Chapter 325: The Domain City Branch Hall
“Is this the complete pseudo-supernatural life form?”
Lin Qi looked at Lu Fanchen’s information and could not help being shocked.
Under normal circumstances, one would need to reach the Blood Condensation Realm to have a chance to learn the Body Strengthening Secret Technique Third Level, yet Lu Fanchen had forced himself to learn it. In Body Strengthening Secret Technique, he had already surpassed Luo Wu Shang, who had reached Second Level Perfection Realm, and in physical toughness, he had become the number one among players.
However, what was truly astonishing was the complete pseudo-supernatural life form.
According to the system’s explanation, a complete pseudo-supernatural life form was no longer an ordinary life, or rather, no longer a biological being, but a form of life recognized by the system.
The reason it was considered life by the system and no longer merely a biological being lay in its degree of compatibility with energy. The compatibility of biological beings was close to zero, while an existence recognized as life already possessed a certain degree of compatibility.
The higher the compatibility, the greater the perception, absorption, and utilization of energy.
If biological beings could only absorb and utilize 1% of the energy from external energy ore, then as life, a complete pseudo-supernatural life form would have more than 10% absorption and utilization.
In other words, the effect an ordinary person obtained using energy crystal was roughly what it took to match a complete pseudo-supernatural life form using energy ore. It could be said that in cultivation, a complete pseudo-supernatural life form was simply defying the heavens.
The only reason a complete pseudo-supernatural life form was not a supernatural life form was entirely because it could not maintain the state of a supernatural life form at all times; it still needed to rely on external objects, such as absorbing energy ore or energy crystal, to maintain it.
But in his view, a complete pseudo-supernatural life form was already heaven-defying.
As long as there was enough energy on hand, it could constantly maintain the state of a supernatural life form. Compared to before, when energy could not be replenished and one reverted once their own energy was exhausted, this was far stronger, many times over. It even meant that during daily cultivation, as long as energy was sufficient, one could cultivate continuously in the state of a supernatural life form. That cultivation speed was far higher than that of ordinary people.
“No wonder the system’s reward is so generous. Transforming from a biological being into life is indeed a qualitative change.” Lin Qi thought that if all players became life, then across the Four Regions, the Obsidian Martial Arts Hall would likely have no rivals.
At present, the number of players entering the game had exceeded twenty-two thousand, among whom more than twelve thousand were martial artists. There were over five hundred Bone Forging Realm experts, one hundred and thirty-six Intermediate Bone Forging Realm martial artists, twenty-two Advanced Bone Forging Realm martial artists, and five Bone Forging Realm Advanced Level Limit martial artists. Moreover, these five had at least reached Second Level Perfection Realm in Body Strengthening Secret Technique, and their strength was far greater than that of ordinary High-level Blood Condensation Realm martial artists.
Without entering the transcendent state, these five already had a physical strength of 90 tons, equivalent to Blood Condensation Realm Intermediate Level martial artists. Once they entered the transcendent state, their physical panel would be equivalent to that of normal Peak High-level Blood Condensation Realm martial artists, that was, 180 tons of strength. With the martial skill buff and Second Level Body Strengthening Secret Technique buff, their minimum strength would exceed 300 tons.
If all these people became complete pseudo-supernatural life forms, the scene would be unimaginably beautiful, not to mention if all players became complete pseudo-supernatural life forms.
After Lin Qi extracted Lu Fanchen’s Body Strengthening Secret Technique and was preparing to properly cultivate the Third Level, Wu Zhuoqun walked into the room somewhat excited.
“Hall Master, there is news from Tianhe Domain City.” Wu Zhuoqun, holding the message from Azure Wing City, spoke in what he believed was a calm tone. “The martial arts hall in Tianhe Domain City has been fully constructed. As soon as we go to install the martial arts hall equipment, the first batch of Energy Blood Essence will be delivered.”
A domain’s domain city was a place he never dared to imagine going in the past. Only his junior sister Xiong Yuedie had a chance to step into a domain city. Now the Obsidian Martial Arts Hall could actually establish a branch in Tianhe Domain City. When he received this news, he was completely stunned and even suspected it was fake.
In a domain city, never mind a martial arts hall, even outsiders trying to enter faced immense difficulty. The factions able to station themselves there were all top-tier major powers of the Four Regions.
Such as the well-known Earth Star Pharmaceuticals and Black Steel Heavy Industry, one selling medicine, the other selling mechanical products.
Yet the more he investigated, the more shocked he became. Lin Qi had not only built a branch in Tianhe Domain City, he even had Tianhe Domain City pay with Energy Blood Essence for purchase. It was utterly outrageous, and Wu Zhuoqun could not understand how Lin Qi had done it.
“All right, take some people and get ready. As for the equipment, I will have a group of grey-robed disciples bring materials and go with you. If you encounter any dangerous situation, you can have them handle it.” Lin Qi nodded, then took out a Fruit of Life. “Your main task is to sell this Fruit of Life and find a way to obtain more Energy Blood Essence Manufacturing Equipment.”
He had long planned the branch in the domain city. Once players transported the so-called materials into those rooms, he could start remodeling them, allowing players to set up Resurrection Devices in the branch. At that time, whatever he wanted to do in the branch could be done through the players.
On the other hand, he would use the branch to open up the market and earn Energy Blood Essence Manufacturing Equipment. With the ability to produce Energy Blood Essence himself, even without martial arts hall franchise profit in the future, he could still use the manufacturing equipment to steadily obtain Energy Blood Essence.
“Yes!”
After hearing this, Wu Zhuoqun became even more excited, not only because Lin Qi entrusted him with the extremely important Fruit of Life, but also because he could visit the legendary domain city.
After Lin Qi finished explaining, he also found a group of players, released a special task to gain a foothold in Tianhe Domain City, and then went to the intermediate gravity chamber to cultivate the Body Strengthening Secret Technique Third Level.
Tianhe Domain City, city proper.
In front of a martial arts hall that covered an area as large as several sports fields and appeared magnificent and solemn, crowds of residents who had lived in the domain city for generations and geniuses who had tested into the domain city were packed together.
“To be able to open a martial arts hall in this place, just what kind of faction is this Obsidian Martial Arts Hall? Why have I never heard of it before in Tianhe Domain?”
“I have heard of this Obsidian Martial Arts Hall. It is very famous around the Mountain of the Dead and previously heavily injured the Red Moon Merchant Guild’s Dragon Hunting Corps. Its strength is not weak.”
“Amazing. They can even go against the Red Moon Merchant Guild. No wonder they can open a martial arts hall here. I wonder what they teach. If it is better than what is taught at the universities, I might come here to experience it.”
“For these factions, being able to teach supernatural-level martial skills is already pretty good. How could it be better than what universities teach?”
“However, we people from Third University can come support them when the time comes. After all, without Third Elder’s consent, this place could never have been built. And I heard this martial arts hall is managed by Senior Sister Ling Ye and Senior Brother Yi Feng. I wonder if we can seek their guidance then.”
“If I can get guidance from Senior Sister Ling Ye and Senior Brother Yi Feng, I will definitely come when the hall opens.”
“I think that is unlikely. For this Nine Schools Grand Competition, they are too busy improving themselves to have time to teach others. Last time our rank in the Nine Schools Grand Competition was already seventh, causing our school’s resources to shrink greatly. If the ranking drops again this time, things will be even harder for us in the future.”
Everyone stared at the tightly closed doors of the Obsidian Martial Arts Hall and discussed it heatedly. They were full of curiosity about this Obsidian Martial Arts Hall and did not understand what Ling Ye and Yi Feng were planning. They were even backing a faction that had offended the Red Moon Merchant Guild. If they were blacklisted by the Red Moon Merchant Guild, the two of them would be finished in Tianhe Domain City.
Although the Red Moon Merchant Guild was not as specialized as Earth Star Pharmaceuticals or Black Steel Heavy Industry, it often sold rare treasures that helped improve strength.
Without these supplies from the Red Moon Merchant Guild, it would be much harder for Ling Ye and Yi Feng to compete for ranking in the Nine Schools Grand Competition than for the other eight universities. No one could understand what the two of them intended.
The Nine Schools Grand Competition was held once a year between the nine universities whose overall strength ranked in the top nine in the domain city. Based on their rankings, the resources and tasks allotted to each school in the following year differed. This was especially true for exploration of the forbidden zone. The higher the ranking, the more people could enter the forbidden zone for exploration.
Otherwise, in the domain city, unless one reached Blood Condensation Realm Intermediate Level, they had no qualification to enter the forbidden zone to search for treasure, complete tasks, and exchange for Energy Blood Essence.
While the crowd was still debating this, at an open-air restaurant by the street not far away, two Half-Beast Race men were staring intently at the scene.
“Young Master Lexa, we can basically confirm that Ying Hu has reached some kind of transaction with the Obsidian Martial Arts Hall. Not only did he allow the Obsidian Martial Arts Hall to establish a branch here, Ying Hu himself has gone to Lord Vice City Lord’s residence, apparently to recommend them.” The Half-Beast Race old man said with extreme respect.
“What a fine Ying Hu. He really shows me no respect at all.” Lexa’s expression darkened.
“Young Master Lexa, shall we inform the master? I believe the vice city lord would give the master some face and reject that Obsidian Martial Arts Hall.” The Half-Beast Race old man suggested.
“No need for such trouble. We can just deal with the source directly.” Lexa smiled slightly. “I have already accepted this commission from the Red Moon Merchant Guild. I will properly meet that Obsidian Martial Arts Hall and see what they are capable of.”
Originally he had no interest in a trivial Obsidian Martial Arts Hall, but just one day earlier, Smiling Skull, Earth Star Pharmaceuticals, and the Red Moon Merchant Guild had reached a cooperation.
The three major forces were jointly targeting the Obsidian Martial Arts Hall. The Red Moon Merchant Guild had even set sky-high commissions for martial artists of different strength levels. The commission for a High-level Blood Condensation Realm expert was as high as ten Energy Blood Essences, while for Half-Step Heavenly Human it was thirty Energy Blood Essences, to assist members of the three major forces in exterminating Obsidian Martial Arts Hall members in the Mountain of the Dead.
Thirty Energy Blood Essences was not a small sum for him.
“Young Master Lexa, I have investigated quite a bit about that Obsidian Martial Arts Hall. Although the three major forces are not targeting the Obsidian Martial Arts Hall’s headquarters this time, there are also many Obsidian Martial Arts Hall disciples in the Mountain of the Dead. Those disciples previously repelled the Dragon Hunting Corps whose leader Rhein Manster had reached the Half-step Heavenly Human Realm.” The Half-Beast Race old man said with some worry. “Young Master Lexa, although your talent far surpasses Rhein Manster’s, Rhein Manster has probably stepped into the Half-step Heavenly Human Realm for many years, and his strength is not necessarily beneath yours. Participating in this Red Moon Merchant Guild commission is somewhat dangerous.”
“I am aware of what you said.” Lexa nodded. “But this time, I am not the only Half-Step Heavenly Human hired by the Red Moon Merchant Guild. Moreover, Smiling Skull and Earth Star Pharmaceuticals have not been polite either. Not long ago, both dispatched Half-step Heavenly Human Realm experts from their headquarters. With so many Half-step Heavenly Human Realm experts gathered, never mind the Obsidian Martial Arts Hall disciples in the Mountain of the Dead, we could easily wipe out the Obsidian Martial Arts Hall headquarters as well.”
“Smiling Skull and Earth Star Pharmaceuticals have both dispatched Half-Step Heavenly Humans?” The Half-Beast Race old man was shocked.
For all major powers in the Four Regions, Half-step Heavenly Human Realm experts were not like cabbages; they stood at the top of power and would not be casually deployed.
According to intelligence investigated in the domain city, both Smiling Skull and Earth Star Pharmaceuticals each had only one Half-step Heavenly Human Realm expert. To send them both to deal with one Obsidian Martial Arts Hall was simply overkill.
Yet before the Half-Beast Race old man could recover from his shock, a Blood Pattern Clan man wearing a black cloak, with a Red Moon insignia on his arm and a body over three meters tall, silently appeared at their side.
“What are you people from the Red Moon Merchant Guild doing here?” The Half-Beast Race old man stared fixedly at the Blood Pattern Clan man, his expression ugly.
As Young Master Lexa’s butler and bodyguard, he had not noticed anything before the Blood Pattern Clan man appeared. This was a major failure.
Lexa waved his hand, signaling the old man not to act rashly. He looked at the Blood Pattern Clan man with interest and said, “Do you from the Red Moon Merchant Guild have some important matter? You actually sent a Condensation Realm Peak High-level Blood Pattern Clan youth as strong as you to come personally?”
“Lord Lexa truly lives up to his reputation.” The Blood Pattern Clan youth praised. “However, I have not come for a major matter. It is only that after Lord Lexa accepted the task, the assembly point must be personally guided by me, and you cannot go anywhere else on the way.”
“In the past I always went on my own. Has the rule changed?” Lexa was somewhat puzzled.
Previously, when he accepted commissions, the Red Moon Merchant Guild barely paid him any attention. Now they had taken the initiative to send someone over, which was rare.
“This commission is extremely important. To ensure no information leaks and to deliver a fatal blow to the Obsidian Martial Arts Hall, we must maintain secrecy.” The Blood Pattern Clan youth explained.
“Aren’t you exaggerating? It is only an Obsidian Martial Arts Hall. Just attack them directly. Are you afraid we cannot kill them?” Lexa was a bit stunned and felt the Red Moon Merchant Guild was overestimating the Obsidian Martial Arts Hall.
“Lord Lexa, this is not our timidity. According to our investigative intelligence, the Obsidian Martial Arts Hall is much stronger than we initially thought. To avoid accidents, we can only proceed like this.” The Blood Pattern Clan youth said. “If Lord Lexa wishes to abandon this mission, our Red Moon Merchant Guild will not force you.”
“Fine, but I will be going with my butler. There is no problem with that, right?” Lexa thought for a moment and still agreed.
“No problem. Please come with me, both of you.” The Blood Pattern Clan youth nodded and immediately turned to lead the way.
Lexa glanced over and followed with the old butler. The Blood Pattern Clan youth piloted a flying car for five to six hours, bringing them to a wooden cabin at the foot of a mountain not far from the Mountain of the Dead.
Upon entering the wooden cabin, they discovered an underground passage inside. After walking for more than ten minutes, the three of them arrived at a dim hall.
Although the hall was dim, as Blood Condensation Realm experts, they could see clearly within.
“Rhein Manster of the Red Moon Merchant Guild’s Dragon Hunting!”
“Seeker Melk of Earth Star Pharmaceuticals!”
“Wulun of Smiling Skull Three Heads!”
“Tania, Son of Storm from the forbidden zone!”
The Half-Beast Race old man looked at the Half-Step Heavenly Humans in the hall led by the Blood Pattern Clan youth and could not help crying out, almost losing his breath.
He had never imagined that in such a narrow underground space, so many Half-step Heavenly Human Realm experts would gather, especially Tania, Son of Storm from the forbidden zone, who ranked tenth among Half-step Heavenly Humans active in the forbidden zone and had even fought with Heavenly Human Realm experts.
Lexa, on the other hand, was staring at the newly arrived man and woman. The man was a one-armed Forest Race warrior, and the woman a Sub-demon Race beauty with six eyes.
When the Half-Beast Race old man turned and saw the two of them, his eyes almost popped out.
“Sky Beast Gaia!”
“Twilight Shadow Michalu!”
Whether it was Sky Beast Gaia or Twilight Shadow Michalu, both were extremely famous figures in the forbidden zone, ranking third and fifth among Half-step Heavenly Human Realm experts. Killing ordinary Half-step Heavenly Human Realm experts was child’s play for them.
“Gathering us seven Half-Step Heavenly Humans, just what does the Red Moon Merchant Guild intend to do?” Lexa looked at Gaia and Michalu, full of confusion.
With the seven of them acting together, never mind killing the Obsidian Martial Arts Hall disciples in the Mountain of the Dead, they could even turn around and wipe out all the major forces in the Wushan Region without any problem.
“Rhein, you summoned us here so mysteriously. What exactly do you want us to do?” Sky Beast Gaia, the one-armed expert, swept his gaze across the hall, then fixed his eyes on Rhein Manster, who was in charge of the operation.
Everyone else also looked toward Rhein Manster, not understanding what this Red Moon Merchant Guild commander was planning.
With seven Half-step Heavenly Human Realm experts like them, in the absence of Heavenly Human Realm experts, even the domain city would have to respond with utmost seriousness. Not to mention that their movement had been so cautious that outsiders might think they were about to attack the domain city.
“What else would I ask you here for? Naturally, to deal with a powerful enemy.” Rhein Manster said calmly as he looked at the curious group.
“Powerful enemy? Which one?” Twilight Shadow Michalu teased. “Or do you want us to teach those people of Mist Mountain Domain City a lesson?”
“Of course not. I still want to live a few more years.” Rhein Manster shook his head. “The commission this time has already been stated. It is the Obsidian Martial Arts Hall.”
“Rhein, have you gone senile? You gathered us to deal with a martial arts hall that has only just made a name for itself. Are you looking down on us?” Sky Beast Gaia glared.
As Half-step Heavenly Humans, they disdained to act against minor factions. The Obsidian Martial Arts Hall’s disciples had merely repelled the Dragon Hunting Corps, and its hall master had killed Mo Xiao, one of Smiling Skull’s Seven Guardians. To have them join forces for this was an insult.
The Half-Step Heavenly Humans from Smiling Skull and Earth Star Pharmaceuticals present also agreed with Sky Beast Gaia.
“Just see for yourselves.”
Rhein Manster glanced at them, tapped his smart watch, and sent their latest investigative information to everyone present.
As they opened and read it, they all, including Lexa, gasped sharply.
“This is impossible!”
