Chapter 51: Fragment Realm

Chapter 51: Chapter 51: Fragment Realm

For another, the realm served as an excellent training ground where disciples could gain experience, test their abilities, and perhaps even stumble upon a valuable opportunity.

Anything they found could then be sold back to the sect through the Resource Hall, allowing the Purple Shade Sect to acquire the resources without having to collect them personally.

In simple terms, it was a treasure hunt.

Of course, the risks were real.

The Fragment Realm was unstable, and low-level demonic beasts and sudden spatial shifts were not uncommon.

However, compared to missions outside the sect, it was still considered relatively safe.

The sect monitored its entrances, and the dangers within generally remained within a manageable range.

The disciple standing in front of Li Jian continued speaking with obvious excitement.

"I heard some people even found Rainmist Grass and iron-essence ore this time. If this boom lasts a few more days, the entry tokens might become more expensive."

His companion clicked his tongue.

"Then we should go in soon. Waiting too long will only make us miss the opportunity."

Li Jian stood quietly behind them, his expression unchanged.

However, a thought had already begun to form in his mind.

’A pocket realm controlled by the sect, huh...’

For someone who had just broken through to the Fifth Stage of Qi Refinement and still needed more resources to advance further, this was certainly a place worth paying attention to.

With that, the line slowly moved forward.

Li Jian continued listening in silence, hoping to pick up more useful information.

Unfortunately, most of what he heard was little more than repeated excitement.

One disciple bragged about the herbs he had found, another talked about nearly getting caught in a spatial crack, and someone else mentioned plans to enter the Fragment Realm again tomorrow.

Nothing particularly useful came out of it.

In the end, only two other topics caught his attention.

The first was the upcoming Inner Sect Tournament.

"The matches are starting soon," one disciple said. "I heard this year’s rewards are better than the last few years. Even some outer disciples are talking about it, even though we can’t participate."

"Of course we can’t. It’s an inner disciple’s competition. Still, if an inner disciple gets a good ranking, the outer disciples under their wing might receive some benefits too. That’s why so many people are trying to get close to them lately."

Li Jian’s eyes flickered slightly.

’The Inner Sect Tournament...’

Zhao Ming was an inner disciple. If the tournament was approaching, that might explain why he hadn’t made another move after Li Jian returned from the death mission.

Perhaps the other party was simply too busy preparing for the tournament to bother with an outer disciple for the time being.

Or perhaps he had other plans.

Li Jian didn’t dare to assume that Zhao Ming had forgotten about him.

Someone who had managed to become an inner disciple wouldn’t be so easily dismissed.

Still, as long as Zhao Ming didn’t make a move, Li Jian had no reason to provoke him unnecessarily, especially when he was still weaker than the other party.

The second piece of information came a little later, when the line had moved closer to the counters.

"Look, Senior Sister Jin is on duty today."

"Jin Meixin? The one from the top ten outer sect beauties?"

"Who else? She works at the Resource Hall exchange counter. Always smiling, always pleasant... but don’t let that fool you. More than a few disciples have been fooled by that smile."

Hearing this, Li Jian raised his gaze toward the counter.

His eyes widened slightly in appreciation.

Seated behind the counter was a young woman whose appearance was quite different from the cold, aloof image he had briefly imagined.

Jin Meixin’s long black hair was arranged in an elegant updo, decorated with purple hairpins and dangling ornaments that swayed slightly whenever she moved.

Her purple eyes were bright, and a soft smile rested on her lips as she received materials and quoted prices, as if every exchange was a pleasant conversation rather than a transaction.

She wore a tight white and purple sect robe that clung to her extremely full figure, the deep neckline and high slit leaving little to the imagination.

Even while seated, her voluptuous figure naturally drew the eyes of those around her.

Her ample breasts strained against the fitted fabric, while the high slit revealed the smooth, flawless skin of her thigh whenever she shifted in her seat.

Yet what stood out most was not only her figure... it was that constant, cheerful smile.

She looked friendly, approachable, almost kind.

But the disciples in line did not sound entirely at ease when they spoke of her.

"Smile all you want," one muttered under his breath. "Last month she talked three people into selling Rainmist Grass below the usual rate, and they only realized it after leaving."

"Yes... she is truly a scheming beauty," his companion agreed. "Pretty face, sweet mouth, and a mind that counts every spirit stone twice."

Li Jian watched Jin Meixin for a moment longer and couldn’t help but nod inwardly.

’It seems the title of one of the top ten outer sect beauties isn’t an exaggeration.’

She was genuinely beautiful, and both her appearance and figure were on par with Su Qin’s.

However, their charms were quite different.

Su Qin possessed a more arrogant and seductive allure, with a sharpness that made her seem difficult to approach.

Jin Meixin, on the other hand, appeared much more approachable at first glance.

Her bright purple eyes and constant smile gave her a gentle charm, while her fitted sect robe accentuated her generous curves.

Of course, Li Jian wasn’t foolish enough to judge her character by her appearance alone.

From what he’d just heard, that sweet smile might be precisely what made her so dangerous.

’Interesting. A beauty who knows how to make money from other people’s pockets...’

He couldn’t help but feel a little curious about her.

Before long, the line moved forward, and it was finally his turn.

Jin Meixin lifted her head, her purple eyes meeting his.

The moment their gazes connected, her smile brightened slightly, as though she had been waiting just for him.

"Hello~ What are you exchanging today, Junior Brother?"