Chapter 375

Chapter 375: Invitation

“So, does that mean not all the disciples entering the Ancient Realm of Yuan Kong are at the Spirit Transformation and Void Refinement stage?”

Ji Yang asked, puzzled.

Cui immediately explained,

“Of course not! The other two warships from the sect carry many Nascent Soul Stage disciples; only the high-level disciples are on our warship!”

“Among this group, the ones with the highest cultivation levels are Senior Brother Zhonglou and Senior Brother Jinyu. Both of them are at the late Void Refinement stage, and they are true heirs of the sect. It is said that they entered the secret realm this time to gather enough essence of the Way to prepare for breaking through to the Unity with the Dao stage.”

Ji Yang nodded after hearing this.

Fortunately, things were not as he imagined; he thought all three warships were filled with Spirit Transformation stage cultivators.

If that were the case, with his Late Spirit Transformation level, he would only be considered average!

Ji Yang then asked again,

“Aren’t there any Foundation Establishment or Golden Core disciples going to this secret realm?”

Cui shook his head in response:

“While it is true that lower-level cultivators can absorb essence of the Way more effectively, to absorb such essence, one must at least be at the Nascent Soul stage! Any lower won’t work; cultivators below the Nascent Soul stage not only cannot contain the essence but may also have their bodies destroyed by it!”

After saying this, Cui looked towards Ji Yang.

At the mid Foundation Establishment stage, he probably couldn’t even withstand the remnants of the essence, let alone absorb it.

However, Cui didn’t show any other expression. Others might struggle, but this young man in front of him was a disciple of Peak Master Ye, who had entered this secret realm at the Golden Core stage, right?

It was said that Peak Master Ye had obtained the essence of the sword within the Ancient Realm of Yuan Kong, which contributed to his current cultivation level.

Moreover, there’s no one way to do things. Essence of the Way is scarce, and encountering it requires fate. It is not solely based on cultivation level; many sects also send disciples of lower realms into the secret realm to try their luck.

Such disciples often carry special artifacts to help them absorb and contain the essence, and Cui thought Ji Yang might have one of these.

After listening to Cui’s explanation, Ji Yang nodded slightly.

This made him feel that he was not at the lowest cultivation level; perhaps other sects also had lower-level disciples, so his level wouldn’t seem too out of place in the crowd.

Thanks to Cui’s detailed explanation, Ji Yang had a clearer understanding of the situation in the Ancient Realm of Yuan Kong.

It hid the essence of the Way that would enable cultivators to break through to the Unity with the Dao stage—a temptation no Void Refinement stage cultivator could refuse.

Even if they couldn’t fully absorb it, just gaining a hint of the essence could increase a cultivator’s chances of reaching the Unity with the Dao stage.

Ji Yang had not considered this level before, but as his own cultivation level increased, he began to have a premonition. He too needed to carve out a path to step into a higher realm.

Besides, with his current high level, at Late Spirit Transformation, the cultivation points he accumulated were enough to allow him to break through from the Void Refinement stage; the next level was the Unity with the Dao stage.

He needed to seek the essence of the Way that suited him in advance to prepare for reaching the Unity with the Dao stage.

It seemed that he indeed needed to go to this secret realm; moreover, there should be plenty of good things inside.

Finding dozens or even hundreds of top-tier spiritual plants would mean he wouldn’t have to leave the peak in the future. He could simply retire on Jingtan Peak, collecting Light points every day. A few years later, he could ascend, living a wonderfully carefree life.

Seeing Ji Yang lost in thought, Cui did not disturb him.

But as he noticed the smile gradually appearing on Ji Yang’s lips, Cui was momentarily stunned.

What is Senior Brother Ji so happy about?

Remembering his purpose for coming, Cui quickly spoke up,

“The Ancient Realm of Yuan Kong is extremely dangerous. Not only are there many disciples from other sects, but there are also several high-level ferocious beasts within the secret realm. Having one more teammate means more safety. Would Senior Brother be interested in working together with me? Once we enter the secret realm, we can look out for each other.”

At this moment, Cui extended an invitation, which was also his main reason for seeking Ji Yang—to recruit other disciples.

Of course, he aimed to recruit disciples of lower cultivation levels, as high-level cultivators might not agree to his proposal.

In contrast, low-level cultivators often formed alliances under the pressure of high-level cultivators from other sects, banding together for survival. Although the effect may not be as good as expected, it certainly enhanced their safety.

Even though Ji Yang’s cultivation level was low, he was a disciple of Peak Master Ye, so he must have some hidden skills, right? A talented disciple like him was undoubtedly one of Cui’s preferred targets for recruitment.

Upon hearing this, Ji Yang fell into deep thought, and Cui added,

“Senior Brother Ji, please don’t worry. There are still many other brothers and sisters collaborating with me, and although the entry point to the secret realm is random, good luck may help us encounter each other!”

“Thank you for your kindness, Senior Brother Cui, but this secret realm is too dangerous. With my abilities, I’m afraid I would struggle to move. I’ve decided to find a place in the secret realm to cultivate properly and leave when the time is right.”

Cui, unbothered by the rejection, nodded and replied,

“Very well, please be careful in the secret realm. If we run into each other again, we can travel together.”

“No problem.”

“By the way, Senior Brother Ji, here is a simple booklet drawn by disciples who entered the secret realm before. It marks some explored locations and includes some precautions. It might be helpful for you to have a look.”

“Thank you.”

Ji Yang nodded.

As Cui left the room, he shook his head slightly.

He didn’t believe Ji Yang’s words. As a talented disciple of the sect and a direct disciple of Peak Master Ye, how could he just hide away in a corner?

Perhaps he looked down on Cui’s cultivation level, so he politely declined.

After all, talented individuals tend to be proud!

But from Ji Yang’s limited knowledge about the secret realm, it was clear he was unaware of the severity of the dangers, far beyond what someone of his level could handle, even if he held skills left by Peak Master Ye.

Cui, undeterred by the rejection, felt it was better for Ji Yang to agree; if not, he wouldn’t suffer any loss either.

And with Ji Yang’s notable status, leaving him the booklet to build a good relationship was always a wise move.

Cui had mediocre talent; although he came from a well-off family, reaching the Middle Stage of Nascent Soul after so long made it difficult for him to become an elder in the sect.

Yet, using his unique insight and social connections, he had befriended many talented disciples within the sect. Several of these disciples showed great potential for development.

And someday, those talented disciples might soar to new heights.

As long as he had established good relations in advance, would these talented disciples ignore him later? Even if just one in ten remembered his kindness, it would be beneficial.

Then he could achieve victory without a fight.

Rather than focusing solely on personal cultivation, making more talented friends seemed a better strategy!

This idea was his conclusion after careful consideration.

If it weren’t for the elders insisting he enter this dangerous secret realm, he would have preferred to stay away from it altogether.