108: Chapter 18, "I Want to Cultivate," is it an NPC?

Although Zhou Bai and the others possessed astonishing potential, their current cultivation level was still far too low.

Compared to others, the combat power of a Fourth-Rank realm was still somewhat weak.

Although the Ancient Mystic Realm was just a single secret realm, dangers still existed within it.

"It's fine. Just make protecting yourselves your primary goal. Getting fewer points is okay; consider it a training experience!"

Ye Wushang looked at the many young faces before him and continued with a slight smile.

"Senior Ye, we'll do our best. We're still confident we can handle Fifth-Order Fierce Beasts!"

Qin Hao looked at Ye Wushang and said in a deep voice.

"Just do your best. This is only the third stage of the competition. There's still the final fourth stage, which is what truly determines the rankings!"

Ye Wushang continued slowly.

"You can arrange your time between exploring the secret realm and slaying fierce beasts yourselves. I won't interfere too much."

Qin Hao, Ling Xiao, Xu Xiu, and the others were brimming with confidence, determined to perform well in this third stage to earn points for Xia Country and secure a greater share of the Ancient Mystic Realm's resources.

"Is there anything else? If not, I'll head back first to cultivate!"

After everyone finished speaking, Zhou Bai suddenly spoke up, his gaze calm as he looked at Ye Wushang ahead.

"We plan to head out now to hunt fierce beasts. We'll take you all along first to get familiar with things!"

Ye Wushang thought for a moment, then said.

"You all go ahead. I need to cultivate first!"

Zhou Bai then said slowly.

"Alright, Student Zhou Bai, suit yourself!"

Ye Wushang said slowly.

Zhou Bai nodded, then directly left the palace.

"What's this kid putting on airs for, talking about cultivating... Will cultivating for this extra bit make him invincible..."

"A Vocational College student is just a Vocational College student, lacking any vision. Hearing about going out to explore and the dangers involved, he gets scared..."

"And someone like this managed to win the champion of the dawn battle? It's simply laughable..."

After Zhou Bai left, Wang Tianba and the others frowned and spoke, feeling great disdain for Zhou Bai's choice to go cultivate.

"God Bai might have reached a critical point in his cultivation!"

Xu Xiu defended Zhou Bai,

"If it weren't for him, we wouldn't have even qualified!"

"Enough, stop talking. There's no need to pay attention to such an uncooperative guy. This World Martial Arts Competition doesn't rely on this Zhou Bai. Does he really think he's that important?"

Mu Qinghuang, standing nearby, said indifferently, completely disregarding Zhou Bai.

"The time is about right. Let's go explore outside now. This Ancient Mystic Realm is also an opportunity for you all. Exploring earlier will be beneficial for you!"

Ye Wushang didn't say much more and addressed the group.

Everyone nodded, then followed Ye Wushang as they left Xuanhuang Fortress to go explore and familiarize themselves with the Ancient Mystic Realm.

...

"Too weak. I'm still far too weak right now. Prancing around recklessly in a place like this is just asking for death!"

Zhou Bai returned to his palace room, murmuring to himself.

Although they had advanced without major incident this time, it still made Zhou Bai feel a heavy pressure.

Fifth-Rank ability users were one thing, but above them were Sixth-Rank ability users.

To contend with these guys, to be honest, Zhou Bai really didn't want to take action now.

"Fifth-Rank... I'll wait until I advance to Fifth-Rank. And learning points... I need to accumulate more learning points, max out the Nine Heavens Thunder Saber. The advanced Nine Heavens Thunder Saber is already becoming a bit insufficient..."

Zhou Bai had an idea in mind.

Before coming to participate in the World Martial Arts Competition, aside from the crimson flame bone forging pill, Zhou Bai had also exchanged many of his star coins for other resources that could enhance his Bone Forging progress.

Including those resource treasures from Li Guangyu, Zhou Bai had also sold off many of them through secure channels.

Now, Zhou Bai possessed a large amount of resources on him that could be rapidly converted into his own strength.

As long as Zhou Bai cultivated peacefully, he would soon enter the ranks of Fifth-Rank Martial Artists.

Immediately after, Zhou Bai took out the crimson flame bone forging pill and some other top-tier resources, beginning to cultivate and improve himself.

Zhou Bai's skull was being tempered steadily, while at the same time, his Qi and Blood Power and soul power were also steadily increasing.

After cultivating for eight hours, as the sky gradually darkened, Zhou Bai checked his phone.

19:00

"It's time for studying!"

Seeing it was exactly 7:00 PM, Zhou Bai took out his virtual reality pod and lay down inside it directly.

Once inside, Zhou Bai saw a message in his social inbox.

"Zhou Bai gege, I managed to get a virtual reality pod! Pull me into your local network!"

The inbox message was from Shen Ninger.

"Just as I thought. I knew this little minx would find a way!"

Seeing Shen Ninger's reply, Zhou Bai said.

Then, Zhou Bai pulled Shen Ninger into the Longcheng local network.

"What technology is this virtual reality pod even made with? It can actually connect with the outside world!"

Zhou Bai looked at the message in his social inbox, pondering inwardly.

The Ancient Mystic Realm was a top-tier secret realm, equivalent to a small world isolated from Blue Star.

Mobile phones, including other communication devices, were all unable to contact the outside world, but this virtual reality pod could. It truly surprised Zhou Bai somewhat.

However, Zhou Bai didn't think too much about it. As long as it could help him obtain learning points, nothing else was important.

Immediately after, a bright light flashed within the Longcheng local network.

Zhou Bai suppressed his thoughts and entered his own Longcheng local network.

After entering the Longcheng local network, what greeted Zhou Bai's eyes was a pure, peerlessly beautiful woman wearing phoenix robes, with a graceful figure.

"Husband, you're here. I've been waiting for you for so long!"

Zhao Shiyu threw herself into Zhou Bai's embrace, speaking to him in a soft, gentle voice.

Zhou Bai also gently embraced Zhao Shiyu, savoring her charm.

"Husband, is everything going smoothly at the World Martial Arts Competition?"

After the two shared a tender moment for a while, Zhao Shiyu then asked Zhou Bai.

"Everything's going smoothly. With my strength, who could possibly block or threaten me!"

Zhou Bai smiled slightly, then stroked Zhao Shiyu's cheek.

"Mhm. Then, husband... hurry... *do* me..."

Hearing Zhou Bai's words, Zhao Shiyu's eyes were full of tender affection as she then spoke in a soft, gentle voice.

Zhou Bai nodded, then quickly got down to business.

Within the Longcheng palace, Zhao Shiyu freely expressed her feelings.

'Huh? Husband, there seems to be someone ahead?'

Not long after, in a daze, Zhao Shiyu seemed to see a woman wearing imperial consort attire, also pure and peerlessly beautiful, in the palace ahead.

Moreover, this woman's appearance seemed somewhat familiar.

But at this moment, Zhao Shiyu's consciousness was somewhat scattered, and she couldn't quite remember.

"Someone? Impossible. Must be an NPC!"

Zhou Bai said with a slight smile.

...

P.S.: [Rest day tomorrow!]