The Science of Cultivation Chapter 209: Once Again

Leaving the duel behind them, Jian Beiyun led Li Lang and his companions toward a group of Nightmoon Valley disciples. They gathered near their tent, in an outdoor area that was partitioned off, warding off any prying eyes.

The disciples were young, all in their teens. No words needed to be exchanged for Li Lang to understand they had been selected to enter the pocket realm.

“Rember everyone, don’t take off your hats until you’re inside the pocket realm,” Jian Beiyun instructed.

On a table nearby, there were dozens of straw hats that had a white cloth hanging from the rim. It covered the wearers’ faces and, combined with the amulet that guarded against Qi senses, the spectators would have a hard ti identifying anyone within their group.

Jian Beiyun then recited so instructions to the group, letting them know what to take note of. While he had a lot of say, the event wouldn’t last that long. Nightmoon Valley simply needed them to enter the realm and return back to prove that they had access to The Great Trial of Water Crest.

“Can we not stay to challenge just one trial while we’re in there?” one of the young cultivators bravely asked.

“That is a matter for another day. We can’t have our guests wait because of your wants.”

Seeing the dejected boy’s face, Li Lang intervened.

“Well, we only need to show we can enter and exit the realm. Not all of us have to co out right away.”

“No,” Jian Beiyun sternly replied. “Our instructions are clear. We can’t afford to deviate from it at all. Our Valley Master has many plans in place. Any changes would ruin the negotiations we had painstakingly worked for.”

“Hmm, I’ll follow your instructions, then.”

Thinking it through, Li Lang believed his words to be correct. Nightmoon Valley could’ve co up with so reason to limit the use of the pocket realm. If he allowed people to arbitrarily co and go as they pleased, the others would pressure Nightmoon Valley to open up the realm to even more people.

The worst part was that Li Lang had yet to inquire about the quantity and frequency of visitors that the Crucible could support. Nothing was limitless. There had to be so consumption in running the trials, whether it be the Qi beasts that are part of the tests or the materials used in various crafts.

Li Lang had to have a thorough talk with the three artifact spirits first before hashing out the details. It was at the top of his priority list because if there were so problems, the Valley Master had to be inford right away. Otherwise, it could jeopardize his dealings with the various organizations of the Luminescent Domain.

With the matter clarified, Li Lang’s group blended in with the other Nightmoon Valley disciples to enter the pocket realm. Almost a hundred people in beige robes and straw hats erged. It caught the attention of the crowd, who had gotten bored from not being able to spectate the duel above.

“Look, Nightmoon Valley is making a move! They’re sending people toward the pocket realm!”

“Do you really think it’s true? They really took control of it?”

“When has Nightmoon Valley ever lied?”

“I an, they are powerful and resourceful alright, but why did they suddenly gain control of it? If it were to happen, I would have thought the Eroding March Pavilion would’ve claid it instead. After all, their disciple was the last to leave the realm during the last opening. He should’ve been selected by the realm itself.”

The gossiping never stopped as Li Lang cut across the crowd. Thankfully, everyone knew to steer out of the way, allowing them to soon co into view of the tower that represented the pocket realm. To be precise, there were four tightly packed towers, and the gap between them was where the entrance lay.

Under the watchful gaze of the crowd, the leading mbers entered into the gaps. Everyone was anticipating them disappearing at any mont, but even when they reached the most central part of the four pillars, nothing happened.

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Seeing this, Li Lang closed his eyes and called out to the three artifact spirits through the connection between artifact and owner. He could only do so now due to the physical contact he was making with the artifact.

“Orange, Green, Blue, are you there?”

“Yes. What can we do to serve you?” a feminine voice replied.

“Blue, let and everyone around in.”

“Are you sure, Master? There are a lot of people watching. While you are absolutely safe inside our territory, that won’t be the case when you leave.”

“Yes, I’ve already got all the details sorted out. Please let us in.”

“Very well.”

With that, the group of young cultivators vanished from sight. It elicited a cry of excitent from the audience.

“They’re gone! They really took control of it!”

Their absence wasn’t long. A few monts later, all of them reappeared in the sa spot.

“Everyone!” Elder Yun of Nightmoon Valley shouted. “As you can see, we have total control of who enters and leaves the pocket realm.”

“Then why don’t you allow more people to enter? Even if the space inside is limited, you can open the realm every year instead.”

“As I previously explained, that won’t be possible. The pocket realm is not the key to limitless resources. It can only accommodate so many people every so often. Moving on, our Valley asked that everyone leave this area by the end of the day. It is now under our managent, effective imdiately. Those who are interested in the quotas to enter the realm can contact us later.”

The people in the crowd shared glances, waiting for others to stand up to the premier organization of their domain. Having verified the pocket realm was indeed controllable, many salivated with greed. They wanted to get Nightmoon Valley to give up more slots to the public, but no one dared to voice their request. These cowards waited on others to ask for them.

They knew speaking up now would jeopardize their relationship with their protectors. Unfortunately for these opportunists, the others weren’t stupid. Anyone could see the sche at hand. No one wanted to fall for the first-mover disadvantage—or so they thought.

Fortunately for them, soone was brave enough to speak out. It was none other than Elder Ji from the Drenched Earth Sect. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise to the crowd, as even now, a mber of his sect was fighting a duel up in the air. They had already picked a fight with Nightmoon Valley, so there was no difference if they continued to do the sa.

“Elder Yun, surely your eminent organization can be a little more accommodating. How about giving us all a tour of the pocket realm? I’m sure many old folks here, including , never had the chance to witness the wonders of The Great Trial of Water Crest. We had already been too old back when it was discovered. Please let us fulfill this regret.”

“Elder Ji, I thought you were confident about your disciple’s abilities?” the Nightmoon Valley elder dryly pointed out. “Why don’t you wait for your disciple to win the duel and make the request, then?”

“Our sect doesn’t micromanage every aspect of our mbers. Xin Dou’s business is his own, while my business with you is separate.”

“Well, my answer remains the sa. Our valley has made a decision, and we will not change our minds. I ask that our guests leave at their earliest convenience.”

The two elders held their gaze at each other for several tense monts before so quick-minded mbers of various organizations started to mobilize. They complied with the demands and began evacuating from the area.

After many years, the post of observer of the pocket realm within many organizations would finally be abolished. So were quite sentintal about this fact. They lanted that their organization wasn’t the one to gain ownership of the place in the end. While others were gleeful at the news. They no longer had to spare any resources for this place anymore. They could reassign them to more urgent areas, or allow them to focus on their cultivation.

As nurous cultivators left the area, the dark sphere hovering in the sky disappeared. It did not do so quietly.

The violent sound of impact followed as the earth trembled. It was caused by a figure being slamd into the ground. The force was enough to create a small crater.

As the dust settled, the spectators were able to see who had been sent flying. Laying on the ground was a young man, wearing light brown robes. It was Xin Dou. Realizing this, everyone quickly looked up to confirm with their eyes who the victor of the duel was. What they saw made several people nod in appreciation.

Sima Xue was hovering in the air, riding on a skysword. What was most remarkable about the sight was that she was in pristine condition. Her robes remained untouched, her complexion was still healthy. All signs indicated she barely broke a sweat.

She had undoubtedly defeated her opponent. Many found it a pity they weren’t able to witness the fight. They sighed as they got into their Skyrunners while wistfully looking back.

The scene made even Elder Ji of the Drenched Earth Sect speechless. He felt the tides turning against him and ceased his squabbling with Elder Yun. He swiftly reappeared beside the fallen Xin Dou and inspected his condition before carrying him away without a word.

With the troublemakers out of the picture, Li Lang’s group was quickly led back into Nightmoon Valley’s tent. They got to take off their disguise and prepare for the next part.

Once the onlookers leave, it’s ti to return to the pocket realm for good! We can finally cultivate with a peace of mind. Foundation Establishnt Realm, here I co!