Hearing Jiang Yan's words, the disciples could not help but feel their ambitions blaze like fire.
For cultivators, struggling against heaven and earth was the very essence of the path.
If one did not strive for invincibility—why cultivate at all?
Only with such an indomitable Dao heart could miracles be forged upon the path of immortality, carrying one further than ever before.
All of them bowed deeply, their eyes alight—especially Tartaglia, who was nearly leaping with excitement.
Looking at Jiang Yan, he felt as though he had found a true kindred spirit.
"Disciple shall not fail the Sect Master, nor bring shame upon Mount Shu!"
"To forge the invincible path, and scale ever higher peaks!"
The disciples responded in unison, voices firm with burning resolve.
Jiang Yan gave a slight nod, then sat back down.
"The Xuanyin Minor World is different from the Nine Nether Secret Realm. Though I have resolved not to hinder your ventures into danger…
do not mistake this for encouragement to seek death blindly.
"The Nine Nether Secret Realm was severed from the world by your Uncle-Master, the Wine Sword Immortal.
"In there, demons cannot cultivate past the Refining Qi into Spirit realm—it is a land where the heavens themselves cut off further growth.
"The strongest inside are merely at the peak of Refining Qi into Spirit. That is why I did not worry overmuch for you.
"When First Seat Zhongli and others were grievously wounded before, it was not for lack of strength, but for inexperience—ignorance of immortal arts, and naivety toward the cunning of beasts.
"But remember: you stand with Mount Shu behind you. The arts and methods you learn here are treasures others in the cultivation world dream of.
"With mastery, and battle experience, invincibility among your peers is no empty boast.
"First Seat Zhongli—what say you?"
At this, Zhongli's eyes flashed. He cupped his hands, his voice steady:
"That day I was careless, ignorant of a cultivator's true battle.
"Now, having mastered the Mantra of Manifesting Fate, should I meet that golden eagle or Crimson python again…
"I may not best them both at once, but in single combat—I would certainly suppress either one."
Jiang Yan nodded lightly.
"Just so. You have treasures and arts. What you lack is nothing more than true combat experience.
"Thus, the Nine Nether is not as perilous as it seems.
"But the Xuanyin Minor World—I do not recommend you rush into it yet.
"It is not a secret realm. It is a true, independent world of cultivation!"
The disciples' eyes widened, stunned.
Jiang Yan's voice grew solemn:
"Back then, Mount Shu controlled many small worlds, both to supply disciples and accumulate resources.
"The Xuanyin Minor World was one of these.
"Though called 'small,' it is a complete world of cultivation. Its strongest dwellers reach the Spirit Transformation stage.
"Worse, the Xuanyin Minor World is not ordinary—nine-tenths of its cultivators are demonic.
"Slaughtering cities, toppling nations, spreading chaos across the land—such events occur there constantly."
At this, everyone's hearts sank.
The meaning was clear: that world was nothing less than a paradise for demonic cultivators.
Newcomers like Furina might not yet fully grasp what "demonic cultivators" meant.
But Ningguang and others had studied records—they knew well.
In the past, Mount Shu had fought one such devil who blood-refined the life of eight hundred small worlds, standing a single step from ascension.
It had taken three Law-Enforcing Elders to bring him down, and even so, all three returned gravely wounded, barely clinging to life.
Though despised by the world, demonic cultivators were unmatched in their sheer violence.
In pure combat, at equal level, they were often the strongest.
After all—what righteous cultivator would begin a fight by sacrificing billions of lives into a Soul-Banner of Ten-Thousand Wraiths?
The endless wails of the dead were enough to crush the Dao heart itself.
"The Xuanyin Minor World may—or may not—have suffered world-collapse like the Nine Nether.
"If it has, then the strongest there may be only early Refining Qi into Spirit.
"If not, the peak may be late Spirit Transformation.
"Either way, venturing deep will not be simple.
"Their methods are sinister, more venomous than beasts. Their tempers are unpredictable. Should you go, you will need to disguise yourselves.
"Yet… it remains a complete cultivation world. Its benefits to you will be immense.
"Medicines, pills, artifacts…
The resources of an entire world far outstrip the Nine Nether.
"If we can develop it steadily, it will profit both Mount Shu and yourselves.
"Indeed, if I am right, the Xuanyin Minor World contains spiritual veins—perhaps more than one.
"To claim even a single vein would be worth millions of contribution points."
At this, everyone's eyes lit up.
Though wary of the world's dangers, the promise of wealth and resources was dazzling.
A few million contribution points—enough to ensure their cultivation to the peak of Refining Qi into Spirit without resource shortage!
Tartaglia, however, barely listened to such details.
To him, rewards were secondary.
What mattered was this—
he would have the chance to fight.
To charge into the Nine Nether, the Xuanyin Minor World, the Mount Shu Demon-Sealing Tower.
He could hardly imagine it—
a single secret realm had left two Archons and a veteran witch gravely wounded, and that without even facing the Seven Kings of the Nine Nether Secret Realm.
What a place of unimaginable peril!
If he entered at mere Refining Essence into Qi, any opponent might match him, perhaps even crush him.
Others might grow cautious.
But Tartaglia?
This was his paradise.
Afraid of death?
Then he would not be Tartaglia.
He feared only having no battle to fight.
Now, three lands overflowing with powerhouses—
for the first time, he felt his life held true meaning.
"As for the Xuanyin Minor World, I will not open it until you have mastered more life-preserving methods.
"New disciples have just entered; now is not the time."
Seeing their eagerness, Jiang Yan poured a bit of cold water.
"But it will not be long. Mount Shu already numbers over a thousand disciples. Not yet a great sect, but enough to function properly.
"So—I have decided…"
He paused, then smiled faintly.
"Once the new disciples are familiar with cultivation and its methods, I will reopen the Nine Nether Secret Realm.
"I will organize a great exploration gathering. Disciples may go alone or in groups as they wish.
"Your contribution points will be tallied into a ranking.
"The top ranks will receive rich rewards, even the right to enter the sect treasury and choose artifacts suited to themselves."
He let his words sink in, then added:
"Moreover—I intend to hold the first Seven Peaks Tournament.
"Disciples of both Inner and Outer Sect from each peak will step onto the arena, fighting for their peak's honor.
"We will use this to establish Mount Shu's disciple ranking."
At once, the disciples erupted in joy.
A Secret Realm Exploration Gathering, and the Seven Peaks Tournament—
these would be grand festivals of Mount Shu.
They could already imagine the splendor.
The rewards alone were thrilling.
But more—the chance to gather with the sect's greatest talents, fighting under the gaze of all, for honor and for resources.
The thought was intoxicating.
Zhongli and the others had long heard of the Seven Peaks Tournament. To see it finally realized brought genuine excitement.
As First Seats and elders, they would not compete—
but they could witness it.
For a Mount Shu cultivator, missing such a spectacle would be a grave loss.
To most, Jiang Yan's announcement meant honor and resources.
But to Tartaglia, he heard only one word—
Battle.
Endless battle.
A gathering of the strong, clashing in boundless combat.
Nothing could make him happier.
Barely initiated into Mount Shu, and already countless opponents awaited him.
To him, Mount Shu was simply perfect.
At that moment, Zhongli narrowed his eyes, as if recalling something.
"Sect Master—may I enter the Mount Shu Demon-Sealing Tower in the coming days?"
At this, the others looked at him in surprise.
Jiang Yan replied calmly:
"With your current strength and arts, so long as you do not step beyond the fifth floor, it should be manageable.
"But remember—the tower is not the Nine Nether. No elders will protect you.
"Inside, every moment is a life-or-death crisis.
"As I have said, I will no longer bar you from risk. For only through battle can the invincible heart be tempered.
"But you must weigh it carefully. A single misstep, and there will not even be a corpse left to bury."
Zhongli fell silent, then nodded.
"I understand. I am ready.
"I am on the cusp of the Refining Qi into Spirit peak. A single step remains.
"I believe that through life-and-death struggle within the tower, aided by the law of time, I may succeed in breaking through."
And then… the Nine Nether… the Greenwind Ox…
Jiang Yan saw the killing intent flicker in Zhongli's eyes. He needed no explanation to know his target.
After a moment's thought, Jiang Yan nodded.
"Very well. But you may not ascend beyond the fifth floor.
"And within three days—three years within the tower—you must return to Mount Shu."
Zhongli bowed low.
"As the Sect Master decrees!"
Three years inside—was it enough?
This single step had trapped countless cultivators for life.
Perhaps one epiphany would see him break through.
Perhaps decades more would bring nothing.
But the Mount Shu Demon-Sealing Tower gave him hope.
It was said: between life and death, great fortune is found.
Zhongli would gamble everything.
Until the Greenwind Ox was slain, his heart could find no peace.
This was both personal vengeance—and a debt of blood owed.
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