Chapter 14 Seven Mysteries Valley

Seven Mysteries Valley has seven major branch sects: Sword Sect, Formation Sect, Puppet Sect, Qin Sect, Joyous Union Sect, Weapon Refining Sect, and Illusion Sect. Jiang Boyun came from the Sword Sect and is the chief disciple of the current generation.

Long before he met Jiang Xuan, his cultivation had already reached the Ningmai (Pulse Condensation) Realm. Cultivating in the lower realm meant starting from Lianli (Strength Training), then Lianrou (Flesh Training), Lian Zang (Organ Training), Yijin (Tendon Transformation), Duangu (Bone Forging), and finally Ningmai. After that came the Houtian (Acquired) Realm.

In fact, these realms before Houtian all belonged to the body refinement path. From Houtian onward, the focus shifted to cultivating the Juyuan (Qi Gathering) system. This was because the rules of the lower realm were incomplete. After mortals were born, their physical bodies were not strong enough to directly cultivate the Juyuan system, so they needed to refine their bodies and condense their meridians before they could truly begin cultivation.

The Divine Domain was different. Even those born with low talent could complete the tempering before the Houtian realm in a very short time with the Divine Domain's spiritual energy, thus directly starting cultivation.

Of course, everything has two sides. Although the body refinement stage in the lower realm takes many years, it also leads to a deeper understanding of this stage, which is beneficial for later body refinement.

However, that is only if there are enough resources. Without resources, the very first stage of Cuisui (Marrow Cleansing) is enough to trap lower realm martial artists, let alone higher levels.

"Master, the martial arts competition officially begins in three days." Within the Seven Mysteries Valley, Jiang Boyun returned from the sect elders.

He had long prepared an excuse, claiming that he had encountered a crisis and suffered serious injuries. Fortunately, Jiang Xuan saved him, so he was able to return. The elders did not make things difficult for Jiang Boyun. After all, he was the Sword Sect's number one genius. They were overjoyed that he was alive.

As for what kind of crisis it was, they did not ask since Jiang Boyun did not say. In their view, crisis often coexisted with opportunity. Although Jiang Boyun was seriously injured and missing for a long time this time, he may have also obtained considerable opportunities. Therefore, after confirming that it was not the work of enemy forces, they did not ask any further questions.

After this, Jiang Boyun took the opportunity to mention that Jiang Xuan wanted to watch the Seven Mysteries Valley's main sect martial arts competition. Now that Jiang Xuan was Jiang Boyun's lifesaver, the Sword Sect elders naturally did not mind, and even treated Jiang Xuan as an honored guest.

Therefore, Jiang Xuan was free to come and go within the Sword Sect area of the Seven Mysteries Valley. As for those who secretly wanted to find out his background, he didn't care much.

…

Three days passed quickly, and the Seven Mysteries Valley's main sect martial arts competition officially began. Martial artists from the thirty-six countries' martial academies of the Seven Mysteries, plus the martial artists from the Seven Mysteries Valley's main sect, would all compete here to determine the victor.

Their first round was simple: just climb the mountain gate. Anyone who wanted to participate in the martial arts competition had to go through this stage. As for spectators like Jiang Xuan, they had already entered the mountain gate early.

After one incense stick's worth of time, the first round ended smoothly. Jiang Boyun did not show much strength, as he knew very well that his strength was now too high. Although the other true disciples of the Seven Mysteries Valley were quite strong, he felt that he could defeat them with a single sword strike.

If it weren't for the strong request from the Sword Sect elders, Jiang Boyun would not have been interested. It was better to accompany Jiang Xuan, and perhaps he could hear Jiang Xuan's guidance.

"Boy Boyun's strength is even more unfathomable." A Sword Sect elder stroked his long beard and smiled. Jiang Boyun had grown up in the Sword Sect since childhood and had deep feelings for the Sword Sect. They were also very good to Jiang Boyun, which was why Jiang Boyun did not refuse their request.

"Although he has been missing for nearly a year, I feel that his strength is much stronger than before he disappeared. I can't even see through him." A Xiantian (Innate) Realm elder said. He was in the Xiantian Realm, but he could not see through Jiang Boyun's current strength, which showed how remarkable Jiang Boyun was now.

"This is also a good thing for us. Maybe after this martial arts competition, Boyun will become the next young valley master of our Seven Mysteries Valley." Another Sword Sect elder smiled. If Jiang Boyun showed overwhelming strength, then the next Seven Mysteries Valley Master would most likely be him.

The other elders also smiled happily. One of them looked at Jiang Xuan, who was sitting next to them, and could not help but say, "This time, we must thank Little Friend Jiang. If you hadn't saved Boyun, our Sword Sect would have lost a genius."

"It was just a small effort." Jiang Xuan said with a smile. At the same time, his eyes saw a figure, and a smile appeared on his lips.

"Hahaha, this is fate. Little Friend also has the surname Jiang, which means he is destined to be with my Sword Sect." A bold elder laughed, "Little Friend Jiang, are you interested in joining my Sword Sect? Although it is a little late to start cultivating now, there are many late bloomers in the world. Plus, Little Friend's temperament may lead to some success."

"No, my ambition lies elsewhere." Jiang Xuan smiled.

The elders could not help but admire him. All of them were strong figures. If other people stood in front of them, even the ruler of a country would be trembling with fear.

But Jiang Xuan was different. He was young, but his temperament was remarkable, and he was not disturbed by external things. Even after seeing the strength of the martial artists in the Seven Mysteries Valley, he never changed his mind and had no intention of embarking on the path of martial arts.

If it were them, they would definitely not be able to do it. It was precisely because of this that they admired Jiang Xuan, this "mortal."

However, they did not know that Jiang Xuan had long embarked on the path of martial arts and had already reached the pinnacle of a universe.

Jiang Xuan chatted with the Sword Sect elders casually. But not long after, a clear cry suddenly rang out in the sky. Countless people below the mountain looked up at the sky. For a moment, everyone was dumbfounded.

Above the sky was actually a Vermillion Bird, hovering in the high sky, howling through the wind and clouds.

"Vermillion Bird!"

"Heavens, a Vermillion Bird! Am I seeing things?!"

"I have never seen a sacred beast in my life! Even the elders in the sect dare not say that they have all seen it!"

"It is indeed the main sect of the Seven Mysteries Valley. In a small place like mine, it would be impossible to see such a sacred beast in my entire life…"

Countless people exclaimed. Some people thought that this was the Seven Mysteries Valley's doing. Little did they know that the Seven Mysteries Valley themselves were also confused. This was a Vermillion Bird, a true sacred beast. In the Tianyan Continent, where there were no true phoenixes, the Vermillion Bird was the king of all birds!

Although the Seven Mysteries Valley was considered a powerful sect, they did not have the ability to raise sacred beasts.

"That… seems to be someone from the Divine Phoenix Island!"

A Sword Sect elder exclaimed. Divine Phoenix Island was a fourth-grade sect, above the third-grade sects such as the Seven Mysteries Valley. It was known as a sacred ground of martial arts, with countless strong figures. Even the Xiantian Realm was nothing in it.

"I am Shi Zongtian, the Valley Master of the Seven Mysteries Valley, respectfully welcoming the fellow martial artists from the Divine Phoenix Island." After the Vermillion Bird appeared, several figures also came riding on a spirit boat. One of them cupped his fist from afar, showing respect without being overly humble.

"Valley Master Shi, I have heard of you for a long time." The one who spoke was a masked woman in green, whose cultivation was at the pinnacle of Xiantian. Beside her were two purple-clothed girls who looked like maids, whose cultivation had actually reached the peak of Houtian.

In the Seven Mysteries Valley, this kind of strength could serve as elders in the martial academies of various countries, but in the Divine Phoenix Island, they were just two maids.

"May I know how to address the fairy?"

The Seven Mysteries Valley Master, Shi Zongtian, stood on the spirit boat and led the way in front. The Vermillion Bird followed slowly. The masked woman in green said softly, "I am Mu Qinghong."

"So it is Fairy Qinghong. Please."

As he spoke, the spirit boat had already landed. Shi Zongtian invited Mu Qinghong to the main hall.

"People from the Divine Phoenix Island, what are they here for at our Seven Mysteries Valley's main sect martial arts competition?" A Sword Sect elder frowned.

"I don't know. The guest is stronger than the host. The Valley Master and the others are in for a headache." Another elder shook his head and smiled wryly. Now, the most feared thing was that this Fairy Mu would take a fancy to a disciple of their Seven Mysteries Valley. If she were to forcibly take him away, then they would be in trouble.

Jiang Xuan watched from the side. He naturally knew Mu Qinghong's purpose, but that young man did not seem to have any awareness of it.

"Divine Phoenix Island seems to have some connection with the ancient Phoenix Clan of the Divine Domain." Jiang Xuan thought. Jiang Xuan also knew something about the ancient Phoenix Clan of the Divine Domain, but that clan had declined and was divided into many branches, so he had not paid much attention to it before.