Chapter 55: Conflict?

Vibrating his transparent wings with the agility and lightness characteristic of a mosquito, he transformed into an almost imperceptible stream of light, darting silently toward the vast expanse beyond Qingyang City.

Relying on the meticulously detailed map gifted by the shopkeeper, Yun Yi wove through the forest and grass, skillfully dodging obstacle after obstacle until he finally arrived at the legendary entrance of the mystic realm.

He had originally assumed that, having arrived more than ten days early, the area outside the mystic realm would be completely tranquil, devoid of any living presence save for the sounds of nature.

However, the scene before him took him by complete surprise.

A considerable number of human cultivators had already gathered at the entrance of the mystic realm. Some stood while others sat, adopting various postures, yet without exception, they wore distinct styles of attire—ranging from exquisite brocade robes to rugged animal pelts, each piece revealing the characteristic traits of the sect or family behind it.

These cultivators either conversed in low voices or closed their eyes to rest and recover their energy, occasionally glancing toward the direction of the mystic realm with eyes flickering with anticipation and longing.

Though the overwhelming majority of these human cultivators were immersed in their respective meditations and contemplations, failing to notice the insignificant mosquito in the air—Yun Yi—

Yun Yi, tiny though he was, possessed extraordinary perceptual abilities.

As he gently vibrated his transparent wings, weaving through the gentle breeze, he could distinctly sense terrifying waves of spiritual power radiating from the cultivators, rising like mountain ranges and surging like rushing rivers.

These fluctuations, akin to invisible giant waves, continuously battered his mind, filling him with secret dismay.

"Every single one of these cultivators possesses a cultivation level no lower than the Foundation Establishment stage. How terrifying," Yun Yi pondered inwardly, the frequency of his wing beats involuntarily accelerating a fraction.

He knew that a single careless movement on his part, or the faint sound generated by his beating wings, would draw the attention of these cultivators, exposing his whereabouts and plunging him into trouble.

"I need to find a place to hide first," Yun Yi thought to himself.

Immediately, taking advantage of the fact that none of the cultivators had yet noticed him, Yun Yi cautiously surveyed his surroundings, searching for a concealed spot to conceal himself.

Finally, his gaze landed on an ancient tree not far outside the mystic realm's entrance. Its branches and leaves were lush and dense, blotting out the sky and sun, appearing as if nature had intentionally prepared a sanctuary for him.

With a delicate flutter of his wings, resembling a light feather, he slowly flew toward the ancient tree, ultimately landing lightly among the dense foliage.

To a tiny mosquito like him, this place was nothing short of a natural sanctuary.

(1/3)

Sheltered by the leaves, Yun Yi cautiously poked his head out. His tiny compound eyes gleamed with curiosity as he peered through the layers of green leaves, carefully observing the cultivators below.

In his eyes, those cultivators had already begun setting up camp outside the mystic realm, busy yet orderly.

First, they retrieved tents and other essentials from their storage bags or storage rings, and then they began searching for suitable locations outside the mystic realm to pitch their camps, preparing to rest and restore their vigor.

Seeing that they were all meditating and resting their minds—except for a small number of cultivators who remained vigilant of their surroundings—Yun Yi's tiny compound eyes captured the scene.

He pondered inwardly: "Closing one's eyes to rest, restoring one's spirit—this is what every cultivator preparing to enter the mystic realm must do. Indeed, once the realm opens, it will be an adventure and struggle filled with unknowns. One must adjust their state to the absolute peak before the realm begins."

Having reached this conclusion, Yun Yi also began searching for his own resting place.

He lightly vibrated his wings, weaving through the dense foliage until he found a relatively concealed and thickly leafed spot.

Nodding in satisfaction, he gave his wings a gentle flap and nimbly flew onto a soft, broad leaf.

He lay down gently, blending his tiny body completely into the veins of the leaf, and then began his cultivation.

Yet, to ensure that the cultivators below would not notice an insignificant mosquito like him, Yun Yi only cautiously inhaled and exhaled the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, striving to reduce his presence to the absolute minimum.

Of course, at this moment, even if Yun Yi were practicing his unique Blood Qi Great Art, it was likely that few would notice him.

After all, the cultivators below were all utterly engrossed in their cultivation, their cultivation auras chaotic and disorganized, intertwining to form a complex spiritual power field.

Plunged within this spiritual power field, Yun Yi's faint aura was almost entirely masked, akin to a single drop of water in the vast ocean, barely capable of drawing the attention of anyone else.

Nevertheless, just to be safe, this tiny mosquito Yun Yi decided to exercise utmost caution.

He was acutely aware that he was a demonic beast while they were human cultivators, and the boundary between them was stark and distinct; once discovered, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Furthermore, he currently lacked cultivation resources and could only rely on the spiritual energy of heaven and earth within this forest to sustain his practice.

And so, three days prior to the opening of the mystic realm, the area outside presented a scene that was both busy and tranquil.

(2/3)

Each cultivator went about their own business, making preparations for the upcoming journey into the mystic realm.

There was neither conflict nor communication among them; it was as though each individual were an isolated island, immersed entirely in their own world.

However, such peaceful days did not last indefinitely.

When the time arrived three days before the opening of the mystic realm, a sudden commotion erupted outside.

Two cultivators came to blows over a trivial, insignificant disagreement, and their fight swiftly drew the attention of the surrounding cultivators.

This disturbance startled Yun Yi, who was hidden among the leaves regulating his breath and cultivating.

A jolt ran through his heart, and his wings fluttered involuntarily before he quickly steadied his posture.

Cautiously poking his head out, he used his tiny compound eyes to observe the skirmish below.

At first, Yun Yi feared he had missed the opening time of the mystic realm, feeling a brief surge of anxiety.

However, upon closer inspection, he realized it was merely a conflict between disciples of two different sects.

One faction consisted of cultivators dressed in azure robes embroidered with delicate sword patterns, their sword techniques fierce and ethereal—clearly disciples of the Qingyang Sword Manor.

The other faction consisted of cultivators wearing sleeveless martial attire with bulging muscles, their fist techniques powerful and ferocious—unmistakably disciples of the Dragon-Tiger Gate.

"What? Do all of you from the Qingyang Sword Manor think you are sword cultivators, holding yourselves above others and looking down on everyone? You bump into someone and can't even utter a single apology!" roared a disciple of the Dragon-Tiger Gate, his voice laden with intense grievance and fury, as if he intended to vent all his pent-up frustration in one go.

His eyes stared fixedly at the opposite disciple from the Qingyang Sword Manor, burning with provocation and hostility.

(3/3)