CHAPTER 219: WOULD RATHER DIE THAN SUFFER A LOSS

Ancestor Suitian pointed toward the pit. "The teleportation formation leading downward hasn't fully formed yet. Once it's ready, we'll go down together. For now, let those cultivators clear out the Blood Soul Beasts for us."

Lu Chen looked in the direction Ancestor Suitian had indicated and saw a teleportation formation gradually taking shape above the pit. Wisps of dark mist drifted upward from its depths.

Glancing around the Scripture Hall's backyard, he murmured, "So the actual secret realm is down there?"

He also noticed that most of the cultivators who had leapt down were below the Qi Condensation Realm, while the higher-level cultivators appeared calm, unhurried, and even casually seated, chatting as if on a stroll.

Turning back toward the cliff, Lu Chen watched the descending cultivators. After a moment, he smiled and asked, "Ancestor, what do you think of our current strength? Do you think we could take the top spot among these Qi Condensation Realm cultivators?"

Ancestor Suitian paused, sensing something odd about Lu Chen. "Didn't you advance by multiple levels just a moment ago? Why is the aura you're radiating now only at the first level of the Qi Regulation Realm? Still... from what I've seen, your power defies logic. Realm alone cannot define your true strength.

"If we judge purely by what you've shown so far, you should be stronger than most in the Qi Regulation Realm. But as for claiming the top spot... even I'm not certain."

Ancestor Suitian laid out a cushion and a tea set beside Lu Chen. "Why? Don't tell me you're thinking of going down there now."

"Yes, Ancestor," Lu Chen said, eyes gleaming as he watched the cultivators below collecting treasures. "I want to test my strength and see how much I've improved recently."

Ancestor Suitian chuckled softly, taking a sip of tea. "Ah, some things never change. The youths always want to test themselves the moment they see a secret realm."

He nodded with amusement. "Go if you want. Just be sure to gather back at the pit entrance in two days. Still... your cultivation is strange. When I first met you, you were already at the first level of the Qi Regulation Realm."

Setting his teacup down, he fixed his gaze on Lu Chen, as if trying to peer into some hidden secret. But no matter how long he looked, he couldn't discern the truth.

After a while, Ancestor Suitian sighed and lifted his tea again. "Just now, from your fluctuating spirit qi, I clearly sensed that you advanced. How is it that your realm remains unchanged? I fear you might encounter great danger if you go down like this."

"Uh... some restrictions have been imposed on me," Lu Chen said with a wry smile. "Right now, I can only display the strength of a level-one Qi Regulation Realm cultivator. But don't worry, Ancestor. I can still hold my own against mid-level Qi Condensation Realm cultivators."

Clenching his fist, he turned toward the cliffside, eyes gleaming with excitement. "I'm sure I'll gain plenty down there. I might even make another leap in my cultivation after battling against other cultivators."

Perched atop his head, Wind Dragon snorted. "Little Lu, are you really testing your strength, or just tempted by all the treasures below?"

"Eh..." Lu Chen laughed awkwardly. He glanced toward the cliff and unconsciously gulped. Straightening his robe and smoothing his hair, he coughed lightly before turning with a serious expression. "I'm not the same as before. I won't be tempted by low-level treasures. Of course, it's to temper myself."

"Hahaha! I saw boss swallow just now!" Nantian Yijian laughed, pointing at Lu Chen's throat. "The last time he did that was when we were dividing spoils on the airship!"

"I did not..." Lu Chen panicked slightly, wiping the corner of his mouth. "I just felt parched. The air here is dry, that's all..."

Ancestor Suitian chuckled at Lu Chen's flustered attempts to defend himself. "It seems I'm truly getting old. I can't even understand what you young ones are talking about anymore."

Jun Laoye laughed heartily. "Even the ancestor can't stand watching you pretend, Little Lu. How long do you think you can keep this up?"

Now that everyone had seen through his act, Lu Chen pointed toward the glowing treasures beneath the cliff, eyes sparkling with excitement. "Hmph

, fine. I'll stop pretending. What's wrong with testing my strength while earning a little bonus along the way? Who wouldn't want treasures gained through their own battles?"

Watching him laugh, Nantian Wan'er covered her mouth and smiled. Seeing Ancestor Suitian's puzzled look, she leaned closer. "Ancestor, we've only been here a few days, so you might not know Lu-gege well. He has a quirk of simply not being able to stand seeing treasures left behind."

"Wan'er, let me say it..." Nantian Yijian interrupted. "Boss has this amazing talent, that whenever he swallows like that, it means there's a treasure nearby. From powerful artifacts to spirit stones or herbs... if it can be traded for land, he'll react every time. Isn't that amazing, Ancestor?"

Ancestor Suitian chuckled, sipping his tea. "Hehehe... judging from what you say, that talent truly is remarkable. If Little Lu has such an ability, he mustn't miss out on this trial."

Hearing that, Lu Chen's face instantly flushed. "Little Jian, you're exaggerating! I just hate seeing treasures wasted. In the past, I could have bought land for the villagers with these spoils."

Jun Laoye nearly doubled over with laughter, pointing at Lu Chen and Nantian Yijian. "Hahaha! Little Lu, you're killing me. After all that talk, it comes down to you doing everything you can to take advantage and never letting yourself suffer a loss."

"What do you mean by 'doing everything to take advantage and never letting myself suffer a loss'!?" With his shortcomings exposed one by one, Lu Chen shouted, red-faced. "Back in the village, Brother Ma always said anyone who doesn't seize a good deal is a fool. Of course, I don't want to be a fool!"

Watching the group tease one another, Ancestor Suitian smiled with nostalgia. "Alright, it's getting late. Regardless of the reasons, Lu Chen, if you want to take part, then go."

He lifted a small bottle and said, "Inside are some Thunderburst Pills I just refined. Each pill contains the full force of a cultivator at the Core Breakthrough Realm. When you need one, just throw it out. It'll help you out of dangerous situations when you're on your own."

Ancestor Suitian tossed the bottle to Lu Chen. "You can all head out now. Remember, gather at the pit entrance in two days. I know you have a special ability that can bring everyone there."

Lu Chen accepted the bottle with both hands. Inside were hundreds of Thunderburst Pills. He bowed deeply to Ancestor Suitian. "Thank you, Ancestor. We'll leave right away."

He might have powerful allies like Wind Dragon watching over him, but they wouldn't intervene unless his life was in real danger. These Thunderburst Pills came just in time to solve his most pressing problem.

"Greedy Lu, see you in two days." Nantian Yijian and Jun Laoye said from either side, patting his shoulders and laughing. "We sincerely hope you find plenty of hidden treasures by then. 'Doing everything to take advantage and never letting yourself suffer a loss,' that's hilarious!"

The two of them shook with laughter, pounding Lu Chen's shoulders. "A cultivator loaded with treasures, still coveting more? That's just too funny."

Just then, Ancestor Suitian's voice rang out firmly. "You two shall go as well. You've gotten stronger these past days. Go with Lu Chen. Think of it as a way to get accustomed to your newfound strength."

"You, in particular, Little Jun. When we meet again in two days..." Ancestor Suitian set down his teacup, his voice cold. "If you have fewer spoils than Little Lu, be ready to train in my Heavenly Lightning Dimension for a while."

"Ancestor..." Jun Laoye's face instantly fell. "It's not that I don't want to go! Sure, my cultivation's improved, but I'm only at the eighth level of the Qi Regulation Realm.

"The ones heading down now are either fearless Qi Regulation or Qi Condensation Realm cultivators!" He looked utterly pitiful, voice trembling as he pointed to his leg. "I can't handle that. Look at me! My injuries haven't even healed yet."

He rolled up his pants to show the scars on his thigh. "Forget the rest! Just look here, Ancestor. The wound goes clean through! If not for my strong will, I'd still be unconscious."

"Hmph!" Two bolts of lightning shot from Ancestor Suitian's eyes, crackling straight toward Jun Laoye. Seeing them coming, Jun Laoye promptly activated his movement art and vanished from the spot.

When he reappeared by the cliff edge, he turned around with a sheepish grin, only to see Lu Chen and the others staring at him, their eyes filled with silent ridicule.

Limping toward Nantian Yijian, he muttered, "What are you all looking at me for...?"

"You said you were injured, right? And that you were barely standing on willpower alone?" Nantian Yijian crossed his arms, grinning. "Then why'd you just move faster than a rabbit? Were you faking it to fool the Ancestor?"

"Oh no..." Jun Laoye turned toward Ancestor Suitian with a stiff expression, only to see him smiling eerily.

Ancestor Suitian flicked his hand, sending another lightning bolt straight at Jun Laoye. He laughed. "You little rascal, so you were faking it to trick me."

The lightning bolt looped back, striking Jun Laoye from behind.

Jun Laoye ran for his life, shouting as lightning rained down around him, "Ancestor, I was wrong! Please, spare me! I'll never fake injuries to deceive you again!"

However, Ancestor Suitian didn't let up. His strikes grew fiercer, forcing Jun Laoye step by step toward the cliff's edge.

With a soft but commanding shout, Ancestor Suitian clenched his fist. A lightning sphere roared forward, slamming straight at Jun Laoye. "Brat, go down and train properly."

"Ancestor! Nooo!"

Jun Laoye twisted midair to dodge, but the lightning of a peak Human Core Realm cultivator was far too fast. It struck him square in the chest with a thunderous boom.