Chapter 218: Living Off a Woman’s Wealth

The next morning, the exploration area opened, and disciples from various sects prepared to set out.

This exploration task was straightforward. Within the designated area, there were thirty bell-hanging points. Each point represented a plot of land. Once reached, the disciples would mark it with their sect’s silver bell, completing the exploration.

The first sect to hang all thirty silver bells would receive a Golden Core Flower map. The exploration period was limited to twenty days.

During this time, the Team Leader could lead their team to various circles for training, but they could not exceed the designated boundaries.

“Are you ready? We’re about to enter the inner circle,” Pei Yunshang said, distributing ten silver bells and a positioning talisman to Lian Mu and the others.

Qu Ruotian asked, “Senior Sister, do we really need this many silver bells? There are only thirty bell-hanging points in total.”

Their team had forty small silver bells.

Pei Yunshang replied, “We might not need them, but it’s the rule. In case a team can manage to claim all the bell-hanging points by themselves, these bells would be just enough.”

Guan Shize commented, “That’s quite a stretch. Can anyone really do that?”

“There was once a team from the Azure Profound Sect that managed it. But who knows how their disciples’ talents are this year,” Pei Yunshang said calmly.

Lian Mu added, “They still surpass the other three great sects. But I believe we’re not too far behind.”

Pei Yunshang said, “We just need to do our best.”

Currently, the strongest teams from the Four Great Sects were not determined by the team with the strongest Chief Disciple, but rather by the strongest Team Leader from each sect.

Wen Yun was the strongest Chief Disciple of the Returning Immortal Sect, but his team, the “Chopping Squad,” was quite average.

The strongest exploration team from the Returning Immortal Sect was “Crane Forest Team,” led by Guan Huailin and Ye Minghe.

The strongest from the Azure Profound Sect was “Water and Fire Team,” led by Qian Songshi. Both the Team Leader and Qian Songshi had dual water and fire Spiritual Roots, hence the name.

The strongest from the Crimson Sky Sect was “Frost and Snow Team,” led by Lu Feishuang. Both the Team Leader and Chief Disciple had Heavenly Spiritual Roots, with a thunder and fire combination, making them extremely formidable.

The strongest from the Clear Thought Sect was “Foolish Ones Get Out of My Team,” led by Tang Wuxun. This team rejected brainless members and was composed of those who claimed to be exceptionally intelligent. The team name was reportedly a jab at a former Chief Disciple of the Clear Thought Sect.

Other Chief Disciples’ teams were not particularly outstanding, but overall, their strength wasn’t lacking either.

Before setting out, everyone was looking for teams to collaborate with.

It was evident that most people tacitly chose to team up with their own sect members. Despite Sect Master Hua’s suggestions, no one dared to comply fully. After all, no one wanted to entrust their back to outsiders.

Moreover, after previous events, the relationships among the Four Great Sects were quite chaotic. Now, almost every sect had grudges with each other, with none being entirely clean.

The Azure Profound Sect had suppressed the Clear Thought Sect, the Clear Thought Sect had besieged the Azure Profound Sect’s formation team, and the Crimson Sky Sect had taken advantage of the Azure Profound Sect…

All these conflicts were due to the Returning Immortal Sect, which repeatedly stirred the waters, leading to the current situation.

Forget about cooperation; it’s a wonder they hadn’t ganged up on the Returning Immortal Sect yet.

However, amidst the crowd, one person walked over to the Returning Immortal Sect’s team.

“Do you want to collaborate with us?”

The speaker was Qian Songshi, who stood out in his blue attire among the white-robed disciples of the Azure Profound Sect.

Lian Mu looked behind her, seeing no one, confirming he was speaking to her.

“Me?” Lian Mu asked, “Are you sure you want to collaborate with our team?”

He was the first to propose cross-sect cooperation, but his team seemed displeased with his decision.

“Junior Brother Qian, what do you mean by this? Why didn’t you inform us before running off to invite others? Did you ask for our opinion before deciding to collaborate?”

Qian Songshi didn’t turn back. “Senior brothers and sisters, I’m inviting her, not her entire team. There’s no need to worry.”

Lian Mu didn’t expect him to approach her. “What do you mean by this, Chief Disciple Qian?”

Qian Songshi smiled at her. “Naturally, I think you’re strong. If we collaborate, the journey could be a bit easier.”

As he spoke, Lian Mu saw through him. “I refuse. Please leave, Chief Disciple Qian.”

He wasn’t genuinely acknowledging her strength. Someone as proud as him wouldn’t easily admit others were strong. He was clearly testing her.

Qian Songshi wasn’t upset by the rejection. He simply left a parting remark: “You’ll agree sooner or later.”

Lian Mu ignored him and turned back to continue preparing.

Their team didn’t plan to collaborate with any other teams. Firstly, Pei Yunshang disliked large groups. Secondly, they didn’t need to. Their team was already well-balanced, with two sword cultivators, one talisman cultivator, and one sound cultivator. They lacked an alchemy cultivator, but they could carry a large supply of pills in advance.

As for an artifact refiner, they didn’t find it necessary.

Pei Yunshang said, “It’s time to set off.”

She brushed her hair behind her ear, her veil fluttering in the wind. At this moment, her expression was somewhat serious.

Guan Shize was a bit nervous. “We’re finally entering the inner circle. I wonder if the five hundred pills I brought will be enough.”

Lian Mu: “…”

Qu Ruotian: “Uh…”

Pei Yunshang said, “Junior Brother, you’re worth ten alchemy cultivators. I was worried about not having an alchemy cultivator before, but it seems I was overthinking.”

Lian Mu asked, “Where did you get the money to buy five hundred pills?”

Guan Shize chuckled. “I’ve been saving for a long time. Money should be spent on useful things.”

The four of them packed their belongings and headed to the teleportation mirror.

As they passed through the mirror, a white light flashed, engulfing them.

When their vision cleared again, the scenery had changed dramatically.

Everywhere they looked was a purplish-black wasteland, devoid of life. In the sky, flying demonic beasts circled, and the air was filled with a faint stench.

They stood on the edge of the Abyssal Circle.

Qu Ruotian was momentarily stunned, seeing the inner circle for the first time. However, the next moment, something grabbed his foot.

Instinctively, he turned to see a skeletal hand emerging from the ground. The bones were blood-red, with half-decayed flesh hanging from them, the source of the foul odor.

Before he could react, Lian Mu rushed over and severed the skeletal hand, which instantly crumbled into soil, merging back with the earth.

Qu Ruotian finally snapped out of it and quickly pulled out a ground fire talisman, thrusting it into the ground.

The four of them immediately retreated. As the ground fire ignited, a piercing scream erupted from the soil.

Skeletal hands sprouted like bamboo shoots, but under the fire’s assault, they turned charred black.

“This is a low-level demon race called Earth Bones. We’re unlucky to encounter demons as soon as we enter,” Pei Yunshang said. “With so many Earth Bones here, we must be close to the Demon Nurturing River.”

“Do you want to take a stroll near the Demon Nurturing River? There are a few bell points there as well.”

Pei Yunshang had expected them to be curious and eager to go, but instead, all three shook their heads in unison.

Guan Shize said, “No, let’s leave the bell points near the Demon Nurturing River to those who are more capable.”

Qu Ruotian added, “Low-level demon races may have their benefits, but they’re disgusting to look at. I want to ease into this and not start off by seeing all sorts of strange demon races.”

Lian Mu was more straightforward, “I’m a coward; I don’t dare to go to dangerous places.”

Pei Yunshang said, “I thought you would be like the other new disciples, eager to show off your skills in dangerous lands.”

After all, last night, when they mentioned the perilous lands, their eyes had lit up.

Lian Mu chuckled, “Getting taught a lesson by demon races right at the start would naturally make anyone afraid. The senior brothers and sisters must know how dangerous those places really are, right?”

“Yes,” Pei Yunshang replied, “However, Sect Master Hua instructed us to respect your decisions. If you want to go, we can take you, but we can’t guarantee you’ll come back alive.”

Guan Shize felt a chill down his spine, “So, the claims that the senior brothers and sisters could protect us were false? Why would Sect Master Hua do this…”

“The so-called protection is just self-preservation,” Pei Yunshang explained. “Sect Master Hua didn’t want us to tell you because he wanted to see if your abilities matched your curiosity. If I’m not mistaken, from the moment you entered the outer circle, Sect Master Hua should have reminded you not to treat this journey as child’s play.”

Not only Sect Master Hua, but many elders had also advised them.

But in reality, inexperienced youths often don’t heed warnings. Without experiencing pain, they won’t remember the lesson.

“This is also one of Sect Master Hua’s tests for you: balancing and restraint. Sometimes, life and death hinge on a single thought. Having ambition is good, but if your actions exceed your capabilities, you’ll pay a heavy price.”

As Pei Yunshang spoke, his eyes flickered, as if recalling something, and his voice grew somber, “Countless people have died under the weight of undue curiosity. You’ve made the right choice.”

Lian Mu asked, “Where should we go next? You have more experience, so you should know which path is safer, right?”

Pei Yunshang replied, “Wait here until nightfall. When night descends and the stars appear, you’ll be able to see the legendary Heavenly Return Palace. Following the direction of the Heavenly Return Palace is the safest route. We haven’t planned a route in advance, so if we encounter unexpected situations, we can adapt on the fly.”

“How can we see the Heavenly Return Palace at night?” Guan Shize asked.

“The Heavenly Return Palace is among the stars, like a bright moon. At night, the twelve pearls in front of its hall emit a spiritual glow that repels demons. The closer you get to the Heavenly Return Palace, the fewer Demonic Creatures there are,” Pei Yunshang explained. “Of course, there are other reasons too. The Heavenly Return Palace was once the residence of a lord, and the Demonic Creatures of Shifang Nether soil fear him. Even after his departure, they still keep their distance from the palace.”

Hearing this, Lian Mu immediately agreed with Pei Yunshang’s suggestion. She had been wanting to find the Heavenly Return Palace, and now it was like finding a pillow when sleepy.

“You don’t need to worry about those bell points. Last night, I already spoke with Brother Ye and Brother Xiao. We’ll leave the main exploration to them; we just need to pick up whatever they miss.”

Upon hearing this, the three felt at ease.

Lian Mu said, “I guess we’re living off our senior brothers’ efforts.”