95: Heavenly Contract!

Everyone leaned back in unison, staring at Chu Feng in disbelief.

"He said, 'What is Yun Yao Holy Land?'"

"He doesn't care about the Xuan Tian Sect, and now he doesn't even care about the Yun Yao Holy Land. How powerful is his background?"

"Even the other three Holy Lands wouldn't dare to underestimate Yun Yao Holy Land like this."

Just then, the Holy Path power in Chu Feng's palm surged again.

Zhao Qian's Nascent Soul let out a desperate roar, his soul almost completely crushed.

"Chu Feng, how dare you!"

Cold Moon shouted angrily, ice-blue sword qi instantly condensed around her, ready to intervene.

Although she had a Soul Transformation Puppet, this puppet was a consumable that could only be activated once.

If she used this puppet for Zhao Qian, what would she do if she truly encountered Xi Shenyin?

Just as she was conflicted, Xing Lei's voice came from beside her ear.

"Cold Moon, what are you wasting words on him for!"

Xing Lei's murderous aura, as if substantial, spread out around him, his gaze fixed on Chu Feng.

Chu Feng could cripple Zhao Qian, an eighth-level Nascent Soul Stage cultivator, with a single sword, meaning his strength was far above his. He alone was no match for Chu Feng.

Therefore, to avenge his younger brother, they could only join forces.

His thoughts raced, and his gaze turned to a figure in the crowd.

"Senior Brother Blood Blade, please lend a hand!"

Following Xing Lei's gaze, everyone saw a young man in a dark red robe slowly walk out.

His face was ordinary, but he carried a chilling murderous aura. A strangely shaped curved blade hung from his waist; its blade was dark red, as if stained with countless blood.

It was Blood Blade, ranked fourth on the ascension ranking list!

Blood Blade's gaze fell on the Holy Sword meteor in Chu Feng's hand, and a hint of undisguised greed flashed in his eyes.

He licked his lips and asked in a hoarse voice.

"Xing Lei, why should I help you?"

Although they were fellow disciples, he had witnessed Chu Feng's strength firsthand.

Although this trip was to perfect the "Myriad Cuts Punishment Scripture," his cultivation was only at the peak of the eighth-level Nascent Soul Stage, and he didn't have much chance of winning against Chu Feng.

Xing Lei gritted his teeth and said in a deep voice.

"As long as you are willing to act, I will give you my Prison Suppressing Heavenly Artifact."

Xing Lei looked at the Holy Sword in Chu Feng's hand and continued.

"The Holy Artifact in Chu Feng's hand will also be yours. I only want his life!"

As soon as these words came out, Blood Blade's eyes instantly lit up.

The Prison Suppressing Heavenly Artifact was a treasure of Tianxing Hall, capable of increasing the power of the Punishment Path by thirty percent.

If he also obtained the Holy Sword in Chu Feng's hand, he was confident he could fight Jun Lintian.

With this in mind, he slowly drew the curved blade from his waist. Dark red blade qi instantly overflowed from the blade, and his peak eighth-level Nascent Soul Stage cultivation erupted without reservation.

"Chu Feng, hand over the Holy Sword, and I can let you die a quick death."

Then, his tone shifted.

"If you resist, I will use the 'Myriad Cuts Punishment Scripture' to slowly dismember your soul, making you experience the most painful tortures in the world."

At this moment, everyone looked at Chu Feng as if they were looking at a dead man; his fate was already sealed.

"With Xing Lei and Blood Blade joining forces, and Cold Moon eyeing him from the side, Chu Feng has no chance of winning!"

"Blood Blade's 'Myriad Cuts Punishment Scripture' is notoriously cruel. No one he targets has a good end!"

"If Chu Feng is smart, he should hand over the Holy Sword to save his life."

Everyone couldn't help but hold their breath, their gazes shifting back and forth between Chu Feng, Blood Blade, and Xing Lei.

Jun Lintian looked at the situation before him, his brows slightly furrowed.

Although he didn't care about Chu Feng's life or death, and was even happy for these people to test Chu Feng's depth.

However, he didn't want to see Blood Blade obtain the Holy Sword.

Chu Feng looked at Blood Blade and Xing Lei approaching, then glanced at Cold Moon, who was eager to act beside him, his face still calm.

He held Zhao Qian's Nascent Soul in one hand and drew his sword with the other.

"If you want to snatch my Holy Sword, then let's see if you have the ability!"

Seeing this, Blood Blade's killing intent intensified, but just as he raised his blade, a sudden change occurred.

An ethereal voice suddenly echoed throughout the entire Fallen Star Ruins, instantly silencing all discussions.

"The first layer assessment of the Fallen Star Ruins, the Karma Fire Plank Road, has opened. Those who fail the assessment will die."

The moment the voice fell, the entire Fallen Star Ruins violently shook.

The black rocks on the ground began to crack, and countless golden runes surged out from the cracks, condensing into a giant light gate in the air.

"W-what's going on?"

"Could it be that the place we are in right now is not the Fallen Star Ruins?"

"There's even an assessment."

Everyone immediately stopped their movements and looked up at the light gate in the sky.

Immediately after, the black rocks cracked along intricate patterns, and countless broken stones, mixed with dust, fell downwards.

At this moment, only a suspended platform where everyone stood remained. Below the platform was an unfathomable darkness, and crimson flames surged within the darkness.

"Those are karma flames. If you fall in, even your Nascent Soul will be burned to ashes!"

Before he finished speaking, thousands of plank roads suddenly appeared in the void in front of the platform.

These plank roads were all condensed from faint golden light patterns, crisscrossing like a spider web. Some led straight to the distant light gate, while others suddenly broke off mid-air.

Some plank roads had solid light, while others were illusory and unstable like water ripples, as if they could dissipate at any moment.

Just then, the cold voice sounded again.

"Those who successfully reach the light gate on the opposite bank are considered to have passed the assessment.

The top five in the assessment will receive a secret realm reward.

Two people must form a team to proceed. Single individuals are not allowed to step onto the plank road."

Upon hearing this, the crowd instantly erupted.

"Two people team up?"

"The Karma Fire Plank Road is so dangerous, and we still need to team up. Is there some special purpose to teaming up?"

"I haven't prepared anyone to team up with. What should I do?"

Amidst the discussions, an arrogant figure suddenly stepped forward. It was Lu Fentian, the Holy Son of the Scarlet Sun Sect, ranked sixtieth on the ascension ranking list.

He wore a crimson brocade robe, faint flame spiritual power lingered around him, and his face was full of disdain.

"Just a trick. With my strength, I can pass alone!"

Saying that, he walked directly towards what appeared to be the straightest plank road.

He stepped onto the plank road condensed from light patterns and couldn't help but sneer.

"Nothing more than this—"

Boom!

Before he finished speaking, the karma flames below suddenly surged, and a crimson pillar of fire shot up like a venomous snake, instantly engulfing the entire plank road.

The smile on Lu Fentian's face instantly froze. He subconsciously activated his spiritual power to condense a flame shield, but found that the karma flames could penetrate the shield.

"Ah—"

A shrill scream echoed through the void. Lu Fentian's brocade robe was instantly ignited, and his skin carbonized at a visible rate.

He tried to retreat, but found that the plank road had been completely incinerated by the karma flames, leaving only empty space beneath his feet.

His body lost its support, and Lu Fentian fell like a kite with a broken string. Black ashes continuously fell from his body, and the wails of his soul penetrated the karma flames, making the surrounding people's scalps tingle.

Lu Fentian's body plunged into the karma flames below, instantly burning to ashes, leaving only a faint wisp of black smoke.

Dead silence.

It was a while before anyone reacted.

"Lu Fentian actually died just like that?"

"The karma flames are too terrifying. Even the Scarlet Sun Sect's fire control techniques couldn't block them."

"Stepping onto the plank road alone is a dead end. The rules of the secret realm really cannot be violated!"

"Good thing I didn't act impulsively. Now I must quickly find a teammate, otherwise I won't even be able to participate in the assessment!"

Everyone immediately looked at each other, starting to search for teammates.

Chu Feng looked at the surging karma flames below, his brows slightly furrowed.

He could clearly feel that if he fell down, it would also be a dead end.

And the plank roads' solidity kept changing. To successfully pass the plank roads, one must choose someone with great luck.

Just then, Xi Shenyin's voice sounded in his mind.

"Choose Cold Moon to team up with. All disciples of Yun Yao Holy Land are people of great luck; otherwise, they wouldn't be accepted into the Holy Land."

Upon hearing this, Chu Feng's gaze immediately fell on Cold Moon.

"Cold Moon, team up with me."

"You wish."

Cold Moon's face suddenly changed, and she subconsciously took a step back.

Without using her puppet, she couldn't possibly be Chu Feng's opponent.

If she teamed up with Chu Feng, what if, after passing the plank bridge, this person took the opportunity to attack her? She would be powerless to resist.

"If you don't agree, I'll crush Zhao Qian's Nascent Soul right now."

"You!"

Ice-blue sword qi instantly condensed around Cold Moon. No one had ever dared to threaten her like this.

"Chu Feng, if you dare to touch a single finger on him, I will make you pay the price!"

"Price?"

Chu Feng's lips curled into a sneer, and the force in his fingertips slightly increased.

Zhao Qian's Nascent Soul let out a mournful wail, its soul fading a bit more.

"Do you think you are in a position to talk about price with me now?

Either team up, or watch him vanish into thin air."

A hint of struggle flashed in Cold Moon's eyes. She knew Chu Feng's strength. If she forcibly attacked, she would not only fail to save Zhao Qian but might also get herself involved.

But teaming up with Chu Feng was equally dangerous.

"Cold Moon, what are you still standing there for!" Zhao Qian's Nascent Soul suddenly roared, "Team up with him, hurry and team up with him!"

At this moment, Zhao Qian only wanted to survive; as for dignity, it had long been thrown to the winds by fear.

Chu Feng looked at the Nascent Soul in his hand and said mockingly.

"What a truly incompetent fiancé."

Cold Moon took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the humiliation in her heart, and the sword qi around her slowly dissipated.

She looked at Chu Feng, gritting her teeth and saying.

"I'll team up with you, but you must guarantee that you won't harm Zhao Qian before passing the assessment."

"Alright."

Chu Feng nodded and put Zhao Qian's Nascent Soul into his storage ring.

With this Nascent Soul as leverage, Cold Moon wouldn't dare to play tricks during the assessment.

The two reached an agreement, but neither immediately stepped onto the plank road.

Most of the surrounding people also stood by and watched; no one wanted to be the first to take the risk.

The terror of the karma flames was vivid in their minds; no one wanted to become the second Lu Fentian.

"What are you all standing around for?"

A calm voice sounded. Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw Jun Lintian slowly walk out.

His gaze swept over the crowd, finally landing on two cultivators.

These two were Lin Hao, a disciple of the Azure Nether Sect ranked seventy-first on the ascension ranking list, and Wu Du, a disciple of the Myriad Poison Valley ranked seventy-second.

Lin Hao wore a green robe, held a long sword, and looked nervous.

Wu Du, on the other hand, wore a black robe, with a poison pouch hanging from his waist, and his face was full of fawning.

Jun Lintian's voice was without a ripple, and he commanded directly.

"You two, team up and lead the way."

Lin Hao's face turned pale, and he quickly shook his head.

"Young Master Jun, the plank road is too dangerous, we..."

"Hm?"

Jun Lintian raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes.

Before Lin Hao could finish speaking, he raised his hand and sent out a burst of spiritual power.

Lin Hao didn't even have time to react before he was struck in the chest by spiritual energy, spitting out a mouthful of fresh blood and falling heavily to the ground, his aura instantly weakening. He had been severely injured by a single blow.

"Now, do I need to say it again?"

Jun Lintian's voice remained calm, yet it sent shivers down the spines of everyone around him.

Wu Du trembled in fear, quickly helped Lin Hao up, and stammered,

"We'll go, we'll go right now!"

He knew that if he refused, he would suffer the same fate as Lin Hao.

The two supported each other and walked towards a seemingly more solid plank road.

Lin Hao endured his injuries and stepped onto the plank road simultaneously with Wu Du. The plank road, formed by light patterns, was very stable, and no abnormalities occurred.

The two walked cautiously along the plank road, and the karma fire below remained still. Soon, they reached the center of the plank road.

A hint of joy appeared on Lin Hao's face.

"Great, we're almost through!"

But just then, an unexpected change occurred.

The plank road beneath their feet suddenly became illusory, the light patterns fluctuated violently like water ripples, and then completely dissipated.

"No—"

Lin Hao and Wu Du simultaneously let out a desperate wail, their bodies instantly losing support and plummeting towards the karma fire below.

The two subconsciously summoned their aerial magic treasures. Lin Hao summoned a green flying sword, and Wu Du summoned a black poisonous cloud.

However, the space around the plank road seemed to be sealed by laws. As soon as the flying sword and poisonous cloud appeared, they lost their spiritual energy support and transformed into two streaks of light, falling into the karma fire.

The screams of the two echoed throughout the secret realm, and they were soon reduced to ashes.

The onlookers once again fell into a deathly silence, their faces filled with terror.

"The plank road actually suddenly turned illusory; this is too bizarre!"

"Even aerial magic treasures are ineffective. Once you fall, there's no chance of escape!"

"It's a good thing I wasn't the first to step on it. This is simply suicide!"

Jun Lintian, however, seemed oblivious to their tragic deaths. His gaze swept over the crowd again, landing on a pair of Dao companions.

These Dao companions were Su Rui of Hundred Flowers Valley, ranked fifty-eighth on the ascension ranking list, and Li Muran of Clear Wind Sect, ranked fifty-ninth.

The two were renowned Dao companions with deep affection. They had entered the secret realm together, hoping to find opportunities, but they didn't expect to be targeted by Jun Lintian.

"You two, next group."

Su Rui, dressed in a pink long dress, turned pale. She exchanged glances with her husband, and both saw fear in each other's eyes.

But facing Jun Lintian's oppressive aura, they dared not resist and could only brace themselves and walk towards a plank road.

"Rui'er, don't be afraid. We'll walk together."

Li Muran clasped Su Rui's hand, his voice gentle but with a slight tremor.

He put away his folding fan and circulated his spiritual energy to its maximum, appearing extremely cautious.

Su Rui nodded, tightly grasping Li Muran's hand, and the two stepped onto the plank road together.

Perhaps due to good luck, the plank road beneath their feet remained solid throughout, without any abnormalities.

The two walked cautiously forward, each step taken with utmost care.

As they got closer to the other side, the surrounding cultivators' eyes gradually showed signs of tension.

They both hoped the two would pass successfully and yet didn't want them to reach the other shore.

After all, only five people could receive rewards, and if the two reached the light gate, they would receive two rewards.

The next moment, exclamations of surprise came from in front of the light gate.

"Great, we've arrived!"

When the two stepped onto the platform on the other side, Li Muran excitedly hugged Su Rui, his eyes filled with joy.

Just then, two rays of light suddenly flew out from the light gate, landing in Su Rui's and Li Muran's hands respectively.

What landed in Li Muran's hand was a crimson pill, its surface shimmering with a faint glow and emitting a rich medicinal fragrance.

What landed in Su Rui's hand was a long sword, its blade exuding the pressure of a Heavenly Artifact.

Seeing that the two had indeed received rewards, everyone immediately exclaimed in surprise.

"A Heavenly Artifact, that's the Fallen Blossom Sword, lost by Hundred Flowers Valley for many years!"

"Legend has it that this sword can draw upon the power of a hundred flowers, and its attack power is extremely strong; it's a top-tier Heavenly Artifact!"

"The one in Li Muran's hand looks like a Scarlet Sun Breakthrough Pill. That's a first-grade pill!"

"I heard this pill can instantly increase a cultivator's realm by five stages below the Soul Transformation Stage, and it has no side effects!"

"This kind of pill would even drive Nascent Soul Stage cultivators mad!"

"My heavens, the rewards are so generous!"

"If I had known the rewards were so good, I would have volunteered to scout ahead just now."

The crowd instantly erupted, their previous wait-and-see attitude completely gone. They all began to look for teammates, eager to reach the other side as quickly as possible.

At this moment, Su Rui and Li Muran were also trembling with excitement.

Li Muran looked at the Scarlet Sun Breakthrough Pill in his hand, his eyes filled with longing.

"Rui'er, I'm currently at Golden Core Stage ninth level. If I take this pill, I'll be able to break through to the Nascent Soul Stage.

In the future, I'll be able to protect you better."

As he spoke, he was about to put the pill into his mouth.

"Husband, wait."

Su Rui suddenly spoke, her voice still gentle, but with a hint of imperceptible coldness.

She gripped the Fallen Blossom Sword in her hand and walked behind Li Muran.

Li Muran didn't notice anything unusual and turned back with a smile.

"What's wrong, Rui'er?"

Pfft—

A sword light flashed, and the Fallen Blossom Sword directly pierced through Li Muran's heart from behind him.

Blood instantly stained Li Muran's white robe. The smile on his face instantly froze, and he looked at Su Rui in disbelief, his lips trembling.

"Rui... Rui'er, why..."

Blood dripped down the sword. Su Rui's eyes held no pity, only greed for the pill.

She reached out, snatched the Scarlet Sun Breakthrough Pill from Li Muran's hand, and spoke the coldest words in the gentlest tone.

"Husband, you wouldn't want to see me encounter danger in the secret realm, would you?"

Su Rui's palm twisted the Fallen Blossom Sword fiercely, carving a huge bloody hole in Li Muran's chest.

"Let me take this pill."

Li Muran's eyes were filled with despair. He couldn't understand why his Dao companion, whom he had deeply loved for many years, would ruthlessly kill him for a single pill.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but could only spit out a mouthful of fresh blood. His body softly collapsed to the ground, his aura gradually dissipating.

Su Rui didn't spare a glance at Li Muran's corpse. She directly put the Scarlet Sun Breakthrough Pill into her mouth.

The pill melted upon entry, and a surge of majestic spiritual energy instantly erupted within her body. Her cultivation soared at a visible speed, breaking through directly from the Golden Core Stage to the Nascent Soul Stage fifth level.

"Nascent Soul Stage fifth level!"

Su Rui felt the surging spiritual energy within her, and a crazed smile appeared on her face.

Only then did she glance at Li Muran on the ground, her eyes full of disdain.

"Husband, rest assured, I will protect myself well."

With that, she held the Fallen Blossom Sword and stepped into the light gate without looking back.

The crowd, who had initially planned to rush onto the plank bridge, was completely stunned, never expecting such a thing to happen.

"Su Rui actually killed Li Muran. They were the most loving genius Dao companions in Central Continent!"

"How ruthless! For a single pill, she actually killed her own Dao companion!"

"It's the law of the jungle. So-called feelings are worthless in the face of opportunity."

"Su Rui not only obtained a Heavenly Artifact but also broke through her realm. This is too lucky."

"You can't trust anyone in the secret realm anymore. Even Dao companions can betray you. Who else can be trusted?"

Seeing the scene before her, Cold Moon subconsciously looked at Chu Feng.

Apparently, after passing through the plank road, there would be no need to continue teaming up.

If Chu Feng wanted to attack her then, she would have to use her Soul Transformation puppet.

"Chu Feng, you'd best not force my hand, or it will be your death day."

Heh—

Chu Feng was unconcerned by Cold Moon's warning.

"Let's go."

Cold Moon took a deep breath, suppressed the complex emotions in her heart, and quickly followed Chu Feng's footsteps. The two stepped onto the plank road together.

Seeing this, the surrounding crowd also formed teams and stepped onto the plank road.

Screams rose and fell, not everyone was as lucky as Su Rui and her companion.

Chu Feng and Cold Moon walked steadily along the plank road. Neither spoke, and the atmosphere was particularly oppressive.

Chu Feng could feel that Cold Moon's spiritual energy was always tense, clearly maintaining her vigilance against him.

He didn't care, however. As long as Cold Moon didn't play tricks and could help him pass the assessment, he wouldn't intentionally make things difficult for her.

Moreover, they had to pass through the plank road together now.

As for once they reached the other side, that would be beyond Cold Moon's control.

As they got closer to the other side, a hint of anticipation gradually appeared in Chu Feng's eyes. He wondered what rewards they would receive if they reached the other side.

A moment later, Chu Feng and Cold Moon simultaneously stepped onto the platform on the other side.

Two brilliant rays of light suddenly shot out from the light gate, landing in their palms respectively.

Chu Feng felt his palm sink, and a pure white jade seal appeared. Above the jade seal was carved a coiling sky dragon, its dragon scales clearly visible.

The dragon's eyes were inlaid with two crimson gems, emitting a faint dragon's might. It was precisely the Sky Dragon Seal, the reward from the secret realm.

As he received the reward, information about the seal's function also appeared in his mind.

Activating this seal could enslave a cultivator below the Soul Transformation Stage, carving a Sky Dragon Seal on their divine soul.

Those marked with the seal would be absolutely obedient to Chu Feng, unable to harbor any rebellious thoughts.

What landed in Cold Moon's palm was an ancient book glowing with a faint golden light. There were no words on the cover of the ancient book, only a circulating contract rune.

When the pages were opened, dense ancient seal script could be seen inside, exuding rich divine soul power and contract laws.

"Heavenly Dao Contract Book!"

Cold Moon couldn't help but take a deep breath. Legend had it that it could establish a forced contract with artifact spirits between heaven and earth. Regardless of the artifact spirit's grade, as long as it was locked by the contract book, it would be unable to break free and could only become the contractor's exclusive artifact spirit.

The crowd on the plank road who had not yet passed the assessment couldn't help but exclaim.

"That's the Heavenly Dao Contract Book!"

"I once saw a record of it in the sect's secret texts. This contract book is an ancient treasure from ancient times, capable of forcefully contracting artifact spirits. Even Heavenly Artifact-level artifact spirits cannot resist it."

"Cold Moon's luck is too good. With this contract book, if she can find a powerful artifact spirit, her strength can increase by at least thirty percent."

"The jade seal in Chu Feng's hand also looks extraordinary. I wonder what its function is."

"Only one reward left, let's go!"