A month passed.
In the valley where the Phoenix Origin Secret Realm was located, elders from various sects had arrived, waiting quietly for the King of the North to reopen the secret realm.
"Why is Elder Xie here so early?"
A black-robed elder from the Beast Taming Sect approached with a smile, greeting Elder Xie amiably.
"Today marks the reopening of the Phoenix Origin Secret Realm. Naturally, I arrived early," Elder Xie replied coolly, casting the other a glance. "But Elder Mo, it seems you've arrived rather late today."
The relationship between the Beast Taming Sect and the Profound Sun Sect was already strained. After the events in Zhen Tian City and the incidents on the competition stage, the tension between the two sects had hit rock bottom.
At this moment, Elder Mo of the Beast Taming Sect approaching with a friendly demeanor seemed nothing short of insincere.
"Our disciples in the Beast Taming Sect aren't as dazzling as those in Profound Sun Sect," Elder Mo said, stroking his beard with a smile. "To avoid disappointment, I came a bit later. In fact, I've already prepared myself for the possibility of our disciples returning empty-handed. Elder Xie, are you similarly prepared?"
"Hmm?"
Elder Xie's eyes narrowed, and a sense of unease crept into his heart. He responded in a deep voice, "What do you mean by that, Elder Mo?"
"Oh, nothing much," Elder Mo said slyly, his tone casual. "I just wanted to remind you, Elder Xie, that sometimes, the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment. While Li Xun may be extraordinary and Ye Han quite promising, the brighter the star, the more it invites jealousy."
Elder Mo's expression turned mischievous as he continued, "As an experienced elder, you must understand the saying: 'The tree that stands out in the forest is the first to be blown down by the wind.'"
"Hah! Is that all?" Elder Xie retorted, his tone steady and composed. "Does Elder Mo truly believe that Ning Cheng from your Beast Taming Sect can stand against our Li Xun from the Profound Sun Sect?"
Both elders were seasoned veterans with sharp judgment. If Elder Mo could see that Ning Cheng was no match for Li Xun, Elder Xie could discern it just as clearly.
In Elder Xie's view, Ning Cheng could never rival Li Xun, not even with the help of his contracted beasts.
"Of course not," Elder Mo admitted with indifference. Then, with a smirk, he added, "But what if Ning Cheng obtains a drop of ancient Qiongqi blood?"
Elder Xie's expression darkened instantly. "How do you know there's ancient Qiongqi blood in the Phoenix Origin Secret Realm?"
"That's a secret of our Beast Taming Sect," Elder Mo replied with a hearty laugh. "One more thing, Elder Xie. While Ning Cheng himself might only be at the early Profound Elixir Realm, his contracted beast is at the peak of the Profound Elixir Realm."
"What?!"
The elders from other sects who overheard this gasped in shock. Elder Mo had spoken openly, so everyone present had heard him.
"A Profound Elixir Realm contracted beast at its peak—if it acquires ancient Qiongqi blood, it could evolve into a Divine Power Realm contracted beast!"
A middle-aged-looking elder from the Shenxiao Sect spoke solemnly.
A Divine Power Realm contracted beast would dominate a group of Profound Elixir Realm disciples like a predator among lambs. Even someone as powerful as Li Xun wouldn't stand a chance.
Running away wouldn't be an option either. Qiongqi, a fearsome beast, wasn't clumsy. On the contrary, it had wings and could fly. In a situation where the contracted beast was a whole realm stronger, escaping would be nearly impossible.
The Shenxiao Sect elder breathed a sigh of relief after recalling that his sect didn't have any grudges with the Beast Taming Sect.
"As far as I know, all disciples entering the Phoenix Origin Secret Realm are at the Profound Elixir Realm," an elder from the Spirit Sword Valley remarked coldly. "Yet the Beast Taming Sect has a Divine Power Realm contracted beast. Isn't that unfair?"
Before Elder Mo could respond, a white-haired elder leaning on a dragon-headed cane chuckled ominously. "Ning Cheng is under twenty-five years old and only at the early Profound Elixir Realm. His contracted beast, at the time of entry, was merely at the peak of the Profound Elixir Realm. What part of this is against the rules?"
"And surely," the elder added mockingly, "the secret realm doesn't forbid breakthroughs, does it?"
This elder was from the Xuanyin Sect. Having witnessed his disciple being utterly suppressed by Li Xun during the competition, he had been holding a grudge. The news of Qiongqi blood delighted him immensely.
With such a trump card, Ning Cheng could very well hunt down Li Xun in the secret realm.
"And another piece of news for you all," Elder Mo said, his expression smug. "Several mysterious experts have also entered the Phoenix Origin Secret Realm. They're all at the late Profound Elixir Realm."
"Oh, and coincidentally, Ning Cheng already knows them."
<+>
If you want to see more of this story and don't mind paying $5 each month to read the latest post, please go to my Patreon[1].
The current chapter in Patreon: Chapter 189: Always a Pleasant Surprise[2]
Link to the current chapter: https://www.patreon.com/posts/i-thanks-to-my-129435362[3]
https://www.patreon.com/c/HannibalNotBarca/posts?filters%5Btag%5D=I+Thanks+To+My+Unlimited[4]
[1] https://www.patreon.com/c/HannibalNotBarca/posts?filters%5Btag%5D=I+Thanks+To+My+Unlimited
[2] https://www.patreon.com/posts/i-thanks-to-my-129435362
[3] https://www.patreon.com/posts/i-thanks-to-my-129435362
[4] https://www.patreon.com/c/HannibalNotBarca/posts?filters%5Btag%5D=I+Thanks+To+My+Unlimited