Chapter 214: Exploration Phase

Back when this guy was cursing him, it wasn’t like this…

The Shifang Nether Soil is categorized into five levels based on the degree of Demonic Qi pollution. The fifth level is considered the outer ring, while the fourth level and above are the inner rings. The inner rings are further divided into four zones, with the deeper one ventures, the closer they get to the source of the Demon Nurturing River.

In the outer ring, they only face a group of High-tier Demonic Beasts and some easily slain low-level demon races. However, the inner ring is a different story.

The disciples had always believed they were far from encountering a true demon race, but in the blink of an eye, they were about to face them firsthand.

“I know what you’re worried about, but this is something every disciple of the Immortal Sects must experience,” Hua Qiuxin’s voice was firm and powerful. “The peaceful places you once inhabited were secured by the blood of predecessors who guarded the Shifang Nether Soil. Since you have entered the Immortal Sects, you must shoulder this responsibility.”

“Of course, the sect will not send you in unprepared. Arriving here a month in advance is to allow the senior brothers and sisters here to introduce you to the demon race.”

“During this month, you can team up with senior brothers and sisters from your sect to explore the inner ring areas outside the Illusion Realm, preparing for your entry into the Illusion Realm a month later. An exploration team consists of four members, with a Team Leader being a senior brother or sister stationed at the Shifang Nether Soil. The remaining three can be chosen freely.”

Lian Mu quietly asked Qu Ruotian, “Do all sects have senior brothers and sisters?”

Qu Ruotian leaned in sneakily, “Seems like it. Based on past exploration teams, it should be Senior Brother Ye and Senior Brother Xiao’s turn this time.”

Lian Mu fell silent. “…”

They would meet again.

Lian Mu couldn’t help but recall the time at the Returning Immortal Sect when she encountered Xiao Jin. She always felt that Xiao Jin looked down on her. As for Ye Minghe… he had a relatively good temperament.

After Sect Master Hua finished speaking, he continued leading the team forward, leaving the disciples chattering among themselves.

“Lian Mu, I remember you’re from Cold Arrival Peak. Are you going to team up with Senior Brother Ye?” Qu Ruotian asked.

Lian Mu replied, “I’ll decide when the time comes. Have you made your choice?”

Qu Ruotian said, “All of us from Autumn Peak want to choose Senior Brother Xiao Jin. But if Senior Brother Xiao Jin thinks I’m not strong enough and doesn’t want to take me, I’ll have to choose another senior brother or sister.”

“You’ve already become the Second Seat, so your strength should be adequate,” Lian Mu said.

Guan Shize, however, didn’t care about this and directly said, “Lian Mu, could you take me with you?”

As soon as he spoke, the sword cultivators around them on the silver kite turned their heads:

“Sister Lian, take me too!”

“Whoever Sister Lian chooses, I choose. I want to be on your team.”

“Get lost. Do you think any senior brother or sister who teams up with Sister Lian would pick you? I suggest teaming up with me.”

Lian Mu sighed, “Is it possible that I also have no experience in killing demon races?”

Guan Shize was speechless.

Why did everyone always want to take the spot next to Lian Mu?

Lian Mu hadn’t even decided whom to choose yet. After rejecting a bunch of sword cultivator peers, she fell into contemplation.

Although she hadn’t killed a demon race before, she had fought them.

A demon race like Xuan Che, who appeared human-like, should be considered a high-level demon, right?

Lian Mu glanced at her own hands. Perhaps her spiritual blood would be effective against other demon races too.

…

Half an hour later, the team stopped above a cluster of tents, where many people had already gathered, seemingly waiting for them.

Lian Mu saw people in various sect uniforms, with their Returning Immortal Sect’s blue robes on the far right.

Among the leaders welcoming them, Xin Wanbai was present.

The disciples prepared to dismount the silver kite.

Just as Lian Mu was about to leap out of the barrier, she overheard two accompanying elders conversing nearby.

One of them was Murong Yi, and beside him was Elder Cheng Ling from the Crimson Sky Sect.

“Murong, after so many years, you’re back again.” Cheng Ling’s gaze wasn’t on the people below but on the distant blackened forest.

He smiled and said, “I remember in previous years, you always had someone accompany you instead of stepping into the Shifang Nether Soil yourself. This year, you surprised me.”

Murong Yi’s expression was calm. “The past is the past. I’ve long let it go.”

“Let it go?” Cheng Ling said, “From my perspective, you’ve resigned yourself to fate. I’ve heard that Wanbai has stayed in the Shifang Nether Soil all these years to help you retrieve that item. As her senior brother, you let her guard the Shifang Nether Soil alone while you hide in the sect, living a cowardly life. Your Sword Core is lost, and you’ve become a coward.”

Murong Yi pursed his lips. “What does this have to do with you?”

Cheng Ling replied, “Anything concerning Wanbai is my concern. Thinking about how a half-crippled waste like you has wasted half her life under the guise of friendship makes me feel it’s not worth it for her.”

Murong Yi frowned slightly but remained silent for a moment.

“Elder, should we go down?” A familiar voice interrupted them. The two turned to see Lian Mu’s cheerful face.

Lian Mu said, “Elder, I can’t go down alone. Please help.”

Cheng Ling raised an eyebrow at her. “A sword cultivator can’t fly with their sword? Elder Murong can’t carry you down.”

Lian Mu replied, “With an elder leading, I feel safe. I remember Elder Cheng is an alchemy cultivator, right? It might be tough for you to go down too. My legs are strong. Want me to give you a hand?”

Cheng Ling was taken aback. “You…”

Murong Yi closed his silver fan and tapped Lian Mu’s shoulder. “Let’s go.”

Lian Mu followed Murong Yi, glancing back to see Cheng Ling’s icy expression.

She smiled slightly, but as soon as she turned her head, Murong Yi knocked her on the head.

“You little rascal, you’re really fearless,” Murong Yi said. “Even though he’s an alchemy cultivator, his cultivation is far superior to yours. He could crush you with pure spiritual power. It’s one thing to tease good-tempered elders, but don’t provoke someone like him, who’s petty and vengeful.”

Lian Mu looked innocent. “I won’t dare next time.”

Hearing their entire conversation, Cheng Ling almost laughed in anger. “…”

“Murong Yi, admit it or not, you’re just a waste.”

Murong Yi didn’t look back. “Oh.”

The two completely ignored Cheng Ling’s anger and leapt to the ground.

Back with the Returning Immortal Sect team, Lian Mu looked up as Xin Wanbai led a group of senior brothers and sisters to greet them.

Xin Wanbai was a sword cultivator elder stationed at the Shifang Nether Soil. She only guarded the Immortal Sect Grand Competition for a few days before rushing back to the Shifang Nether Soil after the Illusion Realm.

Lian Mu hadn’t seen her for a long time.

She glanced at Murong Yi but ultimately didn’t ask anything, instead smiling and greeting Xin Wanbai, “Elder Xin, it’s good to see you again.”

As soon as Xin Wanbai saw her, she recalled the trouble she caused at the Returning Immortal Sect. “Now that you’re at the Shifang Nether Soil, put away your playful nature and don’t be as reckless as before.”

Lian Mu replied, “Don’t worry, elder. After experiencing several Illusion Realms, I’ve become a mature and steady sword cultivator.”

Nearby, the Chief team of the Returning Immortal Sect had just arrived. Upon hearing this, Xu Xianxing couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Wen Yun gave him a kick, trying to suppress his own amusement, but it was clear on his face. He managed to hold it in.

Bai, expressionless and more composed than anyone, said, “I can vouch for that.”

Ji Mingyue was speechless. “…”

Pretending.

Guan Huailin smiled silently.

Seeing their reactions, Xin Wanbai understood everything. “I hope that’s true.”

Murong Yi cleared his throat. “Let’s get down to business.”

Xin Wanbai returned to the main topic. “As you know, sect leaders must have informed you about this journey. For the next month, you will explore the Shifang Nether Soil to acclimate to its environment.”

“The senior brothers and sisters behind me have been dispatched from Black Tortoise North to guide you. You can choose your team members based on your own strength.”

Just as Xu Xianxing was about to raise his hand to ask a question, Xin Wanbai, anticipating his query, said, “Chief team members cannot form a group together, and the same goes for Second Seats. Each team must have four members, with no more than two Chief Disciples or Second Seats.”

Xu Xianxing quietly lowered his hand.

Xin Wanbai continued, “However, once you’ve formed your team of four, you can choose to collaborate with other small teams. Collaboration is not restricted by sect, so you can team up with members from other sects as well.”

“Breaking up the Chief team is one of your tests. During the Illusion Realm in Shifang Nether Soil, the Chief team won’t be transported together; you might be scattered, so you need to be prepared.”

Xin Wanbai added, “Exploration will open tomorrow, so you need to form your teams by today.”

Lian Mu raised her hand to ask, “Elder, what benefits are there after exploring?”

Xin Wanbai smiled slightly. “Of course, there are benefits. The sect team that explores the widest area will receive a reward: a map to the location of a Golden Core Flower.”

Everyone was stunned. “???”

How is this different from directly winning a place?!

Not only the Returning Immortal Sect, but disciples from other sects also became excited upon hearing about this reward.

This was a map straight to the finish line, finally freeing them from the painstaking search for spiritual energy traces!

“Elder, rest assured, we will cover every inch of the Shifang Nether Soil,” Xu Xianxing declared.

Xin Wanbai remarked meaningfully, “The Shifang Nether Soil is no playground. It’s just one of the areas under the Azure Profound Sect’s jurisdiction. If you aren’t crushed by Demonic Creatures, I’ll be burning incense in thanks.”

She stepped aside. “Now, you can start choosing your team members.”

The disciples of the Returning Immortal Sect all looked at the senior brothers and sisters behind her, who were smiling at them, clearly interested in these young ones.

Leading them were the most formidable disciples from the five peaks of the Returning Immortal Sect: Ye Minghe from Cold Arrival Peak, Xiao Jin from Autumn Peak, Jiang Hanyu from Thousand Spirit Peak, Qiu Heng from Fragrance-Attracting Peak, and Pei Yunshang and Gongxi Rong from the main peak.

Naturally, the leading disciples would team up with the Chief Disciples, while the other disciples instinctively sought out the senior brothers and sisters in the back.

Xu Xianxing rushed forward to lock onto his target. “Sister Jiang, I want to team up with you. We’re both artifact refiners!”

Jiang Hanyu glanced at him with a smile and shook her head. “I refuse. Brother Xu, having two artifact refiners in one team, are you trying to form a mascot team?”

“Sister, do you also think artifact refiners can only be mascots?” Xu Xianxing asked, quite hurt.

“Of course not. But if you join, it would be. A team only needs one artifact refiner.” With that, Jiang Hanyu turned to another side. “Sister Ji, would you consider joining me?”

Ji Mingyue nodded. “Alright.”

Gongxi Rong, wearing the uniform of a body cultivator, said, “Hanyu, your words are harsh. Brother Xu is a genius newcomer who managed to create a replica of the Pearl-Seeking Instrument. How could he be a mascot? Brother Xu, come to my team. I’ll protect you.”

Xu Xianxing immediately moved over. “Brother Gongxi, you’re so kind. I’ve always thought body cultivators are the most understanding.”

Wen Yun, standing nearby, twitched his mouth. “…”

This guy didn’t say that when he was cursing him before.

Wen Yun couldn’t be bothered to expose him and turned to ask, “Lian Mu, as a Second Seat, you can also choose from the leading disciples. Who do you want to team up with?”