West of Central Continent, northwest of Tan State, lies a cluster of islands shaped like teardrops, known as the ’Tear Pearl Islands.’
The Spiritual Energy of the Tear Pearl Islands is average, with no special resources. Generations of mortals lived across the scattered islands.
Approximately two hundred years ago.
The Seven Immortal Sects discovered the No.2 Cave on the islands, forcibly relocating all mortals. Now, the islands appear desolate and abandoned, eerily quiet.
Chen Jichuan flew for two whole months before arriving at this place.
...
"Dai Zong of Five Directions Hall pays respects to the Supre Elder."
Upon entering the islands, Chen Jichuan imdiately sought an audience with the Heaven nding Sect’s Supre Elder ’Chen Yuanning,’ who oversaw the No.2 Cave.
This Supre Elder had once been the Hall Master of Danyi Hall within the Six Great Halls.
Seventy years ago, she stepped down as Hall Master, ascending to the dignified role of Supre Elder. For nearly fifty years, she has maintained her position at the No.2 Cave.
Chen Jichuan’s endeavors in the No.2 Cave would, henceforth, be under her jurisdiction.
"Elder Dai, there’s no need for excessive courtesy. The Sect Master already sent word ahead; you’ve arrived half a month earlier than this old lady expected. True to the Sect Master’s letter, your Escape Skill rivals that of a Sixth Layer Heaven True Person—it seems the praise is well-founded."
Chen Yuanning was an exceedingly kind-looking old woman, radiating the warmth of a family elder, setting a calmness in one’s heart.
But Chen Jichuan was well aware that this elderly figure was far from ordinary. Not only was her alchemical mastery ranked among Central Continent’s top five, but her cultivation and combat prowess were equally formidable. Like Chen Jichuan, she excelled in the Absolute Skills ’Daluo Heavenly Sleeve’ and ’Daluo Heavenly Fire.’
However, Chen Jichuan learned them purely for combat purposes.
Chen Yuanning, on the other hand, studied these Absolute Skills to refine dicine to perfection.
"The Sect Master even praised your unparalleled mastery of ’Daluo Heavenly Sleeve,’ joking in his letter that this old woman has been waiting for you for quite so ti."
Chen Yuanning teased Chen Jichuan, whose embarrassed expression was evident, making her burst out laughing: "Don’t look so distressed. This frail old body can’t handle drama; if you’ve got what it takes, go wild in there and bring honor to our Heaven nding Sect!"
Her finger pointed toward the cave entrance.
"Elder Dai will not disappoint the Elder nor the Sect Master’s expectations," replied Chen Jichuan promptly.
Shortly thereafter.
Chen Yuanning explained to him the rules of the No.2 Cave.
To put it simply—
"There are no rules."
"As long as you don’t betray your own sect, you can target mbers of the other six sects without restraint. Even if you’re caught red-handed, this old woman can ensure you walk away unhard."
"Provided you survive."
Her words carried a hint of fire.
Evidently, the atmosphere in the No.2 Cave was anything but leisurely. The friction, conflicts, and competition among the Seven Sects seed to have reached a fever pitch.
"Currently, in this No.2 Cave—"
"Low-level True Persons don’t count."
"There are 280 Mid-stage True Persons, 40 from each sect. Maintaining this number has been customary for every ten-year cycle. The next replenishnt is seven years away. Presently, Heaven nding Sect has lost three Mid-stage True Persons in the No.2 Cave, with eleven awaiting outside as reserves."
Cold, impersonal numbers spilled from Chen Yuanning’s lips.
The Seven Immortal Sects dominate Central Continent and the Slaughter Ring Sea, each an imposing power in its own right. Take Heaven nding Sect, for example—the Peak Masters of its thirty-six peaks and the Chamber Elders of its halls are all Mid-stage True Persons.
The Sect Leader and Elders of its Lower Sect have no shortage of Mid-stage cultivators either.
Add them all together, and the number of Mid-stage True Persons is by no ans small.
However, these sects must oversee vast regions across Central Continent and Slaughter Ring Sea. Their Mid-stage cultivators are scattered to fulfill various missions and roles, unable to be fully mobilized.
Despite this, the No.2 Cave still maintains a consistent presence of forty Mid-stage True Persons from each sect.
This underscores just how much importance the sects place on No.2 Cave.
According to Chen Yuanning.
Every ten years, the numbers of Mid-stage True Persons in No.2 Cave are reviewed and replenished.
Only three years into this cycle, Heaven nding Sect has already lost three Mid-stage True Persons, revealing the brutal nature of the cave.
"Three in three years."
"At this rate, ten will perish every cycle?!"
Having been warned by Sect Master Sun Jiuzhang beforehand, Chen Jichuan was already vigilant about this mission. Now, hearing Chen Yuanning’s account, the grim reality of No.2 Cave hit him with full force.
"Luo Pu must have known about this."
"No wonder he’s content to stay hidden in the Barbaric Lands, refusing outright to co here."
Chen Jichuan thought to himself.
Soon, another issue ca to mind: "Currently, Heaven nding Sect has only three vacancies for Mid-stage True Persons, but there are eleven reserves outside. This suggests that over the next seven years, eight more must die before I can enter No.2 Cave?"
Chen Jichuan frowned slightly.
That ant he would have to wait at least seven years. If he was unlucky, it could be seventeen or even twenty-seven years before he gained entrance. This was far from what he had initially anticipated.
As he pondered.
It seed Chen Yuanning had guessed his thoughts, breaking the silence: "At the end of each cycle, aside from those who fall in battle, there are Mid-stage True Persons who choose to leave the cave voluntarily. So, there are actually more openings than you’d think."
Hearing this, Chen Jichuan suddenly understood.
Take Luo Pu, for instance—he’d opted against coming to No.2 Cave despite rely hearing about the brutal conflicts. Surely, those fighting inside the cave, facing the pressure firsthand, may also decide to step back. Even if not completely withdrawing, they could take a break for one or two cycles before returning.
Thus, the number of new openings each cycle would often surpass the number of casualties.
Among the eleven reserves for Mid-stage True Persons, Chen Jichuan guessed so might already have experience in No.2 Cave.
"That’s good."
"At least I won’t have to wait too long."
Chen Jichuan thought to himself.
"You don’t have to wait."
Chen Yuanning smirked as she saw the surprise flash across Chen Jichuan’s face. Her tone was full of amusent: "Those rules apply only to Mid-stage True Persons. You’re rely in the Second Realm of Enlightennt—what do these regulations have to do with you?"
"..."
Chen Jichuan was taken aback—
How could this be?!
"Of course it’s possible!"
"This is old news. Since Mid-stage True Person spots are limited, the sects started picking their strongest Third Layer Heaven True Persons to send into the cave. With seven to eight elite Third Layer Heaven True Persons, they can easily challenge a Fourth Layer Heaven cultivator. With a Mid-stage True Person leading them, their teamwork becos even deadlier."
Chen Yuanning’s eyes shone with anticipation as she gazed at Chen Jichuan: "The Sect Master says your combat power overshadows Fifth Layer Heaven and matches Sixth Layer Heaven. Attack, speed, defense—you lack no strength. When you enter, make sure to perform exceptionally and show the other six sects our greatness!"
In No.2 Cave, besides Mid-stage True Persons, there are also Low-level True Persons.
As per the Seven Sect agreents, these Low-level True Persons were supposed to remain inland to hunt Demon Kings, prohibited from venturing to the border regions. Similarly, Mid-stage True Persons were forbidden from targeting Low-level True Persons inland.
But rules were made to be broken.
Each of the Seven Sects harbored their own agendas. As the conflicts in No.2 Cave escalated, adherence to regulations waned dramatically. The Seven Immortal Sects began replacing their First and Second Layer Heaven cultivators with top-tier Third Layer Heaven candidates, sending them to the border areas alongside Mid-stage True Persons.
The border regions were perilous.
The strength of Third Layer Heaven cultivators was insufficient. Even among the most elite, casualties were far higher than those of Mid-stage True Persons—it just depended on who faltered first.
"You’re only Second Realm. You can be arranged to enter at any ti."
"There’s no need to wait."
"This is the roster of all True Persons currently in No.2 Cave. It contains information about both our Heaven nding Sect mbers and those from the other six sects, including combat techniques and personalities collected by the sect. Before you enter, make sure to study it thoroughly and morize it."
"Know your enemy and yourself, and you’ll erge victorious every ti."
"But don’t trust it entirely. These people are cunning, and the intelligence gathered is limited to what’s visible. Nobody knows what hidden trump cards they might have lurking beneath the surface."
"Take you, for example."
"In No.5 Cave, many know of your prowess in Escape Skill and Swordsmanship, but few are aware that you’ve honed ’Daluo Heavenly Sleeve’ to such an extraordinary level."
Chen Yuanning handed him a scroll, explaining and cautioning carefully.
Chen Jichuan accepted the roster, feeling its substantial weight.
Within were the nas of top-tier cultivators from all Seven Sects, the cream of the crop. Even the Low-level True Persons listed were destined for greatness; within a century or two, many of them would likely ascend to the Fourth Layer Heaven and achieve Mid-stage cultivation.
Not to ntion the Fourth Layer Heaven, Fifth Layer Heaven, and Sixth Layer Heaven cultivators already present.
Chen Jichuan was about to enter the cave and test his strength against them.
Anticipation stirred within him.
"Entering the cave, you are prohibited from carrying Third-order Magical Treasures or Talismans. If you possess any, hand them over to for safekeeping now," Chen Yuanning declared.
The Seven Immortal Sects all boast trendous foundations.
Heaven nding Sect, for example.
Not just Third-order Magical Treasures—even Fourth-order Magical Treasures are abundant within the sect. If restrictions weren’t enforced, the No.2 Cave could plunge into chaos, and casualties would multiply tenfold!
The Seven Sects dared not act recklessly; although tensions were high, restraint was still evident.
This restraint was most apparent in the absence of High-level True Persons within the cave.
And in the limits imposed on Magical Treasure usage.
"I don’t have any."
"I don’t own Third-order Magical Treasures, nor Third-order Talismans."
Chen Jichuan spread his hands, looking both innocent and fortunate: "Thankfully, my ’Fla God Banner’ and ’Sixfold Golden Lotus’ haven’t been refined to Third-order yet, or I’d lose two handy treasures here."
Both treasures were crafted by him.
The ’Fla God Banner’ was originally called ’Taiyang Fla Banner,’ inspired by Heaven nding Sect’s legendary treasure, the ’Fire Dragon Immortal Banner.’ During his years in No.5 Cave, he collected nurous Exotic Fires while cultivating ’Daluo Heavenly Fire,’ rging them into the Taiyang Fla Banner to enhance its power, eventually renaming it.
As for the ’Sixfold Golden Lotus,’ it was made from the Golden Lotus Demon King’s remains, modeled after the sect’s renowned treasure, ’Sixfold Golden Lotus.’
Inevitably, knock-offs fall short of originals, but after extensive refining, their power ranked as top-tier among Second-order Magical Treasures.
"Such poverty?"
"Looks like you ca to the right place."
Chen Yuanning hadn’t expected soone with combat strength comparable to Sixth Layer Heaven to lack even one Third-order Magical Treasure, raising her eyebrows in mild surprise.
Seeing Chen Jichuan’s wry smile, she couldn’t help but laugh: "Don’t play the pity card with this old lady. Earn rits in the cave, and treasures will naturally follow!"
Saying this.
Chen Yuanning produced over ten bottles of pills, handing them to Chen Jichuan: "Magical Treasures and Talismans are restricted, but Pills are not. Here are twelve bottles of ’Supre Revitalization Pill,’ capable of restoring all Mana, spirit, and injuries of a Fifth Layer Heaven True Person in a single breath. Additionally, there’s one bottle of ’Blood Essence Pill,’ a last-resort option for activating potential—it has severe side effects, so don’t use it lightly."
Supre Revitalization Pill.
Blood Essence Pill.
These were top-tier treasures among Second-order Pills. Chen Jichuan lacked the refinent skills to craft them at his current alchemical level. Chen Yuanning, however, as a forr Danyi Hall Master and a renowned Alchemy Grandmaster in the Slaughter Ring Sea, displayed her remarkable generosity.
"Thank you, Elder!"
Such life-saving treasures couldn’t be turned away, and Chen Jichuan gratefully accepted them. Undoubtedly, this was Heaven nding Sect’s unique advantage. The cultivators from other sects couldn’t hope to match this level of preparedness.
Of course.
Other sects had their specialties. For instance, in Ten Thousand Talisman Sect—even though carrying Third-order Talismans was prohibited—each of their mbers likely wielded an arsenal of top-notch Second-order Talismans.
Taking the pills, Chen Jichuan grew even more cautious in his heart.
...
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