Convergence

It was already mid-February.

The Blood River Secret Realm would open on March 10th.

There were only over twenty days left before the Outer Court disciples set out for the Blood River Secret Realm.

The preparations Su Bai could make during this time, aside from continuing to refine the Profound Sword True Essence Art, were to raise his cultivation.

"I already have as many as one hundred twenty-three Spirit Stones on hand."

"I can exchange them for Yellow Dragon Pills and raise my cultivation by a large chunk."

"One hundred twenty-three Yellow Dragon Pills give me a chance of breaking through to Qi Refining Layer Seven."

The Blood River Secret Realm barred cultivators at Late Qi Refining and above from participating.

Therefore, Su Bai could not break through directly to Qi Refining Layer Seven.

But if he truly could advance by then, remaining at the critical threshold of Qi Refining Layer Six Peak without breaking through would not be a problem.

Su Bai even considered whether advancing to Late Qi Refining after entering the Secret Realm would count as exploiting a loophole rather than breaking the rules.

And advancing his cultivation to Qi Refining Layer Six Peak would roughly increase his Spiritual Power by twenty to thirty percent.

Twenty to thirty percent more Spiritual Power would already be of considerable help in magic duels within the Blood River Secret Realm.

As for exchanging for Yellow Dragon Pills, that could be done at the Outer Hall Steward's Office.

Having made up his mind, Su Bai soon appeared before Steward Su of the Outer Court.

When Su Bai took out his Storage Bag and poured out one hundred twenty-three Spirit Stones, Steward Su's eyes nearly bulged out.

Among ordinary Outer Court disciples in the Mid Qi Refining Stage, not many could produce over a hundred Spirit Stones. No, there were basically none at all.

Unless some fool had secretly sold all the sect-issued Welfare Pills at the outer cultivation market.

Though Steward Su was surprised, he did not probe further.

Instead, he directly confirmed, "Are you sure you want to exchange all of them for Yellow Dragon Pills?"

Su Bai nodded. "This disciple will be participating in the Blood River Secret Realm. Only by exchanging for some spirit pills and raising my cultivation to its upper limit will I have greater confidence."

"A wise choice." Elder Su nodded and accepted Su Bai's Spirit Stones.

He entered the Deacon Hall for a moment, then came back out carrying over a dozen Pill Bottles.

"The quantity isn't small. Count them carefully. No refunds after leaving!"

With a wave of his hand, Su Bai used the Object Manipulation Technique to receive the Pill Bottles. Only after confirming that every bottle contained the correct amount did he put them into his Storage Bag.

After thanking Elder Su, Su Bai returned to the empty Courtyard 32 and began closed-door cultivation.

At Qi Refining Layer Six, he could refine the medicinal power of one Yellow Dragon Pill in roughly two hours.

Over the course of each day, Su Bai could refine four to five Yellow Dragon Pills.

The drawback of consuming Yellow Dragon Pills at such a high frequency was that the Pill Toxin could not be expelled in time, causing the pills' effects to decline somewhat.

Even so, Su Bai had underestimated the effectiveness of Yellow Dragon Pills and the terror of Dual Spirit Roots.

Twenty days later, after taking over eighty Yellow Dragon Pills, Su Bai had raised his cultivation in one breath to Qi Refining Layer Six Peak.

At this point, Su Bai still had forty Yellow Dragon Pills left in his Storage Bag, more than enough to assault Qi Refining Layer Seven.

Now that his cultivation had reached Qi Refining Layer Six Peak, Su Bai naturally did not dare continue taking Yellow Dragon Pills.

If he truly broke through to Qi Refining Layer Seven, he would not be able to enter the Blood River Secret Realm.

Elder Sun Ning of the Law Enforcement Court would likely drag him back for double punishment.

During the final few days, Su Bai spent several more days honing the Profound Sword True Essence Art.

With Clear Heart Sword Intent, cultivating Sword Dao Divine Abilities was accelerated by one thousand percent. Su Bai had quickly brought this Sword Dao Divine Ability to Minor Accomplishment before, but reaching Major Accomplishment still required some combat training.

"Today is the day we head to the Blood River Secret Realm."

After quietly regulating his breath in meditation, Su Bai rose and headed to the Outer Sect Lecture Ground to assemble.

Dozens of Outer Court disciples had already gathered at the Lecture Ground.

Every single one was at Qi Refining Layer Six.

Most of them were veteran Outer Court disciples who had entered the sect more than ten years ago.

"Junior Brother Su, over here!" Wang Jue called from within the crowd.

Su Bai gave a slight nod and walked toward Wang Jue.

"Su Bai!" Another call reached him midway.

Su Bai looked up and saw a familiar face approaching from among the disciples. It was Yu Ji!

The original owner from whom Su Bai's Dual Spirit Roots had been copied!

Back when Jiang Han was still around, Yu Ji had contacted Jiang Han through Su Bai to ask about tips on Fire Attribute Spells.

There was also a companion beside him—Jin Qingjian, the other Dual Spirit Root disciple among Su Bai's batch of Outer Court disciples.

These two were the only two Dual Spirit Root disciples in the Outer Court on the surface. They would inevitably enter the Inner Sect in the future, so it was hardly strange that they had come together.

Very few disciples from Su Bai's cohort were participating in this journey to the Blood River Secret Realm.

After all, after just over three years in the sect, those capable of advancing to Qi Refining Layer Six were still in the minority.

Yu Ji and Jin Qingjian both possessed Dual Spirit Roots, and their cultivation speed was extremely fast, so they had naturally already reached Qi Refining Layer Six.

Both had chosen to participate in this Blood River Secret Realm expedition.

Su Bai stepped forward.

"Su Bai, you advanced to Qi Refining Layer Six so quickly. Congratulations." Yu Ji knew that Su Bai possessed Three Spirit Root Talent and understood how difficult it was for him to advance to Qi Refining Layer Six.

He had originally thought that only Jin Qingjian and he from the Outer Court could participate in this Blood River Secret Realm.

Now that there was another acquaintance, Su Bai, it could not have been better.

Su Bai smiled faintly. "I only succeeded by chance. I'm inferior to you two with your Dual Spirit Roots."

"This is Senior Brother Wang. He has rich Outer Court mission experience." Su Bai briefly introduced Wang Jue.

"Senior Brother Wang." Yu Ji and Jin Qingjian also courteously clasped their fists in greeting to Wang Jue, a veteran Outer Court member.

"No need for formality. We are all at Qi Refining Layer Six, but you have Dual Spirit Roots. After this Blood River Secret Realm, your cultivation will surpass mine." Wang Jue sighed with emotion.

As a veteran Outer Court disciple, the fellow Dual Spirit Root disciples from his generation had basically long since become Inner Sect disciples or even true disciples.

He understood even more keenly the difference different Spirit Roots brought upon the cultivation path.

It would only become increasingly larger!

Yu Ji found it awkward to respond, so he said, "During this Blood River Secret Realm expedition, I hope Senior Brother Wang will offer us much guidance."

Wang Jue nodded slightly. "Easy to say, easy to say. But..."

"Do you know that the Teleportation Array set at the entrance to the Blood River Secret Realm uses random teleportation?"

Upon hearing this, Yu Ji and Jin Qingjian both pricked up their ears. Like Su Bai, this was their first time hearing of this.

Since they had not yet set out, Wang Jue continued explaining the Secret Realm knowledge he knew.

For fairness, the Teleportation Array used to enter the Blood River Secret Realm had been set to teleport randomly, with three disciples per teleportation.

One from each sect.

The Blood River Secret Realm was vast. A Blood River from other time and space crossed through it, bringing Spiritual Energy, and the Blood River divided the Secret Realm into left and right regions.

The closer one came to the Upper Reaches of the Blood River within the Secret Realm, the richer the Spiritual Energy and the more luxuriantly spirit herbs grew.

At the beginning, disciples of the three great sects would be randomly teleported into the lower reaches of the Secret Realm's Blood River.

Terrifying Blood Beasts from another world lived within the Blood River. Some Blood Beasts even possessed the combat power of Foundation Establishment Cultivators, but they could not leave the Blood River. As long as one avoided approaching the Blood River, one could ensure one's safety.