Chapter 421: Chapter 259: Cultivation World 49_2
Si Lingle declared decisively, "It’s not the Illusion Spirit Sect."
"Sect Leader, why not?" Master Yumo asked.
"Every sect’s residence has a separate Protective Array, and this Protective Array is not something a Foundation Establishment Cultivator can enter without a sound."
"Moreover, Beiming Sect is led by a Divinity Transformation Taoist Monarch this time. Do you think a Foundation Establishment Stage can evade a Divinity Transformation Stage’s Divine Sense detection!"
"And, there was just a conflict during the day, and by night someone was dead. All the suspicion points to the female disciples of Illusion Spirit Sect. This clearly intends to stir up conflict between the two sects."
The animosity between Beiming Sect and Illusion Spirit Sect has been long-standing.
Beiming Sect and Illusion Spirit Sect are two historical cultivation sects, located in Beiming Mountain Range and Illusion Spirit Valley, respectively.
Beiming Sect is renowned for cultivating Water Magic, while Illusion Spirit Sect excels in Illusion Techniques and Spiritual Power control.
Reportedly, three thousand years ago, a serious conflict erupted between the two sects, originating from a resource struggle and a betrayal.
Three thousand years ago, there was a mystical lake between Beiming Mountain Range and Illusion Spirit Valley, called "Spirit Water Lake."
Spirit Water Lake held abundant spiritual resources, serving as an important source for the two sects’ cultivation.
Over time, the spiritual power of Spirit Water Lake gradually depleted. In their struggle for the remaining resources, the two sects frequently clashed.
During the resource conflict, a female elder of Beiming Sect developed a profound friendship with a male disciple of Illusion Spirit Sect.
This female elder even imparted some secret cultivation techniques of Beiming Sect to the male disciple of Illusion Spirit Sect.
However, after mastering these techniques, the male disciple of Illusion Spirit Sect betrayed the female elder of Beiming Sect and leaked these secrets to the high ranks of Illusion Spirit Sect.
Upon learning of this betrayal, Beiming Sect was furious and immediately attacked Illusion Spirit Sect.
Not to be outdone, Illusion Spirit Sect retaliated, and the two sides engaged in fierce battle near Spirit Water Lake.
This battle lasted for several months, with heavy losses on both sides, ultimately ending with the complete depletion of Spirit Water Lake.
The conflict not only resulted in the destruction of Spirit Water Lake but also completely severed the relationship between the two sects.
From then on, Beiming Sect and Illusion Spirit Sect were locked in deep hatred, and their hostility has never eased in three thousand years.
"Who knows if it’s a cultivation sect or the Demon Clan behind this?" Si Lingle said with a stony face, "Forbid Hundred Battle Sect disciples from speculating wildly about this matter."
"During this period, stay in your rooms and adjust well, waiting for the Secret Realm competition to begin."
"Yes, Sect Leader," everyone responded in unison.
Thereafter, the people of Hundred Battle Sect stayed obediently.
As for the death of the Beiming Sect disciple, Taixu Sect expressed that it would investigate, but the Beiming Sect people were convinced that Illusion Spirit Sect was responsible.
There was just no evidence, so they could only quietly remember the grudge and plan to avenge either during the Secret Realm competition or once inside the Secret Realm.
Taixu Sect felt that whoever committed murder was challenging the dignity of Taixu Sect, daring to act within Taixu Sect territory, which was unforgivable.
Moreover, Taixu Sect suspected that members of the Demon Clan or the Demon Clan might have infiltrated their sect.
Attempting to incite conflict among the human sects.
Taixu Sect increased patrols, especially around the Sect Protection Array, restricted areas, and other important places.
A month later, the competition for Secret Realm slots began.
Qi Cultivation, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Soul Emergence all proceeded simultaneously.
Si Lingle first went to watch Yun Ya’s match. The Soul Emergence match was a defensive one; one must defend five rounds and win three to advance to the next stage.
Those drawing the top 100 numbers became the defenders, and the rest were challengers.
If a defender lost three rounds, the successful attacker would then become the defender.
Yun Ya drew number eight, becoming a defender.
Because Yun Ya’s cultivation was only at the Third Rank Soul Emergence, many cultivators with higher cultivation than him targeted him.
As soon as the match started, a cultivator from the Eight Desolate Palace rushed to the arena first, while those who didn’t manage could only wait or seek out others to challenge.
The Mystic Jade Arena, with restrictions shimmering around, isolated the overflow of energy. In the distance, the Immortal Mountain shrouded in mist, spectators’ Divine Sense intertwined like a net.
"Hong Lu from Eight Desolate Palace, greetings, fellow Daoist."
"Hundred Battle Sect, Yun Ya."
Hong Lu (Mid-stage Soul Emergence) slightly frowned; he hadn’t heard of Hundred Battle Sect before.
Hong Lu initiated the attack first, forming hand seals, stamping the ground to make the arena tremble, and dozens of molten lava pillars burst forth, the high temperature distorting the air.
With a grasp in the air with his right hand, a Fire Spirit condensed into a Nine-headed Flame Python, while an Earth Spirit transformed into a meteor shower sealing the high skies. The combined power of fire and earth forced Yun Ya to retreat three steps.
