“Master, what should my body refiner self do?” Wu Yuan asked with a hint of worry.
This not only involved his body refiner self, but also the safety of the entire Middle Land where his family and numerous friends resided.
The first person Wu Yuan thought of seeking help from was his master. If he could get information about the Summerpeak World, he might be able to give Wu Yuan some advice on how to proceed.
“The situation is grim, but it’s not beyond redemption,” High Immortal Nan Yin said.
“First of all, you need to understand that even though the Bloodforge Devil Hall follows the philosophy of the Asura Devil path, it doesn’t mean they are as chaotic and bloody as the devils.”
“No matter how insane they become, they are still a human faction and are part of the Taiyuan Divine Court.”
“The devil path and devils are two different concepts,” High Immortal Nan Yin stated.
Wu Yuan nodded, feeling somewhat relieved.
That was true! Perhaps the system of the Bloodforge Devil Hall was a brutal and bloody one, but it was still primarily run by the human race. A chaotic system was better than no system.
“Secondly, for thousands of years, there has been no trace of the Bloodforge Devil Hall’s interference in the Summerpeak World,” High Immortal Nan Yin said. “Therefore, by my estimation, the whole Summerpeak World has not been regarded seriously by the Bloodforge Devil Hall.”
“The so-called Spiritless Region might be a natural state of the Summerpeak World, formed by special rules to restore itself and comply with the rules of world operation.”
“It wouldn’t be difficult for an average Void Refiner Eminence to set up a Spiritless Region,” High Immortal Nan Yin said.
“These are your opportunities.”
Wu Yuan listened attentively.
“What you need to do is to seize the time you have and quickly understand the current situation of the Summerpeak World,” High Immortal Nan Yin advised. “Then, make the most beneficial choice for yourself.”
“Power is still the key.”
“The main focus of the Bloodforge Worlds under the Bloodforge Devil Hall is to train new powerhouses.”
“As long as you are strong enough and you don’t rebel against the Bloodforge Devil Hall, there’s no reason for the Bloodforge Devil Hall to reject a genius like you.”
“You have every hope of keeping your people safe,” High Immortal Nan Yin said. “The Bloodforge Devil Hall is a true force to be reckoned with. If you manage to join them, I believe you will grow much stronger.”
Wu Yuan understood what he meant.
He had to gain clarity over the situation and avoid rashly resisting the Bloodforge Devil Hall.
Also, he needed to bide his time and weigh his options. If an opportunity presented itself, joining the Bloodforge Devil Hall wasn’t entirely out of the question.
“Master, if I join the Bloodforge Devil Hall, won’t my identity be exposed? Will that put our sect at risk?” Wu Yuan asked.
“First off, the overlap between the two factions is minimal,” High Immortal Nan Yin chuckled.
“Secondly, if you were at the Amethyst Cradle or Shambhala phases when you cultivated your two true selves, you’d be easily recognized.”
“But you cultivated your two true selves during the Spiritual Body phase. As time passes, the differences between your two true selves will only grow.”
“Once you are able to refine the void, then learn some secret arts, even someone at my level might not be able to tell that you have two true selves even if both stand right in front of them,” High Immortal Nan Yin laughed.
“In the endless expanse of time and space, many powerful individuals have multiple true selves swearing allegiance to different forces, yet they’ve never been exposed over billions of years.”
Wu Yuan listened in astonishment.
Having two true selves could lead to such amazing possibilities?
“I’ve never exposed your body refiner true self to the sect, not even to the abbot. You must not reveal it either,” High Immortal Nan Yin warned. “Similarly, you should keep your qi refiner self a secret on your body refiner self’s side.”
Wu Yuan nodded subtly.
The matter of his two true selves was known only to his master, Qiong Sea, Fang Xia, and the realm master, so keeping it under wraps wouldn’t be challenging. After all, it wasn’t something one would deliberately mention.
Who would have thought that someone could create a new true self at the Spiritual Body phase?
“Of course, if push comes to shove and it gets exposed, it might not necessarily be a bad thing,” High Immortal Nan Yin shook his head. “It would only further prove your extraordinary talent.”
“At the end of the day, the Eternal Sun Immortal Realm and Bloodforge Devil Hall are both members of the Taiyuan Divine Court,” High Immortal Nan Yin said, “And the leaders of the two powers are not at odds.”
Wu Yuan nodded subtly.
Right, if one zoomed out from the ceaseless battles between large sects and factions, and the competition for treasures and interests among countless immortal cultivators, one would see that everyone was part of the Taiyuan Divine Court.
The prerequisite, of course, was being able to ascend to that lofty height.
“Thank you for your guidance, Master.” Wu Yuan expressed his gratitude.
“No need for thanks, I’m sorry that I can’t be of any help.” High Immortal Nan Yin shook his head.
“Master, you’ve already done plenty,” Wu Yuan earnestly said.
Wu Yuan dared not hope that his master would oppose the vast Bloodforge Devil Hall for his body refiner self. That wouldn’t be a wise move.
Even though it was just an immortal continent division of the Bloodforge Devil Hall, there was likely an Archimmortal stationed here. That was far more than what his master could contend with.
The difference between a High Immortal and an Archimmortal was like heaven and earth.
“This is also a test for you, if you can overcome this crisis, it will be beneficial to your growth.” High Immortal Nan Yin said.
Wu Yuan nodded slightly.
Crises and disasters were not a good thing. But if one was destined to come, then he had to strive to ensure it ended with the best possible outcome.
“Another matter I want to discuss is the Dragon Star Tournament,” High Immortal Nan Yin said, “There’s less than a month left.”
“According to the rules, only thirty-two Golden Core hereditary disciples will keep their disciple status, the rest will all be demoted to inner disciples.” High Immortal Nan Yin said.
Wu Yuan nodded slightly.
The Dragon Star Tournament was a brutal competition. Do you have strength and capability? A background? The guidance of seniors? Lots of treasures?
Anything goes! All that mattered was the final result of the battle.
Perhaps it wasn’t fair. After all, each Golden Core hereditary disciple differed in age, experience, and upbringing. But it evaluated all by one singular criterion: the strong rise, the weak fall. This was also the consistent doctrine of the Dragon Star Immortal Sect.
“In the past thirty years, six Golden Core disciples have been promoted to the status of hereditary disciple. As per the usual rules, you six will directly advance to the top thirty-two,” High Immortal Nan Yin said.
“So, whether you win or lose, none of you need to fear being demoted to inner disciples.”
“Meanwhile, those hereditary disciples seniors will have to fight and compete against hundreds of the most outstanding inner disciples selected from a pool of millions.”
“In the end, only the strongest twenty-six will be able to advance to the top thirty-two,” High Immortal Nan Yin said. “Thus, the other Golden Core hereditary disciples will not be weak.”
Wu Yuan listened.
He was fairly clear about these rules.
“As for the other hereditary disciple freshmen, such as Kuang Long who joined the sect with you, they can only hope that they won’t lose too badly,” High Immortal Nan Yin said.
“But this is not something you should be concerned about. What you need to do is to secure the first place.”
“I understand,” Wu Yuan nodded.
First place? He had to take it!
“Don’t be careless.” High Immortal Nan Yin shook his head, “You’ve only reached the seventh-stage Golden Core phase. There’s still a gap between you and the other Golden Core hereditary disciples.”
“But I have a third-degree immortal root,” Wu Yuan piped up.
“Among the dozens of Golden Core hereditary disciples, there are several others with third-degree immortal roots,” High Immortal Nan Yin said.
“Though third-degree immortal roots are rare, some can still be found in each generation among the millions of disciples in the sect.”
Wu Yuan was stunned.
He was right! Third-degree immortal roots were extremely rare, one in a million.
However, Golden Core cultivators who qualified to join the Dragon Star Immortal Sect were all quite outstanding. And those selected from these millions of disciples to participate in the tournament? There were naturally some real prodigies among them.
“Having a strong immortal root doesn’t necessarily mean they have a high comprehension aptitude,” High Immortal Nan Yin stated.
“Among the many Golden Core hereditary disciples in our sect, there are three you should be particularly wary of.”
“All three of them have cleared at least level fifty of the one-star tower. They’re not too far behind you in terms of Dao comprehension aptitude. Moreover, as cultivators with third-degree immortal roots, they not only have the advantage in mana, but also in the power of their lifebound artifacts.”
“In fact, that little fellow called Xing Luo just cleared level fifty-four of the one-star tower, which is quite impressive,” said High Immortal Nan Yin.
Wu Yuan’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Level fifty-four? In just five years, he conquered two more levels. His talent was not bad at all.
Wu Yuan thought that the match was nothing to worry about, but now he was starting to feel a hint of pressure. Of course, it was just a hint.
“The Dragon Star Tournament is just a minor test for you,” High Immortal Nan Yin seemed to sense Wu Yuan’s indifference and laughed. “Ten years from now, countless sects from all over the Immortal Continent, along with the Moonsilver World, will jointly hold the Moonsilver Tournament!”
“The Moonsilver Tournament held once every hundred years is the ultimate showdown for the young Golden Core cultivators of the entire immortal continent. Prodigious disciples from all large sects will participate.”
“Our Dragon Star Immortal Sect has ten slots for the tournament. That will be your real test,” High Immortal Nan Yin shook his head.
“But if you can’t even come in first within our sect, what are you going to the Moonsilver World for? You’ll just embarrass us!”
“The Moonsilver Tournament?” A glint flashed in Wu Yuan’s eyes.
He had naturally heard of it. It was one of the largest events in the entire immortal continent, consisting of the Golden Core Battle and Amethyst Cradle Battle.
Each large sect and the Moonsilver World would send their top disciples to compete and fight for glory.
The rewards were staggering.
“Go now, prepare well.” High Immortal Nan Yin instructed, “Put your full effort into it. Come back in seven days to receive another tutoring session.”
Wu Yuan bowed respectfully before leaving.
…
After departing from the Dragon Star Immortal Voidrealm, Wu Yuan’s qi refiner self sat in the meditation chamber within his world residence.
All was silent.
Who would’ve thought that the Summerpeak World is under the control of the Bloodforge Devil Hall? And they turned out to be that powerful. Wu Yuan sighed. Even my master is helpless.
Wu Yuan now understood why the first teleportation attempt had consumed such a large quantity of ethercrystal.
He also understood the threat faced by his body refiner self and the beings of the Middle Land.
I’m too weak. If my body refiner self had the power of an Elysian Field cultivator, I could hold my own in the Summerpeak World. At the very least, I would have far more options. Wu Yuan contemplated.
Unfortunately, despite the rapid progress of his body refiner self, not much time had passed, and he was only at the sixth-stage Spiritual Body phase.
Strength! I need more strength.
The plan for my body refiner self must be amended. As for my qi refiner self… I must strive hard to not disappoint my master.
First, I must come out on top in the Dragon Star Tournament.
Wu Yuan continued his usual cultivation routine.
Days passed, and the Middle Land remained peaceful.
Apart from one tutoring session with his master, Wu Yuan’s qi refiner self spent all his time in closed-door cultivation.
In the blink of an eye, just one day remained until the once-in-thirty-year Dragon Star Tournament.