novelraw Chapter 222 : Just Entered the Sacred Domain and Already Being Hunted?
Chapter 222 : Just Entered the Sacred Domain and Already Being Hunted?
Chapter 222: Just Entered the Sacred Domain and Already Being Hunted?
Gu Fan silently contemplated for a moment before tentatively asking:
“So, the Supreme Lord is the founder of the cultivation system for all of us?”
“No no no, not at all!”
Elder Qingshun shook his head.
“Who created the cultivation system is already unverifiable. The earliest origin we can confirm is only that some bigwig popularized it.”
“The greatness of the Supreme Lord lies in the fact that he discovered Mysterious Power, or rather, because he willed it, this energy came into existence.”
Gu Fan didn’t understand and waited in confusion for the other party to explain further.
At this moment, Elder Qingshun shrugged and said:
“Don’t get it? Actually, I don’t get it either. I just heard this sentence from some senior experts before. As for what it really means, I find it quite baffling myself.”
At this point, the Green-leafed Immortal Boat had already approached very close to the Sacred City. Elder Qingshun formed hand seals with his fingers, controlling the boat to descend while laughing:
“If you have questions, seek the answers when you have the chance in the future. Right now, we’re landing!”
At the gate of the Sacred City, Gu Fan, led by Elder Qingshun, entered the city with Ruo Xi in his arms. A fee of five pieces of Mysterious Dao Stone was required for each day of stay here. Gu Fan handed over one hundred pieces in exchange for ten days of residence for himself and Ruo Xi inside the city.
“Keep the token safe. Once the number on the token reaches zero, you must leave the city. Otherwise, if caught, expect to be thrown into the Black Domain.”
Elder Qingshun reminded.
“Senior, do you have important matters to attend to in the Sacred City?”
“You know this old man is skilled in the path of medicinal stones. Here in the Sacred City, I’ve joined an organization related to medicinal stones. Every year, I come here to attend a conference. Though it’s mostly idle chatting, the organization hosts small exchange meetings for bartering. For us, it's a rather beneficial exchange event.”
Gu Fan nodded without speaking.
At this time, Elder Qingshun pointed at a nearby building and said:
“Young friend, take your token to that building. Someone there will naturally instruct you on how to enter the Sacred Domain. I still need to join my organization, so I won’t be accompanying you.”
Gu Fan clasped his fists in salute.
“Many thanks for your guidance along the way, Senior. If I have the chance in the future, I will surely repay your kindness!”
Elder Qingshun waved with a smile and left without looking back. In the blink of an eye, he had disappeared into the crowd.
Gu Fan composed himself and looked toward the building Elder Qingshun had pointed to. Overall, it looked grand and imposing.
As he strode inside, someone immediately came forward to greet him.
“Fellow Daoist, may I ask what service you require from us?”
Quite enthusiastic, Gu Fan thought to himself, then spoke:
“I wish to enter the Sacred Domain. A senior introduced me here and said you had a way.”
The man’s expression became slightly odd, but he still nodded and said:
“There is indeed a way… So that means Fellow Daoist already possesses an identity token for the Sacred Domain?”
Gu Fan reached out and grabbed a white jade token into his hand.
The man took it and examined it carefully before finally nodding:
“It is indeed a token from within the Sacred Domain. Since Fellow Daoist is so confident, we won’t say more. I’ll now arrange a passage for you to enter the Sacred Domain.”
With that, he cupped his hands and left to make preparations before Gu Fan could say another word.
Gu Fan was still a bit puzzled. He felt that something about what that man said earlier didn’t sound quite right.
However, since the man had already left, it wasn’t convenient to ask further.
Shortly after, the man returned and then led Gu Fan to a massive altar.
“Fellow Daoist, stand in the center. Once the teleportation passage appears, you’ll naturally arrive in the Sacred Domain. In exchange, this token will become ours.”
Gu Fan nodded, understanding that the token would be reclaimed.
However, as long as he could enter the Sacred Domain, the token didn’t matter.
“Fellow Daoist, get ready. The passage will appear in three breaths!”
As soon as the words fell, a blue halo appeared, and space began to distort.
“Hurry inside!”
Gu Fan didn’t delay and immediately entered while holding Ruo Xi.
When he opened his eyes again, the scene before him had turned into an oasis!
Gu Fan immediately flew up to observe the surroundings and assess the area.
At this moment, a voice sounded nearby.
“Yo ho, how many years has it been? A challenger has actually appeared. Looks like you’ve got something, Fellow Daoist!”
Gu Fan was slightly startled. He hadn’t noticed at all!
Turning around, he saw a young man not far away, bare-chested and smiling broadly.
“What’s your name?”
Gu Fan hesitated for a moment and said:
“Gu Fan.”
Then he asked:
“What is a challenger? Can you explain it to me? Isn’t this the Sacred Domain?”
The man gave a small hop and leaped down from the tree, then patted Gu Fan on the shoulder and said:
“There’s still time, no rush. Let’s have a proper chat.”
“This is indeed the Sacred Domain, but you must succeed in a challenge task to leave here alive. If you succeed, you become a member of the Sacred Domain. If you fail, you die!”
Gu Fan frowned. Was he... tricked?
Was it Elder Qingshun who tricked him, or was it the shopkeeper in the Sacred City?
“I don’t quite understand.”
Seeing Gu Fan’s confused expression, the young man laughed and said:
“Did you use a token to exchange for passage up here?”
Gu Fan nodded and said:
“That’s right. Someone told me this was a method to enter the Sacred Domain.”
“Indeed, it is a method to enter the Sacred Domain, but... it’s not the standard method.”
“For the Sacred Domain, aside from those born here, outsiders who wish to enter must possess exceptional talent, astonishing combat power, and have someone to recommend them.”
“With such conditions, fewer than a thousand disciples enter the Sacred Domain from across the continent each year!”
“And you, without any selection or screening, without any recommendation, were able to come here with just a token. Why do you think that is?”
The young man laid out the reasons one by one, and the final question plunged Gu Fan into contemplation.
Why?
First of all, the token wasn’t his, so it naturally couldn’t prove his talent or combat strength.
Otherwise, anyone who picked one up could come in. Wouldn’t that mean disciples of the Sacred Domain, upon appearing outside, would be endlessly hunted?
Therefore, the reason the token allowed entry must be connected to the original owner’s death!
“Looks like you more or less figured it out. When a Sacred Domain disciple is killed, their close friends and family naturally want revenge. So, this rule was set: anyone holding the token is given a chance to enter the Sacred Domain.”
“But the cost is, the teleportation location is within the former disciple’s power’s territory. In other words, when you appear in the Sacred Domain, you’re already within the sect’s range where the token’s original owner belonged. The mark on you has already been sensed.”
Gu Fan’s expression changed drastically. Wasn’t this just walking right into danger?
“Of course, if it were certain death, no one would be willing to use a token to come up. So the Sacred Domain offers a challenge to those who arrive. Survive, and the past grudges are written off, and you officially enter the Sacred Domain. Fail, and your death satisfies their vengeance! Isn’t that a win-win solution?”
“For those who want to enter the Sacred Domain, it’s a risk worth taking. For the friends of the token’s original owner, it’s a chance for revenge. Why not?”
The young man finished, and without waiting for Gu Fan’s response, looked off into the distance and said:
“Alright, explanation over. The sect’s people have arrived. Get ready for your challenge!”
Right after he spoke, Gu Fan sensed several powerful auras rapidly approaching his direction!