The Opening Siege

A Divine Realm referee appeared for each of the five competition venues.
They hovered high above their respective activity zones, observing, particularly the cultivators from Ji Country.

These Ji Country cultivators, for their part, appeared quite disciplined, refraining from any action until the referee declared the start, a caution undoubtedly taken to prevent cultivators from Jiang Country from finding any pretext to disqualify them.

From their perspective, the treasure rewards presented by Chen Yingtian were clearly intended for them; the highest-grade items were Divine Mark Realm treasures, an array of dazzling artifacts that truly presented a feast for the eyes.

Though the cultivators from Jiang Country likewise refrained from acting rashly, their gazes had long since settled upon their desired treasures, their mouths watering in anticipation; the moment the referee gave the command, they would undoubtedly rush towards their chosen artifacts.

The Ji Country cultivators were widely dispersed, showing no signs of cooperation, standing here and there, seemingly far from the Divine Mark Realm treasures.
Though Ji Country indeed boasted wealthy individuals, Divine Mark treasures were far from common roadside goods, and they were undoubtedly determined to claim these high-grade artifacts.

As for treasures of the Cavern Heaven Realm, they didn’t even spare them a glance.

“Hmph, a bunch of bumpkins who’ve never seen the world,” many Ji Country cultivators scoffed, unable to suppress their derision as they observed the Jiang Country cultivators’ eager, covetous stares.
“Our Five Nations Alliance, though ranked third in overall strength, is nothing compared to this.”

It was an understandable reaction, for these cultivators from Ji Country, accustomed to living in a resource-rich nation, had long grown familiar with such treasures.
Within their sects, reaching a certain cultivation realm often meant receiving such artifacts for free.
This was scarcely possible for sects like Yunhua Sect, where only core disciples could hope for gifts from their masters; all others, even inner disciples, had to exchange their contributions for treasures.

Consequently, most Yunhua Sect disciples wielded treasures of a lower grade than their own cultivation.

Each activity venue was vast, its environment complex and varied, encompassing a multitude of terrains.

With a resounding command, grotesque monsters descended from the sky, plummeting into each arena.
These creatures, resembling wild beasts, were actually demonic beasts, mutated forms of various birds, beasts, and other living beings that had cultivated, much like human cultivators.

Their numbers were immense, with the most powerful among them being Spirit Transformation Realm peak demonic beasts, all exuding an exceptionally ferocious aura.

Each venue corresponded to demonic beasts of a specific attribute; for instance, Su Muyu’s water-attributed arena resembled an island region, featuring vast expanses of water teeming with aquatic demonic beasts.

Conversely, Yan Yun’s wood-attributed arena was a sprawling forest, predominantly inhabited by insectoid demonic beasts and common birds and beasts.
Each demonic beast possessed its own distinct attribute.

“The activity has begun!
Seek out the tokens that grant advancement to the next round!”

As the referee’s command echoed, those already salivating cultivators instantly surged towards their coveted treasures, with only a scant few bothering to engage the demonic beasts.

Yan Yun and the disciples of Purple Abyss Pavilion remained rooted to their spots, for the scene before them had devolved into utter chaos.

“Eh?
This?
Junior Sister Yan, shouldn’t we, shouldn’t we make a move?” The two female disciples from Tingyu Pavilion asked, unable to contain their impatience upon seeing Yan Yun’s inaction.

However, Yan Yun merely shook her head.

“Tell me, both of you,” Yan Yun inquired, “is your priority advancement, or are you intent on seizing treasures?”

The two women hesitated, for inwardly, their resolve was fixed on acquiring treasures before seeking the advancement tokens.

“If we could secure a treasure, that would naturally be for the best,” one of the female disciples stated.

Yan Yun offered a faint smile.

“Very well then,” she assented.
“Let’s first assist both Senior Sisters in acquiring treasures.
Most of the items here are of no use to us from Purple Abyss Pavilion; even if we obtained them, the likelihood of being able to keep them is slim.”

The two women immediately cast grateful glances towards Yan Yun.

“Thank you, Junior Sister Yan.”

After expressing their gratitude, their gazes swept around, quickly settling upon a particular treasure: a blue silk ribbon emanating a soft blue glow.
It was clearly a magical artifact intended for female cultivators, and judging by its aura, it was a treasure of the Cavern Heaven Realm’s Perfected stage.

“Junior Sister Yan,” the female cultivator at the Great Perfection of the Cavern Heaven Realm said, “I desire that blue silk ribbon hanging on the tree.”

‘She isn’t too greedy, at least she didn’t ask for a Spirit Transformation Realm treasure.
Unlike human cultivators, these treasures possess power directly proportional to their grade; a Spirit Transformation Realm artifact is unequivocally more potent than a Cavern Heaven Realm one.’

“Understood,” Yan Yun instructed.
“Let us first retrieve the desired treasures for the two disciples of Tingyu Pavilion, and then we shall seek out what we need.”

“Yes, Pavilion Master,” the disciples of Purple Abyss Pavilion obediently responded.

Immediately, the nine individuals set off together towards their destination.

The blue silk ribbon was not far, but three other female cultivators were already fiercely contending for it.

“This treasure is mine!
I was here first!” one female cultivator declared, unleashing torrents of aquamarine energy from a pure vase she held, blasting towards another cultivator.

“Just because you arrived first doesn’t make it yours,” retorted the other female cultivator, who wielded a blue whip.
She swiftly brandished it, conjuring a myriad of whip shadows that shattered her opponent’s attack.

Meanwhile, a third female cultivator sought to capitalize on their fierce battle by stealthily snatching the treasure.
However, the moment she reached the artifact, the whip-wielding cultivator discovered her, and with a backhand flick of her whip, sent her flying away.

“Ah!” The sent-flying cultivator shrieked repeatedly.

‘It was evident there was a compelling reason for three individuals to contend over a single treasure.’

Just as the three were locked in their fervent struggle, a jovial voice suddenly echoed in their ears.

“Three ladies,” the voice chimed, “we’ll be taking this treasure.
Please, find another place to contend.”

The voice startled the trio, causing them to simultaneously turn their gazes towards Yan Yun.

Upon seeing her, their expressions instantly shifted.
Setting aside the fact that the newcomers were cultivators from the Yunhua Sect, Yan Yun’s presence alone was enough.

“It’s the Heavenly Poison Maiden’s successor!
Run!”

With unspoken understanding, the three women whirled around and fled, vanishing from sight in an instant.

Their decisive and abrupt retreat left Yan Yun and her companions stunned.
It was as if a flock of crows had flown overhead, leaving them bewildered and speechless for a long moment.

“This…” Yan Yun wondered aloud, a puzzled expression on her face.
“I haven’t even made a move, and they’ve already fled.
Am I truly that terrifying?”

Witnessing this scene, the disciples of Purple Abyss Pavilion burst into laughter.

“It seems our Pavilion Master’s fearsome reputation precedes her!” one exclaimed.
“People run in terror just by seeing you!” “Indeed,” another chimed in, “if only I possessed such prowess myself!”

The Purple Abyss Pavilion disciples immediately began to tease Yan Yun.

Yan Yun shot them a disgruntled glare, then extended a hand, preparing to pluck the treasure from its branch.

However, at that very moment, an unexpected incident occurred.

A searing flash of fire suddenly assailed them from the side, shattering Yan Yun’s exerted power.
This sudden assault caused everyone’s brows to furrow involuntarily as they turned their gazes to the right.

There, they saw several cultivators hovering in the air.

“This treasure,” a youth clad in dark red robes sneered, “is not something you can simply take as you please.”

These individuals were not Ji Country cultivators, but rather from Jiang Country itself, seemingly hailing from a sect known as Lieyang Gate.
Furthermore, their leader was a Spirit Transformation Realm Great Perfection cultivator, accompanied by four other Spirit Transformation Realm cultivators.

Theoretically, Spirit Transformation Realm cultivators would certainly disdain a Cavern Heaven Realm treasure.
Thus, Yan Yun knew without a doubt that these people were here to cause trouble.

“Who are you, and why do you obstruct us?” Yan Yun demanded.

The leading youth immediately introduced himself.

“I am Luo Lie of Lieyang Gate,” he declared.
“I have been ordered by my master to kill you, Yan Yun.
I advise you to tell your companions to get as far away as possible, otherwise, with their meager abilities, they might not even realize how they died.” The youth’s expression was laced with menace.

Yan Yun’s brow furrowed, and she promptly raised a hand, gesturing to her companions.
“Step back,” she commanded.
“These individuals are here for me.”

“Pavilion Master, we can face them together!” a Purple Abyss Pavilion disciple exclaimed, unwilling to merely watch Yan Yun confront multiple Spirit Transformation cultivators alone.

Yan Yun immediately shot them a dismissive glare.
“You cannot help me,” she stated firmly.
“The animosity is directed at me.
Obey my command and retreat.”

Having no alternative, the Purple Abyss Pavilion disciples hastily withdrew, and the two Tingyu Pavilion disciples reluctantly followed suit.

Once they had retreated a safe distance, the disciples of Lieyang Gate launched their attack without mercy.

“Demoness, die!” The leading Lieyang Gate disciple raised his hand, unleashing a ferocious fire spell that cleaved downwards with immense force towards Yan Yun’s position.

Its power was far beyond what an ordinary Heavenly cultivator could withstand.

The other four Spirit Transformation cultivators also unleashed their attacks simultaneously, the combined might of five such cultivators instantly transforming the entire area into a raging inferno.

“Pavilion Master!” The Purple Abyss Pavilion disciples, observing from afar, gasped in alarm.
Such power, they realized, would have reduced them to ashes in an instant.

The Yunhua Sect members, who had been closely observing the unfolding events from outside the arena, naturally witnessed this scene, and their brows furrowed in concern.

“Why would Lieyang Gate attack Yan Yun?” Yunshuang wondered, glancing towards Lieyang Gate’s Sect Master who stood not far away.

Lieyang Gate was merely a second-rate sect within Jiang Country; for them to dare offend Yunhua Sect suggested some hidden secret was surely at play.

The fiery onslaught incinerated all vegetation in that area, leaving nothing but scorched earth.

However, once the flames dissipated, the expressions of the Lieyang Gate cultivators turned exceedingly grim.

For Yan Yun stood unharmed, clutching a blue talisman in her hand, the energy it emitted shielding her completely.

“A defensive talisman treasure?
To withstand the combined attacks of five Spirit Transformation Realm cultivators, it must be at least a third-tier top-grade artifact, right?
Damn it.” Luo Lie’s face was a mask of displeasure.

Yan Yun smiled confidently.
“You hope to kill me with such paltry attacks?
Why not unleash something truly formidable?
Oh, and by the way, do I have some unknown grudge with your Lieyang Gate?” she chuckled.

Luo Lie suddenly raised his hand, and a small pagoda, radiating dazzling firelight, materialized within his grasp.

“Enough of your nonsense,” he snarled.
“Behold my magical artifact!”