I'm in Yellow Maple Valley, and I have one equipment slot!

This group of cultivators, dressed in different colors, clearly belonged to different sects. There were five Foundation Establishment cultivators, and the rest were Qi Refining disciples.

The two leading figures possessed the most powerful auras, both having late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation.

One of them was a burly middle-aged man, dressed in the iconic clothing of Ling Shou Mountain.

Several bulging spirit beast bags, faintly exuding the aura of beasts, hung from his waist.

The other person was a fair-skinned, handsome young man wearing a moon-white robe of the Hidden Moon Sect, with a slightly effeminate demeanor.

The other members of the team also belonged to different sects, and the overall atmosphere was not tense, but rather like they were carrying out a joint mission or traveling.

With Zhou Yuan's speed and the agility of the Divine Wind Boat, he could easily avoid it, or even detour around it without wasting much time.

However, in a flash, a thought suddenly flashed through Zhou Yuan's mind.

"No...this timing is not right."

A combined force from Spirit Beast Mountain and the Hidden Moon Sect... Could it be...?

He recalled a vague plot point from the original work—it seemed that around the time of the Yan family incident, the seven factions of Yue Kingdom had already begun to secretly deploy manpower to deal with signs of demonic infiltration.

As the war between good and evil broke out, the demonic path sent a small team to destroy spirit stone mines within the territory of Yue Kingdom.

"The spirit stone mine that this group of cultivators is going to guard is very likely the location of the ancient teleportation array leading to the Chaotic Star Sea!"

His mind raced.

Instead of avoiding them, Zhou Yuan adjusted his direction slightly, reduced his speed, and flew straight towards the group.

His approach immediately alerted the opposing team.

The middle-aged man from Spirit Beast Mountain and the handsome young man from Hidden Moon Sect looked up almost simultaneously, their divine senses sweeping over them, their faces showing vigilance.

The other cultivators also became wary.

The distance between the two sides quickly closed.

Upon entering the hundred-zhang range, Zhou Yuan deliberately slowed down and stopped in mid-air.

His face appropriately revealed a hint of fatigue from a "long journey" and wariness at the chance encounter.

The burly man from Spirit Beast Mountain stepped forward, spoke in a gruff, booming voice:

"Which sect of cultivators are ahead of us?"

His gaze swept over the Divine Wind Boat beneath Zhou Yuan's feet and its imposing aura.

A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

This flying artifact is of extraordinary quality, and this person's cultivation is also solid, unlike an ordinary rogue cultivator.

Before Zhou Yuan could reply.

The handsome young man from the Hidden Moon Sect narrowed his eyes slightly, carefully examining Zhou Yuan's face.

He seemed to remember something.

He interrupted:

"Senior Brother Lü, this fellow Daoist... if I remember correctly, is he Junior Brother Zhou from Yellow Maple Valley?"

Zhou Yuan felt reassured, but his face subtly displayed a mixture of surprise at being recognized and relief. He cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, his tone steady yet polite:

"Senior brother has a good eye. My name is Zhou Yuan, a disciple of Huangfeng Valley. I am here on a mission from my sect and am passing through this area."

At this moment, Zhou Yuan needs to play the role of a "Foundation Establishment cultivator from Huangfeng Valley who happened to encounter fellow cultivators from the seven sects and was simply carrying out a mission".

"Junior Brother Zhou, it's been a long time since I've heard of you!"

"I am Xuan Le of the Hidden Moon Sect. My junior brother displayed his might in the Crimson Forbidden Land, single-handedly acquiring thirty-two spiritual herbs and helping Uncle Li of Yellow Maple Valley win the bet. I still remember it vividly!"

The handsome young man from the Hidden Moon Sect put on a warm smile, cupped his hands, and said, his tone clearly showing goodwill.

They did not show any disrespect for Zhou Yuan because of his mid-Foundation Establishment cultivation level.

He clearly had a deep impression of the sensational gambling match outside the forbidden area back then and the "hero" in front of him.

Moreover, this person progressed from Qi Refining Perfection to Foundation Establishment Mid-stage in less than ten years.

This progress is certainly noteworthy.

"Brother Xuanle, you flatter me. I was just lucky back then. You have a good memory!"

Zhou Yuan also showed a perfectly timed smile, cupped his hands in return, and maintained a respectful yet humble attitude.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Xuan Le's expression turned serious, and she got down to business: "Junior Brother Zhou, you may be traveling and your news may be a bit delayed."

The situation is no longer what it used to be. The Six Demonic Sects have officially invaded the cultivation world of my Yue Kingdom, and war has begun! Not only that, the Demonic Sect has also dispatched several elite teams to infiltrate our territory, intending to destroy key locations, especially important spirit stone mines and spirit plant cultivation bases, in an attempt to cut off the logistical foundation of my seven sects.

He paused, then took out a jade token with a faint spiritual light from his sleeve. The joint spiritual emblem of the seven sect leaders of Yue Kingdom was clearly visible on it.

"We two were ordered to lead this team to recruit disciples from the seven sects who were traveling and carrying out missions along the way, to gather their strength and rush to the aid of an important spirit stone mine that was facing a threat."

This is a joint order issued by the leaders of the seven sects. All disciples of our seven sects who see this order shall obey its command and jointly defend against the external enemy!

Xuan Le's tone was resolute, her eyes fixed on Zhou Yuan, observing his reaction.

Lu Tianmeng, the burly man from Spirit Beast Mountain standing to the side, also straightened his back slightly, and a faint spiritual pressure from the late Foundation Establishment stage spread out.

Zhou Yuan's mind raced with thoughts.

He naturally knew about the invasion by the demonic forces.

Encountering this "recruiting team" at this moment was unexpected, but not entirely unprepared.

Without hesitation, he cupped his hands and said, "So that's how it is! You treacherous demons dare to invade my territory! Although my cultivation is shallow, as a disciple of one of the seven sects, I should serve my sect and await your orders! I will obey your commands, Senior Brother!"

This statement was righteous and forceful.

Xuan Le and Lü Tianmeng both nodded slightly, their faces showing satisfaction.

Xuan Le, in particular, felt that this Junior Brother Zhou was not only talented and strong, but also so reasonable in the face of right and wrong, which was truly rare.

"Excellent! Junior brother, you are truly a man of great principle, worthy of being a hero of our seven sects!"

Xuan Le's smile widened as he put away the warrant. "In that case, Junior Brother Zhou, please join my team temporarily and go to the spirit stone mine to garrison it. Once we have repelled the demonic forces and stabilized the mine, we will reward you according to your merits!"

Zhou Yuan readily complied, piloting the Divine Wind Boat into the group. He consciously flew to the rear of the group, mingling with several Qi Refining disciples, appearing quite low-key.

Xuan Le and Lü Tianmeng exchanged a glance but said nothing more, and the group continued forward.

Several more hours passed.

A slightly cautious blue shadow appeared again on the horizon ahead of the group.

Upon closer inspection, it became clear that the young cultivator was of average appearance, dressed in the standard attire of Huangfeng Valley, and at the early stage of Foundation Establishment. He was none other than Han Li, who had just escaped his pursuers and was still shaken.

This time, Lü Tianmeng stepped forward, his burly figure blocking the way, his voice booming:

"Fellow Daoist from Yellow Maple Valley, please wait! We are acting on a joint order from the leaders of the seven sects to garrison disciples from the seven sects along the way at a spirit stone mine to jointly resist the demonic path!!"

That's all.

Lü Tianmeng also revealed a warrant.

Han Li's heart sank, and his brows furrowed.

Having just escaped danger, he only wanted to return to his cave in Huangfeng Valley as soon as possible to rest and recuperate, and process the shocking events of the day.

Unexpectedly, they were intercepted halfway.

His first instinct was to find an excuse to decline, but as his gaze swept over the other group, especially when he saw that familiar figure in the group...

—When Zhou Yuanzheng looked at him calmly, Han Li swallowed back the words he was about to say.

Senior Brother Zhou was also in this team, and he was even "recruited"?

Given Zhou's demonstrated strength and resourcefulness, he could have easily avoided or refused... but he chose to join.

Han Li's mind raced, and he instantly grasped the key point: the joint order from the seven factions represented the highest authority during wartime.

If they were to refuse at this moment, it would not only be defying the two late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators in front of them, but also going against the entire Seven Sects. They would immediately be labeled as "deserting in the face of battle" and "suspected traitors".

The consequences could be disastrous.

Especially during this sensitive period of demonic invasion and heightened anxiety.

He took a deep breath, suppressing his helplessness and wariness, and forced a look of sudden realization and understanding on his face, then cupped his hands and said:

"So it's a sect order! I am Han Li from Huangfeng Valley, and I am willing to obey your command!"

"This junior brother's identity is also correct. His achievements in the Crimson Forbidden Land were only slightly inferior to those of Junior Brother Zhou Yuan..." Xuan Le said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Lü Tianmeng naturally had no doubt about Han Li's identity and smiled, "Junior Brother Han is sensible and understanding. Very good. Join the team."

Thus, the two fellow disciples, who had just escaped the turmoil of Wang Chan's death, unexpectedly ended up in the same conscription team.

Heading towards the unknown spirit stone mine.

Currently reading: Chapter 69 They've all been conscripted! Guarding the Spirit Mine! Latest chapters available here.