Chapter 933: There Is No Return

This was Jiang Ruyi's first time entering the inner city.

Recalling her last pilgrimage, she had been merely a stream-level novice, one of the thousand disciples summoned.

She was only fit to remain in the outer city, bowing before the statue of the Divine One.

But this time, Jiang Ruyi was meticulously arranged for—she changed guides several times along the way, being led through the heavily guarded inner city until they finally arrived before a grand hall.

"Hall of Divine Worship."

Jiang Ruyi lifted her eyelids, gazing at the gilded characters on the hall's plaque.

Compared to the Hall of Immortal Worship in Luoxian Village, this Hall of Divine Worship was far more magnificent and imposing.

"Senior Sister Feng, the disciple has been delivered." The guide stepped forward, bowed to the middle-aged woman before the hall, "I'm returning."

"Mm." The middle-aged woman's expression was haughty; she nodded dismissively.

As the guide departed, Jiang Ruyi politely spoke: "Senior Sister, greetings."

The woman sized Jiang Ruyi up, her expression softening slightly, then gently pushed open the massive hall doors: "Long heard of you, Junior Sister Jiang—step inside. You're the last one."

"Understood." Jiang Ruyi was taken aback.

She had received the message only last night, and had arrived as swiftly as possible.

Yet she was still the last?

Jiang Ruyi stepped into the hall—the vast interior was opulent and splendid.

Deep within the hall stood a ten-meter-tall jade statue of Yu Fu, seated upon a massive stone throne.

Though carved from stone, it was exquisitely detailed.

He wore a grand cloak, his face stern, his eyes radiating overwhelming authority—uncannily lifelike.

Once one entered the hall, no matter where you stood, the Divine One—Yu Fu—seemed to be gazing down upon you.

The sense of oppression intensified!

Beneath the jade statue, across the vast hall, hundreds of prayer mats were laid out.

At this moment, nine Yu Fu disciples knelt before the statue, heads bowed in prayer.

Jiang Ruyi did not hesitate; she stepped forward swiftly.

Outside the hall, the middle-aged woman watched Jiang Ruyi's graceful back and sighed inwardly: "Ah."

A flicker of regret passed through her eyes.

This was the third group of fellow disciples she had sent in over the past three days.

This seemingly sacred and solemn Hall of Divine Worship was profoundly mysterious—and terrifying, like a monstrous beast that devoured its prey.

She never knew exactly what happened inside, but she knew one thing: any Yu Fu believer who came here.

Only entered. Never left!

The middle-aged woman extended her hand, slowly closing the massive hall doors.

"Click!"

Jiang Ruyi's steps halted; she turned to look at the massive doors.

Moments later, she walked deeper into the hall.

Though hundreds of prayer mats filled the hall, the nine Yu Fu disciples knelt neatly in two rows.

Jiang Ruyi arrived at the fifth mat in the second row and knelt down properly.

Two meters to her left, kneeling beside her, was a petite young woman.

She had short hair, almond eyes, and appeared sweet and adorable—her aura utterly out of place among Yu Fu disciples.

Sensing another disciple's arrival, the petite woman stole a glance—and her eyes widened in shock!

Jiang… Jiang Jiang Ruyi?!

My goodness!

The famed luminary of the younger generation, the Lady of the Immortal Sheep Sect's earthly patriarch!

What merit do I have to kneel beside such a divine figure?

Is this even where I'm supposed to be?

Jiang Ruyi turned her head slightly, casting a cool glance toward her left.

In that instant, the woman stopped breathing!

Jiang Ruyi's veil only made her dark eyes more striking.

They seemed to hold the tranquil beauty of a starlit night sky.

Only when Jiang Ruyi lowered her gaze in reverence did the young woman snap back to herself.

The woman was mortified, her cheeks flushed; she wanted to cover her face and scold herself inwardly:

An Xiaoxian, you're such a fool!

What are you daydreaming about?!

Now she'll surely think you're an idiot!

The woman's turbulent emotions subtly affected Jiang Ruyi.

Those from the River Realm truly possess the ability to alter the atmosphere around them.

Jiang Ruyi was about to offer a warning when she suddenly raised her brow—the other nine Yu Fu disciples, too, showed subtle reactions.

Did the Divine One send another message?!

The Hall of Divine Worship grew even quieter.

Jiang Ruyi listened closely, each word imprinting itself in her mind.

Sacred Spirit Mountain, Sacred Spirit Qi

"Huuu!"

Suddenly, a terrifying divine force surged forth.

Jiang Ruyi tensed, lifting her gaze.

The jade statue of Yu Fu sat high above, legs spread, gazing down upon the worshippers below.

From within the statue, a wisp of mist suddenly emerged, enveloping all ten of them.

Trapped in the mist, Jiang Ruyi could not see her surroundings; she immediately spread a ring of golden jade talismans around herself.

"Huu~"

A sudden gust of wind swept through, whipping her long black hair.

Jiang Ruyi frowned slightly, her slender fingers gently pinching the air.

Sand?

There could be no desert wind inside the Hall of Divine Worship.

As Jiang Ruyi pondered, the mist dispersed—revealing a scene that left all ten Yu Fu disciples stunned.

One moment ago, they had been kneeling inside the hall.

Now, they stood in a vast desert.

All around, barren wasteland stretched endlessly.

The rising sun hung in the sky; though it was morning, the heat was already scorching.

Jiang Ruyi rose slowly, using the sun to easily determine direction.

To the west: endless desolation.

Far to the east, towering stone peaks pierced the clouds like giant spikes—strange, yet awe-inspiring.

Was this the world beyond the Divine Ruins?

But why had she not faced the trial of the Divine Ruins?

If reaching this place were so easy, why had Immortal Sheep personally opened a Divine Ruins for Lu Ran—forcing him to endure trials, leaving him battered and bruised?

Jiang Ruyi's gaze flickered as she pondered silently.

Those who passed the Divine Ruins trial to enter this realm must have received some advantage.

Jiang Ruyi reached this conclusion precisely because she knew Immortal Sheep cherished Lu Ran—he would never have subjected him to needless suffering.

"Jiang Ruyi?!"

"Junior Sister Ruyi… uh, Lady of Luoxian?" Voices rang out.

Jiang Ruyi turned back to the group of fellow disciples.

Seven men, two women—mostly middle-aged, except the petite woman who had knelt beside her.

"Greetings, everyone." Jiang Ruyi clasped her hands together, politely speaking.

The others, each with varying expressions, clasped their hands and returned the greeting.

Several of them were overjoyed!

Jiang Ruyi had been the last to enter the hall; they had no idea she was among them.

Earlier, inside the hall, Yu Fu had delivered two messages:

First, assign a task: collect Sacred Spirit Qi.

Second, warn that the Sacred Spirit Mountain Realm was extremely perilous.

And that was all.

Confused, the group had been transported here by the Divine One.

Whatever else, the task was clearly dangerous!

Now that they saw Jiang Ruyi among them, how could they not be elated?

"I never expected to meet Junior Sister Jiang here!"

"Hearing a hundred times is not as good as seeing once; Jiang Shimei is truly a prodigy, possessing the bearing of a celestial being."

The group all spoke up at once, warmly greeting and addressing her.

They say disciples of Yu Fu's school are stern and cold, but clearly, it depends on who they're facing.

At this moment, Jiang Ruyi had become the center of attention; already possessing immense prestige, she also held a distinguished status and the power to match it.

If things continued like this, she would surely become the team leader.

Beside her, the oldest member of the team, a man over fifty, watched this scene with unreadable eyes.

After a moment of silence, he spoke: "Everyone!"

All turned their heads toward this senior brother.

The older man smiled warmly and asked: "Master Yu Fu sent a message instructing us to gather Sacred Spirit Qi. Does anyone know what that is?"

Everyone looked at each other, none of them knowing.

The older man sighed and reclaimed their attention: "Master Yu Fu also said this realm is extraordinarily dangerous."

"If that's the case, we must unite and jointly fulfill the gods' assigned task."

"Senior Brother is right—exactly so!"

"We were all teleported here together by Master Yu Fu; while exploring Sacred Spirit Mountain, we must stand together," others chimed in.

The older man nodded approvingly, his gaze sweeping over them: "All of you are powerful. Back in Great Xia, you never revealed your true strength."

"But from today on, we are brothers and sisters bound by life and death. To complete our mission and fight our enemies better, we must know each other."

He set an example: "My name is Meng Zhixuan. I am currently at Jiangjing Stage Three."

After speaking, Meng Zhixuan looked toward the youngest woman in the team, aside from Jiang Ruyi.

As expected, the woman obediently replied: "Senior Brother Meng, hello! My name is An Xiaohe—I mean, An Xian. Jiangjing Stage One."

"Song Yu, Jiangjing Stage Three."

"Zhang Zhenghu, Jiangjing Stage Two."

"Chu Tianyun, Jiangjing Stage One."

"Jiang Ruyi, Jiangjing Stage Four."

Finally, Jiang Ruyi spoke calmly.

Instantly, everyone turned again toward the icy, ethereal maiden in her white robe.

Some marveled, others sighed in awe, and a few secretly rejoiced.

Most of the senior brothers and sisters were in their thirties or forties—yet this girl, under twenty, held the highest cultivation level!

Meng Zhixuan gazed at the young woman, calm and aloof, and slightly narrowed his eyes—barely noticeable.

Jiang Ruyi sensed it and glanced over.

Meng Zhixuan immediately burst into laughter, appearing genuinely pleased: "Hah! With a prodigy like Jiang Shimei among us, we'll surely accomplish our mission better!"

"BOOM!!"

Suddenly, a thunderous sound echoed from high above.

Instantly, everyone tensed, looking upward.

At the same moment, in Closed Chamber No. 1 of Yunhai Cliff.

Lu Ran sat cross-legged on the ground and shivered.

Are those bastards fighting again?

I'm hidden inside the mountain—how are you still shaking me?

Lu Ran shut off his Evil Perception and hugged the Crimson Phoenix-patterned gourd: "Just two more days, Little Crimson Phoenix. You'll have your feast soon—let me prepare a bit more."

"Then, we'll shake them up too!"

"Hum~" The Crimson Phoenix-patterned gourd trembled gently.

(End of Chapter)