Chapter 36

Chapter 36: Plotting Foundation Establishment

Ye Zhao Zhao spoke, and Chang Le An also showed a proud look.

Chang Le An said with a bright smile: “Yes, the Langya Secret Realm opens once every ten years. When I entered it ten years ago, I came back with a full harvest. I picked the most spirit herbs among all six sects.”

Before that trip, his astonishing luck had not shown much. Even though Immortal Ling Xu had taken him as a Direct Disciple, rumors still called him a jinx.

But then, in that secret realm, he entered as a New Disciple and outshone the six sects by gathering the most herbs.

That earned him rewards from the sect and wiped away the name of jinx.

Inside the sect, no one criticized him after that. Disciples who used to avoid him started to approach him, since he was the lucky star with amazing fortune.

This time, after Li Shuang’s schemes, his Junior Sister was being talked about all over the sect. He saw it and felt heartache.

[Everyone will know that Ye Zhao Zhao is my Junior Sister. With me protecting Zhao Zhao, no one gets to bully her.] As for Li Shuang, he sneered in his heart. [She will learn how foolish she has been. I will get justice for my Junior Sister.]

Sheng Yuan rubbed his temples and said in a daze: “So the Langya Secret Realm is about to open…”

Ye Zhao Zhao spoke quickly: “First Senior Brother, the Disciples Hall has already posted the notice. The Langya Secret Realm opens in one month. This time, I plan to sign up.”

She had missed the previous opening ten years ago, so she wanted to try now. When she first entered the sect, the System told her that Li Shuang had the strongest fortune in the Sword Sect, so she let the System attach itself to Li Shuang without hesitation.

[Later I even wondered if the System got it wrong,] Ye Zhao Zhao thought. [From daily signs, I always felt Chang Le An’s fortune was stronger than Li Shuang’s.]

Otherwise, on that secret realm trip, he would not have returned overflowing with gains and ranked first among the six sects.

Li Shuang’s rank had been average.

She asked the System about it, but the System could not tell. Fortune is mysterious. Ten years ago, it used all its energy to lock onto the Sword Sect’s strongest fortune. It could not learn anything about the others.

Even so, from how things looked, Chang Le An’s fortune was indeed high.

And fortune does not help at the same time for everyone. Some people bloom later, some earlier. Chang Le An’s fortune should be at its peak right now.

[These ten years, I have also taken some of Li Shuang’s fortune,] Ye Zhao Zhao calculated. [If I can enter the secret realm, my fortune and Chang Le An’s will boost each other. We should gain a lot. If we place first among the six sects, the sect will give extra rewards. That can help make up for my huge loss this time.]

Sheng Yuan thought for a moment, then explained: “Only Cultivators under fifty can enter the Langya Secret Realm, and everyone’s cultivation will be limited to the Foundation Establishment Stage. It is an ancient realm with many herbs and ores that no longer grow in our world. Each time, the six sects send their most talented Disciples to bring back as much as they can. The sects are ranked by their harvests, and that ranking also shows the strength of each sect’s younger generation.”

He glanced at Chang Le An.

Chang Le An became famous because, as a New Disciple, he beat many geniuses in that realm and ranked first.

After that, Third Junior Brother became fully confident.

Sheng Yuan continued: “So this opening is not something you can join just because you want to. The sect will hold a grand competition in advance. Any Disciple under fifty can take part, but all power must be sealed to the Foundation Establishment Stage. Only the top fifty Disciples will earn the right to enter. The final ranking concerns the sect’s honor.”

Ye Zhao Zhao lifted her chin and said proudly: “First Senior Brother, we know this. I may not have much battle experience, but this time, with Long Yan helping me, how could I fail to make the top fifty?”

Long Yan appeared at her side with an arrogant look and added: “With me here, not just top fifty. First place is within reach.”

Seeing Long Yan appear, Chang Le An gave a soft, cold snort. [Do you think I cannot tell what this Sword Spirit feels for my Junior Sister? A Sword Spirit dares to desire Zhao Zhao? If she did not need him now, I would not hold back. After she and I become Dao Companions, I will talk to her. That Sword Spirit should stay in the Sword Dao Space and not come out unless needed. He signed a Master-Servant Contract and cannot resist anyway.]

“We are Direct Disciples. Top fifty will not be hard,” Chang Le An added. “And sometimes strength is not everything. I was ranked forty third going in last time, yet I still took first in the end. Fortune matters most at times.”

He was very confident in his luck.

Both Ye Zhao Zhao and Chang Le An were confident. Sheng Yuan thought it over and nodded: “Go try. I will not sign up this time. There is too much to handle on Ling Xu Peak, and I cannot get away.”

He felt a headache coming on. With Li Shuang gone, he finally saw how many tasks piled up on Ling Xu Peak. Why had she handled all this so easily before? He had never worried about any of it.

As soon as those thoughts rose, he forced them down. [Thinking too much is useless. First Senior Sister now walks the Emotionless Path and has become like a machine. Otherwise, how could she push my Junior Sister, and all of us, to this point?]

“Thank you for your hard work, First Senior Brother,” said Chang Le An and Ye Zhao Zhao, then they hurried off to register.

Looking once toward Emotionless Peak, Ye Zhao Zhao suddenly asked: “Third Senior Brother, do you think Senior Sister Li will sign up?”

She hoped Li Shuang would register. Every time the secret realm opened, people died quietly in hidden dangers. [If Li Shuang dares to enter, I can make sure not even her bones remain.]

With a mocking smile, Chang Le An said: “She is only at the Qi Refining Stage. How could she sign up? Zhao Zhao, ignore her. She is not on our level now.”

Ye Zhao Zhao felt a bit of regret, but he was right. Li Shuang probably would not sign up this time.

[Next time, then. When my money troubles ease, I will deal with Li Shuang properly.]

Emotionless Peak.

Inside a secret chamber, several days earlier, Li Shuang slowly opened her eyes.