CHAPTER 406: CHAPTER 401: BATTLE OF THE SECRET REALM! SECT CONTRIBUTION!_1

The sword light was formless and intangible, transforming into a Heart Sword that slashed towards the Demon Cultivators of the Shimo Sect.

CRACK!

A single slash cleaved towards the shadowy black gate, which led to an abyss, unknown and terrifying.

A black demonic claw stretched out from within, reaching up to grasp at the invisible in the void.

This was precisely Zhuo Chengdao’s Spiritual Treasure: the Spirit Heart Sword.

"Xia Zonglong, you’re becoming more useless the longer you live; even a junior at the Nascent Soul Stage dares to bully you," a voice said.

The demonic claw emerged from the body of the Demon Cultivator from the Shimo Sect, its surface covered with black Scale Armor, both tough and sharp.

Another demonic claw drilled out from Xia Zonglong’s body, followed by a fierce dragon head, and then its body.

It was a four-clawed demon Flood Dragon with amber-colored dragon eyes, emanating an awe-inspiring aura.

The demon Flood Dragon emitted aura fluctuations characteristic of the Late-stage of Soul Transformation, its black scales deep and seemingly capable of absorbing light.

"Heart Sword!"

Zhuo Chengdao’s complexion changed dramatically. With a single thought and the amplification of the Nine Spirit Sword Body, nine invisible Heart Swords aimed straight at the demon Flood Dragon’s spirit.

"AH! IT HURTS LIKE HELL!" the demon Flood Dragon roared.

The demon Flood Dragon locked its sights on Zhuo Chengdao; in an instant, a terrifying draconic might came crashing towards him.

Zhuo Chengdao was frozen in place, unable to move. His entire body trembled, and he had lost control over it.

The demon Flood Dragon leaped powerfully, pouncing in front of Zhuo Chengdao.

At this moment, having not yet regained control of his body, he was powerless to fend off the demon Flood Dragon’s assault.

"Defend!"

CRACK!

The demon Flood Dragon bit down, but what it caught was not Zhuo Chengdao, but a Lingbao Exotic Beast.

The Law Enforcement Elders of the Lingbao Sect swiftly took action. At the critical moment, they used a Lingbao Exotic Beast to shield Zhuo Chengdao from disaster.

"You’re just a Nascent Soul Cultivator, what are you doing getting involved? Leave this place at once!" one of the Law Enforcement Elders of the Lingbao Sect chided Zhuo Chengdao.

Cultivators at the Nascent Soul Stage were still too weak to participate in a battle of this level.

Zhuo Chengdao was a genius of the Lingbao Sect, and facing higher-level opponents was not a problem for him.

The disciples of the Lingbao Sect, as well as the Demon Cultivators from the Shimo Sect, were formidable. In most sects across the Mysterious Realm, they could be considered top geniuses.

Zhuo Chengdao’s complexion turned ugly. He wanted to recall the Spiritual Treasure from the grasp of the demon Flood Dragon’s claw, but alas, the demon Flood Dragon’s claw held tightly onto the Spirit Heart Sword, making it impossible to retrieve.

The Spirit Heart Sword possessed great Spiritual Nature; it continuously hummed, struggling to break free from its shackles.

This was Zhuo Chengdao’s most relied-upon Spiritual Treasure; he was unwilling to give it up.

"Tianyan Sword!"

Just as Zhuo Chengdao was about to act, his body suddenly exploded. In his place, a Demon Cultivator covered with giant spikes appeared.

The Demon Cultivator had appeared behind Zhuo Chengdao unnoticed and killed him in a single blow.

A genius had perished on the spot.

He died too quickly...

My opportunity has arrived!

The Insect External Incarnation hid in the shadows. The Mirror Flower Water Moon Illusion Technique emerged, and a hand formed by Spiritual Power reached out to Zhuo Chengdao’s remains.

He had planned to leave the Giant Forest Secret Realm, but by chance, he discovered Zhuo Chengdao hiding in the shadows, seemingly ready to take action against the Demon Cultivators.

Without sufficient strength, rashly joining the battle of High-Order Cultivators was simply courting death.

A hand formed of condensed Spiritual Power reached towards the remains of Zhuo Chengdao; a small piece of flesh and blood was enough for its purpose.

The Mirror Flower Water Moon Illusion Technique could not fool the many powerful experts present, and a few of the Divine Transformation Cultivators cast glances in that direction.

From the Shimo Sect’s side, only the demon Flood Dragon saw through the Illusion Technique, its eyes faintly tinged with anger.

"Lingbao Beast, divide!"

The body of the Lingbao Exotic Beast shook and split into two, and then the two split into four. Three of them entangled three major figures from the Shimo Sect.

The fourth Lingbao Exotic Beast swallowed Zhuo Chengdao’s soul in one gulp, and the Black-Vase Spiritual Treasure attached itself to the Spiritual Power hand of the Insect External Incarnation.

"Take their souls with you."

Faced with the incoming Spiritual Treasure, the Insect External Incarnation had no choice but to accept it.

The Spiritual Power hand retracted, now holding the Black-Vase Spiritual Treasure which contained a soul.

Jia Ren had watched the entire battle from beginning to end and knew this Spiritual Treasure contained the souls of the deceased Lingbao Sect Cultivators.

Were they planning to take the remnant souls of the Lingbao Sect Cultivators back to the sect ahead of time?

As a top sect, the Lingbao Sect possessed countless Secret Techniques and Divine Skills; as long as their souls remained, it wouldn’t be difficult for them to reconstruct their bodies or find new hosts.

"You’re not getting away!" bellowed the demon Flood Dragon.

The demon Flood Dragon shook off the Lingbao Exotic Beast, intending to chase after the Insect External Incarnation. A layer of gray light appeared on its body, attempting to petrify it.

Unfortunately, the demon Flood Dragon had strong resistance to such effects; the light of petrification shattered in an instant.

It soared into the air, determined to annihilate them.

The Insect External Incarnation gave the demon Flood Dragon no opportunity and decisively used the Five Metals Divine Escape, quickly withdrawing from the scene.

The demon Flood Dragon wanted to pursue but was once again entangled by two Lingbao Exotic Beasts and could only let out a furious draconic roar.

"What a commotion!"

"It’s been a while since I’ve killed a Lingbao Sect Cultivator!"

Xia Zonglong understood this was his chance. If he could go on a killing spree in the Secret Realm, the Flame Demon Nine Sons would soon be replenished.

The black gate, constructed from a framework of bones, was still there, and a black-robed Demon Cultivator stepped out from within.

"The Secret Realm of the Lingbao Sect, huh? A pity its limit is only the Late-stage of Soul Transformation," the Demon Cultivator lamented.

The Demon Cultivator glanced at the Lingbao Exotic Beasts and the twenty-four Law Enforcement Elders of the Lingbao Sect in the distance.

"Daring to run wild in the Lingbao Sect’s Secret Realm, you all must be tired of living!"

"Inform the Sect! No matter how many demon lords come, kill them all."

Having discovered the Giant Forest Secret Realm, the Shimo Sect was not willing to let the matter rest and was prepared for a fight.

Beams of Transmission Light appeared, and one by one, Divine Transformation Cultivators descended into the Giant Forest Secret Realm.

The war between the two sects was on the verge of breaking out.

This level of battle is too dangerous. The slightest carelessness, and I’ll die without a burial place.

His Insect External Incarnation left the area, and his main body appeared.

He placed the Earth Vein Purple Lotus and numerous other treasures into the Mountain and Sea Pearl and set up a protective Formation.

After everything was done, he then looked towards the Black-Vase Spiritual Treasure.

There was a special Spiritual Power on the Spiritual Treasure, making it difficult to forcibly break open.

He held no grudges against Zhuo Chengdao. If the man truly died, naturally, he would take his flesh and blood to learn Divine Skills.

His soul is still there; I can’t just forcefully break the Black-Vase Spiritual Treasure and destroy Zhuo Chengdao’s soul.

Given this guy’s tendency to court death, even if revived, he probably wouldn’t live for much longer.

As long as I can retain Zhuo Chengdao’s flesh and blood and confirm his death later, using the Corpse-Eating Bizarre Pill will be enough.

At most, it will just delay the time I acquire the Spirit Devouring Treasure Art.

Jia Ren had no intention of staying longer in the Giant Forest Secret Realm. His Insect External Incarnation entered the Mountain and Sea Pearl, and he resolutely crushed the Secret Realm Token.

A gentle light flashed, and the next moment, he was back at the Lingbao Sect.

「The Eastern District」

The Eastern District was even busier than before, with a large number of Divinity Transformation Stage Cultivators arriving, looking murderous and menacing.

Jia Ren left that place and looked towards the queue of Lingbao Sect disciples.

These were Cultivators who had left the trial in the Giant Forest Secret Realm; their expressions were grim.

A sign or rule stated: "Submit half of the harvest."

The Lingbao Sect treated its disciples remarkably well, allowing them to keep half the harvest from a Secret Realm abundant in Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures. This was an astonishing benefit.

"Senior Brother Ye, the Spiritual Medicine you submitted won first place in rewards, rumored to be valued at over 120,000. The number one spot is secure."

"Senior Brother Lu is ranked second, also with over 90,000. The gap is significant, but there’s still a chance he could be overtaken."

The disciples whispered among themselves. Many were worried about the war between the Lingbao Sect and the Shimo Sect in the Secret Realm, but they were too weak to be of much help.

What they cared about most were the rewards almost within their grasp.

As Jia Ren approached, he overheard the conversations among a few people.

Being the last to arrive, he lined up at the very end of the queue.

An Inner Sect Disciple of the Lingbao Sect took out a River Mountain Bag, pouring out a great amount of Thousand-Year Spiritual Medicine and treasures, which piled up into a small mound.

A golden balance scale stood in the distance. Upon it grew a pair of golden, eyelash-less pupils.

The balance tilted towards the Lingbao Sect disciple, revealing markings for ten, hundred, thousand, ten thousand, and hundred thousand.

It finally stopped at the 12,513 mark.

The value of the submitted Spiritual Medicine was 3,468.

"Do you have any other treasures? Bring them out yourself," said the one in charge of ’inspection,’ who was an old acquaintance—the Internal Affairs Manager with whom Jia Ren had crossed paths before.

The Internal Affairs Manager stared with displeasure at the Inner Sect Disciple who was submitting Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures.

Facing the contemptuous glances sweeping his way, the disciple hastily took out another River Mountain Bag.

"This Thousand-Year-Old Spiritual Medicine will be requisitioned by the Sect first."

"Of the remaining Spiritual Medicine, you may take half or exchange it for sect contributions."

"I want sect contributions."

Not all disciples of the Lingbao Sect were skilled in auxiliary Cultivation arts; keeping Spiritual Medicine and materials for Refining Treasures was pointless for them, so it was better to exchange them for sect contributions.

The disciple handed over his Identity Token, and the Internal Affairs Manager cast a spell, recording 6,256 sect contribution points.

Then he tossed the Identity Token back.

"Next."

The second person to step forward was an Outer Sect Disciple of the Lingbao Sect, his face tense. The spiritual balance scale looked towards this person, displaying the number 5,957.

His expression turned ugly. He said helplessly, "Elder Uncle, I didn’t obtain any Heavenly Materials or Earthly Treasures in the Secret Realm..."

"No harvest?"

"The Sect doesn’t think so. You’ve either lined your own pockets or cheated. Take a trip to the Law Enforcement Office."

The Internal Affairs Director lifted his hand, and a Lingbao Sect Law Enforcement Elder took the person away to the Law Enforcement Office.

This was the Lingbao Sect’s method for dealing with cheaters.

The Cultivators who had given their Secret Realm Spiritual Medicine resources to others turned pale, never having expected such an outcome.

They regretted it, but it was too late. The Spiritual Medicine of those ahead had already been recorded, leaving no chance to reverse the verdict.

Jia Ren watched the balance scale with a solemn expression, wondering how it determined a Cultivator’s harvest from the Giant Forest Secret Realm.

What I obtained... it’s likely hard to conceal.

He took a deep breath, his expression growing more serious.

The queue of Lingbao Sect disciples steadily decreased, and soon it was Jia Ren’s turn, who was last in line.

"How was your harvest from this trial?" the Internal Affairs Manager asked with a genial expression, smiling pleasantly.

"This is the Black-Vase Spiritual Treasure that I brought back, entrusted by an Elder Uncle. Inside are the souls of our fellow disciples," Jia Ren took the initiative to hand over the Black-Vase Spiritual Treasure.

Besides that, there was also a small vial containing Zhuo Chengdao’s flesh and blood.

The Corpse-Eating Bizarre Pill only required a tiny amount of flesh and blood.

I took the flesh and blood in front of so many Lingbao Sect Cultivators; not submitting it now would definitely invite suspicion.

The Internal Affairs Manager took the Black-Vase Spiritual Treasure and said, "Ah, this is Senior Brother Yan’s treasure. Thank you for bringing it back."

"You’ll receive 10,000 sect contribution points for this; I’ll report it to the Sect for you."

The Internal Affairs Manager’s smile grew a few degrees brighter.

Jia Ren paid no attention to the 10,000 sect contribution points and looked towards the Lingbao balance scale.

The indicators on the balance scale shot backwards at a staggering speed, instantly hitting the bottom limit of one million.

This was the maximum amount it could identify, the highest value the Lingbao balance scale could measure.

Senior Brother Ye’s reward value of 120,000, which had ranked him first, was the previous record.

One million... however, was not my limit.