Spirit Realm Chapter 407-411

Chapter 407: Together

Qin Lie hadn’t thought that Gao Yu would join Mo Hai’s group.

Seeing that Gao Yu and the others were waiting in line with spirit stones in their hands, getting ready to step into the teleportation formation, Qin Lie quickly hurried forward.

“Kid! This teleportation formation headed to the Heavenly Wither Continent has been closed for more than a month. It has only been recently unsealed, and everyone is in a hurry to leave. You are in a hurry, and others are in a hurry, but no matter how urgent your matters are, you still have to line up properly!”

A Blue Star Association martial practitioner couldn’t help but loudly scold Qin Lie when he saw him heading toward Gao Yu.

Many people’s gazes suddenly focused Qin Lie. Gao Yu and the others also turned around to look at him in confusion.

A martial practitioner who had followed Qin Lie’s group from Profound Heaven Alliance’s stronghold quietly arrived beside the person from Blue Star Association who was in charge and lowered his voice, saying, “Brother Zheng Xiao, these four are the ones that the president is looking for. They… are not allowed to leave Sea Moon Island.”

This person had recently been watching the Profound Heaven Alliance residence and paying attention to the activities around it.

After Celestial Artifact Sect’s Bi You had led his men away, Luo Chen was about to find a suitable time to personally visit that residence. However, against their expectations, Qin Lie and the others had suddenly left in a hurry.

This made that person rush to send a message to Blue Star Association. He then followed Qin Lie and the others, worried that they might leave his sight.

“The president wants them?” Zheng Xiao, the Blue Star Association martial practitioner responsible for the teleportation formation, asked in a low voice. His expression changed. “Are you sure?”

“The president will personally arrive soon.” The person’s expression was serious.

Zheng Xiao knew what he needed to do.

“You!” He pointed at Qin Lie, coldly snorting with a frown. “You will not need to line up today. The teleportation formation will shut down very soon. Come tomorrow!”

Qin Lie’s expression became grim.

“It isn’t even early afternoon yet, why would the teleportation formation shut down now? Blue Star Association is being utterly unreasonable!” Song Tingyu cried out.

The moment she spoke up, everyone’s gaze was drawn to her. The eyes of the martial practitioners standing in a line beside the teleportation formation suddenly became hot. Even their breathing became heavier.

“What a beautiful woman!”

“Tsk tsk! That body and that face. How unbelievably seductive!”

“The girl beside her also isn’t bad. She’s quiet, cool, and just as attractive!”

“It’s rare to see such beautiful women. Where did they come from?”

“She is Profound Heaven Alliance Chief Song Yu’s only daughter, Song Tingyu! The one in white is Xie Yaoyang’s daughter, Xie Jingxuan!”

Someone recognized these two girls and exclaimed in a low voice. It made the crowd’s eyes blaze even hotter.

Beauties with an excellent status and background were only more attractive.

Song Tingyu and Xie Jingxuan were going to leave Sea Moon Island, so they did not hide their beauty with their masks. Standing shoulder to shoulder at the crowded teleportation formation, the two of them were like lovely, blossoming flowers that started a small commotion among the crowd.

“Profound Heaven Alliance’s Miss Song!” Feng Rong softly exclaimed.

Gao Yu and the others looked at Song Tingyu and Xie Jingxuan in surprise.

All of them knew about the series of important events that recently occurred in the Scarlet Tide Continent.

They heard that Qin Lie and Profound Heaven Alliance’s Song Tingyu shared a close relationship with each other. They had been active in the Nether Realm, fighting with their backs to each other. They had a deep friendship.

Now that they saw both Song Tingyu and Xie Jingxuan appear, they could not help but connect their appearance to someone.

“He’s Qin Lie!” Feng Rong suddenly exclaimed in a low voice.

At the same time, Qin Lie unleashed his Blood Spirit Art and smiled at Feng Rong.

Feng Rong had only identified Qin Lie because of the surging blood energy inside of his body, his smile, and the light in his eyes.

“Qin Lie!”

Gao Yu, Tang Siqi, and the others cried out in low voices. Their eyes glowed with excitement as they subconsciously moved toward him.

“If you leave the line, you’ll have to line up again!” Zheng Xiao snorted.

He glanced at Song Tingyu again and arrogantly said, “This is Sea Moon Island. We of Blue Star Association shall decide when the teleportation formation here shall function or not. If we wish to shut it down, we will shut it down, and if we wish to activate it, we will do so whenever we want. Outsiders will not question our decisions!”

In this region of the sea surrounded by the seven great continents, Blue Star Association had always been the leader.

Heavenly Sword Mountain held Blue Star Association in high regard, and their dominance was unchallenged at Sea Moon Island. They were responsible for managing the teleportation formation that connected to the Land of Chaos, and thus had a monopoly over trade in this surrounding region. Their strength was obviously impressive.

The people of Copper rank forces would feel inferior to a member of Blue Star Association.

The Scarlet Tide Continent’s Profound Heaven Alliance did not deserve their attention, which was why he was cold and indifferent toward Song Tingyu’s questions.

“We will not be leaving for now.”

Feng Rong smiled faintly and became the first person to get out of line. Then Gao Yu, Tang Siqi, Mo Hai, Lian Rou, and Yi Yuan left the line, wearing smiles on their faces.

They all walked toward Qin Lie one by one.

“Long time no see!”

Qin Lie smiled as Gao Yu gave him a powerful hug.

“I didn’t think I’d see you here!” Qin Lie responded just as strongly.

Then Feng Rong and Yi Yuan also came over to give Qin Lie a hug. They said in low voices, “It’s good that you’re safe.”

Meanwhile, Mo Hai, Tang Siqi, and Lian Rou just smiled faintly and watched him. Their reactions were not as passionate as Feng Rong’s, Gao Yu’s, or Yi Yuan’s.

“We won’t be leaving today. I’d like to reminisce with my friends about old times,” Qin Lie announced, turning to Song Tingyu and Xie Jingxuan. Laughing loudly, he moved to leave with Gao Yu and the others.

He was overjoyed to meet old friends in a strange land, which was why he did not pay attention to Blue Star Association’s unreasonable demands.

“Brother Zheng Xiao, the president is coming right now. Do not let them leave!” The Blue Star Association martial practitioner who was watching Qin Lie said hurriedly. “This is the person who caused trouble at Sea Moon Trade Group and stole the Astral Thunder Hammer!”

After a momentary pause, Zheng Xiang reacted and loudly yelled, “So it was you, brat! Surround them!”

There were more than a dozen Blue Star Association martial practitioners stationed near the teleportation formation. Of their number, Zheng Xiao had reached the middle stage of the Fulfillment Realm. Everyone immediately began to act according to his command.

In a short time, Qin Lie, Gao Yu, and the others were surrounded by the Blue Star Association martial practitioners.

“You are truly an audacious person, kid. How dare you rob spirit artifacts from Sea Moon Trade Group on Sea Moon Island. What a blind, foolish person you are!” Zheng Xiao yelled angrily.

The martial practitioners gathered near the teleportation formation knew all about the robbery that happened at Sea Moon Trade Group not long ago. They were all surprised as they stared at Qin Lie curiously.

“So this is the guy who did it.”

“He truly is an audacious person alright. How dare he rob a spirit artifact from Blue Star Association while in their domain. How immoral!”

“No wonder Blue Star Association was so angry!”

“He has no one to blame but himself!”

No one gave Qin Lie any sympathy. They were all taking joy in his misfortune, and even the few people who were about to be teleported away turned back to watch the show. They were no longer in that much of a hurry to leave.

Considerable doubt appeared in Xie Jingxuan’s calm, clear eyes. She looked at Qin Lie, then at Song Tingyu, before asking in confusion, “Was it really him?”

Song Tingyu smiled bitterly.

She did not know where Qin Lie had screwed up to actually be caught red-handed by Blue Star Association just as they were about to leave Sea Moon Island.

She had visited Sea Moon Island many times and was well aware of Blue Star Association’s influence in the surrounding region. She also knew that Blue Star Association’s Han Xing would only act humble toward a member of Heavenly Sword Mountain.

Han Xing was arrogant in the face of the mastermind behind Profound Heaven Alliance, Eight Extreme Temple, and Joyful Union Sect’s disaster.

“Now we’re in trouble…”

She shook her head and sighed, already preparing to suffer financial loss to get out of this predicament.

“The president is here! The president has arrived!”

“It actually is the president of Blue Star Association!”

“It truly is Han Xing!”

“Now this is strange!”

Many people cried out.

As the president of Blue Star Association and an elite at the peak of the Fragmentation Realm, it was said that Han Xing was one step away from the Nirvana Realm.

This person enjoyed a magnificent status in this region, and he had absolute power over the island’s affairs. He was often busy with cultivation and seldom showed up on the island.

Wouldn’t his personal arrival be overdoing it a little if Blue Star Association was simply pursuing the matter of one stolen spirit artifact?

This confused a lot of people.

“No!”

The moment Song Tingyu heard that Han Xing had himself arrived, her face changed greatly as she immediately came to a realization.

A mere thunder hammer wasn’t worth Han Xing’s personal arrival. The matter of the tombstone having been stolen from the god corpse must’ve been exposed!

She turned to look at Qin Lie.

Qin Lie’s expression had gone completely grim. He frowned and pressed a hand to his spatial ring, preparing to act at any moment.

He had also figured out the situation.

The crowd automatically parted as Han Xing arrived from the road behind them. He was smiling, wore blue clothing, and carried himself in a calm manner.

Luo Chen stood shoulder to shoulder with him.

“The teleportation formation has been temporarily shut down for the day. Please come tomorrow. I ask that anybody who is unrelated to this vacate the premises,” Han Xing raised his voice and exclaimed after arriving.

“Alright, get out!” Zheng Xiao began to shoo the people away.

When the miscellaneous martial practitioners that were gathered here heard Han Xing’s words, they immediately understood that something was about to happen.

The smart ones quickly left the area around the teleportation formation, but some did not actually leave and simply stood at the entrances to the streets, staring at them from several hundred meters away.

“You leave as well!” Qin Lie frowned and yelled at Gao Yu and the others in a low tone.

Gao Yu’s handsome face was riddled with a venomous chill. His body radiated a terrifyingly evil aura that made him appear like an evil god.

Despite Qin Lie’s insistence, he said nothing and simply shook his head.

“You seriously can’t stop causing trouble no matter where you go!” Feng Rong harshly glared at him, and also did not leave.

Lian Rou and Yi Yuan remained right where they were, expressions calm as they held each other hands.

Tang Siqi and Mo Hai were equally unmoved.

These people had gone through countless hardships for all sorts of reasons to reach the Land of Chaos from the Scarlet Tide Continent. Even though they knew that staying could get them into a lot of trouble, not a single one of them left.

Qin Lie’s face got increasingly grim.

“President Han, it is true that we acted irresponsibly and caused some trouble at Sea Moon Trade Group,” Song Tingyu said, picking her words carefully. “We admit our fault. We are willing to pay for all of your losses. Please forgive us this once on the basis that we are young and foolish.”

She did not give up, still hopeful that Han Xing had come because of the Astral Thunder Hammer.

If that were really the case, then the matter wasn’t serious and could still be easily resolved.

“The Astral Thunder Hammer is but a small matter.” Han Xing shook his head and frowned. “I have come because of your mass slaughter of my Blue Star Association martial practitioners during the appearance of the god corpse in the region of the sea near Spirit Eagle Island.”

The moment he said this, Song Tingyu’s face turned completely bitter. This time, she knew that they had gotten themselves into huge trouble.

Chapter 408: Remember My Face!

“Zheng Xiao, you guys spread out as well. Surround this place. No one is to approach without my authorization.”

Han Xing looked to the side, and with Luo Chen’s support he issued the order to Zheng Xiao, the martial practitioner responsible for the teleportation formation.

“I obey the president’s orders,” Zheng Xiao replied respectfully.

Following his announcement, all of the Blue Star Association martial practitioners near the teleportation formation began to spread out.

These people stayed a hundred meters away from Han Xing and Qin Lie’s group, forming a large defensive circle.

Zheng Xiao realized that the president wanted to talk with those people alone and did not want anyone else to hear their conversation.

They were sent away because they weren’t allowed to know about it.

Soon enough, Han Xing and Luo Chen’s group, and Qin Lie and Gao Yu’s group were the only people near the teleportation formation. Every other person that had nothing to do with them had moved away.

Song Tingyu’s beautiful face was currently filled with helplessness. When she learned that Han Xing had not come for the Astral Thunder Hammer, she knew that they were in huge trouble.

“Your Blue Star Association martial practitioners died by the hands of the rampaging god corpse. I did not have much to do with it.” Now that his identity had been exposed, Qin Lie no longer tried to hide and said with a grim face and low tone, “Some people were killed by the hands of Celestial Artifact Sect’s Jiang Tianxing and your Qiu Yun.”

“Is that so?”

Han Xing narrowed his eyes and snorted. “Jiang Tianxing said that you were the one who killed them all! Qiu Yun and Kong Xiang also died by your hand!”

Qin Lie frowned and pondered for a moment, then said, “What’s done is done. What exactly do you want to do?”

At this moment, both Song Tingyu and Xie Jingxuan noticed Zhang Chendong and Zhao Xuan behind Luo Chen. These two people had appeared at Herb Mountain before, so it could be said that they were familiar with them.

Song Tingyu quickly understood that Zhao Xuan and Zhang Chendong must have been connected due to the fact that Blue Star Association’s Han Xing was able to find her and Qin Lie.

“Miss Song, Miss Xie, long time no see.” Zhao Xuan laughed.

Song Tingyu and Xie Jingxuan’s faces were cold.

Zhao Xuan rubbed his nose in slight embarrassment. He laughed dryly. “The Trial is about to begin. It is too dangerous for the two of you to enter alone. I suggest that you join us and Heavenly Sword Mountain’s Luo Chen. We can go together, watch each other’s backs, and survive until the end. What do you think?”

“Not interested!” Song Tingyu shook her head.

Xie Jingxuan was indifferent and could not be bothered to even answer. She obviously disliked Zhao Xuan.

Han Xing looked at Luo Chen. “How do you think we should handle this?”

Luo Chen’s eyes were cold. He glanced at Qin Lie’s spatial ring and indifferently said, “I only want what was inside the god corpse.”

Han Xing nodded.

He laid out the conditions to Qin Lie with a smile, “As long as you give us what you took from the god corpse, then all of the grudges between you and the Blue Star Association will be null and void. We can overlook the deaths of Qiu Yun, Kong Xiang, and the others, the Astral Thunder Hammer you stole, and the losses that you’ve cost Blue Star Assocation. You will be allowed to go through the teleportation formation to the Heavenly Wither Continent, and even be allowed to use the large scale teleportation formation there to go to the site of the Trial in the Heavenly Fissure Continent.”

“You come from Profound Heaven Alliance and can be considered a subordinate of Heavenly Sword Mountain, so I will hide this matter for you. Celestial Artifact Sect will not know about you.” Luo Chen looked to Song Tingyu and Xie Jingxuan, proudly saying, “Your realms aren’t bad. Why don’t you come with me during this Trial? At the very least, I can guarantee that you will live longer.”

He then looked toward Qin Lie and frowned. “You can leave once you give us the item. Your realm is too low and you are not qualified to join us.”

Qin Lie had slowly become calm.

“If I tell you that I don’t have what you’re looking for, what kind of consequences are going to befall me?” He frowned.

“Hehe, if that’s the case, then please don’t blame me for personally searching you.” Han Xing’s attitude was leisurely, and his tone completely threatening. “You’re called Qin Lie, aren’t you? I don’t care how big of a commotion you caused in the Scarlet Tide Continent or how sensational you are. On Sea Moon Island, you better act obediently, otherwise…!”

Han Xing’s voice went cold, and his eyes shone with wisps of golden rings of light. “I suggest that you be obedient. Even if it is not for yourself, you should consider your friends. Your friends are very loyal, and they all chose to stand by your side. Could you stand seeing them die for your sake?”

He coldly glanced at Gao Yu, Feng Rong, and the others.

Everyone caught in that gaze, such as Gao Yu, Feng Rong, and the others, felt as if they were being glared at by an ancient, ferocious beast. Their backs crawled with fear.

Han Xing was at the peak of the Fragmentation Realm, and he was only half a step away from the Nirvana Realm. Even if everyone here worked together, they still wouldn’t be a match for him.

If they were to fight him forcefully, death would be their only option. No one would be able to survive this disaster.

“Kid. Where there’s life, there’s hope. As long as I am able to acquire the Blood Progenitor’s corpse and merge my fragmented soul with it, I will be able to kill this Han Xing easily!” Xue Li’s voice resonated within his mind. “Let’s admit our defeat for now. We got that tombstone for free anyway, and you’ve used it to cultivate for some time and were unable to decipher its secrets. It won’t matter if we give it away…”

“You better think about this carefully,” Han Xing said patiently.

Everyone else was looking at Qin Lie as well.

Qin Lie’s gaze was harsh. He was quiet like a ferocious beast, holding himself back this entire time.

After a long moment, he pulled off the fox skin mask and revealed his actual face before everyone’s eyes.

“Remember my face. For everything I’ve suffered today on Sea Moon Island… I will one day have Blue Star Association pay for it ten times over!!” As soon as Qin Lie said this, a blank tombstone suddenly appeared on the ground before him. Seven bolts of colorful divine light violently writhed at the back of the tombstone, giving off a mysterious, magical feeling.

Many people’s gazes were attracted by the blank tombstone.

Han Xing and Luo Chen were the only ones coldly staring at Qin Lie.

From Qin Lie’s actions and words, Han Xing and Luo Chen could sense a bone deep hatred and reluctance.

Han Xing suddenly regretted guaranteeing forgiveness at the beginning of the negotiation. It would be awkward if he went back on his promise now.

Staring at the current Qin Lie, he suddenly had the feeling that, if he allowed Qin Lie to leave alive, there would be an endless amount trouble in the future.

“Let’s go.” Qin Lie led the way and headed toward the teleportation formation.

Mo Hai, Feng Rong, and the others immediately followed him.

Gao Yu did not leave immediately. His evil, poisonous eyes were like the tongues of poisonous snakes hidden in darkness, flitting across the face of Han Xing and Luo Chen for a while.

It was as if he wanted to memorize their faces by heart.

“There’s another vicious bastard!”

Gao Yu’s dark, icy gaze made Han Xing and Luo Chen feel extremely uncomfortable. They felt as if they were being committed to memory by evil ghosts from the depths of the Nine Hells.

It was only when they felt thoroughly uncomfortable that Gao Yu finally turned to leave with Qin Lie.

“Miss Song, Miss Xie, the two of you will definitely encounter great danger if you head to the Trial. Stay here and come with us. I only mean well,” Zhao Xuan cried out.

However, neither Song Tingyu nor Xie Jingxuan paid him any heed. They both went in Qin Lie’s direction.

After stepping through the teleportation formation, Song Tingyu activated a square blue crystal, and as it spun, icy blue rings rippled outward from the teleportation formation.

Before long, the crowd of figures disappeared one by one.

“I don’t know why, but I feel troubled by letting them leave alive.” Han Xing frowned. “Of those two bastards, one looked more sinister than the other. Maybe I should’ve killed them.”

“You cannot act against him at Blue Star Association. There would be consequences if you killed him here.” Luo Chen shook his head.

Luo Chen knew that Qin Lie, Song Tingyu, and Xie Jingxuan were specifically appointed by the Sixth Heavenly Sword of Heavenly Sword Mountain. He was also vaguely aware of the fact that Qin Lie and Li Mu shared a subtle connection. This was also why he acted so generously and only asked for the tombstone, not daring to take their lives.

“I feel like they’ll be trouble.” Han Xing couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable.

Every time he recalled Qin Lie and Gao Yu’s gazes before they left, he felt as if he were sitting on needles.

“Don’t worry. You can’t kill them on Sea Moon Island, so I will take care of them for you in the Trial.” Luo Chen stared at the blank tombstone below him and said indifferently, “I could kill whoever I want in the Trial, and there wouldn’t be any trouble.”

Any martial practitioner who participated in the Trial could potentially be killed. As long as one had enough power, they could kill whoever they wanted in the Trial.

No one would question them!

Hearing Luo Chen’s words, Han Xing slowly relaxed and smiled. “I feel much better hearing your promise.”

He was very familiar with Luo Chen’s strength and temperament. He believed that Luo Chen would definitely make good on his promise.

“Brother Luo, I know that you have put all of your heart into increasing your strength and in tempering your sword, which is why you have no interest in relationships.” Zhao Xuan chuckled and narrowed his eyes, saying in a low voice, “The spirit art I cultivate comes from Joyful Union Sect and depends on the relationships between men and women. If you run into Song Tingyu and Xie Jingxuan in the Trial, could you… leave them to me?”

“Brother Luo, we’re interested in those women as well.” A Heavenly Sword Mountain martial practitioner chuckled.

“Do whatever you want,” Luo Chen said apathetically.

All of his attention was already on the blank tombstone. His eyes burned intensely.

……

The teleportation formation completed its teleportation over and over.

Five teleportations later, the dazzled group suddenly appeared at a giant valley.

The fresh, thick spirit energy of the world lingered inside the valley like white fog.

A huge teleportation formation stood tall inside the valley. There were many martial practitioners garbed in the attire of Heavenly Sword Mountain around the teleportation formation.

This place was the Heavenly Wither Continent and the domain of Heavenly Sword Mountain. All the forces here were subordinate to Heavenly Sword Mountain and needed to act according to their will.

“Where have you come from?” Inside the valley, a middle-aged man with long, flowing hair was seated on top of a metallic stone pillar. He looked down at Qin Lie’s group after they came out of the teleportation formation.

“We came from Sea Moon Island,” Song Tingyu answered.

“Where are you headed?” he asked again.

“We are participating in the Trial,” Song Tingyu answered again.

“Do you have a sword token?”

“Yes.” Song Tingyu took out a sword token.

“Alright. You will first be transferred to the Heavenly Calamity Continent. Then you will be transferred to the Heavenly Fissure Continent through the teleportation formation of the Heavenly Calamity Continent. Stand there and don’t move. Wait for the next round of teleportation!” After he looked at them, the man nodded and exclaimed, “Send them away!”

The giant teleportation formation, which was ten times bigger than Sea Moon Island’s formation, activated once more. The group was immediately flooded by a sky of colorful light.

Chapter 409: Black Jade City

Land of Chaos, Heavenly Calamity Continent.

A giant oasis lay deep within a boundless desert. Vegetation filled with life and energy grew around the oasis.

A towering ancient city made from black stone was built around this clear blue lake. Stone towers inside the city resembled mountains piercing right through the clouds, appearing majestic and serene.

There was a giant teleportation formation at the center of the city’s giant plaza.

Bright, rainbow rings surrounded the spatial teleportation formation like a screen of flowing color.

From within the rainbow light, one figure exited the formation after another.

It was none other than Qin Lie’s group.

“The Heavenly Calamity Continent’s Razed Desert. Finally! After more than a thousand years the soul of I, Xue Li, has finally returned to its homeland!”

After Qin Lie exited the teleportation formation, Xue Li’s sigh appeared deep within Qin Lie’s mind.

“Where have you come from, and where are you headed?” Many martial practitioners were seated atop pillar-like platforms beside the teleportation formation. One of them looked indifferently toward the bottom and asked.

“We have come from the Heavenly Wither Continent, and are ready to transfer to the Heavenly Fissure Continent.” Song Tingyu was once again the person who answered.

“It costs one thousand Earth Grade spirit stones each for cross continent teleportation. There are nine of you, so you will need to pay nine thousand Earth Grade spirit stones!” a man in black said icily. He was responsible for the teleportation matters of this formation.

“We are participating in the Trial,” Song Tingyu said.

“I don’t care where you’re going. If you wish to make use of this teleportation formation, then you will have to pay as the rules dictate!” the man said rudely.

“Nine thousand Earth Grade spirit stones.”

Song Tingyu bit her bottom lip as her pretty face became bitter. She subconsciously looked toXie Jingxuan beside her and said in a soft voice, “I may not have enough spirit stones. How many do you have?”

“Less than six thousand.” Xie Jingxuan frowned.

“It will be enough if we pool our resources.” Song Tingyu grumbled on the inside. She was prepared to cut a hole in her wallet for Qin Lie’s sake.

“Qin Lie, we are still a month and a half away from the Trial. Can you stay here for a while?” Xue Li suddenly asked.

Ever since he left the blank tombstone behind on Sea Moon Island, Qin Lie had been silent and despondent.

It was as if something was holding something back…

When he heard Xue Li’s request, his furrowed eyebrows finally relaxed a bit. “What do you want to do?”

“I’d like to visit the original Blood Fiend Sect,” Xue Li’s soul sighed deeply.

“Is it far from here?”

“Not really.”

“Okay then.”

After they finished interacting with each other, Qin Lie walked out of the teleportation formation and said to the group, “We’ll be staying here for a while.”

Everyone in the group looked each other in the eye before walking out of the teleportation formation one by one.

A look of disdain flashed across the eyes of the black garbed martial practitioner seated on the platform high above. He inwardly thought, “To be unable to accumulate the spirit stones necessary for a cross continent teleportation… I wonder where these country bumpkins came from. To think that these people actually want to participate in the Trial. They really don’t know how to write the word ‘death,’ huh?”

“Let’s find a place to rest for the moment,” Song Tingyu said.

“Okay.” Qin Lie nodded.

This was the first time that Gao Yu, Tang Siqi, Yi Yuan, Mo Hai, Lian Rou, and Feng Rong had ventured from the Scarlet Tide Continent. Like country bumpkins visiting a city for the first time, they looked at everything around them they with curiosity.

Song Tingyu and Xie Jingxuan fared a little better.

They had left the Scarlet Tide Continent before, but had not gone very far from the continent either. They were only active on the Flowing Cloud Continent and the Heavenly Fate Continent.

This was the first time they had visited the Land of Chaos.

The group of nine looked like ants standing amid the towering stone buildings that pierced through the clouds.

“This is Black Jade City. It is presently one of the three great cities of the Heavenly Calamity Continent. Black Jade City is situated in Razed Desert and stretches across tens of thousands of miles. It has a population of about thirty million, and it is controlled by the Xiahou Family, one of the nine great Silver rank forces…”

Xue Li’s soul casually chimed inside Qin Lie’s mind. His true body had traversed the Land of Chaos before, so naturally he knew about its current state of affairs.

However, he had been restraining himself ever since his true body arrived in the Land of Chaos. He had never actually entered the Heavenly Calamity Continent.

The Heavenly Calamity Continent had been Blood Fiend Sect’s domain in the past. Xue Li was afraid that he would run into someone familiar in this continent and be discovered, causing unnecessary trouble.

The reason he dared to come over now was because his true body was gone. With only a fragment of his soul living inside Qin Lie’s Soul Suppressing Orb, he wasn’t worried that he would be discovered.

“Black Jade City is one of the three great cities of the Heavenly Calamity Continent. Its population numbers around thirty million, and it belongs to the XiaHou Family…” Qin Lie explained to the group.

Everyone looked at him in surprise.

“Xue Li told me.” Qin Lie pointed at his forehead.

With that, the group understood.

“Let’s find a place to rest first,” Mo Hai said.

“Let me ask around.” Song Tingyu walked away from the group.

They were in the plaza of Black Jade City. Since there were plenty of martial practitioners coming in and out using the teleportation formation, there were many employees working in the area as well.

“Foreigners!” Lian Rou exclaimed, covering her mouth.

The group followed her gaze.

They saw several dozen foreigners walking out of the teleportation formation after the bright, colorful lights had dissipated. They were each five to six meters in height, their eyes were dark green, and they had gray wings beneath their ribs.

They had tall noses, and their dark green eyes were as sharp as an eagle’s. They were as tall as they were thin, and at first glance, they looked just like spirit animals who were walking on two legs with their gray wings.

However, other than their wings and dense feathers, they had arms and legs like a normal person.

“These are Gray Wing clansmen. Just like us, they are a highly intelligent species that have four limbs. They are also born with wings, however, and are able soar through the skies from a young age,” Xue Li’s voice resonated within Qin Lie’s mind once more.

“The Gray Wing Race is one of the more peaceful races, and are normally difficult to provoke or quarrel with. They have a long term trade agreement with the Xiahou Family of Black Jade City, and their relationship has always been a close one. In the Copper Continent that is controlled by the Xiahou Family, there is a void passage that connects to the Cloud Realm. The Cloud Realm is a sub world just like the Nether Realm. The Gray Wing Race come from there, and they are probably in the Heavenly Calamity Continent to trade for spirit materials with the Xiahou Family.”

Qin Lie’s eyes shone with a strange light.

While secretly examining the Gray Wing clansmen, Qin Lie recited Xue Li’s words and told the group about this foreign race’s background.

Above Black Jade City’s plaza, the black garbed martial practitioners on the platform wore impatient looks as they watched Qin Lie’s group.

Some of them didn’t bother even giving them a second look.

However, when the group of Gray Wing clansmen appeared, the black garbed martial practitioners atop of the platform were immediately filled with smiles.

It was as if they had been waiting for the arrival of the Gray Wing clansmen this entire time. They were watching Qin Lie and the others impatiently because they felt that the group’s hesitation at the teleportation formation was delaying the Gray Wing clan’s arrival.

“Welcome, honored guests!”

The black garbed martial practitioner that had been cold and indifferent toward Qin Lie’s group was now laughing aloud, taking the initiative to jump down from the platform to welcome the group of Gray Wing clansmen. He enthusiastically said to them, “We have been awaiting your arrival for some time. Please come with us, everyone! Our patriarch has already prepared a feast, and the only thing missing is your presence.”

“Our clans have had an enjoyable partnership with one another. This time, we have brought a precious treasure from the Cloud Realm, and I believe that it will definitely satisfy your Xiahou Family!” The leader of the Gray Wing Clan fluently spoke a mouthful of words in the human language. It was slightly odd to hear.

“Great! We, the Xiahou Family, will definitely make sure that your return home is bountiful as well!” The black garbed martial practitioner led the way in front of them.

The surrounding martial practitioners atop the platform jumped down and protected the foreign clansmen at the center like bodyguards.

Another group of black garbed martial practitioners suddenly emerged from the side of the plaza.

They were continuously breaking up the crowd in the surroundings, having everyone around the teleportation formation that was unimportant move away.

Qin Lie’s group was also among the people who weren’t important. They had no choice but to obey the yells of the Xiahou martial practitioners and give way for the alien race.

Thus, with arrogant looks, the group of Gray Wing clansmen began to leave under the guidance of the Xiahou Family martial practitioners.

Meanwhile, Qin Lie and many others were forced to squeeze against each other, staring speechlessly at the arrogant alien clansmen strutting around on a human continent.

“What the hell is that?” A long time later, after the martial practitioners of the Xiahou Family and the Gray Wing clansmen left, Lian Rou shook her head and bitterly smiled. “On the Scarlet Tide Continent, we put our lives in danger and constantly warred with the alien races to keep them away, but not only is a group of alien clansmen treated as honored guests by a Silver rank force here, they even have us give way for them?”

“I didn’t really believe what Senior Xue Li said before, but now, I finally do.” Feng Rong sighed quietly.

“The Gray Wing clansmen are treated as honored guests because they bring a lot of benefits to the Xiahou Family.” Song Tingyu appeared out of nowhere and looked at where the alien clansmen had gone, sighing. “I guess we will have to get used to the Land of Chaos one step at a time. It really is as senior Xue Li said—there are no racial differences here, and the only conflicts that exist are caused by clashing interests.”

“Have you found a place to rest?” Xie Jingxuan looked at her.

Xie Jingxuan had watched Song Tingyu catch a martial practitioner earlier and use her charm concept to completely bewitch him. The martial practitioner answered every question she asked with complete sincerity.

“Come with me. I found a place, and damn it is expensive. To think that renting a small house here for just a month costs five hundred Earth Grade spirit stones,” Song Tingyu grumbled in a low voice. “Other than strength, I guess an ample amount of spirit stones is also needed to survive in the Land of Chaos. Sigh… only after leaving the Scarlet Tide Continent does one learn just how difficult it is to get things done in the outside world. It is far from the rosy dream one would imagine…”

“Let’s go,” Qin Lie said.

An hour later, Song Tingyu led the group of people to a small house in Black Jade City’s North City.

This was a small house with only five modest rooms. There were no exclusive cultivation rooms or artificer rooms, and plenty of similar houses nearby sheltered Manifestation and Netherpassage Realm martial practitioners.

“North City is the poorest region in all of Black Jade City. The people who live here are either low rank martial practitioners or poor. We are not protected by the Xiahou Family here, so be on your guard as much as possible and avoid conflict with others,” Song Tingyu said apologetically after she led the group here. “I’m sorry, but there really is no other choice. We need to save some spirit stones for travel expenses to teleport to the Heavenly Fissure Continent, so we have to put up with this for now.”

The group was kind of dejected.

They had all been filled with hopes and dreams when they traveled a long distance from the Scarlet Tide Continent to step onto this land. They had thought too favorably of the outside world.

Now that they were here, they finally realized how difficult it was to do things.

To them, the huge difference between their dreams and reality was literally like a baton to the head.

Chapter 410: One Cult, Two Mountains, Three Sects, Three Families

Inside a little compound in Black Jade City’s North City, Qin Lie and the others were gathered in the largest room.

This room was about thirty square meters. Everyone took out mats from their spatial rings and sat down.

Xue Li’s soul, which resembled eerie, bloody ghostfire, floated in the middle of the nine people.

“There are nine Silver forces in the Land of Chaos—I am referring to the ‘one cult, two mountains, three sects, and three families.’ The one cult is Black Voodoo Cult. The two mountains are Heavenly Sword Mountain and Ten Thousand Beast Mountain. The three sects are Terminator Sect, Illusory Demon Sect, and Celestial Artifact Sect. The three families are the Xiahou Family, the Su Family, and the Lin Family.”

Xue Li explained the Land of Chaos’ political climate in detail to them.

“Of these forces, Black Voodoo Cult and Illusory Demon Sect are in the Heavenly Slaughter Continent, and Terminator Sect is in the Heavenly Silence Continent. The three families, Xiahou, Su, and Lin, are in the Heavenly Calamity Continent. Heavenly Sword Mountain is in the Heavenly Wither Continent, and Celestial Artifact Sect and Ten Thousand Beast Mountain are in the Heavenly Fissure Continent.

“Since the nine great Silver rank forces are in them, these continents are considered Silver rank continents. Continents like the Scarlet Tide Continent, the Flowing Cloud Continent, and the Heavenly Fate Continent are only Copper rank continents because the strongest ranking forces in them are Copper rank.

“The five Silver rank continents in the Land of Chaos have nine great Silver rank forces in total. Subordinate to each Silver rank force are nearly a hundred Copper rank forces, nearly a thousand Black Iron rank forces, and more than ten thousand Limestone rank forces.

“Silver rank forces have Nirvana and Imperishable Realm experts. Each force has hundreds of thousands of members in their own faction. Taking the subordinate forces into consideration, the number of martial practitioners in a Silver rank force easily surpasses a million.

“Of course, the majority of these martial practitioners are low in realm. In a Silver force, the true core of strength are those in the Netherpassage, Fulfillment, and Fragmentation Realms. Nirvana and Imperishable Realm martial practitioners are rare in Silver rank forces.

“The Heavenly Calamity Continent we are on is ruled by the three powers. There are three giant cities. Black Jade City belongs to the Xiahou Family, Blue Flame City belongs to the Su Family, and Scattered Rain City is ruled by the Lin Family.

“There are smaller cities and towns near Black Jade City, Blue Flame City, and Scattered Rain City. They belong to the forces that are subordinate to the three powers. This enormous power hierarchy forms the powerful Silver rank forces.

“In the Land of Chaos, other than the five major continents, there are countless islands. In order to expand, accumulate power, and temper their juniors, the nine Silver forces have endlessly waged war on these islands. The weak must rely on the stronger to survive. Otherwise, it would be very hard to survive, and it’s possible that they could be killed at any moment.

“Remember to be careful of strangers in Black Jade City. The Xiahou Family will not care about whether or not you live or die. To survive, you need to rely on yourself.”

“……”

Qin Lie’s group formed a circle in the room. They attentively listened to Xue Li’s explanation with serious expressions.

Xue Li had once lived in the Land of Chaos for many years. He had been active here until just a few days ago, so he knew the disorder of this place and the evil in people’s hearts.

“Gao Yu, why have you come to the Land of Chaos?” A long time after Xue Li finished, Qin Lie looked at Gao Yu.

“I need to participate in the Trial to enter the depths of the Graveyard of Gods to search for the remains of the Evil Gods,” Gao Yu said truthfully.

Qin Lie’s brow furrowed. “You need a token of proof to participate in the Trial.”

“I will steal one.” Viciousness flashed through Gao Yu’s eyes.

“How about you, Senior Sister Tang? Elder Mo Hai? Instructor Feng? Why have you come to the Land of Chaos?” Qin Lie asked.

“I go wherever A’Hai goes.” Feng Rong laughed softly.

“For a long time now, I was prepared to leave Armament Sect to roam the outside world and break through my rut in artifact forging.” Mo Hai’s expression was indifferent. “I stayed because Ying Xingran kept urging me to. I made a promise with him that I would leave as soon as I was able to forge Earth rank spirit artifact, but… in the end, a major change occurred at Armament Sect, and Ying Xingran and the three great reverends were killed by you one after another. The sect was also corrupted by Joyful Union Sect, so my heart has calmed down. Since the others were going to roam, I followed.”

Qin Lie nodded.

“I have an elder here that hasn’t been heard from in many years, so I have come to find them,” Tang Siqi said in a soft voice, looking at the ground.

Qin Lie then looked at Yi Yuan and Lian Rou.

Yi Yuan spread his arms and said with a grimace, “I first helped you and Miss Song leave the Nether Battlefield, and then I helped Elder Mo and Instructor Feng. Cloud Sky Mountain, a subordinate force to Eight Extreme Temple, discovered what I did. Eight Extreme Temple wants to make trouble for me, so I can’t stay in the Scarlet Tide Continent. All I could do was leave.”

Lian Rong held Yi Yuan’s hand. She smiled faintly and didn’t say anything.

“Have you even thought about what you can do in the Land of Chaos? How you will survive?” Xue Li inserted.

Everyone shook their heads.

“None of you have a goal. You don’t need to go to the Heavenly Fissure Continent since you will not be able to participate in the Trial.”

Xue Li’s gaze swept across Feng Rong, Mo Hai, Tang Siqi, Yi Yuan, and Lian Rou. He said, “Stay here for now. Don’t leave. Qin Lie and I will visit the original Blood Fiend Sect and see what has happened at its location. If there is a place available, we will make a teleportation formation to have Blood Spear and Lang Xie come and rebuild Blood Fiend Sect. Then you will be able to establish yourself at Blood Fiend Sect.”

Feng Rong, Tang Siqi, and the others hadn’t had a goal and nodded upon hearing this.

“Boy, you… have enough strength to participate in the Trial.” Xue Li looked at Gao Yu and said, “But you need to get a token to get in.”

“I will get one,” Gao Yu said harshly.

“Gao Yu, what realm are you now?” Qin Lie asked.

When he met Gao Yu this time, he found that the dark aura on Gao Yu’s body was even stronger. When he thought of Xue Lie’s words and how Gao Yu had cultivated inside the body of the Evil God at the Demon God Mountain Range, his eyes brightened.

“The same as you, the early stage of the Netherpassage Realm,” Gao Yu said.

Qin Lie was shocked. “You’ve progressed quickly.”

“In these past few years, I have been working hard within the body of the Evil God. I didn’t move even a single step away and barely managed to get into the Netherpassage Realm.” Gao Yu frowned, saying with irritation, “You were causing trouble everywhere, cultivating artifact forging at the same time, and having relationships, yet you also entered the Netherpassage Realm. Compared to you, I am not fast at all…”

His cold eyes swept across Song Tingyu, Xie Jingxuan, and Tang Siqi as reference.

“Ahem!” Qin Lie coughed lightly. He rubbed his nose and said, “I have never slacked off in my cultivation.”

Gao Yu smirked and a hint of mirth appeared in his cold eyes.

“Haha!” Song Tingyu’s eyes were lively. She seemed to find this interesting.

“Everyone, rest up first.” Qin Lie stood up. “There aren’t enough rooms, so please bear with it.”

The group stood.

Song Tingyu and Xie Jingxuan took one room because of their identities and their familiarity with each other.

Tang Siqi, Lian Rou, and Feng Rong took another.

Mo Hai and Yi Yuan shared a room.

Gao Yu’s personality was eccentric, his eyes were cold, and his body was shrouded in ghostly energy. No one was willing to stay with him, so he had his own room.

Qin Lie also had his own room.

They had first started at Sea Moon Island, having been teleported five times before reaching the Heavenly Wither Continent. Then they had gone from the Heavenly Wither Continent to Black Jade City. After this string of teleportations, everyone was tired.

They silently sat and rested.

Qin Lie was alone in his room, but his mind would not settle down. He was still thinking about the blank tombstone.

He had recently gotten used to cultivating with the aid of the blank tombstone. He knew just how beneficial it was to him

The tombstone that he had obtained from the god corpse had been left behind on Sea Moon Island. Qin Lie grew annoyed when he thought of this.

“The tombstone must have ended up in the hands of that Luo Chen. He is also going to be participating in the Trial. If you’re confident, you can immediately take it back once you enter the Trial. If you’re strong enough, you can do anything you want to Luo Chen and the others—you can even kill them!” Xue Li suddenly said.

“Do anything… even kill?” Qin Lie’s gaze became vicious.

“Yes. In that secret realm, you don’t need any reasons or excuses to kill someone!” Xue Li smiled coldly. “Even if two people are from the same sect and want to act but cannot do so in the outside world, they can fight to the death in the secret realm! Don’t think that the people from Heavenly Sword Mountain are a team of allies. If they start the clash by the end, they will be able to immediately fight to the death!”

“So that’s how it is!” Qin Lie smiled coldly.

“If you can help me find the body of the Blood Progenitor, I can slaughter all of Sea Moon Island, execute Jiang Zhuzhe, and rebuild Blood Fiend Sect!” Xue Li shouted.

“What will I gain?”

“You will find out after you enter. If you succeed, you will be able obtain the tombstone again, or maybe you will be able to start solving the Graveyard of Gods’ mysteries with the tombstone! At the very least, after experiencing the bloody battles in the Graveyard of Gods, your realm, battle experience, and power will all increase! If you are able to survive until the end, you will also receive prizes from the nine great Silver forces and become famous all over the Land of Chaos!”

“Tomorrow morning, I will go with you to visit the original Blood Fiend Sect.”

“Mn.”

……

Sea Moon Island.

In the grand cultivation room that Blue Star Association provided to Luo Chen, he stared at the blank tombstone with a pale face.

Reaching out once more, Luo Chen tried to touch the tombstone. However, when his finger was three inches away from the tombstone, the seven divine lights within suddenly lit up.

“Boom!”

An enormous power blew Luo Chen away and made blood drip from his mouth.

He wiped away the blood at the corner of his mouth. His complexion became even more ashen as he stared hard at the tombstone. A long time later, he gave up.

Unlike Qin Lie, Luo Chen wasn’t even able to go near the tombstone, much less use its power to cultivate.

What he didn’t know was, when Qin Lie had been fighting to obtain the tombstone, he sprayed a mouthful of blood on it. The fresh blood permeated the tombstone and left behind a unique imprint.

Due to the existence of that imprint, Qin Lie could cultivate using the tombstone. As an additional result, the tombstone would only allow Qin Lie to touch it.

Luo Chen possessed this great treasure, but he could only observe it from far away, unable to benefit from it.

He eventually gave up.

The next day, Luo Chen left Sea Moon Island with Zhao Xuan and the others to prepare for the Trial.

Chapter 411: Blood Cloud Mountain Range

An Earth Grade Two Cloud Sailboat flew with the wind in the clouds of the vast Razed Desert and traveled ten thousand miles in a day.

The Cloud Sailboat was two hundred meters long and fifty meters wide. Clouds floated by its sails and released a powerful wind which propelled it forward.

This Cloud Sailboat was traveling from Black Jade City toward the Lin Family that was in the eastern part of the Heavenly Calamity Continent. There were hundreds of martial practitioners from the subordinate forces of the Xiahou and Lin Families on the Cloud Sailboat. They moved between the immense areas that the two families ruled.

Qin Lie stood at a corner of the Cloud Sailboat and watched as this flying spirit artifact moved through the air. Under him was an endless desert.

He had already spent seven days on this ship.

The Cloud Sailboat traveled ten thousand miles each day. This meant that he was seventy thousand miles away from Black Jade City.

A person that appeared to be in his fifties was also standing on the deck. He casually asked, “Friend, where are you going?”

“To the Blood Cloud Mountain Range,” Qin Lie answered nonchalantly.

“Blood Cloud Mountain Range?” The person was surprised and said, “There hasn’t been any people there for a long time. Ever since Blood Fiend Sect was destroyed, very few go to the Blood Cloud Mountain Range. Why are you going to the Blood Cloud Mountain Range?”

“To find some special spirit grasses,” Qin Lie deflected.

“Nothing has grown in Blood Cloud Mountain Range since the battle,” the person said.

Qin Lie’s brow furrowed.

“You didn’t know?” The person smiled and then introduced himself. “I am Bei Mo, a martial practitioner that was born and raised in the Heavenly Calamity Continent. One of my elders once participated in the battle that destroyed Blood Fiend Sect, so I know a bit.”

“Can you tell me more?” Qin Lie asked.

“About twelve hundred years ago, Blood Fiend Sect was still the ruler of the Heavenly Calamity Continent. The Xiahou, Lin, and Su Families were just small forces at the time. Of them, only the Xiahou Family was a Copper rank force. The Su and Lin Families were just Black Iron rank forces. More than a thousand years ago, the Xiahou, Su, and Lin Families were just subordinates of Blood Fiend Sect. They were completely obedient to Blood Fiend Sect and did not dare to disobey its orders!”

Bei Mo seemed to have been bored. When Qin Lie’s question showed his interest, Bei Mo explained with a smile.

Qin Lie’s gaze moved.

Xue Li never said that the three major families of the Heavenly Calamity Continent had once been subordinate to Blood Fiend Sect.

That was definitely because Xue Li found it humiliating. Forces that originally obeyed his whims had become Silver forces more than a thousand years later, while Blood Fiend Sect, who had once ruled the continent, had completely disappeared.

Xue Li definitely wouldn’t be willing to accept that. He would be ashamed of this reality, so he wouldn’t tell Qin Lie of the connection between the three families and Blood Fiend Sect.

“Why was Blood Fiend Sect destroyed?” Qin Lie asked seriously.

“More than a thousand years ago, something occurred at Blood Fiend Sect. Xue Li, the new sect leader at the time, was rumored to have cultivated one of Blood Fiend Sect’s forbidden arts and was imprisoned. His junior brother, Jiang Zhuzhe, took over as sect master of Blood Fiend Sect. Blood Fiend Sect was one of the strongest forces in the Land of Chaos at that time.

“Yet, not long after, Blood Fiend Sect became chaotic.

“Many of the martial practitioners of the forces in the Heavenly Calamity Continent that were subordinate to Blood Fiend Sect inexplicably disappeared. Everyone was worried and tried to find out why.

“Then someone discovered that the people who had mysteriously disappeared had been captured by members of Blood Fiend Sect and killed upon being drained of their blood for consumption.

“When this matter was exposed, many members of Blood Fiend Sect started to go crazy. They were active all across the Heavenly Calamity Continent, finding those that were powerful and consuming their blood to increase in realm and power!

“The Heavenly Calamity Continent was thrown into chaos by Blood Fiend Sect. The evil actions of Blood Fiend Sect, consuming the blood of martial practitioners, shocked all of the Land of Chaos.

“At that time, the Silver forces of the other continents rebuked Blood Fiend Sect, insisting that they restrain their members. They criticized such actions and did not permit them to continue cultivating by consuming blood.

“However, the sect master of that time, Jiang Zhuzhe, went insane from cultivating the forbidden art. Members of his sect also went crazy and were unable to control their urges.

“The forces in the Heavenly Calamity Continent fled overseas in hopes of finding peace. Blood Fiend Sect quickly realized that the martial practitioners disappeared from this continent. They were unable to control their desire for blood, so they extended their reach toward other continents.

“However, Blood Fiend Sect encountered the combined resistance of all the continents and their forces. More than a thousand years ago, all of the Silver rank forces formed an alliance and stepped into the Heavenly Calamity Continent!

“They initiated the extermination of Blood Fiend Sect.

“In a short half year, almost all of the members of Blood Fiend Sect in the Heavenly Calamity Continent were killed. The alliance then went into the Blood Cloud Mountain Range and the main base of Blood Fiend Sect. Regardless of gender and whether or not they had gone insane, the alliance killed all of the martial practitioners that cultivated the Blood Spirit Art.

“All of the forces in the Land of Chaos have an agreement. Regardless of the location, if they see members of Blood Fiend Sect who cultivate the Blood Spirit Art, they must be exterminated.

“After that, the members of Blood Fiend Sect on other continents and islands, regardless of whether or not they had consumed human blood, were completely wiped out.

“In the decades afterward, no Blood Fiend Sect martial practitioners could be found in all of the Land of Chaos.

“The Blood Spirit Art became known as an evil art. Anyone who cultivated it would be killed if they were discovered.

“The Xiahou, Lin, and Su Families performed exceptionally well in this battle. After the battle, the three great Families divided the spirit materials of Blood Fiend Sect from the Blood Cloud Mountain Range. They allowed the forces from overseas to divvy up Blood Fiend Sect’s mines, lands, medicinal fields, ponds, and territories in the Heavenly Calamity Continent.

“For the thousand years after the end of Blood Fiend Sect, the patriarchs of the three great families used the enormous resources they obtained to slowly develop and reach their current size.

“It could be said that the three great families consumed the blood of Blood Fiend Sect to become the Silver rank forces of the present.”

Bei Mo’s tone was calm as he explained in detail. He told Qin Lie why Blood Fiend Sect was destroyed, and how the the three great families rose to power.

Qin Lie slowly digested Bei Mo’s words and was inwardly shocked.

“There is nothing left in the Blood Cloud Mountain Range. Anything of value was taken by the three great families.” Bei Mo’s tone was calm as his eyes flashed with an otherworldly light. “Haha, the three families garnered fame and profited from their attack on Blood Fiend Sect. By stepping on the corpse of Blood Fiend Sect, the three families prospered on this land. The patriarchs of the three families are wise. They are people that I, Bei Mo, will admire throughout this lifetime.”

For some reason, Qin Lie could see and hear a deep-seated hatred from Bei Mo’s gaze and tone.

It seemed as though he had a grudge against the three great families. He seemed to despise what the three families had done. This made Qin Lie curious.

“Friend, what is your surname?” Bei Mo suddenly asked.

“Qin. My name is Qin Lie.”

“Oh. It doesn’t matter what your surname is, as long as it isn’t Jiang,” Bei Mo said sharply.

Qin Lie was surprised.

“There isn’t anything to look for in the Blood Cloud Mountain Range. There aren’t any spirit grasses. Going there is a waste of time.” Bei Mo looked at him deeply. Then, after saying those words, he turned to walk to the rooms of the Cloud Sailboat.

Qin Lie thought that this person was strange.

Three days went by quickly, and the Cloud Sailboat passed through the Razed Desert.

On this day, the Cloud Sailboat stopped at a small city. Many martial practitioners got off the boat, and new martial practitioners got on after paying enough spirit stones.

Qin Lie was among those that got off the boat.

He identified a direction, then left the city at dark, walking alone toward Blood Cloud Mountain Range.

After walking for two days, he stepped into the Blood Cloud Mountain Range around noon.

The clouds above his head seemed to be dyed with blood and were a frightening red. Under the light of the sun, the mountain range was terrifyingly bloody.

A faint odor of blood was mixed among the energies of the world. It was very unique, but Qin Lie did not feel any discomfort when he breathed it in.

Xue Li, who had been silent in for a long time, suddenly spoke inside his mind, “The Blood Cloud Mountain Range! You’ve reached the Blood Cloud Mountain Range!”

“I’m here,” Qin Lie answered.

“Walk towards the mountain further in. Go to the tallest, crimson mountain peak!” Xue Li’s voice resounded intensely within Qin Lie’s mind.

Qin Lie followed his directions.

Around Qin Lie were mountains that were thousands of meters tall. They were as red as blood and bare—devoid of any flora.

Collapsed structures were visible on the mountain peaks. On the paths at the base of the mountains, there were white bones, clothes, and pieces of armor everywhere.

It was completely desolate. When Qin Lie spread out his mind consciousness, he could not detect any signs of life.

“Someone is following you!” Xue Li said suddenly.

Qin Lie’s steps slowed.

He stood next to a mountain. With a frown, he turned his head and coldly said, “Come out.”

There was no sound. Once again, he searched with his mind consciousness, but he did not discover anything.

“There is a person is behind the piece of rock to the left!” Xue Li advised.

Qin Lie suddenly glared in the direction that Xue Li spoke of and shouted, “How long are you going to sneak around?”

An awkward cough came from behind an enormous piece of rock, then a figure popped out. The person had a strange expression on his face. “You are only in the Netherpassage Realm. How were you able to find me?”

“Bei Mo!” Qin Lie shouted.

It was Bei Mo, the stranger who had come over to talk with Qin Lie on the Cloud Sailboat and explained how Blood Fiend Sect had been destroyed.

“Blood Fiend Sect was destroyed long ago. Almost all the members of the past Blood Fiend Sect were killed. Some of those who managed to get away do not dare to step into the Heavenly Calamity Continent. They stay far away from Blood Cloud Mountain Range, afraid that people will find them.” Bei Mo calmly walked toward Qin Lie and said with a sharp gaze, “Why do you dare to come here?”

“I only came here to find spirit grasses.” Qin Lie frowned.

Bei Mo shook his head with a smile. “You cultivate the Blood Spirit Art… one that is quite pure. I sensed it the moment you stepped onto the Cloud Sailboat at Black Jade City.”

Qin Lie’s expression changed.