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The Science of Cultivation - Chapter 209: Once Again
🕑 Added 2024-12-24 23:30:02 +0000 UTCAN: Merry Christmas! See you all next week!
Leaving the duel behind them, Jian Beiyun led Li Lang and his companions toward a group of Nightmoon Valley disciples. They gathered near their tent, in an outdoor area that was partitioned off, warding off any prying eyes.
The disciples were young, all in their teens. No words needed to be exchanged for Li Lang to understand they had been selected to enter the pocket realm.
“Remember everyone, don’t take off your hats until you’re inside the pocket realm,” Jian Beiyun instructed.
On a table nearby, there were dozens of straw hats that had a white cloth hanging from the rim. It covered the wearers’ faces and, combined with the amulet that guarded against Qi senses, the spectators would have a hard time identifying anyone within their group.
Jian Beiyun then recited some instructions to the group, letting them know what to take note of. While he had a lot of say, the event wouldn’t last that long. Nightmoon Valley simply needed them to enter the realm and return back to prove that they had access to The Great Trial of Water Crest.
“Can we not stay to challenge just one trial while we’re in there?” one of the young cultivators bravely asked.
“That is a matter for another day. We can’t have our guests wait because of your wants.”
Seeing the dejected boy’s face, Li Lang intervened.
“Well, we only need to show we can enter and exit the realm. Not all of us have to come out right away.”
“No,” Jian Beiyun sternly replied. “Our instructions are clear. We can’t afford to deviate from it at all. Our Valley Master has many plans in place. Any changes would ruin the negotiations we had painstakingly worked for.”
“Hmm, I’ll follow your instructions, then.”
Thinking it through, Li Lang believed his words to be correct. Nightmoon Valley could’ve come up with some reason to limit the use of the pocket realm. If he allowed people to arbitrarily come and go as they pleased, the others would pressure Nightmoon Valley to open up the realm to even more people.
The worst part was that Li Lang had yet to inquire about the quantity and frequency of visitors that the Crucible could support. Nothing was limitless. There had to be some consumption in running the trials, whether it be the Qi beasts that are part of the tests or the materials used in various crafts.
Li Lang had to have a thorough talk with the three artifact spirits first before hashing out the details. It was at the top of his priority list because if there were some problems, the Valley Master had to be informed right away. Otherwise, it could jeopardize his dealings with the various organizations of the Luminescent Domain.
With the matter clarified, Li Lang’s group blended in with the other Nightmoon Valley disciples to enter the pocket realm. Almost a hundred people in beige robes and straw hats emerged. It caught the attention of the crowd, who had gotten bored from not being able to spectate the duel above.
“Look, Nightmoon Valley is making a move! They’re sending people toward the pocket realm!”
“Do you really think it’s true? They really took control of it?”
“When has Nightmoon Valley ever lied?”
“I mean, they are powerful and resourceful alright, but why did they suddenly gain control of it? If it were to happen, I would have thought the Eroding March Pavilion would’ve claimed it instead. After all, their disciple was the last to leave the realm during the last opening. He should’ve been selected by the realm itself.”
The gossiping never stopped as Li Lang cut across the crowd. Thankfully, everyone knew to steer out of the way, allowing them to soon come into view of the tower that represented the pocket realm. To be precise, there were four tightly packed towers, and the gap between them was where the entrance lay.
Under the watchful gaze of the crowd, the leading members entered into the gaps. Everyone was anticipating them disappearing at any moment, but even when they reached the most central part of the four pillars, nothing happened.
Seeing this, Li Lang closed his eyes and called out to the three artifact spirits through the connection between artifact and owner. He could only do so now due to the physical contact he was making with the artifact.
“Orange, Green, Blue, are you there?”
“Yes. What can we do to serve you?” a feminine voice replied.
“Blue, let me and everyone around me in.”
“Are you sure, Master? There are a lot of people watching. While you are absolutely safe inside our territory, that won’t be the case when you leave.”
“Yes, I’ve already got all the details sorted out. Please let us in.”
“Very well.”
With that, the group of young cultivators vanished from sight. It elicited a cry of excitement from the audience.
“They’re gone! They really took control of it!”
Their absence wasn’t long. A few moments later, all of them reappeared in the same spot.
“Everyone!” Elder Yun of Nightmoon Valley shouted. “As you can see, we have total control of who enters and leaves the pocket realm.”
“Then why don’t you allow more people to enter? Even if the space inside is limited, you can open the realm every year instead.”
“As I previously explained, that won’t be possible. The pocket realm is not the key to limitless resources. It can only accommodate so many people every so often. Moving on, our Valley asked that everyone leave this area by the end of the day. It is now under our management, effective immediately. Those who are interested in the quotas to enter the realm can contact us later.”
The people in the crowd shared glances, waiting for others to stand up to the premier organization of their domain. Having verified the pocket realm was indeed controllable, many salivated with greed. They wanted to get Nightmoon Valley to give up more slots to the public, but no one dared to voice their request. These cowards waited on others to ask for them.
They knew speaking up now would jeopardize their relationship with their protectors. Unfortunately for these opportunists, the others weren’t stupid. Anyone could see the scheme at hand. No one wanted to fall for the first-mover disadvantage—or so they thought.
Fortunately for them, someone was brave enough to speak out. It was none other than Elder Ji from the Drenched Earth Sect. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise to the crowd, as even now, a member of his sect was fighting a duel up in the air. They had already picked a fight with Nightmoon Valley, so there was no difference if they continued to do the same.
“Elder Yun, surely your eminent organization can be a little more accommodating. How about giving us all a tour of the pocket realm? I’m sure many old folks here, including me, never had the chance to witness the wonders of The Great Trial of Water Crest. We had already been too old back when it was discovered. Please let us fulfill this regret.”
“Elder Ji, I thought you were confident about your disciple’s abilities?” the Nightmoon Valley elder dryly pointed out. “Why don’t you wait for your disciple to win the duel and make the request, then?”
“Our sect doesn’t micromanage every aspect of our members. Xin Dou’s business is his own, while my business with you is separate.”
“Well, my answer remains the same. Our valley has made a decision, and we will not change our minds. I ask that our guests leave at their earliest convenience.”
The two elders held their gaze at each other for several tense moments before some quick-minded members of various organizations started to mobilize. They complied with the demands and began evacuating from the area.
After many years, the post of observer of the pocket realm within many organizations would finally be abolished. Some were quite sentimental about this fact. They lamented that their organization wasn’t the one to gain ownership of the place in the end. While others were gleeful at the news. They no longer had to spare any resources for this place anymore. They could reassign them to more urgent areas, or allow them to focus on their cultivation.
As numerous cultivators left the area, the dark sphere hovering in the sky disappeared. It did not do so quietly.
The violent sound of impact followed as the earth trembled. It was caused by a figure being slammed into the ground. The force was enough to create a small crater.
As the dust settled, the spectators were able to see who had been sent flying. Laying on the ground was a young man, wearing light brown robes. It was Xin Dou. Realizing this, everyone quickly looked up to confirm with their eyes who the victor of the duel was. What they saw made several people nod in appreciation.
Sima Xue was hovering in the air, riding on a skysword. What was most remarkable about the sight was that she was in pristine condition. Her robes remained untouched, her complexion was still healthy. All signs indicated she barely broke a sweat.
She had undoubtedly defeated her opponent. Many found it a pity they weren’t able to witness the fight. They sighed as they got into their Skyrunners while wistfully looking back.
The scene made even Elder Ji of the Drenched Earth Sect speechless. He felt the tides turning against him and ceased his squabbling with Elder Yun. He swiftly reappeared beside the fallen Xin Dou and inspected his condition before carrying him away without a word.
With the troublemakers out of the picture, Li Lang’s group was quickly led back into Nightmoon Valley’s tent. They got to take off their disguise and prepare for the next part.
Once the onlookers leave, it’s time to return to the pocket realm for good! We can finally cultivate with a peace of mind. Foundation Establishment Realm, here I come!
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Comments
Axelios
the quotes to enter -> the *quotas* to enter
Scrutinizer
Nightmoon Valley simply needed them to enter the realm and [return] back to prove that they had access to The Great Trial of Water Crest.
Scrutinizer
You'd think someone would recognize Long Yi, at least, since he is a giant.
Daniel
No, this one is 208. The one before should have been 207, since the one before that was 206.
Hut
209...
Daniel
Merry Christmas -- but you've had two 208s in a row. I think the last one should have been 207?
RandomParanoia
Merry christler. Thank you, author
rendterna
Merry Christmas, and thanks for the chapter!
