663: Closed-Door Cultivation

Closed-Door Cultivation

"Anything below Rank 3, I can sell but everything else, I could use."

Shutting herself in for a few days, separating everything didn't take more than half a day. Taking out the weapons were simple enough, but the other treasures took a bit more time. Anything that had an affinity for Wind and Lightning would be much more beneficial for her. On top of that, she had to take out the ones that simply weren't high quality. 

After doing that, the small hill was soon divided into five piles. One for equipment, one for treasures to sell, one to use, one to keep, and one to trash. 

Sadly, the pile of trash was the largest one of them all. Part of it was body parts, some human, some from beasts. They were all in various states, completely mangled or perfectly preserved. The other part was small keepsakes, most likely trophies that her kills took from their victims. 

Locks of hair, fingers, and even a few skulls and skin there too. 

It was a gruesome sight to see. 

"Disgusting."

Ming Yue didn't spare another glance at it. Pointing a finger at the grisly pile, lightning shot out, vaporizing everything until there was nothing left. 

As for the other piles, all of them went back into her spatial ring except for the pile of treasures she'd be using. There were remains of over a dozen beasts, ancient roots, rare flowers, and fruits. With so much of it gathered together, a strong aura formed around it. 

The young woman took a deep breath before sitting in front of it. Both Blood Moon and the Black Blade were placed by her side. 

"Alright. let's start."

Closing her eyes, her aura emerged from her body, and like a vacuum, it began to absorb the energy in her surroundings. Under her control, she directed it toward the pile of treasures, taking in all of its power. 

Her breath was calm, cycling this new power through her meridians and into the core of her body. It was a slow and thorough process as she took the steps to fully assimilate it without wasting a single drop. 

After all, it wasn't just one treasure but over a hundred kinds of high-quality stuff.

Too much and she'd risk destroying her body. 

In due time, the first layer within her core was growing, increasing from just a few clouds to a sky. But this was just the first of five and the only way she'd know if she had reached the first was if more clouds formed above the first layer. 

And there was no sign of the first layer stopping yet. 

She furrowed her brows, concentrating in silence. 

Outside of the little mountain house, the crow was perched atop the roof, looking around idly. But as the day came to an end, it flew off, ascending the mountain. The higher it flew, the less houses there were and at the peak, there was just one house, situated next to a small garden. 

There weren't even doors, just cloth covering the entrance. 

It cawed before flying in, perching on top of one of many nooks and crannies for it wasn't the only crow to return. Soon enough, dozens flew in, each one taking a spot to rest for the night. 

"Mm, we have a new guest?" 

A plainly dressed man spoke out, quietly drinking a cup of tea. He had been there the entire time, sitting with his legs crossed.

Despite the gray robes that he wore, his own physical appearance was nothing short of handsome. His hair was untied, long enough to cover his shoulders. He had a calm demeanor coupled with a sharp nose. 

In some ways, he resembled a crow as well. 

Opening his eyes, he revealed two pitch-black pupils, staring in front of him blankly. 

Hearing his question, the crow replied with a caw. 

"I see, I see, any problems with them?" he asked. 

And the crow responded in kind. 

"Oh, good, good, everyone did well today, rest for the night, I'll keep watch. Don't forget to treat everyone respectfully, we have a business to run after all." 

With that, all of the crows whistled as if to acknowledge his words before rustling their feathers and turning in for the night. Meanwhile, he sat there, drinking his tea casually with his eyes closed. Being alone on the mountain peak, the only sound that could be heard was the clinking of the teacup. 

"Interesting, it seems that our new guest is quite the individual, cultivating at the Sky Realm." 

There was a tone of interest in his words, looking towards the door flaps of his home. 

"Something tells me that I might have to make an appearance soon." 

He chuckled to himself before taking another sip of tea. 

Whoever this person was, surely they weren't any ordinary individual. 

As for Ming Yue, she was wholly immersed in her closed-door training, the environment for it was perfect after all. While she was busy, both Xiao Yin and Hei Yue were out and about, watching Elder Fei and the others from afar. 

It was only when the tournament started that she finally came out. 

"To think it's already time, really didn't feel like a few days had passed but I'll just go and watch their matches and come back."

Stepping outside the house, she looked around for her guide and the crow soon arrived.

"I'm just looking to go back to the city", she said. 

The crow cawed before flying off, leading her down the mountain and past the gate. But then it stopped at the forest, going no further. 

"Thank you."

Ming Yue nodded to the crow before walking down the dirt path. The strange feeling soon overcame her as the trees shifted and changed. And soon enough, the dirt road led to a stone path within Five Element City. 

She looked around before moving, vanishing from her position. A few seconds later, her figure reappeared at the top of the coliseum, watching from above. The entire arena was full of people and complete with cheering and roaring as the tournament participants were getting introduced. After all, it wasn't just people from the city but from neighboring cities too. There were thousands within the coliseum, all excited to watch. 

"Looks like it just started."

She silently dropped down, standing at the back and watching from above. 

One by one, groups came out, walking into the arena as their sect name was called out. Each of them varied in size, some only had a few while others had dozens. All of them had a flagbearer carrying a symbol of their sect. 

"Next up, the Saber Manor! Home with the Ten Flying Sabers!"

"Followed by the Thunder Fist Clan, led by their greatest student, Yang Bo!"

"The Eternal Blade Sect! Known for the Eonic Stance!" 

With their introduction, the Eternal Blade Sect walked out, bowing and making their way to the stage. Among them, Ming Yue could see Rou'er and Fei Xian within the group, waving in one particular direction.

Moving her attention toward who they were waving at, she saw Elder Fei and Cui Fen along with a few others whom she didn't recognize. 

"They must be from the Fei Family, those two... are they Fei Xian's parents?"

She looked at each of them, committing their faces to memory. 

Suddenly, there was a flapping sound along with a little yip as both Xiao Yin and Hei Yue came to her side. 

"Mm, you two, have any trouble?" she asked. 

Both of them answered happily while shaking their heads to which she smiled in kind. 

"Good, good, now let's go watch and cheer them on."

Scratching their chins, Ming Yue sat back and watched.

In total, there were forty groups, each one representing a sect and all standing tall. With everyone present, the crowd grew silent as the emperor of Red Lotus Country stood up and walked forward.  1

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