Primeval qi surged and boiled in a cold pond in the blessed land.
With resonant laughter, a cultivator ascended into the sky, enveloped in frigid qi.
“I did it—Yuanfu realm! The power of this realm is so formidable, intoxicating in its might!”
Xuan Feixue stood in the air; with a casual wave of his hand, a burst of cold primeval force shot forth, crystallizing the air into snowflakes wherever it went.
The primeval force descended onto a large stone. Crackling noises echoed as the stone promptly froze and shattered into countless pieces with a resounding boom.
“Congratulations, Senior Brother. You are now a Yuanfu realm expert. No one in heaven or earth can contend against you now!”
Several silhouettes rushed from all directions, half-kneeling in respectful congratulations.
“Get up, all of you.”
Xuan Feixue landed on the ground and asked, “What’s the situation outside like?”
A tall youth answered, “Reporting to Senior Brother, Wang Fuchen led his men to the Black Sea Demon Cave to seize the Ice Jade Snow Lotus. He should have gotten it by now. There is also news of Spring Autumn Sect’s Zhong Li successfully stepping into the Yuanfu realm. He's en route to the Black Sea Demon Cave, likely planning to capitalize on Wang Fuchen's vulnerability.”
“Another piece of information is that the two Spring Autumn Sect disciples, who were forced to jump off the Scarlet Cliff, are reportedly alive. They should have come across some fortuitous encounter under the Scarlet Cliff,” added a youth in gray attire.
“Oh, that’s fascinating. I didn’t expect so many things to have happened in the few days I went into secluded cultivation.”
Xuan Feixue laughed lightly at the news and said, “Since Zhong Li wants to play the oriole behind the mantis, we’ll play the fisherman in the fight between the snipe and the clam. Wang Fuchen won’t be easy to deal with, even if he is heavily injured. [1]
“As for those cliff jumpers, they must have come across a fortuitous encounter since they survived that jump. No one would ever believe them if they said otherwise. That’s fine, too. After we slaughter Wang Fuchen and Zhong Li and get our hands on the Ice Jade Snow Lotus, we’ll capture those two and interrogate them. Then, everything in the Dragon Mountain Blessed Land will become mine.”
Pausing briefly, Xuan Feixue inquired, "Any updates on Burning Incense Valley?"
The tall youth answered, “No, I heard they obtained some treasures and are in secluded cultivation somewhere. They must also be attempting to advance to the Yuanfu realm.”
Xuan Feixue narrowed his eyes slightly, rubbed his chin, and said, “Not the news I was hoping for, but that’s fine. If they share my aspirations, well, I'll just swallow them as well.”
A towering mountain on the blessed land:
A waterfall cascaded down a steep rock wall, and water splashed everywhere. Sunlight refracted through the falling water, forming a brilliant rainbow arc.
Beneath the waterfall, a youth with a robust physique stood bathed in golden light as though cast in gold.
The descending waterfall, resembling the Milky Way from the heavens, roared like thunder as it fell from thousands of feet, its force capable of demolishing a mountain.
The torrent clashed with the golden light emanating from the youth. As it incessantly poured, the golden radiance slowly receded into the youth.
Suddenly, a golden primeval vessel rushed out from this youth’s head, radiating a majestic golden glow akin to a celestial palace.
Its appearance triggered an invisible force, seemingly creating a spatial barrier that divided the falling water into two streams.
Several figures rushed to the scene almost simultaneously, their eyes alight at the sight of the golden primeval vessel.
“Congratulations, Senior Brother, on reaching the Yuanfu realm!” they greeted.
With light, rippling steps, Chu Qing quickly arrived at the shore. He withdrew the golden primeval vessel back into him and asked, “What’s the situation now? Has the Ice Jade Snow Lotus fallen into Wang Fuchen’s hands already?”
A bald youth said, “Senior Brother, there is no news from the Black Sea Demon Cave for now, but I speculate that Wang Fuchen is likely fighting for the Ice Jade Snow Lotus as we speak. Also, Zhong Li is leading his group toward the Black Sea Demon Cave, having successfully broken through. He's probably planning to ambush Wang Fuchen."
Chu Qing nodded and said, “Let’s go. We’ll go to the Black Sea Demon Cave now as well. With my new golden physique, no weapon can hurt me. The Ice Jade Snow Lotus belongs to us, the Burning Incense Valley. I will fight Wang Fuchen and see if it's his sword that's sharper or my golden physique that's tougher.”
“Boss, now that you’ve successfully advanced to the Yuanfu realm, you’ll immediately become an elite disciple after entering the inner sect next year, but we’re not that lucky. We will only be the lowest-ranked inner court disciples,” Yang Feng said while Zhong Li’s group was on their way to the Black Sea Demon.
After the Dragon Mountain Blessed Land training, the top hundred disciples from the Outer Sect Grand Competition were slated to enter the inner sect.
However, within the Spring Autumn Sect, distinct ranks existed among the inner sect disciples: inner court disciples, elite disciples, core disciples, and those elevated to holy disciples by the sect.
“Hehe, what are you scared of? After we enter the inner sect, we’ll immediately become true members of Heaven’s Alliance. Who would dare mess with us, even if we’re the lowest-ranked inner court disciples?” He Junyang said arrogantly.
Yang Feng smiled and said, “I just didn’t want to be separated from Boss.”
Zhong Li said, “Don’t worry. When I get my hands on the Ice Jade Snow Lotus and contribute greatly to our sect, would the sect not reward us greatly? Even if they don’t, I will exchange the lotus for breakthrough pills for you guys. You'll soon advance to the Yuanfu realm and be promoted to elite disciples.”
“We'll thank you in advance, Boss.” Yang Feng laughed.
He Junyang said, “The Black Sea Desert is just ahead of us. We’re arriving soon.”
“Mhm? Look, people are running out from the Black Sea Desert.” Bing Ye suddenly pointed toward the desert, where two small black dots gradually enlarged as they sprinted.
Yang Feng said, “Could it be Wang Fuchen’s group?”
Zhong Li immediately looked over. He raised his eyebrows and smiled coldly, “It’s not Wang Fuchen. It’s Chen Fan and Qin Yao.”
Due to his higher cultivation, Zhong Li could discern their identities even from a considerable distance. While Yang Feng and the others saw only two black dots, Zhong Li identified the figures of Chen Fan and Qin Yao.
“Chen Fan and Qin Yao?”
Yang Feng and the others were all taken aback.
“Then what should we do, Boss? Should we let them off for now? Look for them after we get our hands on the Ice Jade Snow Lotus?”
Zhong Li thought momentarily, rolled his eyes, and said, “Let’s go over and look first. They should be coming back from the Black Sea Demon Cave’s side. We’ll capture those two first and ask about the situation. Perhaps they know how Wang Fuchen’s group is doing now.”
As his voice fell, he turned into a streak of light and sped off.
1. Another classic story of a clam and a snipe (or sandpiper) fighting and the fisherman getting all the benefits from it in the end. ?