Chapter 659 - 606: Underlying Currents Surge
Jiang Yuebai and the masked Lu Nanzhi walked to the outside of the Immortal Palace gates, beyond the nine dragon-shaped arch bridges, and gazed at the slowly opening palace doors.
More and more Nascent Soul cultivators flashed in from various locations, each finding a spot to wait.
From the Zhuge Family, Cicada Spirit, a ghost cultivator, was physically more fragile than ordinary cultivators. Although Jiang Yuebai thought she was not weak, having died once made Cicada Spirit more cautious, leading her to give up on attending this Dragon Group Gathering.
She would stay on the plaza to watch over the low-level disciples participating in the arena competition.
Jiang Yuebai and Lu Nanzhi formed a black and white pair, while Zhuge Ziqian and Moh Baichun held hands tightly. The Zhuge Family only had Zhuge Ziyin and the burly Tie Wanjiang standing together, expressionless as they watched the others.
The Lou Family also sent a Nascent Soul cultivator, none other than Lou Yuqiong, the early-stage Nascent Soul female cultivator Jiang Yuebai had once seen at Guan Nanbao.
Next to Jiang Yuebai were two cultivators dressed in lake-blue robes, a man and a woman, the Nascent Soul True Monarchs of the Youx Family from Eight Immortals River.
The Youx Family excelled in water techniques, having a unique advantage in this location. In previous Dragon Group Gatherings, Youx Family cultivators won the top spot more often than other families and sects.
Seeing Jiang Yuebai look over, both sides nodded and gestured.
The Youx Family was comparatively neutral, having good relations with both the Zhuge Family and the Xiong Family, never explicitly supporting any party.
Next to the Youx Family were people from the Xiong Family. Jiang Yuebai saw Shen Mingjing and a middle-aged male cultivator she hadn’t seen before standing together, accompanied by a male and female cultivator at mid-stage and late-stage Nascent Soul.
The Xiong Family was sizeable, but this time, including Shen Mingjing, they only had four Nascent Soul cultivators attending.
However, beside the Xiong Family were two male cultivators from the Fang Family, both at late-stage Nascent Soul, persistently looking over at the Zhuge Family with hostile, scheming eyes.
Other families only sent one or two Nascent Soul cultivators, forming alliances with friendly parties before the event even began.
From the sects, Heavenly Star Sect only had two Nascent Soul cultivators, while the Yuquan Sect sent two as a symbolic gesture, looking lifeless, likely just going through the motions.
High-level cultivators in the Yuquan Sect were generally aware of the upcoming merger; some opposed it, others left the sect directly. However, most were still in a wait-and-see state, wanting to see how Heavenly Interence Sect would perform at this Dragon Group Gathering—whether they could suppress Heavenly Star Sect and the Xiong Family.
Other sect forces did not wish to get involved in the dispute between Heavenly Star Sect and Yuquan Sect, choosing to group together for warmth.
The remaining were loose cultivators and external cultivators, gathering in various places in threes and fours, most wrapped so tightly even their teeth couldn’t be seen, making Jiang Yuebai unsure of their identities, whether evil cultivators or demon cultivators.
Which was just as well, Jiang Yuebai smirked quietly; so many people wanted to fish in troubled waters and get rich in silence, what harm was there in having one more Chenzhou Wanderer?
"What are you smirking about again?" Lu Nanzhi asked softly beside her.
Jiang Yuebai restrained her smile, sending a message to Lu Nanzhi, "I heard the Kunxi Secret Realm initially existed in the Nine Rivers Realm as a great secret realm. With five layers, Immortal Monarch Chongmin gained his fortune in the fifth layer and established the Immortal Palace above this realm."
"However, all these years, apart from Immortal Monarch Chongmin, only one person from the Xiong Family has successfully entered the fourth layer, reportedly gaining a great fortune, advancing from late-stage Nascent Soul to Divinity Transformation Stage in one leap."
"When entering, there will be random teleportation. If we get separated, Anan, be cautious of Zhuge Family members who can be trusted, but be wary of everyone else, especially the Fang Family. Never let them know your identity."
In the Earth Spiritual Realm, the Fang Family had been slaughtered across three generations by Lu Nanzhi, with Fang Ruyan of Feiyan Pavilion behind it, yet Lu Nanzhi was also inevitably linked.
Upon mention of this, Lu Nanzhi adjusted the mask on her face, eyes deep, nodding.
"I have my discretion. Upon entering the Secret Realm, we can use Dream Demon to maintain contact. I will also help you watch for the Innate Water Spirit."
Jiang Yuebai grinned wide, sending a message, "Having you and your Innate Water Spirit body assisting me in the search—it’s assured!"
Divinity Transformation cultivators would gather at another location, later led by Immortal Monarch Chongmin to enter an illusion array for trials.
Compared to the Nascent Soul side, Immortal Monarch Chongmin would focus more on the performance of Divinity Transformation cultivators within the illusion array.
Which means, in the Secret Realm for Nascent Soul cultivators, whether fighting life and death, Immortal Monarch Chongmin wouldn’t care.
Anyone could see that once in the Secret Realm, as long as opportunities arose, families and sects, without hesitation, would mutually slaughter to weaken each other’s strength.
Thus, families and sects only sent part of their Nascent Soul cultivators, not utilizing their core forces.
Only the loose cultivators were singularly focused on treasure hunting.
Half an hour later, the palace doors fully opened, revealing a grand whirlpool of flowing water at the center of the majestic frame. A graceful figure leaped out from the center, catching two Luo Fish in a flower basket amidst the splashing water.
The female cultivator arrived gracefully, adorned in a green long skirt with cherry blossom-colored clothing, resembling a clear lotus in the water, radiating an untainted elegance, standing floating in front of the palace doors, smiling at the cultivators, having reached the peak of Divinity Transformation.
"Greetings, everyone, I am Wen Su, the Immortal Servant of the Immortal Monarch."
For many, it was their first time seeing Wen Su; seeing her cultivation level yet serving under the Immortal Monarch prompted awe and regret.
Achieving the peak of Divinity Transformation typically confirms one’s Great Dao direction, yet she still remained by Immortal Monarch Chongmin’s side, seemingly only able to walk the Water Path with no other opportunities.
Despite hearing the murmuring voices, Wen Su maintained a gentle smile. Only as the noise subsided slightly did she continue, "The Immortal Monarch has opened the entrance to the Kunxi Secret Realm. This time, the Immortal Monarch has placed three personally refined spiritual artifacts and elixirs within, as well as many heavenly materials and earthly treasures, heaven and earth spiritual objects, and remnants from other cultivators."
"The rules are as usual: within seven days, those who clear the most layers and collect the most Immortal Palace Tokens will win. While the Kunxi Secret Realm offers many fortunes, I must remind everyone that the water clan’s beasts inside are fierce, and there are many traps and dangers. Do take care."
Wen Su wasted no words, tossing the flower basket afterward, sending the two Luo Fish with bird-like wings flying toward the whirlpool at the Immortal Palace’s entrance.
The whirlpool expanded outward, revealing a scene of water and mountains encircling, with azure waves rippling, countless steep mountain peaks standing within the rushing river, vaporous and boundless, stretching beyond sight.
After making an inviting gesture, Wen Su’s gaze unwittingly scanned the position of the Xiong Family cultivators.
Then, Wen Su spoke to the gathered Divinity Transformation cultivators, "All Divinity Transformation stage friends, please follow me into the Immortal Palace from this side."
With the Kunxi Secret Realm open, the Nascent Soul cultivators paid no heed to the Divinity Transformation cultivators, as two Nascent Soul male cultivators from Heavenly Star Sect stepped forward first, flashing instantly in front of the whirlpool, appearing as inconsequential against the vast ocean.
The Heavenly Star Sect cultivators moved, prompting immediate action from other cultivators, the crowd gathering in a tide, surging toward the Secret Realm entrance.
Jiang Yuebai and Lu Nanzhi exchanged a glance, charging toward the entrance together, stepping in without hesitation.
From the plaza’s edge, Xie Jingshan watched Jiang Yuebai and Lu Nanzhi disappear into the whirlpool before withdrawing his gaze.
Lowering his head, he saw Chu Guirui gazing up in curiosity and envy at the bear-headed armor before him.
"Can you lend me that thing to play with? It looks so impressive. How about I trade you with the spiritual beast my grandmaster gave me? Why don’t you talk? Are you mute? I’m six years old this year; how old are you? Are you a man or a woman?"
Shen Mingjing disappeared, and Bai Jiuyou then lifted the bear mask from the armor, blindfolded with white gauze, speaking grouchily to the incessantly chatty Chu Guirui.
"I’m not mute; I’m blind!"
After speaking, he turned to Xie Jingshan, "Old fool, keep your child from bothering me!"
Xie Jingshan: ......