16: The Secret Realm of the Sword Tomb

The "Soul Sutra" surged like a wild horse unbound, spawning countless new threads of vitality and thought. Ten thousand, one hundred thousand, hundreds of thousands, over a million—gathering ever more, an overwhelming sense of fullness arose within him. If cultivation continued at this pace, provided his essence and energy remained sufficient, he estimated that in less than three days, a second strand of Dao thought would be born.

Yet, in the demon’s belly space, souls grew scarce; he had to leave some food for the greedy beast. He wondered how many meals the remnants could provide, wishing for a data display. No sooner had the thought arisen, than a new line of numbers appeared on the system panel.

Symbiotic Demon Beast: Devouring Demon
Soul Food: 1360
(Young Devourer, 100 soul food per meal)

Chen Longshi calculated: advancing from 12% of the third level to 1% of the fourth in the "Tortoise-Serpent Body Tempering Technique" consumed over 800 soul food; reaching the fifth level required another thousand-plus soul food. But cultivating a second strand of Dao thought with the "Soul Sutra" would consume at least ten thousand soul food—a true glutton.

With so little left, five meals a day would not last even three days. Ultimately, he halted upon reaching the threshold of the fifth level in the "Tortoise-Serpent Body Tempering Technique."

All four attributes had advanced significantly; Chen Longshi sensed he was closer than ever to the perfect realm of the Star Forging Stage. Quietly, he changed direction and ascended the cliff, immediately seeing the new forces of the insect race dominating the field. The Star Spirit Fruit Tree was entirely surrounded by them, while the human race and the Red Giant Tribe were being forced back in defeat.

Seeing the swarming, massive bodies, Chen Longshi abandoned any thought of opportunism. One of his arms silently transformed into mist and vanished from his body, slipping into the chaotic battlefield.

Moments later, the system kept sending prompt messages:

Soul Food +150
Soul Food +180
Soul Food +160
...
Gained Black Iron Star Skill: Half Moon Slash
Soul Food +185
Soul Food +164
...

Hmm, something odd had mixed in. Perhaps he had unknowingly ventured too far forward, for several spider monsters charged at him, claws bared. Chen Longshi drew his sword with his right hand, unleashing Star-Moon Chain Slash—a series of sword energies several meters long that tore the spider monsters apart, revealing several star cores.

The area around him cleared instantly; witnessing his might, several people instinctively gravitated toward him. Chen Longshi, however, withdrew his arm and shifted position. Moments later, he appeared in another corner, slaughtered fiercely, then shifted again.

...

Soul Food +145
Gained Black Iron Star Skill: Steel Combat Step
...

He was engrossed in the killing when someone suddenly shouted "Retreat!"—a booming voice echoing across the field. Chen Longshi stopped, somewhat regretful. The human-bodied spider monster had succeeded, leaving only the rapidly withering Star Spirit Fruit Tree to fade away in the wind. As if burning all the essence of those dozen Star Spirit Fruit Trees, they had condensed a single Evolution Fruit.

Neither side was satisfied with this outcome. Yet the spider monsters, adept at both attack and retreat, found the cliff to be a natural arena for their many legs. Having secured their prize, they did not linger, returning immediately to the abyssal canyon.

Chen Longshi blended into the crowd, leaving the field of conflict. Just outside the perimeter, he encountered Nie Renxiong and his two companions, who had been anxiously searching for him. Da Xiong rushed over and punched his chest, "I knew it! I knew you wouldn't go down so easily."

Before finishing his sentence, his eyes reddened.

"...How did you end up like this, smelling so foul?"

Chen Longshi was moved as well. Hot-tempered Nuo tried to rub against him, only to be pushed away by Da Xiong's exclamation. Jiang Yun'er was so overwhelmed she burst into tears. "Brother Long, thank goodness you're safe—we nearly died of worry when you fell yesterday."

Chen Longshi laughed, "Thank you all for your concern. See? I'm unharmed."

Only Ji Yao remained somewhat composed. "I predicted you’d survive the fall with your 'Mayfly Art.' But after the battle settled, when we searched the area below the cliff, we were stopped by poisonous mist and became uncertain."

"We struggled greatly to escape, even spending a fortune on antidotes from other adventurers. The poison mist was dangerous enough for us, but for you—at the bottom—it must have been a hundred times worse. I couldn't imagine how you'd escape."

"I never expected you'd surprise us again. How did you get out?"

She too had reddened eyes.

Chen Longshi sighed deeply. "It’s hard to explain. That place beneath the gorge—I wouldn't risk it without absolute confidence."

He vaguely explained he had a poison-resistant item and recounted hitching a ride, leaving his friends dumbfounded and marveling at such resourcefulness.

Chen Longshi didn’t dwell on it. "What time is it now?"

Ji Yao replied, "There's still more than half a day left before the first mission ends. If we set out now, we'll make it in time."

"Then let's not delay; let's leave this place quickly."

On the way, Ji Yao explained the Star Spirit Fruit was close to expiration and had been consumed by them. The three each gained a Bronze Star Skill—Star Shock, Cloud Seal Tremor, and Extreme Collapse Punch—as well as a body-tempering skill called Golden Bell. The first three were divided among them, leaving only Golden Bell, which was about to expire.

Chen Longshi paid it no mind, having consumed more himself. He was currently exploring the perfect realm of the Star Forging Stage, and Golden Bell would be useful to him, so he accepted it without ceremony. He produced a large bag of star cores to share with the others. They sped along, returning from the red earth region to the black earth region.

Along the way, whenever they encountered obstacles, Chen Longshi dispatched them with ease—none could withstand even a single exchange.

Unknowingly, his strength had risen another notch. Thus, traveling day and night without rest, they finally arrived, before the third night fell, at the giant sword-shaped stele base hidden in the forest.

The Sword Tomb Secret Realm—at last.

A military officer checked their identities. "If you were a quarter-hour later, the base would have closed. You’re the last batch of students to arrive. Go inside and rest; the secret realm will soon open."

"Thank you."

Inside, many students were already waiting. Yet, compared to the over nine hundred graduates this year, only a little more than a hundred had made it here.

An Zhongyuan approached, looking Chen Longshi in the eye. "I thought you wouldn’t make it."

Chen Longshi smiled, "I was lucky."

"Good. As the most talented student in our class, it would be a pity if you missed the final exam. There’s a washroom over there; you can freshen up. The kitchen’s in back—you can eat something."

"Thank you, monitor."

Chen Longshi thanked him again. After changing into fresh combat attire and eating his fill, he saw familiar faces: Song Yuanxian and Song Yuanying, cousins glaring at him from afar. Song Yuanxian’s sleeve hung empty, his face pale and bloodless—clearly not healed.

But in this base, all they could do was glare murderously at him.

If looks could kill, he’d have died a hundred times.

Chen Longshi ignored them, found a place to rest, and reviewed his recent gains.

His soul food had reached 22,345; there was no short-term risk of shortage.

Black Iron Level: Instant Step, Chain Thrust, Shield Block, Moonlight Slash, Mayfly Art, Steel Combat Step, Half Moon Slash

Bronze Level: Instantaneous Step, Counter Shield, Nine Extremes Sword Technique (82%), Star-Moon Chain Slash (94%), Meteor Spear (86%), Star Shock (5%)

The newly acquired Golden Bell was a pure body-tempering star decision, six levels deep, and he was just beginning.

Only Steel Combat Step and Half Moon Slash came as a surprise; evidently, Devourer could consume not only souls but star cores and star skills as well.

After meditating for a while, a whistle for assembly sounded in the base.

The chief instructor appeared, issuing commands for lineup. Once the group was organized, he stood above, surveying the varied states of the examinees. "Is there anyone who doesn’t know the rules of the Sword Tomb Secret Realm?"

Silence below; evidently, everyone was familiar with the trial’s procedures.

This scene, identical to his memory, calmed Chen Longshi further.

"No one speaks, so I’ll assume you all know. Let’s not waste the time of our elite."

He deftly produced seven brilliant star crystals, embedding them one by one in the seven-star recesses of the sword-shaped tombstone. The entire grave trembled, the massive sword stele radiated star light, sword energy soared, and everything gradually became transparent, eventually forming a phantom dimensional gate.

The crowd was breathless at this magical sight. To one side of the trial gate, ten best scores were displayed, left by predecessors after their trials.

Wu Zixiong, Xiang Yinglong, Qu Shang, Liu Zilong, Zhao Chunshen, Sun Shuquan, Dou Ban, Wu Qi...

Any of these names was renowned across the nation, and all hailed from Chu Province. Some still fought in the military, some held key positions in privileged departments, others were high-ranking government officials. To have one’s name alongside these predecessors would be the highest honor.

Many students couldn’t help but dream.

The chief instructor’s booming voice rang out: "The Sword Tomb Secret Realm gate is open. Now, use the star cores you’ve gathered as keys. Come forward in turn to exchange for trial qualifications. First row, first column—begin."

The first called stepped up, placing his star cores in the altar before the tombstone. Instantly, a sword-shaped imprint appeared on his arm—three days.

This was the maximum duration he could stay in the trial secret realm; in case of danger, he could activate the halo to teleport out.

This distinguished the trial secret realm from the primal secret realm.

The chief instructor said, "The environment inside the secret realm is unpredictable. You may have gotten so-called guides or information beforehand. I’ll tell you responsibly: purge those from your mind. If you die confused, don’t blame me. Though the trial secret realm has life-saving measures, they’re not foolproof. Every opening brings casualties. I hope you all emerge safely."

"If anyone wishes to withdraw, step forward now."

Hearing this, Da Xiong hesitated. "I think I’ll sit this one out. With my strength, it’d be a waste."

Chen Longshi encouraged, "Just give it a try. Don’t worry about results—survival comes first."

"Yeah, Da Xiong, even I’m not afraid. What are you scared of?" Jiang Yun’er said boldly.

Nie Renxiong blushed, stiff-necked. "Who’s scared? I just wanted to give you my star cores, but you’re not grateful."

Ji Yao laughed, "We appreciate the thought. But we’ve got plenty of star cores from this round—enough for us all."

Indeed, when Chen Longshi’s turn came, he tossed his star cores into the altar. The sword-shaped imprint appeared, showing seven days. This was after he split most of his star cores among the other three.

If he remembered right, no one had ever truly completed this trial secret realm. Wu Zixiong, the best performer, was said to be a descendant of the ancient Wu family from Chu Province, but even he only reached ninety percent.

He didn’t doubt their strength, but the secret realm limited everyone to Bronze-level lifeforms; brute force wouldn’t suffice.

Chen Longshi pondered. Since he’d promised his teacher to take first place, he set a small goal for himself.

"Three days."

"In three days, I’ll clear the Sword Tomb Secret Realm entirely."