Chapter 177

Xu Yang shook his head to himself; he was not as optimistic as Sun Tao and Zhang Yong.

The Profound Heaven Sect was so secretive about its news that there must be some hidden story.

The Martial Arts Examination was held every two years, and each time, at least fifty people ascended to the dragon, yet he had not heard of many people returning from the Profound Heaven Sect. Could it be that those who joined the Profound Heaven Sect never returned to Qingyuan County?

"It's not that they didn't return; I fear they all died outside."

Fifty people every two years meant five hundred people in twenty years, yet in Qingyuan County, one rarely heard of the geniuses who had ascended to the dragon returning after leaving.

Of course, it was possible he was overthinking it; after all, there was too little available information.

However, he could not let his guard down; after entering the Profound Heaven Sect, he would try to keep a low profile.

Several days later, the group galloped into a majestic and vast mountain range. The mountains looked like giant dragons lying horizontally, with mist steaming like clouds, and ancient trees over a hundred years old could be seen everywhere. A wild, ancient aura rushed toward them.

For a moment, everyone felt that even the air was much sweeter.

"Hurry up, we've entered the territory of the Profound Heaven Sect!" Li He let out a long whistle and swung the horsewhip in his hand.

The group's spirits were greatly lifted, and they followed one after another, kicking up dust that filled the sky.

After galloping for another half an hour, the group finally saw some palaces built on the mountainsides or peaks ahead. They were magnificent and grand, like a heavenly palace hidden among the clouds and mist, with white cranes dancing and giant birds circling.

In addition to the palaces that looked like a heavenly palace, among the mountains and ravines, the group also saw a city standing on the earth. Looking at its scale, it was even larger than the Qingyuan County seat.

"Is the Profound Heaven Sect a city?" someone asked in surprise.

If everyone in this city was a disciple of the Profound Heaven Sect, then how many people would the Profound Heaven Sect have? Two hundred thousand or three hundred thousand?

"This is Qingyang City. It was originally just a small village, but after years of development, it became a city that cannot be heard of outside. Inside live the descendants of the Profound Heaven Sect's past generations of disciples or the families of the current disciples.

If you can gain a firm foothold in the Profound Heaven Sect in the future, marry, and have children, your families can live in Qingyang City."

Soon, the group arrived in front of the Profound Heaven Sect's mountain gate. On a giant rock with a strange shape, the three vigorous and powerful characters "Profound Heaven Sect" were carved.

"Everyone dismount, don't walk around, just follow me."

Li He jumped off his horse first and waved his hand to pat the dust off his body.

"What about the horses?" Zhang Yong asked.

This horse of his had cost ten silver taels, and it was a pity to just throw it away, but looking at the situation, the Profound Heaven Sect had no place for him to keep horses.

"Don't keep the horses; just take your luggage. You won't need them in the future!" Li He shouted again.

Many people showed expressions of heartache, but they had to comply.

Xu Yang was also a bit reluctant; a horse worth seven or eight taels was to be abandoned just like that. If he killed it for meat, it would at least be enough to eat for ten or twenty days.

There were disciples guarding the mountain gate, and only after Li He stepped forward to show the official documents was the group allowed to enter.

Following Li He along the road paved with bluestone for a while, a vast lake appeared before their eyes. There were people boating on the lake, and others fishing by the shore.

Beside the lake was a square with palaces built on it.

Li He led the group to the front of the palace, and he entered the palace alone.

Soon, he walked out with a middle-aged man with sharp eyes and a deep aura, holding a booklet.

"My name is Zhao Qing, and I am one of the outer sect deacons of the Profound Heaven Sect. Everyone, follow me."

After speaking, he turned and left directly.

"Go, listen to Deacon Zhao's arrangements." Li He waved his hand and turned to walk in another direction.

Everyone cupped their fists to Li He before quickly following Zhao Qing.