Chapter 17

On the Southern Continent, every sect has its own sphere of influence. Leping County, the hometown of Le Li, the recently distressed Beiliang County, and Pingyao Valley all fall under the jurisdiction of the Lingxiao Sect.

Within their territories, sects enjoy specific privileges, such as entering cities without paying spirit stones, while also being responsible for protecting the local populace. No other sect is allowed to recruit disciples within Lingxiao’s domain, nor can Lingxiao poach disciples from other sects’ regions—such acts, akin to uprooting foundations, inevitably spark conflicts between sects.

Typically, sects refrain from recruiting outside their zones, given the vast, less spirit-rich lands beyond, where even wandering cultivators seek children with spiritual roots. However, such children are rare in these spirit-thin areas. Every twenty or thirty years, sects may convene a grand assembly to jointly recruit disciples.

Many yearning for immortality and cultivation traverse mountains and rivers, journeying thousands of miles to find a sect. Such seekers come year after year, from children barely ten to elderly men, all driven by longing and envy as they watch immortals soar overhead.

"Junior Sister Le, night is approaching; let us stay overnight in the county seat of Yuanping and set off again tomorrow," said Yu Sulan.

"Alright, I’ll follow your plan," Le Li replied.

At dawn, Le Li and Yu Sulan departed, riding their swords with the sun rising before them. Beiliang County was far, requiring three or four days of sword flight. Upon entering the county town, households were lighting lamps, illuminating the streets brightly. Horse-drawn carriages and pedestrians bustled about lively.

As they stepped into the inn, the proprietor greeted them warmly. "Two fairies honorable enough to stay here grace my humble establishment. Please proceed to your rooms!"

The innkeeper was also a cultivator, in mid Qi refining stage, showing near-humble enthusiasm towards Yu Sulan and Le Li, especially the former.

Yu Sulan’s face remained cold and composed, without the usual smiles seen in the sect. "Only staying one night. We require a quiet, secluded courtyard."

"Certainly, young miss," he said, leading them to an inner courtyard, secluded and silent, muffling the outside clamor.

Yu Sulan nodded, tossing a spirit stone to the innkeeper. "Do not disturb us without permission."

"Rest assured, fairy!" The innkeeper accepted the stone joyfully, bowing before retreating.

Standing outside the central room, Yu Sulan gestured to Le Li. "Rest early, and whatever noises you hear tonight, ignore them. If anything happens, come to me. Do not leave alone."

Since leaving the sect, Yu Sulan was responsible for Le Li’s safety, ensuring they both returned intact.

"I understand, Senior Sister," Le Li replied dutifully.

Curiosity must be supported by strength. As a mid Qi refining junior cultivator, even reborn, Le Li knew when to keep a low profile and avoid provoking Yu Sulan. Otherwise, this first outing would be the last, and she might become a troublemaker shunned by fellow disciples, unable to join future expeditions.

Still, within the sect’s territory, cultivators dared not harm Lingxiao disciples lightly, especially direct disciples like Yu Sulan, fearing retaliation from elders.

That night, Le Li diligently cultivated with a spirit stone in hand, careful not to reveal traces of her Jade Lock Space. Around midnight, she sensed two groups flying over the rooftop and heard the clash of magical instruments, but ignored them.

At dawn, the county stirred to life again. Yu Sulan and Le Li set off, reaching another county by dusk on the third day. Suddenly, the weather turned foul; a fierce gale erupted, causing Yu Sulan’s spirit sword to sway uncontrollably. Despite her efforts, the sword veered wildly, and the protective spirit force shield distorted.

Forced to descend, Yu Sulan landed just as the sky darkened and a torrential downpour began. The wind and rain obscured the path ahead. Guided by her spiritual perception, Yu Sulan hurried with Le Li toward a nearby cave for shelter.

Using their spiritual power, they quickly dried their hair and clothes. Yu Sulan stood at the cave entrance, brows furrowed, pondering, "Such a violent storm—something unusual must be afoot."

She glanced at Le Li, who was kindling a fire inside, and said, "Looks like the rain won’t stop before nightfall. We'll stay here for the night."

"The forest is sparse, and the storm fierce. There shouldn’t be any dangerous beasts around," Le Li said cautiously, already alert.

The cave grew warm and dry. Suddenly, Le Li sensed a change in Yu Sulan’s aura and immediately drew her Hongming Blade, standing behind her.

Yu Sulan was surprised by Le Li’s quickness, glancing at the blade and the cold throwing darts clenched in her hand, and smiled faintly.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps approached. A young male cultivator, similar in strength to Yu Sulan, arrived breathlessly. "Fellow cultivator, may I seek refuge in this cave?"

Le Li recognized him as Situ Chang from the Shangdan Palace, a fairly upright man, but she had no reason to show familiarity now. Casting a brief glance at him, she looked to Yu Sulan for permission.

Yu Sulan did not know Situ Chang and preferred solitude, so she refused. "The cave is narrow. Please find shelter elsewhere."

Situ Chang revealed his identity token, introducing himself and his master, Liu Xinning, hoping to be allowed in.

Yu Sulan’s eyes narrowed upon seeing the token. Liu Xinning was renowned, though she hadn’t heard of Situ Chang before. Smiling, she said, "So you are from Shangdan Palace, Fellow Situ. I am Yu Sulan of Lingxiao Sect, disciple of Master Lin Pei, and this is my junior sister Le Li, under Master Han Yongnian. If the cave’s cramped, we can share."

"Thank you, Fellow Yu. Sorry to trouble you!" Situ Chang bowed, activating his cultivation to dry his clothes, standing at a distance.

Shangdan Palace neighbors Lingxiao Sect across a mountain. As its name suggests, it specializes in alchemy, with three grandmasters, including Liu Xinning’s master, the patriarch of Situ Chang.

While Lingxiao and Shangdan are comparable overall, Shangdan is stronger in alchemy. Perhaps one day they might seek each other over medicinal pills, so it’s wise to maintain good relations.

Le Li sheathed her Hongming Blade and joined Yu Sulan by the fire. Yu Sulan invited Situ Chang to sit opposite. "Fellow Situ, why would you come into Lingxiao’s jurisdiction if not from Shangdan Palace?"

Situ Chang relaxed and said, "I was sent by my master to visit the main branch of the Tianya Pavilion, passing through here."

"Oh, I heard the Tianya Pavilion main branch will soon host a high-level auction only for Nascent Soul cultivators. Are you here for that?" Yu Sulan asked.

Situ Chang smiled. "I’m just on my master’s orders. The details are unclear to me."

Yu Sulan refrained from further questioning. Le Li’s mind flickered with information about the Tianya Pavilion.

Compared to Lingxiao and Shangdan, the Tianya Pavilion is less a sect and more a guild with shops everywhere, wealthy and powerful—stronger than both sects.

The three companions fell silent. Outside, the rain lashed fiercely, shaking the darkness and extinguishing light. Le Li added dry wood to brighten the fire.

Time seemed to slow. Suddenly, a tremendous thunderclap shattered the sky, startling them to their feet.

The rain intensified with successive thunderclaps, deafening amid the storm.

After nearly half an hour, the thunder ceased, and the wind died down, the rain turning to a drizzle. Yu Sulan and Situ Chang rushed out first; Le Li, weaker, followed behind.

From ten miles away, a purple light shot skyward, followed closely by four spirit lights. Within moments, they disappeared.

"Seems a treasure has appeared. Those chasing it are at least Golden Core masters," Situ Chang exclaimed excitedly.

Yu Sulan hesitated briefly, then resolved, "Let’s go see where the treasure emerged."

She summoned her spirit sword and flew off with Le Li, Situ Chang quickly following atop a purple-gold gourd.

As the forest thickened, Yu Sulan and Situ Chang soared above the canopy.

"There’s a lightning strike mark in the valley!" Yu Sulan pointed out.

No sooner had she spoken than they descended into the valley.

At the edge lay a huge, deep pit. Dense tree roots remained inside, surrounded by scorched earth and shattered branches. Judging by the scene, a giant tree once stood here, hiding the treasure beneath its shade.

"Senior Sister, hurry and dig!" Le Li acted swiftly, drawing her Hongming Blade and jumping into the pit.

Where treasure resides, traces remain. The four elders pursuing it likely left things unfinished in their haste.

Four people competing for one treasure—those who fail might turn back. If someone returns, it’s none of their concern. Time was tight, so Yu Sulan and Situ Chang joined in, choosing spots to dig rapidly.

A clang rang out as Le Li’s blade struck something hard, resonating with unusual sound waves. She brushed aside roots and soil to reveal a fragment of purple crystal.

Yu Sulan recognized it immediately, whispering, "Zi Yao Crystal?!"

Another clang sounded as Situ Chang unearthed a similar piece.

Yu Sulan was quicker, and after a few strikes, she too found a comparable fragment.

Zi Yao Crystal is an exceptional material for forging supreme magical artifacts, highly compatible with all elemental attributes.

Such premium forging materials are extremely rare. Their good fortune was extraordinary today. The three sped up, digging deeper, though the soil hardened. The crystal fragments grew larger with depth.

They dug enthusiastically, their spiritual senses alert to the surroundings.

Suddenly, a powerful oppressive aura slammed into them. Their protective devices failed instantly, and all three were pinned to the ground, their bones cracking.

"Three greenhorns, barely grown hair, yet daring to compete with me for fortune!" a booming voice snarled.

A nearly two-meter-tall burly man appeared, broad-shouldered and imposing like a mountain, his gaze too fierce to meet.

"We dare not!" the three chorused, struggling to endure.

"We juniors are disciples of Lingxiao Sect’s Qianyuan Peak, with no intention to offend. Please forgive us, venerable elder!"

"I am a disciple of Shangdan Palace, under Master Liu Xinning. No offense meant. Please show mercy!"

The pit was ownerless. No one else had been there, so no claim of seizing opportunity applied.

Yet they dared not argue or move rashly. The man’s cultivation far outstripped theirs. To dispute would only bring wrath upon them. In the cultivation world, strength rules, often without reason—one must yield and promptly declare one’s identity to seek protection.

The man sneered. Frustrated at failing to claim the treasure, he saw the “kids” digging Zi Yao Crystals. Had he not suspected they were Lingxiao disciples, he would have crushed their insides with a mere oppressive aura. To his surprise, one was from Shangdan Palace.

His eyes blazed, and without further words, he raised his sleeve, unleashing a vast vortex of spiritual power that lifted and hurled the three about five miles away, slamming them into a pit as large as the one they had dug for Zi Yao Crystals.