"I'm so furious!"

"Meddlesome old freak!"

Qi Chunan paced back and forth in his rented cave dwelling, his anger flaring uncontrollably each time he looked down at the four inverted characters on his chest: 'Wealth Through Divine Connection'.

Divinity Transformation Cultivators didn't need to worry about entering the Mysterious Realm.

Once the calamity that struck once every ten thousand years arrived, they could simply take refuge there.

And what about those with no way out? They were all cannon fodder!

He had luckily acquired the Profound Realm Key, a ticket out of this land of suffering, only to be targeted by some undying old man.

How could he not be furious?!

The most infuriating part was his lack of strength.

The gap between the Nascent Soul Stage and the Divinity Transformation Stage was like an insurmountable chasm in the heavens.

Lingyuan City still had the Wish Bizarre to protect it, ensuring his safety; even Divinity Transformation Cultivators wouldn't dare to kill anyone there.

If he left Lingyuan City, he was certain to die!

Despite possessing the Profound Realm Key, which could grant access to the Mysterious Realm—a place countless people dreamed of—he could only look at it like a decoration, unable to use it.

Throwing away the Profound Realm Key would indeed solve his immediate crisis, but he would also lose his chance to leave.

"Divinity Transformation Cultivators can't possibly keep an eye on me forever. In Lingyuan City, they can't snatch the Profound Realm Key. The moment they relax their vigilance will be my chance to escape."

Divinity Transformation Cultivators were the most powerful forces in this realm. They also had to consider dealing with the Bizarre Demons and reinforcing their seals, which meant their actions weren't entirely free.

According to Qi Chunan's original plan, waiting for thirty years was the best opportunity to leave.

During the outbreak of the great Bizarre Demon tide, he would take refuge in Lingyuan City. The Divinity Transformation Cultivators would be too preoccupied to pay attention to him, having already led people into the Mysterious Realm.

The moment the Divinity Transformation Cultivators left would be the perfect time to use the Profound Realm Key to enter the Mysterious Realm.

That plan had fallen through not long ago.

The four characters 'Wealth Through Divine Connection' were like a special brand, seemingly resonating with something.

Qi Chunan felt an uncontrollable urge to approach the owner of that Magical Treasure.

This feeling grew stronger over time, the attraction becoming more irresistible.

In less than twenty years, he feared he would willingly walk into the trap, presenting himself before the Divinity Transformation Cultivator.

This feeling was terrifying!

Because of this, Qi Chunan had sought the Wish Bizarre's help to eliminate the mark and remove the hidden danger.

The plan was a success, yet not entirely.

Three days later, the eradicated mark re-emerged, as if he had just been branded anew.

"What's going on? The Wish Bizarre already removed the mark, so how could it reappear?! Is it possible that even the Wish Bizarre can't deal with the methods of a Divinity Transformation Cultivator?"

This outcome almost caused Qi Chunan to break down; his plan to buy time was falling apart.

Qi Chunan had considered passing the hot potato to someone else or selling the Profound Realm Key for a high price.

But he wasn't a selfless person; how could he possibly give away such a precious item?

Selling the Profound Realm Key for a high price was also out of the question.

With the impending Bizarre Demon calamity, what were treasures and Spirit Stones compared to the key to the Mysterious Realm?

This was the true priceless treasure!

Qi Chunan wouldn't give up the Profound Realm Key.

If delaying wasn't an option, he could only change his plan and enter the Mysterious Realm ahead of schedule.

Compared to delaying his entry into the Mysterious Realm, this path was far more perilous.

He had to find a time when he wouldn't be under the scrutiny of Divinity Transformation Cultivators.

Otherwise, he would have to pay the price, repeatedly eliminating the mark and doing everything in his power to buy more time.

"It's time to seek help from the Wish Bizarre again."

Qi Chunan strode toward the heart of Lingyuan City.

In the central area of Lingyuan City was a vast stone platform, empty inside. It was surrounded by a large number of stone houses, numbering over three thousand.

With only one Wish Bizarre, cultivators surely didn't have to queue up to make a wish. If millions of cultivators had to wait their turn, it would take eons.

Early on, when Lingyuan City was established, they found a solution.

Cultivators serving the Wish Bizarre built Wishing Houses, which could accommodate multiple cultivators making wishes simultaneously.

The number of Wishing Houses wasn't fixed. From the dozen or so built during the founding of Lingyuan City, it had expanded to three thousand, allowing three thousand cultivators to make wishes at the same time.

As Lingyuan City continued to grow, the number of Wishing Houses was set to increase further.

This wasn't Qi Chunan's first time making a wish; he followed a familiar route to an unoccupied Wishing House.

Inside was an old man in a Taoist Robe with an ethereal, sage-like demeanor. His face was blurry and indistinct, as if celestial and not to be scrutinized by mortals.

This was a manifestation of the Wish Bizarre's power; each petitioner saw a different visage.

Some had seen a Nine Heavens Maiden, others had encountered terrifying monsters; the forms varied greatly.

The consensus about the Wish Bizarre was that it was formless and insubstantial. It had no physical shell, making it the most difficult Bizarre Demon to seal. However, 'most difficult' didn't mean impossible to seal.

The solution, similar to sealing the Dream Bizarre, involved setting up a massive demon-sealing type Formation, sealing off a large area altogether.

Lingyuan City was too large; sealing all of it would be quite a hassle.

To prevent the core Wishing Platform of Lingyuan City from being sealed, which would shake the city's foundations, they prohibited all sealing materials, Warding Off Evil materials, and related treasures from entering Lingyuan City.

As long as the Wish Bizarre at the core location remained, Lingyuan City would face no issues.

Qi Chunan made his wish, "I want to know if the Divinity Transformation Cultivator who owns the 'Wealth Through Divine Connection' Magical Treasure is in Lingyuan City."

What he truly wanted to know was if the Divinity Transformation Cultivator was more than a hundred thousand miles away from Lingyuan City.

If the Divinity Transformation Cultivator was too far away to return quickly, he would have the freedom to act and could use the Profound Realm Key to enter the Mysterious Realm.

Unfortunately, the power of a wish was limited to Lingyuan City.

Matters outside the city were beyond the Wish Bizarre's capabilities.

"Not here!" an indifferent voice came from the mouth of the celestial-looking old man.

Qi Chunan faintly sensed that something had vanished from him.

Ten years of his lifespan were gone.

Ten years of lifespan to confirm one piece of information was not a loss.

Where could the old Divine Transformation monster be? If he were close, leaving Lingyuan City would be like walking into a trap. If he were far, it would be his chance to escape to freedom.

If he continued to drag things out, dispelling the brand multiple times, he feared he wouldn't live another thirty years.

Taking the risk might give him a chance at a future.

Alone, he wouldn't be secure enough—he needed to find others to share the risk. One more person could mean one more chance to survive.

He wouldn't reveal the Profound Realm Key before the Divine Transformation Cultivator arrived, to avoid unexpected trouble. If there was no danger, he could escape alone and safely enter the Mysterious Realm. If a Divine Transformation Cultivator came, he would share news of the Profound Realm Key with his companions, ensuring he took them into the Mysterious Realm with him. Tied to the same boat, they would share the risk, greatly increasing their chances of survival. What if they tried to run? He would just have to claim that the Profound Realm Key was sold to them, and the Divine Transformation Cultivator would certainly not let anyone go, forcibly binding them all together. It was the best method he could devise to break the deadlock."

Qi Chunan hesitated no longer and contacted several Nascent Soul Cultivators he knew.

There were many Nascent Soul Cultivators in Lingyuan City, but most of them were pseudo-Nascent Soul Cultivators whose Realms would drop once they left Lingyuan City.

As an old-timer in Lingyuan City, Qi Chunan knew several true Nascent Soul Cultivators who were not affected by Lingyuan City.

Most of them were cultivators from Great Sects, using Lingyuan City to take refuge and earn resources.

"Brother Huang, I'm willing to become an Elder of Seven Seas Tower, but first, you must join me on an expedition to an ancient cultivator's Cave."

"Brother Li, the Red-blood Sun Gold you want is in my hands. Help me with a small favor, and I'll give it to you."

"..."

Five Sound Transmission Talismans shot out like streams of light, but only two elicited a response.

It worked!

Not long after, two Escape Lights landed successively at the Cave where Qi Chunan was located.

The first to arrive was Huang Sihai, an Elder of Seven Seas Tower. He was a Mid-Stage Nascent Soul Cultivator from the prominent Seven Seas Tower Sect, and also its Grand Elder.

The second Escape Light arrived a moment later. This was Li Qiantang, an Early Stage Nascent Soul Cultivator who had offended the powerful Wuji Hall Sect from the Southern Wastes and had taken refuge in Lingyuan City.

"Greetings, Daoist Huang!" Li Qiantang gave a slight bow to Huang Sihai.

"Greetings, Daoist Li. Are you also here at Daoist Qi's invitation?" Huang Sihai asked. "Daoist Li, would you be interested in joining Seven Seas Tower?"

Huang Sihai never missed an opportunity to recruit Nascent Soul Cultivators, and Li Qiantang was a genuine one.

Nascent Soul Stage Loose Cultivators were quite rare and not to be missed.

"If Seven Seas Tower can help me annihilate Wuji Hall, I wouldn't mind joining," Li Qiantang replied, unfazed, having received such Sect invitations before.

Huang Sihai immediately fell silent.

Annihilate Wuji Hall? That would be like striking a stone with an egg. Besides, Seven Seas Tower wasn't nearly that powerful yet. Even if they had the strength, Seven Seas Tower wouldn't wage war with a force of the same level just for one Nascent Soul Cultivator.

"Thank you both for coming, Daoists. Time waits for no one; shall we set off immediately?" Qi Chunan didn't want to waste any time. He didn't know how long the Divine Transformation Cultivator had been gone, and they absolutely couldn't afford to delay.

He didn't want to spend another moment in Lingyuan City.

Li Qiantang cleared his throat and said, "Daoist Qi, aren't you being a bit too hasty? Do you have the material you promised?"

Qi Chunan didn't waste words, simply tossing a wooden box toward Li Qiantang.

Inside was a fist-sized lump of crimson, blood-streaked golden ore stone, of excellent quality.

"It is indeed Red-blood Sun Gold."

The material was correct and to his liking.

However, there was still one thing to confirm.

Li Qiantang's fingertips glowed faintly as he tapped heavily on the Red-blood Sun Gold.

This secret technique was called the Exorcising Finger Technique, commonly used by High-Order Cultivators in Lingyuan City to distinguish the authenticity of treasures.

If the target of the Exorcising Finger Technique showed a somewhat illusory appearance, it indicated that it was an item obtained through a wish, only usable within Lingyuan City.

Li Qiantang naturally sought the real deal that could be taken out of Lingyuan City.

No ripple-like distortion appeared as he might have expected; the Red-blood Sun Gold was a genuine treasure.

"Good, the material is genuine."

A look of satisfaction appeared on Li Qiantang's face. He tossed the wooden box containing the Red-blood Sun Gold back to Qi Chunan, agreeing to the deal.

"Shall we depart now?" Qi Chunan asked.

"We cannot delay this matter; the faster, the better."

Qi Chunan's gaze swept over the two men; neither objected.

The three mounted their Escape Lights and arrived at the nearest Teleportation Array.

A white light flared, transporting the three to the north gate of Lingyuan City.

Qi Chunan looked at the city gate, now so close, without a shred of hesitation.

Since he had made his decision, he would not regret it, whatever the outcome.

He took the lead, his Escape Light streaking out, and the two Nascent Soul Cultivators followed closely behind, flying out of Lingyuan City together.

Life itself is a gamble.

Success means life!

Failure means death!

Everything hinged on this one move!

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