Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 167 Demon-Slaying Domain

The Demon-Slaying Domain is not located in the capital, but in a mountain area dozens of miles outside the city, where it is heavily guarded.

From the outside, it looks like a thick, massive stone door. Pushing the door open reveals a magic array. Only by entering through the central array, protected by various magic arrays, can one be teleported to a special area below.

The leader of the team was named Wang Yueshen, a third-rank teacher. This level of skill would make him the head of a sect outside, but within the Dan Academy, he would only be a teaching assistant.

Lu Xingzhou attended one of his classes, but his level was mediocre. Afterwards, his assessment of A Nuo was that she wasn't even worthy of carrying Madam Ye's shoes.

Although Ah Nuo felt that it was Master who wanted to carry Madam Ye's shoes... without evidence, it's hard to say.

In any case, this level of skill is more than enough to lead a team through the first level of the Demon-Slaying Domain trial.

The first floor is where Sheng Yuanyao took her graduation trial at the Demon Suppression Division's Martial Arts Hall when she was a sixth-rank cultivator. Students at the Alchemy Academy are at least sixth-rank, and most are fifth-rank, so this should be considered a low-level map. However, it is well known that alchemists' combat abilities are very weak, and most of them are probably not even as good as Sheng Yuanyao was before she graduated. Therefore, they need protection.

Wang Yueshen led his men into the magic array, and soon an endless map appeared before them.

Looking down from mid-air, the landscape below is varied, including barren mountains, scorched earth, and deserts, all belonging to extremely harsh conditions. At first glance, there is very little greenery, indicating that the plants are rare.

A faint demonic aura emanated from the air; even those with low cultivation levels felt a chill run down their spines just standing there, a natural fear rising from their hearts. Yet, at the same time, the air was filled with the sounds of sacred chants and the gentle breeze of the Daoist realm, suppressing the demonic aura and preventing it from causing any disturbance.

The moment Lu Xingzhou stepped into this place, he had a feeling that his "Yin Yang Mill" defensive technique was very similar to the method used here to suppress demonic intent. The heavens and earth were like a mill, gradually wearing down external objects.

Of course, this doesn't mean it has any connection to one's own cultivation method. It only means that the Great Dao is there, and different methods often lead to the same goal.

Wang Yueshen explained: "This is the first level of the Demon Subduing Domain, where all demons below the third rank are placed. Although there are some stronger demons of the fourth or fifth rank, their power has been weakened by suppression. The entry threshold is generally the sixth rank, which is perfect for your trial."

"The trial is simple. This place has medicinal herbs that are not found in the outside world, minerals that can be used for alchemy, or even the remains of demons. You will have to find them yourselves and use only what you find here to refine the pills. It will test your luck, your eyesight, your pharmacological understanding of combining limited resources to successfully refine pills, and your composure and ability to deal with unexpected crises in harsh environments."

"At that time, the results of the trial will be ranked based on the grade, quality and quantity of the pills that everyone has refined. The top three will receive extra rewards from the academy and may be used as a reference for top masters such as the academy director to select disciples."

"Note that, firstly, the medicines you make using the rings themselves are useless. We can tell just by smelling whether you've used anything from outside. If we find out, your results will be invalidated."

"Secondly, there is no subterranean fire here. Only a few areas have volcanic landforms, which can be considered as having fire, but this kind of fire is unstable and not suitable for alchemy. You are all alchemists and cultivate fire magic, so this is to hone your own fire skills. If you really can't manage, you can ask your classmates for help. This is also to encourage classmates to work together, depending on your personal relationships. Therefore, you can travel alone or in groups, there are no restrictions."

"Third, any treasure discovered, whether medicinal herbs or other items, may be kept by the individual. However, internal strife and fighting over them is strictly prohibited, and anyone who causes injury or death will be expelled from the Dan Academy."

Lu Xingzhou narrowed his eyes.

This last sentence is interesting... If this Old Wang is an enemy, then can anyone cause trouble and blame Lu Xingzhou to achieve a result of "expelling him from the Dan Academy"?

Because he is afraid of such things, he will naturally be hesitant and restrained when dealing with trouble from others. If he is killed by someone, well, Old Wang can just say that he was attacked and killed by a monster.

This is why referees must never be biased; unfortunately, we can't count on Old Wang.

"Finally, there are still demons here that are not dead, and there are also demons that have died and have formed a certain type of special attack. The risk may come at any time. Neither I nor the members of the Demon Suppression Division can follow you to protect you. We will only stay here and help you if something goes wrong. During this period, you must rely entirely on yourself to solve the problems. Do not expect anyone to save you."

"Alright, that's all I wanted to say. Now you can either form your own teams or go solo."

"The trial begins."

The students looked at each other, and no one moved for a moment.

On the surface, forming a team is obviously the best option, as it allows everyone to work together to combat risks, share resources, and benefit from the collective effort.

The problem is that everyone hasn't been in school for very long, and they haven't gotten along well with each other yet. This trial can essentially be considered an "ice-breaking operation."

The ice hasn't broken yet, and there's not much trust between people. It would be good if they could help each other, but what if they end up in a group with someone who drags them down? And even if they're a drag, what if they end up in a group with someone who stabs them in the back?
Lu Xingzhou had originally thought he could travel with Gua Mei and Xiao Bai Mao, but now that it seemed they weren't coming, he had no interest in teaming up with anyone else. So he simply said, "A Nuo, let's go."

Ah Nuo pushed the wheelchair and ran.

"Brother Lu, please wait a moment." Someone called from behind, "I'd like to team up with you, Brother Lu. What do you say?"

Ah Nuo paused for a moment, then stopped in her tracks.

Turning around, I saw a familiar face: Chen Yu, who ranked in the top five in the entrance exam. He came from Chunshan Pavilion, a sect known for its alchemy.

I thought it was Daoist Xuanqing... Lu Xingzhou glanced at Xuanqing without leaving a trace. Daoist Xuanqing was looking around, seemingly considering team members as well. There was nothing fishy about him.

At this moment, it was impossible to determine whether Chen Yu genuinely wanted to break the ice and get to know his classmate or had ulterior motives. To avoid causing any trouble, Lu Xingzhou politely declined, saying, "I'm used to traveling alone, and I apologize for not being able to accommodate Brother Chen's kindness. Once this matter is settled, I'll treat Brother Chen to a drink at the Misty Rain Pavilion, how about that?"

Chen Yu sighed with some regret, "Alright, then I won't disturb Brother Lu's treasure hunt and alchemy." The master and apprentice casually chose a direction and ran off in a flash, before A'nuo asked in a low voice, "What's that person doing?"

Lu Xingzhou shook his head: "It's not surprising that some classmates want to associate with us. It's hard to judge at the moment, so let's ignore them for now."

"Then where do we go?" Ah Nuo scratched his head. "How about that volcano over there?"

A smart person would have roughly memorized the terrain while falling, but Lu Xingzhou and his apprentice didn't need to be that smart.

Because he had a map that Sheng Yuanyao had secretly given him in his pocket.

"Many people lack confidence in their fire magic, so the volcano is probably the most popular destination. Although the volcano is unstable, there are still opportunities to use it. But it's meaningless for us..."

Could there be a special kind of fire?

“If the spark could exist in such a prominent area, it would have been completely looted by those Demon Suppression Division trial participants from Gua Mei long ago. Logically, it shouldn’t exist.” Lu Xingzhou thought for a moment: “Let’s go to the desert landscape.”

Without saying a word, Anuo turned to the desert and asked, "Why?"

"Over there in the desert, there were almost no plants when we looked up from the air just now. For alchemists looking for herbs, this should be the least visited place, or even completely untouched. It just so happens that we don't want to have too much to do with them, so this place is perfect."

"Doesn't that mean we have no medicinal herbs available?"

“Few plants don’t mean none… Besides, minerals and bones can all be used to refine pills.” Lu Xingzhou lowered his voice: “In this special region, the possibility of a desert forming due to geographical reasons such as wind and sand is nonexistent. There’s no wind or sand blowing here at all, right? So why is there a desert?”

Anuo's eyes lit up: "Master, are you saying that the fire is more likely to exist down here?"

"Well, it's just a guess and needs to be confirmed. There are smart people everywhere in the world, and quite a few should have thought of this, but no one has discovered it yet, or maybe not... But we have an advantage in treasure hunting, don't we?"

Ah Nuo revealed her neat white teeth.

Even if there are few desert plants, there are still some; her innate talent for communicating with plants is a treasure-hunting specialty.

Where everyone had come from, the students of the Dan Academy dispersed in twos and threes, each going off to find their own medicine. At this time, the protectors of the Demon Suppression Division quietly dispersed, secretly following behind the students to provide protection.

On the surface, they say there's no protection and support will only come in case of trouble; that's just for show, to prevent the students from blindly relying on others and thus losing the benefits of the trial. In reality, they'll be protected covertly—these are the empire's precious treasures…

The internal grouping of the Demon Suppression Division was decided by the team leader, Sheng Yuanyao, and theoretically, the Holy Land disciples who came to provide support were also subject to the Demon Suppression Division's arrangements. Sheng Yuanyao said with an upright expression: "The task of following Lu Xingzhou and his apprentice will be personally taken care of by this commander. That white-haired guy, you go to the volcano."

Dugu Qingli: "?"

Sheng Yuanyao said matter-of-factly, "Didn't you see that the largest number of people went there? You are the strongest, and you even killed the top rookie with a single sword strike. With such strength, why don't you go to protect the place with the most people? Isn't it a pure waste of talent to go to a place with fewer people?"

That makes so much sense, the little white-haired boy couldn't refute it. After a long pause, he finally said, "You're supposed to be in charge of the central command, how can you go out yourself? I'll go in your place."

Sheng Yuanyao chuckled: "Mr. Wang is in charge of the central command. Or you can be in charge if you wish, and provide support whenever needed?"

Dugu Qingli: "..."

Sheng Yuanyao started to label people: "Does that mean people from the Holy Land shouldn't follow orders?"

Dugu Qingli gripped the hilt of her sword, her face expressionless: "Then I'll be here to provide support whenever needed."

In short, you can't just plunge headlong into the volcano, because you won't be able to observe what's happening outside. It's better to stand here and look out from a high vantage point.

Speaking of this Commander Sheng, when he was in Xia Prefecture, he seemed to have a clean reputation, just like me.

How come I don't look like myself anymore once I arrive in the capital?

Watching Sheng Yuanyao smugly slip away towards the desert, Dugu Qingli took a deep breath, sat cross-legged, closed her eyes, and opened her nascent divine sense to observe the entire area.

She closed her eyes, and Wang Yueshen, who had been watching the little girls argue with a smile, began to lose his smile. He squinted at the direction of the desert, his eyes filled with an unreadable meaning.

He was unaware that the genius white-haired boy beside him, who had not even reached the third rank, could open his divine sense. The change in his expression was clearly perceived by the seemingly closed-eye little white-haired boy, whose white hair moved as if the wind was blowing.

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(End of this chapter)