Chapter 565: with translation of chapter title

Inside the Abyssal Rift.

Before the other heavenly prodigies had even reacted, Yuan Yao and her companions had already seized a location that was easy to defend, hard to attack, and pleasant, making it the base of the Abyss‑clearing Squad.

After they regrouped, Yuan Yao first erected several sealing barriers here.

"We discovered that the demon clan had also begun searching for territory when we returned," said Cang Li.

Zhai Qiye leaned against a nearby boulder and asked, "What should we do next?"

Yuan Yao finished perfecting the last restrictive barrier, slowly rose, and said solemnly, "Increase our strength and cultivation as much as possible until we have the ability to fight the Abyssal Beast Lord."

Hua Chengyan put away the small bronze mirror in his hand, sighed lightly, "But this is the Abyss; spiritual energy is thin, and the aura here is mixed, making it truly difficult for us to raise our cultivation."

"Then let's first gain combat experience." Ying Wuji spoke up, "In the Abyss, there are many powerful abyssal beasts that can serve as our combat opponents."

Yuan Yao clapped her hands and continued, "As for spiritual energy, I will set up a Spirit Gathering Array at the camp to absorb the surrounding thin spiritual energy as much as possible and provide it for your cultivation."

The proud ones present exchanged glances.

"Then we have no choice but to do this."

Feng Xuanji looked at her, "Fellow Daoist Yuan, thank you."

Yuan Yao smiled and shook her head, "Just call me Yuan Yao; no need to be so formal."

Feng Xuanji froze for a moment, then a smile appeared on her face.

"Good."

Yuan Yao's gaze swept over all the proud ones present, and she declared loudly, "Furthermore, to ensure you all continue to improve, I propose we jointly create a 'Abyss-Clearing Squad Cultivation Schedule'."

As soon as she said that, the proud ones reacted variously, and discussion erupted.

"A cultivation schedule?" Bian Chen showed doubt on his face.

"Yuan Yao, is this unnecessary? We are not lazy people," Jiang Xiao said with a hint of disdain.

"Haha, Yuan Yao, are you perhaps also wanting to act as our instructor?"

Facing their doubts, Yuan Yao's expression remained unchanged, her voice cold and clear: "Monster proud ones must have the awareness of monster proud ones! Starting today, each person must slay at least ten abyssal beasts per month, and each beast's rank must not be lower than their own cultivation realm. Take me as an example: my current cultivation is mid-stage Spirit Transformation Realm, so I need to slay ten fifth-rank or higher abyssal beasts each month. Violators will be expelled from the Abyss-Clearing Squad!"

"Just that?" Jiang Shuai crossed his arms, curled his lips in a hint of arrogance, and spoke lightly.

Many proud ones, upon hearing this, also secretly nodded, feeling the task was as easy as turning over their hand for them.

"Not bad, that's the requirement." Yuan Yao smiled and nodded.

She paused briefly, then shifted tone: "However, within our Abyss-Clearing Squad, we will establish an 'Abyss Hunting Ranking.' This ranking will be comprehensively evaluated based on the number and rank of abyssal beasts slain. Each month, the bottom three will be punished by being confined to the camp for a month, not allowed to go out."

Upon hearing this, the proud ones finally changed their expressions.

They secretly thought: No wonder the monthly task requirements are so simple; it turns out Yuan Yao is digging a pit here waiting for them.

Confined to the camp, not allowed to go out...

To them, this is not leisure but a loss of basic perception of the Abyss.

Jiang Shuai slightly raised his eyebrows, "The Abyss Hunting Ranking is interesting."

The proud ones present, because of this ranking, also gained extra anticipation for slaying abyssal beasts.

They all refused to fall behind.

Seeing their high spirits, Yuan Yao said, "On the first and fifteenth of each month, that will be our Abyss-Clearing Squad's group battle time, targeting seventh-rank abyssal beasts. The rest of the time, to avoid danger when you go out alone, we will randomly draw lots to split into four teams to hunt abyssal beasts. Any objections?"

"None!" Cang Li immediately spoke up.

Dong Jiao exclaimed, "Yuan Yao, how can your mind be so clever!"

Zhai Qiye chuckled lightly, "We'll just follow Captain Yuan's orders."

The other proud ones had no objections.

Qian Yunzhou gazed at Yuan Yao with admiration in his eyes, secretly thinking: This clever little sixth sister is a perfect match for him. As for Xie Yan, that dead half-demon, he's just a brute—what's good about him?

This camp is spacious, suitable for pitching tents, but there aren't enough tents.

Many proud ones, being heaven's chosen, have never stayed long in such a harsh environment, so they inevitably show disdain.

Qian Yunzhou felt the camp still had a slight odor, so he raised his hand, covered his nose with his wide robe sleeve, then looked at Jiang Shuai and the others: "You strong fellows, quickly go chop some wood back to build a shelter."

"Qian Yunzhou, why aren't you going to chop wood?" Jiang Shuai sneered.

Qian Yunzhou slightly lifted his eyes, "Because I have a tent."

Jiang Shuai was choked.

"Let's go!" Jiang Shuai immediately summoned several proud ones to leave the camp and chop some wood.

At that moment, Yuan Yao was together with her senior brothers and sisters setting up tents.

And Xie Yan also walked over, silently helping to set up.

Xue Jin gave Xie Yan a cold glance.

Xiao Lingwei slightly raised her eyebrows.

Cang Li winked at Ying Wuji beside him.

Ying Wuji's expression remained normal.

Song Yan smiled slightly, "Thank you, Fellow Daoist Xie."

Xie Yan nodded in response, "You're welcome."

Yuan Yao tilted her head to look at Xie Yan, "Do you have a tent?"

Xie Yan shook his head.

Yuan Yao: "Then go chop some wood."

Xie Yan lifted his eyes to look at her, "Can you accompany me?"

"I'll go with you." Qian Yunzhou's voice suddenly came from not far behind.

"No need." Xie Yan said coldly.

Qian Yunzhou walked over, inserting himself between Xie Yan and Yuan Yao, and asked with a feigned smile, "Why?"

"Because you make me feel disgusted." Xie Yan gave a light snort.

Qian Yunzhou frowned, turned his head to look at Yuan Yao, his tone tinged with a hint of grievance: "Little Sixth Sister, look at him—I was just trying to help him out of goodwill, yet he uses such words to hurt my heart."

Xie Yan curled the corner of his mouth into a cold, sharp arc and said lightly: "How old are you, still putting on an act here? If you really feel hurt, why not find a place to end yourself?"

Everyone present was shocked.

They looked at Xie Yan in disbelief, as if they had never known this person before.

Bian Chen was even more shocked, his mouth hanging open—was this still his formerly aloof, icy junior disciple like a flower on a high peak?

Qian Yunzhou put away his pitiful expression, let out a faint sigh, and retorted: "Xie Yan, you've been pretending to be a grandson for so long, and now your true form is finally revealed. You're a half-demon with phoenix blood—basically just a half-human, half-chicken creature. You reek of a foul stench; why don't you stay away from me and Little Sixth Sister?"

Upon hearing this, Xie Yan lowered his eyelashes and clenched his fingers slightly.

Seeing this, Yuan Yao took a deep breath, glared at Qian Yunzhou, and said: "Qian Yunzhou, don't go too far with your words."

Qian Yunzhou blinked, then said: "It's clearly him who started insulting me..."

Yuan Yao said helplessly: "What's the point of you two winning the argument against each other?"