Ninth In the World

In almost four months, Di Jiu used up all level-four spiritual herbs before he was able to refine Grade-Three Spirit Elixirs. This was mostly credited to his Dao fire and his ability to vaguely sense the special properties of the spiritual herbs.

The Five Continent Dao Pagoda was probably closed. Di Jiu stopped practising alchemy. Given the amount of expenses and time required to become a Grade-Seven Elixir King, he might as well cultivate until he reached the Pioneer Sea Realm and challenged the people on the Sea Roll.

In order to become a Grade-Seven Elixir King, one had to possess large amounts of high-level spiritual herbs, as well as sufficient time and Spirit Stones. The Small Central World contained way more cultivating resources compared to the other continents. However, high-level spiritual herbs were still extremely scarce. Without the support of a sect, unless he managed to enter a spiritual herb mystic area, becoming a Grade-Seven Elixir King would be an unattainable dream.

After whining that cultivation was not easy, Di Jiu put away all his Level-Nine Defense Arrays and headed to the Five Continent Square.

He was currently concerned about whether he would enter the Potential Roll, not whether his name would be on the Five Continent Dao Pillar. Only when he entered the Potential Roll would he qualify to challenge a cultivator on the Sea Roll.

When he saw that he had placed ninth on the Potential Roll, Di Jiu let out a sigh of relief. He did not know how he had attained that ranking, but so long as he entered the Potential Roll, it did not matter.

“The Young Master Red Embellishment has come.” The moment Di Jiu appeared on the Five Continent Square, he was recognized. Everyone’s eyes landed on him.

Compared to the top nine people on the Five Continent Dao Pillar, Di Jiu, who ranked 10th, was even more famous. One reason why was because it was said that Di Jiu was a generous person willing to help strangers without receiving a reward or stating his name. The second reason was that Di Jiu was still an Itinerant Cultivator. He was the only Itinerant Cultivator that had made the top 10 of the Five Continent Dao Pagoda. These reasons aside, Di Jiu was also the only cultivator among the top 10 whose cultivation level was below the Pioneer Sea Realm.

Ascending the Five Continent Dao Pagoda was indeed easier for cultivators between the Golden Core Realm and the Pioneer Sea Realm. However, Pioneer Sea Realm cultivators were always the ones to reach the top 10.

The fact that Di Jiu had reached the top 10 with a cultivation under the Pioneer Sea Realm was impressive enough by itself.

Di Jiu immediately saw Han Qingyi, who was staring at him. Fortunately, the lady was too polite to approach him right now.

When he noticed that an increasing number of people were crowding over to take a look at the Itinerant Cultivator who had placed 10th, Di Jiu took out the Five Continent Dao card floating behind his name on the Five Continent Dao Pillar.

The Five Continent Dao card, which was made out of an unknown type of jade, was yellow in color and as big as half a palm. In its center were the words: Di Jiu 132.

It seemed like he had acquired 132 points. Although Di Jiu still did not know the use of these points, he was aware of their value.

He had just put away the Five Continent Dao card, when a middle-aged man approached him. The man cupped his fists and said, “Daoist Di, I’ve heard that you’re an Itinerant Cultivator. Have you ever considered entering the Snow Sword Sect?”

Before Di Jiu could reply, another person quickly walked over and said, “Daoist Di, the Heaven Mist Sect invites you to join us. We can promise you a position as an outer sect Elder.”

“The Flame Refinement Valley…”

Di Jiu, who saw even more sect cultivators walking over, hastily cupped his fists and said, “Thank you for the love your various sects are showing me, but I have already made plans. I shall take my leave now.”

As soon as he said that, Di Jiu squeezed through the crowd hurriedly.

He was not sure how many of the sects that had invited him wanted him for his potential. However, he was certain that most sects were eyeing the 132 points he possessed.

“Hold on a moment…” A bearded male cultivator blocked Di Jiu’s path.

When he saw this bearded man, Di Jiu sighed inwardly. Certain things could not be avoided.

“Return my item to me. Otherwise, I will immediately challenge you to a fight at the life-and-death arena.” It was Hu Yipan, whose Supreme Fire Pure Gold Di Jiu had taken away.

If they had not been on the Five Continent Square, where he dared not attack anyone, he would have faced Di Jiu with his glaze drills.

Di Jiu’s original intention was to agree without hesitation and fight with Hu Yipan at the life-and-death arena. Hu Yipan was at the third-stage Void Spirit Realm, while Di Jiu was currently at the second-stage Void Spirit Realm. Hence, their cultivation was essentially at the same level. Di Jiu was not afraid of any opponent who was at the same level with him.

However, he could not kill Hu Yipan. Once they entered the life-and-death arena, only one of them would survive. If he did not kill Hu Yipan, then he would die instead. If he killed Hu Yipan, he doubted that he would be able to survive until he reached the Teleportation Array group outside the Sky Route City.

Hu Yipan ranked 63rd on the Potential Roll. Di Jiu’s ranking would not drop that much. He did not even need to ask about Hu Yipan’s background to know that he came from a large sect. He was currently at the second-stage Void Spirit Realm, so if he fought against a five-star sect, let alone a large sect, the consequences would not be good.

“Didn’t you give me that item, Brother Hu? Why do you want it back? Is this some kind of tradition?” Di Jiu exclaimed.

Hu Yipan blushed as he said awkwardly, “I took the wrong thing out back then.”

He came from a large sect, so he needed to preserve some dignity while he was bullying Di Jiu, who was an Itinerant Cultivator. It was embarrassing to take back something one had already given.

Di Jiu took out a jade bottle and gave it to Hu Yipan. “I exchanged that Supreme Fire Pure Gold for a Void Lattice Elixir, Brother Hu. If you want, I can give you the Void Lattice Elixir.”

This Void Lattice Elixir had been given to Di Jiu by the Genesis Sect Master. Di Jiu had not used it. Hence, he was giving it to Hu Yipan.

Hu Yipan instinctively took the jade bottle. This time, he reacted quickly. “That won’t do. The value of this elixir is far lower than the value of my Supreme Fire Pure Gold.”

The value of the Void Lattice Elixir was not exactly incomparable to the Supreme Fire Pure Gold. It all depended on whether the other party accepted this exchange. Hu Yipan was currently at the third-stage Void Spirit Realm, so he did not need a Void Lattice Elixir. If Di Jiu gave him a Spirit-Riving Elixir, he might even be willing to pay some Spirit Stones.

Di Jiu’s Spiritual Force was powerful. Thus, he had already sensed that a Spiritual Force was fixed on him. This force belonged to a black-robed skinny old man standing at the border of the square. Di Jiu hastily slapped Hu Yipan on the shoulder. “When I obtain some Supreme Fire Pure Gold in the future, I will give it to you, Brother Hu. I heard that a Geocentric Flame Crystal will be sold during this auction. If you like, I can help you obtain it.”

As soon as he said that, Di Jiu turned around and left. He had just taken one step, yet the black-robed skinny old man was already standing in front of him with a smile. “Is this Daoist Di Jiu?”

Di Jiu was shocked into silence. There had been no spatial fluctuations while this old man had approached him. What kind of strength was this?

“I am Di Jiu. Greetings, sir,” said Di Jiu respectfully as he bowed.

Weaker cultivators always had to bow. Di Jiu intended to quickly attend the auction and return to enter reclusive cultivation.

“I am Huan Mingzi from the Prophecy Pavilion. Could we step aside and chat?” said the black-robed old man warmly.

Hu Yipan, who had wanted to start a fight with Di Jiu, silently retreated hastily when he saw the black-robed old man come over. He swiftly merged into the crowd, giving up on the Supreme Fire Pure Gold.

“Of course.” Di Jiu was helpless. The old man was definitely no weaker than the five large sect masters. Did he even have the option of saying no?

“Please follow me, Daoist Di.” Huan Mingzi nodded at Di Jiu before turning and leaving at a fast speed.

If they had been outside the Five Continent City, Di Jiu would have used the Spiritual Force escape technique. However, he could only follow the man under the circumstances.

Five minutes later, Di Jiu arrived at an inn at the Prophecy Pavilion.

He could only bite the bullet and enter, even though he was well-aware that he was in the old man’s territory.

Huan Mingzi led Di Jiu to a clean cabin, poured him a cup of tea and got straight to the point. “Would you be willing to join the Prophecy Pavilion?”

Di Jiu was stunned. The man wanted to invite him to join the Prophecy Pavilion?

“Sir, isn’t the Prophecy Pavilion a 10-star sect?” Di Jiu could not quite understand. His performance was not bad, yet it was not good enough for a 10-star sect to want him.

Huan Mingzi smiled. “Yes, the Prophecy Pavilion is considered a 10-star sect.”

“Sir, I believe that my potential is not bad. However, I am only at the Void Spirit Realm and I rank ninth on the Potential Roll…”

Huan Mingzi stopped Di Jiu with a wave of his hand. “Don’t belittle yourself. I have never seen a cultivator reach the Void Spirit Realm before the age of 30. You are the only exception. I believe that I did not get your age wrong. The youngest Void Spirit Realm cultivator I ever saw was over 80 years old. They also had the support of large amounts of sect resources, which is incomparable to what an Itinerant Cultivator like you could have. Did you see the genius cultivators on the Dao Roll? None of them are younger than 190 years old. In other words, their potential is incomparable to yours.”

“As far as the Potential Roll is concerned, the ranking is determined by the Prophecy Pavilion. Given your potential, you should have ranked first. However, I suggested giving you the ninth place instead. I saw your fighting techniques at the Herald Night Lake. It was the first time I saw a cultivator younger than 30 gain insight into a saber intent that contained an Order.”

Di Jiu thought of what Fu Che had said. The Prophecy Pavilion was very mysterious. Hence, there might be an Invisibility Array set up around him that he was not aware of.

When he noticed that Di Jiu fell silent, Huan Mingzi added, “I also invited you over to save your life. Did you know that your life was in danger?”

“Sir, I am a law-abiding, kind person that always does good deeds. I do not cause trouble. I have been staying in the Five Continent City peacefully…”

Huan Mingzi sneered. “I’m not referring to why Hu Yipan detained you. Did you think that you were free from trouble? Genesis Sect Master Shu Haolan has already investigated you. Let me tell you something. Shu Haolan would cause you trouble again sooner or later. He would rather kill an innocent man than let someone off. Plus, you made a mistake.”

“What kind of mistake?” Di Jiu asked unconsciously.