Stronger with Crimson Modifier

Chapter 167 - 165: Invitation (2)

All Secret Martial Artists who break through the Qi Vein Divine Treasure and achieve the rank of Qi Dao Grandmaster are granted the position of Federation Member by the Xia Federation, giving them the right to participate in the Federation’s highest-level decision-making.

For an ordinary person, climbing to the position of a Federation Member would require the efforts of several generations, vast sums of money, and a great deal of luck.

Even then, they might only have a sliver of hope of ever reaching it.

But for Secret Martial Artists, they automatically received the position as long as their strength reached the required level.

This was understandable, however. Compared to the power wielded by a Qi Dao Grandmaster, a single Federation Member seat was nothing.

In the face of true Extraordinary Power, so-called political power was merely an appendage.

"Oh, it was nothing, just a simple task. As for the other Federation Member credential, I’ll have to trouble you to deliver it to your senior brother."

Guo Yi chuckled.

"Of course!"

Hu Qi nodded.

Afterward, the group chatted briefly, and Hu Qi took the opportunity to try and get some information from the two about the Inheritance Secret Martial Arts cultivated within the Seven Upper-tier Schools.

Unfortunately, those two were airtight when answering his questions.

Seeing that he couldn’t get any information, Hu Qi prepared to find an excuse to see his guests out.

However, just then, Fa Ji flicked the mala beads on his wrist with his thumb. His gaze fell upon Hu Qi as he suddenly spoke.

"Have you ever been to the Inner Earth World?"

At his side, Guo Yi glanced at Fa Ji in surprise but said nothing.

Hu Qi’s interest was piqued. "I have not," he said. "Why do you ask?"

"Guidance is too strong a word. It’s just that in a short while, we will be entering the Inner Earth World. I was wondering if you might be interested in joining us?"

Fa Ji chuckled softly.

Combined with his handsome, refined features, he had the air of an enlightened high monk—though his bald head was admittedly a bit dazzling under the lights.

"Oh? Please, elaborate."

Hu Qi’s expression flickered.

Hearing this, Fa Ji chuckled softly.

"The Black Blood Species try every means possible to invade the Surface World for blood-food. Similarly, the Earth Core holds things that we need."

"Treasure Medicine?"

Hu Qi asked.

"Correct. But to be more precise, it’s Spiritual Materials and Treasure Medicine."

Fa Ji nodded and then began to explain.

Soon, through Fa Ji’s explanation, Hu Qi gained a general understanding of their purpose for entering the Inner Earth World.

It was just as he had guessed.

For Secret Martial Artists, the higher their cultivation, the more difficult it became to achieve a breakthrough.

After reaching the Qi Dao Grandmaster realm, even the most freakishly talented geniuses would find their progress inevitably slowing down.

Absorbing the surrounding Heaven and Earth Primordial Energy, replenishing the Qi Sea, gathering Qi to form liquid, condensing that liquid into a pill, and unifying Essence and Qi—each of these steps required immense amounts of time to master.

Although Secret Martial Artists at the Qi Dao Grandmaster level were no longer human and possessed long Lifespans, it was also very common for their cultivation to stagnate at a certain level for decades, or even centuries, without any progress.

This situation, however, was not without a solution.

At its core, the reason for such slow cultivation progress was simply the low efficiency with which Secret Martial Artists absorbed and converted Heaven and Earth Primordial Energy.

They discovered that they could accelerate this process by using certain Spiritual Materials and Treasure Medicine.

For example, certain special materials could absorb and gather Heaven and Earth Primordial Energy.

For another example, certain Treasure Medicines could accelerate the solidification of True Essence, increasing the success rate of breaking through to the Condensing Liquid into Pill stage.

However, these Spiritual Materials and Treasure Medicine typically only appeared in Treasure Lands rich with Heaven and Earth Primordial Energy.

And the more potent the medicinal power and effect of a Treasure Medicine, the longer its growth cycle.

At a minimum, they took decades or even centuries to mature; at most, they could take over a thousand years.

Unfortunately.

After many years of being harvested by countless Secret Martial Artists.

Currently.

Aside from some weak Treasure Medicines that could be cultivated, had short growth cycles, required little Heaven and Earth Primordial Energy, and were only somewhat effective for those in the Qi Blood Realm and for members of Martial Arts Families, there were hardly any left.

As for the Treasure Medicines that could actually help a Qi Dao Grandmaster, they were all but extinct.

Fortunately, while such things were extinct on the Surface World, they still existed in the Inner Earth World.

The Heaven and Earth Primordial Energy in the Inner Earth World is far denser than on the Surface World; therefore, that environment is naturally more suitable for nurturing Spiritual Materials and Treasure Medicine.

By comparison, a Treasure Medicine of the same type and age found in the Inner Earth World would be far more potent.

These items, with few exceptions, were largely useless to the Black Blood Species. To them, they were no different from common weeds.

Naturally, none of them would bother to collect them.

But for Secret Martial Artists, it was a different story. Some of these Treasure Medicines were useful even to Qi Dao Grandmasters, and even to Refining God Venerables.

The only problem was the presence of the Black Blood Species.

As two completely opposing forces, there was absolutely no possibility of them coexisting peacefully.

While someone with only the strength of a member of a Martial Arts Family could attempt to explore the Inner Earth World, the risks were far too high. Barring some heaven-defying luck, they would most likely perish there.

But Qi Dao Grandmasters were different. A Secret Martial Artist of this caliber could fly, and their power was immeasurably greater than that of a member of a Martial Arts Family. One could say they barely possessed the ability to explore the Inner Earth World.

However, if they were unlucky enough to encounter a Food Master, or be besieged by powerful Middle Black Blood Species, they could still end up as blood-food and be left there forever.

Therefore.

To be safe, they would generally choose to explore the Earth Core with several other Qi Dao Grandmasters of the same level, so that they could watch out for one another.

After finishing his explanation, Fa Ji looked at Hu Qi.

"So, what do you think?"

A glint appeared in Hu Qi’s eyes, but he didn’t answer right away.

He had, of course, already been thinking about the Inner Earth World for some time, and not because of the Spiritual Materials and Treasure Medicine.

While those items were greatly beneficial for a Secret Martial Artist’s training, in Hu Qi’s eyes, they were nothing special.

There was only one reason he wanted to enter the Inner Earth World: the Black Blood Species inside.

As the main nest of the Black Blood Species, the Inner Earth World was sure to be teeming with them.

’Black Blood Species equal Modification Points. With enough Modification Points, my strength can skyrocket. That’s much faster than consuming any Treasure Medicine.’

Hu Qi hadn’t made a move before because he had been too weak.

Furthermore, he was unfamiliar with the Inner Earth World, and entering it rashly would be far too dangerous.

But now was different.

Even without their invitation, he would have explored the Inner Earth World on his own after a while.

’After all, that place is full of Modification Points.’

At this thought.

Hu Qi’s expression shifted, but he didn’t answer immediately.

Instead, he posed a question.

"May I ask how many people are going on this trip?"

Hearing Hu Qi’s question.

Fa Ji explained.

"As of now, the party includes Guo Yi and myself, a disciple from the Sword Pavilion, and a disciple from the Holy Rain Sect. If you join us, that makes five. Later on, we might add another one or two people, if possible."

He paused for a moment before adding,

"While a larger group is safer, it also presents a bigger target, making it easier to attract the attention of powerful Black Blood Species, or even Food Masters.

Normally, we keep the number of people on these expeditions to under ten."