The Nameless District, Chapter Thirty-Five: Securing the Quota

Zhou Xuanhong soared on his sword to the outer sect disciples’ residential area, landing quietly before one of the houses. He sent a message through his divine sense to the occupant inside, announcing his arrival.

Soon after, the door opened, revealing Xu Biao, his face somewhat pale. He stepped out and bowed deeply to Zhou Xuanhong.

“No need for such formality. Let’s talk inside.”

Once the door was closed, Zhou Xuanhong handed Xu Biao a jade bottle. Inside was a black pill, noticeably larger than the one in Kong Xiaori’s possession.

“Don’t ask too much. Circumstances have changed for tomorrow—the sect will not hold a selection; instead, people will be chosen internally to enter the Small World. The exact number is still uncertain, but at least fifty or so. Furthermore, a large number of Qi Refining disciples from the Five-Spirit Pill Valley, the Yin Corpse Sect, and the Mount Song Sword Pavilion will also enter. You are guaranteed a spot, so there’s no need to worry.

Once you’re inside the Small World, don’t concern yourself with anything else. First, find a concealed place to hide, then set up a covert formation on the ground. Afterward, begin using earth-escape talismans to burrow underground. Go as deep as you can, and when you can go no further, leave the jade bottle there. After that, you can pursue your opportunity in peace. Rest assured, I guarantee your safety.”

Xu Biao still seemed uneasy. “Young master, if things are as you say, and the disciples of the other three sects can enter the Small World, the fighting will be ferocious. I’m only at the eighth level of Qi Refining, and only just broke through. Even with these treasures you’ve given me, I fear I can’t compete with those geniuses! Especially that Wang Li—if he enters, I’m certain I’ll be the first he tries to kill.”

Zhou Xuanhong waved his hand. “I’ve already said, your safety will be ensured—leave it to me. All you need do is follow my instructions. As for the rest, I will contact you when the time comes.”

Xu Biao hesitated, but finally gritted his teeth and nodded. “Then I’ll do as you say, young master. My life isn’t worth much anyway—I'll leave it in your hands!”

Zhou Xuanhong was pleased and smiled. “Don’t put yourself under too much pressure. Once this is done, any treasures you obtain will be yours. I believe that the day you emerge will be the start of your rise.”

Leaving Xu Biao’s residence, Zhou Xuanhong set off for Mandarin Duck Peak. To get Xu Biao into the Small World, he still needed the approval of a powerful elder.

In truth, Zhou Xuanhong was taking this extra precaution because he was certain Wang Li would also maneuver to get Xu Biao into the Small World. That way, even if Xu Biao were killed, no one would know.

“Senior Sister Xu, it’s your disciple Xuanhong, here to pay my respects!”

Not long after, a figure arrived riding a flying sword—Luo Tuan, at the peak of Foundation Establishment, a dual cultivator of body and technique, carrying a great sword on his back, exuding a fierce aura.

“Junior Brother Zhou, what brings you here so late at night?”

Zhou Xuanhong cupped his hands in salute. “Ah, with the Small World about to open, I have a friend at the eighth level of Qi Refining who is short on spirit stones and wishes to enter the Small World to earn some.”

Luo Tuan looked puzzled. “Has the Sect Master not told you? The situation has changed—those from the Five-Spirit Pill Valley and other sects will also join. It’ll be dangerous; it’s best not to go.”

Zhou Xuanhong forced a smile. “My master did inform me, but my friend insists on entering—he seems to have his own reasons. If the slots are already filled, then I won’t trouble you.”

“Come in!” a pleasant voice called to them—it was Xu Yuan.

Inside the hall on Mandarin Duck Peak, Zhou Xuanhong found that this was not a formal setting, but the private residence of Elder Xu Yuan. The buildings were rather ordinary.

Xu Yuan sat cross-legged on a cushion, her cheeks tinged with an unhealthy flush. She greeted Zhou Xuanhong with a nod and a smile. “Junior Brother, a rare guest indeed—this is your first time visiting me.”

Zhou Xuanhong replied politely, “I was injured before—I have to thank you for your pills, or I’d still be bedridden.”

“Are you fully recovered? Any lingering issues?”

“Thanks to you, I’ve healed. My dantian suffered some damage, but nothing serious. With time, I’ll recover. I’ve come today to shamelessly ask for your help. If it’s inconvenient, please forget I mentioned it.”

Xu Yuan nodded. “If it were before, I couldn’t help—you know there were only twenty spots, reserved for elite outer disciples. But as you’re aware, our sect’s fighting strength has taken heavy losses. With other sects pressuring us, the sect has decided to let a large group enter the Small World and let them fight it out—a deliberate strategy.

So, the selection can’t be done as before. There will still be a few geniuses, but most will be less talented disciples. Even if they die, the sect loses little. I can secure you a spot. What’s your friend’s cultivation and talent?”

Zhou Xuanhong clapped his thigh and grinned. “So that’s it—the sect’s move is clever! Don’t worry, Senior Sister. The person’s name is Xu Biao; he just joined recently and has helped me before. He’s not talented, which is why I helped get him into our sect. He fits perfectly—even without my request, he’d probably be chosen.”

Xu Yuan shook her head. “Xuanhong, the sect isn’t sending these disciples to die as cannon fodder. If they lack opportunity, their achievements will be limited anyway. The sect is giving them a chance, but their fate is theirs to seize. If they die, it’s not the sect’s fault.”

Zhou Xuanhong nodded emphatically. “Exactly, can’t blame the sect if they die. By the way, Senior Sister, there’s something I don't understand—could you enlighten me?”

“Ask what you will. If it involves sect secrets, I may not be able to answer.”

Zhou Xuanhong asked curiously, “I heard that Small Worlds are usually naturally formed and only have fixed entrances. How did this Small World get transferred from the Supreme Yin Corpse Sect to our Xingyan Sect? Is it some kind of treasure?”

Xu Yuan shook her head. “At your current level, you wouldn’t know much even if I explained. Only those at the Void God realm deal with such world rules. But I do know that in the cultivation world, formation masters can use the world’s core to lay restrictions, severing a Small World’s connection and making it independent from Fairy Star’s main world. In this way, even cultivators can refine the restrictions to control the Small World.”

Zhou Xuanhong shook his head, overwhelmed. “World cores, restrictions—never mind, I shouldn’t disturb your cultivation any longer. I’ll take my leave.”

“Go on, then.”

Zhou Xuanhong turned and rode his sword away from Mandarin Duck Peak. Xu Yuan’s explanation filled his mind with many thoughts, but outwardly he maintained the innocent demeanor of an eighteen-year-old youth.

As he departed, Xu Yuan withdrew her divine sense, having detected nothing unusual about Zhou Xuanhong.

“Yuan’er, this Zhou Xuanhong is too suspicious. He vanished for days—I meant to monitor his whereabouts, but he disguised himself as a Qi Refining cultivator and slipped out of the sect. Our investigations only found traces of him using disguise treasures in a few cities, and then nothing. I’ve also heard no news of him in the nearby cultivation world.”

Xu Yuan nodded. “Every cultivator has their secrets. What we did was already somewhat improper. Since there’s no trace, let it go. Focus on the opening of the Small World. You killed so many Yin Corpse Sect disciples—you’re probably their most wanted enemy now. They’ll surely target you.”

Luo Tuan flashed a wicked grin. “They’re just clowns—what’s the Yin Corpse Sect to me? The only ones worth my attention are the sword lunatics from Mount Song Sword Pavilion. I can’t wait to cross swords with them.”

Xu Yuan wrapped her arms around Luo Tuan’s broad back, laughing softly. “Sword lunatic? You’re the real little lunatic here.”

Luo Tuan hugged her slender waist, grinning wickedly. “‘Little’ lunatic? Seems you haven’t yet been properly taught by my great treasure. Looks like I’ll have to show you what a big lunatic really is.”

“Shameless rascal!”

...

After leaving Mandarin Duck Peak, Zhou Xuanhong returned to the little wooden house on the Sect Master’s Peak. In the moonlight, he admired the steadily growing Vitality-Rising Grass, nodding in satisfaction.

He took out jars of beast blood from his storage pouch—purchased alongside spirit beast meat in the towns and marketplaces—and carefully watered the Vitality-Rising Grass. With the rich spiritual energy on the Sect Master’s Peak, the grass thrived.

“Looks like it’ll be ready for harvest in just a few days. Once mature, I should be able to harvest it every half-month. With Xiaori’s help and a few beast whips, the effects will be astonishing. Who doesn’t want to enhance that aspect of themselves?”

Entering the wooden house, Zhou Xuanhong recalled the measuring look Luo Tuan had given him and guessed at its meaning, a cold smile on his lips.

“What an interesting master and disciple. Still, they’ve treated me well enough; there’s no need to move against them for now, but I’ll stay on my guard.”

He had noticed the flush on Xu Yuan’s cheeks and the affection in their eyes—likely a relationship similar to that between Valley Master Gu Tianyun of the Immortal Medicine Hall and his disciple Yao Yao, though much purer, with little self-interest involved.

“Given that, when the Vitality-Rising Grass matures, I’ll send some to Luo Tuan. We men—we understand each other!”

After all, he would be staying in Xingyan Sect for some time and needed a reliable backer. The Great Elder was not an option, and his own nominal master was unreliable. Only Xu Yuan, one of the powerful elders, was suitable.

Zhou Xuanhong closed his eyes and began cultivating. The wooden house was set with a spirit-gathering array, and on the Sect Master’s Peak, spiritual energy was abundant. His cultivation progressed rapidly, and with his affinity for earth spiritual energy, he was confident he’d soon break through to Foundation Establishment’s second layer.

Cultivation is the foundation of the Immortal Realm; everything else is merely a tool to aid the path. On the endless road of immortality, strength is forever the root of survival. Cultivation is the true support of life. Authority rests on spiritual power; the Great Dao lies within the destruction of divine arts!