Chapter 160 Fire Qilin Dominance

Several prodigies stood in line, as Li Xiaobai exchanged for a bottle of elixirs from the System that could bind a cultivator's cultivation level.

These were the same elixirs he had fed to those evil cultivators in the Immortal Feather Sect; a single pill could seal one's cultivation for a month. Without the antidote, it was absolutely impossible to use a shred of their cultivation for a whole week.

The cultivators obediently took them, their cultivation levels instantly bound, their faces turning somewhat pale. In this murderous and treasure-stealing environment, they could not utilize the slightest bit of their cultivation, and a misstep could easily cost them their lives.

Noticing their concern, Li Xiaobai smiled and said, "Don't worry, the master beside you is highly skilled and will protect you."

Monk Liaowang chanted a Buddhist mantra with a hint of dejection.

It seemed he was being treated as a nanny, but Li Xiaobai was not wrong; if these individuals were in peril, he would definitely lend a hand.

Regardless, Li Xiaobai did not choose to utterly destroy those cultivators who had surrendered; this indicated that they were not utterly vile and wicked, and there was still a chance for redemption.

Monk Liaowang hoped to gradually influence Li Xiaobai.

The prodigies had no choice; they were indeed prisoners, daring not to make any demands.

Everyone's tokens began to emit a faint light, and Li Xiaobai examined them carefully to see that nearly all the cultivators had automatically moved down one rank.

His own rank shot straight into the top three hundred.

The Human List.

Rank 300: Begging for Death, Li Xiaobai.

Rank 301: The Little Monk Liaowang.

...

After taking down two large groups of cultivators, his ranking soared.

In less than a day's time, he had surged from being ranked in the 9,000s to the top three hundred. The pace was not too shabby, and it seemed that pulling off a few more significant moves could easily propel him into the top hundred.

Glancing over, he saw that several of his fellow senior brothers and sisters still maintained a low profile, ranked around six or seven thousand.

However, the ranks of a few familiar powerhouses had once again climbed up on the Earth List.

The Earth List.

Rank 5,333: Crane in the Clouds Amidst a Sea of Flowers.

Rank 4,742: A Man Against Ten Thousand.

...

These powerhouses were the cultivators who had been severely injured by the Heavenly Tribulation and had withdrawn from the competition for treasures. Many cultivators had followed them for various reasons at that time.

Now, those who had pursued them were already removed from the list.

At the time, it seemed like a simple kill and loot, or a quest for vengeance, but now it appeared that the powerhouses had likely planned this all along, feigning injury through the Heavenly Tribulation to draw in a horde of cultivators for murder and loot, and then completing a grand counterkill.

A man-made dangerous situation, reaping both fame and fortune.

The powerhouses were indeed powerhouses; their schemes and adaptability were astonishing. It looked like he still had much to learn.

Leading the group deeper into the small world, the scenery was picturesque and tranquil, devoid of people—no sign of the cultivators who had entered before.

"Do you know who the Saint Heir is a disciple of, and why you became so panicked upon hearing about him?" Li Xiaobai asked Yunkun and the others.

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"That is the Saint Heir of Array Formation Sect, one of the three Great Sects of Central Province, a favored prodigy. His strength and status are not something we can compare with."

"Central Province has three Great Sects in total, Array Formation Sect, Qi Sect, and Elixir Sect. Array Formation Sect researches formations, and most of the sect defensive arrays have their involvement; Qi Sect specializes in Artifact Refining, being the largest supplier of Spiritual Artifacts and Magic Treasures in the Immortal Spirit Continent; Elixir Sect, naturally, is famous for its Alchemy."

"The three Great Sects support each other and share a common hatred towards their enemies, constituting the strongest visible power in Central Province. The Saint Heirs they select are the leading candidates to be the next Sect Masters, with formidable strength and considered the top geniuses of Central Province."

Yunkun explained with enthusiasm, being the most proactive among the group. He had accepted his own identity, showing no trace of a genius's air of superiority.

Li Xiaobai nodded, "How do these three Great Sects compare to Fire Qilin Cave?"

"Of course, they cannot be compared. The Fire Qilin Cave has existed for thousands of years, having been around since the ancient times, and the depth of its heritage is not something that the newly risen sects of mere hundreds of years can match."

When talking about the Fire Qilin Cave, Yunkun's expression unconsciously showed pride. As for the current strongest expert of the Fire Qilin Cave, what realm they're at is likely unknown to anyone; its antiquity has made it almost akin to a forbidden area.

Seemingly realizing his expression was inappropriate, Yunkun quickly composed himself, reverting to an obsequious demeanor.

"I see, do you know about the Divine Beast Competition in the Fire Qilin Cave?"

Li Xiaobai, quite satisfied with the responsive attitude, handed over a Huazi.

Yunkun's face lit up with surprise and longing for the Huazi—he had been envying Li Xiaobai and the others for smoking it all along the way.

He immediately lit it and took a deep drag, "The so-called Divine Beast Competition is about soaking several Qilin Divine Beasts in the Blood Pool of the Qilin ancestral lands, awakening the Bloodline Power within their bodies and recalling the memories from ancient times."

"These Qilin Divine Beasts roam the world bearing the identity of the Saint Heirs of the Fire Qilin Cave, competing against each other. The one that ultimately survives will gain the entire inheritance of the Qilin Cave."

Yunkun briefly explained.

Li Xiaobai felt relieved; it seemed that Ergouzi would not be in danger for the time being. Awakening bloodline and gaining inheritance were good things as they could enhance one's strength.

As for the Divine Beast Competition, it resembled a cruel contest where several divine beasts were pitted against each other in a fight to the death, with only the strongest surviving.

When the time came for Ergouzi to be released, there would be an opportunity to meet.

…

Leading the group, they continued on through the Secret Realm. At first glance, the realm appeared full of poetic imagery, but after a while, it started to feel somewhat eerie, as if this world was an illusion.

It was quiet to the point of being frightening. After walking for a while without seeing a single soul other than their own group, no other sounds reached their ears apart from their talking.

Occasionally, they passed by a medicinal garden where all the herbs had vanished without a trace, the soil turned upside down, not even a leaf left to be found.

A once vast lake had been drained clean by someone wielding Great Divine Power, leaving only a bare, gigantic pit.

Li Xiaobai's expression darkened. Although he was prepared, seeing this scene still stung.

Others might think that these treasures were taken away by cultivators who had come in earlier, but he knew all too well that it was Sect Leader Ou Yezi's doing—the small world was emptied out months ago.

The place was plundered thoroughly. It had indeed been picked clean like a plucked goose. Nothing was left but soil and weeds; not a trace of any treasure to be seen.

"Damn it, this has been dug up too completely, not even leaving a single root hair behind for us!"

Yu Sanbian's face turned ashen. After learning about the small world, he had willingly given up the resources of the outside world and rushed here as fast as possible, only to find that someone had already beaten him to it.

With such swift and efficient methods, they were surely habitual plunderers.

Suddenly, Yu Sanbian narrowed his eyes, "There are sounds of a fight up ahead."

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