The Purgatory Calamity
Chapter 395 - 374 - Questioned_1

Chapter 395: 374 Chapter Questioned_1

The Great Elder Jiang Ran forcefully opened the Elder Council and wrested control from Wang Ce and others, which Chen Weihuang explained in clear terms.

He also stated that Jiang Ran was deliberately being difficult and that Pang Jian needed to prove he was worthy of the title of Pu Zhaotian’s direct disciple.

The talent rankings, headed by the various Divine Countries, from the First Realm to the strongest factions all responded, were the most convincing way to prove one’s strength and capability.

"It’s not impossible,"

Pang Jian echoed Chen Weihuang’s words.

He then received more vast amounts of information from the talent rankings, observing that there were not many changes in the lists for Hollow Profound Realm and Spirit Condensation Realm; the rankings of a few familiar names had only slightly shifted.

However, in the Soul Wandering Realm’s list, Li Yuqing once again topped the chart.

Her contribution value reached thirty-seven thousand.

The number was about twenty thousand higher than Zhou Yi from the Jiuli Sect, making her once again the most dazzling top talent in the many Purgatory worlds.

The fame of the Heaven Treasure Li Family as a battle weapon spread among the multitude of worlds in Purgatory, astonishing and shocking countless others.

Regarding this, Pang Jian sought answers from his eldest senior brother.

"Eight days ago, she appeared at a redemption point in the Xuan You Continent, producing the heads of two level eight alien tribe warriors. A level eight alien warrior is equivalent to an Extinction Realm expert from the Human Race, with each contribution value being at least ten thousand. Based on the alien’s bloodline, it could be valued between ten thousand to twenty thousand,"

Chen Weihuang explained calmly.

"If I go to the Lower Realm to participate in the war, to whom should I declare my identity, and how is the contribution value calculated?" Pan Jian asked.

"At any redemption point, there are specialized personnel for you to register. They will provide you with a Heavenly Eye. Once you wear the Heavenly Eye, the number and level of alien tribes you kill will be recorded. However, this is only limited to the Third Realm, and the Heavenly Eye will only function near battlefields not too far from the redemption points."

"If too distant, the Heavenly Eye will not respond, and you will need to sever the alien tribes’ heads and declare them at the redemption point yourself,"

Chen Weihuang thought for a moment and added, "Before you descend to participate in the war, you might want to visit Sharpen Blade Peak to spend the merit points you’ve accumulated in Sword Tower. Spiritual Material, pills, and some auxiliary utensils are all available for purchase,"

"Alright,"

Pang Jian stepped out of his cave dwelling and flew quickly to Sharpen Blade Peak.

With Sword Command in hand, he had unfettered access to the Book Tower, Alchemy Tower, and Utensil Tower; firstly, he made his way to the Alchemy Tower.

A row of pills nourishing the Spiritual Soul caught his eye, including Calming Pills, Soul Nourishing Pills, Soul Condensing Pills, Soul Nurturing Pills, and Soul-returning Pills of all kinds.

Coming from the Book Tower to accompany him, Pan Zheng explained with a smile, "Calming Pills are suitable for those below Spirit Condensation Realm, Soul Condensing Pills increase the chances of advancing in the Spirit Condensation Realm, and only from Soul Nourishing Pill upward can one nourish the Spiritual Soul. As for efficacy, Soul Nurturing Pills are a great deal more potent and, consequently, more expensive."

"As for Soul-returning Pills, we in the Alchemy Tower only have three, each worth seven thousand merit points."

"With this pill in hand, as long as the Spiritual Soul isn’t extinguished, even if it is shattered, an immediate intake of a Soul-returning Pill allows for reconstruction. The Soul-returning Pills are god-level pills,"

Pan Zheng declared solemnly.

Pang Jian looked respectful.

He scrutinized the pills closely and saw that a bottle of Calming Pills cost only ten merit points, Soul Nourishing Pills were a hundred points, and Soul Nurturing Pills went for a thousand.

They increased by tenfold.

When it came to the Soul-returning Pill, they were no longer priced per bottle; one cost seven thousand, jumping a whole price bracket.

"Soul Nurturing Pills should suit you best," Pan Zheng kindly suggested.

"Hmm."

He immediately exchanged for two bottles of Soul Nurturing Pills with the merit points in his Sword Command and then went to the area for pills that supplemented Qi and Blood. With Pan Zheng’s recommendation, he bought two bottles of Big Blood Essence Pills for two thousand merit points.

"Do you need a protective armor for self-defense?" Pan Zheng inquired.

Shaking his head, Pang Jian said, "No need."

Then he proceeded to the Utensil Tower.

There, he beheld a dazzling array of various Strange Treasures and Spiritual Artifacts, including knives, forks, bells, tripods, axes, and mirrors, and armors shining divine light, everything one could want.

On the top floor, there was a row of Spirit Swords.

"There are swords here too?" Pang Jian was surprised.

With a smile, Pan Zheng explained, "The swords displayed in Sword Tower all have special significance. Those swords, either forged by our own Sword Tower, were owned by Sword Tower disciples, or because the sword was too prominent, it had to be forcefully suppressed."

He glanced at the Origin Demon Sword casually hanging at Pang Jian’s waist.

"As for the swords here, most come from the outside world and are unrelated to Sword Tower."

"The quality of the swords is also varied and can’t be compared with those in Sword Tower."

He coughed lightly and added, "Pang Jian, if you really can wield the Origin Demon Sword, there’s no need for you to consider the swords here."

Pang Jian found the prospect rather dull and after strolling around saw no items of interest, he asked, "Are there any other valuable items?"

"Do you have any special requirements?" Pan Zheng asked curiously.

"Is there anything that can bear the impact of various forces?"

"There is."

Pan Zheng led Pang Jian to a little-visited area and, pointing to a greenish-grey iron ball in a wooden box, said, "This Hunyuan Ball, from a deceased Individual Cultivator who called himself Hunyuan Master, had reached the mid-stage of the Immortal Realm before his death."

"This Hunyuan Ball can withstand the shock of various attribute forces, but I’m not quite clear about its specific powers."

"Most of us Sword Tower disciples refine one or two closely related Spirit Spells or Secret Skills, and it’s unlikely to cultivate too many, as this would hinder breakthroughs in realm,"

Pang Jian squinted at it and asked, "It also costs five thousand merit points?"

"It’s a Holy Artifact," Pan Zheng nodded and earnestly suggested, "Pang Jian, because it’s expensive and quite particular in choosing its user, nobody wants it. My advice is, don’t waste five thousand merit points..."

"That one."

"Um, okay."

...

Several days later.

In Elder Jiang Ran’s cave dwelling at Heaven Gate Peak.

"Su Yue, now that you’ve successfully reached the mid-stage of the Soul Wandering Realm, it’s time for you to go down and temper yourself,"

Jiang Ran said with a smile as he passed over a small golden tripod, "Pang Jian bears Pu Zhaotian’s face, and you represent my honor."

With solemn respect, Su Yue replied, "I will not fail Master’s expectations!"

"Go, at the Soul Wandering Realm level, if you can make it into the top ten, that would be enough to gratify me," Jiang Ran waved his hand.

Su Yue turned and left.

Still in the cave dwelling, Zhou Wenhao spoke in a grave tone, "Master, that Pang Jian..."

"The Swallowing Cloud Marquis, Astonish Rainbow Marquis, and even the Break Armor Marquis will have people watching Pang Jian. This young Su Yue is not very prudent in his actions. If I were to instruct him to target Pang Jian, I’m afraid he’d leave behind traces that could be used against us," Jiang Ran responded with a helpless tone, clearly aware of Su Yue’s impulsive nature.

"Is Pang Jian really worth such great attention from you, Master?" asked Zhou Wenhao in surprise.

After the meeting had ended, Jiang Ran immediately made contact with people from the Bright Heaven Divine Kingdom as soon as Pang Jian left the Sword Tower yesterday. He immediately began planning to suppress Pang Jian.

Zhou Wenhao felt that his master was making a mountain out of a molehill.

"I know nothing about this youngster, nor do I have any interest in his background," Jiang Ran sighed lightly, "but I do understand Pu Zhaotian."

"Ever since I’ve known him, I’ve been aware of what kind of person he is. He doesn’t care about trivial matters, but when it comes to significant issues, he sees things more clearly than anyone."

"He dared to tell people like Wang Ce that Pang Jian is the one who can inherit the great responsibility of the Sword Tower, which means Pang Jian must be capable."

"The moment he said that, Pang Jian’s threat level surpassed both Chen Weihuang and Hu."

Jiang Ran added seriously, "Remember this, your Uncle Pu would never misjudge a person. Also, if he successfully ascends to True God, unless he falls, we all must plan for the Sword Tower’s future with a united heart and cannot have any other intentions!"

Zhou Wenhao was astounded.

Only then did he realize how much reverence and caution his master held for that domineeringly plump man.

"I’m not afraid to tell you the truth, if he manages to achieve Divine Enthronement, our family’s True God... would be no match for him," Jiang Ran said with a wry smile, "No one knows him better than I do. If he becomes a deity, he alone could fight against two Sky Gods of the Bright Heaven Divine Kingdom. With more time, he would only become more terrifying."

...

In the Qitian Continent, beneath a fragment of land, a light, small Sword Boat quietly anchored.

A golden Spiritual Soul floated above the Sword Boat, enduring the harshness of the Firm Wind.

"This trial needs to be passed for the mid-stage of the Soul Wandering Realm to truly solidify."

Seated on the Sword Boat, Pang Jian swallowed a Soul Nurturing Pill as he saw cracks all over his Spiritual Soul.

An immensely powerful, tranquil soul energy, several times stronger than that of the Soul Nourishing Pill, suddenly exploded within him. Wisps of ethereal smoke rose and reached his Sea of Consciousness, creating a dense soul mist.

"Huh!"

The golden Spiritual Soul descended and hovered in the mist of soul energy formed by the Soul Nurturing Pill, as if soaking in a pool of fine nectar, swiftly healing the tiny cracks.

"The Soul Nurturing Pill is indeed extraordinary."

Pang Jian mused to himself.

After a quarter of an hour, his golden Spiritual Soul returned to the layer of Firm Wind to once again bear the excruciating pain of the cutting force.

Remarkably, only a third of the power of the Soul Nurturing Pill had been consumed to form the soul mist, which still remained in his Sea of Consciousness, waiting for his battered Spiritual Soul to return.

"It’s worth the price!"

Pang Jian felt invigorated.

...

As time passed, half a month went by.

The battles in the Third Realm raged on, with brutal and relentless fights everywhere.

"On the Merit Board, why hasn’t Pang Jian even entered the top one hundred for the Soul Wandering Realm level?"

"Yeah, he’s been away from the Sword Tower for half a month now, and there hasn’t been a peep."

"Brother Su Yue has already charged up to the thirteenth place in the Soul Wandering Realm."

"What is Pang Jian up to?"

Many inner sect disciples of the Sword Tower, through their Swords Commands, could view the rankings on the Merit Board and were closely tracking several individuals.

Hu, in the Soul Wandering Realm, had dropped to seventh place.

Qi Qingsong and Zhuang Yuyan were both on the Spirit Condensation Realm leaderboard, both within the top twenty.

Many other Sword Tower disciples also ranked highly on the three leaderboards, which also demonstrated the strong foundation of the Sword Tower.

However, Pang Jian, the focus of everyone’s attention, had left no trace on the Soul Wandering Realm leaderboard since leaving the Sword Tower.

Gradually, cultivators from various forces started to doubt Pang Jian’s abilities.

They also began to question Pu Zhaotian’s eye for talent.

...