Yuan looked at Elder Pan and asked, "I happen to wield a Soul Weapon that contains a spirit. Will that count as a slot?" "Only those who will be participating will take up a slot, so unless the spirit within your Soul Weapon wishes to participate, they won’t take up a slot. This is true for everyone else, too. Also, you won’t be able to use any treasures as a participant, including your Soul Weapons." "Can you elaborate? What is considered participation?" Elder Pan proceeded to explain, "According to the ’rules’ of the Hidden Domain, those who will become ’disciples’ are considered a participant. We don’t have much information about the details since nobody has entered the Hidden Domain yet, but we believe the main theme of this Hidden Domain is ’roleplay’, and we’ll be roleplaying as disciples of the Immortal Monastery." Some Hidden Domains are structured around a specific theme, much like the trials Yuan had encountered within the Stairway to Heaven. These themes often dictate the nature of the challenges within the domain, such as tests of strength, wisdom, or even teamwork. "I see… In that case…" Yuan mumbled. ’Feng Feng, do you wish to participate?’ he asked her. ’Although it sounds fun, I will remain a spectator this time,’ she said, not wanting to waste a precious slot. ’What about you, Yingzi?’ ’I will participate.’ ’Yingying?’ ’I would also like to participate.’ "Do you want to participate as well?" Yuan asked Xi Meili. She looked at Elder Pan and asked, "Is the Hidden Domain dangerous?" "I’m sorry, but I genuinely do not know." Elder Pan shook his head. Some Hidden Domains are rife with peril, filled with deadly traps, fierce beasts, and trials that test one’s very limits. Others, however, are serene and peaceful, offering a haven for cultivation or exploration. Unfortunately, there is no way to truly discern the nature of a Hidden Domain until one steps inside. While the Heavenly Beast Sect had managed to access the Hidden Domain, their exploration had only reached the entrance. The true nature and contents of the domain remained shrouded in mystery. "It’s better to assume that the place will be dangerous," said Yuan. Xi Meili pondered for a moment before nodding, "Alright, I’ll participate." ’What about you, Yu Ning?’ Yuan asked her next. ’I’m okay being a spectator,’ she said. Yuan retrieved Baneful Abyss and asked Ji Ran next, ’Since you were once the Sect Leader of the Immortal Monastery, I assume you want to participate?’ ’If you don’t mind letting me participate, I would love to do so,’ he said. ’Sure.’ After counting, Yuan said, "I will need five slots. As for my offer…" He began pondering what he should offer the Heavenly Beast Sect for these slots. "How about this?" He retrieved a handful of leaves and even some liquid from the Golden Celestial Tree. "These belong to a Golden Celestial Tree that is several million years old." Elder Pan’s eyes widened with excitement after seeing this. ’Young Master, in order to secure our spot, how about giving him some of my Phoenix blood?’ Feng Yuxiang suddenly said. ’Are you sure?’ ’Of course. Now that my bloodline is no longer cursed, I essentially have an unlimited supply of Phoenix blood. Giving them a few drops won’t hurt me in the slightest,’ she said. ’Alright. Thank you.’ 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦 Yuan then said, "I will also offer a few drops of Phoenix blood from a royal bloodline." "Phoenix blood from a royal bloodline?!" Elder Pan stood up from shock, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Are you serious?!" "If you have a method to examine the blood, I wouldn’t mind letting you examine it." Yuan nodded. Although Feng Yuxiang never claimed to possess a royal bloodline, it was almost certain that her lineage surpassed even the most exalted royal bloodlines. As a direct descendant of the Primordial Phoenix, she carried the purest and most ancient Phoenix bloodline. "Although we do not have something like that, we have something that can evaluate a bloodline’s grade," said Elder Pan. "In that case, I would also like to offer some of my blood," Xi Meili suddenly added. "I’m actually a dragon with a royal bloodline, and I’m willing to add some of my blood to the offer." Xi Meili had hidden her horns and tail to appear less conspicuous, so Elder Pan did not know she was a dragon until it was mentioned. "Y-you’re a dragon?!" Elder Pan fell back down from shock. To prove her identity, Xi Meili partially transformed, revealing her horns, tail, and scales. "P-please wait a minute! I will contact our Sect Leader right now! He will be able to guarantee you those slots!" "Take your time." Yuan nodded with a smile. Elder Pan left the guest house and rushed to the Sect Leader’s side to notify him of Yuan’s offer. Continue reading stories on empire "In addition to leaves and liquid from a Golden Celestial Tree that is several million years old, he’s also offering the blood of a dragon and phoenix—ones with a royal bloodline?!" The Sect Leader of the Heavenly Beast Sect almost couldn’t believe his ears after hearing such a generous offer. "Are you sure you heard him properly?! I swear I’ll skin you alive if it turns out to be a misunderstanding!" "I swear on my life!" Elder Pan reassured. "Bring me to him! I must speak with this individual myself!" Elder Pan hurriedly returned to Yuan’s guest house with the Sect Leader following behind. "My name is Bao Shuya, and I am the current Sect Leader of the Heavenly Beast Sect. It’s a pleasure to meet you, esteemed guests. Regarding your offer, once we confirm the Phoenix blood and Dragon blood’s quality, we will immediately give you five slots for the Hidden Domain." "Sure thing." Yuan nodded. "Please follow me." Sect Leader Bao guided Yuan and his group to another building. Inside, the room was filled with intricate devices specifically designed to evaluate the grade and purity of beast bloodlines. "I’ll go first," Xi Meili said.