novelraw Chapter 135 : Is She Here to Stock Up
Chapter 135 : Is She Here to Stock Up
Only sects whose disciples ranked in the top ten in total points from the grand competition were eligible to participate in the third round's team competition.
With this restriction in place, the disadvantage of independent cultivators became apparent—they couldn't participate in the team competition. It was a pity for that sword-cultivating independent cultivator who had barely squeezed into the top ten in the previous round. This was also why Chu Sang had insisted on dragging her senior brothers and sisters to raise the sect's ranking from the beginning.
Everyone finally realized Little Junior Sister's painstaking efforts, having been so forward-thinking three years ago.
Tantai Ming was deeply moved. For three years, he had risen earlier than chickens and slept later than dogs, being beaten by Little Junior Sister day and night. It hadn't been in vain. He decided to chase after Chu Sang for mutual beatings every day after the grand competition ended.
Lingqing Sect had easily made it into the top ten from being an unknown small sect, and even had two disciples topping the rankings. The outside world was praising them to the skies, attracting the attention of many factions.
On the rankings, Tianyan Sect and Ten Thousand Swords Sect followed closely behind.
After all, these two sects had many sword cultivators, making it easy to climb the rankings.
Not to mention that Tianyan Sect had produced the male and female protagonists. With their double buff, their ranking naturally couldn't be low.
In the original story, Tianyan Sect had taken first place all the way, winning so much they couldn't hold it all. Unfortunately, Lingqing Sect had come out of nowhere to dominate the rankings.
Chu Sang declared that they would definitely take the top spot.
She roughly scanned the rankings and couldn't help but comment that Tianyan Sect should really thank Mo Qingchen. Most of their points were earned by this hardest-working cub.
The elders of the Eight Great Sects looked at the teams of energetic disciples below, feeling gratified. The talent and strength of this generation of disciples were beyond imagination. In the past, it was good to have one genius, but this year geniuses were emerging in large numbers, each standing out.
Any one of them, if placed in previous years, would have been the top talent of that generation.
With several young geniuses gathered in one place, who could come out on top, surpassing the brilliance of other geniuses of the same era, to become the peak number one person remembered for generations?
These old fellows were also looking forward to it.
"These youngsters' talents are good, but it's a pity they're somewhat impetuous. They're still too young, with too much arrogance in their nature, not knowing how to restrain themselves," an elder said with a smile. "After a hundred refinements, gold is produced. In the upcoming third round, these young disciples will have quite a time..."
Speaking plainly, these old fellows had secretly increased the difficulty of the trial, wanting to see how far these young geniuses could be pushed.
The secret realm for the third round was—
The Great World.
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"The Great World? It seems somewhat different from the usual secret realms we encounter?" Chu Sang observed the surroundings as she walked. The lush mountains and forests looked unremarkable, but her intuition told her it wasn't that simple.
Mu Chihuai walked alongside her, nodding as he said, "The Ancestor specifically instructed me before we came that this place is an ancient heavenly secret realm, seemingly born from the changes during the God's Fall ten thousand years ago. The spiritual energy inside is abundant, more pure and concentrated than the spiritual energy we usually use. If there were no time limit, it would be an excellent place for cultivation."
"There are also countless heavenly and earthly treasures hidden within, all unclaimed. Any items disciples obtain in the secret realm will be counted as sect rewards to take home. But similarly, opportunities and dangers coexist."
"Being used as the final test for the sect's grand competition held every ten years, one can imagine the level of danger. It's quite different from the secret realms we usually encounter," Mu Chihuai said to everyone. "The Great World, with its ever-changing situation, has no pattern to speak of. No one can guess what will happen next. I heard from the Ancestor that this secret realm might even randomly teleport cultivators... Anyway, it's very unpredictable, so be extremely careful!"
"All items in the secret realm are unclaimed, meaning all the heavenly and earthly treasures in the entire secret realm can be taken freely? Whatever we take becomes our own?" Chu Sang got the key point, feeling a bit excited.
"Although that's true, but......" Mu Chihuai looked at her somewhat speechlessly. So of all he had just said, Little Junior Sister only remembered this part?
"Alright, don't say anymore, I understand everything." As a seasoned zero-cost shopper, she was really getting into the spirit now.
Wasn't this just a free buffet?
If she didn't grab a lot, she would be depressed enough to want to kill herself afterwards.
Chu Sang gave orders, "Let's go, let's go, don't waste time. Let's quickly go find treasures!"
Su Chen'an swallowed and felt he should stop the eager Little Junior Sister first. "Wait, shouldn't we find the rifts first?"
Since it was a secret realm left from the God's Fall period, everything inside naturally equated to ten thousand years ago.
Legend has it that ten thousand years ago, the Lingyuan Continent suffered a great catastrophe. The specific reason is unknown, but that catastrophe tore many space-time rifts in the continent.
These space-time rifts severely disrupted the continent's order.
Even cultivators from other realms of the Three Thousand Worlds could enter the Lingyuan Continent through the rifts. These outside invaders plundered the spiritual energy and heavenly and earthly treasures of the Lingyuan Continent on a large scale. The native cultivators fought against them... As the number of space-time rifts increased, the crisis grew greater.
Moreover, if the number of rifts exceeded the continent's limit, the Lingyuan Continent would be completely torn into void, disappearing forever from this world.
Multiple rifts also exist in this secret realm.
Their task for the third round was to find all the space-time rifts and successfully repair them.
"Then does Fifth Senior Brother know where the rifts are?" Chu Sang asked a soul-searching question.
"...I don't know." Su Chen'an was at a loss for words.
The appearance of rifts was completely irregular, and the sect elders hadn't given any clues. They could only search on their own.
Not only were they clueless, but the other sects didn't seem to be doing much better. The rankings on the leaderboard showed no changes.
"Anyway, since we can't find them for now, why don't we go loot the secret realm first? This secret realm is only open for one month. How precious is one month of time? We might only get to come in once in our lifetime!" Chu Sang activated her skill, the Unbending Tongue. "Fifth Senior Brother, you're a tool refiner. This profession burns money. Usually, you have to buy all sorts of messy and varied tool refining materials. Not to mention that many tool refining materials are hard to buy even with a lot of money, priceless but unavailable on the market. There are many rare materials in the secret realm, aren't you tempted? Are you really not tempted at all?"
"If we miss this chance, we might never encounter these things again in our lifetime!"
"......" To be honest, Su Chen'an couldn't help but be tempted. He opened his mouth, "Then, how about we take a look around first?"
"Let's go, let's go, let's take a look around first. Who knows, we might stumble upon a rift while we're at it!"
And so, the group was successfully led astray by Little Junior Sister again.
They went down the mountain in a grand procession to seek treasures.
They could find as many as possible, all going into their pockets.
Seeing this scene, the cultivators outside all clicked their tongues. "It's hilarious. While others are diligently clearing the stages, this big group of people has come down the mountain to be thieves?"
"Is Lingqing Sect that poor? They didn't even spare a small medicinal field, digging everything up. I've never seen such shamelessness!"
"They even dug it up with the roots, so particular. Don't tell me they're planning to transplant it back to their own sect to eat for thousands of years?"
"They've gone wild, we're seeing real bandits here."
Up on the high seats, the elders also fell silent.
Look at the other disciples, rushing forward like diligent little bees to find space-time rifts, traveling day and night without even catching their breath.
Then look at these people, bandits coming down the mountain, pocketing all the heavenly and earthly treasures they pass by, leaving nothing behind like a plague of locusts.
While others came to clear stages, did they come to stock up??
One shouldn't be too modest. Chu Sang was indeed here to stock up. With her heaven-defying good luck, on the fifth day, she discovered yet another rare medicinal field. Rare spiritual herbs like Immortal Wood Grass, Sun Lotus, and Golden Crow Stigma, which were almost extinct outside, were growing in large patches. If Sixth Senior Brother made these into medicinal pills and ointments to sell outside, they could monopolize the market at high prices!
"The spiritual energy in this medicinal field is quite abundant. There might be a mine below. Let's dig that up too!"
She couldn't hear the fervent slander from the cultivators outside anyway. Chu Sang touched the several bulging storage rings at her waist, sighing that it was good to be alive. Her love-starved heart could only be filled with spirit stones and treasures.
Tantai Ming quickly dug down several dozen meters using earth spiritual power, jumped down, and sure enough, there was a large patch of deep purple crystal ore!
"Awoo!" Xiao Bai's paws scratched at her shoulder before jumping down, scooping up several pieces of crystal with one paw and stuffing them into its mouth, its cheeks bulging.
Mu Chihuai's fire phoenix was not to be outdone, circling down to swallow many crystal ores. Its aura became even thicker, with faint signs of breakthrough.
"This kind of crystal seems to be specifically for demon beasts to eat. It can greatly enhance their strength. It's also a good thing."
The two little beasts were full after eating just a little, lying on the ground rubbing their round bellies.
There were still many crystal ores left, all of which Chu Sang stuffed into her storage rings. "After we get out, we'll send more to Third Senior Sister. She should be able to use them."
Outside, Wen Renyue was almost excited to death, shaking Changsheng's shoulders vigorously. Wuwu, those were Purple Gold Beast Crystals, each worth a thousand gold outside, the highest grade of experience beast crystals. As expected of her dear Little Junior Sister, thinking of her when there's something good!
Immortal Chanyu punched her on the head, "Alright, watch quietly."
The first few days of this third round seemed too peaceful and ordinary. She always felt that something big would happen later.
In the secret realm, the group emerged from the cave fully loaded, discovering that there was quite a commotion coming from a dense forest in the distance.
Chu Sang pulled out several speed talismans. "A rift must have appeared."
"Let's go, let's go take a look."
Unfortunately, before they could reach the depths of the dense forest, they encountered other sects halfway.
They also met Qin Xixue.
She must have gotten separated from Tianyan Sect and was now teamed up with several unfamiliar disciples.
Judging by the attire and aura of these disciples, with a row of bright yellow sect robes outlined with red flame patterns, and a hand holding pill fire embroidered on the sleeves, it was the uniform of the Pill Condensation Sect.
The arrogant-looking young man at the early Nascent Soul stage leading them, if Chu Sang wasn't mistaken, should be the top disciple of the Pill Condensation Sect—Liu Yuanqing.
"What a coincidence, I didn't expect to run into you here."
Liu Yuanqing coldly glanced at Mu Chihuai.
He really disliked Mu Chihuai, a halfway-joined disciple who stole his limelight, and with higher talent to boot. The elders favored this joined disciple, making him green with envy.
He tilted his chin up, sweeping a contemptuous look over the people before him, his gaze falling on Mu Chihuai again. He curled his lip in a sneer, "The sect elders have placed high hopes on you, letting you sit in the position of personal disciple for nothing, and even giving you so many resources and pills. But someone doesn't know how to repay kindness, not only not teaming up with us but even standing on the opposite side."
"Speaking so righteously, could it be because my senior brother snatched the position of your sweetheart?" Chu Sang tilted her head and said.
Liu Yuanqing, hit right where it hurt, became angry from embarrassment. "What nonsense are you talking about!" At the same time, he stole a glance at Qin Xixue beside him, his face slightly red.
Chu Sang: Oh ho.
This top disciple of the Pill Condensation Sect was also a famous bootlicker in the original story.
The female protagonist later mainly cultivated in pill refinement, naturally having an indissoluble bond with the Pill Condensation Sect. Before she entered the Pill Sect, she had met Liu Yuanqing in a secret realm and even saved his life.
Feelings had sprouted between them.
Qin Xixue's later successful entry into the Pill Condensation Sect, directly breaking conventions to become the Sect Leader's personal disciple, was also partly due to this top disciple's behind-the-scenes maneuvering.
He had thought that after the grand competition, he could live under the same roof as his sweetheart, playing out the "deep sibling affection" drama. Unexpectedly, it was ruined by an unknown newcomer who snatched away his sweetheart's position as a joined disciple.
Liu Yuanqing naturally harbored deep resentment towards Mu Chihuai. He couldn't be too arrogant in the sect, but it was different in the secret realm. As opponents, he barely concealed his disgust.
Chu Sang glanced at the green-robed youth beside her. With this top disciple openly and secretly fighting against him, would Sixth Senior Brother be bullied in the Pill Condensation Sect?
Mu Chihuai met her gaze, "There's an ancestor from our Mu family presiding in the Pill Condensation Sect. Even the Sect Leader has to treat him with utmost respect. After I entered the Pill Sect, I directly became a disciple under the ancestor, becoming his closed-door disciple."
It could be said that Mu Chihuai walked sideways in the Pill Condensation Sect. This Liu Yuanqing fellow only dared to harbor resentment in his heart, not daring to be arrogant on the surface.
Feeling that the hatred value wasn't high enough yet.
The youth's eyes curved, smiling gently, "If I had entered the Pill Sect back then, perhaps you wouldn't have had a chance at the top disciple position."
"Seeking death!"
Liu Yuanqing was successfully provoked, anger burning to the sky. A blast of spiritual energy shot from his hand.
Tantai Ming swung his sword to block the attack, stepping forward with a grin, "Hey hey hey, why are we getting physical here?"
"Since you want to start trouble, don't blame us for not playing by the rules."
When two teams meet, a fight is inevitable. After all, the competition is fierce, and everyone is an opponent. The more they can eliminate, the higher their own chances of winning.
Although the Pill Condensation Sect side looked aggressive, to be honest, pill refiners were a bunch of fragile support types without much attack power.
Tantai Ming alone could send this whole group flying.
"You... you shouldn't be so arrogant!" Qin Xixue didn't even want to pretend anymore. She glared hatefully at Chu Sang. These people always ruined her plans whenever they appeared. Quickly hiding the emotions in her eyes, she summoned a tiger beast to fight.
Outside, some cultivators exclaimed in surprise,
"Am I seeing things wrong? That tiger beast actually has a divine pattern on its forehead?"
"But ancient divine beasts have basically gone extinct. I heard the previous Demon Emperor of the demon realm was a divine beast, but even that has disappeared now. There are no more divine beasts on the continent anymore."
"This white tiger's aura is indeed stronger than ordinary demon beasts, but it's far from reaching the level of legendary divine beasts. It should have a trace of ancient white tiger bloodline."
"Demon beasts with even a trace of ancient divine beast bloodline are much stronger than ordinary demon beasts. This beast's cultivation has actually reached the late Nascent Soul stage......" A disciple clicked their tongue in amazement. "The highest cultivation among those disciples in the secret realm is only mid Nascent Soul stage. Isn't this against the rules?"
"Being able to contract a late Nascent Soul stage demon beast is their own ability. How can it not be used?" This was said by Nangong Jin. He felt pleased seeing Chu Sang and her group in trouble.
Now they were getting their comeuppance.
That was a late Nascent Soul stage demon beast. Eliminating them would be as easy as pie!
Nangong Jin was extremely excited, waiting for Chu Sang to be the first one eliminated. He would definitely seize the opportunity to humiliate her mercilessly!