"Meow…" A small paw tapped Hengsheng's mouth, stopping him mid-action as he tried to sniff Yunsu's soft belly. He grinned mischievously, undeterred by her protests. "Yunsu, I love you!" he declared dramatically. The gray cat let out a resigned sigh, her small body going limp as if surrendering to his antics. After a while, when Hengsheng finally felt he had absorbed enough "cat power," he gently set her down and handed her ten spirit stones as a reward.
"Meow…" Yunsu's eyes lit up as she eagerly accepted the stones, her tiny paws pulling them closer like prized treasures. It seemed she considered it a fair trade for enduring his affection.
Nearly a month had passed since Hengsheng's arrival in Golden City, and today was the day. The Land of Pillar Foundation would finally open, marking the beginning of a decade-long trial. He had spent the past weeks tirelessly preparing himself, refining his techniques, and stabilizing his cultivation. He even trained Yunsu to fight, utilizing their soul link to bring her into the simulator. The process required a significant expenditure of spiritual Qi, but it was worth it.
Hengsheng glanced at Yunsu, who was now happily nibbling on one of the spirit stones. She was undeniably weak, barely stronger than an ordinary house cat despite her spirit beast nature. However, he had faith in her potential. "Once your bloodline evolves and you reach rank 2, you'll be much stronger" he murmured.
He had decided to take her with him into the secret land, knowing it would be an invaluable opportunity for both of them. The Land of Pillar Foundation was rumored to teem with demon beasts, providing ample chances for Yunsu to grow stronger and for Hengsheng to test his system's upgrade function.
So far, he hadn't had a proper opportunity to earn system points, but the secret land would change that. His eyes gleamed with determination. This place will be the perfect cultivation ground—for both of us.
"Young master, it is time," Lan Ju's calm voice broke the silence. Hengsheng nodded, scooping up Yunsu, who let out a questioning "meow?" as he hid her inside his robe. With his loyal companion cuddling comfortably, Hengsheng followed Lan Ju to the Lan Clan's gathering area.
As they arrived, the sight of his clan members awaiting departure greeted him. Hengsheng's sharp eyes scanned the crowd, noting the subtle shifts in their gazes. Many looked at him with newfound respect—likely whispers of the city incident where he defended Baixing had reached their ears. However, Xiaorong's doubt still lingered, evident in his expression. Hengsheng paid it no mind and moved to stand at the front, his stance steady and commanding.
When all 100 Qi Gathering cultivators had assembled, the elder overseeing the group stepped forward. His voice carried weight as he addressed them.
"This event is an opportunity for all of you. You will be entering the Land of the Pillar Foundation, the most abundant treasure trove in this realm, open only once every 1,000 years. Within, you will find ancient ruins, natural treasures, cultivation resources, and countless dangers. You will stay there for ten years. Your goals are simple: secure resources, cultivate, and survive."
The elder's gaze swept over them, his tone sharpening. "Qi Gathering cultivators are to remain in the outer rim zone. Do not attempt to cross the barrier set by the Golden Sword Sect unless you have a breakthrough and become a Spiritual foundation or are confident in your strength. The closer you approach the pillar, the greater the danger. Even Saints are not safe at its core. Remember, your survival is paramount."
He paused, letting the gravity of his words sink in. "I hope to see all of you alive after ten years. Follow me."
The elder turned, leading the group to the teleportation array. The platform was intricate, glowing faintly with runes. Hengsheng stepped into the array alongside his clan, the hum of activated Qi filling the air. Moments later, they were transported into an expansive open plain surrounded by rugged terrain.
Hengsheng's eyes darted around, taking in the scene. Various forces were gathered, their banners fluttering in the wind. He quickly recognized groups from other second-rate forces, each with a contingent of 100 cultivators. He counted twelve in total. His gaze then fell on the purple-robed Thunderclap Blade Sect disciples.
A few among them noticed him, and their faces darkened. One even made a throat-cutting gesture, his eyes filled with malice. Hengsheng's lips curled into a calm, taunting smile, further enraging them. They glared at him, but he ignored their hostility, counting their numbers. "300," he murmured to himself.
As his eyes swept over the crowd, he calculated. Including four first-rate forces and 1,000 people from the Golden Sword Sect's representatives, there would be around 3,400 participants in total.
Curiosity gnawed at him, and he leaned closer to an elder, lowering his voice. "Elder, may I ask… how many people survive until the end of the last gathering?"
The elder frowned, his expression tightening. "You shouldn't ask such things." His words were curt, but a faint Qi message followed, delivered directly to Hengsheng's mind.
"574."
The number hit him like a cold wind, sending a chill down his spine. Hengsheng's jaw tightened as he glanced back at the younger members of his clan. Their eyes were filled with hope and determination, oblivious to the grim reality ahead.
A steely resolve hardened in his heart. I have to save them, he thought. If I don't, they're as good as dead.
As Hengsheng mulled over the possibilities of survival and strategy, he noticed a group approaching the Lan Clan. The Wang Clan. An older man with a composed aura stepped forward to greet the First Elder of the Lan Clan. Hengsheng observed as the two elders exchanged words in low voices before the First Elder called out to him.
"Hengsheng, come here. This is Wang Dongzhi, an elder of the Wang Clan and your mother's uncle. That makes him your great-uncle."
Hengsheng immediately bowed with respect. It was the first time he had encountered someone from his mother's side of the family. "Greetings, Uncle Dongzhi."
Wang Dongzhi nodded in satisfaction, a faint smile on his face. "Good. You're quite a fine young man, just as Lianxue described."
Hengsheng replied politely, "My mother has taught me well. Thank you for the compliment."
Wang Dongzhi gestured for another young man to step forward. Hengsheng immediately noticed the commanding air about him—this was undoubtedly the leader of the Wang Clan's younger generation.
"This is Wang Dalong," Dongzhi introduced. "He's your cousin, the son of your mother's elder sister. Hengsheng, you might want to watch out for him inside the secret land."
Dalong's expression twitched slightly at the suggestion that he needed protection. His smirk betrayed his disdain as his eyes scanned Hengsheng's cultivation level, clearly unimpressed by Hengsheng's middle-stage Qi Gathering realm. Dalong gave a shallow bow and replied in a tone laced with pretense, "Greetings, young cousin."
Wang Dongzhi frowned, his disappointment evident in his expression. He addressed both young men sternly, "Remember this: if the Wang Clan and Lan Clan cross paths inside the secret land, you are not to fight. Cooperate."
Both Hengsheng and Dalong responded in unison, "Understood."
As everyone gathered near the teleportation array, Hengsheng glanced around, wondering what they were waiting for. His thoughts wandered to the mysterious entrance to the Land of the Pillar Foundation. Just as he was about to ask, the First Elder murmured, "It's starting…"
Crash! Crack!
Suddenly, the air around them seemed to distort, fractures appearing like cracks in glass. The crowd stilled, the oppressive aura of the dimensional rift silencing all whispers. One by one, rifts began to open above the ground, their shimmering edges radiating a threatening energy. The young cultivators couldn't hide their fear, their gazes fixed on the chaotic phenomenon before them. Even Hengsheng felt a chill run down his spine.
He watched as the Golden Sword Sect led the way, their disciples filing into the largest rift, a crimson portal that seemed to pulse with an intimidating rhythm. As the last disciple entered, the rift began to close, sealing itself as though it had never existed.
Hengsheng leaned closer to the First Elder and asked, "Once we're inside, how do we come back?"
The First Elder's gaze remained fixed on the portals as he replied, "You will be expelled automatically when the time is up. Until then, your priority is survival. Do not die."
Hengsheng nodded solemnly. His eyes swept over the Lan Clan's young cultivators, their faces pale and uncertain. Drawing himself to his full height, he addressed them firmly, "If you don't want to die, stick with me."
The group hesitated for a moment before stepping in line behind him, bolstered by his commanding tone and confidence. Hengsheng glanced back at them briefly before turning his attention to the rifts. After a moment's deliberation, he chose a smaller crimson rift behind him, its edges crackling with unstable energy.
Without hesitation, Hengsheng stepped forward, leading his clan members into the unknown. The energy of the portal enveloped them, and as they disappeared into its depths, the rift shimmered and pulsed, an ominous prelude to lay ahead.