A Mortal's Journey to Immortality: Starting as a Rogue Cultivator

During the last Blood Forbidden Trial, the Chen family sent seven disciples above the eleventh level of Qi Refining, including an elite at the thirteenth level of Qi Refining. However, only one member from the eleventh level collateral branch who was hiding on the outskirts emerged, resulting in a significant loss.

Therefore, this time they changed their approach, focusing more on people outside the clan, and Wang Li was one of the candidates that Uncle Chen valued. To be precise, he was one of the candidates they were looking for for the next forbidden area trial.

However, Wang Li's cultivation level increased too quickly, which greatly surprised Uncle Chen and even the Chen family.

In the original storyline, Huangfeng Valley suffered a crushing defeat in the next Blood Forbidden Trial. Their leader, Grandmaster Li Huayuan, even lost the iron essence he had painstakingly refined over a decade. One can only imagine the outcome after the Chen family made their move.

"Eighteen people, that's quite a lot."

The largest number of previous trials involved only twenty-one people, which was the last trial in which the Chen family mobilized a large number of participants.

It should be noted that before the incentive policies were introduced to motivate lower-level disciples, there were only eleven or twelve people on average, with the fewest being only two people who volunteered. Even after the incentive policies were introduced, the average was only fifteen or sixteen people. The fact that they were able to field a lineup of eighteen people this time was thanks to the Chen family leading the way with Wang Xiao, Xue Pan, and someone else named Wang.

"Wait a minute, kid, what are you trying to say?"

Clearly, it was Uncle Chen who understood him best.

"Uncle-Master, with our seven sects mining spiritual herbs in this forbidden area, how long can the Blood Forbidden Trial continue? Or rather, how many more times will it have to be closed for a period of time to allow it to recuperate?"

Upon hearing this, Uncle-Master and Uncle-Five Chen were caught off guard, but Old Ancestor Chen's eyes narrowed.

His expression shifted between light and shadow.

It wasn't that Wang Li didn't want to hide his abilities; it was simply that, on his own, collecting all the spiritual herbs within the five-day time limit of the Crimson Forbidden Land would be extremely difficult. If the teleportation location wasn't ideal, the trouble would be even greater.

Unless he gives up on venturing into that place!

But is it possible?

The Ink Dragon can be left to Han Laomo and Nangong Wan, but this time, he must open the golden treasure chest in that place and take its contents!

How could he not be tempted by the inheritance of an ancient Nascent Soul stage cultivator?

As Uncle Chen said before: "A thousand sails sail against the current to rise; if you don't advance, you fall behind."

Why should I suffer while others benefit?

If you give in to everything, what's the point of cultivating immortality? You might as well just die!

"The trial is aborted? Impossible. This has never happened in the past hundreds or thousands of years. Don't overthink it, kid."

Wang Li had mentioned it to Uncle Chen in private before, but he overestimated Uncle Chen, because now it seems that Uncle Chen always judges based on past experience and did not take it to heart.

Fortunately, Old Ancestor Chen had a much higher standard and was not rigid in his thinking: "Little guy, what makes you think the forbidden area trial should be suspended for a period of time?"

Why?

Aside from those with foresight, it's also because cultivators from various sects are extracting fewer and fewer spiritual herbs—it's an inevitable trend.

"Just considering the last fifty years, fifty years ago, the disciples of the seven sects took out a total of 246 plants; forty-five years ago, 239 plants; forty years ago, 223 plants; thirty-five years ago, 218 plants..."

Until last time, there were 181 plants!

I learned from the records in the Tianzhi Pavilion of the sect that two hundred years ago, the disciples of the seven sects could bring out an average of four hundred spiritual herbs!

Less than half!

Isn't that obvious?

If we continue harvesting, the spiritual herbs in this forbidden area won't last long; they'll likely become extinct! What will be the point of the so-called forbidden area trial then?

Can't the clever people of the seven factions see this point?

There must be someone who sees through it all.

The family that sends the most people each time and gets the most medicinal herbs is one of the wise ones in this matter.

From this perspective, the rise of the Hidden Moon Sect is not without reason.

"grandfather!"

Uncle Chen is getting anxious.

Uncle Chen Wu was also getting anxious.

The Chen family has been planning a lot this generation; let's hope they don't cause any trouble here.

"You're good."

Old Master Chen was not an unreasonable person; most people were blinded by past practices and only realized the seriousness of the problem belatedly.

"Little Four, here are five decent magic artifacts and some talismans. Go and summon all the Qi Refining 13 disciples you like in the sect. This time, let's go all out again."

Last time, I was being petty.

"Top-tier magic artifact? Basic to high-tier talisman?"

The magical implements consist of: a golden bell, a bowl, a dagger, a flying sword, and a gourd. Upon closer inspection, their spiritual power is considerable, likely on par with his meteorite iron shield.

Seeing this, Wang Li breathed a sigh of relief.

The forbidden area was located in Jianzhou, where their Yellow Maple Valley was situated. Even with the methods of a Core Formation cultivator, it would take two days to get there with a group of disciples. Because they were the closest, they always arrived a day earlier than the other six sects.

In other words, the Chen family has one more day to call in reinforcements.

Those selected will also have nearly three days to adapt to their new equipment and items.

"Kid, I hope your guess is true..."

Uncle Chen said dejectedly.

"I actually hope the forbidden area can hold out for a few more rounds!"

Wang Li shrugged.

Chapter 26 Factional Game Before the Forbidden Zone Trial

The forbidden area was established in Jianzhou.

Huangfeng Valley, which always considers itself the host, would arrive a day early; however, this time, Huangfeng Valley's team was the second to last to arrive.

Aside from the half-day lost in recruiting people, the large half-day spent by several elite disciples at the thirteenth level of Qi Refining familiarizing themselves with their newly acquired magical artifacts, and the nearly two days spent by the advance team traveling, the main purpose was to conserve energy and build up strength.

Unlike Li Huayuan, Chen Laozu paid more attention to details.

If it were Li Huayuan, he would have rushed here with his team to wait for the six sects in the previous instances. But Old Ancestor Chen's idea was that since the opening time of the forbidden area was fixed and each of the seven sects needed a Core Formation stage cultivator to open a temporary passage, it would be better to leave the six sects waiting for the Yellow Maple Valley team for a while, thus exhausting the energy and spirit of the disciples from the six sects.

This wait lasted for several hours, which was insignificant for a Core Formation stage cultivator, but for a low-level Qi Refining stage disciple, the invisible depletion was still considerable.

However, what Old Ancestor Chen did not expect was that even though he had arrived at the appointed time and only half an hour early, the Hidden Moon Sect's team was still not there and seemed to be behind him.

“Junior Brother Li is really careless. How can low-level disciples compare to us Core Formation cultivators? Arriving here too early to wait will only wear down their initial vigor.”

The saying goes, "One should strike while the iron is hot, but the momentum will wane on the second attempt and be exhausted on the third."

"Sigh, no wonder the Hidden Moon Sect always achieves outstanding results. The profits of one sect are equivalent to those of two or three other sects. There is a reason for this."

The Hidden Moon Sect has taken all these details into account countless times.

Other people's disciples are at their peak of vitality and spirit right from the start. But the six sects, especially Huangfeng Valley, which is the host, simply waited here for a day or two and their members became listless.

They were already far behind all other groups at the starting line.

It would be strange if they didn't get good results.

"Benefactor Chen? Why are you leading the team from Huangfeng Valley this time? Where is Brother Huayuan?"

The one who spoke was Fuyunzi of the Qingxu Sect, who was at the early stage of Core Formation.

Normally, this kind of errand-running is the last thing a sect member to do after reaching the Core Formation stage. The appearance of Patriarch Chen undoubtedly makes this forbidden area trial even more bizarre.

"Greetings, fellow Daoists."

The flying boat descended slowly, and together with Ancestor Chen, two Foundation Establishment managers, and eighteen disciples who participated in the trial, the group of twenty-one people from Huangfeng Valley arrived safely.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Chen."

Everyone returned the greeting with smiles, creating a wonderful atmosphere.

“Fellow Daoist Fuyunzi, Junior Brother Huayuan is at a crucial moment in refining his iron essence, so I am doing it in his place this time. Is there anything you need to discuss with my Junior Brother Huayuan?”

Old Master Chen noticed that the old Taoist priest opposite him kept glancing at the group of low-level disciples of Huangfeng Valley out of the corner of his eye, and he began to make a plan.

"Brother Huayuan, are you refining iron essence?"

Upon hearing this, the Taoist priest flicked his whisk and his eyes suddenly lit up.

Iron essence is a raw material for magical artifacts that can only be refined by the alchemical fire of the Core Formation stage, used to enhance the power of magical artifacts. Even if it is not used on magical artifacts, but on magical implements, such as adding three and a half qian of it to a magical implement, the power of the magical implement will be greatly increased, and it is very likely to directly improve its grade.

However, refining iron essence is hard work. Even a Core Formation cultivator would need more than ten years to produce a high-quality piece.

Such rare materials rarely leave the country.

Even a small piece of high-grade iron essence, the size of a pigeon egg, is worth at least two or three thousand spirit stones, and it's rarely seen on the market. After all, under normal circumstances, cultivators who refine such raw materials will immediately integrate them into their magical artifacts.

"It seems you've got your eye on Junior Brother Huayuan's piece of iron essence, hahaha..."

Old Master Chen joked.

"Not at all, not at all. I just haven't seen Brother Huayuan for many years and I miss him very much."

Fu Yunzi is also shameless and cunning; otherwise, Li Huayuan wouldn't have fallen into his trap and been tricked into giving away this piece of iron essence in the original story.

"Fellow Daoist, are you trying to gamble on the piece of iron essence in Junior Brother Li's possession?"

Old Master Chen shook his head and chuckled:

“Fellow Daoist Fuyunzi, Junior Brother Li’s piece of iron essence will take another year or two to refine. If you want to get your hands on it, you’ll have to wait until the next forbidden area trial. How about we make a bet this time? A small bet to liven things up!”

As he spoke, a flash of light appeared in his hand, revealing a fist-sized, dark stone.

"This quality... top-grade iron essence!"

Fu Yunzi's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

Judging by its size, it must weigh at least twenty kilograms, and you couldn't possibly lift it without spending ten or twenty thousand spirit stones.

His magic weapon, the Qingjun Sword, was in dire need of such a piece of iron essence. Once it was incorporated into the sword, its power would increase by at least two points!

What is most important during the Core Formation stage?

magic weapon!

When Core Formation cultivators fight, the main battle is over the power of their magical treasures.

A two-point improvement is significant.