Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor
Chapter 96: Ninety-six, a place beyond the constraints of life and death

Chapter 96: Ninety-six, a place beyond the constraints of life and death

"You little fellows!"

After exchanging pleasantries with Mo Qing, Jade Pot Sect’s Fourth Elder Li Shan finally turned his attention to the many newcomers of the sect. As these four words were uttered, everyone fell silent.

"Next, it’ll be your first time entering the Jade Pot Cave for some benefits. But I must tell you, although the cave is filled with Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, the dangers within are immense!"

Li Shan paused briefly, saw everyone listening intently, and continued, "Some of the Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures within are guarded by formidable Vein Demons, and there’s also the possibility of stealth attacks from competitors. Because the Jade Pot Cave is the only place in the Jade Pot Sect where life and death battles are not forbidden, and this too is a trial for you within the sect!"

Hearing Li Shan’s last remark, everyone’s heart shuddered, but Yun Xiao and his companions, who had already been informed by Tan Yun, knew the ins and outs of the Jade Pot Cave and were not as surprised.

"Now, I’ll ask you one last time, is there anyone who chooses to stay outside the cave?" Li Shan’s gaze swept over the group of newly inducted Outer Disciples only to nod in satisfaction the next moment.

Because not one of the hundred newcomers showed signs of backing out, indicating that all of them had the courage to enter the Jade Pot Cave and search for Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures.

A cultivator can enhance their Cultivation through rigorous practice, but without courage, or the guts to contend for beneficial items for one’s cultivation, the cultivator’s journey will hardly be a long one.

In Li Shan’s eyes, these newly initiated Outer Disciples are undoubtedly still very weak, but with such courage, at the very least they could reach heights unattainable by geniuses from ordinary families.

"Good, all very impressive!"

Li Shan nodded his head, pondered for a moment, and then his gaze swept across certain places before he pointedly added: "One last thing, the Jade Pot Cave is divided into nine layers, each guarded by a Guardian. Only by defeating the Guardian can you advance to the next layer, but remember, do not overestimate your abilities and attempt to force your way through. Because the Guardians are also capable of killing!"

Everyone knew this already, as the Guan Hu and the others had traveled here on Wolf Hawks together with them, clearly not newcomers to the sect.

Upon hearing Li Shan’s words, Xuan Zhi and Guan Hu exchanged glances, and in each other’s eyes, they saw a hint of covert murderous intent towards Yun Xiao.

"Now that everyone is clear on the rules, let’s begin. Guardians, enter the cave first!"

Having finished his instructions, with a lead of his right hand, Guan Hu and the others entered in single file without a word, seeming very familiar with the Jade Pot Cave.

Once the figures vanished into the interior of the Jade Pot Cave, Li Shan, along with Mo Qing and Yin Huan, walked to the other side, apparently no longer concerned about the new disciples. It seemed his duties were complete, and now was the moment for these fledgling disciples to perform.

Swoosh!

A figure suddenly leaped ahead of the others, and when everyone had a clear view, they saw it was the Third Prince of the Xuanyue Empire, Xuan Zhi. His superficial Cultivation was the strongest among the Outer Disciples, so he sought to be the first in every aspect.

After Xuan Zhi’s figure disappeared at the entrance of the Jade Pot Cave, Zhao Ningshu and Cao Luo also dashed out together. Their strength was well recognized, so naturally, there were no objections.

With these three leading the way, a hundred new talents scrambled to enter the Jade Pot Cave, and even Yun Xiao and Tan Yun did not lag behind. Once all one hundred had entered, the platform once again returned to tranquility.

Beside the platform, Mo Qing’s gaze lingered on the now empty cave entrance for a moment before she suddenly asked, "Fourth Elder, how far do you think these new Outer Disciples will be able to go this time?"

Upon hearing this, Li Shan turned his head, but before he could speak, Yin Huan cut in, "These little guys are at most at the Meridian Gathering Realm Middle Stage, making it to the third layer would be quite good."

"Hmph, are you talking about Xuan Zhi?" Mo Qing seemed to know some inside information, and immediately mentioned this name; it appeared she was very familiar with the relationship between the Royal Family and the Guan Family.

"Even if he can reach the third layer, so what? Inside the third layer are at least Third Rank Vein Demons, and there are even Advanced Third Rank Vein Demons. His chances of survival are slim!" Mo Qing sneered, obviously scornful of Xuan Zhi’s manner of pulling strings.

"Alright, you two stop arguing. Obtaining treasures naturally involves risks. Let’s just see what fate has in store for these youngsters," Li Shan knew these two were often at odds, and they started bickering after a few words. He spoke up to suppress the quarrel between them.

However, as Mo Qing and Yin Huan closed their mouths, their minds inexplicably flashed with the image of a young man in coarse clothing, and this young man was obviously not the Third Prince of the Xuanyue Empire, Xuan Zhi.

.......

Without mentioning the conversation of the three people outside, Yun Xiao, who had entered the Jade Pot Cave, was now looking at a figure standing not far away inside the cave somewhat peculiarly.

Yun Xiao felt quite familiar with this figure because he had also been one of those who took the Wolf Hawk with them to the Jade Pot Cave. To his knowledge, this person was also a Guardian.

However, the level of this young man’s Meridian Qi Cultivation was far inferior to Guan Hu, seeming to possess only the strength of the Channel Introduction Realm Middle Stage. Any outer disciple considered a genius would not be much worse than him.

"Is this the guardian of the first layer of the Jade Pot Cave?"

Yun Xiao murmured to himself, but didn’t pay much attention to it. He figured that the Jade Pot Sect did not place much importance on the first layer of the Jade Pot Cave. This must be considered the real benefit for these new disciples, because if they couldn’t even get past a guardian of the Channel Introduction Realm Middle Stage, then they might as well pack up and go home.

Bang!

Xuan Zhi only stayed near the entrance for a moment before his figure swiftly moved forward. His punch towards the guarding youth caused the latter’s face to slightly change as he involuntarily shifted to one side.

For this guardian of only the Middle Stage of Meridian Introduction Realm, Xuan Zhi had no regard whatsoever. Seeing that the former did not try to stop him, Xuan Zhi didn’t take it to heart either and disappeared into the inner part of the cave, truly entering the first layer of the Jade Pot Cave.

With Xuan Zhi setting a precedent, Zhao Ningshu and Cao Luo followed suit. Facing these cultivators of the Meridian Gathering Realm, the guardian made no attempt to stop them at all, presumably knowing that he could not stop them. His purpose in standing guard here was not to stop these genius cultivators of the Meridian Gathering Realm.

After these three genius cultivators of the Meridian Gathering Realm entered the first layer of the Jade Pot Cave, the others also entered one by one. It is worth mentioning that among them, a genius of only the Middle Stage of the Channel Introduction Realm was actually hit in the abdomen by the young guardian with a punch, immediately losing the ability to fight.

It seems that these outer disciples who had spent quite a few days in the Jade Pot Sect were indeed not comparable to those new disciples who had just entered the sect. At least in the competition at the same level, these veteran disciples had the upper hand.

In comparison, Yun Xiao’s team did not have anyone falling behind, especially Ling Wan. When he made his move, the guardian’s face dramatically changed as he evaded, not daring to stop him in the slightest.

Yun Xiao did not harbor any pity for those geniuses who couldn’t even enter the first layer of the Jade Pot Cave. Such was the result of strength. So after entering the first layer, he immediately separated from Tan Yun and the others. Everyone had their own fate, and sticking together, how would they divide the treasures if found?

Since it was a treasure hunt in the Jade Pot Cave, there would certainly be plenty of good things inside, and Yun Xiao also believed in his own deterrence, at least he thought that Cao Luo would not dare to trouble their team again, focusing on treasure hunting was more important.

The space on the first layer of the Jade Pot Cave was vast. Nearly a hundred outer disciples entered, and they disappeared like fish diving into the sea, seemingly avoiding others from witnessing their treasure findings.

As Yun Xiao traveled, he also saw a lot of good things, and compared to the items in the Medicine Valley, some of the herbs here seemed even more precious.

However, Yun Xiao did not care too much about the things in the first layer of the Jade Pot Cave. According to his sensing along the way, these things were at most low to mid Mortal Rank. He didn’t have Waist Storage, just like previously in the Medicine Valley, he had to pick up the good stuff.

Bang!

As Yun Xiao turned a corner, a figure suddenly lunged at him, causing his mind to tense up. But the next moment, he slightly dodged to the side.

Immediately afterwards, Yun Xiao heard a loud noise in his ear. It turned out that the figure flying towards him was not trying to stealthily attack, but was blasted over by another person.

The blasted figure struggled to get up from the ground, looking at another direction with a bit of fear. When Yun Xiao also turned his head to look, he immediately saw a somewhat familiar figure holding a fiery red herb, looking rather hesitant.

It seemed that the two were fighting over the fiery red herb, and in the Jade Pot Cave where life and death battles were not forbidden, the one with higher strength seemed to want to take advantage of the other’s vulnerability to kill the younger. Unfortunately, Yun Xiao suddenly appeared, and his heart sank.

The young genius was only at the Peak of Meridian Introduction Realm Cultivation, and he had seen Yun Xiao’s strength from the outside. Joking aside, even the Third Prince of the Empire, a formidable figure who could not be subdued in the Meridian Gathering Realm Middle Stage, if Yun Xiao were to compete for the herb in his hand, he would have no power to resist.

"Sorry to disturb you!"

Little did he know that while the young man was hesitating whether to turn and run or to offer up the herb with both hands to save his life, Yun Xiao revealed a strange apology, then turned around and left.

The two new outer disciples were left looking at each other, the previously tense atmosphere now somewhat diminished, especially for the youth holding the herb, feeling a sense of bafflement.