readytorunbook Chapter 221 Breaking the Dilemma with Wisdom
Chapter 221 Breaking the Dilemma with Wisdom
The Gate to the Spirit Realm is rumored to be a passage to a higher level of cultivation, containing countless rare and precious natural treasures and powerful, lost cultivation techniques.
Zhuang Yu could not contain his excitement; his desire for a higher realm burned like wildfire.
He bid farewell to the reluctant Wang Yao and embarked on his journey alone to the valley where the gate to the spirit world was located.
Leaving the cave, Zhuang Yu flew on his sword at lightning speed.
The once lush forest beneath our feet was gradually replaced by the desolate Gobi Desert, and the biting wind howled past like the low growl of a wild beast.
He squinted, feeling the stinging sensation of fine sand in the wind hitting his face, his heart filled with both anticipation and nervousness for the unknown journey ahead.
As dusk fell, the setting sun dyed the western sky a blood red, as if foreshadowing the fierce competition to come.
Finally, Zhuang Yu arrived at the temporary camp near the valley.
Even before they landed, a tense atmosphere was already palpable.
The camp was filled with cultivators from various sects. They mostly gathered in small groups, whispering among themselves. Zhuang Yu's arrival undoubtedly disrupted this delicate balance. Many eyes were focused on him, some with curiosity, some with curiosity, and most with undisguised hostility.
Elder Baiyun walked slowly through the crowd with his disciple Xiao Chen.
Elder Baiyun has white hair and a youthful face, seemingly possessing an otherworldly air, but his eyes gleam with shrewdness.
Xiao Chen looked arrogant, his gaze towards Zhuang Yu filled with provocation.
"Isn't this Fellow Daoist Zhuang who just successfully transcended his tribulation? He's truly young and promising." Elder Baiyun's voice sounded kind and approachable, yet it concealed a sharp edge.
Zhuang Yu smiled slightly and replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Elder Baiyun, you flatter me."
Elder Baiyun's lips curled into a cold smile. "I've heard that Fellow Daoist Zhuang comes from humble origins. I wonder if you've ever seen a real demonic beast from the Spirit Realm?" He paused, then emphasized, "Those aren't just any Tom, Dick, or Harry. A slight mistake could cost you your life."
Zhuang Yu remained expressionless, his gaze calmly meeting Elder Baiyun's.
The air was thick with tension, as if a conflict could erupt at any moment.
Suddenly, Xiao Chen, who was standing next to Elder Baiyun, stepped forward, his spirit sword drawn from its sheath, a flash of cold light...
Xiao Chen pointed his spiritual sword directly at Zhuang Yu, the tip gleaming coldly. "I've long heard of Fellow Daoist Zhuang's great name, and seeing you today, you are indeed extraordinary. How about you offer me some guidance?" Before he finished speaking, the sword trembled slightly, and a sharp sword aura shot straight towards Zhuang Yu's face.
Everyone was shocked. This young Chen was so bold as to provoke Zhuang Yu, who had successfully transcended tribulation, in front of the gate to the spirit world.
Elder Baiyun stroked his beard. He had long disliked Zhuang Yu. How could a rogue cultivator from humble beginnings obtain so many opportunities?
He wanted to take this opportunity to embarrass Zhuang Yu in public and dampen his arrogance.
"Little Chen, don't be rude!" Elder Baiyun scolded him, but did not stop Little Chen's actions.
Faced with Xiao Chen's provocation, Zhuang Yu remained calm and didn't even lift his eyelids.
He simply extended two fingers and caught the sharp sword energy.
The sword energy dissipated at his fingertips with a soft "pop" sound, like a soap bubble bursting.
A hush fell over the surroundings; everyone was stunned by Zhuang Yu's seemingly effortless move.
Elder Baiyun's smile froze; he hadn't expected Zhuang Yu to so easily deflect Xiao Chen's attack.
He coughed lightly to cover his embarrassment and said, "Fellow Daoist Zhuang is indeed exceptionally strong, I admire him. However, strength alone is not enough, to enter the Spirit Realm, one also needs..." He deliberately paused and threw out a difficult question, "One needs to be thoroughly familiar with the growth habits of the ancient spiritual plant 'Nine Netherworld Orchid,' I wonder if Fellow Daoist Zhuang has any research on it?" The Nine Netherworld Orchid is extremely rare, and related records are even scarcer, Elder Baiyun was certain that Zhuang Yu could not answer it.
Zhuang Yu's lips curled up slightly, revealing a confident smile. "Nine Netherworld Orchid, it prefers shade and dislikes sunlight, grows in extremely cold places, its roots are dark blue, its leaves are shaped like orchids, it blooms once every thousand years, and when it blooms it will emit a ghostly aura..." He spoke eloquently, explaining the growth habits, medicinal value, and even how to cultivate the Nine Netherworld Orchid clearly, leaving everyone stunned.
Elder Baiyun's face turned ashen. He hadn't expected Zhuang Yu to actually know so much about the Nine Netherworld Orchid.
The way the surrounding cultivators looked at Zhuang Yu changed from initial disdain to awe.
Just then, a loud shout suddenly came from the crowd: "Boy, stop putting on airs! I want your opportunity!" A burly, fleshy rogue cultivator named Feng Lang swung a huge spiked club and smashed it down hard at Zhuang Yu.
The wind wolf was extremely fast, and its spiked club created a whistling sound, as if it wanted to tear Zhuang Yu to pieces.
Zhuang Yu dodged the wind wolf's attack with a swift movement.
He, Fenglang, brandished his spiked club to defend himself, but was knocked away by the golden dragon and crashed heavily to the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood.
The two exchanged blows, their palms clashing and swords flashing. The surrounding experts held their breath, watching this sudden battle with bated breath.
Although the wind wolf was fierce, it was no match for Zhuang Yu.
Zhuang Yu's attacks were perfectly timed, demonstrating his formidable strength without harming the Wind Wolf.
"Stop!" Just as the battle was raging, Zhuang Yu suddenly ceased his attack...
Zhuang Yu suddenly stopped, stood with his hands behind his back, and an aura of dominance over the world arose spontaneously.
"Wind Wolf, our fighting will only benefit others. How about we cooperate?" Wind Wolf was taken aback, not expecting Zhuang Yu to propose cooperation at this moment.
Although he was reckless, he wasn't stupid; he understood that Zhuang Yu's words made sense.
After a moment's thought, he said in a low voice, "Alright, it's your decision!" This sudden cooperation stunned the competitors around him. Elder Baiyun was so angry that his beard stood on end, and he cursed Fenglang for being foolish.
Just then, a dazzling light shot into the sky from the stone platform in the center of the valley, and a phantom figure slowly emerged.
The figure was tall and imposing, exuding an ancient and mysterious aura; it was the guardian of the gate to the spirit world.
"To enter the Spirit Realm, you must pass my test." The guardian's voice was deep and resonant, like a great bell, echoing through the valley.
"Find the 'Celestial Star Pearl' and you will gain the qualification to enter the Spirit Realm!"
As soon as the guardian finished speaking, a gust of wind swept through the valley, carrying sand and stones that blotted out the sky.
When the sandstorm subsided, everyone discovered that the terrain of the valley had undergone tremendous changes; the once flat valley had become a complex maze.
"The Celestial Star Pearl is inside the maze. Whoever finds it first will be able to enter the Spirit Realm!" After the guardian finished speaking, his figure disappeared.
Seeing this, everyone used their movement techniques to rush into the maze.
Zhuang Yu smiled confidently. He had already used his divine sense to explore the entire maze when the guardian appeared.
He did not rush into action, but instead observed the movements of others.
Elder Baiyun and Xiao Chen, relying on their understanding of formations, charged ahead recklessly, only to repeatedly run into obstacles.
The wind wolf could barely move forward a short distance using brute force, but its speed was as slow as a snail.
The other independent cultivators were running around like headless flies, completely clueless.
Seizing the opportunity, Zhuang Yu flashed away, becoming a blur as he sped towards the depths of the maze.
With his knowledge of the maze, he avoided all the traps and mechanisms and quickly found the location of the Celestial Bead.
It was a hidden stone chamber. In the center of the chamber, a bead emitting a faint starlight floated quietly in the air. It was the Heavenly Star Bead.
Zhuang Yu reached out and the Heavenly Star Pearl fell into his hand.
At the same time, the guardian's voice rang out again: "Congratulations, you have gained the qualification to enter the Spirit Realm!"
Upon hearing this sound, the other experts stopped in their tracks, their faces showing disappointment.
Despite their best efforts, Zhuang Yu beat them to it.
Elder Baiyun was so angry that his face turned ashen, and he glared fiercely at Zhuang Yu.
Holding the Heavenly Star Pearl in his hand, Zhuang Yu felt the powerful energy contained within it, and his heart was filled with joy.
He looked at the Wind Wolf and said, "Let's go." The Wind Wolf nodded and followed behind Zhuang Yu, heading towards the Gate of the Spirit Realm.
"Wait!" Elder Baiyun suddenly spoke up, his tone grim. "Do you think you can enter the Spirit Realm like this?"
Before Elder Baiyun finished speaking, the earth began to tremble violently, and a deafening roar echoed through the valley.
A suffocating stench filled the air, accompanied by a chilling growl, as a colossal creature slowly emerged from the depths of the maze.
It resembles a monitor lizard, its body covered in thick black scales that shimmer with a metallic sheen.
His scarlet eyes, like two enormous lanterns, gleamed with a bloodthirsty light.
Sharp claws carved deep furrows in the ground, and each step caused the ground to tremble.
A chilling pressure swept over them, making it hard for everyone to breathe.
"It's a demonic beast from the spirit world!" A cry of alarm erupted from the crowd, and fear quickly spread.
Some of the weaker cultivators even collapsed to the ground, trembling with fear.
The appearance of the demonic beasts from the spirit world has made the already tense situation even more chaotic.
Everyone retreated, fearing they would become the monster's target.
Elder Baiyun and Xiao Chen's expressions also changed drastically. Although they were quite powerful, they dared not make a move in the face of such a powerful magical beast.
"I'll do it!" Zhuang Yu's voice stood out clearly and forcefully amidst the chaos.
He stepped forward, blocking the way for the crowd, his gaze fixed firmly on the slowly approaching monster.
His actions stunned everyone.
In the face of such a powerful magical beast, how could anyone dare to step forward?
Even the Wind Wolf couldn't help but exclaim, "Are you crazy? This is a demonic beast from the Spirit Realm!"
Zhuang Yu ignored Feng Lang's advice. He took a deep breath and said, "If you want to enter the Spirit Realm, you must defeat it!" His voice was firm and resolute, full of confidence and determination.
The demonic beast from the spirit realm seemed to sense Zhuang Yu's provocation, letting out a deafening roar, opening its blood-red maw to reveal sharp fangs, and a stench-filled heat wave rushed towards them.
Zhuang Yu remained unmoved, a golden light flashed in his hand, and a golden longsword appeared out of thin air.
The sword was engraved with complex runes, radiating a dazzling light.
A sharp sword intent soared into the sky, tearing apart the surrounding air.
The giant claws of the demonic beast from the spirit realm slammed down on Zhuang Yu with a whooshing sound.
Zhuang Yu dodged the giant claw's attack with a swift movement.
He brandished his golden sword, and streaks of golden sword energy shot out like lightning, striking the scales of the magical beast and producing a series of metallic clangs.
The demonic beast in the spirit realm, in pain, let out an angry roar and intensified its attack.
In the valley, a man and a beast engaged in a thrilling battle...
Zhuang Yu knew that facing the demonic beasts of the spirit realm was an immense challenge. He gripped his magical artifact tightly…