Monk Bujie

Monk Bujie . . . 

In the enigmatic realm known as the Sky Connecting Realm, death took on a peculiar form, one that Qin Wentian had come to grasp with uncanny clarity. It wasn't the final, irreversible departure from existence as mortals understood it, but rather a transient state, a mere shadow of the ultimate end. Prior to venturing into this otherworldly expanse, Qin Wentian had already glimpsed countless figures seated atop ornate altars, a sight that offered a tantalizing hint at the nature of this realm. The Sky Connecting Realm, it was said, was a miniature world birthed from the profound energies of the Great Dao.

Yet, even in its ephemeral guise, the experience of death remained vivid and haunting.

A voice called out, breaking the contemplative silence that hung in the air. Qin Wentian turned to find a young man from the esteemed Battle Saint Tribe making his way toward him. Evidently, this fellow had been drawn to the ongoing spectacle, just as Qin Wentian himself had.

"What are your thoughts on Jia Nantian's strength?" Qin Wentian inquired, his gaze steady. The Battle Saint Tribe's expert boasted a formidable cultivation base, having reached the seventh level of the immortal foundation stage.

"He's a force to be reckoned with, undoubtedly the recipient of his ancestor's formidable inheritance. It's akin to my tribe's members awakening our battle saint bloodline and manifesting a battle saint bone," the expert transmitted his thoughts with a measure of secrecy, shrouding the topic of his tribe's lineage in a veil of confidentiality.

"Mhm," Qin Wentian acknowledged, his thoughts aligning with those of the young man. Golden-winged rocs, like phoenixes, belonged to the illustrious category of divine avian species. Jia Nantian, bearing the pure lineage of the golden-winged great roc, had inherited the ancestral energies of his kind. Within the hierarchy of his race, Jia Nantian held a status akin to the members of the Battle Saint Tribe who had cultivated battle saint bones—a king among his own kind, commanding unparalleled power.

When it came to rarity, even White-eye of the White Tiger Race couldn't quite compare. The sky rocs unconditionally regarded Jia Nantian as their sovereign, prepared to lay down their lives in his service.

Curiosity tugged at Qin Wentian's mind once more. "What, precisely, are the Supreme Might Rankings?" he queried. The relentless battle unfolding upon his entry into the Sky Connecting Realm had left him with numerous unanswered questions.

"It's a record of the accomplishments achieved by experts who venture into this realm, categorized by their strength. From what I've observed and gleaned from the realm's rumors, the more illustrious one's achievements, the higher their rank. Curiously, the Sky Connecting Realm doesn't automatically evaluate your cultivation level. Consequently, it's quite beneficial to challenge adversaries of higher levels, as this elevates your ranking substantially. The next most effective way to climb the rankings involves dueling with those of comparable prowess. The least rewarding path is engaging with opponents of lower cultivation levels. However, the precise rules governing these rankings remain shrouded in mystery. Regardless, a high rank presents the prospect of potential rewards from the sacred academy."

"Understood. I've also noticed that most of those gathered here possess cultivation bases at or above the fifth level," Qin Wentian noted as his gaze swept over the surroundings.

"Saint Lord, there are still many low-level cultivators who enter this realm, but they tend to remain in the desolate outskirts, wary of venturing closer to this central point. This area, as you've no doubt gathered, is fraught with danger. Many who have entered this realm have met their end here..." The young man replied with a touch of embarrassment, prompting Qin Wentian to furrow his brows. When he cast his gaze around once more, he discerned several onlookers with distinctly unfriendly intentions directed his way. Clearly, the Sky Connecting Realm harbored few benevolent souls.

"Let's move on," Qin Wentian declared, prompting the young Battle Saint Tribe member to follow suit. Together, they soared through the air at a breakneck pace, yet a few determined individuals persisted in trailing them, their intent to glean information from Qin Wentian unmistakable. In that critical moment, the Battle Saint Tribe's young expert unleashed an overwhelmingly violent surge of energy, a raw display of power that gave even the most dogged pursuers pause. Ultimately, they chose to remain as silent observers, declining to pursue Qin Wentian and his companion any further. Among them was the expert who had previously conversed with Qin Wentian—a reluctant spectator to this dramatic turn of events.

In the heart of the enigmatic Sky Connecting Realm, where the boundaries between reality and illusion blurred, Qin Wentian found himself grappling with an unsettling question: How did one escape this mystical place? Despite the ethereal nature of their presence, he couldn't shake the feeling that this was indeed a tangible reality, one not easily departed at will.

With a sense of curiosity tinged with urgency, he turned to the young man who had been his companion in this enigmatic realm. "How do we depart from the Sky Connecting Realm?" Qin Wentian's voice held a note of determination, a yearning for freedom from this otherworldly confinement.

The young man, with a hint of resignation in his expression, answered, "Exits do exist, but they are elusive, requiring a deliberate search. Most often, though, people find themselves leaving this realm only after experiencing death here." His words conveyed the haunting truth of this place, where death held an ephemeral dominion.

Qin Wentian contemplated this revelation, a shiver coursing through him as he considered the eerie and unpredictable nature of the Sky Connecting Realm. "Are there still hidden wonders to uncover

In the heart of this enigmatic realm, danger was an ever-present companion, lurking in the shadows and striking with unpredictable ferocity. It was in one of these unsettling moments that Qin Wentian's senses came alive, a prickling intuition alerting him to an impending threat. Without warning, a colossal silhouette, sinister and foreboding, materialized before him—a fearsome golden lion, exuding an aura of overwhelming might. With a thunderous leap, it descended upon a group of unsuspecting experts, its presence radiating unbridled dominance.

Instinctively, Qin Wentian retreated, his instincts honed by the harsh realities of this realm. He understood the grim fate that awaited those who dared to partake of demon spirit flesh. Such audacious indulgence came at a price—one paid in agony and death, as otherworldly entities exacted their vengeance.

Seeking solitude amidst the wilderness, Qin Wentian closed his eyes, delving into the depths of his cultivation. Here, in the mysterious heart of the Sky Connecting Realm, he sought to unravel the nature of this realm's reality. His exploration soon yielded a comforting revelation—the rules of cultivation remained unaltered, as familiar as in the world he had known.

Eyes sealed shut, Qin Wentian immersed himself in the rhythms of his cultivation. The Supreme Might Rankings, while intriguing, were a distant concern for now. His immediate goal was the mastery of his own potential. Stepping into the fourth level of the immortal-foundation stage was his singular focus, a threshold that promised exponential growth in combat prowess—a vital means of safeguarding his existence in this perilous domain.

Yet, his tranquility was short-lived. Even as he delved deeper into his cultivation, the realm's watchful gaze remained ever vigilant. Qin Wentian soon became the target of yet another adversary—a colossal, snow-white demon leopard hailing from the Western Regions of the immortal realms. It was a creature of formidable stature, and its eyes gleamed with predatory cunning.

The snow leopard stalked Qin Wentian, its intent unmistakable. However, Qin Wentian chose not to react, maintaining his stillness as the leopard circled him. The tension hung thick in the air, yet he refused to waver. When the predator finally struck, lunging forward to claim its prey, Qin Wentian unleashed a resplendent barrier of light that defied the creature's fangs. With lightning reflexes, his palm met the leopard's charge, slamming the beast to the ground and shattering its internal organs.

Standing over the defeated adversary, Qin Wentian regarded it with a measure of curiosity. Yet, before he could ponder further, a voice drifted through the air, laden with intrigue. "Impressive. You dispatched that snow leopard with ease, despite it sharing your cultivation level. I can't help but wonder, are you proficient in manipulating flames? Would you like me to assist you in roasting this demon spirit's meat?"

"Why roast it?" Qin Wentian inquired, his curiosity piqued.

"Have you not heard? Demon spirits consider us their prey, yet they themselves provide a bountiful source of sustenance. Feasting on their essence nourishes our constitution and energy," the stranger explained. He sported a kasaya, disheveled hair, and a somewhat bedraggled appearance, reminiscent of a wandering monk.

"Very well, join me," Qin Wentian consented. The monk embarked on his culinary venture, enveloping the meat in a blaze of golden flames. As the tantalizing aroma of roasting meat wafted through the air, Qin Wentian couldn't help but admit the fragrant allure of the meal.

"Marvelous," the monk chortled. "This meat is a delectable treat, brimming with exquisite flavors. Brother, are you affiliated with the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect? I've long harbored a desire to savor the roasted meat of Sky Roc and White Tiger Race demons. As pure-blooded greater demons, their flesh boasts unparalleled nutritional value, enhancing not only our constitution but also our bloodline power. Regrettably, these greater demons are formidable adversaries."

"Where do you hail from?" Qin Wentian inquired, suspecting that many here recognized him due to his astral souls and immortal foundation's exposure during the test several years prior. He observed the monk savoring the meal with unabashed delight, appreciating the simplicity of the moment.

"I am but a humble monk, leading a life of austerity. How could I compare to the chosen of the immortal realms' prestigious powers? Alas, my existence is a pitiable one," the monk lamented, his head shaking in mock sorrow.

"You hardly seem pitiable," Qin Wentian remarked with a chuckle, genuinely amused by the monk's colorful personality.

"Ah, brother, we are fated to cross paths," the monk exclaimed suddenly, his earlobes quivering. In an instant, he vanished with the swiftness of lightning, leaving Qin Wentian bewildered by his abrupt departure. Bujie, as the monk had introduced himself, was an enigmatic character, to say the least.

Shortly after Bujie's vanishing act, a chilling gust of intent swept over Qin Wentian, freezing him in place. His gaze snapped to a figure descending from the heavens—a celestial maiden of ethereal beauty, her porcelain skin a canvas for the storm of rage that roiled within her. Her gaze, authoritative and demanding, pierced through Qin Wentian as she leveled a question at him.

"Answer me, where is that wretched monk? Did you encounter him?" The icy edge in her voice betrayed her unyielding resolve and her elevated status, a formidable presence from a prestigious clan or sect.

Qin Wentian met her formidable gaze with a disarming smile, his silence a subtle assertion of his autonomy. She had indeed sensed something amiss, but he opted to dine on his barbequed meat with the nonchalance of one untroubled by her formidable aura.

"Hey, I'm talking to you," she snapped, her cold intent intensifying, now squarely directed at him.