Convoluted Circumstanced

A Mystic Realm that only cultivators in the Body Forging Realm can enter, where Demonbeasts with the bloodline of dragons run rampart and even powerful Demonbeasts in the Qi Gathering Realm can be found…

Zhang Baichi looked at his Master and was exasperated. He had to find out why they all had dragon bloodlines? When generations of sect disciples before him could barely survive and train in the Mystic Realm?

Even the Mo royal family thought it to be a trap, while the three great sects think of it as a place holding an inheritance from an ancient cultivator.

But now Jian Wubai wants Zhang Baichi to solve this puzzle?

"I don't think it's too much.", Jian Wubai smiled. "Your strength is far above any Body Forging Realm cultivator I've ever seen. You're strong, quick witted and you learn extremely fast."

Everyone likes compliments, but once they pass a certain superficial level, it becomes strange. Right now, Jian Wubai had passed that level. He shouldn't be able to comment so confidently on Zhang Baichi's abilities.

'To make such a judgement, he can't just have met me twice. Did he observe me?', Zhang Baichi thought to himself. He had shown his strength before, but wits and learning ability?

Jian Wubai nodded. "Your expression is strange. Isn't it obvious that I would make sure to know your abilities before making you my disciple?"

"You've been observing me?", Zhang Baichi questioned. His expression was calm, which Jian Wubai liked a lot.

He nodded again and raised his eyebrows. "Every day for the past two months. Since my brother recommended you, and I've seen you fight against little Yao, I've kept an eye on you."

"I see…", Zhang Baichi sighed. "That fine, I guess. But are you sure I can handle that Mystic Realm?"

"Not 100 percent.", Jian Wubai showed a serious expression. "The Mystic Realm isn't fully explored, so we can't be sure what exact dangers are lurking within. What we've seen thus far might only be a small part of the whole realm."

"Then why give me such a task? Wouldn't it be better to just tell me to hunt some strong creature to temper myself? Why do we need to make such a hasty decision?", Zhang Baichi asked.

He was calm and spoke in a casual manner as if the matter hat nothing to do with him.

In truth, he didn't have any idea what the reason might be or what to expect of the Mystic Realm. He was just trying to understand the situation and get as much information as possible.

'He's a Sword Cultivator, so he definitely won't change his mind.', Zhang Baichi thought.

Sword Cultivators were widely renown for their stubborn natures, even among regular mortals. But they were also highly respected because of this.

Jian Wubai spoke with some difficulty. "It's because of the Broad Wisdom Sect. They've been getting support from some mysterious force outside the Grand Mo Kingdom. I don't know what they're planning, but a bunch of Body Forging Realm cultivators has joined their sect. Most of them at the peak of the Body Forging Realm."

"So, you think they have some idea about the Mystic Realm? And you want our Fleeting Storm Sword Sect to reap some benefits as well?", Zhang Baichi concluded.

Once more, Jian Wubai was surprised how fast Zhang Baichi got to the crux of the matter. "Correct. I've already come to an agreement with Pavilion Master Xiao from the Willow Tree Pavilion; Our two sects will be working together this time."

"Can they be trusted?" Zhang Baichi frowned.

Jian Wubai nodded with certainty. "Definitely. Pavilion Master Xiao is sending her own daughter this time. She wouldn't dare do anything funny."

"And she also won't double play us and team up with the Broad Wisdom Sect?" Zhang Baichi wasn't convinced.

Jian Wubai's eyes twinkled. This kind of thinking was extraordinary. Zhang Baichi was willing to trust those he knew, but would also be suspicious of those he didn't know.

"Pavilion Master Xiao is someone I trust. We've known each other since we were children, and she saved my life before. Moreover, the Willow Tree Pavilion has a long-standing grudge with the Broad Wisdom Sect.", Jian Wubai said.

He seemed to reminiscing old times and continued to speak. "The Willow Tree Pavilion only accepts female disciples, but rules over a whole area like us and the Broad Wisdom Sect. Since they don't accept male disciples, the Broad Wisdom Sect openly poaches male cultivators from the Willow Tree Pavilion's sphere of influence."

Zhang Baichi frowned. "That shouldn't be too much of an issue. If anything, it sounds like an opportunity for a powerful alliance between the two."

"It does indeed.", Jian Wubai nodded. "But the fact is, that the Broad Wisdom Sect has always tried to take a years when offered an inch."

"They're not allowing the Willow Tree Pavilion to poach female disciples from their territory?" Zhang Baichi said with understanding dawning on him.

Jian Wubai sneered. "And not only that: They've started poaching female disciples from the Willio Tree Pavilion's territory a few decades ago. They were close to starting wars a few times already."

"They're greedy and incredible daring, but how come? Have they found a powerful backer from outside the kingdom?", Zhang Baichi asked.

Jian Wubai could only shake his head. "Your guess is as good as mine in this matter. The only time we ever noticed them having dealings with outside forces was when those unknown Body Forging Realm juniors joined their sect."

He waved the matter off and smiled. "Anyways, the Willow Tree Pavilion can be trusted. Since the Broad Wisdom Sect is obtaining outside support, Pavilion Master Xiao suspects they might even try to strike against her daughter."

"So we have to protect them as well.", Zhang Baichi continued. "And once they find out that I'm Master's disciple, they might try to strike against me as well."

Zhang Baichi sighed and shook his head. "Why do matters between sects have to be so convoluted… Can't we just share the Mystic Realm in peace?"

Jian Wubai laughed out loud and smiled at Zhang Baichi. "You don't have to worry about the matters between sects. Just focus on the task I gave you and lend a helping hand to the Willow Tree Sect when necessary."

"Understood.", Zhang Baichi nodded. "Right, does this Mystic Realm have a name?"

"We call it Beastwilds Mystic Realm. Though that is most likely not its original name." Jian Wubai said.

The name was fitting, so Zhang Baichi didn't comment on the matter. He stood up and bowed. "Then, I'll be leaving."

"Wait. Take this with you." Jian Wubai pulled a token out of his sleeve and threw it to Zhang Baichi. "You don't have a Movement Technique, right? Take this token to the Inner Sect's Technique Hall and pick a technique that's suitable for you there."

Zhang Baichi bowed once more and put the token away.

"Use these two weeks to study the Movement Technique and incorporate it into your swordsmanship. We'll meet at the foot of the mountain in two weeks.", Jian Wubai said.

Zhang Baichi was sent out of the wooden hut and told to return to the Outer Sect.

Since Jian Wubai didn't bring him down and Jian Fu was also not her, he would have to descent the mountain on foot.

Li Yao was nowhere to be seen, but since Jian Wubai simply sent him out, he didn't bother finding her to say goodbye. 'I don't know how to deal with that senior sister of mine, anyways…'

There was only one path leading down from the mountain peak and Zhang Baichi walked for nearly an hour before reaching the core area of the sect.

There were cottages, houses and even noble pavilions sparsely strewn over the vast mountainous area, all of which should belong to the sect's Elder and other important personal.

'System, check the level of the cultivators around here…', Zhang Baichi grew curious about the real strength of this sect had was part of and ordered the system to investigate.

[Ding! There's 14 cultivators of the Core Condensation Realm or above. The two strongest are at the 9th Layer of the Core Condensation Realm.]

'Two at the 9th Layer? Since Master is the leader of the Jian family, are those two the leaders of the Lu and Ji families?' It seemed as if the sect was much stronger than Zhang Baichi initially thought.

'14 Core Condensation Realm cultivators, Master and that old man, Jian Fu. The sect actually had 16 powerhouses? Is the Core Condensation Impressive… or not?', Zhang Baichi frowned while walking and glancing around.

When he saw Jian Fu's and the Sect Master's cultivation for the first time, he thought the Core Condensation Realm must be incredibly rare, but with 16 cultivators on that level in the Fleeting Storm Sword Sect alone, that didn't seem to be the case anymore.

'Moreover, there's the Nascent Soul Realm above the now. Maybe Core Condensation is a major threshold?', Zhang Baichi thought while continuing down the main path towards the Outer Sect.

Unbeknownst to him, a dozen or so pairs of eyes were focused on him and only left his back when he exited the Core Area.

Compared to his meagre Body Forging Cultivation, these Elders at the Core Condensation Realm were far too powerful and had noticed him the moment he stepped down from the mountainpeak.