98: We are both at the Purple Mansion Realm, why are you so strong?

The teams from Demon Heaven Sect and Blood Soul Sect ran rampant in the Secret Realm; wherever they went, Spiritual Plants were plundered, and Cultivators suffered. Their ruthless methods made the surrounding forces dare not speak out in anger.

They looted all the way, directly killing Loose Cultivators to seize their treasures and forcing smaller forces to hand over all their gains. Any slight resistance resulted in the annihilation of their entire Sect.

In less than a day, dozens of thousand-year-old Spiritual Plants and various treasures had fallen into their hands.

Many forces, seeing this, could only keep their distance, not even daring to approach them to seek Opportunity.

Soon, Demon Heaven Sect set its sights on an ancient medicinal garden that Myriad Law Pavilion was exploring.

The medicinal garden was rich in Spiritual Qi, and in its center grew a thousand-year-old "Purple Veined Dragon Ganoderma," a crucial Medicinal Plant for Breakthrough to the King Realm.

Just as Myriad Law Pavilion Disciples were about to harvest it, Mo Luo arrived with over a dozen Demon Heaven Sect Disciples. The eerie green flames on his skull bracelet reflected in the medicinal garden, and his tone was chilling.

"Little ones from Myriad Law Pavilion, this Dragon Ganoderma is not something you can touch."

Yun Canghai's expression slightly darkened. He tapped his green bamboo staff on the ground, and a light green Spiritual Qi protected the Purple Veined Dragon Ganoderma.

"Demon Heaven Sect is too overbearing. This medicinal garden was discovered by our Myriad Law Pavilion first."

"Discovered first means it's yours?"

Mo Luo sneered, his Devilish Qi surged, transforming into a black shadow that lunged directly at the Dragon Ganoderma.

Yun Canghai raised his hand, condensing a Spiritual Qi barrier, and the two instantly clashed.

Mo Luo's "Netherworld Claw" scratched black marks onto the barrier, while Yun Canghai used his green bamboo staff as a sword, pointing at Mo Luo's wrist, each move precisely protecting the Dragon Ganoderma.

After two moves, Mo Luo sensed Yun Canghai's profound Spiritual Qi and realized it would be difficult to determine a victor quickly. Fearing that further delay would attract other forces, he snorted coldly: "Consider yourself lucky."

He led his Disciples away, disgruntled.

Yun Canghai watched Demon Heaven Sect's retreating figures, his fingertips still imbued with Spiritual Qi. He knew this was only a temporary retreat; for the sake of Opportunity, the two sides would inevitably clash again later.

The surrounding forces watching breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thankfully Myriad Law Pavilion held on, otherwise this Demonic Sect would have probably turned the Secret Realm upside down!"

"At least the Seven Great Sects haven't been crushed yet; we still have a chance."

On the other side, Shi Wanshan led Azure Profound Sect Disciples in search of treasures on the east side of the Secret Realm. From afar, they saw a light shimmering on a cliff face.

It was a "Profound Iron Essence Soul" embedded in the rock wall, emitting a dull metallic luster, a core Material for forging King-tier Magical Artifacts.

But before the group could get close, a team of black-robed figures had already surrounded it. The gray-robed Elder leading them exuded a strong bloody Aura, clearly an Elder from Blood Soul Sect leading the team.

The dozen or so Disciples behind him also had condensed Spiritual Qi.

"Azure Profound Sect?"

The gray-robed Elder squinted, his tone full of arrogance.

"This Essence Soul has been claimed by our Blood Soul Sect. If you know what's good for you, scram quickly and don't be an eyesore here!"

As soon as he finished speaking, his Disciples behind him all summoned their Magical Artifacts, blood-colored Spiritual Qi churning in their palms, their gazes contemptuously sweeping over the Azure Profound Sect members.

The Azure Profound Sect Disciples instantly erupted. Li Xuanfeng gripped his long sword, his knuckles turning white from the effort, and a spiritual glow quietly lit up around him, a posture ready for battle at any moment.

Behind him, Shen Jinghong, Shi Jingxian, and others also gripped their weapons, their breathing becoming rapid.

Shi Wanshan frowned slightly, his gaze subtly sweeping over the nearby jungle, where many Loose Cultivators and smaller forces were peeking out and observing.

He said in a deep voice to his Disciples: "Go, head to the valley on the south side."

A Disciple couldn't help but step forward, his tone filled with unwillingness: "Martial Uncle Shi! We discovered this Profound Iron Essence Soul first, and it's crucial for the Sect's Artifact Refining. How can we easily give it to the Demonic Sect!"

Although Shi Jingxian and Lin Mochen didn't speak, they also straightened their backs, their unruliness in their eyes undisguised, clearly ready for battle.

Shi Wanshan looked at the excited Disciples and added in a low voice.

"The other side has an Elder leading the team, and they are numerous and powerful. If we fight head-on, even if we win, we will suffer heavy losses, and in the end, we will only let others reap the benefits."

Li Xuanfeng followed Shi Wanshan's gaze to the distance and only then noticed the Loose Cultivators hiding in the shadows, instantly understanding Shi Wanshan's thoughts.

He said to everyone: "Junior Martial Uncle Shi is right, we should not confront them directly. Let's retreat first."

Although the Disciples were still full of suppressed frustration, they also knew that the two's considerations were reasonable and could only slowly release their grip on their weapons.

As the group turned to retreat, the taunts of the Blood Soul Sect Disciples came from behind: "Azure Profound Sect cowards, you don't even dare to fight!"

A young Disciple's steps paused in anger, but he was quietly pulled by his Senior Brother beside him, and could only grit his teeth and quicken his pace, swallowing his unwillingness.

The group walked south for about half an incense stick of time when Shi Wanshan suddenly stopped in a secluded bamboo forest. The surrounding spiritual mist was thick, perfectly concealing their figures.

He turned to the three accompanying Elders and said: "I have something to attend to. You all wait here with the Disciples, do not wander off, and keep an eye on them."

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Xuanfeng already followed in tacit understanding, his tone certain.

"Junior Martial Uncle Shi, I'll go with you!"

He understood Shi Wanshan's character too well. Martial Uncle Shi definitely wanted to quietly go back for revenge. How could he miss out on such a good thing?

The two walked back along the edge of the bamboo forest, their steps not fast, but precisely avoiding the Spiritual Plants andgravel along the way, to avoid leaving traces.

After reaching a hidden mountain hollow, Shi Wanshan stopped first, his fingertips quietly circulating Spiritual Qi. It was no longer the vigorous and outwardly released body-refining Spiritual Qi of the past, but rather an Aura condensed into a deep, subdued inner strength. At first glance, he looked like an ordinary Cultivator.

Li Xuanfeng understood and also adjusted his Aura, completely changing the trajectory of his Spiritual Qi's circulation. The originally clear Sword Qi was kneaded into a restrained, dull sensation, and all the spiritual light around him was completely withdrawn, leaving only the appearance of a common Cultivator.

The two exchanged glances, then simultaneously took out a black cloth and covered their faces, revealing only their eyes.

They also changed their Sect uniforms to the style of ordinary Loose Cultivators.

After disguising themselves, the two followed their footprints back. As they approached the cliff face, they indeed saw the Blood Soul Sect members still there.

The Profound Iron Essence Soul had already been taken down by the gray-robed Elder, who was preparing to put it away.

The surrounding Loose Cultivators and small forces had long been scared away by the Demonic Sect's Aura, leaving only a dozen or so of them gathered by the rock wall, counting the Spiritual Plants and Medicinal Pills they had just snatched, their vigilance far less than before.

"Act!"

Shi Wanshan let out a low cry, drew a long sword, and the subdued inner strength wrapped around the blade, heading straight for the gray-robed Elder.

The sword's momentum seemed calm, but at the moment of approach, it suddenly erupted. The powerful force split open the spiritual mist, even making the air ripple.

The gray-robed Elder was caught off guard and hastily condensed blood-colored Spiritual Qi into a shield. With a crisp "clang," the shield was shattered by a single sword strike!

The sword's momentum continued, grazing his shoulder and drawing a spray of blood.

The gray-robed Elder was heavily injured and flew backward, blood continuously seeping from the wound on his chest, his eyes filled with shock.

"You... who are you? We are both restricted by the Secret Realm's rules, and both are at the Purple Mansion Realm cultivation level, so why are you so strong?"

Shi Wanshan did not answer. With a step, he pursued, and his long sword swung out again, the sword light flashing like lightning.