Chapter 40: The Metal World

After being transported out of the bamboo nest, Qu Yi arrived at another oppressive place, filled with a heavy metallic atmosphere.
This was the fifth wasteland of the Eight Wastelands Palace—the Western Wasteland, a world rich in metal energy.
Qu Yi landed on the back of a metal humanoid over a thousand meters tall, with numerous other metal humans standing around, all looking extremely formidable.
“Instrument God, it seems I’ve arrived at a new place again,” Qu Yi said with a smile.
The previous four wastelands—the Ice World, the Stone World, the Flame World, and the Bamboo World—had already been passed, and now this place was saturated with metallic energy. Qu Yi naturally knew he had entered another wasteland of the Eight Wastelands Palace.
Hearing this, the Instrument God replied with a laugh, “The Bamboo World… You’ve given up another inferior immortal artifact. Don’t you think it’s a pity?”
Qu Yi smiled and said, “Instrument God, no need to provoke me. Although inferior immortal artifacts are sharp, my own strength is what matters most.”
The Instrument God chuckled, seemingly pleased, clearly satisfied with Qu Yi’s answer.
But then Qu Yi suddenly changed the subject and asked, “Instrument God, what exactly are the inferior immortal artifacts in the Bamboo World?”
With an annoyed “Ohhh,” the Instrument God was angered by Qu Yi’s question, feeling as if he had been teased.
“Weren’t you uninterested in inferior immortal artifacts? Why are you so curious? Hmph, since I’m so magnanimous, I’ll tell you. That bamboo nest is an inferior immortal artifact—Bamboo Thousand Threads. It can automatically absorb wood energy and condense the essence stones of wood. Though its offensive power is weak, it’s an excellent treasure for aiding in the cultivation of wood-related techniques,” the Instrument God said unhappily.
Qu Yi sighed in disappointment. Although he had collected hundreds of Wood Wheel Stones, letting such a treasure slip away was still a shame.
“Enough. We’ve arrived in the Western Wasteland now. Fight well in this world. There are ten inferior immortal artifacts in this metal world—actually, ten metal puppets, in human, animal, or natural object forms. You all need to find these artifacts. Those who obtain them will receive guidance to the spatial teleportation array,” the Instrument God said slowly.
Qu Yi listened carefully, gaining a better understanding of this metal world.
Just as he was about to take off into the air, he found his body as if frozen to the ground, unable to move at all. It seemed he had fallen into a metallic energy field, completely suppressed by it.

“Hehe, don’t worry. You’ll have to wait until all the powerful warriors from the Emerald Bamboo World have arrived before you can avoid being trapped by the Metal Energy Domain,” the Artifact God quickly explained the reason to Qu Yi.
Qu Yi shrugged, showing his helplessness, finally realizing just how weak his strength was—enough to be easily trapped by such an energy.
“Artifact God, what does the Metal Energy Domain mean? Can you tell me?” Qu Yi, still confused from what he had heard, immediately asked.
He had a feeling that after ascending to the Immortal Realm, the level of cultivation he would reach would be that of a “Domain.”
The Artifact God fell silent for a moment, understanding Qu Yi’s desire for an answer, then slowly said, “Qu Yi, the Mahayana stage—as you know, it involves extracting primordial energy from the natural energy of heaven and earth to transform one’s body into a primordial body. Once fully transformed, one can ascend. After ascending to the Immortal Realm, you must comprehend the power of various primordial energies and use them to create a ‘Domain.’ The Five Energies and Three Flowers Divine Formula also covers this. You’re not yet at that level, so there’s no need to worry about things beyond your current capabilities.”
Qu Yi calmed down and smiled. “I understand, Artifact God.”
…
Soon, the powerful warriors from the Golden Central Sect, Taiyuan Gate, Hundred Beasts Peak, Qingyun Sect, Lanyang Palace, Yingtian Sect, Cangyang Valley, Xianyue Cliff, and Jiugong Island arrived one after another.
From the original forty-eight people who entered the Eight Deserts Hall, only thirty-five remained. They all landed at the feet of the thousand-meter-tall metal man, lined up in a row, all trapped by the Metal Energy Domain.
Perhaps sensing that all the powerful warriors had arrived, Emperor Hao’s voice sounded again.
“Welcome to the Metal World. This world is filled with Metal Energy, and there are many metal artifacts crafted here. Among these artifacts, there are ten lower-grade immortal weapons. You may all search for them. Whoever obtains one can take three others out of the Metal World, while the rest will die.”
As soon as these words were spoken, Emperor Hao’s voice disappeared.
Qu Yi and the other thirty-five people cried out in shock—this rule was extremely cruel.

Of the current thirty-five people, only thirty can leave—at least five must die. And that’s not even the cruelest part. Among the nine sects’ strong warriors, seven sects—Taiyuan Gate, Qingyun Sect, Jinyang Church, Cangyang Valley, Bai Shou Peak, Xianyue Cliff, and Jiugong Island—each have four strong warriors. No matter which sect’s warrior obtains a lower-grade immortal artifact, they must face a painful decision: abandon one of their own.

If a sect’s warrior gets two, three, or even four lower-grade immortal artifacts, it will undoubtedly cut off the chances of the other sects.

“Emperor Hao, this rule is too cruel! How can you do this?”

“One lower-grade immortal artifact can only take three people with it. What kind of stupid rule is this? Isn’t this forcing our sects to fight each other to the death?”

“Cruel! So cruel!”……

The strong warriors of the nine sects all shouted in anger, filled with resentment. But unfortunately, they could only vent their frustration—Emperor Hao wouldn’t care about their fate at all.

Qu Yi remained calmly smiling, seemingly unconcerned by this rule and full of confidence.

The strong warriors of the nine sects kept their spiritual senses alert. Seeing Qu Yi’s expression, they all felt a hint of confusion. Why was Qu Yi so confident?

Of course, the strong warriors of the nine sects couldn’t figure out why Qu Yi was always the first to enter and leave the Four Wastelands before anyone else. Could it be that being one step ahead meant being ahead at every step?

“No, Qu Yi must have received some hint from Emperor Hao!” they speculated firmly. Since he entered first, he must have received special favor from Emperor Hao, which is why he passed through so easily every time.

Suddenly, the golden energy field pressing down on everyone vanished, and they all felt a sense of relief.

At that moment, the strong warriors of the nine sects flew toward Qu Yi simultaneously, their magical artifacts radiating fierce killing intent.

Qu Yi’s lips twitched, and he disappeared instantly.

Of course, Qu Yi was aware of the intentions of the warriors of the nine sects. As soon as they moved, he immediately used ‘Final Kill’ and teleported away.

“Ah, Qu Yi escaped again.” One of the strong warriors was frustrated by Qu Yi’s speed.

“That bastard Qu Yi must have received special treatment from Emperor Hao. This time, he’ll definitely be the first to find a lower-grade immortal artifact,” another warrior shouted angrily.

“What’s the use of complaining? If we don’t go look for lower-grade immortal artifacts now, and Qu Yi gets all of them, we’re done for,” said a calm-minded warrior, warning them.

As soon as these words were spoken, the warriors from the nine sects trembled, realizing the critical point: they must not let Qu Yi get all the inferior immortal artifacts alone, or it would be their doom. Thus, the warriors split into nine groups and immediately flew into the air to search for the inferior immortal artifacts hidden in this metal world. Once everyone left the ground, the entire metal world suddenly came to life. The motionless metal humans, metal beasts, and various oddly shaped metal objects all came to life as well. Some ran on the ground while others flew into the air to chase after the thirty-five people. The thirty-five people shuddered, finally realizing the terror of this metal world. The entire metal world was vast—everywhere on the ground, enormous metal humans ran tirelessly. In the air, metal beasts flew, along with various shaped metal objects such as triangular pyramids, metal rods, and metal wheels, surrounding the warriors in the air tightly. “It’s too dangerous in the air! Everyone, fly back down!” Almost all the warriors shouted this, urging their comrades to land. It was impossible to avoid the metal beasts and other monsters flying from all directions in the air; at least on the ground, they could survive among the gaps between the huge metal humans. Undoubtedly, everyone understood this reality, so they all returned to the ground. Meanwhile, Qu Yi was perched atop the metal humans, flying from one head to another.