Chapter 71: The Valley of Ghosts, Setting Out

Outside the Cangyun Sect, on a mountain where the morning glow rises, five enormous airships floated atop the clouds. The inner disciples of the Cangyun Sect had already assembled completely on the decks of these vessels.

Five elders stood at the helm of each airship, overlooking the many disciples below. The atmosphere involuntarily grew solemn—the figure of the Grand Elder slowly rose, attracting the admiring gazes of the disciples.

Hovering in midair before the five ships, Chang Kong stood with his hands behind his back and called out in a clear voice, “Are all disciples prepared?”

“Star Wuqie, true disciple of Bamboo Peak, leads thirty-one inner disciples, awaiting the celestial order!”

“Tianyang Zhen, true disciple of the Pill Hall, leads twenty-five inner disciples, awaiting the celestial order!”

“Gu Yang, true disciple of Bamboo Peak, leads twenty-eight inner disciples, awaiting the celestial order!”

“Shi Nan, true disciple of the Pill Hall, leads twenty-seven inner disciples, awaiting the celestial order!”

“Ling Hongyi, true disciple of Formation Peak, leads thirty inner disciples and juniors, awaiting the celestial order!”

“Chen Weijie, true disciple of Formation Peak, leads nineteen inner disciples, awaiting the celestial order!”

“Gongsun Yang, true disciple of Flame Valley, leads twenty-four inner disciples, awaiting the celestial order!”

“Zhang Qiu, true disciple of Flame Valley, leads twenty-one inner disciples, awaiting the celestial order!”

“Yu Xun, true disciple of Flower Valley, leads thirty-two inner disciples and juniors, awaiting the celestial order!”

“Shen Qingyun, chief disciple of Bamboo Peak, leads eighteen disciples of Bamboo Peak, awaiting the celestial order!”

On the decks, the leading disciples called loudly, their voices impassioned and echoing across the mountains.

Chang Kong nodded slightly, straightened, and spoke in a deep tone: “This journey marks the decadal joint trial of the five great sects. Its purpose, under the guise of a trial, is to send you into Ghost Valley, to eradicate monsters not yet fully grown. Thus, we prevent the tragedies of centuries past from recurring!”

“This trial differs from previous ones—in addition to our five sects, five great families have been added. The numbers have increased, and accordingly, the areas you are responsible for clearing will decrease.”

…

“The dangers of Ghost Valley need no further explanation. I hope you will hold fast to your Dao heart within the valley and not be swayed by its peculiar powers!”

“We shall strictly follow orders!”

All two hundred and fifty-five disciples from the five airships responded as one, their voices soaring, as if to reverberate through the clouds.

Chang Kong, satisfied, nodded and declared: “Then let the airships set sail!”

With the Grand Elder’s command, the airships generated a surge of force, propelling them forward.

On Shen Qingyun’s airship, the Formation Peak and Flower Valley disciples traveled together. Once the vessel began moving, the disciples relaxed.

“The Grand Elder is truly remarkable, able to fly through the air!”

“Indeed, with such terrifying power, I wonder how strong the Sect Master must be.”

“Forget it, better to think about what we’ll do once we enter Ghost Valley!”

Amid the words of praise, a few voices shifted the topic. Though they hailed from five different places, they were all inner disciples at heart, making camaraderie easy.

“Really, I envy Senior Brother Star’s team—thirty-one people. In Ghost Valley, they’ll have little to fear!”

“Come off it, you’re in Senior Sister Ling’s team yourself, so stop teasing us!”

“That’s right, before I start teasing you, just keep quiet!”

The disciple, turning his head, retorted, “I’m not boasting—it’s you who choose to interpret it that way. I’m talking about our Bamboo Peak chief, only eighteen people. What will we do in Ghost Valley?”

“The chief himself isn’t worried—why should you be for him?”

Nearby, another Bamboo Peak disciple spoke up, clearly perturbed that Shen Qingyun was the chief.

“The chief can take on thirteen Foundation Establishment cultivators alone. What’s there to worry about?” That disciple waved dismissively. “Besides, there’s Senior Sister Wu and those who’ve already established their foundation. Nothing to fear!”

“But look, there are two ninth-level Qi Refinement disciples in the chief’s team.”

“Eh, that’s true!”

“They look pretty good, but in Ghost Valley, monsters won’t stand still for you just because you’re attractive!”

“Hush, look…”

A hush swept through as they followed the direction indicated. They saw Chen Weijie, true disciple of Formation Peak, and Yu Xun, true disciple of Flower Valley, walking towards where Shen Qingyun’s team sat. Everyone fell silent, watching intently.

“So, you are Shen Qingyun?”

Seated on the deck, Shen Qingyun suddenly heard a cool voice. He opened his eyes and looked up to find a rather attractive woman regarding him coldly.

Seeing him awake, Yu Xun continued in an icy tone: “You don't seem all that impressive. I can't understand why Master holds you in such high esteem, even allowing two junior sisters to join your team for the trial!”

“Senior Sister Yu!”

Before Shen Qingyun could reply, two voices protested in unison, instantly drawing Yu Xun’s attention.

Facing the Qiao sisters, Yu Xun was much warmer than she had been with Shen Qingyun, quickly joining them in playful banter.

“You little brats, your senior sister worries about your safety, and yet you side with outsiders—truly a pair of ingrates!”

Their tinkling laughter rang out across the deck, attracting many male disciples’ gazes. The three were all quite attractive, and the scene was a feast for the eyes.

“Senior Sister Yu, I was wrong… spare me. I trust Brother Qingyun too…”

Qiao Xinyu laughed breathlessly.

“So you’re saying I meddle too much then!”

Yu Xun let go of Qiao Xinran and redirected her “claws” toward Qiao Xinyu, tickling her mercilessly.

“Ah, hahaha… stop, Senior Sister…”

Shen Qingyun shook his head helplessly—these three, always horsing around, heedless of the occasion.

As he shook his head, another pair of feet appeared before him. Shen Qingyun was startled and looked up to see Chen Weijie standing nearby, still watching the three women’s antics, his expression one of barely contained drooling…

“Ahem, Senior Brother Chen, do you have business?”

Shen Qingyun coughed lightly, bringing Chen Weijie back to himself. Chen realized his lapse, coughed, and sat down.

“Rare that Chief Shen remembers my name!”

He glanced at Shen Qingyun but didn’t pursue further conversation—who knew what topics it might lead to?

Seeing Shen Qingyun about to close his eyes again, Chen Weijie’s expression changed and he hurriedly said, “Actually, I came to thank you!”

“Thank me?” Shen Qingyun’s eyes flashed with confusion. “I don’t recall doing anything to warrant your thanks.”

Chen Weijie scratched his head. “It’s about you going easy on my Spirit Aspect.”

“Senior Brother Chen seems mistaken—I never held back.”

“Whether you admit it or not, I still owe you thanks!”

Chen Weijie placed a jade slip beside Shen Qingyun, stood, and saluted again.

“The jade slip contains a minor Spirit Gathering Array. I hope you’ll accept it.”

With that, Chen Weijie strode back to his own team.

Shen Qingyun glanced at the jade slip by his feet and picked it up. Chen Weijie was rather interesting—his casual act that day had unexpectedly yielded benefits.

…

Ghost Valley lay within the domain of the five great sects. Flying at full speed, the airships arrived within half a day.

As he disembarked, Shen Qingyun heard many disciples discussing Ghost Valley.

At this time, the four other sects and five families had already arrived, their respective elders delivering final instructions—more admonition than reprimand.

After all Cangyun Sect disciples had left the airships, Xu Lingfeng began his address.

“This is the last instruction, and it could save your lives at a crucial moment!”

His opening statement caused every disciple to hold their breath and listen intently. After all, no one jokes with their own life.

“Your goal is to hunt down and eliminate the monsters appearing in Ghost Valley. Also, bring out any spirit herbs you find inside. We will reward you with points or prizes based on the herbs you collect. If you gather enough, the rewards will exceed your imagination!”

“Conversely, you cannot contact the outside world within Ghost Valley. We cannot know what you encounter there—everything is up to you and the true disciples leading you!”

“You true disciples must understand—being entrusted with leadership is not for play. You must bring everyone in safely and bring them out unharmed!”

“Of course, you’re not expected to fight monsters nonstop until the trial ends. Multiple safe zones have been established within Ghost Valley, where you can rest. Protected by arrays, monsters cannot enter.”

Xu Lingfeng’s expression suddenly grew stern: “Don’t think you can hide in safe zones until the trial ends. Entering the Immortal Gate and becoming disciples means taking the stability of all living beings as your mission. If you can’t even do this, hiding away like a coward, your trial is forfeit!”

The disciples, hearing this, all straightened their backs. To become inner disciples, they must possess pride and ambition. They would never stoop to cowardly avoidance.

Shen Qingyun listened, noticing from the corner of his eye that Feng Chuxun’s head was turned toward the family disciples, his hand gripping his sword so tightly the veins bulged. Puzzled, Shen Qingyun asked, “What’s wrong?”

Feng Chuxun’s veins faded and he turned to Shen Qingyun, shaking his head. “Nothing.”

With that, Feng Chuxun raised his head to listen to Xu Lingfeng’s words, as if nothing had happened.

Shen Qingyun glanced toward the family side, seeing nothing unusual. Since Feng Chuxun didn’t want to talk, he asked no further.