Underground World

The Yuhua Sect had one hundred and eight True Disciples. To become a True Disciple, one had to cultivate to the Mystic Divine Realm.

Take Fang Xuan, for example. He was currently at the seventh level of the Body Tempering Realm, the Internal Fortification stage. Beyond that came Divine Valor, Spirit Communication, and finally the tenth level, Divine Transformation.

Reaching the tenth level of Divine Transformation did not mean one could enter the Mystic Divine Realm. Completing the Tenth Level of Body Refinement was merely the foundation. One also needed great fortune and immense perseverance, using powerful spiritual strength to stir Blood Power and assault the unfathomable Gate of Mystic Divine. Only then would there be the slightest chance of entering the Mystic Divine Realm.

The Yuhua Sect had several hundred thousand Outer Sect Disciples, yet only a little over a hundred True Disciples.

Every one of those hundreds of thousands of Outer Sect Disciples had once been a favored genius in their hometowns. Yet now, they remained trapped within the Body Tempering Realm, unable to break through. This showed just how difficult the Mystical Power Realm was.

And even after breaking through, one would merely reach the first level of the Mystic Divine Realm, the Law Power Realm.

Above the Law Power Realm were the True Qi Realm, Primal Core Realm, Yin Yang Realm, Heavenly Human Realm, and Return to One Realm. Only after the Return to One Realm came the Golden Core Realm.

The Golden Core Realm was also known as the Small Giants of the Ages.

From the first level of the Mystic Divine Realm to the seventh-level Golden Core Realm, there were all manner of irresistible Inner Demons and Outer Demons in between. Every step led to an entirely different heaven.

Among all the disciples of the Immortal Feather Sect, there were only five at the Golden Core Realm.

East Lingxiao, West Jialan, South Wanluo, North Yaoguang, and Central Tiandu.

Shen Ruolan said proudly, "I've applied to join the Jialan Association. It was founded by Senior Apprentice-Sister Jialan, a True Disciple of the Yuhua Sect. She's a Small Giant of the Ages at the seventh level of the Mystic Divine Realm, the Golden Core Realm. And the Jialan Association only accepts female disciples. Qing Xue, why don't you join the Jialan Association with me?"

Fang Qingxue pursed her lips, then finally shook her head. "I'll think about it some more."

Fang Qingxue's answer was within Fang Xuan's expectations.

Fang Qingxue had never been someone willing to stand beneath others. She had her own pride. Otherwise, she would not have entered the eighth level of the Body Tempering Realm, the Divine Courage Realm, at such a young age.

The Divine Courage Realm placed the greatest emphasis on the word "courage"—the courage to forge ahead without hesitation.

What was more, Fang Qingxue was the Reincarnation of Lightning Mother, blessed with peerless talent. Given time, she too could soar into the heavens.

"Senior Brother Shen, which faction did you join?"

Shen Hao gave a bitter smile. "I'd like to, but no one is willing to take me in. Still, with your talent, Fang Xuan, I didn't expect anyone would come recruit you."

The group chatted for a while longer. They agreed to head to the Underground World in three days to temper their cultivation, then returned separately.

After eating and drinking his fill, Fang Xuan returned to the small courtyard but did not rest. Instead, he resumed cultivating, honing those three basic techniques and increasing his proficiency, determined to make up for his shortcomings.

Three days passed in a flash. Fang Xuan put away the Nine Dragons Stone, carried the Demon Slaying Sword in hand, and headed for Shen Hao's courtyard.

Everyone had already arrived. There were also two tall immortal cranes in the courtyard, their eyes curiously watching Fang Xuan as he entered. They seemed highly intelligent.

Shen Ruolan proudly waved a palm-sized jade token in her hand. One side of the token bore a lifelike white crane, while the other displayed a large character: "Token."

"This is the Ten Thousand Beasts Token. I borrowed it from the Jialan Association. Through this token, I can communicate with Crane Fairy and have her take us to the Underground World."

Shen Hao also said with a smile, "We have Ruo Lan to thank for borrowing these immortal cranes. Otherwise, even with two legs, we might not reach the Han Sea Desert in months."

Fang Xuan also smiled and praised her a few times, leaving Shen Ruolan brimming with delight.

Fang Qingxue rode one crane with Shen Ruolan, while Fang Xuan and Shen Hao rode the other.

The immortal cranes' speed truly could not be compared to those so-called Thousand Mile Horses. In just one day, the endless mountain ranges below vanished, replaced by a boundless desert.

Under the sunlight, the desert resembled a sea of gold. Its golden radiance was dazzling, making one marvel at nature's divine skill.

"The Han Sea Desert lies ahead. It is boundless, and after traveling for about three more hours, we'll reach the Underground World. Let's go down and rest first," Shen Hao said.

"Alright."

"Fine."

Shen Ruolan communicated with the cranes and had them descend. She took out the prepared rations and began eating, then used a True Water Talisman to condense fresh water. The two immortal cranes lay nearby to rest and drank some water as well.

Half an hour later, the four set out again. Before long, a massive fissure suddenly appeared amid the endless yellow sands.

The fissure was pitch-black inside, its depths impossible to see, as though the entire earth had split open there. Occasionally, bat shadows could be seen flying through the darkness. It seemed the depths of the chasm were a bat nest.

"Let's go down!"

As they descended, the four headed toward the Underground World. The two immortal cranes soared into the sky to forage freely. When needed, they only had to use the Ten Thousand Beasts Token to call them back.

The four held their Demon Slaying Swords and charged into the fissure. The moment they entered, countless bats flew out from within, sweeping toward them like a plague of locusts.

Each bat was the size of a fan, with blade-sharp fangs and blood-red gleams in its eyes. They looked utterly terrifying.

"Be careful. These Blood-Sucking Bats are full of poison. Don't let them scratch you," Shen Hao warned.

As he spoke, the Demon Slaying Sword in his hand left its sheath. His blade swept across, and amid piercing shrieks, several Blood-Sucking Bats were cut in two.

Fang Xuan stepped forward as well. A dazzling flash of sword light streaked out, and accompanied by chilling sword qi, the bats before him dropped from the air one after another.

Fang Qingxue and Shen Ruolan also drew their swords and attacked, executing sword arts.

Among the four, Fang Qingxue had the highest cultivation, but Fang Xuan possessed the strongest combat power.

His strange strength was unmatched, his stamina enduring. Moreover, whenever he wielded his sword, he circulated the true qi in his dantian through the blade.

As internal power poured into it, a three-inch sword glow emerged from the Demon Slaying Sword, greatly increasing its power. It could slice through gold and sever jade.

The four formed a horn formation and continued deeper underground. Before long, they arrived at a boundless plain.

"This is the Underground Abyss World. It is home to endless Demon Beasts, yakshas, and savage creatures. We must be extremely careful. The four of us should maintain this horn formation. Do not act rashly, and under no circumstances should we venture too deep," Shen Hao said solemnly.

The Underground Abyss World was not completely dark. Fang Xuan looked at the ground beneath his feet and found it no different from the surface. Everywhere lay fertile black soil, along with many streams and towering plants.

However, most of those towering plants were mushrooms rather than trees like those on the surface. There were trees too, but they were mostly short and sparse, looking more like shrubs.

These plants resembled enormous umbrellas, dotted with specks of light that emitted a gentle glow, bringing a faint measure of brightness to the Underground Abyss World.

"So beautiful," Shen Ruolan murmured.

Fang Xuan was also drawn in by the mysterious sight before him. It truly was beautiful, like the fantastical world Alice entered in movies from his previous life.