Chapter 315 - 291: Reward

Chapter 315: Chapter 291: Reward

"I’m very interested in this Divine Beast Secret Realm. But even if I could tame the Vermilion Bird Divine Beast inside, your Helian Family wouldn’t let me take it away. The Vermilion Bird Divine Beast would surely still belong to your family."

"I’d just like to know: if I agree to go, what’s in it for me?"

After pretending to think for a moment, Jiang Zuo asked, ready to bargain.

"Master Gu, you need a Spirit Fire, don’t you? In that Divine Beast Secret Realm, apart from the Divine Vermilion Bird, there’s a fifth-rank Spirit Fire that doesn’t exist in the outside world."

"Because the flame is a deep green, very similar to the Vermilion Bird’s color, we in the Helian Family call it the Vermilion Bird Spirit Fire."

"The Vermilion Bird can unleash exceptional power when it’s with the fifth-rank Spirit Fire. The fact that our Helian Family has been helpless against it for so long is largely due to that Spirit Fire."

"If you can tame the Vermilion Bird, Master Gu, it will naturally belong to our Helian Family. The fifth-rank Spirit Fire, however, will be all yours."

"Even if you can’t tame the Vermilion Bird, Master Gu, our clan has a fourth-rank Vermilion Bird Spirit Fire we can offer you as compensation. You won’t leave empty-handed."

Helian Yuyang said with a smile.

"A fifth-rank Vermilion Bird Spirit Fire? That’s quite a reward!"

"But I imagine your clan has entered that Secret Realm many times and still been unable to deal with the Vermilion Bird. I’d like to know why."

At the mention of a fifth-rank Spirit Fire, a look of interest appeared on Jiang Zuo’s face.

But he didn’t agree right away, choosing to ask cautiously instead.

"The reason isn’t complicated."

"Only Cultivators at the Three Flowers Realm or below can enter this Divine Beast Secret Realm. Furthermore, it only allows a maximum of five people inside each time it opens."

"The Vermilion Bird Divine Beast is born at the late third rank."

"The first time our clan’s Cultivators discovered it, they were unprepared. They failed to tame or capture it during its weakest moment before the Secret Realm closed."

"By the time the Secret Realm opened again, the Vermilion Bird Divine Beast had already broken through to the fourth rank and learned to use the fifth-rank Spirit Fire."

"Despite our clan’s extensive preparations, we still returned empty-handed."

"The same thing happened on every subsequent attempt."

"The Vermilion Bird Divine Beast is now at the late fourth rank, and it probably won’t be long before it breaks through to the fifth."

"If we don’t tame it and bring it out soon, we may never get another chance."

"The Secret Realm is about to open again, so we’d like to invite you, Master Gu, to make one final attempt."

Helian Yuyang explained with a sigh.

"Master Gu, you needn’t worry. Our Ten Thousand Beasts Sect will also be sending two disciples skilled in Beast Taming on this trip to the Secret Realm. They will assist in taming the Divine Beast and ensure your safety."

You Changheng chimed in with a smile.

Jiang Zuo listened and scoffed inwardly.

’If I really manage to tame the Vermilion Bird, the disciples from the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect will probably try to kill me on the spot and steal it.’

Stroking his chin, Jiang Zuo didn’t answer right away.

"I can agree to go, but I need to make some preparations."

"I can’t set out for at least three days."

Jiang Zuo said after a moment.

"Three days? Excellent! I’ll await your good news, Master Gu!"

Helian Yuyang said hurriedly.

Having secured Jiang Zuo’s promise, the two took their leave.

"My love, Helian Yuyang’s words are a mix of truth and lies. I don’t think entering that Secret Realm is a good idea."

Tantai Feixue said worriedly.

In her eyes, Spirit Beasts were just worldly possessions. It would be much safer for Jiang Zuo to just stay home and cultivate with her.

"You don’t understand."

Jiang Zuo gave her a light pinch.

Jiang Zuo didn’t put much stock in Helian Yuyang’s words.

But with the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect involved, the Vermilion Bird Divine Beast was most likely real.

Even so, a few decades ago, Jiang Zuo would never have taken such a personal risk.

Now, however, with the Divine Wood Sect at his back, he had an escape route. If things went south before he entered the Secret Realm, he could always flee through the Cyan Wood Secret Realm.

And once inside, if the strongest Cultivators were only at the Three Flowers Realm, Jiang Zuo would have nothing to fear.

Besides, Jiang Zuo intended to make his own preparations; he wouldn’t rely entirely on the Divine Wood Sect.

With his safety more or less guaranteed, the allure of the Vermilion Bird was immense.

’As for taming the Vermilion Bird and handing it over to the Helian Family... I’d have to see if the Divine Wood Sect agreed to that first.’

’If the Divine Wood Sect agreed, worst-case scenario, I’d just hand over the Vermilion Bird for now.’

’And if the Vermilion Bird happened to ’escape’ and find its way back to me later... well, that would have nothing to do with me.’

Jiang Zuo immediately contacted Ge Fangrong to explain the situation.

"The Helian Clan, a Vermilion Bird Divine Beast, and a fifth-rank Spirit Fire?"

Ge Fangrong was both surprised and extremely tempted.

If the Divine Wood Sect could obtain the Vermilion Bird Divine Beast and raise it into a Sect Guardian Divine Beast, it would guarantee the sect’s prosperity for thousands of years.

"According to the sect’s original plan, we were supposed to do our utmost to keep Changqing out of harm’s way until we heard back from the Upper Realm."

"But we can’t just watch an opportunity like this slip through our fingers."

"I’d better contact the Sect Leader to discuss this and ensure Changqing’s safety."

Having made up his mind, Ge Fangrong contacted the Sect Leader of the Divine Wood Sect.

After nearly three years of preparation, the Divine Wood Sect had already passed Jiang Zuo’s information to the Upper Realm as instructed.

It likely wouldn’t be easy for the Upper Realm to send a message back down.

Until a message arrived, the Divine Wood Sect planned to maintain the status quo and keep Jiang Zuo out of danger.

But a Vermilion Bird Divine Beast was simply too tempting for any sect to pass up.

And as it happened, Sect Leader He Daozhen had recently emerged from his seclusion.

As long as the Sect Leader agreed to intervene, there would be no need to worry about the danger.

Divine Wood Sect.

The summit of East Divine Mountain.

A middle-aged Daoist in a green robe reached out and caught the message talisman that flew before him.

The middle-aged Daoist seemed like a black abyss, utterly unfathomable.

It felt as if everything around him was being drawn into his body.

He glanced at the message talisman and simply sent back a single word in reply.

"Proceed!"

The message quickly made its way back to Yunyuan Immortal City.

When Ge Fangrong saw that the Sect Leader had agreed to intervene, he breathed a sigh of relief. He sent a letter to Jiang Zuo containing a new key that granted access to the Cyan Wood Secret Realm.

「Three days passed in the blink of an eye.」

Jiang Zuo arrived before a Teleportation Array in the Immortal City.

"Master Gu!"

Helian Yuyang was already waiting for him.

You Changheng was also there, waiting with two disciples from the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect who were at the Three Flowers Realm.

"Now that everyone’s here, we’ll teleport to Black Cliff Immortal City first."

Helian Yuyang said.

Black Cliff Immortal City was another famous city in the Cultivation Realm.

Unlike Yunyuan Immortal City, Black Cliff Immortal City was famous for its proximity to the Black Cliff Forbidden Land.

The Black Cliff Forbidden Land consisted of a series of unfathomable Black Cliff Abysses.

Inside the Forbidden Land, Cultivators were unable to fly; they could only explore by traversing the dangerous cliff faces.

The bottom of the cliffs was unfathomably deep, and no one who had ever fallen off had come out alive.

Compared to the Black Cliff Forbidden Land, even the Beast God Tree Forbidden Land seemed quite safe.

However, the Spiritual Medicines and Demon Beast Materials found in the Black Cliff Forbidden Land were unusually potent compared to those from elsewhere. As a result, a considerable number of Cultivators came to Black Cliff to hunt for treasures and beasts.

Over time, this led to the birth of Black Cliff Immortal City.

Compared to Yunyuan Immortal City, however, Black Cliff Immortal City was far more desolate.

"Young Friend Helian, this Divine Beast Secret Realm... it’s not near the Black Cliff Forbidden Land, is it?"

You Changheng asked, his brow furrowed.

"Of course not. The Black Cliff Forbidden Land is no joke."

"Our destination is the Xuri Mountain Range, east of Black Cliff Immortal City."

Helian Yuyang replied with a smile, shaking his head.

"Xuri Mountain Range? I see. In that case, please lead the way."

You Changheng nodded.

The Xuri Mountain Range was also a dangerous place, prone to frequent eruptions of subterranean fire.

But compared to the Black Cliff Forbidden Land, it was hardly dangerous at all.

Jiang Zuo remained silent, simply following their lead.

He knew Ge Fangrong was already tailing them in secret, so he didn’t need to take any special action.

Helian Yuyang summoned a Flying Ship. The five of them boarded and flew east.

The Flying Ship flew for over a day before descending into a stretch of mountain forest near the Xuri Mountain Range.

"Young Master."

Below, a dozen or so servant-like Cultivators had already erected several sizable log cabins.

"Master Gu, Elder You, we will have to wait here for about half a month. The Secret Realm will open then."

"If any of you need anything, feel free to give orders to my family’s servants."

"Please rest for a few days. The younger members of my Helian Family who will be entering the Secret Realm will be here shortly."

"When they arrive, I will go over the precautions for the Secret Realm with everyone."

Helian Yuyang said, cupping his fist.

Neither Jiang Zuo nor You Changheng had any objections. They each found a log cabin and went inside to rest.

’Everything seems normal so far.’

’But the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect sent surprisingly few people.’

’Same with the Helian Family.’

’Besides Helian Yuyang, there’s no one else with a high Cultivation level here.’

Inside the log cabin, Jiang Zuo sat cross-legged in meditation.

"Sight!"

Jiang Zuo activated his Sight Rune Technique.

’Hmm, just as I thought. The Ten Thousand Beasts Sect has people following in secret.’

’If Ge Fangrong isn’t careful, he might run into them.’

’But the ones in hiding are only at the Dao Fruit Realm.’

’I’ve heard the Helian Clan’s patriarch is a grand Cultivator at the Manifestation Realm.’

’Whether it’s the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect or the Divine Wood Sect, if they want to be the first to snatch the Vermilion Bird, they’ll need to send a grand Cultivator of the same Manifestation Realm to even have a chance.’

’In other words, the big shots aren’t in a hurry to show themselves yet.’

’If those bigwigs make a move, I’ll toss out the Vermilion Bird as a distraction at the first sign of trouble!’

Jiang Zuo had already worked out his plan.

「Three days passed in a flash.」

The rest of the Helian Family’s contingent finally arrived.

Helian Yuyang gathered the five who were preparing to enter the Secret Realm and informed them of the various precautions.

「Ten more days passed.」

When a large tree near their temporary residence suddenly burst into flames, Helian Yuyang quickly used an item.

In response, a Light Gate shimmering with fire appeared before them.