Chapter 97: The Exit

Chapter 97: The Exit

With just over ten days remaining until the conclusion of the secret realm, numerous cultivators had gathered near the exit. Various sects and factions each occupied their respective positions.

The six major sects claimed small hills for themselves, while smaller sects and family cultivators, lacking sufficient strength for self-preservation, formed alliances of mutual assistance. Despite internal intrigue, they presented a unified front to the outside world.

In recent days, conflicts had been constant among the factions, erupting into occasional battles resulting in numerous casualties.

Since the day Wang Hong and his group annihilated over thirty cultivators in a single battle, they had departed from the central region. After annihilating the Beast Spirit Sect cultivators, they obtained a great harvest from the Spiritual Herbs found in their Storage Bags.

The once formidable Beast Spirit Sect, which had previously intercepted and killed cultivators from other sects, had now become a windfall for Wang Hong's group. This included the two Dragon Scale Fruits Wang Hong acquired from the Beast Spirit Sect cultivators.

Up to this point, Wang Hong had harvested over two thousand second-tier Spiritual Herbs in the secret realm, comprising more than three hundred varieties. He left a few hundred for the sect and planted the rest in his personal space. This way, when he advanced to the Foundation Building stage in the future, he would have a constant supply of Spiritual Herbs.

While others might use these herbs to refine a few elixirs that would be depleted once consumed, Wang Hong, by obtaining a single herb as a seed, could continuously cultivate them, creating an endless source.

At present, their group had grown to fifteen people. After leaving the central region, they encountered ten Qingxu Sect cultivators who joined forces with them.

Led by two Qi Cultivation experts, rumored to be Tianji Peak disciples and referred to as Senior Gu and Senior Xiang, the ten newcomers wore black Daoist robes with a hint of red. This attire was in contrast to Wang Yi's white robe, making him stand out as the only Taihao Sect cultivator in the group.

The Qingxu Sect cultivators had some subtle hostility towards Wang Yi, and by extension, Wang Hong. Having recently clashed with Taihao Sect cultivators, resulting in the death of three of their own, they eyed Taihao Sect members with envy.

Wang Yi, intending to leave the group alone, was persuaded to stay by Wang Hong for safety reasons.

In a subsequent battle against a group of loose cultivators, the Qingxu Sect cultivators displayed a lack of enthusiasm, occasionally avoiding direct engagement and even subtly hiding behind Wang Yi.

After dividing the spoils, the trio prepared to continue their journey when they spotted two figures running towards them. Upon closer inspection, one of them turned out to be Zhang Chunfeng, while the other sported a gleaming bald head.

Chased by a group of more than ten loose cultivators, Wang Hong quickly moved forward, with Wang Yi and Elder Brother following in tacit agreement.

As Zhang Chunfeng approached, Wang Hong, without hesitation, charged into the group of loose cultivators, sweeping through with his spear and sending a cultivator's head soaring into the air.

Wang Hong moved through the loose cultivator group effortlessly, swiftly killing three, while Wang Yi and Elder Brother dispatched two each. The loose cultivators, who had gathered temporarily, scattered in fear at the display of their overwhelming strength.

After collecting Storage Bags, each person took what they had individually killed, a standard practice when no coordinated effort was involved.

"Senior Brother, I've finally found you," Zhang Chunfeng exclaimed, visibly relieved.

Since entering the secret realm, Zhang Chunfeng had been searching for Wang Hong, much like Wang Yi. Although they had teamed up with others to enter the central region, they hadn't come across Wang Hong.

Navigating the vast secret realm made encounters extremely challenging. After reaching the exit and failing to find Wang Hong at the Qingxu Sect gathering point, Zhang Chunfeng decided to search for him alone. The Putuo Temple monk had joined him merely because they happened to be in the same location when they both became targets.

"Reverend, no need for formalities. We aren't planning to kill you for treasures," Elder Brother chuckled.

Throughout their journey, they never initiated violence for personal gain. Instead, they only retaliated when others attempted to exploit them.

"Good, good! How may these humble monks assist you, fellow cultivators?" Huiyuan, the Putuo Temple monk, inquired.

"Great Monk, no need for formalities. We are heading to the exit to regroup with our sect. If you're going in the same direction, feel free to join us," Wang Hong said. With more people, there would be more strength.

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