Seeking Immortality in a Bizarre World

What would Xuanjie Hui look like?

And how vast a world would it be?

Jia Ren couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation.

The Insect External Incarnation put away the Mountain and Sea Pearl and headed toward the agreed-upon place.

Before leaving, he glanced in the direction of the Western Bizarre-Suppressing Alliance.

Eh, where did the Demon-Sealing Tower go?

The Demon-Sealing Tower of the Western Bizarre-Suppressing Alliance was extremely conspicuous and easily seen at a glance, but now it had vanished without a trace. Not only that, but the Western Bizarre-Suppressing Alliance also seemed much emptier.

Since the Lord of the Town Demon Alliance had left the Sealed Land, he must have taken a group of people with him. Consequently, the Town Demon Alliance had lost its core strength, and its defenses had weakened. If the Town Demon Alliance had no countermeasures and was breached by the Bizarre Alliance, wouldn't the vast number of sealed Bizarre Demons simply fall into others' hands? It wouldn't be surprising for the Town Demon Alliance to have hidden the Demon-Sealing Tower.

The Bizarre Alliance had also made an early move to guard against this, but unfortunately, Jia Ren thwarted their plan.

The Insect External Incarnation didn't ponder further and transformed into a streak of Escape Light, disappearing into the horizon.

「At the border of the Four Desolations Domain, there was a barren mountain called Cangwu Mountain.」

This place was barren, without a single blade of grass, and filled with odd-shaped stones—a place ordinary people were unwilling to visit. A mountain-obscuring fog rose from Cangwu Mountain, and cultivators on flying swords occasionally flew into it.

"Is this the place?"

The Insect External Incarnation spent seven days reaching Cangwu Mountain and passed through the fog formation without any obstruction.

More than two hundred cultivators were gathered at the mountain peak, standing in three groups.

To the far left, cultivators wore uniform Taoist robes adorned with clouds. There were a hundred of them, led by an elder whose aura was deep and abyssal—unmistakably a Divine Transformation Cultivator.

The Immortal True Sect?

This was the most top-tier sect in the Western Wasteland Domain, with Divine Transformation Cultivators presiding over it. In comparison to the other sects of the Western Wasteland Domain, the Immortal True Sect acted in a low-key manner and had a very low presence.

There were a hundred cultivators from the Immortal True Sect, led by their Transforming Spirit Ancestor. Nascent Soul and Golden Core Cultivators formed the majority, while the remainder consisted of Foundation Establishment geniuses from the Immortal True Sect. They would all leave the Sealed Land together.

What about the others?

The Immortal True Sect couldn't possibly take all its cultivators into the Mysterious Realm. They could only bring the elite of the sect, leaving the rest abandoned to fend for themselves.

On the left was the Purple Sun Sect, with whom they had traded before. The group from this sect included five Nascent Soul Cultivators, over thirty Golden Core Cultivators, and the rest were young talents from the Purple Sun Sect. When Ancestor Ziyang of the Purple Sun Sect saw Zhen Yi, he offered him a friendly smile.

The cultivators in the middle wore no uniform Taoist robes, and their group appeared somewhat disorganized. Compared to the Immortal True Sect's contingent, this group numbered no more than fifty, with the weakest among them being Golden Core Cultivators.

Upon seeing the Insect External Incarnation, Fan Xin and the Internal Affairs Director quickly smiled and waved. The two had a good relationship with Zhen Yi. Capitalizing on Zhen Yi's connection, they had allied with Wang Fugui and obtained spots to enter the Mysterious Realm.

Most of the other people were strangers. Seeing Fan Xin's behavior, their eyes filled with various speculations: The illegitimate child of the Alliance Hierarch? An apprentice? An incarnation? The Town Demon Alliance had many speculations regarding Zhen Yi, but they never had any concrete evidence.

The cultivators gathered here had a good relationship with Wang Fugui and offered him friendly smiles.

When Wang Fugui saw Jia Ren arrive, he began to explain the rules for entering the Mysterious Realm.

"The Xuanjie Gate will open in three days. Before then, you should prepare early."

"First, the Profound Realm Key can admit a maximum of one hundred individuals at a time. Magical Beasts, Spirit Insects, and incarnations will each occupy one of these spots."

"Second, it is forbidden to bring Bizarre Demons and bizarre objects into the Mysterious Realm. There will be Inspectors and gatekeepers at the entrance of the Mysterious Realm to check. Those who break the rules will be thrown back."

"Third, cultivators from the Sealed Land will be on a hundred-year observation period in the Mysterious Realm, and their actions will be under control."

The Sealed Land is a place in the Mysterious Realm where Bizarre Demons are sealed, and the only regular way in and out of the Mysterious Realm is through the Profound Realm Key. The Xuanjie Gate opened at set times to facilitate management and prevent Guardians from leaving the place. To guard against defectors who might be Bizarre Cultivators with links to the Sinful Denizens, close attention was naturally required.

Just then, a voice transmission entered his ears.

"You don't need to worry about your incarnation's spot. For the third rule, I will vouch for you, which should also spare you any trouble."

Rules were made to restrain ordinary people, but with a background naturally came privileges.

Bizarre Demons can't enter the Mysterious Realm, huh?

The Insect External Incarnation had guessed that it wouldn't be easy to enter the Mysterious Realm. The issues with his incarnation and observation period could be resolved. Only the problem with the Bizarre Demons was a real hassle.

"The Sealed Land is meant to restrict Bizarre Demons. It cannot be compromised."

"Are Bizarre Objects more important than a spot to enter the Mysterious Realm? Discard what should be discarded."

"The scarcity of Bizarre Demons in the Mysterious Realm doesn't mean there aren't any."

Wang Fugui's attitude was clear. Bizarre Demons and Bizarre Objects were not worth the risk. It was better to enter the Mysterious Realm safely.

Anyone else would have agreed immediately. A spot to enter the Mysterious Realm was precious, a Divine Transformation Cultivator was vouching for him, and he was promised an escape from many troubles—it was an excellent deal.

Jia Ren had another route to smuggle himself in, but compared to this option, the perils were unknown. It was far better to rely on a powerful backer for safety and enter the Mysterious Realm securely.

If he couldn't take Bizarre Demons and Bizarre Objects into the Mysterious Realm, all his hard work cultivating the Bizarre Garden and Bizarre Treasure System would go to waste. Without Bizarre Demons, the Demon-Sealing Tower would be useless, the Sacrificial Fire's supply would cease, and his Magical Treasures would be unable to self-refine and grow.

When in the world could he find new Bizarre Demons?

Before that happens, even if he finds a way to cultivate with Magical Treasures in the Lingbao Sect, the speed of his cultivation would plummet drastically.

Wanting to collect a large number of Bizarre Demons in the Mysterious Realm, where they're sparse, could take a thousand years...

The Bronze Strange Gate was the source of a continuous supply of Bizarre Demons, something he couldn't possibly abandon no matter what.

Compared to that, Jia Ren was more inclined to preserve the sealed Bizarre Demons and Bizarre Objects, using the World-Devouring Sentinel to infiltrate.

"I still have other methods. I'll choose another path."

Jia Ren hesitated for a moment, then gave up on entering through normal means.

"Smuggling is too dangerous!"

"I'll ask an Inspector for help; maybe there will be a solution. You wait here for three days."

Wang Fugui, piecing together some information that had leaked from the Yin Moon Palace, had already guessed that Jia Ren had obtained the World-Devouring Sentinel. Smuggling with the World-Devouring Sentinel was dangerous, with the guarding Magical Beasts being the biggest trouble. He didn't want Jia Ren to encounter any accidents and was willing to pay some price to bring him safely into the Mysterious Realm. Waiting for three days was no issue; ultimately, the official route into the Mysterious Realm would be safer than smuggling.

「The three days passed in a flash.」

In a previously empty space, a black spatial rift suddenly tore open, revealing an ancient brass gate. On the brass gate, a pair of carved, unknown beast eyes emitted a strange light, and the trembling space gradually stabilized.

"Wang Daoyou, after you," said the Transforming Spirit Ancestor from the Immortal True Sect in a cordial manner, nodding towards Wang Fugui. With Wang Fugui present, whose Realm was even higher than his, it wasn't his place to go first.

Wang Fugui, without any reservation, took out the Profound Realm Key first. There was no keyhole on the brass gate. The moment the Profound Realm Key approached, the gate opened, revealing a passage leading to an unknown destination.

Wang Fugui took the lead, and everyone followed suit, passing through the Xuanjie Gate.

Jia Ren's vision blurred, and he found himself in a valley where restrictive formations had been laid out. Further away, there was another Bronze Gate. This was the transfer station connecting the Mysterious Realm to the Sealed Land.

There were a total of four Divine Transformation Cultivators in the valley, their eyes coldly sweeping over Wang Fugui and the others.

"Zhu Chengdao, why is it you?!" exclaimed Wang Fugui as he looked at the leading Late-Stage Deity-Transforming Cultivator, his expression slightly changing. This person was the foremost among the Divine Transformation Cultivators, dressed in a yellow Taoist robe, short in stature, with a singular goatee.

Upon seeing Wang Fugui, Zhu Chengdao smirked darkly. "How did you not die at the hands of Bizarre Demons? Truly regrettable."

"The Sinful Citizen Bloodline has emerged in the Sealed Land, breeding quite a few Bizarre Persons. You will bear the blame for this oversight."

"Inspect them thoroughly to prevent any collusion with the Sinful Denizens."

"Let's start with you! Hand over your treasure bag." Zhu Chengdao's gaze towards Wang Fugui was tinged with a cold smile.

Wang Fugui sent a voice transmission to Jia Ren: "Leave quickly. This person holds a great grudge against me, and I may not be able to protect you completely."

"Here is the map of the Mysterious Realm I know of; it marks the location of the Lingbao Sect." Information for a map was also transmitted to him through the void.

Wang Fugui had planned to find an Inspector he knew to facilitate the process, so taking a few Bizarre Items and one or two Bizarre Demons with him wouldn't be a problem. Rules are rigid, but people are flexible. Paying a certain price could bring about a change in circumstances. Unfortunately, plans cannot always keep up with changes.

A millennium had passed. The Inspectors he was familiar with had been replaced, and it turned out to be Zhu Chengdao, who bore a deep grudge against him. If Zhu Chengdao found out that Jia Ren was a hidden dragon Wang Fugui had unearthed, not to mention Jia Ren smoothly entering the Mysterious Realm, Zhu Chengdao might even secretly strike to kill him.

Jia Ren, aware of their feud, didn't want to take risks and decisively left the place.

"Eh, there's something off about this man!"

"Capture him!"

Zhu Chengdao, sensing that Wang Fugui seemed to be communicating with someone via voice transmission, and seeing Jia Ren turn to leave, realized this person had a substantial relationship with Wang Fugui. Wang Fugui had entered the Sealed Land alone—could this be his junior or disciple?

An invisible tendril of divine sense, like a subtle gleam of light, fell upon the Insect External Incarnation, attempting to forcibly detain him.

HUM!

The Ancient Treasure Substitute Heart Jade hanging on the Insect External Incarnation's neck shattered, blocking the unknown mental attack. Without hesitation, he disappeared swiftly from the spot.

"He's unwilling to enter the Mysterious Realm, and you still want to meddle in this affair? Aren't you overreaching, Zhu Chengdao?" Wang Fugui blocked the passage entrance, standing in the way of the four Divine Transformation Cultivators. If they wanted to pass, they would first have to get through him.

Zhu Chengdao suddenly realized something and couldn't help but laugh. "Is he your newly discovered hidden dragon?"

"Hehe, as a Daoist friend of many years, I will take good care of him!"

The Golden Scale Wind-Riding Technique allowed for investment in a limited number of hidden dragons. As long as a hidden dragon was controlled and not killed, Wang Fugui's Cultivation Technique would be rendered useless.

Wang Fugui's expression turned sour, but he suppressed the urge to explode. Zhu Chengdao was an Inspector. If Wang Fugui dared to make a move here, the consequences would be unthinkable. The other party deliberately made this statement to provoke him into action, and he absolutely couldn't fall for it.

He could only hope that, before Zhu Chengdao found him, he could successfully smuggle himself into the Mysterious Realm using the World-Devouring Sentinel.

...

"How did you come out?!"

The cultivators from Xianzhen Palace saw the Xuanjie Gate close. Just as they were preparing to use their Profound Realm Key to enter, they were surprised to see someone walking out from the gate. They thought it was an Inspector, only to find it was a Cultivator from the Town Demon Alliance.

All the cultivators looked at the Insect External Incarnation with astonished faces.

"I think this place suits me better."

???

Before they could react, Jia Ren transformed into Escape Light and vanished into the sky.

"It's not easy to pass through the Xuanjie Gate; I can only take the smuggling route."

The Insect External Incarnation sprouted Silverflash Wings and flew at maximum speed toward the Eastern Extreme Sea.