Southern Xinjiang, the Great Tienshan Mountains

  After crossing the Black Mountain Range, Gui Lie entered the Ten Thousand Great Mountains and felt that he had entered a truly barbarous and primitive world. In fact, in the Demon Sect, "barbarous" referred to the extreme northwest of the Divine State's vast territory, where there was a vast area without human habitation. Most of this place was the Gobi Desert, where not even grass grew, and any life that existed was extremely strong and primitive, hence the name. The legendary Holy Temple of the Demon Sect was also located somewhere in this region, but Gui Lie had never been there before.

  But the world in front of me is obviously different from the legend of that barbaric land. In the vast mountains, not only is there no barren land, but it's actually teeming with life. Along the way, large tracts of pristine forests stretch out endlessly, leaving no room to set foot. Every inch of land seems to be packed with plants competing for survival space. And behind the endless trees and thorns, there seem to be endless poisonous creatures and ferocious beasts. In the dark shadows beside me, it's as if malevolent eyes are always lurking, waiting for an opportunity to pounce and turn me into a meal.

  For people like Gui Li and Jin Ping Er, these ordinary poisons are naturally not a particularly great threat, but coming endlessly like this is really a headache. Although they can fly in the air, first of all, in the sky above this primitive forest, who knows when the miasma will rise; secondly, although their Taoist practice is very deep, after all, they also need to rest, but being disturbed by these external troubles, there is hardly a moment's peace.

  In the past few days, even Little Gray, the monkey, seems to have become restless.

  In addition to the harassment of these poisonous beasts, the strange weather in the mountains is also a very uncomfortable thing. Unlike the central land belt, there are no clouds gathering or changing weather processes here. The rain almost falls as soon as it says it will fall. Starting from a clear sky, it suddenly becomes a heavy downpour; when it's time to stop, it stops abruptly. One moment there is thunder and lightning, and the next moment the sky is clear, leaving one speechless.

  The time it rains seems to be completely unpredictable, sometimes it's just a short while, and other times it lasts for several days without stopping.

  At this moment, they were walking in a black forest shrouded in continuous rain.

  The reason why the two of them did not cast a spell to fly was that when they wanted to do so, they found that in this strange place, even on rainy days, the black forest above still rose with strange black air, on the contrary, it was the land under the forest that had relatively normal air.

  Gui Li and Jin Ping'er are both figures who have been deeply involved in the demonic teachings for a long time, their eyesight is also extraordinary, naturally knowing the weight of the matter, after discussion, they still willingly took a more cautious approach, walking through the dark forest.

  This forest, like many of the primeval forests in the Wumeng Mountains, has dense foliage, and the rain falling from the sky often can't reach the ground directly. Instead, it flows down along the branches and drips off the leaves, filling the entire forest with a cool mist. Except for the rustling sound of their footsteps and the distant patter of raindrops, the whole forest seems to be sleeping in the rain.

  Gui Li and Jin Ping'er didn't have umbrellas, probably because they hadn't brought any. But even if they had, in such a dense forest, it would be difficult to walk with one without getting tangled up. Xiao Hui was silent, shrinking his body and lying on Gui Li's shoulder. The rainwater falling from the leaves above got his fur wet, sticking flat against his body.

  There were also water droplets on Gui Li's face, but his complexion remained indifferent as he walked forward, seemingly unaware of the unusual atmosphere around him. Jin Ping'er followed behind him, appearing not to show any signs of fatigue either, but her slightly disheveled hair and somewhat cold expression seemed to reflect that she was not in a good mood.

  This forest was actually the Black Forest she had been to last time. Jin Bao'er knew clearly in her heart that walking out of this forest and crossing a few more mountains would lead them to their destination, which was what she had told Gui Lian as well.

  "Sand..."

  The demon stretched out his hand and snapped off a hanging branch, which looked extremely tough like an ancient rattan stick, but in his hand it was as fragile as tofu. Jin Ping'er stood behind him, silently gazing at the palm of his hand with a thoughtful expression, her eyebrows slightly furrowed.

  Suddenly, Gui Li let out a cry of surprise and stopped in his tracks. He quickly turned to the left and took several urgent steps forward. In an instant, he found himself standing at the edge of a cliff, with a vast expanse of bright colors stretching out before him. The ground beneath his feet was a sea of clouds, with waves of vapor rolling and swirling in every direction, creating a dazzling display of colorful hues that was truly breathtaking to behold.

  The footsteps sounded, and Jin Ping'er also stood beside him, her face slightly changed. This was exactly where she had been ambushed by the mysterious black-clothed man last time, and after narrowly escaping with her life, she had inadvertently discovered a killing knife under the cliff stone that had belonged to the murderous monk. However, she looked at Gui Li but didn't say a word, apparently not intending to tell this man about what she had found out.

  The demon king gazed far into the distance at the sea of clouds below, and after a while, he slightly shook his head and said, "The colorful mist and fog down there are probably still poisonous miasma."

  Jin Bier nodded and said, "I think so too."

  The ghost turned to her and said, "How much farther?"

  Jin Ping'er stretched out her hand and gently wiped the water droplets from her forehead, slightly pondering before saying: "It shouldn't be far now. I remember that last time I came to this place, after walking for about an hour or so in front of me, I exited this black forest. After exiting here, crossing over two mountain ranges, we'll arrive at the Town Demon Ancient Cave." Upon reaching this point, she paused slightly and said with a hint of confusion: "Strange, last time I came to this place, there were clearly many ferocious beasts in the black forest. How come on this road, apart from those poisonous insects, not even one proper ferocious beast has been seen?"

  The demon sneered faintly: "I'm afraid those monsters you saw have followed the Beast God to the outside of the Ten Thousand Great Mountains to eat people."

  Jin Ping'er was taken aback, and immediately thought that this might be a huge mistake. A look of disgust appeared on her face, and no matter what, even if she came from the demonic sect, she seemed to still be extremely repelled by these beastly demons who were completely devoid of humanity. Or perhaps it was because of the battle at Zhongtu's Venomous Snake Valley that day, where the Hehuan Sect was annihilated, although Gui Li still didn't know why Jin Ping'er had managed to escape on her own and even joined forces with the Ghost King, but it seemed that Jin Ping'er wouldn't have any good feelings towards these beastly demons either.

  The ghost took a deep breath, invigorated his spirit and said: "Let's go."

  She immediately turned around and walked back into the dark forest. Jin Bier was about to follow, but suddenly turned around again, looking down at the mountain cliff below. Her eyebrows furrowed slightly, as if thinking about something. Guilian walked for a while, but didn't feel Jin Bier following him, so he turned around and shouted. Jin Bier woke up with a start, smiled sweetly, and said:

  "How could you miss me so soon?"

  The demon looked at her with a glance, turned around indifferently and left without caring about anything else. Jin pinger smiled and followed him. Just as she was about to enter the forest, she suddenly waved her hand, and a white light flashed out of her hand, flying quickly, making a dull sound, and inserted itself into a secluded corner of the cliff.

  The light slowly flashed through that gap, which was once a deadly sword.

  In the blink of an eye, Jin Bao'er's figure had vanished.

  The bleak wind and bitter rain, as if it had enveloped everything once again, shrouding the eerie black forest in its grasp. In the distance, the vast expanse of the Ten Thousand Great Mountains' sky seemed to be a dull grey, as if some deity or demon was raging and howling in the depths, gazing down upon the seemingly insignificant existences that inhabited the world...

  The wind and rain grew stronger!

  ※※※

  At the same time that Gui Li and Jin Ping'er were struggling to pursue the Beast God's tracks in the midst of the stormy rain in the Ten Thousand Great Mountains, outside the mountain range in Nanjiang, there was also a fervent atmosphere.

  More and more Orthodox disciples came to Nanjiang, and at the same time, their arrival almost quickly reduced the number of remaining beast demons that were still lurking in Nanjiang. The land of Nanjiang had never gathered so many people from Zhongtu before, and most of them were cultivators.

  The local people of the five ethnic groups in southern Xinjiang have always maintained a respectful yet distant attitude towards these outsiders, and among these orthodox disciples, there seems to be a strange atmosphere, with most people keeping their distance unless they are from the same sect or school, and occasionally even hearing about conflicts between certain factions.

  It's just what for, but it seems like no one has ever loudly declared it before.

  In a sense, as the oldest and most prestigious Taoist sect in southern Xinjiang, Fengxiang Valley naturally became the best place for many orthodox disciples who were not familiar with local geography to visit and seek guidance. Therefore, Fengxiang Valley changed its usual tranquility, with people coming and going every day, and it was common to see someone entering or leaving.

  It was on this day, at the entrance of Fengxiang Valley, that three people arrived - one man and two women. They were from Qingyun Gate, specifically, Zeng Shushu from Fenghui Peak and Wen Min and Lu Xueqi from Xiaozhu Peak.

  When they arrived in Southern Xinjiang, the Qingyunmen disciples were not just the three of them. In fact, Qingyunmen was known as the number one orthodox sect at this time, and countless young disciples were sent, but among the best, several people did not come. Except for a few who had already taken on important tasks in the sect, such as Qi Huan and others, Xiao Yicai was also unable to leave due to the recent shortage of Daoxuan Zhenren's affairs, and the busy matters on Tongtian Peak were mostly handled by him; As for Lin Jingyu, this time he insisted on guarding the ancestral hall, it is said that he was keeping vigil for a senior Qingyun who had a deep kindness towards him and could not come.

  Among the remaining few, Zeng Shu and Lu Xueqi were the leaders. Zeng Shu didn't have much to do with it, as his father Zeng Shu had already given him a few instructions before he came to Nanjiang. However, Lu Xueqi's trip was more complicated. It is said that Master Shuiyue did not originally want to let her go out, but later changed her mind for some reason. She specifically asked Lu Xueqi's senior sister Wen Min to come along as well.

  All the way to Nanyuan, Zeng Shu was quite harmonious with Wen Mian. The three of them discussed together and Zeng Shu suggested that no matter what, as a fellow disciple of Zheng Dao, they should go to Fengxiang Valley to pay their respects.

  Lu Xueqi, however, seemed unwilling, faintly expressing her opinion that they had been to the southern border before and roughly knew how to get there, so it wasn't necessary to trouble others.

  Zeng Shu had a number in mind, and he suspected that Lu Xueqi still had some misgivings. On that day, at the Qingyun Gate's Tongtian Peak Yuqing Temple, she publicly rejected Yun Yilan, the master of Huixiang Valley, as her ideal disciple Li Xun's proposal for marriage, greatly hurting Yun Yilan and Daoxuan Zhenren's face. Naturally, she was unwilling to interact with people from Huixiang Valley again.

  However, after several discussions between Zeng Shu and Wen Min, it was still up to Wen Min to persuade Lu Xueqi, who eventually agreed to come over and make a good impression, otherwise it would be embarrassing in front of the teachers. Lu Xueqi hesitated for a while before finally agreeing.

  The three of them arrived at the entrance of Huo Xiang Valley, and originally, the three of them already had some fame, especially Lu Xueqi. She was a stunning beauty who could topple cities and countries with her charm. Since the rise of the younger generation of Qing Yun Men, her reputation and appearance were renowned throughout the world. As for Huo Xiang Valley, Lu Xueqi's presence seemed to carry even more significance, as almost immediately after their arrival at the valley entrance, they were recognized by the disciples of Huo Xiang Valley.

  After the initial shock, there seemed to be a stir, but soon someone quickly stepped forward to report back, and several people immediately came up to greet them. The first one smiled and bowed his hands, saying: "Ah, Master Lu has arrived at Fengxiang Valley, it's really rare. These two are also fellow disciples of Qingyunmen, please come in, please come in."

  Zeng Shu glanced at Wen Min behind his back, secretly stuck out his tongue and made a face, thinking that this Lu Xueqi was indeed famous for being intimidating, even an ordinary disciple of Fengxiang Valley could recognize him at a glance, while he and Wen Min were obviously just passersby following the beauty.

  The two of them didn't get angry, and Zeng Shu was even smiling, chatting and laughing with the few Fengxiang Valley disciples along the way. From time to time, they could be heard bursting into loud laughter. Walking behind them, Wen Mian whispered to Lu Xueqi beside her, "Sister, look at that Zeng Shidi, he's only just met them, but he can already get along with them so well, it's really impressive."

  Lu Xueqi looked ahead and saw that Zeng Shu had already placed his hand on the shoulder of the Huo Xiang Gu disciple, smiling faintly, but saying nothing.

  They soon arrived at the Mountain River Hall of Incense Valley under the leadership of the disciples, and on the main hall, it was surprisingly Yun Yi Lan smiling and sitting in the main seat waiting for them. Apparently, in the eyes of the master of Incense Valley, the weight of these three senior disciples of Qingyunmen was completely different from that of other sects.

  Although so, Zeng Shu and Wen Min were not people who didn't know the height of the sky or the thickness of the earth. They knew Yun Yi's identity and status, and this time they personally received them, which was really somewhat condescending. The three of them hurried forward, and after Zeng Shu had paid his respects, he said: "Elder Yun, how could you still take the trouble to meet us in person? It should be us younger ones who come to pay our respects to you, this is really embarrassing for us."

  Yun Yi Lan smiled slightly, with a benevolent expression on her face. "Nephew, what are you saying? I've known your Master Dao Xuan Zhen Ren and your father Zeng Shu Chang for over a hundred years. There's no need to be so polite. How are they doing?"

  Zeng Shu said respectfully: "The Master and my father are both well, the two elders have blessed me, and when I arrive in Nanjiang, I will definitely come to pay respects to Master Yun."

  Yun Yi Hanhan burst out laughing and nodded: "Qingyun has been away for a long time, and it's really been many days. I'm really missing a few old friends." As he spoke, he smiled and turned his eyes to look behind Zeng Shu, his gaze swept over Wen Min, and then fell on Lu Xueqi's indifferent face.

  It seemed to feel Yun Yilan's gaze, Lu Xueqi raised her eyes and looked over, only to see Yun Yilan smiling at herself, while beside him stood another person, with a complex expression on his face, seemingly with a hint of bitter smile, also looking at himself, it was Li Xun.

  Lu Xueqi remained silent, slightly lowering her head.

  Yun Yi Lan smiled slightly and shifted her gaze, saying: "Why are you all still standing? Our two factions have a special relationship, we're like family. Please sit down."

  Zeng Shu and others reported their crimes and sat down at the lower head.

  Yun Yilán chatted with three people, and learned that Wen Min was also a disciple of Shuǐ Yuè Dàshī, just like Lù Xuě Qí. He asked several questions about Shuǐ Yuè Dàshī, which Wen Min answered one by one. Then Yun Yilán started talking to Zēng Shūshū again. From start to finish, it seemed that he also knew that Lù Xuě Qí didn't want to talk, so no one asked her any questions. Lù Xuě Qí was happy to relax and sat silently on the side without making a sound.

  However, the other disciples of Fengxiang Valley in Shanhedian, including Li Xuan standing beside Yun Yilun, were for most of the time, their eyes intentionally or unintentionally lingering on Lu Xueqi's body. The woman in white clothes, under her calm and cold temperament, seemed to have a strange magic power, making the bright spot of the entire hall quietly gather around her.

  On the other side, Yun Yilan smiled and asked Zeng Shu: "After the great battle that day, Daoxuan Master defeated the Beast God for the sake of all living beings in the world, turning the tide and achieving boundless merit. However, when I left Qingyun, his injuries didn't seem to have fully recovered yet. I wonder how Daoxuan Master's body is doing lately? He is now the leader of the Orthodox Sect, with everyone's hopes pinned on him!"

  Zeng Shu smiled and replied, "Thank you, Cloud Master, for your concern. The leader of the sect is fine, as long as we can help the people of the world escape their difficulties, even if Qingyun Gate suffers a bit, it's nothing."

  Yun Yi Lan's smile became even more benevolent, he picked up the teacup on the tea table beside him and took a sip, then his eyes flickered slightly, as if he had suddenly thought of something, he smiled and said: "Right, I recently heard a rumor, it just so happens that you, my virtuous nephew, have come here recently, so I'll ask you about it."

  Zeng Shu smiled and said: "Master Yun, please speak. I will definitely tell you everything I know, without holding anything back."

  Yun Yi Lan nodded, and a hint of sharpness flashed in the depths of his eyes as he slowly said: "Lately, I happened to hear that on the day of the great battle at Qingyun, after Daoxuan defeated the Beast God, there was still a struggle on Mount Qingyun, and the final result was that the news of the 'Heavenly Exterminating Sword', the supreme treasure of the Qingyun Sect, being broken and damaged had spread. Is this true?"

  As soon as this was said, the entire Mountain River Hall fell silent in an instant, and there was not a single sound. However, Zeng Shu, Wen Min, and Lu Xueqi stood up simultaneously, their faces changed, and they looked at Yun Yiluo. The other disciples of Fengxiang Valley, including Li Xun, were also looking at Yun Yiluo with astonishment.

  Only Yun Yi Lan himself seemed to be unaffected, as if what he had just asked was not a matter that shook the world, but rather an ordinary household triviality. He lightly picked up his tea cup and took another sip of tea.

  Then, he smiled warmly and gently at the three people of Qingyunmen and asked: "Is that true?"

  In the mountains and rivers, a dead silence...