Forced to Be a Villain: Starting With My Brain Extraction System-Chapter 135: Leaving For the Blood mist valley!

Zhiran saw Chu Liang before, when Elder Chu Yuxuan came to get Su Ruyue. They seemed to have some relationship.

He also thought of keeping an eye on this guy, since this guy had abruptly climbed higher in his last life after digging the grave of a Soul Formation cultivator.

It seems he is also participating in this expedition.

Zhiran turned away his gaze before he would be noticed and asked Li Wei.

"So... when are we going to leave?"

"Shortly... when Elder Jianhong comes."

Li Wei had just replied when suddenly a sharp rush of wind echoed around the peak, followed by the appearance of a massive sword landing from the far distance in an instant.

Riding atop the massive sword were two figures, Peak Elder Jianhong from the Sword Spirit Peak and his disciple Ruan Feng, who came to recruit Zhiran before.

Tring!

As soon as Elder Jianhong appeared, all the swords of the disciples around began to vibrate as if in rhythm. Zhiran was no exception.

In fact, Zhiran felt his Sword Brain, the one with which he gained sword intent before, suddenly getting activated as if in response.

’Sword Heart?’

Zhiran immediately realized why he was feeling that way.

This Elder Jianhong actually condensed his sword heart.

His entire body gave off a natural sword resonance, as if he himself were a living blade. This was different from sword intent, which was merely the manifestation of one’s will.

Sword Heart meant the will no longer needed to be expressed.

It was engraved into the cultivator’s very being.

A person with Sword Heart did not think about wielding a sword. Every breath, every movement, even standing still, carried the purity and resolve of the sword Dao.

To such an existence, the sword was not a tool, nor a technique, but a state of mind that never wavered.

No wonder his instinct got activated instantly in response.

"Are you the Mo Zhiran Ruan Feng talked about? Hmm...I feel a hint of sword intent in you."

While Zhiran was looking at the tall elder with the impressive sword on his back, the elder looked back at him as well.

He, of course, noticed Zhiran’s reaction.

"A Qi Condensation cultivator who managed to condense Sword Intent this early. You indeed have some potential. Unfortunately..."

Jianhong shook his head slightly, a trace of regret flashing through his eyes. If Zhiran had joined his peak, although he would not have accepted him as a direct disciple, he would not have spared any effort to train him.

After all, the Divine Cauldron Sect was not famous for its sword arts. Because of that, he had very few disciples with the talent he truly needed.

Naturally, he would want such a genius under his wing.

But since Zhiran was already under Ember Lotus Peak, there was nothing he could do.

He could not just go and rob another elder’s disciple, could he?

"Kid, don’t waste your potential. Although you aren’t from my peak, if you have any questions regarding the sword, you can come to me for guidance."

In the end, Jianhong did not want to see a talent go to waste, so he made the offer casually.

"Thank you, Elder. I will definitely do so."

Zhiran hurriedly bowed, genuinely thankful. He would indeed go and learn from him when he obtained the brain of a decent swordsman in the future.

For now, he was already capped.

Although he could still learn by using the brain he had extracted, he felt it was too cumbersome and boring.

’I might have been spoiled by recent instant power-ups.’

Zhiran thought, feeling slightly bitter.

"Okay, listen up."

After talking with Zhiran, Jianhong turned around and shouted loudly to garner everyone’s attention.

"This time, I will be the one guiding you to the secret realm, Blood Mist Valley."

"However, since this secret realm has a realm cap, I cannot enter with you. Once you go inside, you will be on your own."

As someone already at the middle stage of the Gold Core realm, he was unable to enter that place.

He was assigned to this task because, besides their sect, there would be several others exploring the secret realm, including the Black Lotus Sect.

The Divine Cauldron Sect had a long-standing grudge with the Black Lotus Sect. Practically speaking, they would try to kill each other the moment they met.

Because of this, Jianhong was chosen for the role.

As someone well-versed in sword arts and possessing Sword Heart, his explosive combat power surpassed his realm.

He was the perfect candidate.

"I will not say anything else. Just be careful. This secret realm is somewhat oriented toward a demonic nature. If possible, stick with your sect members and help each other. Do not fight battles you cannot win."

The greatest wealth in this world was life.

If you had life, you could gain anything. Without it, what could you do?

Although the sect wanted to obtain the resources inside the secret realm, they valued the safety of their disciples even more.

"However, if push comes to shove, do not show mercy. On the path of cultivation, showing empathy to enemies is being cruel to yourself. Do you understand?"

Jianhong released his sword aura to boost morale, and everyone nodded immediately.

Many of them were already excited. After all, this was a secret realm.

Even if one obtained nothing inside, as long as they returned alive, their realm would improve significantly.

Of course, everyone was excited.

"Good. Then let us leave. It is time."

Elder Jianhong was satisfied with their response and suddenly threw his sword.

"Swish!"

In an instant, the sword rapidly changed shape, becoming bigger and bigger. In no time, it grew large enough to accommodate everyone on the peak.

"Board the sword. It’s time to leave."

For a swordsman, his sword was more convenient than anything else. Elder Jianhong did not need a spirit boat to transport these disciples.

His sword was enough.

"Swish!"

As soon as everyone climbed onto it, the sword hovered briefly before shooting through the sky at extreme speed. Before Zhiran even realized it, they were already outside the sect.

Fortunately, the elder’s aura shielded everyone from the sudden impact. Otherwise, all of them would have been thrown off long ago.

...

"Hey... Junior, we meet again."

As Zhiran was busy looking at the rapidly passing clouds below, he was suddenly approached by someone.

"Senior..."

It was Lian Yue, the Sect Leader’s daughter. She was currently smiling from ear to ear, as if pleased to meet him again.

"Haha... yeah, you do remember me. It seems you liked my present back then, huh."

Lian Yue said with a smirk, reminding him of the Heaven Grade technique she had given him before.

Shrinking Step. Zhiran had been able to practice that technique in the Beginner Realm quickly by using the brain of the Wine Monkey King.

"Yeah... thank you, Senior, for your gift."

Zhiran was genuinely grateful for that technique. Because of it, he had managed to save his life multiple times.

He was still practicing it whenever he had time. After all, it was a Heaven Grade technique.

Unfortunately, I still cannot use that Immortal Brain to practice the techniques I own. Otherwise...

Zhiran lamented slightly.

Although he gained a lot from that brain, and even learned more Heaven Grade techniques, such as the concealing one he was using right now, they were quite strange.

Unlike usual cultivation techniques that had clear levels of proficiency, the ones he learned from it were gradeless.

Or rather, he did not know what level of mastery he had reached. He was still exploring how to use those pieces of knowledge that seemed to be rooted directly in the Dao itself.

"Hehe... no worries, no worries. It was my apology to you, remember."

Lian Yue felt pleased with Zhiran’s attitude as she flared her nose slightly, looking quite cute.

"Anyway, this secret realm exploration might get quite dangerous. If you feel that you need help, you can ask me. As someone who guided you before, I will definitely help you."

Lian Yue made the offer casually while placing her hand on her waist, unintentionally accentuating her impressive figure.

Fortunately, she was wearing a loose gown. Otherwise, with all her movements, things might have really gotten out of hand.

"Then I will keep that in mind."

She was the Sect Leader’s daughter after all. Besides, Elder Jianhong was nearby.

So Zhiran had to act the way a Qi Condensation cultivator should in front of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Otherwise, with his late-stage Foundation Establishment strength, he was already stronger than Lian Yue.

Well, that was assuming she had not awakened the sealed power within the crescent petal mark on her forehead.