Chapter 101: "Why Not Try Your Luck at the Blossom Sect?"

Chapter 101: "Why Not Try Your Luck at the Blossom Sect?"

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Inside the private room of Apricot Flower Pavilion, Fat Dragon and the others had already retired to the side chambers with their companions, leaving Chen Qiu alone, sitting by the window, overlooking the bustling streets below. He was deep in thought, lost in his own world.

He truly needed a handy treasure.

The top three Heavenly Dao Artifacts from the Heaven's Pride Ranking Competition were indeed very tempting.

However, he felt that the danger involved was a bit too great. There were Golden Core Stage geniuses participating, and he wasn't clear about the specific rules of the Celestial Path Secret Realm. According to the information Fat Dragon had gathered, the Celestial Path Secret Realm for the competition was different every year.

No one knew what it would be this year.

Perhaps waiting until next year might be a good choice?

By then, he would definitely have reached the Golden Core Stage, and even if he encountered difficult situations, he could use a Self-Destruct Entry to force his opponents to kneel before him.

But how could he explain this situation?

He had also considered other methods, such as poisoning or ambushing the other geniuses before the competition, ensuring they were eliminated before even entering the Celestial Path Secret Realm. However, if he could think of these methods, other sects would surely have similar ideas.

The Heaven's Pride Ranking Competition wasn't something new.

Such situations had undoubtedly occurred numerous times before, and the various sects had long since developed countermeasures.

The Scholar was quite familiar with the Heaven's Pride Ranking Competition, and Chen Qiu decided to seek his advice.

"Is it that soon?"

Chen Qiu looked up at the Scholar, who had already changed back into his clothes and was floating across from him, sitting cross-legged on a red chair with the support of his spiritual energy. Chen Qiu asked softly, "You know a lot about the Heaven's Pride Ranking Competition. Tell me more about your experience when you participated."

"Okay."

The Scholar felt refreshed and clear-headed. This was his first fall from grace, and many years ago, he had also pursued Ji Renjian, the number one beauty on the Great Xia Beauty Ranking. However, the later part of the story was quite embarrassing for him.

After his cultivation was crippled, there was no more to the story.

Perhaps sensing the Scholar's daze, Chen Qiu couldn't help but tease him, "What's wrong? Have you been poisoned by a beauty's charm?"

"No," the Scholar replied with a complex expression, shaking his head. "I just remembered someone I admired a long time ago. If she knew how far I've fallen now, she might be disappointed in me too."

"Admired? Did you express your feelings?"

"You could say that."

"How did you express it?"

"I secretly helped her many times. I was the only one in Great Xia with such a dense sword intent, so she must have known it was me. But she never sought me out, choosing to reject me in a rather roundabout way."

"That's good. You should learn from Fat Dragon in that regard."

Chen Qiu shook his head, not intending to continue the conversation. Instead, he got straight to the point, "Tell me about your experience in the Heaven's Pride Ranking Competition."

"Okay."

After a moment of silence, the Scholar spoke softly, "I participated in the Heaven's Pride Ranking Competition twice."

"The first time, I ranked fourth, and Ji Taiping was fifth."

"My fame wasn't well-known."

"After that, I secluded myself for half a year. Six months later, I fought against the top three geniuses alone and defeated them all with my sword, instantly becoming famous."

"The following year, I participated in the competition again, and I effortlessly claimed the first place."

"The year after that, Ji Taiping also became the top-ranked genius."

The Scholar's face filled with arrogance and disdain as he continued, "That year, Ji Taiping didn't dare to compete with me. He didn't participate in the Heaven's Pride Ranking Competition, fearing he wouldn't get the first place. But for a sword cultivator, the greatest taboo is being afraid to draw their sword."

"He didn't dare to face me with his sword, even though he became the top-ranked genius the following year."

"It's not that impressive."

"The Heaven's Pride Ranking Competition is open to cultivators at the Foundation Establishment First Layer and above, with a bone age of under 50 years old. Each participant can compete in the competition twice at most."

"The content of the Celestial Path Secret Realm for determining the Heaven's Pride changes every time."

"The first time I participated, it was a battle royale format, where swords clashed against swords and blades against blades."

"The second time, it was a treasure hunt. There were 1,024 fragments of the Heavenly Dao scattered in a small world, and the ranking was based on the number of fragments collected."

"The battles were always fierce."

"However, in the Celestial Path Secret Realm, you don't truly die. When you are severely injured, the Heavenly Dao's will will expel you from the small world, or you can choose to surrender and leave the small world early. Unless you are killed too quickly, you won't have a chance to be severely injured."

"Then, it's a genuine death."

"Such situations were quite common in previous years."

"Every year, there are some Golden Core Stage geniuses participating. These geniuses are often strong contenders for the top rank, and when facing cultivators from other sects at the Foundation Establishment Stage, they often go all out, not giving their opponents a chance to be severely injured, thus weakening the strength of the younger generation from other sects."

The Scholar shook his head and said earnestly, "I think you should give it a try, Chen Qiu. Even if you can't make it to the top three, you can still get a ranking in the thirties or forties. After the rankings are finalized, you can receive a Heavenly Blessing."

"You can try for the top three next year as well."

"With your strength, I think you can give it a shot."

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Chen Qiu nodded in understanding and then unconsciously tapped his index finger on the table, turning his head to look out the window, his mind already made up.

If it weren't for his lucky acquisition of a large number of Dragon Vein Stones and the knowledge that the top three in the Heaven's Pride Ranking Competition could obtain Heavenly Dao Artifacts, he wouldn't have dared to enter the Capital State before reaching the Golden Core Stage.

Now, he had arrived at an auxiliary city outside the Capital State.

The allure of the Heavenly Dao Artifacts was simply too great.

At the moment, it seemed a bit too challenging to compete for the top three.

"Fine, let's leave it for now." Chen Qiu shook his head and muttered to himself.

He decided to temporarily give up for the time being and revisit it next year. Without reaching the Golden Core stage, he felt a bit hesitant and lacked confidence in his endeavors. Moreover, he currently only possessed the "Dragon Vein Stone," a top-tier material for forging.

To create a powerful and suitable Celestial Dao Artifact with growth potential, he would need more than just this one material.

The timing wasn't quite right either.

Just as he was about to give up and try again next year...

"Unless..."

The scholar sitting across from him suddenly had a thought, his expression turning peculiar. "Unless, Brother Qiu, you can obtain a Law Cultivation inheritance. If you do, your strength will increase significantly, and there will be no issues when you participate in the Heaven's Pride Ranking Competition!"

"But..."

"Don't just say 'but'. It's pointless." Chen Qiu shook his head helplessly. "Just say it."

To be honest, he didn't hold much hope for this idea. If even the Heaven's Pride Ranking Competition was this challenging, then the Law Cultivation inheritance, which sounded even more difficult, was likely out of reach.

"It's like this..."

The scholar's expression turned serious, and he dipped his finger in some clear wine and wrote on the table, "Since ancient times, cultivators have generally followed nine major paths. Excluding some obscure paths and those who practice a little of everything, the vast majority of cultivators follow one of these nine paths."

"Law Cultivation, Talisman Cultivation, Array Cultivation, Pill Cultivation, Artifact Cultivation, Evil Cultivation, Demon Cultivation, Body Cultivation, and Sword Cultivation."

"These nine paths are the nine major cultivation paths."

"Cultivators like Puppet Cultivators, Divination Cultivators, and Dual Cultivation practitioners are anomalies that have emerged over time, without corresponding inheritances."

"At the southernmost tip of Great Xia!"

"On the edge of the Endless Ice Plateau, there's a Celestial Path Secret Realm that has been open for a long time. Within this secret realm, you can find inheritances for all nine paths. As long as you pass the corresponding trials, you can obtain the corresponding inheritance."

"To be honest, I'm not sure what specific inheritances are available, but they must be extremely rare and capable of significantly enhancing one's strength."

"It's been open for a long time?" Chen Qiu's eyes flashed with surprise. "According to what you said, it's been open for at least a few decades, right? Has no one obtained an inheritance?"

"No."

The scholar shook his head helplessly. "It's been open for at least a thousand years. Those nine inheritances were there before the establishment of Great Xia. Anyone with the strength can claim them at any time, but until now, not a single inheritance, including the Law Cultivation inheritance, has been taken."

"I've attempted the Sword Cultivation inheritance three times."

"It's hopeless. It's too difficult. I even think that even after a thousand years, no one might be able to obtain it."

"But I believe Brother Qiu, you're not an ordinary Law Cultivator. Perhaps you can give it a try."

"Hmm..."

Chen Qiu rested his chin on his hand and pondered for a moment before nodding. "You make sense."

That night, after Fat Dragon and the scholar's younger brother finished their business, they purchased some dry rations and prepared to head towards the "Endless Ice Plateau." With seven days left until the Heaven's Pride Ranking Competition, Chen Qiu wanted to check out the Law Cultivation inheritance.

He would make plans after that.

Before leaving the auxiliary city, Chen Qiu purchased a large quantity of Qi Supplement Pills. However, the capital was too far from the Endless Ice Plateau, and consuming too many Qi Supplement Pills at once would require a break to cleanse the impurities.

Although their speed would be significantly slower, it was still far beyond what a flying vessel could achieve.

At that moment, they stopped in a small county town in the South State. This town didn't even have an inn, and all the locals stared at the four of them as they entered, clearly indicating that newcomers were a rare sight here.

Eventually, they settled in a temple outside the town and entered the Little World.

Little World, within the Mock Heaven Sect.

Fat Dragon looked at the scholar not far away, who was circulating his Heart Technique to eliminate the impurities in his Dao Foundation, and couldn't help but sigh, "You can't keep going like this. Your pill-popping frequency is even more exaggerated than that of Law Cultivators. When are you going to find a Pill Cultivator for the Mock Heaven Sect?"

"Otherwise, buying such a large quantity of Qi Supplement Pills every time doesn't look good."

It was already past midnight.

In the nearby disciple dormitories, each room had four people lying down. Fat Dragon had arranged all 200-plus people in the disciple dormitories. At that moment, the collected Heavenly Dao Cultivation Pills were placed in a Storage Ring and handed over to Chen Qiu.

These 200-plus people were Chen Qiu's most significant asset at the moment.

As long as the Fame Ranking Chart didn't disappear, he could obtain a large number of Heavenly Dao Cultivation Pills from them every day.

For instance, at that moment, Chen Qiu sat cross-legged on the ground, looking at the 389 Inferior Celestial Path Foundation Realm Cultivation Pills in the Storage Ring. He couldn't help but smile. Last night, there were 259 pills, and tonight, there were 389 pills, almost doubling in number.

He wondered how many there would be tomorrow.

Without further ado, the scholar needed to clear the impurities from his Dao Foundation caused by consuming too many Qi Supplement Pills, so they couldn't travel immediately.

He immediately switched to a different Heart Technique and circulated it for a full cycle before pinching a Heavenly Dao Cultivation Pill and putting it into his mouth.

At that moment—

Several days had passed since the Fame Ranking Chart was released. This chart, which initially didn't attract much attention, became a hot topic when people learned that the daily Heavenly Blessing was a Heavenly Dao Cultivation Pill. Many cultivators couldn't sit still.

Originally, this might not have been a big deal, as many cultivators were self-aware. With so many people in Great Xia, those on the chart were either extremely famous in their fields, wanted by the authorities for evil cultivation, or the Heavenly Dao First Beauty.

This time, the Heavenly Dao Ranking is destined to be a plaything for those people.

Aside from feeling envious, there was nothing else they could do.

But when the Fame Ranking Chart began to display unfamiliar names one after another, and not just three or four, but hundreds and thousands, the sects and families that had given up hope became restless! Especially upon learning that these individuals were neither sudden prodigies nor the pride of any sect, and their cultivation was merely at the third or fourth layer of the Qi Condensation Stage, those sects that were already envious were now driven to the brink of madness.

Outside the capital city, within the Blossom Sect.

The Sect Master of the Blossom Sect stared at the Memory Stones in his hand, unable to believe his eyes. Setting aside his preconceived notions, he examined them carefully several times before sitting on the Sect Master's chair, looking down at the Wanderer Fairy of the Blossom Sect in awe.

"Could these Memory Stones be the reason those mortals rose on the Fame Ranking Chart?"

"Is it possible that the fame of a mere Blossom Sect Sect Master is inferior to these mortals who exposed their shameful deeds to the world?"

"Would people rather remember these mortals than the Sect Master of the Blossom Sect?"

To be honest, the moment the Fame Ranking Chart appeared, the Sect Master of the Blossom Sect saw an opportunity. He immediately dispatched sect disciples to purchase large quantities of rare porridge and distribute it to the small towns near Capital State, offering it to the people.

With each bowl of porridge served, the disciples were instructed to loudly proclaim, "This porridge is a gift from the Sect Master of the Blossom Sect, Bao Yichao!"

However, after two days, he hadn't even reached the top one thousand, and so he gave up.

But who could have imagined that these mortals would use such a despicable method to climb to the six hundredth rank? This was an insult, a blatant trampling of his dignity.

"Mm."

The Wanderer Fairy, kneeling in the main hall of the sect, trembled with fear as she replied in a hoarse voice, "Your Highness, I can confirm that this is indeed the case. That group of people used this method to help hundreds of mortals rise on the ranking."

"In the entire Xuzhou, countless Memory Stones are being circulated, and their fame continues to rise."

"I returned to the sect immediately to report this matter personally, as I sensed its significance."

"Mm."

The Sect Master of the Blossom Sect, seated on his chair, narrowed his eyes slightly, deep in thought. "This is indeed a clever strategy, and you reported it promptly. If just one state can lead to so many people rising on the ranking, what if I could secure three states before other sects react?"

"Pass the order!"

"Gather all the elders! We have important matters to discuss in the main hall!"

"Yes!"

The disciple standing at the hall entrance responded loudly and quickly retreated.

"Come forward."

The Sect Master of the Blossom Sect, with graying temples, smiled faintly at the Wanderer Fairy kneeling below and gestured for her to approach. "If I recall correctly, the task I assigned you wasn't this, was it?"

"Although this is also a contribution."

"But what about the task I entrusted to you?"

The Wanderer Fairy, kneeling on the ground, trembled even more at his words, but she forced herself to suppress her fear. She crawled up the steps with her limbs on the ground, and with practiced ease, she rested her bloodstained head on the Sect Master's thigh.

"Mm."

The Sect Master, with a smile, caressed the Wanderer Fairy's head. "You violated the taboos of the Blossom Sect by secretly releasing the sect's tonic. I instructed you to make up for it by going to Fufeng City in Xuzhou."

"I ordered you to seduce Zhao Yishi, the direct disciple of the Heavenward Sect, and kill the tonic you released. But you accomplished neither task. Why is that?"

"Zhao Yishi's physique makes it difficult for him to find a cultivation partner, and your entry can satisfy him. You are the best partner for him, and with your charm technique, could he resist?"

"I..."

The Wanderer Fairy's head was held down, and she struggled to speak, her voice trembling. "I couldn't find the opportunity."

At that moment—

Several elders of the Blossom Sect took their seats, all of them old men. They were accustomed to seeing the Wanderer Fairy kneel before the Sect Master. After everyone was seated, the first elder spoke up in confusion.

"Sect Master, why have you summoned all of us out of seclusion?"

"You guys."

The Sect Master of the Blossom Sect glanced at the elders without expression. "Your brains have rusted from seclusion. Take a look at the recent Fame Ranking Chart."

An hour later.

The Wanderer Fairy's injuries worsened as she staggered out of the main hall, her tattered clothing exposing her body, but she paid no heed. Her eyes were vacant as she walked towards her cave abode, amidst the complex gazes of the sect disciples.

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Standing at the entrance to her cave abode, the Wanderer Fairy waved her hand to dispel the restrictions and looked at the stone bed covered in pink reeds. She stood silently for a long time before sitting on the bed, gazing into the distance beyond her abode.

Fat Dragon was the one she had released. Letting a tonic escape was not a minor matter in the Blossom Sect.

She had received some punishment for it.

Fat Dragon, in his desperation to escape the Blossom Sect, had tried to win her favor in various ways. He had searched for the pink reeds for her, crafted hairpins from human bones for her, and told her jokes to make her laugh.

She knew that Fat Dragon's affections were insincere, merely a means to escape the sect.

But even so.

This was the first time someone had shown her false affection, tried to make her laugh, and cared about her feelings.

The Wanderer Fairy gazed absentmindedly at the hairpin on the table beside her. It was an ugly hairpin, and her role as the Wanderer Fairy of the Blossom Sect was primarily to seduce the Heaven's Pride from various sects.

She had tried her best.

For instance, she worked as the top courtesan in the capital's pleasure district, earning some private savings to help her escape the Blossom Sect. Fat Dragon had given her a strategy, and soon rumors spread about an artist who refused to sell her body even for three Spirit Stones from a powerful figure. After that, the number of customers requesting her company increased significantly.

She once asked the young fat man why they didn't spread a rumor that an artist wouldn't sell her body even for three thousand Spirit Stones. Wouldn't that be more effective?

The young fat man called her stupid.

The rumor of three Spirit Stones was just a joke to those powerful figures, but if it were three thousand Spirit Stones, they might actually come to check it out. That would be too much.

She found his reasoning convincing.

The young fat man was indeed clever. If it weren't for randomly drawing the 'Nine Bulls Power' entry, he would have surely made a name for himself. It was just bad luck, the same as hers.

Such was the way of the world.

Who could be lucky enough to have good fortune?

Just then—

A hoarse male voice sounded from outside the cave abode, "Senior Sister, you rarely return to the sect, why won't you come and see us?"

Hearing the voice outside, the Wanderer Fairy's face paled with fear. She tightly gripped the hairpin in her hand and trembled, "Junior Brothers, I'm feeling unwell today. Can we reschedule for another day?"

"What do you think?"

The sound of breaking through the array outside the cave abode followed.

The Wanderer Fairy's face turned ashen as she looked down at the hairpin in her hand. After a long pause, she quickly gathered the pink reeds beneath her and stored them in her storage ring. Then, forcing a smile, she sat on the bed and greeted the young men who had entered the cave abode with a strained smile.

"Junior Brothers, can we reschedule for another day? Can we wait until I recover from my injuries?"

"That's not possible."

The leader of the young men, holding a whip in his hand, approached step by step with a half-smile, "We also want to taste the Sect Master's flavor, won't you indulge us?"

An hour later.

The Wanderer Fairy lay on her side on the bed, her body covered in whip marks. She gazed absentmindedly at the starry sky outside the cave abode, and it seemed as if she saw the young fat man who had once sat outside her abode, telling her stories all night.

She had told him that as the Wanderer Fairy, she had no authority to release him.

The young fat man shook his head in disbelief. How could she, a Wanderer Fairy, not have any power?

When they parted ways.

She saw the young fat man's face filled with excitement and ambition. He vowed to become a powerful figure one day and crush the Blossom Sect.

Later, she was ordered by the Sect Master to go to Fufeng City. Before entering the city, she saw the young fat man running away, as if he was afraid she would see him.

At this thought.

The Wanderer Fairy, lying on her side on the bed, couldn't help but smile. The stars outside the cave abode twinkled, and the image of the young fat man, afraid of being seen and captured by the Blossom Sect, was truly amusing.

But how could the young fat man know that those captured by the Blossom Sect as supplements had markings left in their bodies, allowing them to be found even from a thousand miles away, as long as the sect was willing to look.

When she entered Fufeng City, she saw the young fat man.

He still had that carefree demeanor.

No matter how much suffering he endured, he would always say that a true strong person would never feel humiliated by yesterday's kneeling.

Later, when the Celestial Path Secret Realm opened, she was ordered by the Sect Master to seduce Zhao Yishi. However, she saw the young fat man publicly kill his former Dao companion and declare his hatred for such promiscuous women!

She stood among the crowd but did not approach him.

For some reason, she didn't want the young fat man to see her being promiscuous with others.

Although, in his eyes, she was already a promiscuous woman.

But hearing and seeing are two different things.

She remembered sitting outside the cave abode with the young fat man, gazing at the starry sky. She had said that the Blossom Sect was like the dark night, and they were like the stars, unable to dispel the darkness no matter how bright they shone.

The young fat man had confidently replied.

The darker the night, the brighter the stars would appear.

Hmm.

She admitted that the young fat man's inexplicably arrogant face had a certain charm, and it was he who inspired her to fully escape the Blossom Sect, a thought she had long harbored.

But...

All disciples of the Blossom Sect had their life tokens left in the sect, and no matter where she went, they could always find her through the token. Where could she possibly escape to?

In a daze.

She recalled the young fat man's parting words, his bold declaration that he would become a powerful figure and crush the Blossom Sect one day.

"Young Fat Man,"

The Wanderer Fairy lay on her side on the bed, taking out the hairpin she had just hidden under the bed and playing with it absentmindedly, "When will you become a powerful figure and crush the Blossom Sect?"

"I might not be able to wait for you..."

"Forget it."

Inside the Mock Heaven Sect, Fat Dragon glared at the Scholar, "The Blossom Sect is a place where only beasts can survive. Fortunately, I'm beastly enough to thrive there. If your brother, with his personality, were to end up as a supplement, he'd be squeezed dry on the first day."

"I used all the sweet talk I had in me."

"It was like licking from head to tail, so cringe-worthy that even I felt disgusted. That's how I narrowly escaped with my life."

"What do you think?"

"What do you mean I got bored in the Blossom Sect and now want to play again? Go to the Blossom Sect and see if you can have some fun there!"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end