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Novel: [The Primordial Law]
Volume 5: [Seeking Immortality in the Eastern Sea]
Volume 5 (Pinyin): [Dong Hai xun xian]
Chapter 29 (466): [A Thousand Years of Training, A Single Day of Battle]
(29th of Volume 5)
Translator: Shadow Knight AK
Editor: Shadow Knight AK
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The Moon Dragon Island outpost appeared remarkably simple, constructed from green flagstones and consisting of only a few buildings.
However, Li Weiyi sensed intricate and profound Formation Scriptures woven into the ground, air, and subterranean layers, rendering the outpost utterly impregnable.
Without Liu Ye's guidance, he and Tang Zhan would likely never have gained entry.
Behind the outpost, a dense white Mist swirled and undulated, as if concealing something.
Two figures emerged before Li Weiyi and Tang Zhan: one large and one small.
The smaller figure was Elder Qin, an Ancient Hidden One from the Jiu Li Hidden Sect.
Elder Qin's body was gaunt, his eyes sunken deep within their sockets. His deeply wrinkled face bore a prominent sword scar.
The other figure was a Great Immortal from the Aberrant Humanoid race of the Northern Territory.
This being possessed a human head, a serpentine body, and a Flood Dragon's tail.
Standing upright, it towered six to seven meters tall, its scales gleaming with a metallic sheen.
The cultivation path of the Aberrant Humanoids ultimately aimed at transformation into dragons.
With each breakthrough to a major Cultivation Realm, they consumed the blood of different Ancient Immortal Giant Beasts, triggering a new physical transformation.
This compensated for their innate deficiencies, granting them the potential to pursue higher realms and greater Immortal.
The higher an Aberrant Humanoid Martial-Mystic Cultivator's Cultivation Realm, the more types of Ancient Immortal Giant Beast blood they consumed.
This allowed them to elevate their combat prowess to rival even those with Pure Immortal Physiques at the same realm.
If they obtained blood of sufficiently high quality from an Ancient Immortal Giant Beast, or like Yin Shi Yi, acquired mysterious powers related to the Dragon, their combat strength at the same realm could even approach that of an Inheritor.
"Senior Tuoba, you're a Sentinel Spirit?"
Tang Zhan bowed respectfully to the Aberrant Humanoid Great Immortal cultivator across from him.
Tuoba Tao, his human head framed by long, flowing hair, chuckled heartily, "It's been seven or eight years since we last met in the Northern Nether Realm, hasn't it, my boy? Shall we catch up?"
Most of the Immortal Realm Giants of the Snow Sword Tang Court were unaware of Tang Zhan's true identity, but Tuoba Tao knew. This demonstrated the close bond between them.
In Qiu Prefecture City, after Elder Qin severely injured Li Weiyi with a single sword strike, creating the illusion that his Ancestral Field had been destroyed, they never saw each other again.
Elder Qin walked ahead with his hands clasped behind his back, his slightly hunched posture evident.
"It's the season for the Sentinel Spirit Army to recruit soldiers in the Lingxiao Realm," he said, "You were my first recommendation. Do you know why?"
Li Weiyi shook his head slightly.
"Actually, Hidden Nine, Yin Shi Yi, Yin Wu, and Hidden One are all qualified for selection," Elder Qin explained, "But they don't necessarily need to join the Sentinel Spirit Army. The Jiu Li Hidden Sect can protect them and provide for their future cultivation needs."
"You, however, are different. You need the Sentinel Spirit Army as your backing."
"Now that it's just the two of us, let's skip the formalities and talk about practical matters."
"With your talent and potential, you'll inevitably reach the Immortal Realm and need to venture beyond this realm. The Lingxiao Realm is too small a pond. If a True Dragon were to emerge here, it would be spotted instantly and snatched away."
"The higher your cultivation, the greater the risks you'll face."
"Once you leave the Lingxiao Realm, you'll be helpless without the unwavering support of a powerful background. Many will resort to methods beyond the rules to target you."
"The Sentinel Spirit Army can't protect you like a maiden in her chamber, but it can provide you with a roof over your head. It can grant you greater fairness in this unjust world, offering you the protection of established rules."
"We aren't Imperial Court Nobles or direct descendants of the Myriad Races. Joining the army is the best way for us to protect ourselves and advance. We can access the precious resources reserved for the Imperial Court Nobles, and we have access to Dao Techniques and Scriptures on par with those of the Ancient Myriad Sects."
"As a member of the Sentinel Spirit Army, no one would dare treat you unfairly openly in any human nation. Even if they resorted to underhanded tactics, someone would investigate thoroughly and seek justice."
"Without this identity... sigh, I'm just pessimistic. I don't want anything to happen to you. I want our Divine Hidden One to grow strong, to become Transcendent, to become the strongest in the world. Even a sliver of glory for the Jiu Li Tribe would be like forging a Golden Body for us."
Li Weiyi could feel Elder Qin's genuine concern and asked, "What's the difference between the Sentinel Spirit Army and the Calamity Crossing Temple?"
"I wholeheartedly supported your decision not to join the Calamity Crossing Temple."
Elder Qin said, "The Calamity Crossing Temple's philosophy of accepting disciples regardless of their background is commendable, but it has also created opportunities for exploitation. Over the years, its internal factions have grown complex, with various groups vying for power and influence. For instance, the Demon Kingdom faction now wields considerable influence within the temple."
"The survival space for pure Daoist Martial-Mystic Cultivators is shrinking."
"Given your innate talent, entering the Calamity Crossing Temple at that time would have been highly uncertain."
"Wouldn't Yaoyin be in great danger?" Li Weiyi asked.
Elder Qin replied, "Yaoyin entered the temple with Surging Spring Realm cultivation, which made a difference. By the time her extraordinary talent was revealed, she had already been accepted as a Registered Disciple by the Abbot. With that protection, who would dare to harm her?"
"Don't think too highly of people, nor too poorly. Most are just ordinary individuals. We all make different choices based on our pursuit of interests, reputation, cultivation, survival, dignity, and spiritual fulfillment."
"Interests aren't limited to narrow self-interest; they also encompass family and national interests."
"The pursuit of reputation isn't inherently hypocritical or negative. Who doesn't desire it? To achieve it, one must strive for excellence and exercise self-discipline."
Elder Qin continued, "You asked me about the difference between the Sentinel Spirit Army and the Calamity Crossing Temple. In my view, the Sentinel Spirit Army is far more pure. Because anyone who dares to join the Sentinel Spirit Army, who dares to silently dedicate themselves to the Netherworld, has already weeded out the vast majority of petty villains and those with malicious intentions."
"The Sentinel Spirit Army's primary recruitment principle is this spirit of righteousness and sense of responsibility. Only after that do we consider cultivation talent and other secondary qualities."
"The Netherworld is not the Cloud Heaven (Yuntian) Immortal Plain, nor is it the Xiaoyao Capital. It lacks the pomp and circumstance, the pursuit of fame and fortune."
Li Weiyi asked, "I heard the Sentinel Spirit Army was established by the Human Clan's high-ranking officials?"
Elder Qin nodded: "It was the result of deliberations among the Human Clan's most influential figures. Therefore, the rulers of every major nation and every Living Realm regularly allocate funds to secretly support the Sentinel Spirit Army."
"For the past thousand years, the Lingxiao Realm's contributions have been provided by Lingxiao Palace."
"During the recent calamity in the Lingxiao Realm, when Lord Lan began mobilizing troops, the Sentinel Spirit Army also alerted the Imperial Court and various sects. Of course, Lord Lan's territory borders the Lingxiao Realm, so the Imperial Court's border patrol Martial-Mystic Cultivators could detect some anomalies themselves."
"The Sentinel Spirit Army's role is simply to discover problems early and issue timely warnings."
"Resolving those problems is not our responsibility."
"Strictly speaking, we have only one mission: to send out a warning one year, one month, or even one day in advance when a cataclysm capable of annihilating the entire Human Clan is brewing deep within the Netherworld."
"We may train soldiers for a thousand years, only to use them for a single day."
"Let us hope that day never comes."
Afterward, Elder Qin and Li Weiyi discussed the Cave Void Camp, Cursed Monsters, and recruitment.
"The Sentinel Spirit Army recruits soldiers in proportion to the population of each Living Realm. For the Lingxiao Realm, we estimate recruiting only a dozen or twenty soldiers this time. The exact number is still under discussion."
"We're scouts, not fighters. We don't need large numbers."
To Li Weiyi, this was no small number.
After all, they were recruiting the most outstanding young talents.
Cultivation aptitude ranked second in the recruitment criteria, demonstrating its importance.
Elder Qin explained, "The Sentinel Spirit Army operates on a fifty-fifty schedule. For example, if you serve in the Netherworld for a year, you'll have a year back in the Living Realm for cultivation and personal life. Of course, you must return to camp immediately upon emergency recall, regardless of where you are."
"Your Sentinel Spirit Army status doesn't affect your status in the Living Realm."
"In camp, we're comrades. But back in the Living Realm, we might draw swords against each other due to family feuds or Sect rivalries."
Li Weiyi asked, "I'm curious about the Human Clan's high-ranking officials' attitude toward conflicts between Living Realms."
"With your current cultivation level, there's no need to dwell on such matters. If you ponder conflicts between Living Realms, will you then ponder conflicts between clans? Conflicts within Sects? Wherever there are people, there will be conflict. The conflict in the Lingxiao Realm has existed in the past, exists now, and will continue to exist in the future. Every Living Realm is the same, and every Netherworld is the same."
Elder Qin said, "That's all I can tell you about the Sentinel Spirit Army. You and Tang Zhan don't need to participate in the upcoming assessment. Just nod, and you can join the ranks immediately."
"You don't have to decide now. There's still time before the others' assessment. Think it over, and you can either come find me or report directly to the outpost."
"Of course, you must never reveal anything about the Sentinel Spirit Army to anyone else - not even the Hidden Lord or Old Zhuo. They aren't Sentinel Spirits. Exposing your identity could lead to assassination by Dead Spirits."
During their subsequent conversation, Elder Qin informed Li Weiyi that the Sentinel Lord of Cave Void Camp had ventured deep into the East Sea.
The excavation of the Ancient Immortal Dragon Remains might involve Dead Spirits, so caution was paramount.
Liu Ye escorted Li Weiyi and Tang Zhan out of the outpost, leading them to the northern cliffs of Moon Dragon Island.
The northern cliffs rose majestically, their sheer cliffs towering hundreds of feet high.
To one side lay the tranquil sea, the moon's reflection shimmering on the water as waves crashed against the jagged rocks. To the other, the bustling Sea Market still pulsed with life, its thousands of lanterns casting a warm glow across the night.
Liu Ye warned, "It's best not to use the Liu Fengshu identity again. The Rice Palace's power below the Immortal Realm is far greater than you can imagine."
"Thank you for the reminder, Brother Liu," Li Weiyi replied.
After parting ways, Li Weiyi and Tang Zhan donned their Nightwalker's Garments and strode purposefully toward the Sea Market.
Moon Dragon Island was neither particularly large nor small, but it drew powerful figures from all corners of the world.
The night air crackled with the sound of wind being torn apart by their movements.
"Where is the Young Lord?" Li Weiyi asked.
He desperately wanted to meet Tang Wanzhou and ask her to activate the Jade Boat.
He needed to travel beneath the Fusang Divine Tree to collect Extreme Dawn Light Dew, hoping to break through to become an Eight-Star Spiritual Master.
With his current cultivation level, Li Weiyi couldn't pilot the Jade Boat back to the Blood Mud Space before the Golden Crow rose from the sea.
Tang Zhan said, "The Young Lord is preparing for the Commander's Banquet."
"What Commander's Banquet?" Li Weiyi asked.
"Don't you know?" Tang Zhan replied.
"During this resource competition, the Young Lord led the younger generation of the Lingxiao Realm. She has sole authority over all matters below the Great Immortal Realm."
"The Commander's Banquet is a gathering of the realm's heroes to coordinate specific plans for the future."
"For example, how to respond to the Western Monster Race's retaliation."
"Or how to absorb more Six-Clawed Immortal Dragon Qi from the narrow space between the Rice Palace and the Calamity Crossing Temple."
Even Tang Zhan, a Divine Hidden One with unparalleled talent, couldn't hide his admiration.
"No matter how the Living Realm's factions clash internally, in critical moments, the Transcendent ones must rely on the Young Lord. In terms of wisdom and Martial-Mystic prowess, only she is fit for such a great responsibility."
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END OF CHAPTER
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