Ever since landing, Li Yan had been sizing up his surroundings. He had consulted numerous records about secret realms before coming, so he knew that on the other side were the demonic beasts participating in the Secret Realm Harvesting and the Wheel of Life and Death. It was obvious that the three figures at their head were not human; they had to be high-level, Tier-3 demonic beasts in human form. Tier-1 demonic beasts typically evolved from common beasts or were born from variant bloodlines.
When a wild beast consumed heavenly materials and earthly treasures or consciously absorbed the world's spiritual energy, it had a chance to evolve into a common demonic beast. Through further cultivation, it could then hope to advance to a Tier-1 demonic beast.
There were also some formidable demonic beasts that possessed the bloodlines of ancient beasts. They might be born as Tier-1, or even Tier-2, demonic beasts. Such creatures were ancient variant species and exceedingly rare.
The records Li Yan had read contained only scattered mentions of a few ancient variant species born as powerful Tier-1 demonic beasts. As for those born at Tier-2, the texts described them as never having appeared in this world. Perhaps they had existed in a more distant, archaic era when the world was filled with Primordial Genesis Qi. But as that qi vanished from this world, those supreme ancient demonic beasts had gradually gone extinct.
Tier-1 demonic beasts could already awaken their intelligence. Upon reaching Tier-2, they would slowly begin to gain transformative abilities. However, only a very small number with stronger bloodlines could fully assume a human appearance at Tier-2. Most could only transform certain parts of their bodies, which did not count as a true transformation. Once they reached Tier-3, their abilities would be fully realized, and they could transform into a form indistinguishable from humans. The only thing they could not eliminate was their demonic qi, but this was generally only perceptible to cultivators of the same or higher rank.
Upon reaching Tier-4, they were considered peak-stage demonic beasts. Their demonic qi would be almost entirely refined away. As long as they did not reveal their true forms, they were difficult to detect, unless their opponent possessed a divine sense far superior to their own.
Looking at these three, Li Yan could not perceive any so-called demonic qi at all, which only went to show how low his own realm was.
Behind each of these three demonic cultivators, in their disorderly ranks, were dozens of half-human, half-beast creatures. Some had the head of a snake and the body of a man, wielding great forks. Their bare torsos revealed muscles of a dark, spectral sheen. They flicked forked crimson tongues, occasionally licking their own nostrils with a hissing sound, their small, eerie green eyes glinting with venomous light.
Some crouched on the ground like enormous, plump white maggots. Their heads, however, bore a human mouth and a prominent nose. Where their ears should have been were dense clusters of coin-sized eyes. Dozens of eyes constantly swiveled in every direction, a truly nauseating sight.
A pangolin, covered in scales, stood erect like a man. Its four limbs were no different from a human's; its arms were even a healthy, wheat-colored tan, and its hands were long and slender. Yet, its head and tail remained tapered and unchanged. It was a scene of a thousand freaks and monsters.
Behind these dozens of creatures in each team were over a hundred more pure-blooded demonic beasts of various kinds, bearing no human characteristics whatsoever. Li Yan guessed that the dozens in the front were Tier-2 demonic beasts, equivalent to human Foundation Establishment cultivators, while the ones behind them were Tier-1, the same level as his own Qi Condensation Realm.
As Li Yan was observing, he suddenly sensed someone approaching. Turning his head, he saw Li Wuyi walking slowly toward him. This must be their final destination. The various powers were no longer clustered together. The Golden Core cultivators were conversing up ahead, while the other cultivators were all examining the environment, observing the demonic beasts and their rivals from the other sect.
Li Wuyi was not a participant, yet the sect had allowed him to enter this place. His status was rather special. Li Yan wondered if it was Wei Zhongran's arrangement.
"Eldest Senior Brother," Li Yan greeted with a slight bow. Li Wuyi waved his hand, signaling that there was no need for formalities, and came to stand beside him.
Seeing that Li Yan was looking toward the demonic beasts and listening to their uninhibited clamor, Li Wuyi spoke in a low voice.
"This is the true nature of demonic beasts. They are born enemies of humankind. They are savage in their attacks, fond of devouring their opponents' bodies right after killing them. They won't even spare the primordial spirit. Without a primordial spirit, there is no chance of entering the cycle of reincarnation; it is a complete erasure from this world. What's more, some demonic beasts enjoy raping and killing female human cultivators. If a female cultivator falls into their hands, her fate is too horrible to describe…" Li Wuyi's voice resonated in Li Yan's mind.
"Then… in that case, why do we still send female cultivators to participate? Does the sect simply ignore such forbidden acts?" Li Yan's brow furrowed at the thought, and he couldn't help but glance toward Gong Chenying, Zhao Min, Li Changting, and the others. Such an act was absolutely forbidden, even among the four sects, at least not openly. Even if you had a reason to annihilate your opponent, sexual assault was not permitted.
"Of course, the four great sects have discussed this with the demonic beasts of the Secret Realm. But what happens inside the harvesting area cannot be seen from the outside, as you will soon learn. How can one obtain evidence for things that happen within? Though some cultivators in the past have carried special jade slips hoping to record images at critical moments, these slips are, for one, too rare for everyone to carry. And two, even if you bring one in, you must have the opportunity to actually record something. The chances are slim. So, it has become a matter of tacit understanding. In turn, human cultivators have retaliated. After killing a demonic beast, they will not spare its demonic essence. They will drive the demonic essence into the beast core. Such a beast core can increase the quality of refined pills or crafted artifacts by one or two levels. This, too, is a taboo in the outside world. A demonic beast that has lost its demonic essence is likewise unable to reincarnate. If it is refined into a spirit artifact or magical artifact, it will be eternally tortured and driven until its demonic essence is depleted. That is a fate no better than being cast into the eighteen levels of hell.
"But this is a trial of blood and gore. In the outside world, if either side were to commit such an act, they would be hunted to the death by the other. This dark filth in the cultivation world is far from the only example. Are female cultivators not cultivators? Even if they are protected, can they remain in the sect forever? Will there not come a day when we fall? How will they survive then?" Li Wuyi's placid voice echoed in Li Yan's mind, devoid of its usual warmth, carrying a calmness that felt alien.
Li Yan was stunned. He remained silent, thinking to himself, 'Cultivation, cultivation… every step is fraught with thorns. Reliance on others is but a flower's reflection in water. Mountains can collapse, and rivers can run dry.'
"I believe they all have ways to end their own lives quickly. If they truly don't have time, then we find out who did it and kill him," Li Wuyi's voice was very soft.
Li Yan paused, feeling there was a hidden meaning in his Eldest Senior Brother's words. 'Kill him? Don't we only enter the Secret Realm once every fifteen years? And would those same demonic beasts even participate next time?'
"However, don't assume that the four sects will unite against a common enemy here. The viciousness we show each other is no gentler than that of the demonic beasts. Heh, but let's not talk about this. Do you know what the true forms of those three demonic beasts at the front are?" Li Wuyi clearly wanted to change the subject. There were some secrets Li Yan was not yet meant to know.
Li Yan shook his head. He had been watching them for a while. Apart from guessing that the sinister-looking man with deep-set eyes, a hooked nose, and black robes might be some sort of eagle or vulture, he couldn't discern any features from the other two.
"I happen to know a little. I've seen these three in previous harvesting trips and later asked my Master about them. The gaunt man in black robes is a late-stage, Tier-3 Swiftwind Eagle named Yin Congfeng. I heard many years ago that he had already reached the late stage. After all this time, it seems he isn't far from breaking through to Tier-4. This demonic cultivator's innate talent actually includes spatial power. It's said he has mastered a sliver of it, but even this tiny bit grants him heaven-defying speed and unparalleled escape arts. I heard a Martial Uncle from the Ten-Pace Courtyard sparred with him once. Despite suppressing him by a minor realm and using the sharp attacks and peerless speed of a sword immortal, our Martial Uncle still returned in defeat. Afterward, he declared this demonic cultivator to be one of the most difficult peak-level experts to deal with at the Golden Core realm. Victory would only be possible with a pre-laid great formation or a heaven-defying magical artifact that could lock down space.
"That handsome, noble-looking young man is a Jade Qilin named Lin Mingyu. He is an extremely rare ancient variant species, born as a Tier-1 demonic beast. Thirty years ago, when I first heard of it, it was already at the peak of early-stage Tier-3. I don't know what realm it is at now, but I imagine it hasn't reached the late stage yet. Even an ancient variant species shouldn't be able to cultivate that fast. Its innate ability is to comprehend heavenly will and listen to destiny, giving it predictive and prescient powers. Master said at the time that with its peak early-stage combat strength, it wasn't impossible for it to escape from a late-stage human Golden Core cultivator. How formidable is that? A late-stage Golden Core facing an ordinary early-stage Tier-3 demonic beast could dispose of it without much effort, not quite like chopping melons, but close.
"The burly, purple-robed man next to them was a mid-stage, Tier-3 Mountain-Swallowing Beast fifteen years ago, named Yan Motian. This type of demonic beast loves to eat various rocks and minerals, so its evolution is extremely slow. Its greatest feature is its incredibly sturdy defense. Generally speaking, a late-stage Golden Core cultivator attacking an early-stage Tier-3 Mountain-Swallowing Beast with pure magical power, without using a magical artifact, cannot break through its flesh. Its attacks are also fiercely powerful, capable of moving mountains and overturning seas."
Li Yan was quite shocked to hear this. He had only guessed the eagle's true form, but he never imagined these three demonic beasts were so powerful. He certainly didn't expect to see a Jade Qilin here, just after pondering about ancient variant species from the records. What kind of immortal had built this Secret Realm, to have even ancient variant species among its demonic beasts? In ancient times, the variety of demonic beasts here must have been even greater.
Having said this, Li Wuyi's gaze shifted to the group of half-human, half-beast Tier-2 demonic beasts behind them.
"Among the Tier-2 demonic beasts, there are a few I know who are also extremely formidable. They are very likely to fight in the Wheel of Life and Death. Jin Chuiyan, of the Golden Flame Saint Lion race, is at the peak of Tier-2, equivalent to a human Pseudo-Core Realm Foundation Establishment cultivator. He excels in fire-based abilities, is brave and strong, and possesses the innate talent 'Nine Seas Soaring,' a large-scale, group-attack fire art. The power of its flames already contains a trace of the true essence of a Golden Core cultivator's Samadhi True Fire. Any cultivator below the Golden Core realm would be incinerated instantly upon contact."
Following Li Wuyi's gaze, Li Yan saw a lion-faced man standing behind Yan Motian. He was over a zhang (TN: Approx. 3.3 meters or 11 feet) tall, powerfully built, and his golden robes billowed without any wind. He stood with his hands behind his back, casting a disdainful eye over the two human sects, exuding an air of absolute dominance. Several others beside him were speaking to him about something, not pointing at the human cultivators. He would just give an occasional slight nod, never opening his mouth.
"Wu Wu'an, of the Green Crystal Centipede race, peak of Tier-2. He excels at ice-based abilities. He is sinister and cunning by nature. His innate talent is 'Icy Qi of Sorrowful Winds,' a large-scale group attack. The ice crystals contain his body's unique, potent poison. For anyone below the Golden Core realm, without an antidote, their body will dissipate into the wind within half a quarter-hour. Their primordial spirit, frozen by the poison ice, will be unable to escape or reincarnate."
This was a beast with a human body and a beast's head, dressed in green robes, standing behind Yin Congfeng. Its collar was turned up, concealing its neck. It had a slender figure. As Li Yan looked over, it actually looked back, meeting his gaze. Its head was a motley of black, green, and red. Several long whiskers curved downward from its face. Its wide mouth stretched to its ears, revealing yellow, pointed fangs. Seeing Li Yan looking, it grinned, and its face seemed to split in two, leaving only a dark, cavernous throat.
Li Yan felt a chill in his heart. Li Wuyi, however, actually smiled back at the Green Crystal Centipede before turning his gaze elsewhere.
"Yue Henguo, of the Moonshadow Cat race, peak of Tier-2. She excels at wind-based abilities. Her innate talent is 'Flowing Light, Like a Shadow,' a high-speed attack. Her claws are comparable to a mid-grade magical artifact. The terrifying part is that they carry the power of time. Anyone struck will have their life force drain away rapidly. A late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, if hit, would have their life essence completely drained in just over a dozen breaths, aging to death."
Following Li Wuyi's gaze, Li Yan saw a petite and graceful woman with a delicate figure, dressed in a long, pale green gown. Her skin was as bright as the moon, truly lovely. From her appearance, she seemed to have achieved complete transformation. Only when her long sleeves swayed would a pair of fair, jade-like arms be revealed. But at the end of those wrists were not a pair of jade hands, but a pair of furry, sharp claws.
"Yan Shuichu, of the Saintly Sound Spider race, peak of Tier-2…"
Without pausing, Li Wuyi introduced seven or eight more demonic beasts before he stopped speaking and turned his attention to the Supreme Mystery Teachings.
Li Yan was truly impressed by his Eldest Senior Brother's prowess. This kind of knowledge could only have been gained from past encounters.
Just then, the Golden Core masters who had been conversing in low tones fell silent. Even the Jade Qilin, who had been chatting happily with Peak Master Li, his handsome face like a resplendent galaxy, stopped talking. He and the beautiful Peak Master Li looked up into the distance.