Chapter 223: Entering the Spirit Realm, Killing Celestials

Chapter 223: Entering the Spirit Realm, Killing Celestials

The scenery before the divine elemental avatar became blurry in Li Xuan's mind, as if the connection was about to be lost. Li Xuan's thoughts stirred, and the avatar, which had been about to pass through the palace, immediately retreated back to the Spirit Realm Gate.

"The closure of the Spirit Realm Gate has greatly shortened the distance of my connection to the divine elemental avatar."

The Spirit Realm and the Inner Realm seemed like two different worlds. It was only natural that the shortened control range of the divine elemental avatar was affected by the closed gate.

To enter the palace, Li Xuan himself had to approach the Spirit Realm Gate and shorten the distance to his avatar.

In front of the Spirit Realm Gate, the divine elemental avatar merged into a stone not far away and fell silent.

Leaving an avatar in the Spirit Realm would be useful for unforeseen circumstances, such as opening the Spirit Realm Gate.

After all, the Spirit Realm Gate could only be opened from within the Spirit Realm. If it were completely closed, wouldn't it be impossible to enter?

"Let's go!"

Li Xuan turned and left, returning to Canglan Island.

Spirit Realm.

Xu Yan stepped out of the Spirit Realm Gate and immediately felt a surge of vitality. His eyes widened in surprise.

"The spiritual energy in the Spirit Realm is so abundant, more than three times that of the Inner Realm."

As a river and mountain spirit body, Xu Yan was especially sensitive to spiritual energy. As soon as he entered the Spirit Realm, he felt the heavenly energy continuously flowing into his body.

"The Heavenly Spirit is also much more active here."

Xu Yan began to understand. The reason why one couldn't break through to the Celestial stage of martial arts in the Inner Realm wasn't due to a lack of spiritual energy. After all, with the existence of spiritual energy and spirit crystals, it was impossible for a shortage of spiritual energy to hinder cultivation.

Peak grandmasters—when had they ever lacked spirit crystals?

If one had a pile of spirit crystals, how could they lack spiritual energy?

Therefore, the fundamental reason why one couldn't break through to the Celestial stage of martial arts in the Inner Realm was not only because of the martial arts technique but also because the Heavenly Spirit was not active enough!

"In the Borderland, the Heavenly Spirit is extinguished, the spiritual energy is violent, and creatures cannot guide the heavenly spiritual energy, so they cannot cultivate to become martial artists.

"In the Inner Realm, the Heavenly Spirit is not active enough, which is why one cannot break through to the Celestial stage."

The martial arts cultivation in both the Inner and Spirit Realms was closely related to the Heavenly Spirit. The strength of the Heavenly Spirit determined the advancement of one's martial arts realm!

"My master's martial arts are indeed powerful."

Xu Yan marveled inwardly.

Without the Heavenly Spirit, one could still cultivate and not be restricted.

Taking a step forward, Xu Yan left the Spirit Realm Gate and had to pass through the main hall.

In the main hall, the two martial artists guarding the Spirit Realm Gate were about to see if it was Jiao Ming or Ping'er who had returned, or if the two had come back together.

Suddenly, a graceful figure rushed in.

"Quickly open the Spirit Realm Gate for me. I'm going to the lower realm to catch some pigs and dogs to scout the way."

Dai Yingying rushed into the main hall, shouting.

An old woman followed closely behind her.

"It's Miss Dai," one of the guarding martial artists said, startled.

Dai Yingying, the pride of the Dai family, was born with a precious body and was the apple of her family's eye, receiving endless love and adoration. Recently, she had caused an uproar by capturing low-level martial artists to explore the Green Sky Flood Dragon Tomb, angering many.

A celestial vagrant martial artist had even vowed to kill her.

Frightened, the strong members of the Dai family had offered spirit crystals as compensation to the captured low-level martial artists, claiming that they were voluntarily hired, while also sending people to hunt down the celestial vagrant.

And Dai Yingying had quieted down a bit.

But who would have thought that she would now plan to go to the Inner Realm to capture people to use as cannon fodder?

"That's right, it's me!"

Dai Yingying tilted her head and said.

"It's an honor for the lower beings of the Inner Realm to be noticed by me and to scout the way for me."

The two guarding martial artists didn't find anything wrong with her words.

"Miss Dai is right. The Spirit Realm Gate was opened just now, so it should be someone from the Mercury Palace who has returned. Please wait a moment, and I'll open the Spirit Realm Gate for Miss Dai to enter."

The guarding martial artist said with a smile.

The two of them were from Zhenguo, and Dai Yingying was the betrothed of the second prince of Zhenguo, a future empress with an extraordinary identity.

At this moment, a young figure walked in from the door of the main hall facing the Spirit Realm Gate.

"Oh!"

Dai Yingying's eyes lit up slightly. This boy was so handsome.

"Who are you?"

The guarding martial artist was a little dazed, looking towards the door of the main hall, but he didn't see Jiao Ming and Ping'er. There was only this one boy.

An Inner Realm native?

He was surprised. The fluctuation of the Spirit Realm Gate just now indicated that the knocker was not weak, definitely not something an Inner Realm martial artist could do.

Could it be that Ping'er knocked and let this boy in?

The person from the Mercury Palace was always so unrestrained. If she saw such a handsome boy, how could she not be moved?

"Did Ping'er send you in?"

The guarding martial artist frowned and asked.

"Who's Ping'er? I don't know her!"

Xu Yan looked at the people in the main hall—the two guarding martial artists, whose strength was that of minor Celestials, only slightly stronger than Jiao Ming.

The girl had the strength of a peak grandmaster at such a young age, undoubtedly a genius.

The old woman was the strongest, a late-stage minor Celestial.

Xu Yan had no intention of lingering in the main hall, so he continued towards the door. These unrelated people were of no concern to him.

"Are you an Inner Realm martial artist?"

The guarding martial artist's face darkened as he asked.

"Do you have a problem with that?"

Xu Yan glanced at him and continued walking.

The two guarding martial artists looked at each other, their faces darkening. They couldn't help but feel suspicious.

How could there be such a powerful martial artist in the Inner Realm?

Could it be...?

A terrifying thought emerged in their minds.

Blood Demon!

For a moment, the two dared not move rashly and could only watch Xu Yan leave, not daring to treat him like the Inner Realm martial artists before.

If it really was the Blood Demon, they would only be asking for trouble if they made a move.

"Is he the Blood Demon? Wasn't he killed by that person from Tai Miao Sect? And it's been such a long time with no news of him. Why has he suddenly appeared now?"

"Is it possible that the Blood Demon changed his identity and kept a low profile, which is why we haven't heard anything? This isn't the first time the Blood Demon has made a comeback."

"That's unlikely. The Blood Demon isn't the kind of person to keep a low profile. He's arrogant and proud, and he cultivates a murderous martial art..."

"It's hard to say. After all, the Blood Demon has been hunted down many times. Maybe he's changed his style."

The two guarding martial artists communicated through divine sense.

The more they talked, the more their hearts trembled.

Had the Blood Demon made a comeback?

Was the Spirit Realm about to be plunged into chaos and bloodshed again?

Dai Yingying looked at Xu Yan's departing figure and asked anxiously, "Is he an Inner Realm martial artist?"

"Yes, there's no doubt about it. He didn't enter from the Spirit Realm Gate."

One of the guarding martial artists nodded.

Just as he was about to remind Dai Yingying not to offend Xu Yan, she turned and chased after him, the old woman following closely behind.

The two guarding martial artists looked at each other and sat down cross-legged in a very tacit understanding, beginning to cultivate.

If it really was the Blood Demon, they wouldn't dare to get involved. If they did, death would be certain.

And if it wasn't the Blood Demon, then it would be fine even if Dai Yingying killed the person.

"Stop!"

Xu Yan had just come out of the main hall and was wondering about his next move in this unfamiliar Spirit Realm when a voice sounded from behind him.

"What is it?"

Xu Yan held the sword in front of his chest and turned to look.

"Indeed, what is it to you?" Xu Yan frowned slightly, finding the girl's attitude off-putting.

"This young miss has taken a liking to you. Come with me, and if you manage to stay alive, you, a lowly being, will have a great opportunity. I, Dai Yingying, will make an exception and allow you to join my Dai family as a servant!" Dai Yingying proclaimed haughtily.

Xu Yan furrowed his brows in contemplation as he thought of Jiao Ming, who had spoken to him in a similar tone. However, he had quickly put Jiao Ming in his place.

Should he do the same to this girl and teach her a lesson? Xu Yan glanced at Dai Yingying and then at the old woman by her side, who was clearly a Late-stage Minor Celestial protecting her. She must have some background.

"I have come to the Spirit Realm to accumulate a foundation and break through to the Divine Intent Realm. I have no intention of causing trouble," Xu Yan said, deciding to ignore her.

With that thought, he turned to leave.

I'll remember her for now, and if I encounter her again after breaking through to the Divine Intent Realm, and she still looks down on me, I'll teach her a lesson then, Xu Yan thought.

Dai Yingying was furious to see Xu Yan turn and leave, completely ignoring her. Spoiled and used to getting her way, she couldn't stand being treated like this, especially by someone from the lower regions of the Inner Realm.

"How dare you disregard me like this? I was going to bring you to the Green Sky Flood Dragon Tomb to scout the way. If you survived by chance, I would have granted you a great opportunity. But since you're so audacious, don't blame me for teaching you a lesson!" Dai Yingying said angrily as she took out a whip from her storage bag.

"You, a pig-dog from the lower realms, should feel honored that I even considered you. I was going to take you to the Green Sky Flood Dragon Tomb to scout, giving you a chance, yet you dare to ignore me so blatantly? Take this!" Dai Yingying, accustomed to acting arrogantly, lashed out with her whip, creating a loud snap as she aimed for Xu Yan's neck.

This whip had been used to discipline countless disobedient lower-level warriors, and more than a few had been whipped to death by it.

With practiced ease, she snapped the whip toward Xu Yan's neck, intending to pull him toward her and give him a good thrashing!

Xu Yan had initially wanted to let the matter slide, but Dai Yingying's insults and her attempt to physically assault him angered him.

This girl has chosen her path to death, so be it! "Green Sky Flood Dragon Tomb? Is it a treasure site?"

Dai Yingying's mention of the Green Sky Flood Dragon Tomb piqued Xu Yan's interest.

He reached out and grabbed the whip as it lashed toward him, giving it a sharp tug. Dai Yingying cried out in surprise as her body flew toward him.

"How dare you!" The old woman beside Dai Yingying erupted in fury and attacked Xu Yan.

Confident in her strength as a Late-stage Minor Celestial, she believed she could kill him before he harmed her young mistress.

However, Xu Yan didn't even spare her a glance, nor did he draw his sword. He simply raised his hand and slapped out with his palm.

A golden dragon roared forth.

Dragon might, wrapped in a gentle breeze, rushed toward the old woman.

Leeward Sword Intent!

Buzz!

The old woman's consciousness suddenly felt a searing pain, as if a weak candle flame had been snuffed out by a violent wind, and she lost consciousness.

The golden dragon roared, instantly obliterating the old woman's attack and turning her into ashes, her soul extinguished by the might of the dragon.

At that moment, Dai Yingying's neck was firmly in Xu Yan's grasp.

"Save..." Dai Yingying started to call for help, but then she saw that the old woman had already turned to ashes!

Her face paled in terror as she looked at Xu Yan, shocked by his strength. No, he couldn't be from the Inner Realm! Those two liars had deceived her!

"Don't kill me. If you do, you won't survive either. I am Dai Yingying, the young mistress of the Dai family, and my fiance is the second prince of Zhenguo..." Dai Yingying stuttered, trying to intimidate Xu Yan with her background.

As she spoke, her usual arrogance began to return.

Perhaps realizing the weight of her background, she continued, "If you let me go, I will forget about this incident. Otherwise, if you harm me, you will face the wrath of both the Dai family and the royal family of Zhenguo!"

She hadn't completely lost her senses yet, as she tried to compromise and offered to let bygones be bygones if he released her.

Of course, she was thinking that once she escaped, she would have him tortured to death!

Suddenly, she felt a tightening grip on her neck, causing her face to turn red as she struggled in vain. Her strength seemed to have abandoned her.

She was terrified.

Xu Yan loosened his grip slightly and asked, "What is this Green Sky Flood Dragon Tomb, and where is it located?"

"I'll tell you, I'll tell you everything! The Green Sky Flood Dragon Tomb is in Zhenguo..." Dai Yingying quickly spilled all the details about the tomb.

"And where are we now in the Spirit Realm?" Xu Yan asked, his gaze unwavering.

Dai Yingying looked at him with a mixture of surprise and suspicion. Could he really be a warrior from the Inner Realm? But how could someone from the lower regions possess such terrifying strength?

"We're in Yuzhou, one of the eighteen states of the Spirit Realm, in the region of Zhenguo..." Dai Yingying answered, her voice trembling.

Xu Yan wasn't expecting her to provide much information; he just wanted a general idea of where he was in the Spirit Realm.

"Let me go now, or my Dai family and the royal family of Zhenguo will not rest until they find you," Dai Yingying threatened, exaggerating the power of her family and the royal family. Her eyes regained some of their usual arrogance, and she spoke with an air of authority.

Xu Yan's expression remained unchanged as he took her storage bag and released her.

Dai Yingying rushed toward the main hall, shouting angrily, "You lowly being, you pig-dog, wait for me! I'll make you pay!"

Xu Yan slapped out with his palm, then turned and walked away.

Boom! Dai Yingying turned into flying ashes and dissipated.

Xu Yan's figure soared into the air, heading toward the Green Sky Flood Dragon Tomb.

"As soon as I entered the Spirit Realm, I encountered news of such a treasure site about to open. The Green Jade Dragon Tree and the Dragon Eye Fruit are both excellent for accumulating a foundation and transforming oneself during a breakthrough.

"If there is dragon flesh and blood within, it will be perfect for my junior disciple to nurture his physical body and accumulate a foundation for his mortal body, which will aid him in his breakthrough to the Unbreakable Golden Body."

Xu Yan was determined to obtain the treasures within the Green Sky Flood Dragon Tomb.

Anyone under thirty years old could enter, and he met the criteria.

As for the unspoken rule that solitary cultivators didn't participate, Xu Yan simply ignored it.

Dai Yingying had brought this upon herself with her haughtiness and arrogance. If she wanted to walk the path of self-destruction, he would oblige her.

As for the Dai family and the royal family of Zhenguo backing her, Xu Yan wasn't too concerned. With his Light and Dust Concealment Technique, evading pursuit would be effortless.

Only the guardians of the Spirit Realm Gate had seen his face, and he could always change his appearance if necessary.

Moreover, he saw no reason to kill the guardians since they hadn't offended him or tried to save Dai Yingying. Xu Yan wasn't the type to kill indiscriminately.

Inside the main hall, the two guardian warriors broke out in a cold sweat.

This young man is most likely the Blood Demon, they thought. Fortunately, we didn't make a move, or we would have surely met our end, leaving not even ashes behind.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end