Chapter 68 Part 2

Layers of peaks rose one upon another, white clouds veiling the tops of the colossal mountains. Only their majestic, enormous forms were visible, stretching like heavenly pillars before them, reminiscent of the legendary giants that shouldered the sky in ancient tales.

Xie Linlang zoned out slightly. He had ultimately grown and cultivated here, even meeting and falling for his beloved. Returning to this homeland now filled him with complex, indescribable emotions.

Not just Xie Linlang—Pei Jiye was also somewhat distracted.

It had been over a hundred years since he left Jiuxia Mountain before his Dao Companion Ceremony with Xie Linlang. This was his first time stepping back onto it.

He wondered if the residence he shared with his junior brother in Tanghua Valley still stood. Should he take the chance to visit?

While Xie Linlang was lost in thought, Jin Ling True Person finished speaking with Shen Wei True Person.

Shen Wei True Person cast a magic formula, summoning a white cloud from the sky. Everyone boarded the cloud, which slowly rose and drifted toward the towering mountains ahead.

“This is our sect’s most majestic peak, Boxia Mountain. The sect gate is midway up, and accommodations for you all have already been arranged.”

Shen Wei True Person smiled as he spoke, then looked toward his disciple Wen Jingyan.

Wen Jingyan reacted half a beat late before catching on and continuing, “Silent Night Palace and White Bone Sect are housed together, with fellow Daoists from Ten Thousand Ghosts Sect and Drunk Cloud Pavilion nearby.”

These were both second-rate sects in the Demon Domain. It seemed Jiuxia Mountain had grouped all the Demonic Cultivators together.

“You may explore Boxia Mountain as you wish, but please take care not to cross the Inner Sect Array set by the sect.”

Wen Jingyan’s tone grew noticeably more enthusiastic when mentioning arrays. “I’ve recorded the warning array on a jade slip. Please carry it with you.”

He produced a small pouch and respectfully handed it to Jin Ling True Person.

Jin Ling True Person accepted it. Glancing at Wen Jingyan—Nascent Soul Mid-Stage cultivator—he generously praised, “A famous teacher produces an outstanding disciple. Shen Wei True Person’s disciple is indeed extraordinary.”

A faint smile appeared on Shen Wei True Person’s face. He modestly deflected, “He still needs much more cultivation.”

Wen Jingyan wore an awkward yet polite smile, like a statue radiating a “the man is dead, burn paper if you need something” vibe of utter disinterest.

Pei Jiye glanced at Wen Jingyan and then looked away.

He knew Wen Jingyan too, though they had little interaction.

When he was at Jiuxia Mountain, Wen Jingyan had only been at Early Golden Core Stage, holing up in his room daily to study arrays. Moreover, with the complicated relationship between Shenwei True Person and Shen Wei True Person, their disciples always kept their distance and avoided each other.

The cloud drifted with the wind. The closer they drew to the towering Boxia Mountain, the more insignificant the cultivators felt. The mountain was too vast and immense; up close, one’s entire field of vision was overwhelmed by it.

Midway up, there was a commemorative archway inscribed with the two ancient characters for Jiuxia. Shen Wei True Person cast a magic formula, and the archway rippled faintly like a slowly parting curtain, revealing numerous pavilions and towers.

Many Silent Night Palace disciples frowned slightly.

The spiritual energy was too abundant—very uncomfortable for these Demonic Cultivators.

As soon as Shen Wei True Person entered the sect gate, a streak of rainbow light flew toward him. He caught it, glanced over it, and frowned slightly.

Jin Ling True Person tactfully offered, “If Fellow Daoist has other matters to attend to, have Wen Daoist host us instead.”

Shen Wei True Person’s expression eased somewhat. “Thank you for your understanding, Fellow Daoist. Jingyan, please receive Silent Night Palace’s fellow Daoists well.”

Wen Jingyan bowed in acknowledgment.

Shen Wei True Person turned into a streak of flowing light and vanished. Wen Jingyan led the group down from the clouds into a mountain hollow midway up the slope.

Here, numerous pavilions and towers were built along the cliff faces, with several platforms in between. On one platform already stood a few Demonic Cultivators with obvious Demonic Qi swirling around them, gathered in small groups.

A faint purple barrier enveloped the platform exterior, with special runes constantly floating on it.

Jin Ling True Person examined it closely and remarked in surprise, “Your sect has minimized the spiritual power here as much as possible?”

Wen Jingyan gave a soft affirmative hum. He led the group to another platform and first pointed to two buildings ahead. “These are your accommodations.”

Then he seemed a bit embarrassed. “This is the Spirit-Repelling Array I specially developed for you Demonic Cultivator fellow Daoists.”

Jin Ling True Person sized up Wen Jingyan, his compliment this time carrying genuine sincerity. “Fellow Daoist is truly remarkable.”

Wen Jingyan’s face flushed slightly, making him even more awkward.

At that moment, Shen He suddenly spoke. “Senior, this disciple has a question to ask.”

Wen Jingyan looked at Shen He in surprise. He didn’t disdain him for being only at Foundation Establishment Stage and patiently said, “Ask away.”

“We’ve come to Jiuxia Mountain to participate in Linlang Dao Lord’s Mustard Seed Realm Inheritance, which involves pill cultivation. May we visit your sect’s Pill Room to familiarize ourselves with the local Spiritual Fire in advance?”

Shen He stated candidly, “We’ve always used Demonic Fire for pill refining before. Switching to Spiritual Fire now might prevent us from displaying our full abilities and cause us to miss the inheritance.”

Though Shen He’s question was abrupt and drew mild objections from some higher-rank Silent Night Palace cultivators, it was indeed a pressing matter. Jin Ling True Person smoothed things over with a smile. “My disciple was presumptuous—please forgive him. As for the Pill Room…?”

Wen Jingyan seemed somewhat at a loss. He hesitated for a few seconds before slowly saying, “In theory, there’s no issue.”

But the other sects hadn’t boldly asked like Silent Night Palace. His master hoped to expand the sect’s influence through this trial—if he rashly refused, it would make the sect seem timid…

Shen He immediately followed up. “Understood. May we go observe? We don’t know the exact location, and wandering might cause trouble. Could Senior assign a few disciples to guide us and familiarize ourselves with the surroundings? What do you think…”

He paused, then added, “Our Demonic Cultivator pill refining methods differ from those in the True Realm. An opportunity to exchange with peers would be a great fortune.”

Wen Jingyan felt Shen He made sense and finally nodded. “You’re right. I’ll arrange for disciples to come over.”