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Novel: [The Primordial Law]
Volume 5: [Seeking Immortality in the Eastern Sea]
Volume 5 (Pinyin): [Dong Hai xun xian]
Chapter 77 (514): [Sheng Wulian's Challenge]
(77th of Volume 5)
Translator: Shadow Knight AK
Editor: Shadow Knight AK
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Immortal Herb, the foremost treasure of the Dao Seed Realm, was a treasure beyond price, a treasure that could not be sought out but only encountered by chance.
It could even be said that it elevated a Martial-Mystic Cultivator's innate talent, forging a foundation of unparalleled excellence.
Every clan hoped that their Superior Chief Disciples would cultivate the Immortal Body within the Dao Seed Realm, striving for even greater achievements. This would pave the way for smoother and more glorious progress in the Immortal Realm.
As for ordinary Chief Disciples, it wasn't that they lacked ambition. Rather, they understood that Immortal Herb was beyond their reach.
Zuoqiu Ling narrowed his eyes, muttering softly, "This girl truly knows how to keep secrets... Hmm, this matter must remain confidential. We can't let more people find out."
The Hidden Lord turned to Li Weiyi and asked, "So many Immortal treasures emerged? Is your rapid increase in combat power due to Immortal Herb? Did Cang Li and Yaoyin manage to obtain any?"
Li Weiyi replied, "Immortal Herb is exceedingly rare. How could so many have emerged? To my knowledge, only three plants appeared in total. Without supreme cultivation, one couldn't even hope to obtain a single petal. Cang Li and Yaoyin are still too young; they lack the qualifications to compete."
"You had the qualifications. Why didn't you help her?" Yao Qingxuan's voice drifted into Li Weiyi's ears from an unknown source.
She had witnessed Li Weiyi and the Hidden Lord's brief exchange earlier and was secretly astonished, surmising that Zuoqiu Hongting's acquisition of Immortal was likely due to Li Weiyi's assistance.
The Hidden Lord's eyes darted around before he spoke, "Cang Li... I've always believed he should stand on his own, needing more trials to shed his pampered upbringing and cultivate greater resilience. But Yaoyin... she's been alone since childhood, truly pitiful. Now that she's finally risen above her hardships, if she fails to cultivate an Immortal Body, all her current glory and praise will turn into mocking daggers aimed at her. Alas, what if she can't bear it?"
"If she can't bear it, she can always return and become a Hidden One," Li Weiyi quipped, glancing around before turning serious, "Yaoyin is the disciple of the Calamity Crossing Temple Master. I refuse to believe Immortal Herb hasn't emerged before our arrival at Nine Ring Reef. Surely Immortal Herb has manifested underground as well? The Calamity Crossing Temple's dignitaries would undoubtedly help her harvest it."
Zhu Wushicheng of Zhu Sect and Tang Bai of Snow Sword Tang Court - both renowned figures in the Lingxiao Realm with immense influence across the Western and Northern Territories - appeared simultaneously at the camp's entrance.
Zhu Qishier Chongtian, Zhu Yibai, Tang Zhan, and Tang Wanqiu followed closely behind them.
"Greetings, Mr. Bai, Duke Wushicheng," Zuoqiu Linghe and the Hidden Lord said in unison, bowing respectfully.
The vast difference in status between a Martial-Mystic Cultivator in their early sixties who had just entered the Immortal Realm and those who had achieved Great Immortal was immediately apparent.
Li Weiyi clasped his hands in a fist salute, bowing deeply as he paid his respects, having heard legends of the two figures before him.
Tang Bai appeared as a scholar in his early forties, with two strands of jade-green beard framing his lips. The Qi around him swirled chaotically, his entire being blurred as if separated by a thousand miles despite standing right before them.
He smiled warmly and waved his hand.
"No need for such formalities. I've absorbed too much Immortal Dao Scripture and can't fully control the surge of power within me yet. Please excuse my lack of composure."
Zhu Wushicheng was in a similar state, his body enveloped in Scripture, his uncontrolled aura radiating outward with oppressive force.
True to his forthright nature, he cut straight to the point.
"I've heard that the Southern Territory's younger generation has produced an extraordinary talent, one who rivals the True Disciples of the Ancient Sects - another Tang Wanzhou. Help the Zhu Sect secure a Immortal Herb, and name your price."
Elder Qin emerged from the tent: "One Emperor Herb!"
Zhu Wushicheng didn't recognize Elder Qin but sensed the man's extraordinary aura.
"Trading Immortal Herb for an Emperor Herb? The Jiu Li Clan certainly knows how to drive a bargain."
"Do as you please," Elder Qin said, his scarred face turned toward the Heavenly Vault, showing no respect for the second-generation prodigies of the Ancient Sects.
"The pursuit of Immortal Herb is fraught with peril, and the Jiu Li Clan itself is still lacking. Unless you offer genuine sincerity, why should we assist you?"
Behind Elder Qin, Li Weiyi telepathically asked the Hidden Lord, "What's going on?"
"The Yu Jia Abyss doesn't just spew out Life-Preserving Herb and Spiritual Crystals - it once released a petal of Immortal Herb," the Hidden Lord replied, "The Great Immortal cultivators fought fiercely over it, allowing others to snatch Life-Preserving Herb and even more precious treasures."
"Afterward, they agreed that if another Immortal Herb petal appears, it will be left to the younger generation below the Immortal Realm to compete for. Whoever claims it keeps it."
"The Demon Race and Rice Palace, with their vast reserves of experts below the Immortal Realm, quickly reached a consensus. The Calamity Crossing Temple and Lingxiao Human Clan had no choice but to passively accept."
The Hidden Lord added, "Since we're trapped here anyway, your strength is more than sufficient to protect yourself below the Immortal Realm. If you seize this opportunity to claim a Immortal Herb petal, you could strike it rich."
"Zhu Yibai of the Zhu Sect and Tang Wanqiu of the Snow Sword Tang Court are both Top Chief Disciples - Heaven's Chosen destined to become disciples of great figures in the Calamity Crossing Temple. They'll undoubtedly receive immense cultivation resources."
"Besides, selling to the Jiu Li Clan will squeeze some of their hidden treasures out of those old fogies' pockets. Don't be jealous, but to be honest, those elders value Cang Li and Yaoyin far more than you. You can't compete with them."
Li Weiyi understood perfectly.
Cang Li was the direct heir, his lineage as pure as could be.
Yaoyin was the future True Disciple of the Ancient Sect, destined to lead the Jiu Li Clan to unprecedented glory.
But Li Weiyi himself might become the next Yang Shenjing.
Zhu Wushicheng and Elder Qin argued vehemently to lower the price.
"Li Shenyin is indeed powerful, but without the support of other Martial-Mystic Cultivators from the Lingxiao Realm, even two fists can't defeat four hands. How can he seize Immortal Herb alone? Will he just hand it over to others? In the East Sea, we must unite and stand together against external threats."
Tang Bai chimed in, "We can negotiate the price gradually, but demanding Emperor Herb is simply outrageous!"
Li Weiyi was tempted.
Whether it was feeding the seven Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperors or breaking through to become a Holy Spiritual Master, the resources required were astronomical.
He needed to prepare for the future.
The Martial-Mystic Cultivators of the Human Race from the Twenty-Eight Prefectures of the Lingxiao Realm had gathered sixty miles to the right of Yu Jia Abyss.
The camps and formations of the major powers covered several miles, marked by towering banners and guarded by strange beasts.
Dao Seed Realm Martial-Mystic Cultivators and younger disciples were being evacuated in waves.
Once the escape route was secured, they would withdraw immediately.
Everyone had gained immensely from this venture and believed the Transcendents could repel the formidable enemy.
They chatted and laughed, their spirits high.
The journey to the East Sea had allowed them to witness the prowess of various heroes, absorb Immortal Dragon Qi, and even enter the Ancient Immortal Burial Ground - achievements they could boast about for a lifetime.
Amidst the tense atmosphere, a boisterous energy permeated the air.
Sheng Wulian, clad in pristine white robes, his hair crowned with a purple jade diadem, radiated a brilliant, golden aura.
Hovering three meters above the ground, he stepped through ripples of Spiritual Qi from the Yu Jia Abyss, approaching the Great Camp of the Lingxiao Human Clan.
His fame was widespread; almost no one failed to recognize him.
A radiant light seemed to burn within him, illuminating his body like a celestial star.
His voice echoed across the plains: "I am Sheng Wulian, True Disciple of the Rice Palace. To avenge the deaths of the Rice Sect's talented disciples, I demand an explanation! Jiu Li Divine Hidden One, reveal yourself!"
With the aid of the Six-Clawed Immortal Dragon Qi and Immortal Dao Scripture, Sheng Wulian had rapidly condensed a Immortal Golden Pill, advancing his cultivation further.
He was now only one step away from breaking the Qiankun (Cosmic or Heavenly) Shackle and entering the Immortal Realm.
For other Dao Seed Realm Ninth Heaven Martial-Mystic Cultivators, condensing a Immortal Golden Pill was an arduous task.
For him, however, it was a natural progression, like water flowing into its channel.
Sheng Wulian's voluntary challenge served a dual purpose: to publicly defeat Li Weiyi, restore his reputation, and solidify his precarious position as a True Disciple, while simultaneously blocking Li Weiyi to give Si Wuyan a chance to seize Immortal Herb.
The Purple-Robed Woman from Rice Palace had previously secured two petals of Immortal Herb, but she gifted them to the Purple-Clad Woman and Wu Hongling, both hailing from Shen Yi Mountain.
"Didn't Liu Fengshu kill Huoxin? Sheng Wulian is clearly trying to provoke a conflict."
"Rumor has it that the little Jiu Li Clan brat displayed extraordinary power up there, snatching Immortal Herb from Sheng Wulian and escaping unscathed, leaving the True Disciples of the Ancient Sect utterly humiliated."
"Is Li Weiyi really that formidable? I heard that surviving even a single strike from Sheng Wulian at the same cultivation level is an extraordinary feat, enough to make one's name known throughout the world."
"Sheng Wulian wants to regain face by publicly executing Li Weiyi. That's why he framed him for the deaths of Huoxin and the Twin Rice Sect members. Even if he kills Li Weiyi, the Jiu Li Clan will have no recourse."
"Yang Shenjing has appeared! The old bastard never misses an opportunity to target the Jiu Li Clan."
...
Sheng Wulian's ostentatious challenge drew the attention of young Martial-Mystic Cultivators from across the camp, all analyzing his intentions and worrying about Li Weiyi's situation.
The True Disciple of the Ancient Sect stood like a towering mountain, awe-inspiring and intimidating.
The young cultivators could only look up, unable to see the mountain's true height.
Yang Shenjing's appearance stirred many elder experts into action.
The Sui Sect, now in the Lingxiao Realm, had become universally reviled.
The Corpse-Sowing Rice disaster had claimed the lives of over a hundred million civilians, forging a blood feud between the two sides.
Yang Shenjing, traveling with the Rice Palace, felt emboldened by their alliance.
He stood on a dark brown boulder several miles away, his robes billowing like a flag and his beard and hair swaying in the wind.
With his eyes closed in meditation, Immortal Dragon Qi surged around him like a vast ocean, completely ignoring the thunderous curses erupting from the opposing camp.
He was there to support Sheng Wulian, ensuring his safety and preventing the Jiu Li Clan from rescuing Li Weiyi if necessary.
"Yang Shenjing has become even more unfathomable!" Elder Qin's gaze pierced through the miles of empty space, his eyes fixed on the distant figure.
"Sheng Wulian's Spiritual Qi purity has increased dramatically. He must have condensed a Golden Core," the Hidden Lord observed, his worried gaze shifting to Li Weiyi, "Your opponent has made a significant leap in cultivation. Do you stand a chance?"
"Liu Fengshu killed them, not me," Li Weiyi said.
"That makes sense," the Hidden Lord replied.
Seeing Li Weiyi wavering, Tang Bai quickly added, "Sheng Wulian came to stop you from competing for Immortal Herb."
Zhu Wushicheng's face lit up: "This gives us an opportunity! If Li Shenyin (Divine Hidden One), Tang Zhan, and Zhu Qishier Chongtian join forces, we can crush him. It's no shame to team up against a True Disciple of the Ancient Sect. Cripple Sheng Wulian first, then compete for Immortal Herb with a massive advantage."
Sheng Wulian had anticipated Li Weiyi's denial of being Liu Fengshu, but he was determined to force him to reveal that tri-colored Psychic Radiance.
He pressed on, "The Jiu Li Divine Hidden One may hide their heads, but do they also condone the indiscriminate slaughter of the Rice People?"
Li Weiyi strode toward the camp's edge, calling back, "Who slaughtered the Rice People? My brother Liu never killed a single innocent. Sheng Wulian, you lost fair and square up there. Do you want another beating?"
Countless ears strained to listen.
Sheng Wulian, acutely sensitive to the word "defeat," struggled to maintain his composure.
"Mere words are meaningless. True skill is revealed in life-or-death combat. Divine Hidden One, dare you step outside the Formation and settle this with a decisive battle?"
Li Weiyi stopped behind the Formation Light Veil: "You've already condensed your Golden Core, while I've only just entered the Ninth Heaven. A life-or-death battle would be unfair to me - unless you fight with one hand tied behind your back."
Sheng Wulian, well aware of Li Weiyi's formidable strength, refused to fall for the taunt.
Adopting a tone of admiration, he said, "Divine Hidden One, you cultivate both Martial-Mystic Dao and Psychic Power, your mastery of the latter surpassing even your Martial-Mystic Prowess. Combined with your mastery of secret techniques that fuse Martial-Mystic Power and Psychic Energies, your combat strength is unparalleled. You are, without a doubt, the strongest opponent I've faced before reaching the Immortal Realm. I hold you in the highest regard and dare not offer you any concessions."
Li Weiyi's earlier claim of defeating Sheng Wulian had caused little stir, dismissed as mere verbal sparring - much like Sheng Wulian's false accusation that Li Weiyi had killed Huoxin.
But Sheng Wulian's lavish praise now sent shockwaves through the ranks of Martial-Mystic Cultivators.
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END OF CHAPTER
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