Translator: CinderTL
"Mi Hai, even the three righteous figures are unwilling to lend you a hand. You hypocritical bald monks are truly the rats of the Immortal Cultivation World, despised by all," Tai He sneered with a mocking tone.
Mi Hai's expression darkened, his gaze sharp as lightning as he stared at Tai He.
A vast Buddhist aura emanated from his body.
The two sides were at a standoff, and the atmosphere grew icy.
At that moment, Gou Jun suddenly spoke.
"Enough, everyone. We are here for the secrets within the Divine Blood Hall, not to settle past grievances. If we were to resolve all our old enmities, we would likely end up fighting each other several times over. The Divine Blood Hall is fraught with dangers, and it would be unwise for us to engage in internal strife."
Hearing Gou Jun's words, Tai He and Xi Ling immediately put away their magical treasures.
"Mi Hai, since Fellow Daoist Gou Jun has spoken, I will let you off for now. The grievances between our sects can be settled after we finish our journey in the Divine Blood Hall," Tai He said.
Mi Hai performed a Buddhist salute toward Gou Jun.
"Thank you, Benefactor Gou Jun, for mediating."
Gou Jun replied, "Master Mi Hai, there's no need for formalities. The Divine Blood Hall is filled with dangers, including many malevolent spirits and zombies. We will need your assistance to subdue them."
"This humble monk will do his best," Mi Hai said.
Thus, a potential major conflict was averted.
The atmosphere immediately eased.
The nine of them began exchanging cultivation insights, presenting a harmonious scene.
However, among the nine, there were subtle divisions into several groups.
First, there was a clear boundary between the righteous and the evil factions, distinct and separate.
Among the five evil cultivators:
Xue Cangqiong of the Crimson Blood Sect and Gui Ni of the Profound Yin Sect stood closest to each other.
Tai He and Xi Ling were not far from Gou Jun but deliberately kept some distance.
Among the four righteous cultivators:
Mi Hai seemed somewhat isolated from the other three, appearing solitary.
Lan Chen and Mo Yexue stood close together, like close friends, while keeping some distance from Yang Yu.
Over four hundred miles away, Song Wen roughly sensed the situation of the nine but chose not to focus on them further.
He was concerned that excessive scrutiny might alert them.
He waited in place for several more days. With less than half a month until the expected opening of the Divine Blood Hall, Xue Mei still had not appeared.
Song Wen decided to reveal himself, no longer continuing to hide.
If he were to suddenly appear at the moment the Divine Blood Hall opened, it would only arouse suspicion among the nine.
Song Wen silently retreated several hundred miles, then flew close to the treetops at a low altitude, slowly making his way toward the location of the nine.
"Someone is approaching."
Gou Jun was the first to notice Song Wen's approach. He turned his gaze in Song Wen's direction and alerted the others.
Hearing this, everyone shifted their attention to Song Wen.
As Song Wen flew closer, Gou Jun spoke up.
"Fellow Daoist, you seem unfamiliar. May I ask how you should be addressed?"
"I am Yin Shuo of the Asura Sect. Greetings to Fellow Daoist Gou Jun, Fellow Daoist Xi Ling, and..."
Song Wen clasped his fists in salute, addressing each of the nine in turn.
Most of the nine looked at Song Wen with probing eyes.
Xue Cangqiong of the Crimson Blood Sect stared coldly at Song Wen and voiced the question on everyone's mind.
"A mere early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator dares to enter the Divine Blood Hall? Where did you obtain your Bronze Key Coffin?"
Among the nine people present, apart from Tai He at the mid-stage Nascent Soul and Gou Jun at the peak Nascent Soul, the rest were all at the late-stage Nascent Soul, at least on the surface.
Therefore, the sudden inclusion of Song Wen, a cultivator at the early-stage Nascent Soul, seemed somewhat peculiar.
"I was fortunate to obtain it," Song Wen said modestly.
"Whether it's good luck or bad luck for you remains to be seen," Xue Cangqiong remarked with a hint of disdain before falling silent.
At this moment, Tai He suddenly interjected.
"Friend Yin Shuo, we share some camaraderie. I advise you to retreat now. The Divine Blood Hall is not a place for an early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator like you to venture into."
Song Wen was puzzled and turned to look at Tai He.
He couldn't understand why Tai He would suddenly show concern for his safety.
Then, Tai He continued, "Your cultivation is too low. Entering the Divine Blood Hall recklessly is akin to seeking death. It would be better for you to retreat, focus on secluded cultivation, and wait until the Divine Blood Gate reopens in three hundred years. As for the Bronze Key Coffin you possess, lend it to me for now."
Song Wen immediately realized that Tai He wasn't concerned about his safety at all—he was coveting his Bronze Key Coffin.
But if Tai He didn't have a Bronze Key Coffin, why was he here?
Could it be that he already knew Song Wen had the Bronze Key Coffin and came here to seize it?
Or perhaps his target wasn't Song Wen but someone else?
For example... Xue Mei!
Had Tai He guessed that Xue Mei had designs on the Divine Blood Hall and was certain she wouldn't miss this opportunity, thus planning to wait here to ambush her?
Was this the reason Xue Mei had yet to appear?
Song Wen replied, "Thank you for your concern, Friend Tai He. However, I still intend to take a look inside the Divine Blood Hall."
"Hmph! Foolish and reckless..."
Before Tai He could finish, Lan Chen interrupted.
"Tai He, the Bronze Key Coffin belongs to Friend Yin Shuo, and his life is his own. Whether he enters the Divine Blood Hall is his decision. Why must you pressure him?"
Lan Chen then turned to Song Wen and continued, "Friend Yin Shuo, since the demonic path does not welcome you, why not join us on the righteous path? With one more person, we'll have greater strength when entering the Divine Blood Hall."
"Thank you, Fairy Lan Chen," Song Wen said before floating toward Lan Chen's position.
As Song Wen approached, Mi Hai greeted him with a Buddhist gesture.
"Patron Yin Shuo, I have often heard Xiao Chan speak highly of you. Meeting you today, I see you are indeed extraordinary."
Song Wen was surprised by Mi Hai's sudden friendliness and replied respectfully, "You flatter me, Master. I have long admired you as well. Meeting you today feels like a great fortune."
Mi Hai said, "Patriarch Yin Shuo, our sects are neighbors and share some history. Why don't we join forces and venture into the Divine Blood Hall together?"
Mi Hai was at odds with Tai He and Xi Ling of the Nine Palaces Sect and had a strained relationship with the three Nascent Soul cultivators of the righteous path. If he could win over Song Wen, he would at least have some leverage against Tai He and Xi Ling.
However, Song Wen had no intention of becoming someone else's pawn.
"I have just entered the Nascent Soul realm and am still weak. The Divine Blood Hall is fraught with danger. If you all do not mind, I naturally hope to join forces with you, Master, and the others," Song Wen said ambiguously.
After speaking, he didn't give Mi Hai another chance to speak and swiftly flew towards Lan Chen.
(End of the Chapter)
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