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Novel: [The Primordial Law]
Volume 2: [Jiuli Insect Valley]
Chapter 81 (108): [Barren Land]
(81st of Volume 2)
Translator: Shadow Knight AK
Editor: Shadow Knight AK
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As night fell, the banks of the Shui River blazed with light.
On the riverboats, music and dance filled the air, the melodies of silk and bamboo instruments drifting across the water.
The Jiu Li Tribe worked with remarkable efficiency. In less than two hours, they had gathered all the cultivation resources Yaoyin had requested, which Li Songlin personally delivered to the ship.
Li Weiyi dismissed Yaoyin.
Once only he and Li Songlin remained in the cabin, Li Weiyi bowed deeply and addressed him solemnly, "Fourth Uncle!"
For Li Songlin to personally deliver these resources, he must have something private to discuss. The situation earlier in the day had made it impossible to speak freely.
"Weiyi, I'm ashamed to be called Fourth Uncle," Li Songlin said, his face etched with bitterness and shame, "I promised to protect your Senior Brother and the others, but disaster still struck."
Li Weiyi's expression darkened: "What happened to my Senior Brother?"
"Don't worry yet," Li Songlin reassured him.
"The problem lies within the Cang Li Clan itself..."
Li Songlin then recounted the events. The trouble began when Li Changfeng, the son of Li Songlin's elder brother Li Songjian, discovered that Cai Yutong possessed a Pure Immortal Physique. After his advances were rebuffed, he pressured his parents to force a marriage, but Li Songlin intervened and blocked the arrangement.
Li Changfeng, naturally unwilling to give up, persisted in his harassment. During one particularly heated confrontation, Zhao Meng finally lost his temper and clashed with him.
As an Eight Springs Martial-Mystic Cultivator, Li Changfeng was far beyond Zhao Meng's capabilities, leaving him severely injured.
At this point in the story, Li Songlin said, "Zhao Meng has fully recovered from his injuries. However, after leaving this letter, he chose to leave. Fourth Uncle truly couldn't face you."
Li Weiyi took the letter from Li Songlin and opened it, immediately recognizing his Senior Brother's handwriting.
The letter was addressed to him.
"Weiyi, Senior Brother doesn't want to live under someone else's roof anymore. I'm going to find Eldest Senior Sister! Don't blame Fourth Uncle or Li Ling - they're good people, but the Li Clan is too vast, and the Jiu Li Dao Academy is a mixed bag. Staying here is stifling.
"Everyone has their own path. Don't worry about me. Ever since I left the sect, I've been surviving on my own. Senior Brother doesn't rely on anyone. From now on, I'll not only make a name for myself but also stand tall and proud."
"Just wait and see! One day, on a clear, moonlit night, you might look up and see Eldest Senior Sister and me on the rooftop, come to share a drink with you."
"Oh, right, you don't drink. But you will. When you're older, you'll understand that there's always more unhappiness than happiness in this world."
"It's almost dawn. I'll stop writing here."
Li Weiyi reread the letter and silently closed it. "How is Senior Sister Cai doing?"
"I'm certain Li Changfeng won't dare bother her again," Li Songlin replied, having already taught him a lesson, "Actually, the Yang Clan is behind this. They're using Cai Yutong and Zhao Meng as bait to draw you out. Li Changfeng's mother - my eldest sister-in-law - is a Yang. Yang Qingxi would have to call her 'Auntie'!"
Uninterested in the Cang Li Clan's tangled relations with the Yang Clan, Li Weiyi simply asked, "Fourth Uncle, if I kill Li Changfeng, would you hate me?"
Li Songlin had long been exasperated by that family, but his ties to his own brother had always restrained him. It was their relentless demands for the Crimson Haze Elixir in Yaoguan City that had driven Li Weiyi away in the first place.
"This is your personal feud," Li Songlin said.
"However, Li Changfeng has already achieved a Breakthrough to the Five Seas Realm, and he might just be a pawn to lure you out. Don't underestimate Yang Qingxi. Among the younger generation in Li Prefecture, her strength ranks among the top five, and her cunning is unmatched."
.....
The night passed without incident.
At dawn the next day, the Yao Li Tribe provided each of the three with a sturdy horse. They galloped along the Shui River toward Burial Immortal Town.
Before long, they caught up with the hundreds of young cultivators from the Jiu Li Tribe.
The number of participants in the Mangshan Grand Festival was fixed: thirty from each of the nine tribes, totaling two hundred and seventy. All were Martial-Mystic Cultivators and Spiritual Masters in their late teens, at the Surging Spring Realm. A significant number possessed Pure Immortal Physiques, representing the absolute elite of their generation.
In addition, a large group of Five Seas Realm Martial-Mystic Cultivators and Great Spiritual Masters, led by Cang Li, escorted the group along the way.
The Nine Tribe First Commanders brought up the rear.
Li Weiyi and his companions trailed several hundred feet behind the main force, keeping their distance.
Before the anomalies struck Burial Immortal Town, the journey from Yaoguan City was three hundred miles.
After traveling two hundred miles, the Immortal Haze in the air grew so dense it obscured their vision. Li Weiyi, who had been practicing his Breathing Technique continuously, noticed the Law of the world becoming unusually active.
This heightened activity even began to disrupt the flow of Spiritual Power within their bodies.
After exchanging a few words with Cang Li and the others, the Nine First Commanders came to a halt.
Li Weiyi, Yaoyin, and Yin Ershi Wu, puzzled by the sudden stop, rode their horses up to the Nine First Commanders.
Li Songlin explained, "A formation resembling the Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams has appeared around Burial Immortal Town. The energy varies drastically across different directions and regions. At our current cultivation level, we can't proceed any further along this path!"
"If we push on, our Spiritual Power will become chaotic and uncontrollable, risking a fatal explosion of our bodies," added the Shou Li First Commander.
The Cang Li First Commander warned, "The river route ahead is far from peaceful. We may encounter Dead Spirits, Malevolent Demons, and Fierce Insects."
"Don't be intimidated! If you find any Crimson Haze Elixir, be sure to gather it. Hahaha!" the Chi Li Armor Captain chuckled.
Yao Xingyue turned to Yaoyin, urging, "Don't be reckless. Prioritize your safety. If you encounter danger, retreat immediately. The nine of us will remain here to provide support."
...
After parting ways with the Nine First Commanders, they traveled another hundred li.
"Why is it getting hotter?" Yin Ershi Wu asked.
Yaoyin replied, "The vegetation is thinning out too. Far from the river, the ground is already cracked and dry. Something's wrong!"
Li Weiyi, who had been calculating the distance, pointed out, "I've walked this route from Yaoguan City to Burial Immortal Town before. We should have arrived by now, after a full day's travel. Yet we haven't even seen a hint of the town."
They pressed on for several more li, the heat intensifying.
Vegetation vanished entirely, the earth turning crimson. The wide river began to boil, its depths flowing with a golden, magma-like substance that emitted thick, obscuring steam.
The main force of young Jiu Li Tribe cultivators, just ten zhang away, became completely invisible, their presence only discernible by the sounds of their mounts.
Cang Li, riding his Zouwu Exotic Beast, suddenly halted. On either side of the path ahead stood colossal stone statues, each several meters tall, with massive heads and prominent noses. The sight was eerie and terrifying in the dense mist.
These stone statues marked the boundary beyond which cultivators of the Five Seas Realm could not pass.
Cang Li raised his voice, "This path is impassable for those in the Five Seas Realm. Crossing the stone statues will cause your bodies to spontaneously combust. However, those below the Five Seas Realm may proceed."
"Martial-Mystic Cultivators participating in the Mangshan Grand Festival, this is your path. Remember, this trial is extremely dangerous. Don't focus solely on gathering medicinal herbs, and above all, avoid infighting. Rankings are secondary; survival is paramount."
"Beware not only the Fallen Spirit Fiends but also human Martial-Mystic Cultivators - they pose the greatest threat. Now, go!"
Within moments, all the young Jiu Li Tribe Martial-Mystic Cultivators participating in the Mangshan Grand Festival had passed between the two colossal stone statues, gradually disappearing into the mist.
Cang Li continued, "Surging Spring Realm cultivators, follow the river. Five Seas Realm cultivators, ascend the mountain. Take the mountain path to Burial Immortal Town, gathering medicinal herbs along the way, and prioritize your safety. Li Ling, stay behind and accompany me!"
The Five Seas Realm experts of the Jiu Li Tribe were already struggling, their Spiritual Qi burning within them, their bodies on the verge of exploding. Only those in the first stage of the Five Seas Realm fared slightly better. The higher one's cultivation level, the greater the impact of the scorching cosmic energy on their Spiritual Qi and Mental Power.
They swiftly began their ascent up the mountain.
At the crossroads, only Cang Li, riding his Zouwu Exotic Beast, and Li Ling, astride her Fire Fox Exotic Beast, remained, their eyes fixed on Li Weiyi, Yaoyin, and Yin Ershi Wu as they slowly approached on horseback.
After months of cultivation, Li Ling's progress had been astonishingly rapid. Her Spiritual Power cultivation had already reached the "Square Foot Heavenly Fire" realm, far exceeding all expectations and causing a significant stir within the Jiu Li Divine Hall.
She still carried her ancient bronze lantern, which emitted an ethereal blue glow, and wore nine silver bracelets on her wrist. Her snow-white feet dangled from the Fire Fox Exotic Beast's belly, her delicate toes gleaming like polished jade. She radiated an otherworldly aura, like a fire spirit imbued with ancient mysteries.
Cang Li, fully aware of the identities and capabilities of the approaching trio, warned, "Do not underestimate your enemies. They have gathered forces from multiple factions, led by Heavenly Cliff Ridge and the Sui Sect, like ravenous wolves eager to devour the Jiu Li Tribe. Among them are over ten Nine Springs Supremes, most of whom have opened their Ancestral Fields using the Crimson Haze Elixir."
"I anticipate they will carry Mid-Grade Spiritual Artifacts. The enemy is far more formidable than you imagine."
"I won't waste time with unnecessary words. I entrust the two hundred and seventy elite young talents of the Jiu Li Tribe participating in the Mangshan Grand Festival to you three. Cang Li is eternally grateful."
Cang Li clasped his hands in a fist and bowed respectfully to the three.
Li Ling's sweet, melodious voice rang out, "Especially protect Yaoyin, she's young and possesses an Immortal Physique and jade-like beauty. Many might covet her. Yaoyin, you must be extra vigilant!"
Li Weiyi glanced at Li Ling, his gaze colliding with her lively eyes. He immediately sensed a powerful surge of Spiritual Power emanating from her.
"Thank you for your concern, Sister Li Ling," Yaoyin replied.
Yaoyin then asked, "Did the enemy set out ahead of us, or are they trailing behind?"
Cang Li explained, "They originally planned to ambush us along the way by departing early. However, I had an informant among them and received word last night. We adjusted our departure time accordingly and should now be ahead of them."
"The trial lasts nine days. I'll return here to rendezvous with you on the ninth day."
After Cang Li and Li Ling ascended the mountain and departed, Yin Ershi Wu remarked, "Cang Li is quite capable."
"Someone being groomed as a successor wouldn't have any weaknesses. His intellect and cultivation are both top-tier," Li Weiyi observed.
Yaoyin glanced at the two colossal stone figures looming through the mist.
"Let's go! We need to catch up."
Li Weiyi nodded: "Some say Yang Qingxi's cunning ranks first among the younger generation in Li Prefecture. If I were her, I wouldn't have anticipated Cang Li's actions. I suspect a master strategist is already lying in wait ahead. It wouldn't surprise me if she's even bribed some of the young Martial-Mystic Cultivators participating in the Mangshan Grand Festival."
As soon as he spoke, a Jiu Li Tribe Martial-Mystic Cultivator's agonized scream echoed through the mist ahead.
Yaoyin and Yin Ershi Wu exchanged alarmed glances and spurred their horses past the stone figures, galloping forward.
"Clop! Clop!"
Li Weiyi's sturdy steed moved at a steady pace, neither hurrying nor lagging, until it stopped beside the stone figures.
He dismounted and observed the scene for a moment.
Channeling his full Spiritual Power, he struck one of the stone figures with a palm strike, sending it crashing to the ground. He then meticulously examined the ground that had been crushed beneath the fallen statue.
Li Weiyi chuckled: "Just as I suspected - recently moved! How intriguing! The true boundary of the Five Seas Realm must lie further ahead. Yang Qingxi hasn't disappointed me; she's a worthy opponent who ignites my fighting spirit."
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END OF CHAPTER
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