Li Wuyi spoke with a grave expression, and Li Yan listened with a sense of dread. Death was terrifying, but what was even more frightening was watching the great scythe of death slowly close in on you. That was what would most easily drive a person mad.
"As I mentioned, among the thirty-seven cultivators, there must be one who is a major realm higher. This is because before the twenty paths on the surface of the sphere open, a large number of small, Blue Rhomboid Crystals will be generated. They are transparent overall, with a core containing a sphere of a different color. These Blue Rhomboid Crystals are collected by the high-level cultivator of each team. If two high-level cultivators appear on one path, the Wheel of Life and Death trial cannot be initiated. If all thirty-seven people are of the same realm, the trial also cannot be initiated. The main role of this high-level cultivator is that when two paths intersect, they must stand at the very back of their respective paths and activate the Blue Rhomboid Crystal. This can slow down the speed of the encroaching great shadow by about a fifth. Moreover, both of them must activate it simultaneously. The way to activate the Blue Rhomboid Crystal is by continuously infusing it with spiritual power. Don't underestimate this slight delay in speed; it's a one-fifth increase in life-saving time. If one of these two high-level cultivators tries to kill the other side's lower-level cultivators, then the other side's activation of the Blue Rhomboid Crystal will not be able to slow the great black shadow's advance. They will then be forced to attack as well, and the final result will be mutual destruction. Therefore, the main trial here is actually for the lower-level cultivators brought in."
Hearing this, Li Yan couldn't help but frown. The cultivation methods of the ancient cultivators in this secret realm were truly vicious. But he supposed that only in this way could more powerful beings be nurtured. He suddenly thought of a question.
"Eldest Senior Brother, then it's impossible for the four major sects to each use only one of the twenty paths, right? What about the other sixteen paths? They should be for the other smaller cultivation sects on the continent or the demonic beast races in the secret realm."
Hearing Li Yan's question, Li Wuyi couldn't help but praise his junior brother's sharp mind for seeing the crux of the matter at a glance.
Li Yan's question implied that if the twenty paths were all composed of the four major sects, it would mean each sect would use five paths. What would happen if their own people encountered each other? Wouldn't that lead to them killing each other? Surely, no sect would do this unless their leaders were insane.
"That's a good question, Little Junior Brother. Of course, the twenty paths are not for the small cultivation sects. Although some of those sects are our subordinate immortal sects, how could they have such an opportunity?" At this, Li Wuyi's expression was calm, as if this condescending perspective was a matter of course. This made Li Yan sigh internally. 'There is truly not a shred of mercy in cultivation. Even an opportunity with a nine-in-ten chance of death is denied to those small immortal sects. I'm starting to feel fortunate that I entered a major sect directly.'
Li Wuyi didn't notice Li Yan's expression and continued, "Our four sects will each take three paths. The other eight are left for the high-level demonic beasts in the secret realm. They also want a piece of the pie. But strangely enough, there must be human cultivators present on the Wheel of Life and Death paths for it to be activated. Otherwise, they will not open this trial ground. I suppose it's because this magical artifact was refined by ancient human cultivators for human cultivators, hence this restriction."
"Although the Wheel of Life and Death is extremely dangerous, the secret realm is home to a vast variety of demonic beasts, and they are ferocious by nature. As long as they can obtain refined treasures and medicinal pills, they have no fear of death. So, for them to open this area to humans is also a helpless move on their part."
"Even so, with three paths per sect, it's still possible to run into each other. The solution to this problem is simple. As long as the high-level cultivators leading the teams obtain Blue Rhomboid Crystals with the same colored core at the entrance of the path, those two paths will never intertwine. Therefore, there will be no instance of disciples from the same sect killing each other. However, there is a restriction here: a maximum of five identical Blue Rhomboid Crystals can be taken, otherwise it cannot be activated. This means each sect can send at most five teams. As for the demonic beasts, their eight paths are not enough to go around. They have too many races; one path might be for just one race, and even then, they probably have to fight internally to obtain it."
After hearing all this, Li Yan finally understood the purpose of the Wheel of Life and Death. But could it be that they wanted him to participate? He was only in the Qi Condensation realm.
Li Wuyi, of course, knew what Li Yan was thinking. He took another sip of tea and smiled brightly.
"As I said at the beginning, the Wheel of Life and Death was closed tens of thousands of years ago after it was changed to have Foundation Establishment cultivators enter the secret realm for the harvest. The reason, of course, was to avoid losing Qi Condensation 'fledgling disciples.' Although the demonic beasts in the secret realm have been clamoring to open the Wheel of Life and Death every fifteen years so that they can participate, it has been denied for tens of thousands of years. Unexpectedly, this time, the three sects sent high-level representatives to negotiate, wanting to restart the Wheel of Life and Death. They want to obtain more treasures through the trial and also want to have Foundation Establishment cultivators participate in the Wheel of Life and Death led by three Golden Core cultivators after they have participated in the harvest. But after consideration, the sect's upper echelons rejected the three sects' proposal. According to reports from our spies in their sects, these three sects have been in frequent contact in recent years, as if they are secretly plotting something. But in the Wheel of Life and Death, only one path can intersect at a time, so I don't know how they can join forces against us. But the three sects insisted on opening it, and said we could choose not to participate. But how can we abandon such a matter? So, after careful consideration, the Sect Master rejected their proposal of sending Golden Core leaders with Foundation Establishment cultivators as the main force. He changed it to Foundation Establishment leaders with Qi Condensation cultivators as the main force. This way, even if the three sects have some conspiracy, it will be impossible for them to redeploy in time. Therefore, yesterday, the Sect Master issued a decree for all peaks to also prepare for a Qi Condensation disciple competition. The condition is the ninth or tenth layer of Qi Condensation, and the top one hundred and eight will be chosen. Right now, on Little Bamboo Peak, only you meet the conditions, because the Sect Master specifically mentioned you. I heard you've reached around the mid-stage of the sixth layer of Qi Condensation. After some consideration, with your special constitution, you might not necessarily lose against someone at the eighth or ninth layer of Qi Condensation. As for those three martial nephews, they don't qualify. Therefore, I had to make a trip here to see you, Junior Brother, mainly to hear your opinion."
Having said his piece, Li Wuyi picked up the teapot, refilled his cup, and sat quietly without another word. For such a matter, he could have just sent a message. After all, the Sect Master had specifically named him. But this was his own junior brother, and Teacher valued him greatly. If he forced him to go and something happened, it would be difficult to explain. If he simply didn't submit his name, and this junior brother harbored resentment in the future, that would also be inappropriate. So today, it was up to Li Yan to choose for himself. If Li Yan didn't agree today, he would find a way to delay it for him until the next fifteen years. If that didn't work, he would just push the responsibility onto Teacher. Since Teacher was currently in seclusion anyway. He had been managing the affairs of Little Bamboo Peak for so many years and knew how helpless those other Peak Masters and the Sect Master were when it came to their Teacher.
He couldn't make the decision on this matter. After all, the realm Li Yan displayed was still a bit low. Even those at the ninth or tenth layer of Qi Condensation would face a life-or-death struggle. But if Li Yan were at the ninth layer of Qi Condensation now, he would hope for him to participate. His aptitude wasn't very good to begin with, so it would be better to take a gamble. Who knows, he might get some kind of opportunity. If Li Yan still refused then, he would look down on him a little.
Li Yan lowered his head in thought for a moment, then looked up. "Eldest Senior Brother, you said that if the team gets into the top three in the end, we can get a treasure and also exchange it for Spirit Stones, right?"
Li Wuyi looked up at Li Yan. "Of course. But let me remind you, Little Junior Brother, first, it's a nine-in-ten chance of death. Second, even if you survive, you might not get into the top three to obtain a treasure. However, the sect does award three hundred Low-grade Spirit Stones to everyone who survives but doesn't get into the top three. The leading Foundation Establishment cultivator gets a reward of five hundred Low-grade Spirit Stones. And as for exchanging treasures for Spirit Stones, that kind of thing won't happen. Although I haven't participated in the Wheel of Life and Death, I've heard that no one has ever exchanged any of the treasures that have appeared there."
Li Yan was shocked to hear this, realizing how precious the treasures there were. He already owed the Mission Hall a lot of Spirit Stones. What he lacked was Spirit Stones. But on second thought, he was overthinking it.
Li Yan thought for another moment and made his decision. He looked up. "Eldest Senior Brother, I'll participate and give it a try. Among the tens of thousands of Qi Condensation disciples in the sect, there should be quite a few senior brothers at the ninth or tenth layer, right?"
Li Wuyi smiled. "There are about six hundred people at the ninth or tenth layer of Qi Condensation. However, only a few are disciples of a certain peak's elders, so you only have a few senior brothers. The rest are your martial nephews. Of these six hundred or so people, probably only about four hundred will participate. After all, a portion of them are not skilled in combat; they are the pastoral type of cultivators who pursue eternal life through the way of poison."
Li Yan was taken aback for a moment, then immediately understood. He was the disciple of a great Golden Core cultivator, so how could he have so many senior brothers? He couldn't help but scratch the back of his head.
After laughing, Li Wuyi's expression turned stern. "Little Junior Brother, you must also make plans. Since you've decided to participate, although it will be very difficult to get a ranking among the four hundred or so people, if you succeed by some chance, then what you face next is life and death. So you must be well-prepared. If you need spirit artifacts, spirit treasures, or medicinal pills, just tell me. I still have some Spirit Stones." He would not stop Li Yan's decision. Everyone has their own path, and following one's heart is the proper mindset for a cultivator. If Li Yan were to perish in there by accident, he would at most feel regret. But before that, he would also, out of fellowship, do his best to help this junior brother.
Li Yan, of course, knew this. He had considered several aspects before deciding to give it a try. He thought very clearly that only by relying on himself could he go further. External objects given by others or the sect were ultimately in the hands of others. Furthermore, he wanted to have the strength to leave the sect as soon as possible to resolve the matter of his family, otherwise it would definitely affect his Great Dao in the future. The lack of Spirit Stones was secondary. If he were to die inside by some chance, that would be his fate. The life he had now was won through a gamble anyway. Otherwise, he might as well become a pastoral cultivator, but that was not what he wanted. He had once sworn to grasp his own destiny, but that couldn't be achieved just by making a vow in his heart.
Seeing Li Wuyi taking such good care of him, he also felt grateful. He knew that with Li Wuyi's abilities, this was the most he could do. He himself was also preparing to break through to the Golden Core realm and needed even more Spirit Stones. To offer to lend him Spirit Stones was already a great kindness.
Seeing that Li Yan had made his decision, Li Wuyi added another piece of advice. "In a month, the Foundation Establishment sect selection tournament will begin first. Five days after they finish, they will observe your Qi Condensation competition. That is to prepare for selecting their own team members for the next step. As for how the teams will be divided, that will be decided after their secret realm harvest trial is over."
Li Yan understood his meaning. First, forty-nine people would be selected from the Foundation Establishment realm. Then, these forty-nine would observe the Qi Condensation competition to prepare for leading their own teams in the Wheel of Life and Death, based on the characteristics of the one hundred and eight contestants' cultivation arts. As for which three would ultimately be the leaders, that would depend on how many people returned from the secret realm harvest.
Seeing that the matter was settled, Li Wuyi said no more. He put down his teacup, patted Li Yan's shoulder, and turned to walk out of the courtyard.
"Eldest Senior Brother, is Senior Sister Li participating in this harvest competition? If she runs into Fourth Senior Sister, I wonder who we should cheer for."
Li Wuyi's elegant back, which was about to step out of the courtyard gate, stumbled. Without answering, he vanished without a trace.
'Let's see you pat me again. Did they all learn it from you, their Eldest Senior Brother?' Li Yan thought resentfully, the corners of his mouth turning up.
'I didn't expect to be personally named by the Sect Master for this matter. It seems the sect's resources are not so easy to take. What you eat, you must eventually spit out. It's just that the strength I've recently shown on the surface, around the mid-stage of the sixth layer of Qi Condensation, is still relatively weak in the Qi Condensation realm. Even with my Fragmented Poison Body, with a difference of three or four minor realms, the chances of winning are not high. But the Sect Master still wants me to fight. I estimate he at least wants to see the effectiveness of the Fragmented Poison Body through this internal competition. If I perform too poorly, I imagine that even this little bit of preferential resource allocation will be gone in the future.' As the person involved, Li Yan saw things even more clearly. Even if he didn't want to participate, it wasn't up to him.