Chapter 99: The Misaligned Science and Technology Revitalizing the Nation, Part 14

“Please.” Mu Yin cupped her hands in salute, then struck swiftly. She was not one for idle chatter; if it was time to fight, then fight she would, without any unnecessary pleasantries. Her opponent had not anticipated Mu Yin’s immediate attack and was caught off guard. Moreover, although the Qi Refining cultivator inside the hall also hunted demonic beasts and spirit beasts on the sect’s mountains, their combat experience could not compare to Mu Yin’s.

By the time the man regained his composure, he was no match for her. Though he had practiced some martial techniques—after all, nearly all newcomers in the sect were now required to learn physical combat—he was swiftly defeated and knocked off the arena.

Ah, the challenge arena was smaller than the previous free-for-all, only ten meters in diameter, but ten such arenas had been added. It was then Mu Yin realized the arenas here could be separated and were semi-automated, though she did not yet understand the mechanism. It certainly did not seem mechanical.

Afterward, several others challenged Mu Yin in succession. She hardly needed to expend much spiritual energy, relying mainly on her physical strength to defeat them. Even those prepared with talismans found them useless here. The talismans permitted in this arena had limitations, and as someone who had only recently begun talisman mastery, Mu Yin was well aware of this and knew how to avoid their effects.

When night fell, she finally completed her defense task and earned a spot in the next round—not just one spot, but paired duels to select the top twenty contenders, which would take place the following day.

The place was vast. While the Qi Refining cultivators competed here, the Foundation Establishment practitioners held their own contests elsewhere. The next day, Mu Yin entered the ranking matches. Compared to the defense rounds, the opponents here were much stronger; they could no longer be easily knocked off by her speed alone.

Their spellcasting techniques were more refined. Since Mu Yin had switched to physical cultivation, before reaching Foundation Establishment her spiritual energy had been stored and refined within her flesh and blood to strengthen her body; only after establishing her foundation did she store it in her dantian. Hence, she could not use spells. But physical cultivators did not rely on spells anyway.

The real challenge came when she met a sword cultivator. Sword cultivation was technically a branch of physical cultivation, but they focused on sword qi, sword heart, and the sword path. Moreover, they wielded weapons. Mu Yin was not unfamiliar with weapons—she commonly used a spear—but she was not particularly skilled with any weapon other than that.

The sword cultivator naturally wielded a sword. To defend herself, Mu Yin also took up a sword—just an ordinary magical sword, not nearly as attuned as the cultivator’s, which was bonded with its master through frequent use. Weapons with spirit, over time, naturally harmonized with their wielders.

The sword cultivator’s combat experience was formidable, having grown through battle. This opponent was a rare talent, having cultivated sword qi even in the Qi Refining stage—a feat far more difficult than cultivating spiritual energy.

Thanks to instincts honed in life-and-death combat, Mu Yin fought an evenly matched battle with him. Sadly, she lost in the end, but she had already secured a place within the top ten, so there was no concern about her standing.

“You’re very skilled,” the young sword cultivator said to Mu Yin. “I look forward to battling you again.”

Mu Yin’s lips twitched in a wry smile. She recalled hearing that sword cultivators were often battle maniacs and found herself at a loss for a reply.

Afterward, Mu Yin watched others’ battles. Having fought so little herself, she knew this was necessary. She still had to defeat those pestilent factions. She observed a variety of combat styles.

For example, spell cultivators had to cast their spells rapidly, but instant casting was beyond their current level. Only Golden Core and Nascent Soul cultivators could unleash instant spells, which looked as effortless as turning clouds into rain.

Mu Yin observed for days and realized that instant casting was like an ability becoming instinctive, or rather, it required reaching a certain cultivation level to achieve. Why this was so, she would only understand when she reached that level herself.

In just a few days, she felt greatly enriched. The cultivators of this world differed significantly from those of her previous world’s mystical sects. Although both employed spells, the magic here was evidently more refined.

She had previously thought similar cultivation levels meant similar strength, but now she saw differences. Her old world was truly in its last days of the Law’s decline, unlike this world, which was in a period of renaissance.

As for the female lead—Mu Yin had seen her as well. She had just reached Foundation Establishment and possessed a Heavenly Spirit Root; however, she no longer seemed much of a threat.

After all, the story had shifted from a technologically prosperous nation’s heroine to a strong female cultivator tale. Mu Yin was uncertain who the male lead was. Upon realizing the female lead was no longer a plot threat, Mu Yin’s thoughts wandered, though she sensed an uneasy premonition.

Half a month later, they boarded a flying ship bound for the Void Secret Realm. The Void Stone was a spatial attribute mineral, but unlike others, its space carried a dreamlike quality, making it ideal for creating illusionary spaces such as trial realms. The Void Secret Realm contained not only Void Stones but also other rare spatial minerals, making it a secret realm rich in spatial energy.

However, this realm was perilous. If the spatial energy flared up, it could create spatial rifts or storms unbearable even to Nascent Soul cultivators. Though Golden Core and Nascent Soul cultivators could enter, their presence often triggered energy disturbances. Those below Golden Core did not provoke such reactions, and Foundation Establishment cultivators were forbidden from initiating combat lest they also set off energy surges.

This made the Void Secret Realm primarily a battleground for Qi Refining cultivators, as only they could enter without causing spatial anomalies.

Outside the Void Secret Realm, a large number of cultivators had gathered—some from minor sects or wandering cultivators hoping to sneak in unnoticed. Most of the larger secret realms had already been divided among major sects and prominent families, leaving little opportunity for smaller sects. Even the scattered cultivator alliances had limited spots, but their ranks were mixed, including those without proper mentorship or family background, making it near impossible for lesser disciples to gain entry.

Thus, many resorted to this realm, hoping for a chance to slip inside. Of course, it was generally impossible. Once everyone had gathered, the realm’s seal was lifted. This realm opened once every ten years and could only open on its own accord; no external force could compel it. As a spatial realm, it was especially difficult to manipulate.

Once the realm opened, those with entry qualifications immediately entered. At the same time, those attempting to sneak in were stopped by Nascent Soul cultivators stationed at the boundary.