"Where are the others? What is their existence for? To continue risking their lives for a chance at a position they are destined never to attain?"
Li Weiyi said.
"Entering the Hidden Sect is like entering hell. Without the mental preparedness for that, they are not qualified to be here."
Suddenly, a thought floated in Hidden Twenty-Four's mind, and she laughed: "If you are so compassionate, why not go and comprehend the battle techniques of the God of Nine Li, and defeat the three figures on the Mind Power Wall? Then you would instantly become a Hidden Person, and the slot for Hidden Twenty-Six would naturally be vacant."
Becoming a Hidden Person directly was no simple feat. The Hidden Sect hadn't seen such a character emerge in decades. She felt that the reason Li Weiyi had just said those words was because of Yao Yin.
He refrained from killing in the Spider Cave and intervened to rescue Li Qing—his motivations were crystal clear. Having a Pure Immortal Body like that was not something unusual. Which hero doesn't love a beauty?
"Alright, then I will give it a try."
Li Weiyi strode toward the Mind Power Stone Wall, eager to test himself against those three. Hidden Twenty-Four quickly followed, curious about which was stronger, the unfathomable oddball or Hidden Nine. Li Weiyi had always possessed an unwavering spirit of defiance, filled with fighting spirit in the face of every challenge.
Arriving at the Mind Power Stone Wall, he slowly pressed his palm against it.
"Whoosh!"
The stone wall trembled slightly, and the internal spiritual radiance, mystical energy, and scriptures rapidly gathered, crystallizing into a human-shaped mural. Thirteen-year-old Hidden Nine emerged from the mural, wielding a giant axe and asked, "Are you ready?"
Li Weiyi sensed a powerful aura emanating from him, one that was far stronger than Li Qing’s; it felt oddly familiar, akin to facing the Four-Winged Spider King.
"I'll go first!"
"Boom!"
With a heavy stomp, mystical energy surged from beneath his feet. Li Weiyi soared several feet into the air, stepping on nothingness. The first sword strike he executed was a full-powered Qian Kun Ruyi Sword, on the level of Dao Law Fusion, as he sought to gauge Hidden Nine’s weight.
Hidden Nine slightly raised his head, and within his semi-matter-semi-spirit-like pupils, hundreds of sword shadows appeared.
"Open Heaven and Split Earth!"
The first axe strike of the Thirty-Six Heavenly Demons.
"Boom! Boom!"
The clash of sword and axe sounded like gold and stone striking together repeatedly, creating a shower of sparks. Strong gusts of atmospheric pressure surged around them, shaking everything within several feet. Hidden Nine was forced to take a step back, only then managing to dissolve Li Weiyi's aggressive sword momentum.
In the next moment, the two abruptly collided once again.
"Hidden Nine actually took a step back!"
Hidden Twenty-Four could hardly believe her eyes. None of the Hidden People from their batch had ever been able to make Hidden Nine retreat even half a step in the Nine Springs Ancestor Field.
In the medicinal room, two elder men who had planned to play chess stopped momentarily, their eyes drawn to the fierce clash occurring in the distant plaza between the two figures. The elder who cooked said, "Could there be another ultimate mortal emerging?"
"Hard to say, hard to say... at least in terms of physical strength, he doesn't fall short of Hidden Nine," the gatekeeper elder remarked.
Among the exalted beings who opened the Nine Springs, some had traces residing in their bodies amounting to just over eighty, while others reached over ninety. Mortals and deformeds did not differ much in the number of traces; they all lay within the range of eighty-one to ninety-nine. A hundred traces were nearly the recorded upper limit.
However, the Pure Immortal Body offered a much greater advantage compared to mortals and deformeds. Once the Nine Springs were opened, most could reach over ninety traces, with some especially outstanding ones exceeding a hundred. With every additional trace, the advantage increased.
The elder who cooked remarked, "It seems to be evenly matched; it will come down to who has trained more Dao Law Fusion techniques, who has a stronger breathing technique, and who uses their mystical energy more adeptly. The situation for Hidden Nine looks somewhat precarious…"
"Boom!"
"Rumble!" …
Li Weiyi reveled in gaining the upper hand and illustrating his speed to continuously extend his advantage, ultimately overwhelming his opponent with sheer might. After Hidden Nine retreated that step, he was unable to advance further.
Suddenly!
Hidden Nine’s aura surged dramatically; his body became much more solid as he swung a thick axe of mystical energy. Clearly, the Mind Power Stone Wall was simulating the combat power level when Hidden Nine mobilized vast amounts of mystical energy from the ancestral field.
Li Weiyi had opened the Wind Mansion, but it was merely a small sea of energy that could only execute one supreme strike. This strike was not something to be used lightly; it had to be reserved for the most critical moment.
"Let’s see how strong your ancestral field’s combat power is."
The more he fought, the more excited Li Weiyi became. With bravado and without flinching or dodging, he chose to directly intercept Hidden Nine’s axe.
"Rumble!"
The clash of sword and axe erupted. The stone slabs beneath them shattered completely, and waves of mystical energy rippled outward. The branches and leaves of the purple-hued forest in the distance rustled furiously.
Li Weiyi, ultimately unable to withstand the force, was sent flying backward two feet. Just as his toes touched the ground, he shot forward again, swinging his sword with the intent of opening the sea, recklessly clashing with Hidden Nine's ancestral field mystical power, his fierce gaze reflecting an indomitable "I am the best in the world" demeanor.
Hidden Twenty-Four instinctively held her breath: "He... he seems to be fighting without drawing on his ancestral field.” How could he go toe-to-toe with Hidden Nine? This was simply overestimating one’s strength!
If this were a real duel, it would surely be seen as an affront. She could hardly imagine that Li Weiyi currently only had an Eight Springs cultivation level, and had no ancestral field mystical energy to mobilize. The elder who cooked nervously asked, "How many rounds have they fought?"
The gatekeeper elder, without counting, replied, "Hidden Nine’s ancestral field mystical energy will run out; he will definitely lose within five moves." The elder who cooked felt a bit thirsty, "That kid hasn’t even activated his ancestral field mystical energy yet. Could he truly become the first extraordinary Hidden Person in over a dozen decades?"
"Slash!"
"Another slash!"
"Third slash!"
Li Weiyi unleashed three successive sword strikes of the Dao Law Fusion-level Taiyi Opening Sea, the momentum of each strike building more strength than the last. By the third strike, using sheer momentum and fighting intent alone, he managed to increase the power of his sword strike by about ten to twenty percent.
"Boom!"
Hidden Nine's shimmering figure exploded apart, dissipating into particles of light and returning to the Mind Power Stone Wall. It was only at that moment, almost choking from anxiety, that Hidden Twenty-Four finally took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled.
Hidden Twenty-Three and Hidden Twenty-Five, stunned by the overwhelming display of strength, hurried over, eyes wide as they looked upon the figure in the plaza.
"What have we missed?"
Hidden Twenty-Three asked. Hidden Twenty-Four remained silent for a long time, then said, "We missed the slaughter of a god." In the eyes of these Hidden People, Hidden Nine in the Nine Springs realm was like a god, instilling them with an eternal feeling of defeat.
Hidden Twenty-Five remarked, "Hidden Nine in the Spring Surge Realm represents the pinnacle of mortal strength. To overcome him with a mortal body is indeed akin to slaying a god. If he becomes Hidden Twenty-Six, he will surely be a strong contender for being a Hidden Person."
Hidden Twenty-Four laughed, saying, "Don’t you realize? He's not aiming for Hidden Twenty-Six; he intends to become a Hidden Person directly, to become our leader." Hidden Twenty-Three and Hidden Twenty-Five were taken aback.
"No, he doesn’t have the chance. Hidden Nine represents the mortal limit, being a hundred veins fully silver. In terms of physical traits, only the Pure Immortal Body can rival it. However, he was just thirteen years old at that time; his body had not fully developed, and his martial skills and the quantity of Dao Law Fusion techniques were somewhat limited, leaving a significant gap in combat power compared to a hundred veins fully silver Pure Immortal Body."
Hidden Twenty-Three analyzed. Li Weiyi’s arms felt as if they would burst, his internal energy and blood boiling, and he quickly sat down cross-legged to practice breathing techniques to recover his state. He still wanted to fight!
"Although I haven’t cultivated my ancestral field yet, I cannot borrow vast amounts of mystical energy to enhance my combat power. However, my Jade Void Breathing Technique allows me to mobilize mystical energy more quickly and continuously; it can somewhat compensate for the gap."
Half an hour later. Li Weiyi's state returned to its peak, and he pressed his palm against the Mind Power Stone Wall once again.
"Whoosh!"
Brighter spiritual radiance, mystical energy, and scriptures gathered together like countless threads. A new mural emerged, showcasing a tall and impressive figure, far taller than thirteen-year-old Hidden Nine, wielding a long spear about ten feet long, stepping out from the stone wall. With a flick of his spear, mystical energy ripples erupted from its tip.
The elder who cooked in the distant medicinal room reminded, "It’s the fully silver Pure Immortal Body, Director Yang." Li Weiyi was astonished, "Li Prefecture’s strongest, Sui Sect’s Director Yang?"
"It is indeed him; this Mind Power mural was purchased many years ago. Director Yang had just cultivated a hundred traces, which is considered the threshold for a fully silver Pure Immortal Body in the Spring Surge realm. Defeating him means you've passed the second test," the elder who cooked explained.
The gatekeeper elder added, "Don't mislead that kid! While the quantity of traces does influence a martial practitioner's combat power, having a few more or a few less will not determine the winner or loser. Director Yang had once swept through the entire Southern region in his youth, undefeated.
By the time he reached the Spring Surge realm, his techniques were already very sophisticated." Director Yang had defeated six tribe leaders of the Nine Li; his accomplishments were remarkable. How could Li Weiyi dare to underestimate him?
With a sword, he charged forward! Director Yang remained steady as a mountain, a flick of his spear. With a point of the spear, he sealed off all angles of Li Weiyi's attacks, maximizing the advantage of his weapon.
In the next moment, the spear was swung like a steel rod, and countless spear shadows enveloped Li Weiyi.
"Boom!"
Li Weiyi took the hit head-on, testing Yang’s strength. As soon as the sword tip grazed the spear shadow, Li Weiyi immediately felt the essential difference between a fully silver Pure Immortal Body and a fully silver mortal. Director Yang's strength was far greater, surpassing that of Hidden Nine.
In the Spring Surge realm, he could definitely lift the Five Seas Pillar.
"I cannot confront him head-on."
With his arm aching and numbing, Li Weiyi hastily retreated using his body technique to distance himself. However, as the distance increased, it became more conducive for the spear's attacks. Director Yang pursued relentlessly, the ten-foot-long weapon became a living dragon, swirling with mystical energy, completely enveloping Li Weiyi.
Knowing he couldn’t escape, Li Weiyi immediately mobilized the mystical energy from his Wind Mansion and turned, swiftly stabbing his sword. At the same time, he stepped out using the Clear Void Chase technique.
"Whoosh!"
After breaking through the vortex of mystical energy, the sword edge slid past the spear shaft, sparks of spiritual radiance igniting. Li Weiyi's sword strike was precise and aimed directly at Director Yang’s glabella. Yet, all his calculations seemed to be seen through by his opponent.
Director Yang’s body suddenly brightened, activating ancestral field mystical energy, and with a palm struck out a large mystical energy handprint, overwhelming in power like the heavens pressing down.
"Boom!"
The Yellow Dragon Sword was knocked askew, nearly slipping from Li Weiyi's grasp. Grinding his teeth, Li Weiyi had no choice but to draw upon the mystical energy within his veins, hastily forming a handprint to counter Director Yang's palm.
His body slid back five feet, his entire arm lost to sensation, a trace of blood at the corner of his mouth. As the long spear thrust toward him again, he had no choice but to shout, "I concede!" Director Yang turned and walked back into the Mind Power Stone Wall.
The elder who cooked was more furious than anyone, pounding the railing, "Ah! Why didn’t you use ancestral field mystical energy to face the enemy? Director Yang is strong, but he’s not unbeatable.
Hidden Nine could exchange blows with him until his ancestral energy ran out." The gatekeeper elder said softly, "Perhaps he hasn't cultivated an ancestral field yet." The elder who cooked glared at him, then jumped out of the medicinal room, several leaps later appearing beside Li Weiyi, pointing to the location of his ancestral field.
Stumbling back three steps, he looked at Li Weiyi as if he had seen a ghost.
"Little Twenty-Four, protect him carefully during the trial."
Leaving this statement, the elder who cooked and the gatekeeper elder made their way to the mountain gate, no longer in the mood to play chess. The three Hidden People were still digesting the shock in their hearts; could he truly only be at the Eight Springs cultivation level?
Meanwhile, Li Weiyi left in a daze, feeling exceedingly oppressive, as if a mountain were pressing down on his chest. Waiting in the Blood Forest, Yao Yin, relieved to see him return safely, approached and asked, "How did it go?"
"I lost… a complete defeat, with no chance of victory at all. It seems like the opponent has no weaknesses or openings…"
Li Weiyi muttered to himself, as if he could not see Yao Yin, walking past her toward his cave. Yao Yin had never seen him look so pained; her heart also felt somewhat uncomfortable. She noticed Hidden Twenty-Four following behind into the Blood Forest and asked, "What’s wrong with him?
He seems to have sustained a serious blow."
"He’s been dealt a blow?"
Hidden Twenty-Four's teeth ground in anger; who was really suffering a blow?
"You didn't see how he defeated Hidden Nine with his overwhelming prowess earlier."
Surprise filled Yao Yin's crescent-like eyes; she knew ordinary Nine Springs exalted beings couldn’t even withstand a single strike from Hidden Nine.
"Then why is he saying he lost?"
Yao Yin found it hard to understand. Hidden Twenty-Four replied, "He lost to the fully silver Pure Immortal Body, Director Yang." Yao Yin was even more baffled, saying, "For mortals at the same realm, losing to a Pure Immortal Body is quite normal.
Moreover, that’s the fully silver Pure Immortal Body, who else could outmatch Yang apart from him? Why should he feel dejected?" Hidden Twenty-Four stared deeply at Yao Yin; indeed, Pure Immortal Bodies were arrogant, but... you have misjudged this time!
Not wanting to explain further, Hidden Twenty-Four approached Li Weiyi's cave and knocked on the stone door, "May I come in?" The door was open.
As soon as Hidden Twenty-Four stepped inside, Li Weiyi burst out from within and stood before her, his eyes now brimming with vigorous fighting spirit: "I just broke through, and I can continue cultivating more Dao Law Fusion techniques. I can eat more meat and herbs to refine my physique.
I believe that given a month’s time, I will definitely be able to defeat him. By the way, I can also refine golden traces!"
"You can also advance to the Ninth Spring!"
Hidden Twenty-Four said with a frown. Li Weiyi replied, "There’s also the legendary Tenth Spring."
"You’re really pushing your luck," Hidden Twenty-Four said.
"I'm here to teach you the Facade Technique! Once you enter the Hidden Sect, you can no longer casually reveal your previous face and identity. You are not who you were before, and you no longer have your previous name."
Li Weiyi asked, "Isn’t it the same for Hidden People?"
"Of course, Hidden People enjoy greater freedom," Hidden Twenty-Four replied.
"Then why are you telling me all this?"
Li Weiyi inquired. Hidden Twenty-Four had almost reprimanded him for his likely future ability to become a Hidden Person, but now had to stomach it and said in a calm tone, "You aren’t a Hidden Person yet, so we must follow the rules." Li Weiyi questioned, "Is there a time limit for the trial?"
"It must be completed within a month,” Hidden Twenty-Four replied.
"Right now, I am still not a match for the fully silver Pure Immortal Body, while the Changlin Gang has two at the Five Seas realm and numerous Seven Springs experts. This will be a tough battle," Li Weiyi said.
Hidden Twenty-Four replied, "I will accompany you to Nine Li City; two Seven Springs and Five Seas were nothing."
"What I mean is that I need to go into closed-door cultivation for a while first. I need to at least pick up the Five Seas Pillar and practice a few more Dao Law Fusion techniques, as well as mystical energy cultivation…"
Li Weiyi was immersed in planning and thinking, focused on how to boost his strength. Nine Li City was fraught with danger, as the Changlin Gang was backed by the Yang Clan and Sui Sect. Hidden Twenty-Four floated away, closing the stone door behind her, "I’ll come back tomorrow to teach you the Facade Technique!" …
Nine thousand words, seeking monthly tickets!
(End of Chapter)