Sword Sect Outer Sect

Chapter 22 Monster
Unlike the cultivators from the three sects who are stationed in Silent Valley year-round, this joint operation is a short-term mission.

The next day, Song Yan and the others followed Lu Ziye to search the area around Linggu.

"This fluctuation of spiritual energy also has some impact on the spiritual plants and beasts in the valley. It's likely one of a few things..."

Gu Qingqing stared curiously at this "Senior Brother Lu," who didn't seem as strange as Senior Sister Liu Yuechan had described.

As Lu Ziye led the three towards the Spirit Demon Plain, he explained, "One possibility is that special spirit beasts have appeared. There are many spirit beasts and demon beasts in the cultivation world, and they are accompanied by special spiritual energy fluctuations. This is the most likely scenario."

"Secondly, there might be a Foundation Establishment cultivator in the vicinity who is attempting to advance to the Golden Core realm... but this possibility is extremely low."

That makes sense. In such a small place as Chu, most sect disciples would choose to break through their own sect's defenses, as it would be safer.

Those who choose to break through in these mountainous and remote areas are usually independent cultivators.

As for the situation of independent cultivators in Chu, the six major sects were actually quite familiar with it. If there were really such independent cultivators who had the potential to break through to the Golden Core stage, everyone would have known about them long ago and come to befriend them.

"The third point is that a secret realm or grotto-heaven is about to appear near the Spirit Valley, and the spatial fluctuations will affect the ecosystem in the valley..."

"This is the least likely possibility."

"For missions like this, it's usually caused by some kind of monster. Most of you are leaving the sect for the first time to do a mission, so there's no need to be too nervous."

Lu Ziye said seriously, "You don't need to do anything, and there won't be any danger."

But inwardly, I let out a long sigh.

When other sects organize joint missions, their inner disciples always come in pairs. Why am I the only one here this time?

It's really boring without anyone you know to tease you.

If I had to name someone who looked familiar, it would be that outer disciple named Song Yan.

What exactly did Master see in him that made him wait for this kid to come to his little shabby shop every day?

"Could it be that he's trying to seduce a young woman..."

Feeling pathetic with no one to chat with, I resorted to some outrageous behavior, maliciously speculating about Qin Xijun, but almost couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Stepping out of the Silent Valley, two thousand-year-old Chinese parasol trees intertwine to form a natural gate, their gnarled roots immersed in a cold spring, with faded prayer symbols floating on the surface.

May you have peace and safety every year...

"Diligent repair without interruption..."

These prayer charms were originally hung on tree branches by disciples who were stationed here year-round, but they fell down due to wind and sun.

Lu Ziye said casually, "Since we have nothing else to do, let me take you to Lingyaoping for a look around..."

He thought to himself that these newly recruited outer disciples probably hadn't participated in many missions outside the sect.

Many missions outside are indeed dangerous, but this kind of Linggu inspection is truly a leisurely trip.

"Let these kids play for a couple of days, and they'll understand..."

As we chatted and walked, the stone path suddenly opened up at the edge of a cliff.

The strong winds of Lingyaoping, carrying the fresh scent of grass and trees, rushed towards Song Yan, who clutched the hem of his clothes that was being lifted by the air currents.

A herd of exotic deer leaped through the morning glow, their long tails swaying with a faint, ethereal aura. A black-striped tiger lay dozing on a rock, its nostrils flaring. There were also some strange beasts that Song Yan had never even seen in books or ancient texts, beasts whose names he could not recall.

"What a magnificent sight..."

Several young cultivators, inexperienced in the ways of the world, marveled at the magnificent scenery of Lingyaoping as they walked across the area.

Occasionally, cultivators familiar to Lu Ziye would greet him; they seemed to be disciples from other sects.

"Om-"

A sound transmission talisman flew from afar and landed beside Lu Ziye.

"Brother Lu, a late-stage Tier 1 demonic beast has been spotted near Hidden Moon Pool to the east of Silent Valley. Come quickly to our aid..."

Monster?

Lu Ziye's expression changed...

But after a moment's thought, he smiled with relief: "Looks like the mission is coming to an end soon, no more fun..."

A first-tier late-stage demonic beast, judging solely from its demonic power level, is equivalent to a human cultivator at the late-stage Qi Refining realm.

However, demonic beasts are born with strong bodies, and some even possess strange supernatural abilities. Therefore, it takes two or three human cultivators working together to defeat a demonic beast of the same level.

Fortunately, disciples from all three sects were present, so it wasn't a problem.

Lu Ziye wondered, "Could a mere late-stage first-tier demonic beast really cause such a large-scale fluctuation of spiritual energy?"

"Could it be that he's advancing to the second tier...?"

When Lu Ziye led the Dongyuan Sect disciples to the vicinity of Yinyue Pool, the disciples of the other two sects were already standing on the nearby cliffs.

"Brother Lu."

Song Yan stood almost at the back of the crowd, while everyone looked towards the distant cold pool.

Beneath the calm surface of the pool, a faint white light flickered, like the luminous glow of a breath. "A crucian carp..."

Beside Song Yan, a cultivator from another sect, also standing at the back of the crowd, looked slightly puzzled and said:
"This fish demon dislikes cold pools, so how could it appear in Hidden Moon Pool..."

The person was wearing a white Taoist robe, and judging from the symbols on the cuffs and collar, he seemed to be a disciple of the Lingfu Sect.

He seemed to be implying something, but Song Yan didn't catch it.

"Senior brother seems quite familiar with this demon?"

"My name is Wan Songran, from the Wan family of Chenzhou."

The Wan family...

Song Yan suddenly realized.

In the Chu Kingdom, besides the six major immortal sects, there are also four major immortal cultivation families.

The Zhao clan of Eastern Chu.

The Qin family of Southern Chu.

The Wan clan of Western Chu.

The Yan family of Northern Chu.

Although the four great families are not as powerful as the six major sects, they are still comparable to sects like the Ziyang Sect.

Among them, the Wan family of Chenzhou in Western Chu is famous throughout the world for their methods of controlling spirits, so it is only natural that they are familiar with these demonic beasts.

A descendant of a prestigious family...

"Brother Wang, Brother Chai, is this fish demon the culprit behind the recent fluctuations in the Spirit Valley?"

Lu Ziye looked suspicious. He used the Di Ling Technique to probe the aura of the fish demon, and judging from it, the fish demon was still a long way from advancing to the second tier.

"Hehe, whether he is the culprit or not, no one knows for sure now. The most important thing is to kill this demon and go back to report."

"Xia Wei, set up the formation."

"Yes, senior brother."

Three outer disciples of the Xuan Yuan Sect flew forward and, in no time at all, set up array plates and array beads in three corners of the Hidden Moon Pool, beginning to set up the array.

Seemingly sensing a threat, the once calm and still pool began to ripple.

Bang!
A thick, black crucian carp leaped out of the pool, roaring and bringing with it gusts of eerie wind.

At the same time, a dozen or so small monsters emerged from the shallow waters by the pool, most of them being early-stage first-tier monsters, with a few mid-stage first-tier monsters as well.

"Disciples of Dongyuan Sect, assist in slaying the surrounding minor demons."

After giving some instructions, Lu Ziye, along with Wang Xi and Chai Yanghui, an inner disciple of the Lingfu Sect, stepped forward to fight the fish demon.

The fish demon flicked its long tail, intending to knock away the three disciples who had set up the formation, but it was blocked by a stream of cyan jade light.

With a flick of his wrist, Chai Yanghui activated the talisman, and the luster of the jade began to spread, forming a large ring-shaped net to trap the fish demon within.

"Such a powerful talisman..."

Song Yan exclaimed in amazement, "This is the Lingfu Sect of Xiapi Prefecture in Linzhou, renowned for its talismans!"

With a single talisman, a late-stage first-tier demonic beast can be trapped within it!

Before he could fully appreciate the amazing talents of the three inner disciples of the major sects, the sounds of magical artifacts and spells surged around him like a tidal wave.

With his mind at ease, Song Yan summoned his flying sword and joined the battle.

The little demons in the pool were all water-based monsters, and his slightly more skilled fire-based magic had little effect.

Moreover, among the cultivators here, his cultivation level is considered the lowest, so there is little pressure from attacks. On the contrary, this is a good opportunity to practice the flying sword techniques recorded in the "Essentials of Swordsmanship".

Meanwhile, in a deserted corner of the battlefield.

Wan Songran, the Lingfu Sect disciple who had spoken to Song Yan earlier, retreated while fighting, gradually disappearing into the deep woods by the pool.

With a few leaps, he landed on a branch and, using the lush foliage, gazed at the fierce battle in the pool, his eyes landing on Wang Xi.

"With Wang Xi's strength, plus the five Xuan Yuan Sect disciples, this battle should end quickly..."

"You don't need to use magical artifacts, unleash deadly moves, or exert any spiritual power..."

"Right now, it's entirely that inner disciple of the Dongyuan Sect and Senior Brother Chai Yanghui who are leading the charge..."

"This royal seal..."

"No, I should say that the Xuan Yuan Sect has a lot of problems."

His gaze shifted between Wang Xi and Shen Huai, and finally his eyes narrowed as he took out a red and black short flute from his Qiankun bag.

(End of this chapter)