Chapter 177: Throwing Stones

Jiang Li did not let his clone kill them directly.

If 46 outer sect disciples suddenly died, it would definitely attract the sect's attention.

The sect naturally did not care if a disciple died in the mission.

However, deliberately harming fellow disciples was too detrimental. Even sect elders had to be secretive when doing something like this. If he directly killed so many, wouldn't he be looking for trouble for no reason?

Moreover, the fruit had not matured yet. Even if he took away the spiritual root seed, the final solution was to throw it into other creatures' bodies to wait for it to grow. Wasn't it the same as now?

There were still more than two thousand hosts in the sect waiting for him. If he killed this batch, would anyone dare to come in the next batch? Having a steady stream of seeds was the best option.

As usual, he threw the newly formed Nine Nether Earth Fruits back into their mouths.

The 46 shriveled and immature Nine Nether Earth Fruits looked pitiful.

However, although these fruits were all underdeveloped, consuming them could still increase one's lifespan by decades.

The life and spiritual qi absorbed by the spiritual root seed was quickly replenished by the Nine Nether Earth Fruit. The dying outer sect disciples gradually woke up.

The 46 people got up from the ground without knowing why. They scratched their heads and seemed to be unaware of what had just happened.

When the spiritual root seed parasitized, it could secrete a special substance that could erase the host's recent memories.

This was the ability evolved from the spiritual root seed to better protect itself without being discovered by others.

Not only the brain, but even the memories in the soul could be erased.

Therefore, ever since these 2,000 hosts were brought back to the Scripture Storage Valley, the sect had not discovered the problem.

They themselves could not remember what they had eaten before they fainted. This was also the reason why Jiang Li had let his spiritual root clone act so casually just now.

The clone transformed into a tree root again and left the ground.

Due to the fact that there was a powerful energy barrier between the inner and outer city, it was impossible to escape through the ground.

Therefore, Green Mountain Ascetic, who only had an outer shell left, did not directly enter the city. Instead, he strolled aimlessly in the outer city.

It was not until his main body rushed back from the ground and drilled back into his body that he finally turned around and entered the inner city.

It was only a wall away, but the environment and style of the inner and outer cities were worlds apart.

Although the outer city was also very bustling, in terms of the layout of the buildings, it was crowded and messy. As long as there was some space, it would be filled to the brim.

It could be seen that the people living there were still fussing over the minor details of life.

As for the inner city, just looking at it made people feel comfortable.

The houses here were at least double courtyards. The greenery and design were quite good.

The flowers, birds, fish, insects, and pavilions were all painstakingly designed and built by those mortal masters in the outer city.

There were no houses that were close to each other.

There was a huge gap between the wall and the wall. This method of maintaining a certain distance was very effective in solving the neighbors relationship between high-level cultivators.

Jiang Li glanced at his residence permit. His address was "Divine Wood Area No.13".

Originally, that female cultivator attendant was very happy to come over and help Jiang Li lead the way while serving his needs.

Unfortunately, the Nine Nether clone that was covered in wood utterly did not have that ability, so Jiang Li still decisively rejected the other party.

The Divine Wood Area was probably ranked second in this residential area.

Only the sect masters of the various sects and some Nascent Soul cultivators could enjoy this.

However, there were very few cultivators of that level and they were busy every day. It was very difficult for such a cultivation city to provide them with considerable help. Therefore, basically no Nascent Soul cultivator would stay permanently in this Nightless City.

The Nine Nether clone quickly found the place. The golden token in his hand emitted a spiritual light and the door of the courtyard immediately opened.

This courtyard was surrounded by a defensive array formation. The internal facilities were all complete.

If not for the fact that there were no spirit stones buried underground, it would practically be better than Jiang Li's residence in the Scripture Storage Valley.

Of course, such a courtyard was obviously not something that a Golden Core cultivator could enjoy for free unless he directly joined the city lord's mansion.

According to tradition, Jiang Li carefully checked the structure of the array formation and did not find any problems.

However, this was natural, because although the current Nine Nether clone could be equivalent to a Golden Core cultivator,

However, his experience and array formation standards completely came from Jiang Li's main body.

He had only been cultivating for a few months. If there was an obvious flaw that even he could see, the other party was not a fool. Why would he use such a low-level method on a Golden Core cultivator?

Logically speaking, Golden Core cultivators were already absolute higher-ups in the cultivation world of the Great Mountain Region. The Nightless City should not easily reveal any malice towards them.

However, one had to be wary of others.

The Nine Nether clone gently stepped on the ground. Tiny spider web-like roots immediately spread from his feet and quickly spread throughout the entire courtyard.

Then, the tiny roots sank into the soil and disappeared.

A moment later, Jiang Li pointed to the left, and then a miraculous scene occurred.

All the plants on the ground seemed to have instantly come to life, and they uniformly pointed their leaves towards the left along with Jiang Li's finger movement.

Jiang Li pointed to the right again. These plants seemed to have become spirits as they pointed to the right again.

Nine Nether Realm Technique!

This was a Dao Technique that came with the Nine Nether Dao Scripture. Jiang Li's cultivation was still shallow and far from being able to compare to it, but his clone was the Nine Nether Wood itself. This kind of action was basically instinctive to him.

The Nine Nether Wood was one of the Spiritual Roots of Heaven and Earth. It had a strong restraining effect and control over all lower-level plants.

With just the simplest spreading of the root structure, he forcefully captured and assimilated all the plants in the courtyard.

Even all the wooden materials used to build the entire courtyard were controlled by his roots.

With the obstruction of this Nine Nether Realm Technique, even if the outer array formation was tampered with, it was absolutely unable to spy on the situation inside.

Thus, the Nine Nether clone temporarily stayed in Nightless City.

...

On the Misty Mountain Range's side, the competition had also reached the end.

There were a total of 320 cultivators in the two arenas. They competed together for a total of 150 positions on the Black and White Rankings.

Due to the fact that the last battle of the Hundred Battles Steps was under the unrestricted format, it gave the participating cultivators more room to maneuver.

Some cultivators were more impulsive and confident. At the beginning, they brazenly challenged and fought, choosing to reveal their strength to intimidate others and make others fear them.

Others did not dare to challenge them.

Some cultivators were cautious and steady, carefully observing and analyzing the situation of the entire arena. They calmly judged the situation and their own strength, challenging the most suitable opponent at the most appropriate time in order to preserve their strength and stand at the end.

There were also cultivators who chose to join forces. Every time they challenged, they would not use their full strength and use many people to cooperate with them in a tag-team battle. They would continuously challenge a powerful opponent and win with lightning speed when the target's spiritual qi was exhausted.

Other than that, there were many other methods that could affect the outcome other than strength.

Of course, these methods that required the cooperation of many people were undoubtedly more beneficial to sect disciples.

The fellow disciples who interacted with each other day and night were definitely more reliable than the temporary team formed by the rogue cultivators.

In fact, the rogue cultivators were already squeezed until they were defeated, and only a few were left.

On the battlefield, schemes were schemes, and tactics were tactics. But in the end, they still had to fight.

No matter what, they were only Qi Refinement and Foundation Establishment cultivators. After three days of fighting, a large number of cultivators had already left the arena. As for the remaining cultivators, nearly all of them were injured.

Even Jiang Li's sword cultivator clone had encountered several powerful enemies in the battle. Even under the circumstances of using his cheat, he was still heavily injured.

Although he won in the end, half of his body was also beaten into a tragic state. At this moment, the flying sword leaned on the ground and defended the fourth ring with difficulty.

If this dragged on for a few more days, he might not be able to withstand his injuries and directly lie down.

On the Qi Refinement realm arena's side, the situation on the top ten rings also underwent a rather large change.

Shenshan Qiuhua's second place was no longer guaranteed and was obtained by a Hundred Tempering Mountain disciple.

The Hundred Tempering Mountain had revealed an extremely strange and terrifying poison pill technique this time.

The terrifying effects of the poisonous pill made others feel uncomfortable. This method was even more cruel and evil than some demonic cultivators. The number of participating cultivators who died at their hands was astonishing.

Shenshan Qiuhua was tricked by one of them. Her face turned green and purple, and her aura was extremely weak.

She had also eaten a bunch of antidotes produced by Shu Mountain, but they were all useless. Clearly, the Hundred Tempering Mountain really wanted to win this time.

Slam!

At this moment, a rock flew over from high above and smashed into the head of the Hundred Tempering Mountain disciple. Due to the huge impact, the rock instantly exploded into more than ten pieces that scattered in all directions.

"Who is it!"

The Hundred Tempering Mountain disciple was sent tumbling a few times by the impact, his eardrums buzzing.

He raised his head and saw Jiang Li standing on the arena at the top of the mountain looking at him. There was a rock in his hand, and he seemed to be aiming.

If not for the restrictions of the rules, and the fact that one could not switch to challenging the lower ring, Jiang Li would have already rushed down and beaten him to death.

"Damn it! Jiang Li! What are you doing! You're breaking the rules!"

The Hundred Tempering Mountain cultivator shouted at Jiang Li in exasperation.

However, what answered him was another rock that tore through the air!

Slam!

The rock exploded on the other party's body again, causing the Hundred Tempering Mountain disciple who had just stood up to fall back onto the ground.

"You!"

He gritted his teeth, his face turning red from Jiang Li's continuous provocation. However, those two were only ordinary rocks after all. They were unable to break through the other party's protective artifact and really injured him.

"What? Did the rules say that we can't throw rocks on the mountain?"

"What? Are you angry? I'm so scared. Come up and hit me."

"Isn't your Hundred Tempering Mountain very powerful? You know how to use poisonous pills and fight female cultivators. Why don't you even dare to fight an injured person now?"

"No way, no way, no way. Don't tell me you're afraid of me!"

Jiang Li's words were filled with ridicule as he casually picked up a rock the size of a human head from the ground, and he intended to reason with the other party.

"You're courting death!"

This disciple of the Hundred Tempering Mountain was also young and vigorous. Now, he was competing in front of all the cultivators in the world.

It was one thing if he could not win, but if he cowered in the face of such humiliation…

He could forget about becoming famous. He would probably be laughed at for many years.

How could he endure this at such a young age!

He was about to be overwhelmed by anger and charge up the steps to get beaten to death by Jiang Li.

However, a series of violent coughs suddenly sounded from the spectator area in the sky, causing the disciple of the Hundred Tempering Mountain to be jolted awake. He retreated and lowered his head to raise the defensive barrier before ignoring Jiang Li.

Jiang Li did not even need to raise his head to know who had ruined his plans.

"Ma Lichou, you're interfering with the competition!"

The people from the Scripture Storage Valley and the Shu Mountain Five Elements Peak glared at the person.

Ma Lichou pretended to be fine and cleared his throat.

"Old people often have phlegm. Can't I clear my throat?"

What level of cultivator was this? It was rare for him to even suffer an illness. Saying he had phlegm was a horrible lie.

However, the other party only coughed a little. They could not really rush up and fight.

Jiang Li suddenly smashed a few more rocks, but he was stopped by the cultivators from the competition authorities. If he went overboard, it would be considered breaking the rules.

Jiang Li could only feel helpless towards this.

If it was anyone else who participated in this kind of competition, the battle situation would definitely be filled with ups and downs that were extremely exciting. All kinds of self-harming explosive attacks would be used on him, while he would undergo memory recollection and breakthrough before defying the odds and slaughtering the enemy. Just thinking about it caused one's blood to boil.

However, when it came to Jiang Li… how did he become the Great Demon King?

He, who had just beaten a Core Formation elder, was competing in the Qi Refinement realm arena, it was indeed quite absurd.

The biggest problem was that he did not pretend to be weak after fighting a few rounds. Now, no one dared to challenge him anymore.

In fact, he did not even use his Golden Core clone in this competition. These cultivators were truly the worst he had ever seen!

However, at this moment, the situation changed.

"Amitabha. Benefactor Jiang, are you worried about Benefactor Shenshan's poison? Why don't you let me retrieve the antidote for you?"

At this moment, there was a bald monk with a scar on his head and dressed in gray clothes. He pressed his palms together and chanted Buddhist scriptures. He walked up from the tenth ring step by step.

"Dharma Master Le Yuan? That's great. Thank you for your help!"

Jiang Li was obviously stunned when he saw this person, and then he immediately recognized the other party and cupped his hands to thank him.

This monk was clearly from Benevolent Travel Temple. Furthermore, he had some background and strength.

In this entire arena, who was unscathed?

Other than Jiang Li, it was this Dharma Master Le Yuan!

First of all, he had no hair.

In addition, this Dharma Master's defense was similar to Jiang Li's. It seemed to be very outstanding.

This Monk Le Yuan looked ordinary among the disciples of Benevolent Travel Temple, and his figure was not exaggerated like his fellow disciples, and he was only similar to Jiang Li.

Coupled with his scholarly and weak face, he did not look like a deterrent.

However, cultivators who understood the situation would not really underestimate him.

Just the word "Le Yuan" was enough to make people look at him in a different light.

This meant that he was from the Benevolent Travel Temple's 'Le' batch of disciples. He was one generation higher than Jiang Li and most of the current generation disciples!

This was also the reason why he did not address Jiang Li as a junior brother although he was clearly a disciple of Benevolent Travel Temple.

From the beginning to the end, he had pressed his palms together and unilaterally endured the attacks of all his opponents.

However, up until now, no one was actually able to injure him in the slightest. In the end, they were all forced off the arena by the other party's Buddhist light.

After he ascended the tenth ring, Jiang Li originally thought that he would shine brilliantly, but he never expected that he would stand on the tenth ring for three days without moving at all.

He did not expect that Dharma Master Le Yuan would suddenly make a move now.