Longevity through Upgrading Buildings

Chapter 1053: Chapter 386: Inner Realm; An Unexpected Encounter with Mu Xueyao

“Never heard of it.”

The one-eyed, dark-faced Ma Gui shook his head and gritted his teeth as he said, “Judging by the move he just made, his cultivation is definitely beyond mid-stage Core Formation.”

“Nonsense, if he really were mid-stage Core Formation, how could he kill the Poisonous Corpse King in one strike!”

Daoist Xiao reprimanded sharply.

Ma Gui had been in charge of the Bone Nightmare Sect for years; apart from the Bone Nightmare Old Demon, who had ever admonished him in such a tone?

So, hearing this immediately made him unable to bear it.

He opted for sarcasm directly.

“Oh, Daoist Xiao is still formidable, let alone allowing the Insect Demon to escape, even Mo Tusheng got away.”

“He used a True Treasure,” Daoist Xiao said coldly, “You’d better not force me to use my True Treasure to kill you!”

Ma Gui snorted, extended his right hand, and produced a True Treasure just the same.

“True Treasure? It’s as if no one else has one.”

“Enough, stop arguing.”

Yan Zhirou stepped forward expressionless and said in a deep voice, “The Poisonous Corpse King has been snatched by the Insect Demon and has been taken to the Inner Realm… Now we’re faced with two options.”

“Either we go and intercept the other two Corpse Kings, however, if we head over there now, it’s likely we’ll have to join forces.”

“Or, we disperse individually, continue killing rotten corpses, and await the opening of the gateway to the Inner Realm.”

Upon hearing this, everyone present took out their respective Identity Jade Tokens and looked at the Maps in their hands.

“There’s no need to mention the other two; Xun Tianji will definitely snatch one of them.”

Recalling his battle with him in the first stage, Daoist Xiao’s expression turned somewhat unsightly.

“Then we’ll take the other one!”

Ma Gui affirmed with certainty.

“But how do you know which one Xun Tianji will snatch?”

Fang Zhong turned to look at him.

Standing beside them, Yan Zhirou hesitated briefly, then tentatively called out.

“Lord Ghost?”

“…”

“Would I, as your master, harm you?”

Nightmare True Monarch’s voice echoed in Qiu Qianhai’s consciousness, “You can see it yourself, in the current situation, although you possess the strength of the Peak of Core Formation, you are far from those at the peak. Within Rashamon Sea, you may be of some use, but if you want to obtain the Supreme Treasure, it won’t help much.”

Qiu Qianhai stood above the swamp, looking at the scene of people besieging the Poisonous Corpse King, his face dark and unclear.

Nightmare True Monarch continued to persuade:

“Besides, I’m just borrowing your body temporarily now, and once we leave Rashamon Sea, I’ll return it to you.”

“And if we truly acquire these treasures, who do you think I would use them on? They’d still end up being yours.”

“But…”

Qiu Qianhai wanted to argue but found he couldn’t find any reason to refute.

“But what? But my good disciple, do you wish to refuse your master?”

Nightmare True Monarch asked quizzically:

“Don’t forget, since your loved ones passed away, who has assisted you step-by-step to where you are now.”

Qiu Qianhai remained silent for a long time and finally nodded.

“Then, I’ll rely on master for everything.”

“No trouble, no trouble.” Nightmare True Monarch said as he gradually took control of Qiu Qianhai’s body, which had ceased its resistance.

And what followed was Qiu Qianhai’s cultivation that steadily rose.

Late-stage Core Formation.

And then… Peak of Core Formation!

With one step, he reached the Poisonous Corpse King.

The Nightmare True Monarch, re-capturing power, placed one hand on the Poisonous Corpse King’s head, blood qi surged forth, transforming into a cage, and astonishingly trapped the Corpse King with a single grasp.

Blood hair fluttered, and his blood robe rustled.

He surveyed his surroundings and smirked savagely.

“This Corpse King, belongs to Old Demon Ji. Who agrees, who objects?!”

“…”

“Ahem.”

Ji Yuan, just having stood up, hadn’t had time to clearly observe the situation around him before being hit with a moldy stench that assaulted his senses, instinctively causing him to block his breath.

Then, he took in the surrounding scene.

Now, he found himself standing at the gate of an ancient city, the walls behind him were covered in moss, and in front was a street extending in all directions, but the street didn’t seem to stretch far… gray mist enveloped and obscured everything.

Upon seeing this scenario, Ji Yuan was momentarily stunned.

… How is it not the place to exchange treasures?

Ji Yuan hurriedly pulled out his Identity Jade Token and injected mana.

[Silver Thirteen: Two thousand three hundred seventy-eight]

Seeing this long string of words, Ji Yuan slightly exhaled a sigh of relief.

Regardless, as long as these Contribution Points are still there, it’s good.

Just… Haven’t I concluded the previous stage and come to this Inner Realm, according to normal circumstances, shouldn’t I first exchange for treasures?

Ji Yuan was planning to exchange for the two Tier Four Wood Attribute Demon Pills.

But now…

“Lord Ghost Envoy, I haven’t exchanged for treasures yet, have I?”

Given the situation, as the first Core Formation cultivator to step into the Inner Realm, Ji Yuan naturally didn’t hesitate to ask when unsure.

“No, no, between the Inner Realm and the Outer Realm, treasures cannot be exchanged. Only after you pass the first stage in the Inner Realm can you exchange for treasures.”

With the arrival of the Ghost Envoy’s presence, the voice naturally resounded in Ji Yuan’s consciousness.

Well-acquainted with the Ghost Envoy’s nature, Ji Yuan almost immediately reacted.

Normally, one can exchange treasures after passing a minor trial, let alone the current situation of progressing from the Outer Realm to the Inner Realm.

Why can’t treasures be exchanged?

The only reason is that the Ghost Envoy forbids it, and the purpose of doing so is naturally to incite conflict.

Consider, having accumulated so many Contribution Points in the Poisonous Miasma Swamp, only to find them unspent upon arriving in the Inner Realm… for a moment Ji Yuan dared not even contemplate.

Because, empathizing, he wondered, if he were to encounter other cultivators next…