcome back the trial-takers.
When they saw only nine people fly out, Perfected Being Chengtian's expression changed slightly. The other Core Formation experts also showed looks of astonishment.
Clearly, none of them had expected the casualty rate for this Wind-Snow Valley Mystic Realm trial to be so high.
Sixty-three Foundation Establishment cultivators went in, and only nine came back.
This casualty rate was far too high.
"Young friend Xiao, did Yanfeng not make it out?"
"Yes, and why isn't Chengping out yet either? What happened? Why did only the nine of you come out?"
Seeing that their juniors had not emerged, Fairy Yunhua and High Master Qingmu both looked at Xiao Chen.
But with Perfected Being Chengtian present, their tones were soft as they asked.
"A third-rank demonic beast appeared in the mystic realm. Fellow Daoist Ji and Fellow Daoist Chen may have perished inside, or they might still be on their way back to the passage."
Xiao Chen said, moving to stand behind Perfected Being Chengtian.
Gao Peiyao and Yuan Chenyu also walked to stand behind Perfected Being Chengtian.
Lu Qingming flew behind High Master Yunie and nodded to his elder, clearly indicating he had gained much in the mystic realm.
He Lingchuan naturally followed Lu Qingming to stand behind High Master Yunie, but he took out a storage pouch and respectfully handed it over.
High Master Yunie scanned the storage pouch with his divine sense, a satisfied smile appearing on his face as he nodded at He Lingchuan.
Just then, a dark light flew in from the southern sky, arriving at the mystic realm's entrance in an instant.
"Perfected Being Chengtian."
The newcomer was a middle-aged man in black robes. His eyes were deep-set, and his nose was sharp, giving him a sinister air.
"Mm."
Perfected Being Chengtian nodded, glanced at Boss Feng, and said coolly, "You can take your disciple now."
"Thank you, Perfected Being."
The newcomer was none other than High Master Qingyou, the Core Formation expert behind Qingyou Market City.
The moment Boss Feng saw High Master Qingyou, he breathed a sigh of relief. With his master here to pick him up, the treasures he carried were safe.
Immediately, High Master Qingyou took Boss Feng and left.
"Perfected Being Chengtian, please keep the passage open a while longer. Perhaps Chengping just hasn't reached the exit yet."
High Master Qingmu said.
Perfected Being Chengtian nodded.
"Mm, very well."
Although the chances of them being alive were slim, keeping it open a while longer didn't matter. In any case, there were still four hours before the restrictions of the Wind-Snow Valley Mystic Realm would return to normal.
At that time, they would have no choice but to close the passage.
After receiving Perfected Being Chengtian's reply, High Master Qingmu and Fairy Yunhua looked towards the mystic realm's exit with a trace of hope in their eyes.
Both hoped their juniors would emerge.
"You three. Will you hand over the third-rank spiritual items voluntarily, or will you hand over your storage pouches?"
Perfected Being Mingjing looked at the three people standing at the exit and spoke coolly.
These three were not the sect's Core Formation prodigies, and the prodigies they had followed had all perished in the mystic realm.
So, naturally, any third-rank spiritual items they possessed had to be handed over.
Even if the Core Formation prodigies who brought them in were still alive, they would still have to hand over any third-rank spiritual items they obtained.
Allowing them to keep the second-rank spiritual items was already a show of the Tiannan Sect's generosity.
How could they possibly let them take third-rank spiritual items out of the mystic realm?
"We are willing to hand over the third-rank spiritual items."
The three late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators didn't hesitate, seeming to have expected this. Each of them took out a third-rank spiritual item.
Of the three, two were rogue cultivators, and one was the scion of a Core Formation Immortal Clan.
It was just that no Core Formation expert had come to pick him up.
Which made him no different from a rogue cultivator.
Moreover, according to past rules, if they voluntarily handed over their third-rank spiritual items, the Tiannan Sect's Core Formation elders would give them decent second-rank spiritual items as compensation.
"Wind Fiend Mystic Iron, Cloud Pattern Stone, Crimson Refined Copper Essence?"
Perfected Being Mingjing's expression turned grave. He looked at the three late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators and said in a heavy tone, "Hand over all your storage pouches."
Wind Fiend Mystic Iron, Cloud Pattern Stone, and Crimson Refined Copper Essence were all low-grade third-rank spiritual items, and they were all supplementary materials for refining magical treasures.
In an ordinary mystic realm, obtaining these treasures would be considered a significant gain.
But a third-rank demonic beast had appeared in the Wind-Snow Valley Mystic Realm, which meant the spiritual items within were more numerous and more precious.
Low-grade third-rank spiritual items?
Who are you trying to fool?
"Trying to run? Hmph!"
A murderous glint flashed in Perfected Being Mingjing's eyes. The gourd hanging from his jade belt flew out, expanding to several dozen feet. A powerful suction force suddenly appeared, pulling the Foundation Establishment cultivator who was about to use an escape talisman into the gourd.
"Senior, spare..."
His words were cut short.
A ball of light flew out from the treasure gourd—it was two storage pouches. He scanned them with his divine sense and took out a Core Formation spiritual item.
A mid-grade third-rank spiritual item, the Fire Spirit Fruit.
It was the size of a fist, with a bright red skin covered in hair-like tendrils that resembled barbs. It emanated a rich spiritual energy. A cultivator practicing a fire-attribute art could consume it directly during Core Formation to increase their chances of success.
It could also be refined into a spiritual elixir, which could be used by cultivators of any attribute to increase their chances of successful Core Formation.
"An ant-like creature dared to deceive me. Your death is well-deserved!"
This fleeing cultivator was the very same direct descendant of the Core Formation clan.
However, in front of a Core Formation Perfected Being from the Tiannan Sect, even a direct descendant from one of the four great Immortal Clans had to be obedient.
The other two cultivators obediently took out their storage pouches for Perfected Being Mingjing to inspect.
"Mm, very good."
Perfected Being Mingjing scanned the three storage pouches handed over by the two cultivators. After finding no other third-rank spiritual items...
...he returned the storage pouches.
As for the hundreds of low- and mid-grade second-rank spiritual items in the pouches, they were beneath Perfected Being Mingjing's notice.
Since they allowed outside cultivators into the mystic realm, the Tiannan Sect naturally wouldn't be completely ruthless. They would still leave some benefits for the rogue cultivators.
They wouldn't take second-rank spiritual items, not even quasi-third-rank ones.
"This is Crimson Phosphorus Iron, a top-grade second-rank spiritual material and a primary ingredient for refining Spirit-Nurturing magical artifacts. A gift for you."
Perfected Being Mingjing took out two head-sized pieces of Crimson Phosphorus Iron and gave one to each of the two rogue cultivators.
"Thank you, Senior."
The two rogue cultivators bowed respectfully in thanks.
"Mm, stand aside for now. Wait for the others to come out, and then you can all leave the Arctic Snow Forest together."
Perfected Being Mingjing's words were gentle, and he wore a smile, looking very approachable and easygoing.
"Yes, Senior."
The two stood respectfully to the side.
Exchanging a third-rank spiritual item for a second-rank one, they showed no dissatisfaction. In fact, there was even a hint of joy on their faces.
Their words were respectful, their manners polite.
The disturbance subsided.
Everyone turned their eyes back to the mystic realm passage, waiting for more people to emerge.
By now, everyone knew in their hearts that anyone who hadn't come out had probably perished.
After all, the opening time of the passage was set in advance. If one missed the window and failed to leave the Wind-Snow Valley Mystic Realm...
...they would have no choice but to stay in the mystic realm for three hundred years.
Therefore, cultivators participating in the trial would always arrive at the passage entrance ahead of time and wait for it to open.
No one would cut it so close to the deadline.
Inside the mystic realm.
Following a sharp cry, all three showed looks of terror. The Crimson-Scaled Fire Python behind them was getting closer.
Above them, a Black-Flame Fire Crow was also diving down at high speed.
"Two-legs, let me take over."
"Wait!"
Chen Jianghe didn't let Xiao Hei out. As long as he was faster than Ji Yanfeng and Chen Chengping, he wouldn't be in great danger.
Currently, although the distance between Chen Jianghe and the other two had narrowed considerably...
...they were still three hundred zhang apart.
Neither Ji Yanfeng nor Chen Chengping had any divine sense attack techniques, so they couldn't slow Chen Jianghe down.
At this late stage.
Everyone was now clear on where the restrictions were and weren't in the mystic realm, so they had all naturally let loose with their speed.
Chen Jianghe cultivated the Myriad Waters True Scripture, which increased the power of his spells by twenty percent, and he also had the bonus from the Tidal Marrow Cleansing Art.
When using his water escape, although he wasn't as fast as Ji Yanfeng and Chen Chengping flying on their swords, he wasn't much slower either.
Furthermore, since both of them were flying on swords, they also had to be wary of attacks from birds of prey.
Therefore, as long as Chen Jianghe could outrun the two of them, he wouldn't be in too much danger and could safely enter the mystic realm passage.
"Almost there, just thirty more miles!"
Chen Jianghe tightly clutched a Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman.
If Ji Yanfeng and Chen Chengping increased their speed, he would immediately use the talisman.
As for Xiao Hei.
He was safe for now, so there was no need to reveal him. Letting two top-tier Immortal Clan disciples, who might not even die, know about his trump card was the same as exposing it to all cultivators.
"This bastard still has high-grade second-rank escape talismans! We can't catch him at all!"
Ji Yanfeng cursed.
"The mystic realm trial is almost over, how does he still have so many talismans? He's already used three or four mid-grade second-rank escape talismans, and now he has high-grade ones in both hands!"
"Brother Yanfeng, don't forget, this husband of Fairy Luo is a Talisman Grandmaster. Back when we bought the talismans from Cen Lincuan, we should have bought all of his too!"
"Buy? You flatter him. Once we're out of this mystic realm, I'll make him pay. I'll have the clan elders confiscate all his spiritual items!"
During the chase, Ji Yanfeng and Chen Chengping cursed Chen Jianghe endlessly, but they had no choice but to act as his shield.
"Brother Chengping, stop holding back! If we don't use our Talisman Treasures now, we'll both be trapped in this mystic realm."
"Alright. You attack the Crimson-Scaled Fire Python, I'll attack the Black-Flame Fire Crow."
In an instant.
Ji Yanfeng and Chen Chengping both activated their Talisman Treasures, attacking the third-rank demonic beasts behind them.
Although it was difficult to injure a third-rank demonic beast...
...it could slow them down.
A hundred-zhang golden sword slashed down at the Black-Flame Fire Crow.
A water dragon several dozen zhang long charged towards the Crimson-Scaled Fire Python.
They only needed to hold them off for ten breaths, and Ji Yanfeng and Chen Chengping could fly out of the mystic realm passage.
Seeing the mystic realm passage ten miles away, Chen Jianghe was overjoyed and couldn't help but speed up.
The next moment.
Seeing two figures up ahead, his face changed dramatically. Without a moment's hesitation, he used the Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman.
"Brother Chen, run!"
The one-legged Ruan Tieniu, carrying a coarse cloth bag on his back, transformed into a blood mist and shot towards the passage. Behind him was Cen Lincuan, and trailing them was the Frosty Three-Horned Python.
However, it was a Frosty Three-Horned Python that had already successfully broken through to the third rank.
"Big Brother Ruan, run!"
Such deep brotherly affection. Even from over ten miles apart, under the gaze of their magical eyes, they were warning each other to enter the passage.
At the same time, they both saw the third-rank demonic beasts chasing the other.
Ruan Tieniu was suddenly stunned!
"Two of them?!"