Chapter 1152: New Mysterious Yellow World

Chapter 1162

The New Xuanhuang Realm

The probability of catching a treasure-grade item from the fishing pond is unrelated to one's cultivation level. It relies more on the sincerity of one's fishing and their understanding of the art of fishing. In fact, the more one desires a specific item, the less likely they are to catch it. In short, it's a profound and mysterious process, similar to ordinary fishing.

Winners of the Sacred Dynasty Fishing Competition will be arranged to fish in the pond. Most of these individuals are merely at the Qi Refining stage, with the highest being at the Nascent Soul realm. Given their knowledge and experience, they would likely never imagine that this small, unassuming pond is actually an immortal-grade artifact, capable of yielding world-class treasures. Any gains they acquire will naturally be attributed to the great Sacred Emperor's bounty. Furthermore, there's no need to worry that someone will recklessly attempt to comprehend the art of fishing through the pond, like Senior Stone Slab in the 119th generation. This would otherwise provoke a reaction from the nameless True Immortal behind it, leading to them being "fished away" in turn.

As for treasures fished from the pond, Li Ping would only be interested in a very few exceptional ones. All others would be given to the respective fishermen for their use, and he might even focus on cultivating them.

"In this generation, let me see if the treasures within this fishing pond are truly endless. And..."

"...whether the myriad fortunes of the heavens can truly surpass Xuanhuang!"

As his gaze fell upon the tens of thousands of eager fishermen in Sacred Capital City, each holding various fishing rods, Li Ping felt as if he was witnessing countless cosmic treasures flying into the Sacred Dynasty.

***

Just as the Sacred Dynasty Fishing Competition was being held in full swing, in the desolate foothills of the northwest frontier of Yongyun Province, inside a ruined temple on the mountaintop, Zhong Shentong, who had cast his rod but returned empty-handed, suddenly felt a wave of fatigue. He was about to call out to his dao boy, Liuli, but found that she too had fallen into a deep sleep.

Zhong Shentong smiled, checked the protective array of the small temple to ensure everything was fine. Only then did he lazily recline on his lounge chair for a nap.

After an unknown period, when he woke with a start, he found himself in a dark, unknown space! He instinctively tried to pull out his most prized protective treasure from his storage ring, only to discover that, at some point, he had been stripped naked!

Zhong Shentong's face twitched. He knew he was utterly defeated this time. The opponent was ruthless, giving him no chance at all. "But I'm still alive, which means they don't intend to kill me. On the surface, I'm just a poor Qi Refining cultivator whose lifespan is nearing its end. There's no need for such elaborate measures to deal with me. So, is it for the fishing pond?"

Zhong Shentong's thoughts raced, and he instantly understood. Yet, no matter how much he racked his brain, he couldn't figure out how news of this supreme treasure had leaked. There had been no warning whatsoever!

"Oh, right, where's Liuli?" Zhong Shentong had personally fished this shapeshifting little doll from the fishing pond, and he had come to regard her almost as his only family. Now that he was imprisoned, he figured her fate was grim...

Just as Zhong Shentong's mind was in turmoil, an incredibly cold voice suddenly echoed in the dark space.

"Within seven days, break through to the Foundation Establishment stage."

"Otherwise, death!"

There was no intention of communicating with Zhong Shentong; after these two sentences, there was no further sound. However, the palpable, icy killing intent surrounding him made Zhong Shentong realize that this was no mere test. If he failed to break through, he would truly be killed!

"I've been stuck at the late-stage Qi Refining for over fifty years. On the surface, I appear decrepit, with no hope of breakthrough. No normal person would make such a demand of me. Unless..."

"...he's guessed that I cultivate the Profound Life-and-Death Art!"

The more he thought about it, the more unfathomable Zhong Shentong found the mastermind behind this. They had clearly never met before, yet the other party seemed to know everything about him.

***

Just as Zhong Shentong was falling into endless panic, in another dark space, the dao boy Liuli still seemed oblivious to the approaching danger. She was still fast asleep.

Li Ping suddenly appeared before her, silently observing. After a long while, Li Ping spoke softly, "Fellow Daoist Baihua, please reveal yourself."

Silence. No response.

Li Ping narrowed his eyes: "Do I need to say it a third time, Sect Master of the Heavenly Lotus Sect, from the Myriad Prosperity Realm?"

His tone was light, but to certain ears, it was like a clap of thunder. Finally, no longer hiding, golden light shimmered, and a figure emerged from the dao boy Liuli.

Daoist Baihua stared intently at Li Ping: "Who exactly are you?" Baihua had certainly never seen this person before. Yet, he could state her identity with perfect accuracy... In an instant, numerous figures flashed through Baihua's mind. But none matched.

"Merely fellow wanderers of the stars, who have lost their homelands. What is past is past; why delve deeper, fellow Daoist?"

These words made Daoist Baihua's imagination run wild. It seemed to transport her back to the terrifying period when world-destroying calamities erupted one after another.

"More importantly, it's the future." The opponent's next sentence completely captivated Baihua's attention.

"The future?"

"Currently, in the sunken Star Sea, this place is the only remaining pure land. But the Xuanhuang Realm now is not the Xuanhuang Realm of before. Over these many years, through the continuous piecing together and fusion of fragments from various realms, this New Xuanhuang Realm has long since transcended the conventional concept of an immortal cultivation world." Li Ping's tone was deep. "If fellow Daoist searches carefully, you might even find fragments of the former Myriad Prosperity Realm."

Baihua's expression changed: "What exactly are you trying to say, fellow Daoist?"

"Since the Xuanhuang Realm absorbed fragments from various realms... then the New Xuanhuang Realm should rightfully have a place for us. If they don't allow it, then we must fight for it ourselves," Li Ping declared proudly. "The native forces of the Xuanhuang Realm are too formidable; only by uniting can we reclaim what is ours."

"Besides the Myriad Prosperity Realm, I have also found fellow Daoists from the Heavenly Mystery Realm..." Li Ping spoke fluently.

Daoist Baihua was clearly moved. "If the Xuanhuang Realm truly absorbed fragments of our world to resist the Immortal Ruins, then this place can indeed be considered my new home." A sudden surge of emotion welled up in Baihua's heart—an irrepressible feeling after years of aimless wandering, finally finding a new place to belong.

"But... the cultivators of the Xuanhuang Realm aren't so easy to deal with." After pondering, Daoist Baihua still hesitated. She vaguely recalled the situation when that lone Loose Immortal had single-handedly barred their group of realm survivors from entering. Although times had changed and that Loose Immortal was nowhere to be found, the Xuanhuang Realm had recently produced a new Heavenly Venerable of Law Transmission... Could they, this group of outsiders, truly gain anything good from him?

(End of Chapter)