129: Blood Palace Outer Gate

The flying boat sped through the air, and in just one incense stick's time, it hovered over a plaza paved with spirit jade.

The crystalline jade glowed with blood-colored patterns under the sunlight emitted by the Sky Treasure Glazed Pearl, and a faint scent of blood sandalwood wafted through the air.

As the flying boat descended, a dark streak of light flew out from a distant palace, heading towards the flying boat's location.

Amidst the buzzing sound of the barrier dissipating, the flying boat gently vibrated as it landed.

Xue Hai and the other qualifiers already on the deck disembarked according to instructions, and after a moment, several other qualifiers who had been in the cabin were also called out by blood-robed Disciples.

The moment his boot touched the ground, Xue Hai clearly felt a faint Spiritual Qi surge into his body from the earth; it truly lived up to its reputation as the only Holy Land in the Blood Demon Realm, and the value of just the spirit jade covering the ground was immeasurable.

The silver-robed middle-aged man appeared in a flash of light, his robes fluttering and stirring up a gust of wind.

The Disciple responsible for reception hastily bowed deeply: "Greetings, Elder Nie."

Xue Hai and the others, including Teng Wuji, also followed suit and bowed.

Elder Nie's gaze swept over everyone, and Xue Hai immediately felt a powerful Divine Sense pass over him.

However, he didn't mind; divine objects conceal themselves, and the Blood God Body was no exception.

The Blood God Body's innate Divine Ability, Divine Blood, inherently possessed the ability to conceal itself; as long as he didn't use the unique Divine Blood power of the Blood God Body, even an Undergoing Tribulation expert would find it difficult to detect any abnormalities without thoroughly investigating every cell in his body.

At most, they would only assume Xue Hai was a Cultivator who cultivated the Blood Dao Physical Body.

For Blood Dao Cultivators, the Physical Body transforming into blood was a very common Blood Dao Divine Ability.

But even so, Nie Yunjin's gaze lingered on Xue Hai for half a breath before he waved his sleeve and said, "You may rise."

Strands of blood mist swirled around his fingertips, and his voice was like an ice-tempered blade: "Congratulations to all of you for becoming Outer Sect Disciples of my Abyssal Blood Palace. This Elder, Nie Yunjin, is the Third Deacon Elder of the Outer Sect, responsible for arranging your Cultivation matters."

After speaking, Nie Yunjin suddenly sneered.

"Being able to pass the third level of the Blood Fiend Tower, outside, you might all be considered Geniuses, but here... you are nothing but worms. This is my advice to you, and you should remember it!"

"Alright! Now, follow me!"

Before anyone could react, Nie Yunjin left with his final words, transforming into a streak of light and soaring into the distant sky. Xue Hai narrowed his eyes, watching the blood-red streak that tore through the clouds, and lightly pushed off with his feet to follow.

The nine people, including Xue Hai, were not slow either, and all took flight, closely following behind.

In just a few breaths, everyone had arrived before a grand hall.

This hall spanned several thousand square meters, and its main entrance alone was dozens of zhang wide.

In the center of the main entrance hung a plaque of green jade, inscribed with the three gilded characters, "Outer Affairs Hall."

Nie Yunjin led the group around the main hall to a room resembling an office, with several desks in the center and both walls adorned with jade cabinets carved from white jade.

Seven blue-clad Disciples were busy inside.

Blue-clad signified Outer Sect Disciples, but among these blue-clad Disciples, one had gold trim on his attire, indicating he was an elite Disciple with an official post in the Palace.

Even among Outer Sect Disciples, there were differences in status; the lowest were ordinary blue-clad Disciples, above them were silver-trimmed blue-clad Outer Sect Disciples, who generally held positions in various halls and departments.

As for gold-trimmed blue-clad Disciples, they held the highest status among Outer Sect Disciples; not only did they necessarily hold a position in the Outer Sect's various halls, but they also needed to rank within the top ten thousand of the Outer Sect.

Don't think that a ranking within the top ten thousand is weak; you must know that the entire Abyssal Blood Palace is an independent world, with nearly ten million official Disciples and hundreds of millions of servants.

Among them, there are at least eight million Outer Sect Disciples, which shows the prestige of being in the top ten thousand.

"Zuo Kai! Have the jade tablets I asked you to prepare been made?" As soon as he entered the room, Nie Yunjin asked the gold-trimmed Disciple.

The latter had naturally seen Nie Yunjin leading people in, a smile appeared on his face, and with a flash of light in his hand, a jade plate appeared, on which lay nine small jade tablets.

"Elder's command, this Disciple naturally wouldn't dare to be slow; they are already prepared!" Zuo Kai said respectfully, holding the jade plate and approaching Nie Yunjin.

Nie Yunjin nodded in satisfaction, waved his hand, and Zuo Kai understood; with a flick of his sleeve, the nine jade tablets flew towards the nine individuals.

Xue Hai raised his hand to receive it, finding it to be a Disciple jade tablet inscribed with his name.

"These are your Sect jade tablets; just drip blood to recognize them as your master. You've all read the introductory Jade Slip, so I presume you understand how to use them! Your Disciple robes will be delivered to you tomorrow." Nie Yunjin smiled in satisfaction as he saw everyone receive their jade tablets, giving Zuo Kai an approving look, to which the latter merely offered a respectful nod.

Just then, Nie Yunjin's waist jade tablet emitted a faint white glow. He picked it up and looked, his expression unchanged, merely instructing Zuo Kai: "Zuo Kai! The rest is up to you to arrange."

As soon as he finished speaking, he took a step and transformed into a streak of light, disappearing.

And the nine people, including Xue Hai, all looked at Zuo Kai.

"All Junior Brothers have just entered the Sect and have not yet been assigned Immortal Caves. Just follow me!" Zuo Kai showed a humble smile on his face, but a faint disdain was hidden in his eyes.

With that, he stepped out.

Everyone followed.

Leaving the Outer Affairs Hall, everyone activated their Escape Light and headed towards a ten-thousand-zhang green mountain not far away.

Upon reaching the foot of the mountain, as far as the eye could see, there was an Immortal Cave every hundred zhang on the mountain. The mountain ascended in steps like terraced fields, with the most Immortal Caves densely packed at the foot of the mountain. The higher one went, the fewer Immortal Caves there were on each level, until only one Immortal Cave remained at the summit.

A slight sensing revealed that this mountain was arranged with a Spiritual Vein Formation. The mountain had a total of thirty-three layers, each connected to a Spiritual Vein, and each Immortal Cave was connected to a branch of that layer's Spiritual Vein. The higher the living floor, the fewer people shared a Spiritual Vein.

At the top level, one even had exclusive access to a Spiritual Vein.

These Spiritual Veins are unique to the Middle Thousand Worlds. Spiritual Veins generate Spiritual Qi, and Spiritual Qi is a higher-level heaven and earth energy than the Origin Qi of Minor Thousand Worlds. To achieve successful Cultivation, ample Spiritual Qi is indispensable, and even Alchemy and Artifact Refining at higher levels greatly depend on Spiritual Qi.

"Senior Brother Zuo! Is this where our Immortal Caves are located?" The only woman among the nine asked Zuo Kai.

The woman appeared to be in her twenties, but she was alluring and coquettish, wearing a long purple dress that dipped low at the chest, revealing a large expanse of white skin, clearly not a young maiden.

At this moment, she was approaching Zuo Kai with a charming smile.

Zuo Kai's gaze was indifferent, but his face held a gentle smile. Hearing the question, he chuckled lightly, "That's right! This is one of the ninety-nine Immortal Cave Mountains of our Outer Sect. You Junior Brothers and Junior Sisters may choose your Immortal Caves freely; any with unactivated Restrictions can be occupied. Inside, there's a Restriction Formation Plate; refining it will make you the master of the Immortal Cave."

"This Senior Brother still has official duties. If you have any other questions, you can find me at the Third Deacon Hall of the Outer Affairs Hall!"

After speaking, Zuo Kai nodded to everyone and turned to leave.

Apart from Teng Wuji, the others also clasped their fists in return.

Once Zuo Kai left, Teng Wuji was the first to rush towards the mountain peak, his black robes billowing like a night owl flapping its wings.

Xue Hai, however, was not in a hurry to choose an Immortal Cave, but rather watched Teng Wuji's actions.

This kid is truly arrogant; he's already causing trouble right after entering the Sect.

The introductory Jade Slip recorded that Immortal Cave Mountains, regardless of whether they were for inner or outer Disciples, could be challenged freely, and no Disciple was allowed to refuse a challenge. The victor gained Immortal Cave access, and the loser's life or death was irrelevant.

Teng Wuji clearly intended to directly challenge the Outer Sect Disciples on the higher levels of this mountain.

Not only Xue Hai, but even the other seven people noticed Teng Wuji's actions, and all showed expressions of anticipating a good show.

Logically, Blood Palace Disciples have a one-year protection period upon entry. During this year, newly admitted Outer Sect Disciples can participate in lectures by Outer Sect Elders and can freely choose three Cultivation Techniques from the Outer Sect Scripture Pavilion to Cultivate.

During this year, other Disciples are not allowed to actively attack Disciples under protection, but if new Disciples actively provoke older Disciples, life or death is still irrelevant and depends entirely on strength.

"There's going to be blood." The purple-clad woman covered her lips with a light chuckle, the blood-jade pendant on her chest swaying with her movements.

And Teng Wuji's figure had already appeared on the thirtieth level.

The molten giant ruler appeared in his hand, and a green flame slash had already slammed into an Immortal Cave barrier.