Chapter 29: Not Easy to Deal With

After reviewing the information provided by Tianji Tower, Jiang Li gained a comprehensive understanding of the Mysterious Mystic Realm.

Although, at first, he just wanted to know where it was.

The one who established the Mysterious Mystic Realm was a cultivator named Dream Hermit, who had reached the Soul Formation Stage. Eight hundred years ago, he exhausted his strength while overcoming his Heavenly Tribulation and perished. Perhaps sensing that he wouldn’t survive the tribulation, he left behind the Mystic Realm before attempting it, leaving something for future generations—offering some opportunities to Foundation Establishment youths to create good karma.

The Mysterious Mystic Realm opens once every ten years, and each time, the trials within differ. Sometimes, they test comprehension, sometimes combat ability, and sometimes resistance to wealth and beauty. Even Tianji Tower couldn’t discern a pattern. What is certain is that the Mystic Realm has two levels, and the rewards vary based on one’s outstanding performance.

For example, five hundred years ago, the trial within the Mystic Realm was combat-based. Each participant had a token and could snatch others’ tokens—the one with the most tokens by the end ranked first.

The Mysterious Mystic Realm is located in the southern borderlands of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Each time it opens, sects from several nearby prefectures rush to participate. It’s uncertain whether any of these sects have Soul Formation cultivators, but none would reject a Mystic Realm left behind by a cultivator near the Tribulation Stage.

…

Jiang Li altered his appearance and arrived near the Mysterious Mystic Realm.

By now, many sects had already gathered, bringing their core disciples in anticipation of the realm’s opening.

Although Jiang Li’s cultivation level exceeded the Foundation Establishment Stage, disqualifying him from entering, he had also surpassed Dream Hermit.

The opening of the Mysterious Mystic Realm was a minor grand event for the southern region of Great Zhou. By then, every notable sect from the surrounding prefectures would be present, showcasing their outstanding disciples.

Jiang Li glanced around but couldn’t recognize a single sect name. The situation was just as the system had described—most of the attendees were in the late Foundation Establishment Stage, with only a few in the mid-stage. Naturally, the late-stage disciples looked down on the mid-stage ones.

Jiang Li didn’t make a scene, disguising himself as a late Foundation Establishment cultivator. Blending in among them, he was entirely unremarkable.

Of course, he could reveal his true identity: Forget disguises! I’m the Human Sovereign—show some respect and let me enter the Mystic Realm to claim first place!

Jiang Li didn’t care much for faith, but he still had some dignity.

A dignified Mahayana Stage cultivator barging into a Soul Formation cultivator’s Mystic Realm to fight a bunch of Foundation Establishment juniors for opportunities? His friends would laugh their heads off if they heard about it.

“Hey, brother! Did your sect not send anyone either?” A chatty man approached Jiang Li. “What a coincidence! My sect didn’t send anyone either.”

Most participants had elders from their sect present to prevent bullying, but exceptions existed—like the man beside Jiang Li.

He introduced himself as Qin Luan, the eldest and final disciple of Dingfeng Temple. His master had been wandering the world for over a decade without returning, leaving Qin Luan free to cultivate as he pleased.

“No choice, I’m the highest-ranked in my sect, so no one came with me.”

Jiang Li’s words were true—his sect was the Human Sovereign Hall, and as its leader, he naturally held the highest rank.

But to Qin Luan, Jiang Li’s words sounded as if his sect elders were all dead, leaving him the only survivor.

Qin Luan had thought his sect was pitiful enough with just two members, but unexpectedly, another sect was even worse off. He immediately felt sympathetic.

“Don’t worry, Brother Kong Li! Since we’re in the same boat, I’ll look out for you in the Mystic Realm!” Qin Luan patted his chest confidently.

Jiang Li hadn’t used the alias “Zhang Li” this time, instead choosing “Kong Li.”

The moment he heard “Zhang Li,” he thought of that despicable Dao Sect Master flaunting his success, making him grit his teeth in anger.

“Hope there aren’t any scummy people this time.” Qin Luan, unable to stay quiet, kept talking even as Jiang Li remained silent.

“Kong, you know what? Last time, some guy deliberately suppressed his cultivation until he entered the Mystic Realm, then broke through to the Golden Core Stage and took first place. That’s just shameless. If I see someone like that, I’ll kick them while they’re breaking through—see how they cheat then!”

Jiang Li figured Qin Luan wasn’t looking for a companion—he was looking for an audience.

Suddenly, a shadow passed over them. A massive eagle landed nearby, its sharp eyes gleaming with a hint of sword energy.

“A hawk with traces of Golden Roc blood… which sect does it belong to?” Qin Luan exclaimed, eagerly providing commentary.

Two figures dismounted from the hawk. Both wore pristine white robes, long swords on their backs, eyes fixed ahead, completely ignoring the crowd’s murmurs.

“They’re from the Forgetting Emotion Sect! That sect’s disciples are emotionless. They trust no one—only their swords.” Qin Luan immediately identified them. “That’s the Seven Kill Daoist and his elder.”

A trace of seriousness appeared in Qin Luan’s expression. “He’s tough to deal with. I fought him ten times and only won eight.”

Jiang Li was mildly surprised. “Using ‘Seven Kill’ as a title… does he have any connection to the Seven Kill Monument in the Celestial Realm?”

Someone like that should have been well-known—why had Jiang Li never heard of him?

“No, he just thought the name ‘Seven Kill’ sounded cool.”

“……”

“Hmm? Where are these flower petals coming from?” Qin Luan looked up, watching as two women in pink gauzy dresses descended gracefully. The petals vanished as they landed. The younger girl was lively and adorable, while the older one had a cold demeanor that kept admirers at bay.

“They’re from the Blossoming Sakura Sect!” Someone in the crowd beat Qin Luan to the introduction.

“It’s Song Ying and her master.” Qin Luan’s expression turned serious again. “She’s tough to deal with—I fought her ten times and only won six.”

As soon as Song Ying landed, she scanned the crowd and, upon spotting Qin Luan, bounced excitedly toward him.

“Hehe, Qin Luan! We meet again! This time, I won’t lose to you!”

She even playfully raised her tiny pink fists.

But Qin Luan ignored her and instead turned to warn Jiang Li.

With an even more serious expression, Qin Luan said, “Be careful of Song Ying. She knows she can’t beat me, so she tries to distract me with her beauty. She’s very scheming!”

Jiang Li thought to himself, Even I, a blind man, can tell she likes you. Haven’t you noticed her master glaring at you like she wants to kill you?

“Is there any chance she actually likes you?” Jiang Li asked, unable to resist.

“Absolutely not,” Qin Luan declared with certainty. “I even asked her once, ‘Do you like me?’ She said, ‘Who would like an idiot like you?!’”

Jiang Li nodded slightly. Seemed like Song Ying really didn’t like Qin Luan.

“You should be careful of these two. They’ll be your biggest competitors.”

Jiang Li didn’t nod this time. In his view, the real strongest competitor was someone else.

His gaze settled on a seemingly unremarkable disciple.

A late-stage Foundation Establishment body—but within it, the soul of a Soul Formation cultivator.

Body Seizing.