Blood-Colored Forbidden Land

"Junior Sister Qingyu, still practicing?"

The woman on the river was none other than Xiao Qingyu.

Since he had seen her, Qin Yi greeted her.

After a brief start, Xiao Qingyu turned around. Seeing that it was him, she forced a faint smile. "Senior Brother Qin."

"It's so late. Aren't you heading back?"

The sky had darkened. Cultivators, more than anyone, followed the workings of heaven and earth. They practiced at sunrise and rested at sunset.

During the day, Yang Qi was abundant, making it suitable for cultivation. But at night, when darkness settled like water and Yin Qi gradually thickened, cultivation was unfavorable. It was only suitable for seated meditation to elevate the realm of the mind.

"Yes, I want to quiet my mind here for a while," Xiao Qingyu said.

Qin Yi said, "See you next time, then."

He did not prolong the conversation or make any special effort to show off.

This was the essence of flirting. After all, they had only just met. If you kept actively trying to get close, once the other person's guard was too high, she could easily grow suspicious and wary of you.

Like Qin Yi, who clearly wanted to get closer to Xiao Qingyu, yet deliberately loosened the reins to catch her later instead of saying much to her. He struck an excellent balance.

Besides, she had said she wanted to quiet her mind. That meant her thoughts were in turmoil, and since they were, it was best not to add to the turmoil.

After saying goodbye, he left decisively before Xiao Qingyu could react.

By the time Xiao Qingyu seemed to have something to say, his departing figure had already vanished.

After returning to Emerald Bamboo Peak, with no woman available to help him, he could only rely on seated meditation, diverting his attention to temporarily suppress the desire within him.

The following day, perhaps because she had been put through too much before, Gu Yiyi did not come to Qin Yi's residence to look for him again.

She did not even attend when Gu Yanshan gave him private instruction, explaining teachings and demonstrating martial techniques.

When Qin Yi asked Gu Yanshan about Gu Yiyi, Gu Yanshan merely said calmly, "Men shouldn't ask too much about women's affairs."

The implication seemed to be... hmm, that time of the month?

So that was it!

"Master, the Sword Debate for First Place is in two months. After thinking it over several times, I've still decided to compete using the Heavenly Secrets Sword Technique."

During this time, Gu Yanshan had taught him many essentials of swordsmanship.

Of course, the Famous Sword Sect had five great sword techniques in total, and with Qin Yi's comprehension, he had long since thoroughly grasped all five.

He simply had never demonstrated the other techniques in front of anyone.

Even before Gu Yanshan, he had only displayed the fire-attribute Heavenly Secrets Sword Technique and the water-attribute Jade Pivot Sword Art.

The Heavenly Secrets Sword Technique was the first sword technique Qin Yi had revealed. Without anyone teaching him, he had stumbled his way into performing Six Stars Across the Sky.

As for the Jade Pivot Sword Art, Gu Yanshan had taught it to him personally, passing on the essence of his own Dripping Water Sword along with it.

The name Dripping Water Sword represented not merely a martial technique, but a legacy.

If Qin Yi stepped onto the arena of the Sword Debate for First Place with the Jade Pivot Sword Art, what it represented would be far from ordinary.

"Do you think the Heavenly Secrets Sword Technique is stronger than the Jade Pivot Sword Art?" Gu Yanshan frowned slightly, somewhat displeased.

He had put so much effort into teaching Qin Yi the Jade Pivot Sword Art and the essence of the Dripping Water Sword, yet Qin Yi ultimately wanted to compete using the Heavenly Secrets Sword Technique.

Qin Yi said, "That isn't what I mean. It's just that you personally taught me the Jade Pivot Sword Art, Master, so I want to keep it as a trump card. Unless absolutely necessary, it would be better to keep the Dripping Water Sword hidden, as something I can rely on to protect those around me."

These words both elevated Gu Yanshan and made perfect sense. Protecting those around him was a thoroughly legitimate reason.

After hearing this, Gu Yanshan's expression softened somewhat. As expected, this reason had moved him.

That Qin Yi thought this way showed precisely that he valued affection and loyalty. He learned the strongest martial techniques to protect those around him, not to vie with others for superiority. Gu Yanshan was very satisfied with this.

After watching his expression for a while, Qin Yi continued, "I feel that even if I compete using the Heavenly Secrets Sword Technique, I'll definitely win the sword chief title. So it would be better not to reveal the Jade Pivot Sword Art to outsiders."

After a moment's consideration, Gu Yanshan said, "I'm very pleased that you think this way. Speaking of which, you really do have considerable talent for the Heavenly Secrets Sword Technique... very well. Since you want to compete using the Heavenly Secrets Sword Technique, we'll do as you wish. But there are only two months left until the Sword Debate for First Place. You must not slack off during this time."

"I'll be sure to cultivate diligently."

"You either don't enter the Sword Debate for First Place at all, or, if you enter, you must at least bring back a division sword chief title."

Qin Yi had guessed correctly. In having him compete, Gu Yanshan's minimum expectation was that he bring back a division sword chief title.

As for the overall sword chief title, that was too difficult. Hua Yunfeng was a towering mountain, and crossing over him would not be easy.

After all, Qin Yi had started late and had cultivated for less than a month. Whether in foundation or cultivation realm, he was a hundred and eight thousand miles behind Hua Yunfeng.

But Qin Yi himself felt that, since he was already competing, settling for a division sword chief title showed far too little ambition. If he was going to win, he would win the overall sword chief title.

"Master, why don't we aim a little higher and win the overall sword chief title? Let Junior Sister Yiyi take the division sword chief title. I'll just take the overall one."

Gu Yanshan laughed. "You brat, you haven't cultivated for long, but you certainly talk big. Winning a division sword chief title would already be very impressive, yet you're thinking about the overall title? To win the overall sword chief title, you first have to defeat Xiahou Tai and Hua Yunfeng. Those two are mountains beyond your reach right now."

Hua Yunfeng and Xiahou Tai were both Golden Core experts.

And in the Famous Sword Sect, Golden Core experts were actually already at the level of elders.

Ordinary disciples could only watch their dust trail from far behind.

Qin Yi laughed inwardly. Xiahou Tai? Xiahou Tai's corpse had been cold for ages.

But he had used the [Nascent Soul Experience Card] to kill Xiahou Tai. If he had fought him with his actual strength, he indeed would have been no match.

If I want to win the overall sword chief title at the Sword Debate for First Place with my own strength, I'll have to conquer another woman within two months.

Gu Qingshuang was currently too difficult and unsuitable as his first choice.

Xiao Qingyu seemed promising. He could try developing things further with her.

Aside from those two, Qin Yi decided that, starting tomorrow, he would wander around the Famous Sword Sect more. Perhaps he would encounter an even better target.

As long as he stole a new target's love, his cultivation realm could break through to the Golden Core Stage, allowing him to stand on equal footing with Hua Yunfeng.

"Master, saying that is rather like bolstering someone else's spirit. Although I haven't reached the Golden Core Realm yet, I'm already at Foundation Establishment Great Perfection. I'm only a step away from Golden Core. As long as I break through to the Golden Core Realm within two months, the overall sword chief title won't necessarily be impossible," Qin Yi said.

On this subject, even Gu Yanshan had to admit that this disciple of his was something of a monster.

In fact, after conquering Xu Xinran, Qin Yi's cultivation realm had already reached Foundation Establishment Great Perfection. However, because of the environment of heaven and earth, his cultivation realm had not directly manifested as great perfection, instead remaining in a deficient state.

Over these past days, once the pills Gu Yanshan supplied had replenished his spiritual power, his great perfection cultivation realm had immediately become apparent.

Gu Yanshan had also been startled when he discovered it.

Although Qin Yi's innate cultivation realm had only registered as the Fifth Level of Qi Refining when he touched the Dao Comprehension Stone, inferior to Hua Yunfeng's innate Ninth Level of Qi Refining back then, Qin Yi's speed of advancement far surpassed Hua Yunfeng's several times over.

If Qin Yi really could enter the Golden Core Realm within two months, contending for the overall sword chief title might not be impossible.

"Foundation Establishment Great Perfection may seem only one step away from Golden Core, but that single step is also a gulf between heaven and the abyss. Many people may never cross it in their entire lives. You want to enter Golden Core within two months, but how could that be easy? Still, it isn't entirely without a way.

"In a few more days, a forbidden land will open. There are quite a few opportunities inside. If you can find an opportunity there, it might well help you break through to Golden Core."

"A forbidden land?"

"To be honest, I don't want you to participate," Gu Yanshan said.

"What forbidden land?"

Gu Yanshan took out a map and spread it out before him.

The map depicted an ancient ruin more than three hundred li south of the Famous Sword Sect.

It had once been a battlefield of Gods and Devils. Who knew how many Nascent Soul mighty figures and great villains of the Demon Race and Devil Race had been buried there in years past?

In the end, the mingling blood of the righteous and evil paths had formed the Blood-Colored Forbidden Land. Of every ten people who entered, nine would die.

Because it was far too dangerous, several great sects had later joined forces to seal it off.

But although this place was very dangerous, it also teemed with all sorts of opportunities.

For example, sixty years ago, before the Blood-Colored Forbidden Land was closed, a disciple of the Supreme Unity Sect had ventured inside. That disciple had originally possessed mediocre talent, but when he emerged from the Blood-Colored Forbidden Land, his strength had already reached the Nascent Soul level. From then on, he stood unrivaled in his region.

His example had made many people's eyes turn red with envy. And because so many people's eyes had turned red, many had subsequently been driven to their deaths in the Blood-Colored Forbidden Land.

In recent years, as the various sects scoured everywhere for heavenly treasures, precious medicinal herbs in the outside world had gradually grown scarce.

Without resources, everyone's cultivation progress would slow.

Under these broader circumstances, after some discussion, the various sects had finally decided to undo the seal on the Blood-Colored Forbidden Land and reopen it.

However, once this place opened, entry would be voluntary. Those willing to take the risk could go.

Those unwilling to take the risk would not be forced.

In any case, the opportunities would be right there. Anyone who wanted to go could go at any time.

If another Nascent Soul expert happened to emerge among these adventurers, it would be a gain for any sect.

And a guaranteed profit with no loss!

After hearing Gu Yanshan's description, Qin Yi immediately began beating the retreat drum in his heart.

Take risks?

With the Stealing Love System at my disposal, why the hell would I take risks?

Wasn't quietly flirting with women good enough?

"Since the Blood-Colored Forbidden Land is so dangerous, I won't go," he said decisively.

Seeing him so decisive, Gu Yanshan was instead taken aback.

By all rights, a hot-blooded young man should at least have let the blood rush to his head and shown some courage.

Yet Qin Yi was exceptionally calm, without the slightest sign of hot blood.

This did show a certain lack of youthful drive,

But viewed the other way, it could also be considered a rare steadiness.

After his moment of surprise, Gu Yanshan smiled as well. "Then don't go. It's good not to go, too. If anything happened to you, the loss would outweigh the gain."