Chapter 136: Standing Up

“You discovered the mystic realm left by Shi Fengxu? Are you sure?”

Mi Xingye and Yuan Cheng asked as they stared at Xiao Qiyun.

“Yes, my five junior brothers and sisters and I accidentally entered the mystic realm, but only I survived.”

Xiao Qiyun said, “Although I didn’t enter the core area of the mystic realm, just the gains from wandering around the periphery have already helped me break through to the qualitative change realm.”

Afterwards, Xiao Qiyun shared his experience in the mystic realm.

“Sect Master, we better go and take a look immediately.”

Yuan Cheng said, “Even if this mystic realm was not left behind by Shi Fengxu, it must have been left behind by someone of the same level. If we can enter the mystic realm and control it, then it will be a great opportunity for the Yuelan Sect!”

“This might even help us become the number one sect in State Jifeng!”

Elder Yuancheng’s words tempted Mi Xingye.

Mi Xingye looked at Xiao Qiyun. “After you escaped from the mystic realm, did you contact anyone else? No one except you knows about the secret realm, right?”

“After escaping from the mystic realm, I didn’t contact anyone. I just went straight back to the sect, so I have only told the Sect Master and Elder Yuancheng about the mystic realm.”

Xiao Qiyun replied.

“Good job.”

Mi Xingye’s eyes were full of ambition.

“If we can successfully enter the mystic realm, I will make an exception and promote you to a core disciple.”

Mi Xingye stood up and patted Xiao Qiyun’s shoulder. “You did a great job.”

“Elder Yuancheng.” Mi Xingye looked at Yuan Cheng, “Let’s go and take a look at the Fog Night Abyss.”

“Okay!”

Elder Yuancheng also knew that speed was key in this matter.

“Xiao Qiyun, come with us.”

Mi Xingye turned to look at Xiao Qiyun.

“Yes, Sect Master!”

The three of them stood up.

After leaving the door, Mi Xingye summoned a high level void realm demon beast.

After the three of them stepped on the back of the demon beast, they flew towards the Fog Night Abyss.

…

Inside the core disciple sect.

He Mingye’s courtyard.

Xu Ning walked out of the aura fountain.

It had been ten days since Xu Ning entered.

Over the past ten days, Xu Ning absorbed a total of 350 units of energy.

300 units came from the aura fountain, and the other 50 units came from the Thousand Source Bug.

Although the proportion of energy the Thousand Source Bug was providing him had greatly decreased, Xu Ning still kept it with him.

After gathering 2000 units of energy, Xu Ning’s Water Cross Sword and his Bright Fire Sword had all broken through to the fourth level.

Xu Ning’s secret techniques had advanced to the same level.

At this moment, Xu Ning still had 310 units of energy left.

“Brother Xu, are you done with your seclusion?”

As soon as Xu Ning walked out of the courtyard where the aura fountain was located, he saw the two teenagers waiting outside the door.

“Yes, l will rest for a while.”

Xu Ning said.

Unlike in the past when he needed to work hard to improve his strength, with the Seven Boxers facing dissolution, after feeling a little bored, Xu Ning decided to come out and relax.

“You two don’t have to wait on me like this, just practice your swordsmanship.”

Xu Ning said.

“Understood, Brother Xu.”

The two responded.

Xu Ning didn’t say anything else. He was about to walk out of the courtyard.

“Brother Xu, are you going to relax?”

The male teenager suddenly stopped Xu Ning.

“Yes, seclusion is a little boring.”

Xu Ning nodded.

“Today is the day when the exchange meeting for core disciples will start. If you have nothing to do, you can go to the core disciples square.”

The young man suddenly reminded.

“Oh?”

Xu Ning didn’t expect the core disciple sect to have this kind of activity. “Okay, I’ll go take a look.”

Xu Ning was quite interested in this exchange meeting.

Last time at the demon slaying conference, besides He Mingye, there were not many core disciples present.

This was because they were already disciples of the highest status in the Yuelan Sect, so they did not need to show up at the demon slaying conference to gain the attention of the Sect Master and elders.

Therefore, Xu Ning didn’t know how strong the core disciples of the Yuelan Sect were.

So, this exchange meeting was an opportunity for him to experience the strength of the core disciples.

Xu Ning followed the path pointed out by the young man and soon found the Elite Square.

Sure enough, when Xu Ning arrived, there were already many people at the Elite Square.

Everyone gathered in groups of twos and threes. Some were talking about their cultivation experience, while some were competing with each other.

The atmosphere was lively.

“Xu Ning, you’re here too!”

Xu Ning stood still, when he saw Ji Yimiao calling for him in the crowd. After confirming that it was Ji Yimiao, Xu Ning walked up to him.

“You’re here too?”

Xu Ning chuckled.

“Last month when the core disciples were having an exchange meeting, I was brought here by my senior brothers and sisters, but I didn’t see you then.”

Ji Yimiao said.

Xu Ning smiled and explained, “Last month, I went out of the sect to do a mission, so this is my first time here.”

“If this is your first time here, I advise you to learn from our seniors.”

Ji Yimiao said, “Although everyone may practice different secret techniques, the experience of breaking through to a higher realm has many similarities. Whether it is a fellow disciple in the same realm as you or a fellow disciple in a higher realm, interacting with them will bring great benefits.”

“After participating in this exchange meeting last time, I realized something. And that realization is that it won’t be long before I reach the qualitative change realm.”

“The difference between a core disciple and an inner disciple is too big.” Ji Yimiao sighed. “When I was in the inner sect in the past, I could only figure it out by myself. Sometimes I didn’t even know if I was on the wrong path, so I wasted a lot of effort. Now that I’m in the core disciple sect, even when you are not around, I can still ask my senior brothers and sisters to answer my questions.”

‘In this environment, progress is really easy.’

From Ji Yimiao’s words and expressions, he was very satisfied with the environment of the core disciple sect and his progress.

“You’re right.”

Xu Ning agreed.

In fact, for Xu Ning, the advantage from entering the core disciple sect was that he could gain more resources.

“Junior brothers and sisters, is everyone done talking?”

A man in his forties suddenly walked up the stage.

There were many older disciples in the core disciple sect.

He waved his sleeves and looked around the square. “Now, do you want to go on stage and practice with each other?”

“That is Senior Brother Zhuo Zongyi. He is my senior, a core disciple of Elder Yuancheng.”

Ji Yimiao took the initiative to explain to Xu Ning: “He is the one hosting the exchange meeting between the core disciples this month.”

“Generally speaking, the disciples participating in this exchange meeting are all below the void realm seventh stage. That is because after breaking through to the common seal realm, the difference in strength between the sixth stage and the seventh stage is too great, so the value of fighting each other is not high.”

Ji Yimiao knew that this was Xu Ning’s first time here, so he seized the opportunity to tell Xu Ning everything he knew.

“I’ll do it!”

A feminine, tall man suddenly went on stage.

He was holding a light green fluorescent longsword in his hand. He seemed to be a martial artist who practiced swordsmanship-based secret techniques.

“Junior Brother Bao.”

After seeing Junior Brother Bao walk up, Zhuo Zongyi’s smile slightly faded.

Not only him, but the other core disciples who were eager to go on stage all stopped after seeing this person.

Xu Ning also noticed this.

‘This Brother Bao doesn’t seem to be popular.’

Xu Ning whispered.

When Ji Yimiao heard this, he leaned towards Xu Ning and lowered his voice. “His name is Bao Ruyuan, and he comes from the Bao family in the Crystal Mansion. His master is Elder Gujian, and his senior brother is the second best core disciple of the Yuelan Sect, Fang Jie.”

“Bao family in the Crystal Mansion?”

Xu Ning’s pupils suddenly shrank.

Xu Ning remembered that after he was taken to State Jifeng, he was thrown into a mine owned by the Bao family.

The mine was less than ten kilometers away from the Crystal Mansion.

Xu Ning’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Yes, that Bao family.”

Ji Yimiao said, “The Bao family is one of the top subordinate families in the Yuelan Sect. Their family has produced many core disciples in the past. Moreover, their family is the only ruler of the Crystal Mansion.”

“Is that so…”

Xu Ning nodded.

“Senior Brother Bao Ruyuan is strong, but he is quite domineering, so he has offended many of his fellow disciples. Thus, no one wants to get close to him. I heard from my senior brothers and sisters that he rarely appears at these exchange meetings, so I don’t know why he came this time.”

Ji Yimiao said.

After Xu Ning heard this, he stopped talking and looked at Bao Ruyuan on the stage.

“Junior Sister Xie Wenyue, will you spar with me on the stage?”

Bao Ruyuan looked down and pointed his sword at one person in the crowd, his tone unfriendly.

Xie Wenyue was a fair and capable woman, and she looked to be less than 30 years old.

Xie Wenyue went on stage.

She didn’t have a weapon, so her secret technique should be a punching technique.

“Junior Brother Bao, Junior Sister Jie…”

Zhuo Zongyi, who was hosting the exchange meeting, seemed to sense the discord between the two. “Don’t hurt the other party. If anything goes wrong, I will stop you.”

“Up to you.”

Bao Ruyuan sneered.

“Thank you, Brother Zhuo.”

Xie Wenyue said politely.

Zhuo Zongyi did not look at Bao Ruyuan. He instead whispered “be careful” to Xie Wenyue before leaving the stage.

On the stage, Bao Ruyuan and Xie Wenyue confronted each other.

“Junior Sister Jie, I’m starting.”

Bao Ruyuan smiled viciously.

As soon as he finished speaking, Bao Ruyuan turned into a shadow and stabbed forward with his sword.

Xie Wenyue’s expression remained unchanged as her hands emitted a faint purple light.

Xie Wenyue met Bao Ruyuan’s sword with both hands.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

No one was in a disadvantageous position.

‘They are all martial artists in the fifth stage void realm!’

Xu Ning saw through their strengths.

When the two fought, purple electric arcs appeared on Xie Wenyue’s hand.

On the other side, there was a wind blade attached to Bao Ruyuan’s sword.

Only a fifth stage void realm martial artist could show this kind of strength.

On the stage, Xie Wenyue and Bao Ruyuan’s attacks were fierce. Judging from the seriousness of the fight, they did not seem to be sparring at all.

“So strong!”

Ji Yimiao sighed.

Xu Ning was not surprised by the strength displayed by the two.

Xu Ning even felt that even if he went on stage and fought against any one of them, he might not be their match.

Although Xu Ning was in the qualitative change realm, he was one realm lower than the two.

On the bright side, he had four fourth level secret techniques—this achievement was unmatched in the Yuelan Sect.

With these four level four secret techniques, Xu Ning could use complex combat techniques to fight against opponents above his realm.

“Junior Sister Xie is so skilled!”

Although Bao Ruyuan praised her, his sword moves became more and more fierce.

Several of the swords were aimed at Xie Wenyue’s vitals.

Xie Wenyue ignored Bao Ruyuan’s taunts and focused on fighting him.

Suddenly, Xie Wenyue’s eyes lit up as she noticed a flaw in Bao Ruyuan.

Therefore, Xie Wenyue suddenly stepped forward and formed a palm with one hand. The electric arcs on her hand suddenly became more active.

“Ha!”

Xie Wenyue shouted and attacked Bao Ruyuan’s opening.

However, just when Xie Wenyue was about to succeed, Bao Ruyuan suddenly showed a strange smile.

“Not good!”

Xie Wenyue seemed to realize something was wrong. She instantly wanted to pull away, but it was too late.

Bao Ruyuan suddenly let go of his sword.

Afterwards, he clenched his fist and punched Xie Wenyue’s chest.

There was a dense circle of tiny wind blades on his fist.

Bang!

Xie Wenyue was hit. She was sent flying like a kite.

Xie Wenyue’s chest was already red.

“Junior Sister Xie!”

Zhuo Zongyi, who had been watching the battle closely, also just reacted.

He didn’t expect Bao Ruyuan to have secretly cultivated a punching secret technique, and this punching secret technique looked very powerful, possibly reaching the fourth level.

“Bao Ruyuan, stop!”

Zhuo Zongyi was about to go up and save them, but he found that Bao Ruyuan did not follow his orders to stop, instead he rushed forward, intending to continue the fight.

He was obviously going to seriously injure Xie Wenyue.

Zhuo Zongyi didn’t expect Bao Ruyuan to be so ruthless, so he was a step slower.

Bao Ruyuan’s fist was about to land.

But a figure suddenly appeared on the stage.

It was Xu Ning.

Xu Ning first protected Xie Wenyue, then sent a punch towards Bao Ruyuan’s fist!

Bang!

The two fists collided, and the two took a step back at the same time.

Xu Ning’s fist was covered in blood.

The same was true for Bao Ruyuan. Several bone cracks could be seen on the back of his hand, as blood covered his entire fist.

“Who are you?”

Bao Ruyuan looked down at his injuries, then looked at Xu Ning with a dark look in his eyes.

“Sect Master’s in-name disciple, Xu Ning.”

Xu Ning stood straight and said his name.

He met Bao Ruyuan’s gaze without backing down.

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