77: Chapter 77: Joining the Heavenly Sword Sect

Immortal Master Jingxuan of Jade Maiden Palace said awkwardly, "Senior Jian, the Disciples of our Five Sects indeed haven't suffered much loss... Those captured were mainly from your Tianjian Sect..."

Immortal Master Fuhu of Spirit Beast Mountain also nodded. "And those Loose Cultivators have nothing to do with our Six Sects..."

Jian Wuming trembled with anger. "You—!"

But he also understood that the Five Sects wouldn't risk their lives against a Nascent Soul Old Ancestor just for the Tianjian Sect.

Sword Obsessive Liu Changqing flew forward, bowed, and said, "Old Ancestor, this Disciple boldly begs to offer advice..."

Jian Wuming glanced at him. "Speak."

Sword Obsessive Liu Changqing lowered his voice and said, "The Five Sects are unwilling to act, and relying solely on our Tianjian Sect, it is indeed difficult to wipe out the Jing Country Imperial Family. Moreover... our Disciples are still in the Imperial Capital. If Jing Tianxiong truly goes crazy..."

He paused and sighed. "Old Ancestor, swallow this anger for now to ensure the Disciples' safety. We can settle this account in the future."

Jian Wuming remained silent for a long time.

Below, Xiao Yuan watched this scene, filled with emotion in his heart.

This was the reality of the cultivation world.

Without sufficient benefits, who would risk their life for you?

Let alone forming a deadly feud with a Nascent Soul Old Ancestor. Today's matter would likely end up unsettled.

However, this had nothing to do with him; he only needed to keep his own life safe.

Meanwhile, after a long silence, Jian Wuming took a deep breath and looked at Jing Tianxiong:

"Fine, you win this time."

He stared at Jing Tianxiong and said coldly, "Since I can't wipe you out, then pay compensation!"

Jing Tianxiong breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly said, "Of course, of course! Fellow Daoist Jian, whatever you want, feel free to ask!"

He actually didn't want to fight to the death with Jian Wuming either. Although he seemed to have the upper hand at the moment, if Jian Wuming went crazy, his side would likely suffer heavy losses.

Moreover, he might be severely injured by the other party. Although he and Jian Wuming were in the same realm, the other party's combat power far surpassed his!

Jian Wuming said word by word, "Compensate my Tianjian Sect with five million Spirit Stones, one million Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, and ten thousand High-Grade Spirit Stones! Various Spirit Medicines and Materials calculated separately... and..."

He stated his demands, which sounded very excessive.

After listening, Jing Tianxiong's face changed color several times, and he spoke up to bargain!

After several rounds of bargaining, both sides finally reached an agreement.

In the end, Jing Country compensated the Tianjian Sect with many good items, and as for other matters, they were simply left unsettled.

Seeing this, the people of the other Five Sects were somewhat envious, but none dared to speak up to ask for compensation. The Tianjian Sect had their Old Ancestor present, while they had no Old Ancestor here to back them up!

...

In front of Wanbao Pavilion, the forces of the Six Sects withdrew one after another.

The Tianjian Sect's team was the last group to walk out of the gate. Yun Feiyang was about to catch up with the main force when he suddenly stopped and turned back to look at that figure in the crowd.

"Fellow Daoist Xiao!"

Xiao Yuan was mingling in the crowd of Loose Cultivators, pondering where to go next. Hearing the call, he looked up.

Yun Feiyang walked over quickly, followed by Lin Qingxue and the rescued Junior Sister. Her complexion had now recovered, and her eyes curiously sized up Xiao Yuan.

"Brother Yun." Xiao Yuan cupped his hands.

Yun Feiyang didn't beat around the bush and asked directly, "Fellow Daoist Xiao, what are your plans next? Will you leave with us, or go look for the people from Jade Maiden Palace to join them?"

Xiao Yuan thought for a moment and shook his head, "As for Jade Maiden Palace... it's inconvenient for me to return there for the time being."

He didn't elaborate, but Yun Feiyang didn't press further either. After all, everyone had their own secrets.

"Then why not come with us?" Yun Feiyang's eyes lit up. "You're going to the Tianyuan Secret Realm anyway, right?"

Xiao Yuan smiled. "Brother Yun has Wisdom Eye. I was just about to ask if I could join this Secret Realm trip under the name of the Tianjian Sect recruiting Loose Cultivators?"

Hearing this, a look of pleasant surprise instantly appeared on Yun Feiyang's face.

"Really?!"

He grabbed Xiao Yuan's hand, so excited that his voice raised an octave, "Fellow Daoist Xiao is willing to join us? That's wonderful! That's wonderful!"

Lin Qingxue also smiled, a flash of delight in her eyes.

Even that Junior Sister nodded along, though she didn't quite understand why her Senior Brother and Senior Sister were so happy.

But strictly speaking, Xiao Yuan had been a huge help in her escape! She was truly grateful to Xiao Yuan!

Xiao Yuan was a bit bewildered by Yun Feiyang's reaction. "Brother Yun... why are you so excited?"

Yun Feiyang only then realized he had lost his composure. He sheepishly let go of his hand, but the excitement in his eyes could not be hidden at all.

"Fellow Daoist Xiao might not know," he whispered.

"Including me, our Tianjian Sect only has six Foundation Establishment Disciples entering this time. Although our strength isn't weak, the Secret Realm is full of dangers. There are not only Yao Beasts, but also people from the other Five Sects... even the Jing Country Imperial Family and Yinluo Sect will send people in!"

He paused and looked at Xiao Yuan earnestly, "I have personally witnessed Fellow Daoist Xiao's strength. Being able to hold off a Peak Foundation Establishment at the Qi Condensation Stage for so long—if you enter the Secret Realm with us, our safety margin will be significantly higher!"

Hearing this, Xiao Yuan laughed secretly in his heart.

He was at the eleventh level of Qi Condensation, and his true combat power was comparable to the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment. If Yun Feiyang knew this, his jaw would probably drop.

But this was fine too; to pretend to be a pig to eat the tiger made entering the Secret Realm even safer.

"Brother Yun overpraises me," Xiao Yuan said modestly. "It was just good luck on my part. Since Brother Yun doesn't mind, then I will brazenly join the Tianjian Sect's team."

"Not at all, not at all!" Yun Feiyang waved his hands repeatedly. "We could only wish for it!"

Lin Qingxue smiled from the side and said, "Fellow Daoist Xiao, please don't be so polite. You saved us, and the Tianjian Sect remembers this favor."

The Junior Sister also bowed obediently, "Thank you, Senior Brother Xiao, for saving my life."

Xiao Yuan hurriedly supported her, "Don't, don't, I can't accept this."

Everyone chatted and laughed for a while, then followed the Tianjian Sect's main force, leaving the Imperial Capital of Jing.

---

The team headed north all the way, advancing toward the Northern Wilderness.

On the way, Yun Feiyang gave Xiao Yuan a detailed introduction to the situation of the Tianyuan Secret Realm.

"The Secret Realm opens once every fifty years. Inside, it forms its own world, rich in Spiritual Qi and abundant in Spirit Medicine everywhere. It is said there are also Immortal Cave ruins of ancient Cultivators, hiding various Cultivation Techniques and Magic Treasures."

"However, the dangers are also immense. Yao Beasts run rampant, mechanisms are everywhere, and there are various natural Restrictions. For those in the Foundation Establishment Stage entering, the death rate is over thirty percent. For the Qi Condensation Stage... it's a narrow escape from death."

Xiao Yuan nodded, "Then why do the Six Sects recruit Loose Cultivators to enter?"

Yun Feiyang smiled bitterly. "As cannon fodder, of course. Some places in the Secret Realm need to be explored with lives. The Sect Disciples can't afford to die, so they let Loose Cultivators go."

He paused and lowered his voice, "But rest assured, you are specially recruited by our Tianjian Sect, so just follow us. Those suicidal tasks won't fall on you."

Xiao Yuan smiled and didn't say much.

Yun Feiyang continued, "This time for the Tianyuan Secret Realm, besides the Six Sects, the Yinluo Sect will also send people in. Moreover, their people are very powerful."

"Yinluo Sect?" Xiao Yuan frowned. "The demonic Sect behind the Jing Country Imperial Family?"

"Yes." A look of wariness flashed through Yun Feiyang's eyes. "The strength of the Yinluo Sect is even above the Six Sects. They Cultivate Demonic Techniques and use ruthless methods. Once inside the Secret Realm, if you encounter them, you must be extremely cautious."

Xiao Yuan nodded, keeping this information in mind.

The two chatted as they walked, and without realizing it, they had already traveled far from the Imperial Capital.

Xiao Yuan looked back at the gradually blurring city, lost in thought.

The matter of the Jing Country Imperial Family using Loose Cultivators for Alchemy, although suppressed, would spread sooner or later.

In the future, which Loose Cultivator would still dare to come to Jing Country?

Jing Country's cultivation world was likely to gradually fall into decline.

No wonder the Jing Country Imperial Family was so eager to silence everyone—what they feared was not the revenge of the Six Sects, but that Loose Cultivators would all flee, leaving them with no more "Materials" to use.

"However, none of this has anything to do with me anymore." Xiao Yuan withdrew his gaze and looked ahead.

Ahead was the Northern Wilderness and the Tianyuan Secret Realm.