Chapter 82: The Sect Master Remembers Me Again
Li Wuyi spoke with a grave expression, and Li Yan listened with a growing sense of dread. Death was certainly frightening, but what was even more terrifying was watching the scythe of death inch toward you little by little, knowing you couldn't escape, that was what truly drove people to madness.
"Among the thirty-seven cultivators, there must be one whose cultivation is a full major realm higher than the others, the team leader.
"This is because, before the twenty passages on the sphere's surface activate, numerous small blue rhomboid crystals will appear. These crystals are transparent overall, but each contains a small colored orb at its center.
"These blue crystals are peculiar. Only the highest-stage person in each passage, the team leader can claim them. If a passage contains more than one person with the same cultivation as the team leader, the Life-and-Death Wheel trial cannot be activated.
"If all thirty-seven cultivators are of the same stage, the trial cannot be initiated either. The role of the team leaders is also critical: when two paths intersect, the leaders must stand at the end of their own paths and activate the blue crystals.
"By doing this, they can slow the rate at which the looming shadow overhead descends by about one-fifth. But this only works if both team leaders activate the crystals simultaneously by continuously channeling spiritual energy into them.
"Don't underestimate this slight delay, it's the most precious extension of survival time.
"If either team leader tries to kill lower-stage cultivators on the opposing team, then even if the other leader activates the crystal, the delay effect won't trigger. In that case, both sides are doomed to mutual destruction."
Hearing this, Li Yan furrowed his brows. The cultivation methods of ancient cultivators were truly cruel. But then again, perhaps only through such merciless methods could stronger beings be forged. Then, a thought struck him.
"Senior Brother, those twenty passages, surely the four great sects wouldn't each only use one. What about the remaining sixteen passages? Are they given to smaller sects or to beast clans inside the secret realm?"
Li Wuyi couldn't help but admire his junior's keen insight.
There was a deeper implication in Li Yan's question: if all twenty paths were filled solely by the four great sects, with each using five, what would happen if teams from the same sect encountered each other? Would they be forced into killing their own people?
No sect with any sense would do such a thing.
"In fact, the twenty passages aren't assigned to minor sects. Though those sects fall under our jurisdiction, what right do they have to such an opportunity?"
At this, Li Wuyi's tone turned indifferent, as if such condescension was entirely natural. Li Yan could only sigh inwardly.
"In the cultivation world, there's no room for mercy. Even a trial where survival is one in ten is considered too precious to share with the lesser sects."
For a moment, he actually felt fortunate to have entered a major sect from the start.
Li Wuyi didn't notice the shift in Li Yan's expression and continued:
"The four sects each get three passages. The remaining eight are for the beast clans of the secret realm, they too want a share of the spoils.
"But strangely enough, the Life-and-Death Wheel passages can only activate if human cultivators are present. Otherwise, the trial area stays sealed.
"This restriction likely stems from the magical treasure being created by ancient human cultivators.
"Even so, there's still a risk that teams from the same sect could cross paths. The solution is simple: at the passage entrance, the team leader collects a blue crystal with a specific colored orb. If two teams hold crystals of the same color, their paths will never intersect. This prevents internal conflict.
"However, there's one more limitation: a maximum of five teams can carry crystals with the same colored orb. Any more, and the trial won't initiate.
"That means each sect can send at most five teams. Any more, and there would be a greater than fifty percent chance of internal conflict.
"As for the beast clans, eight passages aren't enough for all of them. There are too many tribes. Most likely, each tribe gets only one path, and they'll have to fight among themselves to secure the opportunity."
After hearing all this, Li Yan finally understood the workings of the Life-and-Death Wheel. But then another thought struck him. Were they planning to send him? He was only at the Qi Condensation stage!
Li Wuyi, of course, knew what Li Yan was thinking. He took another sip of tea and smiled brightly.
"The Life-and-Death Wheel was closed off tens of thousands of years ago after it was decided that only Foundation Establishment cultivators would be allowed to enter the secret realm for harvesting. The reason, naturally, was to avoid the unnecessary loss of Qi Condensation-stage seedlings.
"Every fifteen years, the beast clans clamor to reopen it, so they can participate. But for tens of thousands of years, the four sects have always refused.
"Unexpectedly, this time, the other three sects sent high-ranking representatives to negotiate. They want to reopen the Wheel to gain more treasures from the trial. Their proposal was for Foundation Establishment disciples to first do the harvesting, then be led by three Core Formation cultivators through the Wheel itself.
"But our sect's upper echelons vetoed this plan. According to intelligence from our spies in the other three sects, they've been unusually close lately, as if plotting something together.
"Now, it's hard to see how they could act in concert within the Wheel, since only one path intersection happens at a time. Still, their insistence is suspicious.
"We could refuse to participate altogether but how could we abandon such an opportunity?
"So, after careful deliberation, our sect decided to reject their plan of having Core Formation leaders with Foundation disciples. Instead, we flipped the structure: Foundation Establishment cultivators as leaders, with Qi Condensation disciples as the main force.
"This change means even if the other sects are scheming, it'll take time to adapt. They won't have time to replan.
"As a result, the sect master issued a decree yesterday: each peak must prepare for a Qi Condensation disciple tournament. Eligibility requires reaching the ninth level of Qi Condensation, and only 108 disciples will be selected.
"Right now, on Little Bamboo Peak, you are the only one who qualifies. The sect master even named you specifically. I hear you've reached mid-stage sixth level, so you were clearly considered carefully.
"With your unique physique, you might not even lose to eighth or ninth-level cultivators at this stage. As for your three junior nephews, their cultivation doesn't meet the mark.
"So, I had to come talk to you personally. I want to hear your thoughts."
Li Wuyi refilled his teacup and fell silent.
Strictly speaking, this kind of message could've been sent through a simple notice. The sect master had already named Li Yan. But this was his own junior brother, and their master valued him deeply. Forcing him into it might lead to disaster, and failing to report him might cause resentment later.
Today, everything would depend on Li Yan's own decision.
If Li Yan didn't agree today, then Li Wuyi would find a way to delay it another fifteen years. Worst case, he'd push the responsibility onto their master, after all, the old man was still in seclusion right now.
Having managed the affairs of Bamboo Peak for so many years, Li Wuyi was well aware of the helplessness the other peak masters and even the sect master felt toward their rotund senior.
He himself wasn't quite in a position to make a final call on this either, after all, Li Yan's displayed cultivation level was still too low.
Normally speaking, even if a Qi Condensation disciple at the ninth level entered the trial, their survival was far from guaranteed. If Li Yan had reached the ninth level, Li Wuyi would've hoped he'd give it a try.
This junior brother of his had never been particularly gifted, so maybe a desperate gamble would lead to some great opportunity. If Li Yan still refused under such circumstances, Li Wuyi would admittedly think a bit less of him.
Li Yan lowered his head and thought for forty to fifty heartbeats before finally raising it again.
"Senior Brother, you said that if a team finishes in the top three, they can get a treasure or exchange it for spirit stones, is that true?"
"Of course it's true," Li Wuyi replied. "But let me remind you, first: the place is a death trap. And second: even if you survive, entering the top three isn't easy."
"Still, the sect has promised that any Qi Condensation disciple who survives the trial, even without placing will receive three hundred low-grade spirit stones. The Foundation Establishment team leaders will get five hundred."
"As for exchanging treasures for spirit stones? That's unheard of. I've never participated in the Wheel of Life and Death myself, but I've heard that every treasure that appears inside is extraordinarily rare, no one's ever traded one away."
Li Yan was inwardly shocked, he hadn't expected the treasures found there to be so precious. And right now, he owed a large debt to the Mission Hall. Spirit stones were exactly what he lacked most.
After thinking a while longer, he finally made up his mind.
"Senior Brother, I'll give it a try. Our sect has tens of thousands of Qi Condensation disciples. How many of them have reached the ninth level?"
Li Wuyi smiled. "Roughly six hundred. But only a few of them are disciples of any specific peak master. So you only have a few senior brothers at that level, the rest would be your junior nephews."
"Out of the six hundred, probably only around four hundred will participate. Quite a few of them are pacifists, more focused on alchemy, farming, or seeking longevity through poison arts. They aren't suited for battle."
Li Yan was momentarily stunned, then scratched his head in realization. Right, I'm a Core Formation cultivator's disciple, how could I have that many senior brothers?
After laughing, Li Wuyi's expression turned serious.
"Junior Brother, since you've decided to participate, you'd better start preparing. Even if placing among four hundred contestants is difficult, if you do make it, you'll face true life-and-death combat next.
"So prepare well. If you need spirit artifacts, spirit treasures, or pills, just tell me. I've got some spirit stones saved up."
Li Wuyi wasn't going to stop Li Yan. Everyone had to walk their own path. Following your heart was the proper mindset for cultivation. If Li Yan died in the trial, he would only regret it slightly.
But before that, he would do what he could, as a fellow disciple, to support his junior brother.
Li Yan, of course, understood this. He had carefully weighed his options and still decided to try.
He saw things clearly: only by relying on himself could he go further. Anything given by others or the sect could be taken back. And he wanted to increase his strength as soon as possible, to one day leave the sect and resolve his lingering matters of family. If not, it could haunt his cultivation path forever.
The matter of lacking spirit stones was secondary. If he died, then so be it, his life had already been clawed back from the jaws of death.
Otherwise, he might as well become a pastoral longevity cultivator. But that wasn't the life he wanted. He had once sworn to seize control of his own fate and that wasn't a vow that could be fulfilled just by making a resolution in his heart.
Seeing how much Li Wuyi had done for him today, Li Yan was also deeply moved. He knew that with Li Wuyi preparing for Core Formation himself, the demand for spirit stones must be immense. That he was still willing to offer help spoke volumes.
Li Wuyi, seeing that Li Yan had made his decision, gave one final reminder.
"In a month, the Foundation Establishment disciples will have their internal selection tournament first. Five days after that, they'll observe the Qi Condensation disciples' tournament, to start choosing their future team members."
"As for final team assignments, that'll only be decided after they return from the secret realm gathering trial."
Li Yan understood. The sect would first select forty-nine Foundation Establishment disciples. They would observe the battle styles and abilities of the 108 Qi Condensation finalists and prepare to choose teammates for the Wheel of Life and Death.
And as for who the three final team leaders would be? That depended on which Foundation Establishment disciples survived the trial in the secret realm, because that was another life-or-death trial between Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Li Wuyi, seeing that everything had been said, placed his teacup down, patted Li Yan on the shoulder, and turned to leave the courtyard.
"Eldest Senior Brother," Li Yan called after him, "Is Senior Sister Li also participating in the trial? If she ends up facing Fourth Senior Sister… whose corner should we be backing?"
Just as Li Wuyi was about to make a suave exit through the courtyard gate, his back suddenly lurched forward in a comical stumble. He gave no reply and vanished without a trace.
"I knew it! You're the one who taught them that smug attitude!" Li Yan grumbled with a smirk, cursing silently in his heart.
"So it was the sect master himself who named me... It seems the sect's resources don't come for free, whatever you take, you'll eventually have to pay back."
"Outwardly, I've only shown that I'm around the mid-sixth level of Qi Condensation. I should be among the weaker ones at my stage. Even with the Fractured Poison Body, going against high-level cultivators won't be easy.
"But the sect master still wants me to participate, most likely to see for himself how useful the Fractured Poison Body really is. If I perform too poorly, I doubt they'll keep favoring me with resources."
As the person involved, Li Yan saw the situation clearly. Even if he didn't want to go, was that really up to him?
(Chapter End)