Chapter 36 - 11: Planning for Foundation Establishment

As Ye Zhaozhao said this, Chang Le’an also wore a proud expression.

"That’s right. The Langya Secret Realm opens once every ten years. When I entered ten years ago, I returned with a massive haul. The amount of Spirit Grass I gathered was the highest among all Six Sects!" Chang Le’an said, beaming.

Before that trip into the Secret Realm, his astonishing fortune hadn’t really manifested. Although Master Lingxu had already accepted him as a True Disciple, there were still whispers among the other disciples, calling him a jinx.

However.

During that trip to the Secret Realm, he, a new disciple, outperformed everyone from the Six Sects and gathered the most Spirit Grass!

This not only earned him a commendation from the sect but also completely dispelled his reputation as a jinx.

From then on, no one in the sect spoke ill of him again.

The other disciples went from avoiding him to actively seeking him out. After all, he was a good luck charm with astonishing fortune!

This time,

his junior sister had become the subject of intense gossip within the sect, all thanks to Li Shuang’s scheming. Chang Le’an saw it all, and his heart ached for her.

He would make sure everyone knew that Ye Zhaozhao was *his* junior sister. ’With me looking out for her, no one gets to bully Zhaozhao!’

As for Li Shuang...

Chang Le’an sneered inwardly. ’I’ll make her see what a foolish move she just made!’

’Sooner or later, I’ll settle this score for my junior sister.’

"The Langya Secret Realm is opening...?" Sheng Yuan seemed a bit out of it. He’d been so swamped with work lately that he’d completely forgotten about something so important.

"First Senior Brother, the Disciple Hall already posted a notice. The Langya Secret Realm opens in one month," Ye Zhaozhao said quickly. "I plan on signing up this time."

Ye Zhaozhao had missed the opening of the Secret Realm ten years ago, so she was determined to give it a try this time!

When she had first entered the sect, her system had told her that Li Shuang possessed the greatest fortune in the entire Sword Sect. So, without hesitation, she had the system latch onto Li Shuang.

Later, Ye Zhaozhao started to have her doubts. ’Did the system make a mistake? Judging by how things usually go, I always feel like Chang Le’an’s fortune is even stronger than Li Shuang’s.’

’Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been the one to come back from the Secret Realm with such a massive haul, ranking first among the Six Sects.’

’Li Shuang’s ranking, on the other hand, was just average.’

Ye Zhaozhao had asked the system about it, but the system couldn’t explain it either. The matter of fortune was profoundly mysterious. It wasn’t something that could be casually investigated. Ten years ago, it had used all its energy to lock onto the person with the strongest fortune in the Sword Sect. As for the fortunes of anyone else, it had no way of knowing.

But from the looks of things, Chang Le’an’s fortune was certainly quite high.

Besides, something like fortune could manifest at different times. ’For some, their luck comes later in life, while for others it comes early. Chang Le’an’s fortune must be at its peak right now.’

Ye Zhaozhao considered this. ’Over the past ten years, I’ve managed to siphon off some fortune from Li Shuang.’

’If I can get into the Secret Realm, my fortune and Chang Le’an’s should amplify each other. We could make a huge haul!’

’If we can take first place among the Six Sects, there will be additional rewards from the sect.’

’That way, it might just be enough to make up for my recent, massive losses.’

Sheng Yuan thought for a moment and said, "The Langya Secret Realm only allows Cultivators under the age of fifty to enter. Furthermore, the Cultivation of anyone who enters is restricted to the Foundation Establishment Stage. It’s an Ancient Secret Realm, containing many Spirit Grass and ores that have long since gone extinct in our world. That’s why every time it opens, the Six Sects send their most talented disciples inside to retrieve as many Spirit Grass and ores as possible. Based on their hauls, the Six Sects are then ranked. To a certain extent, this ranking reflects the strength of the younger generation of disciples from each sect."

Sheng Yuan glanced at Chang Le’an.

Chang Le’an had shot to fame precisely because he, a new disciple, had bested numerous other geniuses in the Secret Realm and taken first place!

After that, his third junior brother had gained true confidence!

Sheng Yuan paused, then continued, "So, it’s not as simple as just wanting to enter the Secret Realm when it opens. The sect will hold a grand competition beforehand. Any disciple under the age of fifty can participate, but everyone’s cultivation will be suppressed to the Foundation Establishment Stage. Only the top fifty disciples will earn the right to enter the Secret Realm. After all, the final rankings are a matter of the sect’s prestige."

"We know all that, First Senior Brother," Ye Zhaozhao said proudly. "I may not have much combat experience, but with Long Yan to help me this time, how could I not make it into the top fifty?"

Long Yan materialized beside Ye Zhaozhao, looking just as haughty. "With me here, forget the top fifty. First place will be a piece of cake."

Seeing Long Yan suddenly appear, Chang Le’an snorted coldly.

’He thinks I can’t see what kind of feelings that Sword Spirit has for my junior sister.’

’A mere Sword Spirit, daring to have designs on Zhaozhao!’

’I’m only putting up with him because my junior sister still needs him for now.’

’Once she and I become Dao companions, I’ll have to have a serious talk with her. That Sword Spirit should stay put in the Sword Dao Space. Unless it’s absolutely necessary, there’s no reason for him to come out.’

’In any case, with the Master and Servant Contract he has with my junior sister, he has no way to resist her commands.’

"We’re True Disciples, after all. Getting into the top fifty won’t be hard," Chang Le’an added. "Besides, strength isn’t everything. Last time, I qualified in forty-third place, but that didn’t stop me from taking first in the end. Fortune! Sometimes, that’s what matters most!"

Chang Le’an was extremely confident in his own fortune.

Both Ye Zhaozhao and Chang Le’an were very confident. Sheng Yuan thought it over, saw no issue, and nodded. "You two should give it a try. I won’t be signing up this time. There’s too much going on at Lingxu Peak, and I can’t get away."

Sheng Yuan felt a headache coming on just saying it. ’Only after Li Shuang left did I realize just how many complicated affairs there are on Lingxu Peak. How did she manage it all so effortlessly back then?’

’I never had to worry about any of this before.’

As soon as these thoughts surfaced, Sheng Yuan forcibly suppressed them. ’It’s pointless to dwell on it. First Senior Sister is cultivating the Heartless Dao now; she’s already become an emotionless machine. Otherwise, how could she have the heart to back her junior sister—to back all of them—into such a corner?’

"Thank you for your hard work, First Senior Brother," Chang Le’an and Ye Zhaozhao said before hurrying off to sign up.

Ye Zhaozhao glanced toward Heartless Peak and suddenly asked, "Third Senior Brother, do you think Senior Sister Li will sign up?"

’She was hoping Li Shuang would sign up too.’

’Every time the Secret Realm opened, people died quietly in its various dangers.’

’If Li Shuang dared to enter, she was confident she could make sure not even her bones would be left!’

Chang Le’an gave a scornful smile. "She’s only at the Qi Cultivation Stage. How could she possibly sign up? Zhaozhao, don’t even think about her. She’s not in our league anymore."

Ye Zhaozhao felt a pang of regret, but Chang Le’an was right. Li Shuang probably wouldn’t sign up this time.

’Next time, then!’

’Once I’m back on my feet financially, I’ll deal with Li Shuang properly!’

「Heartless Peak.」

「In a secret chamber. Several days prior.」

Li Shuang slowly opened her eyes.