Chapter 216: Plum Blossom Jade – You Remind Me of Some Old Friends

Lian Mu looked at the markings on the map and asked, “Senior Sister, what do these mean? Are there special locations in the Shifang Nether Soil?”

Pei Yunshang replied, “Of course there are.”

Her fingers moved to several marked spots. “These are the areas in the Shifang Nether Soil with the densest Demonic Qi, places where demonic beasts are rampant. Within the Red Scorched Circle, there are two special red marks. The one on the left is called Corpse Mountain Scorched Forest, and on the right is the location of the Red Lotus Fire Cavern.”

“The Corpse Mountain Scorched Forest is a battlefield relic from when a powerful demon race contender fought for the lordship of the Shifang Nether Soil. In that great battle, the Black Abyss Demon Leader was defeated by the first sword cultivator of the Heavenly Return Palace. The victor claimed his throne atop the mountain of Black Abyss Demon Race corpses. The mountain was refined by heavenly fire and has remained for centuries, marking the boundary between the two circles.”

“The Red Lotus Fire Cavern is formed from a naturally ignited fire-element crystal mine beneath the Red Scorched Circle. It has been burning for over seven hundred years. The land around the Red Lotus Fire Cavern is so hot that nothing can grow. The fire seeds used in the Four Great Sects’ abandoned Spirit Artifact melting caves were taken from the Red Lotus Fire Cavern.”

Guan Shize remarked, “These must be two of the great sights of the Shifang Nether Soil. I’d love to see them.”

Qu Ruotian cautioned, “The Red Scorched Circle is dangerous. With our current strength, we’re still lacking. Let’s wait for another opportunity.”

Lian Mu thought for a moment and asked, “The demon race leader who claimed his throne on the Corpse Mountain, was his name Xuan Che?”

Pei Yunshang raised an eyebrow, “You know? However, in the realm of the Shifang Nether Soil, it’s best not to mention that name carelessly. It could bring trouble.”

Lian Mu asked, “Why?”

“It’s said that under his rule, the demon race in the Shifang Nether Soil suffered greatly. Since he was suppressed by the Immortal Sects, his name has become taboo here. If any intelligent demon race hears it, they will attack indiscriminately,” Pei Yunshang explained.

“Moreover, in recent years, the remnants of the Black Abyss Demon Race have been reviving. They hate the Heavenly Return Palace leader the most. Mentioning his name could easily lead to retaliatory attacks.”

The group had never heard of these things before. Even in the Immortal Sects, tales of the demon race were rarely mentioned. Hearing Pei Yunshang’s explanation, they felt as if they had discovered a new world.

Guan Shize mused, “So the demon race also has internal conflicts, just like humans…”

“High-level demons are akin to humans. Where there are people, there are conflicts of interest. However, with the Four Great Sects guarding the Shifang Nether Soil, those demonic remnants shouldn’t dare to cause trouble, right?” Qu Ruotian added.

Pei Yunshang replied, “Whether they do or not, you’ll find out if you try.”

Guan Shize and Qu Ruotian fell silent, intimidated by her gaze.

Lian Mu pondered deeply. Heavenly Return Palace… that should be Xuan Che’s home, but where is it?

Lian Mu looked up at the sky. It was already evening, with crimson and orange hues interwoven in the sunset.

He had said that as long as one stepped into the Shifang Nether Soil, they could see his home by looking up.

Lian Mu cleared his throat and tentatively asked, “Senior Sister, where is the Heavenly Return Palace? It’s our first time here, and we don’t know the way. It would be troublesome if we accidentally wandered in.”

Pei Yunshang’s eyes curved with a smile beneath her veil. “The Heavenly Return Palace is among the stars, suspended high in the heavens, a place of kings. If you want to get lost and end up at the Heavenly Return Palace, it might be a bit difficult.”

Guan Shize also looked up. “In the sky? I can’t see it.”

“This is the boundary between the inner and outer circles, separated by a barrier. Of course, you can’t see it. Once you truly enter the inner circle, you can look up and see it,” Pei Yunshang explained. “You might have a chance to see the Corpse Mountain Scorched Forest and the Red Lotus Fire Cavern, but as for the Heavenly Return Palace, even the Elders of the Four Great Sects can’t enter, let alone you.”

“Alright, stop entertaining strange fantasies. Rest early today, so we can set off early tomorrow and try to get ahead,” Pei Yunshang instructed as she stood up. “Your cohort is the most outstanding the Returning Immortal Sect has seen in four hundred years at the Immortal Sect Grand Competition. As your Senior Sister, I hope you can continue to achieve great results. Therefore, the map of the Golden Core Flower must end up in our Returning Immortal Sect’s hands.”

Lian Mu asked, “Senior Sister, aren’t we planning a route?”

Pei Yunshang replied, “There’s no need. From the looks of you, you’re not someone who would obediently follow a route anyway.”

Lian Mu felt a bit embarrassed. “Senior Sister, you’ve seen my recordings?”

“You were so famous among the disciples at the Immortal Sect Grand Competition. Of course, I’ve heard of you.”

Guan Shize and Qu Ruotian wanted to laugh but held it in. Qu Ruotian said, “Whether we have a route or not doesn’t matter. With Senior Sister leading us, we’ll surely have a smooth journey.”

“I’m fine with anything, just following you all,” Guan Shize added.

Pei Yunshang concluded, “Actually, I don’t like sticking to a fixed route either. In such dangerous places, flexibility is best.”

After speaking, Pei Yunshang left the map with them and went to discuss with other Team Leaders.

Once she was gone, the Chief team gathered around.

Xu Xianxing was quite excited. “Brother Gongxi promised to take us to see the Fish Demon Skeleton in the Abyssal Circle tomorrow. It’s bigger than the Demonic Creatures in our sect’s dining hall!”

Lian Mu asked, “…Are you exploring or sightseeing?”

Xu Xianxing replied, “Brother Gongxi assured us he can protect us, which is why he agreed. Following a body cultivator gives such a sense of security.”

Wen Yun added, “Sister Qiu Heng said she’ll take us near the Demon Nurturing River to see some low-level Demonic Creatures.”

Wen Yun’s team, except for Qiu Heng, consisted of body cultivators and sword cultivators, which is why they dared to choose risky areas.

Baili Que, with his perpetually icy expression, showed a hint of envy. “That’s nice. Brother Xiao and Brother Ye’s teams plan to cooperate, so I’ll be joining Senior Brother Guan and the others. We’ve already planned a steady route.”

His words implied that it wouldn’t be exciting at all.

Ji Mingyue said, “Everyone on our team except for me is an artifact refiner, but Sister Jiang plans to take us to explore the Red Scorched Circle.”

Xu Xianxing responded, “???”

“What? Sister Jiang said the team only needed one artifact refiner! Does she think I’m not good enough…”

Ji Mingyue replied softly, “It’s not that Sister Jiang thinks you’re inadequate. On the contrary, she believes that with your potential, you no longer need guidance. She wants to mentor new artifact refiners who need it more.”

Xu Xianxing quickly changed his tone, “Sister Jiang has great judgment. With my talent as an artifact refiner, I’m indeed ready to be independent.”

Wen Yun asked, “Lian Mu, does your team have any plans?”

Lian Mu replied, “Our plan is like our team name.”

The air went silent for a moment.

“Even though we don’t know what we can seize, we should prepare in advance. Make sure to grab more for our bandit team,” Xu Xianxing said, patting her shoulder.

Baili Que asked, “That Sister Pei is a sound cultivator. Do you know what direction that kind of cultivator takes?”

Lian Mu shrugged, “I don’t know, but since she’s a senior sister, her strength shouldn’t be lacking.”

She chose Pei Yunshang simply because she didn’t want to join Ye Minghe’s team. Picking any senior brother or sister at random seemed to imply she had issues with Ye Minghe, especially since she passed up the top choice for a lesser one.

“Tomorrow we set out to explore the Shifang Nether soil. I can’t sleep tonight,” Xu Xianxing said. “I’ll make some soup first. You all can come and have some later.”

Ji Mingyue commented, “You never forget about food, do you? I’ll join you.”

Xu Xianxing wasn’t the only one with such thoughts. Disciples from the Four Great Sects shared similar feelings. It was their first time facing dangers outside their sects, and along with anxiety, there was an undeniable sense of anticipation.

Lian Mu found a secluded spot to sit and ponder how to find the Heavenly Return Palace, while the faint discussions of disciples from other sects reached her ears.

“This time, I must see all five famous sights of the Shifang Nether soil and tell my junior sister back at the sect.”

“The map has them all marked. Our elders probably want us to explore, too. Fish Demon Skeleton, Blood Butterfly Meat Pool, Withered Bone Swamp, Corpse Mountain Scorched Forest, Red Lotus Fire Cavern… Visiting any one of these places would be something to brag about for years.”

“I heard there’s an even more dangerous place, the palace of the former lord of the Shifang Nether soil, but no one knows where it is.”

In the dark night, the campfire flickered, and a chilling breeze brushed past Lian Mu’s ear, bringing her back to her senses.

A cold wine flask was handed to her, and a familiar voice came from behind.

“Want a drink?”

Lian Mu turned to see Elder Mei Chengyu of the Crimson Sky Sect standing behind her, dressed in blue, with a straight posture and a heroic presence.

Lian Mu shook her head, “No, thank you. I have to go out tomorrow.”

She wasn’t sure why Elder Mei approached her, but she sensed no ill intent.

Half of Mei Chengyu’s face was hidden in shadow as she smiled slightly, “I saw you lost in thought earlier. Were you thinking about which ‘famous sight’ to visit tomorrow?”

Lian Mu replied, “I don’t plan to visit any.”

“You’re a smart child,” Mei Chengyu said, her smile fading a little. “The so-called five famous sights of the Shifang Nether soil should be called the five dangerous grounds. These kids don’t realize what they’re about to face. It’s a graveyard for countless cultivators, not a place for fun.”

Lian Mu asked, “If it’s so dangerous, why not restrict exploration?”

“Because people can’t stay sheltered forever,” Mei Chengyu said. “The sooner you face these challenges, the more it will aid your cultivation. However, the price of exposure varies for everyone. It could be injury, losing one’s spirit, or even death.”

Lian Mu pressed her lips together, “So, Elder Mei, you mean…”

Mei Chengyu’s gaze swept over the cheerful disciples of the Four Great Sects, “Just wait and see. By tomorrow night, they won’t be laughing anymore.”

“Lian Mu, I hope you’ll stay away from those dangerous places.” She handed Lian Mu a plum blossom jade from her waist. “If you really encounter trouble, infuse your spiritual power into this jade, and I’ll come to help you.”

Lian Mu hesitated, “Elder, isn’t this cheating?”

Mei Chengyu replied, “There will be elders secretly protecting you during this exploration. I believe I am more capable of protecting you than others.”

Lian Mu remained still, asking, “Elder, I’m not from your sect, and we aren’t familiar. Why are you doing this?”

Mei Chengyu patted her head, “Because you remind me of several old friends. I couldn’t protect them back then, and seeing you brings them to mind.”

She was quite candid, leaving Lian Mu puzzled: several?

How could she remind someone of several people…

Lian Mu remained silent for a moment before finally accepting the plum blossom jade, “Thank you, Elder.”

Mei Chengyu’s eyes glimmered with a smile, “There’s still time tonight. Would you like to see the Shifang Nether soil’s night view?”

Lian Mu hesitated, “…”

Maybe not.

Just as she was about to refuse, someone preemptively grabbed Mei Chengyu’s wrist.

“Where are you planning to take this disciple without permission?”