133: The oriole is behind!

"Lu Sheng? I haven't heard that name before!"

The three old men with walking sticks frowned slightly after hearing Lu Sheng's voice.

The name was somewhat unfamiliar to them.

However, they shook their heads and didn't pay it any mind.

Even though they were unfamiliar with him, they knew that those who could enter Star Academy were all top Prodigies from various parts of Great Xia.

They could doubt the character of Star Academy, but they would never doubt the talent of the students Star Academy recruited!

And the only thing they cared about... were the words Lu Sheng used when introducing himself.

"Forty-fifth-term student!"

They knew exactly how many years Star Academy had been established, and these forty-fifth-term students, by their reckoning... were still the third-year high schoolers!

Now, with the last opening of the Nine Stars Secret Realm, such a rare opportunity, Star Academy actually only let a junior from the forty-fifth term enter?

Wasn't that a complete waste of a spot?

The three men muttered to themselves.

While Star Academy students were exceptionally talented, talent was one thing, and strength was another.

Forty-fifth-term students were still too young for them!

Many doubts filled the three men's minds, but none of them voiced them.

After all, they still had to give Star Academy some Face.

"Since everyone is here, shall we... begin?"

Li Ran spoke indifferently, his gaze falling on Nightingale.

Nightingale's Face showed no expression, and she merely said, "It's all up to Senior's arrangements; we are merely here to escort our junior!"

This statement made Li Ran and the others frown slightly.

They had thought that Star Academy dispatching Night Owl was to show off its strength in front of them, as Star Academy had often done such things.

Especially their current principal, who frequently engaged in such behavior.

But Nightingale said they were merely escorting someone.

To escort someone, they actually dispatched a combat squad?

Who didn't know that Star Academy's combat squads were very busy, not only needing to guard against problems in various front-line main cities but also needing to hunt down members of the Demonic Cult in various parts of Great Xia?

It seemed Star Academy placed great importance on this student!

Immediately, everyone's gaze fell upon Lu Sheng, dressed in white.

"Our mission is complete. Once the Nine Stars Secret Realm opens, we will leave!"

"When you come out, we will no longer be here. You can return to the Academy on your own then."

Nightingale said to Lu Sheng.

Lu Sheng nodded slightly and cupped his hands to the group: "Then I thank all you Seniors!"

Although there had been a tiny bit of enmity with Wang Long before, it was ultimately a small matter. Between men, once things were said, it was over.

With that, Lu Sheng leaped down from the Spiritual Qi battleship and stood quietly on the ground.

Li Ran and the others exchanged glances after a quick look.

Immediately, the four of them simultaneously made their moves, and streams of Spiritual Qi instantly roared out from their palms, landing on a certain space.

With the injection of Spiritual Qi, the space seemed to be stimulated, boiling like water.

Gurgle, gurgle!!

The space twisted and warped.

Suddenly, a blue radiance flashed within that distorted space.

Immediately after, one could see a phantom portal slowly emerging within the blue radiance.

As time passed, the portal became increasingly solid.

Faintly, Lu Sheng could even feel an ancient, A sense of vicissitudes (aura of vicissitude) slowly emanating from within this blue portal.

Slowly, that blue portal, as if pushed by some force, gradually opened right before Lu Sheng and the others.

Buzz!

A crisp hum suddenly echoed on the mountaintop.

Immediately after, one could see the blue portal suddenly opening, with circles of light radiating within it.

An enigmatic ripple diffused.

Lu Sheng gazed at the blue portal, a curious expression appearing in his eyes.

"Enter quickly!"

Li Ran suddenly roared.

And as his voice fell, Han Bing, who was behind Li Ran, stepped forward directly and instantly entered the blue portal.

The light enveloped Han Bing's figure until his figure completely disappeared from sight.

Within the Nine Stars Secret Realm, whoever arrived at Old Man Nine Stars' Burial Ground first would be able to trigger the assessment left by Old Man Nine Stars first.

And once the assessment began, if the time ran out, no one else could join.

Therefore, entering first still had certain advantages.

Watching Han Bing enter, the students from the other three Martial Arts Academies also impatiently rushed into the blue portal.

Lu Sheng was not in a hurry. After watching each student enter, he slowly took his steps and walked into the blue portal.

The light enveloped Lu Sheng, giving him an extremely warm feeling.

However, a sense of dizziness quickly invaded Lu Sheng's mind.

Suddenly, he lost consciousness.

On the mountaintop, Li Ran smiled after seeing Han Bing and the others all enter the Nine Stars Secret Realm.

"This Nine Stars Secret Realm usually takes about seven days to fully conclude. Now, we just need to wait here quietly!"

The leaders of the other three Martial Arts Academies also nodded slightly.

On the Spiritual Qi battleship, Nightingale also nodded after seeing Lu Sheng completely enter the Nine Stars Secret Realm.

She cupped her hands to Li Ran and the others.

"Since the person has entered, we shall take our leave!"

Li Ran raised an eyebrow slightly and said with a smile, "Aren't you afraid that your Star Academy person will suffer a loss when he comes out?"

Nightingale looked at Li Ran calmly and said indifferently, "If Lu Sheng takes the item, and you all wish to snatch it, then you must weigh whether you can withstand the wrath of our Star Academy!"

Within her calm words, there was an unparalleled domineering presence.

Li Ran's smile immediately froze.

He had only said that casually, but who knew Nightingale would be so disrespectful to him.

Profound Sword Academy was, after all, one of the Five Great Academies, a top Academy throughout Great Xia, yet in her eyes, it was so insignificant!

Just as Li Ran was about to get angry, Nightingale seemed to recall something and slowly spoke.

"Oh, right. Lu Sheng is Old Sword Saint's Disciple. If anything happens to Lu Sheng... you all figure it out yourselves!"

As soon as these words came out, both Li Ran and the leaders of the other three Martial Arts Academies were instantly shocked.

Great Xia Sword Saint's Disciple?

Such an impressive background?

Li Ran's reaction was even more intense.

Profound Sword Academy, as one of the Five Great Academies, was also a Holy Land in the eyes of all Sword Cultivators in Great Xia.

It was not only the best Academy for cultivating Sword Cultivators but also because... the principal of Profound Sword Academy was a top Sword Cultivator.

And the reason the principal of Profound Sword Academy could become a top Sword Cultivator was simply because he had followed Old Sword Saint for a long time.

He had received some guidance from Old Sword Saint, which led to his current achievements.

And Lu Sheng was Old Sword Saint's Disciple... From a seniority perspective, he was on par with the current principal of Profound Sword Academy. If something happened to Lu Sheng... Suddenly, Li Ran remembered that he had actually told Han Bing to teach Lu Sheng a lesson earlier.

Immediately, sweat dripped from his forehead.

By the time he came back to his senses, the Spiritual Qi battleship had already majestically flown off into the distance.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, no wonder he could become a student of Star Academy. So he's Old Sword Saint's Disciple. Star Academy is truly a place where hidden talents reside!"

"Hey, Brother Li, why are you suddenly sweating so much?"

Facing the surprised gazes of the other Martial Arts Academy leaders, Li Ran somewhat forced a smile as he wiped the sweat from his forehead, saying with difficulty.

"It's nothing, just a slight mishap when I was circulating my Spiritual Qi earlier."

Although Li Ran appeared calm on the surface, his heart was somewhat flustered.

And just as Li Ran was flustered, suddenly, a playful voice rang out.

"The Night Owl team finally left. If they had stayed here, we really wouldn't have dared to make a move this time!"

And as that playful voice rang out...

Suddenly, from the peak of the mountain, a giant red net descended from the sky.

Red light flickered on the net, carrying with it bursts of sharpness.

"Who's there!"

Li Ran's heart violently shook, and he let out a low roar. A terrifying surge of Spiritual Qi instantly roared out from within him.

It wasn't just Li Ran; the other three leaders of the Martial Arts Academy also reacted in an instant, activating the Qi and Spiritual Qi within their bodies, attempting to resist the red net descending from the sky.

However... the red net seemed to contain an extremely overbearing power, and it directly fell.

Even the Spiritual Qi in the four people's bodies was suppressed by the red net at this moment.

"Hehehe, under the Spirit Trapping Net, even a Nirvana Realm expert will be trapped for two or three days. Everyone... don't struggle anymore!"

That playful voice rang out again.

A figure dressed in black robes and wearing a dog-head mask slowly emerged.

"Demonic Sect Heaven Vein!! Xu Gou!!"

The moment Li Ran saw the black-robed man, his pupils violently contracted.

"Damn it, how dare your Demonic Sect do this!!"

Li Ran roared, and the black greatsword behind him was instantly gripped in his hand, intending to cut through the red Spirit Trapping Net.

But the moment he gripped the greatsword, his pupils violently shook.

He felt as if the Spiritual Qi in his body had been directly suppressed by a force, and he couldn't mobilize it no matter what.

The Spiritual Qi sank into his body, as if it had turned into stagnant water.

It wasn't just Li Ran; the other three leaders of the Martial Arts Academy were the same!

Their spiritual power was Sealed by the Spirit Trapping Net!

"Damn it, how did people from the Demonic Sect appear here!!"

Li Ran's expression was somewhat grim as he stared intently at Xu Gou not far away.

Xu Gou looked at the three, and a playful expression emerged from beneath his dog-head mask.

"Four Golden Body Realm experts! What a pity. Once I make a move, the power of this Spirit Trapping Net will dissipate. Otherwise, killing four Golden Body Realm experts would also yield quite a few rewards."

Xu Gou had some regrets.

Although the Spirit Trapping Net was overbearing, it had a fatal flaw.

It could only trap people; any attack from within or outside would destroy the net's power.

And once the net's power was destroyed, the experts trapped by it would regain their combat strength.

Although Xu Gou was one of the Twelve Demonic Envoys, he didn't have the strength to contend with four Golden Body Realm experts.

Especially a Sword Cultivator like Li Ran!

However... although there were some regrets, their target this time wasn't these old fellows!

Xu Gou looked at the blue portal and said with a smile, "A Disciple of the Great Xia Sword Saint, a Prodigy who broke through the Qi and blood limit, and an S-class Prodigy from the Profound Sword Academy. These are much more valuable than you four old fellows."

As Xu Gou's words fell.

Zhao Changsheng, dressed in black robes embroidered with python patterns, slowly appeared behind him. Beside Zhao Changsheng, there were several other black-robed figures.

Their bodies were also emanating cultivation fluctuations of the Bone Forging Realm.

"You'd best keep these two young fellows in the Secret Realm, otherwise..."

"You know the consequences."

Xu Gou's gaze swept over Zhao Changsheng and the others, lingering on Zhao Changsheng for a moment, a hint of coldness in his eyes.

Zhao Changsheng smiled slightly, bowed to Xu Gou, and then led the several Bone Forging Realm Demonic Sect experts behind him into the blue portal.

To enter the Nine Stars Secret Realm, they had also selected some skilled individuals from various Demonic Sect strongholds!

And they were all within the Secret Realm's restrictions!

After watching Zhao Changsheng and the others enter the Nine Stars Secret Realm, Xu Gou slowly turned his gaze to Li Ran and the other three. The corners of his mouth curved upward slightly.

"Four of you, let's see how many of your Great Xia Prodigies survive in seven days!"

Xu Gou's voice made Li Ran's expression suddenly sink.

Now that they were trapped by the Spirit Trapping Net, they could only watch helplessly as the Demonic Sect members entered.

Although the Spirit Trapping Net only trapped them in this small space and didn't restrict their movements, it also cut off their means of transmitting messages.

Moreover... after Zhao Changsheng and the others entered the Nine Stars Secret Realm, the blue portal slowly closed.

Even if the Night Owl team returned now, they could at most suppress Xu Gou, but they would be powerless to intervene in the Nine Stars Secret Realm.

Despite his extreme confidence in Han Bing, Li Ran had seen the Demonic Sect members who entered the Nine Stars Secret Realm very clearly.

They were all Martial Artists at the Bone Forging Fifth Layer!

If it were one or two, it would be fine, but with so many Demonic Sect members entering the Secret Realm, no matter how confident Li Ran was in Han Bing, his heart couldn't help but sink.

"Brother Li Ran, what should we do now!"

The old man with the cane looked at Li Ran and said in a deep voice.

For a moment, the other two also turned their gazes to Li Ran.

Although all were Golden Body Realm, among the four, Li Ran, from the Profound Sword Academy, was still stronger.

However, facing the current situation, even Li Ran was filled with powerlessness!

He looked at Xu Gou in mid-air and spoke with some heaviness.

"We can only rely on... those young fellows themselves."

"At this point, we can no longer intervene, nor do we have the strength to intervene!"

For a time, the four fell silent.

And watching the silent four, Xu Gou in mid-air's mouth curved even more upward... When Lu Sheng regained his consciousness, he found that he had appeared in a wilderness at some unknown time.

Lu Sheng looked around, only to find that the surroundings were desolate.

Apart from gusts of strong wind blowing, stirring up yellow sand across the sky, there seemed to be no living creatures in this world.

"Is this... the Nine Stars Secret Realm?"

Lu Sheng murmured, then took out the Jade Slip Nightingale had given him earlier.

Lu Sheng placed the Jade Slip on his forehead.

Immediately, a map appeared in Lu Sheng's mind.

And with the help of the map, Lu Sheng also found his current location.

"Still a few hundred kilometers from Old Man Nine Stars' Burial Ground?"

Lu Sheng's brow twitched slightly.

A few hundred kilometers, for a Viscera Refining Realm Martial Artist like Lu Sheng, was naturally not a very distant place.

Jogging there would only take one or two days.

But if it were really that simple in the Nine Stars Secret Realm, then it would be great.

Lu Sheng remembered very clearly that in a small Secret Realm world like the Nine Stars Secret Realm, there were Secret Realm creatures!

Most of these Secret Realm creatures were at the Viscera Refining Realm, and some even had the strength of the Bone Forging Realm!

Although they posed little threat to them, encountering these Secret Realm creatures while traveling would still waste a lot of time.

"Secret Realm creatures..."

"I wonder if the effect of Slaughter will manifest on Secret Realm creatures!"

Lu Sheng's eyes suddenly lit up.

His current Body Refining was only at the Late Stage of the third level, only comparable to a Martial Artist at the seventh, eighth, or ninth level of the Hundred Meridians Realm.

It hadn't improved for a long time.

Now, his Qi and blood cultivation had risen to the Viscera Refining Realm, but his Body Refining seemed to have stagnated.

If Secret Realm creatures could also trigger the effect of Slaughter, perhaps he could raise his Body Refining to the fourth level before reaching the Burial Ground.

At that time, his combat strength would become even stronger.

The chances of obtaining Old Man Nine Stars' Legacy would also be greater.

Thinking of this, the corners of Lu Sheng's mouth slowly curved into an arc.

The next moment, Lu Sheng directly charged into the wilderness, and on his way towards the Burial Ground, he made no attempt to conceal his figure.

He openly displayed his aura and figure completely!