Seven days have passed since the wealth-giving event ended.
Li Ming is now a seventh-grade Qi Condensation Realm martial artist. Although this is nothing compared to true powerhouses, it still surpasses most martial artists.
Although the Condensing Qi realm is only the lower third rank, it is still an important and difficult hurdle for many ordinary martial artists.
It transforms from gas into qi.
What is needed is the quality and quantity of Qi.
And the solid foundation of the martial artist himself.
For ordinary people to break through, they would have to put in countless efforts, but for Li Ming, it was just a matter of a thought, something he could accomplish in the blink of an eye.
After all, Li Ming's foundation, built through his diligent cultivation day and night, was extremely solid.
Um.
Isn't the extra life energy he gained through hard work something he earned?
The transformation of the Azure Dragon Qi of Yi Wood into Gang Qi is simply a natural progression.
After the breakthrough, his cheat ability was further developed with new features.
Li Ming and Qin Yun were talking inside the room.
"I didn't expect that Miss Qin had also broken through to the Condensation Realm."
Qin Yun was somewhat surprised: "That's right... Could it be that Brother Li has also broken through to the Condensation Realm?"
"Um."
"?"
Qin Yun's body trembled, and he stared intently at this astonishing young man.
She realized that she seemed to have underestimated him all along.
I originally thought that the other party was only exceptional in physical talent and had amazing combat power, but I didn't expect that his cultivation level was also advancing by leaps and bounds.
Looking at this person today, it's clear that they truly have no flaws.
The only downside is not having a good family background, but sometimes that can be a strength.
After all, this person has achieved such success without any resources to nurture him; if he gains power once he does, he will surely soar to great heights.
"Miss Qin?"
Li Ming called out to Qin Yun, and when she didn't respond, he emphasized his voice:
"Miss Qin!"
"Um?"
"I have a question to ask you."
"Ask away."
"Regarding the evil energy of the Condensing Qi Realm, is there any way to obtain it?"
"As for evil energy, our Qin family has a special place that nurtures earthly evil energy, but most of it is low-grade evil energy, and mid-grade evil energy is hard to find."
Qin Yun made no attempt to conceal anything, recounting the information about the Earthly Fiend Qi in a methodical manner.
"Is it only a mid-grade item at most?"
Li Ming then abandoned the idea, after all, with his current talent, fusing with such evil energy would be an insult to his Azure Dragon Qi.
Moreover, if he wanted to use the Qin family's malevolent energy, others probably wouldn't let him get it for free.
"Brother Li must also need a better kind of malevolent energy, right?"
Qin Yun saw through Li Ming's thoughts at a glance.
Li Ming didn't hold back either, "Yes, does Miss Qin perhaps have some information?"
Qin Yun nodded: "That's right. The reason why this wealth-giving event has attracted so many people is not just because of the reputation of the God of Wealth Pavilion."
"Instead, the major families of Cangyang City, along with the support of the imperial court, are preparing to open a secret realm."
"So, this secret realm contains high-grade malevolent energy?"
Li Ming grasped the key point.
"That's right."
Qin Yun continued, "However, this secret realm will not be open for some time. At that time, the best evil energy will be generated."
"What are the conditions for entering the secret realm?"
Li Ming directly asked the crucial question: how to get in.
“Various families, including the imperial court, have quotas available!”
Faced with Li Ming's persistent questioning, Qin Yun acted like a well-behaved child, answering all his questions directly.
The easiest way to enter this secret realm is to become a member of a powerful clan.
These families are deeply rooted in this area, possessing both capital and connections, and are also shareholders, so naturally they have a fixed number of seats.
Besides those who join the imperial court and make contributions, only those who have served the court are allowed to enter the secret realm.
In any case, if a rogue cultivator doesn't choose a side, they have almost no chance, unless they have a master with all-powerful connections.
In fact, if Qin Yun hadn't told him, he wouldn't even have known how to access this secret realm. This is why the gap between independent cultivators and cultivators from powerful forces is so vast.
Even if a rogue cultivator has great talent, if they are not appreciated by others, they will not be able to obtain good Qi seeds and evil Qi. One wrong step will lead to many more. Unless they are blessed by fate and have a series of fortuitous encounters, it will be very difficult for them to turn their lives around.
Li Ming pondered whether he could secure a spot within the Six Doors (a government agency).
I have rendered meritorious service to the imperial court and shed blood for it. Is it too much to ask for a small quota?
"Perfect timing, I have one spot left."
Seeing Li Ming's slightly furrowed brows, Qin Yun spoke up.
"So what is the price?"
Li Ming looked up at Qin Yun and asked directly.
He wasn't naive enough to think the other party would give it to him for free.
The two sides locked eyes at that moment, and the atmosphere around them became eerie.
Qin Yun didn't hide anything and said frankly:
"No one above the Condensation Realm is allowed to enter this secret realm."
"And I also plan to go and obtain a decent quality evil aura. With your combat strength, we should be able to achieve considerable results together."
Li Ming asked in surprise, "You trust me that much?"
"Of course I believe it. Brother Li's strength is evident to all. If even you are not confident, then I doubt many others are."
Qin Yun affirmed Li Ming's strength without hesitation.
In her opinion, Li Ming's combat strength was unfathomable, and there would definitely be no problem going with him this time.
"good!"
Li Ming immediately agreed to the exchange terms.
"However, it will be at least a month before the secret realm begins."
"I wonder what Brother Li's plans are for this period of time?"
Qin Yun asked.
"I'll go back to Qing Shi City first. I'm afraid my master has been worried about me since I've been gone for so long."
Li Ming said this aloud, but what he was thinking in his heart was...
This trip back wasn't just to let him know he was safe; there were also some grudges waiting for him to settle.
Otherwise, I'll always feel unhappy.
Seeing that Li Ming had no intention of staying at the Qin family any longer, Qin Yun did not try to stop him.
Together with several members of the Qin family, they bid farewell to Li Ming.
Watching Li Ming leave, Qin Yun felt inexplicably melancholy.
She felt that the person in front of her was getting further and further away from her.
...
After leaving the Qin residence, Li Ming did not rush to leave Cangyang City, but instead planned to go to the God of Wealth Pavilion first.
Ask Cai Shisan if he has any inside information about this secret place.
After all, the Qin family is only a newly established family, and their knowledge of the secret realm is not comprehensive.
The God of Wealth Pavilion is different; given their size, they probably have much more comprehensive knowledge.
Upon arriving at the God of Wealth Pavilion, Li Ming was able to come and go without hindrance, as Cai Shisan had specifically instructed him that if Li Ming wanted to see him, he must be informed immediately.
A short while later.
Li Ming was then invited to a private room.
Cai Shisan sat down and asked, "I wonder what brings Brother Li here this time?"
Li Ming cut to the chase: "I heard that a secret realm that nurtures excellent malevolent energy will be opened soon. What are the intricacies of it?"
Cai Shisan's expression was solemn as he spoke gravely:
"It seems that Brother Li is also preparing for the future fusion of the two forces."
"This secret realm is known as the Blood Slaughter Secret Realm. It was formed from an ancient battlefield. About seven hundred years ago, an uprising broke out here in the previous dynasty. The emperor of the previous dynasty, the Great Zhou Dynasty, was furious and ordered the generals in the court to quell the rebellion."
"After a vanguard arrived first, the news was leaked. With the help of those inside and outside, a large formation was set up, and nearly 10,000 soldiers perished here. For a time, this place was filled with strange and evil things. Later, a powerful figure saw that this place might be useful, so he transformed it into a secret realm. Although it is dangerous, it can give birth to top-quality evil energy and some rare and precious materials."
"However, a top-grade evil aura is only born once every hundred years, and the time for this top-grade evil aura to be born is approaching soon."
"Top-grade malevolent energy?" Li Ming asked in confusion.
Cai Shisan nodded: "Top-grade evil energy is something that can only be encountered by chance."
Because many high-quality malevolent energies cannot be preserved for long periods, martial artists often need to directly locate the source of the malevolent energy.
Many geniuses would rather stay in the Condensation Realm for a longer period of time before choosing to break through, just to wait for the best evil energy to be nurtured.
Therefore, the opening of this secret realm is extremely dangerous. Not only must we worry about the many dangers inside, but we must also be wary of fellow martial artists.
Such opportunities are right in front of us, but even the best of relationships could turn into swords against each other.
Dozens of factions sent people in, but only two or three came out in the end.
One can only imagine the level of gore involved.
Li Ming nodded:
"Thank you for clearing up my doubts."
Cai Shisan explained everything to him clearly and easily, which was a great help.
Then he went on to tell him in detail some of the intelligence that his predecessors had gathered.
However, there is no accurate information regarding the exact location of this supreme evil energy or the specific method of obtaining it.
Because those who obtain top-grade evil energy do so in different ways.
In the past, even when top-grade evil energy appeared, it wasn't always obtained by someone.
Farewell to Finance Thirteen.
Li Ming walked along the road, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
"My cultivation level improved rather quickly this time. It's all thanks to the generosity of the God of Wealth Pavilion. It's beyond my expectations."
"We definitely have to go to this secret realm, but it will be a while before we can go. We need to improve our cultivation as much as possible and make preparations."
"Let's go back to Qing Shi City to sort things out first, and then prepare for the secret realm. Our current strength is still too weak."
Li Ming suddenly felt immense pressure; one task after another was coming his way.
Many forces are poised to make their move in this battle for the secret realm, having made ample preparations.
Not only Cangyang County, but the entire Cangzhou will send people to participate one after another.
Even some lone travelers will take this opportunity to seize the rare and precious materials within the secret realm.
This secret realm is a testament to the human race's strength; it is not the exclusive property of any one faction.
The imperial court acted merely as a presiding authority, not as the owner.
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