Chapter 194

Chapter 194: Entering the Secret Realm

One team after another disappeared into the entrance of the Secret Realm.

On Fengling Terrace, shifting projections of different places inside the Secret Realm started to appear, and the ranks and points of each team were shown in real time.

Except for Ninghua Sect and Flying Cloud Sect, every team began with 1600 points. Ninghua Sect had only five people, so they sat at the bottom with 600 points. Flying Cloud Sect had been punished earlier and each member’s starting score was cut in half, so their team began with 800 points.

The team trial would last five days.

The Secret Realm was split into four zones: Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow. Each zone held the most resources of its matching grade. Yellow-grade materials were worth 1 point, Profound-grade 5 points, Earth-grade 20 points, and Heaven-grade 100 points.

The level of guardian Demonic Beasts also changed by zone: in the Yellow-tier Zone they were at the Foundation Establishment Stage; in the Mystic-tier Zone they were early to mid Golden Core; in the Earth-tier Zone they were late Golden Core; in the Heaven-grade Zone they were above Nascent Soul. Most top sect teams would at most harvest in the Earth-tier Zone.

All teams spawned somewhere in the Yellow-tier Zone, with random starting spots. To prevent unlucky teams from getting wiped the moment they landed, combat was forbidden in the Yellow-tier Zone. Small sects usually stayed there and passed the five days peacefully; even Yellow-grade materials were already enough for them.

Shen Sang Ruo had gathered all this information the day before. Yellow-grade and Profound-grade gave too few points, so she would not waste much time there. As soon as they entered the Secret Realm, she led the team straight toward the Earth-tier Zone.

The Secret Realm was rich in Spiritual Qi, and natural treasures grew everywhere. From the very center outward, the zones were arranged Heaven, then Earth, then Mystic, then Yellow. The exact center of this Secret Realm was the Heaven-grade Zone.

They were lucky. No other sects were nearby, and with no fighting allowed in the Yellow-tier Zone they hurried on without worry.

Half a day later, Shen Sang Ruo eyed the clear boundary ahead, “We are about to enter the Mystic-tier Zone.”

Crossing that line meant teams could finally fight.

She spoke calmly, “Our main goal is still the Earth-tier Zone, but if another team tries to cause trouble, then we fight.”

At this point, everyone had just entered the Secret Realm. Eliminating a team would only bring their initial points and no extra materials yet. Shen Sang Ruo did not want to burn energy only for points. She thought through the plan: either reach the Earth-tier Zone first and collect high-value Earth-grade materials, or let others gather both materials and points, then eliminate them afterward. [No rush. Points and materials, I want them all.]

In the end, most top sects would gather in the Earth-tier Zone. That would be the real hard fight.

At the boundary between Yellow and Mystic, Profound-grade materials were more common. Some bold small sects would step over the line to pick a few, and if danger showed up, they would run back to the Yellow-tier Zone.

By now, ranks on Fengling Terrace had already changed. Most teams were gaining points. As time went on, many squads moved into the Profound-grade area. Projections began to show battles, and eliminations started.

Meanwhile, Flying Cloud Sect, Heavenly Sword Sect, and others had clear goals. Like Ninghua Sect, they headed straight for the Earth-tier Zone. Everyone knew that team points mattered, and collecting resources for the sect mattered just as much.

Shen Dao Chen and Master Ling Xiao watched Flying Cloud Sect, but they also kept their eyes on Shen Sang Ruo’s group. Seeing Ninghua Sect step into the Mystic-tier Zone, they let out cold, mocking snorts. With only five people, any team from last time’s top twenty could wipe them out. A tiny sect like that could never make real waves.

Shen Dao Chen had already warned the Flying Cloud Sect team: if they ran into Ninghua Sect, they had to use everything and eliminate them. Besides points and resources, wiping out Ninghua Sect was Flying Cloud Sect’s third mission.

Voices rose on Fengling Terrace as viewers pointed at the projections: “The top sects are steady as always. By the usual pattern, they only start real fights once they hit the Earth-grade region.”

Someone clicked their tongue: “Ninghua Sect has only five people and they are still heading toward the center of the Secret Realm; do they really not fear being surrounded?”

Another called out: “Look, Ninghua Sect just ran into another team.”

A reply followed at once: “That team ranked in the thirties last time. They are no joke.”

A hush, then a murmur: “They look like they want to attack Ninghua Sect.”

Inside the Secret Realm, fifteen people faced Ninghua Sect’s five. Numbers gave the opponents a big dose of confidence. Their eyes fixed first on Su Xi Yu.

A subordinate leaned close to his Young Heir and spoke under his breath, “Young Heir, I asked around. That other female cultivator is an Alchemist. She can’t fight much. We should start with her.”

The Young Heir nodded with a grin that showed his teeth: “Good. We go three to a group and only strike the Alchemist. The rest of you just stall the others. Take out the Alchemist first, then we break the rest one by one, or we bolt.”

Most of them were late Golden Core, with only two at mid Golden Core. They did not believe Ninghua Sect had anyone who could handle three at once.

Su Xi Yu’s gentle face looked harmless, which made her seem like an easy target. The Young Heir’s smile grew wild; he was hungry for a moment to show off. If they eliminated Ninghua Sect, their names would go down in history. [Heaven-sent chance.]

Shen Sang Ruo’s group saw through their plan at a glance. They did not panic. Instead, they all looked over at Su Xi Yu. Song Wei Yan tilted his head with a smirk, “Xiao Yu, they want to go for you.”

Su Xi Yu rolled her eyes with open disdain, “Tch.”

Shen Sang Ruo only shook her head. Her fourth Senior Sister was not a normal Alchemist. Anyone who provoked Su Xi Yu would be kicking an iron plate.

Shen Sang Ruo gave the order without raising her voice, “Then we fight. Finish it fast, and keep moving to the Earth-tier Zone.” [Free points delivered to the door should never be wasted.]

Song Wei Yan stepped up first and pointed lazily, “I’m first. I want these three.”

Bai Ruo An chuckled as he tapped the air, “Then I’ll take these three.”

Ye Huai’s gaze swept coldly across another trio, “These three.”

Su Xi Yu narrowed her eyes at the three who had picked her, “I hear you wanted to take me out first?”

Shen Sang Ruo lifted her chin, crisp and direct, “The last three are mine.”

The fifteen enemies were cleanly divided up. Ninghua Sect’s five looked calm and loose; for a moment, no one could tell who was hunting whom. A bad feeling crawled up the opponents’ backs.

The Young Heir’s face twisted with anger at being treated lightly; he snapped, “Heh, don’t look down on us. Go!”

At his shout, they surged forward, three to a group, and surrounded the five from Ninghua Sect.