Chapter 215: The Grand Competition Begins
Su Yan did not delve deeply into the matter of the underwater secret realm. Since Gu Sanqian had said so, inquiring about this thing should not be difficult.
In the remaining three or four days, he devoted all his energy to improving his Five Poisons Body Forging Scripture.
This time, however, it was not having his contracted beasts—Yin Soul Silver Toad, Six-Winged True Silkworm, Bone Jade Celestial Spider, Steel Poison Fiend Scorpion, Earth Fire Yang Snake—take turns, but rather summoning his own fierce insects to temper his body with their origin toxins.
This was Gu Sanqian’s technique. Indeed, higher-grade poisonous creatures would naturally temper faster and more effectively.
But in the slight gap before reaching the Transformation Realm, tempering with homologous toxins would greatly benefit the shaping of Su Yan’s foundation and his control over his contracted beasts.
This was equivalent to refining the fierce insects’ origin into part of his own foundation.
Under the deadly poisons of the Six-Winged Blood Centipede and Flame Armored Scorpion, Su Yan’s Five Poisons Body Forging Scripture progressed rapidly.
【True Intent Realm Spirit Merging Stage: 1/100 (Beginner)】
【Five Poisons Body Forging Scripture: Transformation Realm】
Refined muscles outlined perfect lines, golden flowing light patterns from inside out constantly wandered on Su Yan’s body, ultimately converging in his bones.
Su Yan’s true essence constantly circulated around his body, gathering in his dantian, where the true essence continuously liquefied, like a vast ocean in an inner landscape.
His aura climbed steadily, and behind him suddenly appeared eight true intents including Star Moon Centipede, Poison Star Ape, Green-scaled Poisonous Flood Dragon, Flame Armored Scorpion, and others.
All were beasts with extraordinary might. The original Gold-Eating Demon Insect true intent had metamorphosed into Troop Devouring Ghost Moth, and the Rock Demon Ant Queen’s true intent was also taking shape under constant condensation.
“Spirit and intent unite, body and intent connect. Is the power of the Spirit Merging Stage driving true intent to the extreme of the True Intent Realm through the physical body? In that case, I’ve taken advantage.”
Su Yan revealed a smile. Fighting Spirit Merging Stage martial artists was no longer his first time.
He was naturally very familiar with the means of the Spirit Merging Stage.
Often, true intents unite as if a god descends, erupting with power far beyond the norm.
Now that he had also broken through to Spirit Merging, he understood this power even more clearly.
He stood up, stretched his muscles and bones, his gaze sweeping over the peak of Xuan Shuang Mountain. Sunlight fell on the tall trees, casting speckled rays.
It was fine weather.
He summoned the five fierce insects beside him, feeding each several Beast Essence Pills. The Troop Devouring Ghost Moth was additionally fed a piece of second-order mysterious steel.
Watching the fierce insects devour voraciously before him, he frowned slightly.
Beast Essence Pills were only second-order low-grade. Now most of his fierce insects were comparable to second-order perfected, so such pills were somewhat insufficient in effect.
“Medicine Refining…”
Thinking of medicine refining, Su Yan assessed his situation.
Sacred Insect Dao and Red Moon Pill Workshop were gradually expanding. In the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains, Wang Cang led hunting teams while operating the small secret realm, and the earned origin stones would gradually increase. At least the funds for medicine refining were temporarily sufficient.
However, what he needed now were second-order upper-grade, or even third-order pills.
“Nine Dragon Pill Seal has reached minor accomplishment. Together with Five Elements Alchemy Technique and Gu Pill Manual, I can try refining Seed Aperture Pill.”
The third-order pill prescription in Su Yan’s hands was the exchanged Seed Aperture Pill. Seed Aperture gathers essence, increasing true essence foundation—this was very important to him.
First, refine third-order Seed Aperture Pills.
Second, claim the Tiger Ranking First.
Only by claiming Tiger Ranking First could he obtain Nine Profound Gold and the forging method for the Dragon Nesting Pool from his grandmaster, to forge his natal spiritual artifact.
Only by claiming Tiger Ranking First could he go to Tiger Fiend Temple to comprehend the Subduing Tiger Mingwang Body cultivation manual.
One must know, his grandmaster Five Poisons Daoist was himself a Dharma Aspect True Person who cultivated the Five Poisons Golden Body Profound Skill.
True essence and physical body cultivated together. Though not pure body cultivation, his physical body strength ranked among the top in Lingnan Prefecture.
He spoke so highly of the Subduing Tiger Mingwang Body, so this cultivation manual was undoubtedly extraordinary.
Su Yan had no reason to let it go, so this was also a must.
A Cloud Piercing Sparrow pierced through the mists of Xuan Shuang Mountain and flew down before Su Yan.
“Hm?”
Su Yan showed a surprised expression, grabbed the Cloud Piercing Sparrow, and immediately saw the note on it.
“Tiger Ranking Grand Competition has begun. Waiting for you at the foot of the mountain.”
The note was signed with Gu Songde’s name. Su Yan smiled, his figure moved, and the Six-Winged Blood Centipede immediately appeared under his feet, carrying him soaring into the sky.
Gu Songde had come specifically to wait for Su Yan. His mount was a second-order early demonic feather spirit crow, slightly smaller than the Black Horned Giant Eagle, but more than sufficient to carry Gu Songde.
The moment Gu Songde saw Su Yan, his pupils contracted sharply. In just two or three months, Su Yan had grown stronger again.
That faint threat lingered around him, meaning he himself might not be a match for this junior brother.
“Junior Brother, let’s speed up. It should have started over there.”
“Good.”
The two drove their feral beast mounts, each accelerating. Soon they arrived above the Nine Tablet Spirit Platform.
At this time, the Nine Tablet Spirit Platform was packed with people, outer disciples and inner disciples all gathered here.
Shoulder to shoulder, craning their necks in anticipation, all watching the nine arenas rising in the Nine Tablet Spirit Platform.
On the left and right of the spirit platform rose two hundred-foot high platforms. On the left under the nine tablets, several positions seated true persons from various peaks and the on-duty elder of Nine Tablet Spirit Platform, Yin Mingchen.
The right platform was slightly shorter, with three hundred seats arranged in order. The last one hundred Tiger Ranking disciples were all here at this time.
Flying here, they landed on the platform and found seats to sit.
“Morning fights, afternoon rest. The first three days of the seven-day competition are the most exciting.”
Gu Songde pointed below the platform. At this time, a disciple had already initiated a challenge on the arena.
An inner disciple challenging a Tiger Ranking disciple.
Su Yan glanced over. The two were merely Ruyi Stage martial artists, but their combat had some skill.
“That kid from Hundred Tiger Peak is indeed stronger in combat.”
Gu Songde watched and commented, treating it as entertainment. Cheers rose and fell around them, stirring the mind.
After watching for a while, the arena had seen several changes. Several Tiger Ranking disciples after 290 had been overturned, challenged down by inner disciples.
Waves of cheers came, stirring the blood.
“Those ranked lower face much greater pressure.”
Gu Songde watched the matches and smiled: “When the top hundred fight, you and I will be the targets. Junior Brother should be confident in defending, right?”
Gu Songde was 53rd, Su Yan 57th. Both were near the 60th position, right at the threshold for the elimination tournament.
“A tiny bit.”
With the conversation opened, Su Yan was curious: “Senior Brother doesn’t want to challenge higher up?”
Gu Songde had been in the sect for nine years and would drop off the Tiger Ranking in another year.
How high he could climb this year would be his highest record.
“I do, of course I do.”
Gu Songde made no secret of it. His eyes narrowed slightly: “Junior Brother, you’d best break into the top thirty too.”
Su Yan’s gaze lifted: “Secret realm?”
Gu Songde showed surprise, then relief: “Right, looks like Junior Brother knows.”
“Heard Grandmaster mention it briefly, but I don’t know the details. Please enlighten me, Senior Brother.”
Gu Songde showed envy. Su Yan’s grandmaster was none other than Guizang Valley Head Seat Gu Sanqian.
How could such a Dharma Aspect True Person as backing not inspire envy?
Gu Songde’s master was also the veteran Dan Qiao Spirit Toad True Person Yue Xiu from Guizang Valley, whose cultivation had long entered the Third Heaven.
However, compared to Su Yan’s backing, it was still much inferior.
He composed himself and slowly said: “Three thousand years ago, a Blood Sea Divine Flood Dragon that was already a fifth-order king beast sought to seize the water veins, blood sacrificing millions in Lingnan Prefecture City to seize veins and fortune for a demon saint breakthrough.”
“It failed?”
Gu Songde nodded: “The Monster Suppressing Guard powerhouse Qin Jingtian, who was stationed in Lingnan Prefecture City at the time, fought for three days and nights with Jing Tian Tower, dragging it until heavenly thunder descended and slayed that feral beast. The feral beast blood spilled into Lingtian River, together with heavenly thunder and water veins, tearing open the underwater space.”
“Though it failed to break through, it still had some demon saint domain-forming means. Evil spirits lingered, flood dragon blood rampaged, instead forming an extremely vicious secret realm underwater.”
“Lord Qin Jingtian suppressed it with Jing Tian Tower, preventing the evil flood dragon spirits from escaping to wreak havoc. Over a hundred years later, old wounds recurred. Senior Qin Jingtian used Jing Tian Tower as foundation to thoroughly suppress this secret realm, turning it into a trial ground for Monster Suppressing Guards in Nantian Prefecture City to gain experience.”
Gu Songde spoke simply, but this was a king beast death site with immense opportunities not easily explained.
Su Yan frowned slightly: “Nantian Prefecture City’s opportunity, a Monster Suppressing Guard secret realm—how does it fall to us to intervene?”
Beast King Sect was indeed powerful in Lingnan Prefecture, but how could Monster Suppressing Guard be pushovers?
Backed by Dali Dynasty, with the Monster Suppressing Guard commander leading many in Lingnan Prefecture, it was absolutely no weaker than Beast King Sect.
With such strength, it would not easily let others touch such a secret realm.
Gu Songde nodded: “Naturally, they won’t easily let others intervene. But General Qin Jingtian said before his death that Blood Flood Dragon Secret Realm opens every three years, and all Lingnan disciples may enter.”
Su Yan curled his lip: “You believe that?”
Gu Songde shook his head: “No. Blood Flood Dragon Secret Realm is nourished by fifth-grade Dao Soldier Jing Tian Tower absorbing spiritual energy, the entire Lingtian River water vein, and constant feral beast essence blood tempering. Resources consumed are vast—how could it be free?”
He paused: “Even if General Qin Jingtian came from Lingnan Prefecture, he couldn’t open it for free to all Lingnan disciples.”
There were so many Lingnan disciples—would all sects go together?
Obviously impossible.
Su Yan’s gaze flickered slightly: “There’s a trade?”
“Mm, for Blood Flood Dragon Secret Realm, sects with quotas must provide feral beast qi and blood. One quota is ten thousand units of essence blood crystals.”
One unit of essence blood crystal equals the full essence blood refined from an early first-order feral beast.
Not all first-order feral beasts, of course—higher or special feral beasts provide surplus essence blood, so it’s not truly ten thousand feral beast lives.
Even so, it was no small amount.
Su Yan immediately reacted: “Our quota is thirty?”
Gu Songde smiled: “Right.”
“What’s inside that only Tiger Ranking disciples can go, to suppress the secret realm’s strength?”
Gu Songde’s gaze showed slight surprise. This junior brother’s mind was sharp, deducing much from a few words.
He simply explained: “Blood Flood Dragon Secret Realm is both opportunity and competition. What it produces is mainly four things: Blood Flood Dragon essence blood, Blood Flood Dragon spirit, heavenly materials and earthly treasures, and General Qin Jingtian’s inheritance.”
Su Yan showed shock: “They’re crazy? Releasing a Golden Body Realm powerhouse’s inheritance?”
“Though General Qin is dead, he can still decide on his own inheritance. Monster Suppressing Guard doesn’t want to be the villain.”
Gu Songde continued: “Moreover, over the years, few have gained recognition and obtained parts of the inheritance—mostly Monster Suppressing Guard geniuses.”
“The key is Blood Flood Dragon spirit and Blood Flood Dragon essence blood. Using the Blood Sea Divine Flood Dragon’s corpse, the secret realm constantly produces essence blood and spirit by inputting lives. If controlled properly, it can run indefinitely. Both strengthen bone structure and enhance spirit strength. Obtaining a wisp of Blood Sea Divine Flood Dragon divine charm can metamorphose true intent easily—not to mention we have contracted beasts.”
If contracted beasts get enough Blood Flood Dragon essence blood, dragon transformation is possible.
In Gu Songde’s view, since Su Yan had centipedes as contracted beasts, he likely couldn’t avoid the transform into dragon hurdle—this Blood Flood Dragon Secret Realm was a good opportunity.
“Besides those two, Blood Flood Dragon Secret Realm also generates heavenly materials and earthly treasures, slightly fewer but all rarities.”
“Besides our Beast King Sect, how many sect disciples are going?”
“Not many.” Gu Songde said: “Only two hundred can enter. Last time we fought for thirty quotas. The rest: Monster Suppressing Guard forty, Sword One Sect and Nine Peaks Sect twenty each, remaining sects and Lingnan Prefecture official forces divided the quotas.”
Fought for?
This word was apt.
“In the end, is it fighting for quotas or for Lingnan Prefecture influence?”
“Both.”
Gu Songde spoke openly: “Junior Brother guessed it. More quotas mean greater benefits in certain areas, especially disputed or overlapping industries. But that’s for Sect Master and Head Seats to worry about.”
The two casually discussed the Blood Flood Dragon Secret Realm thoroughly. In a blink, two hours passed.
Gu Songde looked up slightly, surprised: “Junior Sister Bai Yun is on stage.”
They looked over. Bai Yun took the stage spear in hand, long spear like a dragon, black hair over shoulders, wearing white tight martial robes, white jade belt at waist. Her aura rose step by step, tiger shadow appearing behind—truly heroic and valiant.
On one side of the arena was Overturning Sea Peak’s Tiger Ranking disciple, tall and thin, long sword thin like a venomous snake flicking its tongue, chillingly cold.
“Overturning Sea Peak Pan Zhenxiong, 247th.”
Gu Songde recognized the man and reported the name to Su Yan. Su Yan understood and smiled: “He’s no match.”
Indeed, after just over fifty exchanges on stage.
Clearly Perfected Ruyi Stage Pan Zhenxiong had already summoned his contracted beast.
But when Bai Yun and Sha Yu Tiger struck together, her White Tiger True Intent Tiger Roar Shakes the Heavens assaulted. Soon he was defeated.
Bai Yun, victory!
In the following days, various matches occurred. Bai Yun ultimately ranked 237th, twenty places above Canglong Peak’s Qing Tianyi.
The lower ranking fights ended after seven days, with fewer than ten ascending to mid ranking.
Mid ranking fights lasted seven days. Breaking into the top hundred was even rarer, only a handful.
Thus half a month passed, finally reaching the top ranking fights.
